Disneyland Paris--If you are planning to go you may want to re-think...

[momofariel]

Ok, first let me start by saying I am a Disney Nerd... I love all Disney. We have been owners of DVC since 2000... with that said, we booked a last minute visit to Disneyland Paris since we were going to Paris and thought it may be the only time we were able to go so we booked 4 night stay the Disneyland Paris Hotel and purchased a 3 day pass. Bad decision....
I know some love the park... lets just say, if I did know know better I would think this was "NOT" a Disney owned property....
Let me explain, when we arrived at the park there was no "MAGIC"! No, music playing on Main Street, no cast members selling balloons....no "SMELLS" coming from the Bakery.... no MICKEY ICE CREAM BARS! NO Photographers (at all anywhere)! WHAT!! Everything was CLOSED.... well not everything but several major attractions. Ok, I knew ahead of time about this but when I read online about all of the closures and I thought there had to be a mistake.... there was no way they would close so many major attractions at the same time. Well they do... The restaurants, My husband and I really enjoy the restaurants at Disney World so we made several reservations... REMY, Walt's, The Steak House... basically they all serve the same thing... pretty much anyway. Just not the quality of food or service that you get at US Disney properties. Take it from me , don't waste your money.

OK enough said. I wont be returning....
One bright spot... the Disneyland Paris Hotel was very nice.... We enjoyed that!
I am so perplexed by this difference between US and France parks... I cannot understand how they can be so different. We love Disney World and Disneyland....
I feel for those who have only been to Disneyland Pairs.... They really don't know what they are missing.

 

[Anal Annie]

We went in 2011 before our DCL Med cruise. We are really glad we went and enjoyed all the differences between the rides there and here but also immediately noticed the lack of "magic" which I wrote about in my trip report. I think it mostly boils down to the park not really being owned by Disney. The CM's there are not Disney employees - they just work there.

I would never say "don't go" or "don't bother going" to anyone though. Go - but with different expectations. I knew from a little research on the DLP boards and my cruise meet thread ahead of time (from the UK peeps we were sailing with that had been there before) that it would be different so I wasn't as angry over it as you seem to be. We also only went for 2 days because I knew that was probably long enough to work our way through both parks. We didn't plan any TS meals there #1 at the time the USD was in the tank and #2 knew we'd be disappointed in the meals. We were going on a cruise so knew we could eat well on that. And we would never waste points on it - we booked a cash pkg. instead. Much better deal.

I'm sorry you were THAT disappointed. But we're really glad we were able to experience it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think it's more about expectations. You expected it to be the same, or maybe even better and more magical.

While I can understand the things you are covering I still had an enjoyable time there several years ago and liked discovering the differences. If asked I'd attempt to establish the differences and expectations but I'd not recommend skipping it because of them. They do have some very cool things there - the set up for Haunted Manor, the Jules Verne themed tomorrowland and SM, the Castle and dragon, the hedge maze etc.

 

[gavvy]

Its true that there is a lot closed this year, the parks have been neglected for many years and are finally getting some TLC, If you were thinking of going you may want to delay to after April next year.

That being said the park is very different and at the same time familer to the American parks, you have to go and view with an open mind, customer service and attitude in Europe is very different to USA, and the parks are made up of a lot of different cultures all mixing and clashing together, to me its a great place to people watch and enjoy a totally different Disney experence to that in the USA.

If you Research the DLP board here you probably would have been fine.

 

[ErinC]

My DD went back in April, just for one day. She was doing study abroad and they flew home out of Paris. Growing up all things Disney, she just had to go and see what it was like. They only did one park, but she had a great time. She was with about 7 college kids her age, so maybe that helped. She loved making comparisons. I know the thing that impressed her the most was the evening fireworks. She said they were incredible. Of course it was only one day, but I don't think she had any regrets about going. I know that I couldn't be that close and not go if I ever make it to Paris. I do remember she said the food was pricey, but I think she just ate a chicken sandwich or something. This was the last day of a 3 month trip, so needless to say she was broke at that point! No sit down restaurants for them.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Different strokes for different folks. Disneyland Paris was one of the highlights of our 2013 European trip. We didn't mind that there were some things that were different than at the US parks (Mickey bars, etc.) We chose to celebrate the differences and enjoy DLP for what it was. I still think DLP is the most beautiful of all of the Disney Magic Kingdoms and can't wait to revisit someday.

 

[RossK]

We love Disneyland Paris. Yes, its nowhere near as impressive as WDW, but we find its good to get our fix between trips. The best way I can describe the difference between cast members (who often make the 'magic') is that in WDW, for many cast members, Disney seems to be a way of life. In DLP, its seems as though its just a job for many cast members. Of course, in either park you will find exceptions to this. As gavvy pointed out, DLP has been neglected for many years and has struggled to ever make a profit. Following Disney's recapitalization, it seems as though its now finally getting the investment it needs. This inevitably means closures of attractions and facilities. While there may not have been music in DLP's Main Street, there are beautiful gas lamps under the covered area on either side - so we think its just different, and in some cases, we prefer DLP's Main Street, as the 'side roads' seem to have more depth. We often enjoy sitting outside the cafe on the right side road with a coffee and pastry in the morning, watching the activity on Main Street. We also love the fact that everything's walkable in DLP - we enjoyed our stay at "club level" in Sequoia Lodge, found it to be excellent value, and liked being able to walk to the two parks. My big wish is that a) they'd invest in Disney Village and b) make the restaurants as interesting as they are in WDW.

