daily mail article....dlp petition...

[madmish]

just read this article about a petition to save DLP...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...aris-amid-claims-literally-falling-apart.html

hmmm...

 

[DLPdaft]

I haven't read the Daily Mail article (I try to avoid them as a rule) but I think its just their take on the petition which was set up a couple of months ago? -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151728&highlight=petition

 

[Jonjo]

It was in the Independent yesterday. It's the one set up by Belgian theme park enthusiast Guillaume Gallant after he experienced some ride closures during a recent trip.

One of the rides he complained about being broken during his trip was BTM, which was close for the installation of the new disabled ride entrance.

Although he does have a point about the lack of park entertainment these days. His comments about poor maintenance is never something I have noticed. I always see 'wet paint' signs and rides closed for re-furbishment and maintenance when I visit the park in the off season.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...ition-demanding-higher-standards-8815748.html

 

[McCrae]

DLP was probably the biggest mistake Disney has made when deciding a theme park location for Europe.

The poor weather and differences in culture should have ruled Paris out.

From its opening it has always struggled and the poor quality of materials used was obvious at the start.

I remember on my first visit not long after opening getting hit by falling stones from a badly constructed wall.

IMO it is the very poor relation of the other Disney resorts and lacks the magic.

It's not the kind of place you would go on regular repeat visits.

 

[Lisa_C]

This is the problem- I can almost guarantee that half of those who signed the position haven't been recently (if at all) and are jumping on the band wagon. I personally think (and I said this in the podcast) that if you want to complain, do it face to face, at DLP when you are THERE! It's fine to say I saw X, Y and Z AFTER you've been, but actually spending 5 minutes in City Hall, writing down your complaint is far more productive to putting your name on some petition. I see it as a generic complaint and not a personal view (you're saying "what he said" and not what you actually have concerns about) as I too, don't see the poor maintenance etc mentioned. But I do see problems with poorly organised meet and greets, smoking issues and a caliber of guests that are capable of ruining a first timers view of our beloved parks. The first two I have I've spoken to the relevant people about, but there is nothing that can be done about the third unless CM's are given the power to sort it out, which they can't in the current state of lack of enforcement they face due to some Europeans thinking can do what they like.

 

[Lisa_C]

IMO it is the very poor relation of the other Disney resorts and lacks the magic.

It's not the kind of place you would go on regular repeat visits.

I disagree. I've gone more times in the past year (even extended our August trip by 3 days (originally 5) due to not wanted to leave) and have added another 3 days onto Halloween giving us 8, and another four days over Christmas giving us another 8. Have booked 10 days onsight for early next year and plan to go in April and May too.

My own view is I love our parks and will support DLP through thick and thin. I do see that not visiting achieves anything (as others in previous threads have mentioned)- there will always be new generations and it will always have thousands of visitors walking through those gates. I think the real power is to go and voice your opinions to City Hall. They do have to take everything you say seriously. But this is just personal opinion.

 

[Cdaniels1987]

I must say I completely disagree with what is written in the petition, whilst I have not been this year, I last went in July last year and have been 4 times since January 2010, and I think the standard is very good, I find the food at the counter service to be very good considering its fast food, and I have always found the cleanliness and maintenance of the park to be spot on.

Broken down rides are always going to happen in a 365 day a year park, so I don't see how people can complain about that, also whenever there has been a broken down ride whilst I have been there its never been for longer than an hour.

I agree that the hotels need to be renovated, however they have already acknowledged this and is already happening as we have seen with the Seqouia Lodge and I believe either Cheyenne or Santa Fe have also been renovated. From what I have heard Hotel NY is the next one to be renovated.

Show wise I can't really comment as I have not been this year and last year we had both dreams and fantallusion as well as shows throughout the park.

I also noticed the comment from someone about value for money, this guy must be living in a dream world if he thinks he is going to get value for money at any Disney park, me and my OH went to Disney World on our honeymoon earlier this year and it was just as expensive as DLP, however being in the magic is what its all about, not the price of things, you can't visit a Disney park and expect things to be cheap, its an expensive holiday, but worth every penny. I still find DLP to be as magical as it was 6/7 years ago, actually no that's a lie I have found it has become even more magical and enjoyable as time has gone on.

 

[Lisa_C]

I don't agree with what's written in the petition either, hence why I haven't, and won't, sign it. People seem to be backing up the opinion of one person thinking that signing it will make a change. I don't think it will. We summed up on The Disneyland Parisians podcast that this is a teeny tiny amount of signatures compared to how many gate visitors there are - you will need a heck of a lot more than that to make a real point. And with the financial situation as it is, there's not much chance that they would anyway? We still don't know what long term plans are ahead either. I would like to go with the theory that monies will be saved by not theming every year into a specific event and it for the proper birthdays. Then maybe we could have new rides of expansions, but I'd be more interested in a 3rd gate

 

[Ware Bears]

It's not the kind of place you would go on regular repeat visits.

I'm afraid you'll find you're in the minority here!

 

[cruisingteacher]

I actually fell in love with DLP when I was there in 2011, which is why I am going back in March.

Now I was somewhat let down when I visited Disneyland in Hong Kong in 2010, the Halloween décor won me over since it is likely one of the few times I'll get to see Disney do Halloween, but the park overall didn't have the magic.

DLP did for me. Just walking around, the shops, the little details.... I took hundreds of photos because I loved everything!

Not a petition I would sign.

And I agree with the poster who suggested making a complaint at City Hall in person while you are there.... that is much more effective.... imho

 

[Jonjo]

DLP was probably the biggest mistake Disney has made when deciding a theme park location for Europe.

The poor weather and differences in culture should have ruled Paris out.

From its opening it has always struggled and the poor quality of materials used was obvious at the start.

I remember on my first visit not long after opening getting hit by falling stones from a badly constructed wall.

IMO it is the very poor relation of the other Disney resorts and lacks the magic.

It's not the kind of place you would go on regular repeat visits.

I'm going to have to disagree with everything have said here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but with 16.0 million visitors in 2012, Disneyland Paris is the most visited tourist destination in Europe so the Magic must be there otherwise no one would visit the park at all.

Disney spent about 10 years looking for a location for a European theme park and the Paris area of France was finally chosen due to it's location. Easy to get to from many European countries and within a huge catchment area for visitors.

A location in the south of France was surveyed but the ground conditions would have made the park even more expensive to build. Spain was also in the running but the poor transport links in the country and the terrorist problems they were experiencing at the time ruled the country out.

I think the problem is that non Disneyland Paris regulars keep comparing DLP with WDW and not DL which it is based on. The Disneyland Park in Paris is much larger than the MK and WDW regulars keep expecting the in your face American style of customer service and not the more relaxed European one.

DLP was designed as a local day trip and short stay, three night, four day holiday location which it does very well. OK I know that most of us on this board try and stay for longer than that or make multiple trips per year, so they must be doing something right or I would not be going back again in January for another trip. Our last trip was for seven days and for us it was just right for a nice relaxing visit, no rushing around to get all the rides done and leaving us plenty of time to enjoy some really nice meals.

Sure it's not the best Disney resort in the world, Tokyo Disney Resort wins that one hands down, with it's fantastic Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea parks. And it's not the worst, Hong Kong Disneyland gets that one in my book, and only because it is so small.

I won't be signing the petition. If I ever experience a problem in the park I report it to City Hall, or my hotel reception. Or bring it up in a Shareholders meeting.

 

[disneylandparis1974]

Contrary to the replies to this thread I would agree with everything that is in the petition. I have never been to America and I have been going to Disneyland Paris every year (sometimes 3 times per year) since 1974 so I think I am qualified to comment. Our last trip was in June 2013.
My observation was that there were far too many ride closures, breakdowns, early closures, late openings and substantial restaurant closures. The upkeep of the rides and maintenance was not up to past standards for instance the Storybook Boat ride was a disgrace with weeds that high they covered the miniature villages and displays. Major refurbishment was needed on a number of the buildings.
The lack of entertainment and shows was a big disappointment. Dreams is nice but does not replace what we have lost.
There was a lack of table services restaurants open and those that were open were fully booked days in advance, if you like buffet meals there was plenty of choice but my family do not like this type of dinning and we were therefore left with very little choice.
I did complain in writing to Disneyland Paris and they did reply - however the reply was a standard response and did not address the issues - it seems it is not cost effective to have a table service restaurant open within the hotel complex because people like to eat in the park. I know a lot of people who like to return to the Hotel for an evening meal and then cocktails in the bar so this response was inadequate.
I am hoping that the petition will ensure that the parks are returned to their best with improved maintenance, more shows and entertainment and better food options.
It is after all a very expensive holiday destination. I am a share holder, AP holder and a great fan of DLP and it really upsets me to see the decline. I just want the magic back.

 

[cazspence]

Contrary to the replies to this thread I would agree with everything that is in the petition. I have never been to America and I have been going to Disneyland Paris every year (sometimes 3 times per year) since 1974 so I think I am qualified to comment. Our last trip was in June 2013.
My observation was that there were far too many ride closures, breakdowns, early closures, late openings and substantial restaurant closures. The upkeep of the rides and maintenance was not up to past standards for instance the Storybook Boat ride was a disgrace with weeds that high they covered the miniature villages and displays. Major refurbishment was needed on a number of the buildings.
The lack of entertainment and shows was a big disappointment. Dreams is nice but does not replace what we have lost.
There was a lack of table services restaurants open and those that were open were fully booked days in advance, if you like buffet meals there was plenty of choice but my family do not like this type of dinning and we were therefore left with very little choice.
I did complain in writing to Disneyland Paris and they did reply - however the reply was a standard response and did not address the issues - it seems it is not cost effective to have a table service restaurant open within the hotel complex because people like to eat in the park. I know a lot of people who like to return to the Hotel for an evening meal and then cocktails in the bar so this response was inadequate.
I am hoping that the petition will ensure that the parks are returned to their best with improved maintenance, more shows and entertainment and better food options.
It is after all a very expensive holiday destination. I am a share holder, AP holder and a great fan of DLP and it really upsets me to see the decline. I just want the magic back.

How could you have been going to dlp since 1974? It only opened in 1992!

 

[debwllc]

I was at DLP last week, it is a very poor relation to WDW. When I was there I felt I was in a theme park the disney magic is definitely lacking.

I think it was a big mistake building it in France as the cultures clash.

We have three year old twins and a one year old, we took a triple stroller. We know this is too wide for most entrances but it is easily turned sideways and lifted through most doors (after the three year olds hop out). When we arrived at the entrance/exit each day there was a massive difference in how we were treated. Some cast members radioed someone who opened the big iron gate so we could push the stroller in, we were assured this was no problem as somebody had to always be by the exit with the keys for safety reasons, one cast member actually insisted on helping us lift it through. Then some cast members point blank refused to open the gate for us, and one actually tried to tell us we could not bring it into the park. There was no consistency.

I also found it very dirty and the food was awful compared to WDW.

I actually remarked when I was there that I was surprised that Disney allowed the place to run like that as it is IMO damaging he disney brand.

 

[ILOVEDLP]

My DH has just told me to look at this on the mail on line .
He is coming with us in march his 1st visit my 10th him reading this is making him think he going to some scruffy dump of a place where everything will be shut, we who have been to DLP at lot know this is not true.
I love it there it's my fav place to be with my kids they all have happy memories of being there, it my happy place !!
The weather is much like hear in the north east, if we have had a bad winter Durham can look very run down to but when the sun is shinning its looks fab the cathedral stunning etc.
We went to WDW this year it's a great place to visit but you really can not compare it to DLP.
America and France completely different for a start people culture etc.
They only two parks you really can compare are the magic kingdom and the disneyland park and I must prefer the disneyland park much easier get a round a set out so much better IMO.
I do think they should bring the pirate maker to DLP the area next to POC would be so good for that its fab area my fav . Maybe it will come one day.
I LOVE DLP warts and all !!!

 

[DLPaddict]

Now I was somewhat let down when I visited Disneyland in Hong Kong in 2010, the Halloween décor won me over since it is likely one of the few times I'll get to see Disney do Halloween, but the park overall didn't have the magic.

I went to HKDL this year when they had no theme or decorations and not sure how you can say it doesn't have the Disney Magic. The Asian parks are A LOT more magical than the US parks (imo). The only negative thing I can say about HKDL is that they need to paint the castle as it looks really musty. I really enjoyed my time at Hong Kong Disneyland.

I'm also against this stupid petition, it's been blown way out of proportion and I think a lot of the 5,000 who have signed it probably are not regular visitors or they are the guests who nit pick at everything. I will not be signing it.

 

[DLPdaft]

please remember when posting in this thread and any other on this forum, that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and just like opinion the world over, we're not all going to agree with each other. And thats fine - if you disagree, disagree with the post, not the author of the post.
Lets keep the discussion friendly please .

 

[disneylandparis1974]

Sorry this should read 1994 - I was married in 1974 and have a big anniversary next year - just been discussing options for a celebration.

 

[Lisa_C]

I actually remarked when I was there that I was surprised that Disney allowed the place to run like that as it is IMO damaging he disney brand.

What you have to remember here, is that "Disney" do NOT run DLP and it hasn't, and won't have for a long time yet, the funds or resources to stand up again the whole resort that people refer to as WDW. If people were to see past the whole "resort" comparison and take a true park to park comparison, you would soon see how while MK now has an expansion it is still no where near aesthetically pleasing as the Disneyland Park. Of course DLP will come up short on size as its just two parks, but those two parks are pulling in millions of visitors and the majority love them passionately.
I truly believe this petition isn`t the correct way to go about things. If the WDC had been there from the start, maybe things would be different. But they wasn't. And that is what people fail to realise when making the assumption it is inferior. Maybe its actually the WDC that is to blame. Food for thought.

 

[Minniesgal]

What you have to remember here, is that "Disney" do NOT run DLP and it hasn't, and won't have for a long time yet, the funds or resources to stand up again the whole resort that people refer to as WDW. If people were to see past the whole "resort" comparison and take a true park to park comparison, you would soon see how while MK now has an expansion it is still no where near aesthetically pleasing as the Disneyland Park. Of course DLP will come up short on size as its just two parks, but those two parks are pulling in millions of visitors and the majority love them passionately.
I truly believe this petition isn`t the correct way to go about things. If the WDC had been there from the start, maybe things would be different. But they wasn't. And that is what people fail to realise when making the assumption it is inferior. Maybe its actually the WDC that is to blame. Food for thought.

In my opinion it isn't the park facilities that are the issue at DLP it is the management of staff, there simply are not enough CMs and those they have are not trained the way they are in Florida. I have encountered many rude CMs here and many posts with no one available for customer service. Toilets are always filthy even just after park opening, restaurants and hotels are not particularly clean.

I think the fact that .disney does not run DLP is entirely the problem, they need to put the Disney back in.