 

[tidefan]

I can agree on a good bit with the OP. We stayed at DLP in early June after our DCL Norwegian Fjords cruise. We too found it just a bit off. I will say that we did enjoy the Ratatouille and Toy Story areas of the Studios park and that those areas were well done. Also, the main park is very beautiful to walk around. However, there is a difference in not only the cast members, but the park visitors as well. Smoking seems to be accepted in the park, so it is something to get used to. Also, we did not care for the food either (with the exception of Bistrot Chez Remy, which we very much enjoyed).

Our biggest issue was that they turned the power off at the hotel one of the days we were there (we were at the Sequoia Lodge) and we had a struggle with my DD's medicine that requires refrigeration. The Golden Forest desk took it to place in a Bell Services fridge that was supposedly going to be running, but when we picked it up, it wasn't even cool. They didn't seem to think that was a problem...

My biggest issue with this was that they told us at the Lodge that every hotel has to do this once a year and they have dates planned where this occurs. Apparently, they know these dates a good bit in advance. However, they never let us know until we were there already 2 days that this would occur (they put up a bunch of signs one morning). If they would have notified us about this, we would have switched to either Newport or New York.

At any rate, there were things we enjoyed and things we didn't. I'm glad we went, but I do think it will be better once all of the rides are opened back up. It just seems as though so many are closed right now.

 

[Jkpark]

Our biggest issue was that they turned the power off at the hotel one of the days we were there (we were at the Sequoia Lodge) and we had a struggle with my DD's medicine that requires refrigeration. The Golden Forest desk took it to place in a Bell Services fridge that was supposedly going to be running, but when we picked it up, it wasn't even cool. They didn't seem to think that was a problem...

My biggest issue with this was that they told us at the Lodge that every hotel has to do this once a year and they have dates planned where this occurs. Apparently, they know these dates a good bit in advance. However, they never let us know until we were there already 2 days that this would occur (they put up a bunch of signs one morning). If they would have notified us about this, we would have switched to either Newport or New York.

Any idea how to find out these dates ahead of time? I'm looking to book Sequoia Lodge around those same dates for 2017. Knowing this ahead oftime would be helpful.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You are in France. Trust me go to Paris.

I enjoyed my day at DLP but it's worth a day. Spend the rest of your time in Paris (Where the food is DRAMATICALLY better and costs less!)

 

[BadPinkTink]

Just like with Shanghai and Tokyo, people expect Disney = America ie that the parks are WDW scooped up and transplanted to a different country. Thats not the case. I can only speak for Paris but to me I explain it as an American style themepark with the cultural aspects and behaviour of France / central Europe. It is its own park with its own character. Go with an open mind, go to experience the same but different. If you go expected the happy smiley American CMs and American food and the American way , then you will be disappointed.

 

[OKW Lover]

I must say that I had a totally different experience than the OP. I'm a huge Disney nut and have been to WDW more times than I can count. I literally moved to FL when I retired so I could be near WDW. I've been to DisneyLand a bunch of times and done the ABD Back Stage Magic tour out there.

Last October I spent 3 nights at DLP and was delighted in their park. It was a beautiful park with lots of great Disney touches all around. Their castle just blows away the two US castles. Their interpretation of tomorrow land with its Jules Verne theming is so much nicer than WDW's concrete wasteland. Phantom Manor is a nice variation on the Haunted Mansion of WDW and DL. While we were there there was only a couple of attractions that weren't open.

We also went to their version of Hollywood Studios and were less impressed. Still that park does have some very nice areas, especially as compared to the construction zone that the WDW Hollywood Studios is. The whole Remy/Ratatouille area is very nicely themed and the ride technology is fascinating.

However, I will agree with @OrangeCountyCommuter that you shouldn't pass up Paris itself. We spent 4 nights in Paris, plus we did a 7-night river cruise before our visit to DLP. That gave us a really good amount of time to see Paris and its surrounding countryside.

 

[Anal Annie]

I must say that I had a totally different experience than the OP. I'm a huge Disney nut and have been to WDW more times than I can count. I literally moved to FL when I retired so I could be near WDW. I've been to DisneyLand a bunch of times and done the ABD Back Stage Magic tour out there.

Last October I spent 3 nights at DLP and was delighted in their park. It was a beautiful park with lots of great Disney touches all around. Their castle just blows away the two US castles. Their interpretation of tomorrow land with its Jules Verne theming is so much nicer than WDW's concrete wasteland. Phantom Manor is a nice variation on the Haunted Mansion of WDW and DL. While we were there there was only a couple of attractions that weren't open.

We also went to their version of Hollywood Studios and were less impressed. Still that park does have some very nice areas, especially as compared to the construction zone that the WDW Hollywood Studios is. The whole Remy/Ratatouille area is very nicely themed and the ride technology is fascinating.

However, I will agree with @OrangeCountyCommuter that you shouldn't pass up Paris itself. We spent 4 nights in Paris, plus we did a 7-night river cruise before our visit to DLP. That gave us a really good amount of time to see Paris and its surrounding countryside.

I was just posting on another thread about going to the overseas parks that our stay IN PARIS was the best and I'm so glad when we went we didn't try to "commute" between the city and DLP. We spent 1 night / 2 days touring the parks and although it was rushed it was enough time to get thru everything. We did this on our arrival day and the following day. Then in the late afternoon / early evening of our 2nd day we moved into the city to an old boutique hotel in the St. Germain des Pres area that was was several hundred years old. Sooooooo cool. Within walking distance to Notre Dame, the Pantheon and Luxembourg Gardens + several metro stops. We just loved it. So many cafes. Amazing experience. Eating dinner at an outdoor cafe within view of the Eiffel Tower at night - priceless. Lunch with a view of the Arc de Triompe. I think we spent 3 nights there and would book the same hotel again - it was so charming.

IMO DLP should just be a side trip from Paris. If you're going to Paris go to see Paris and allow time for DLP too to say you've been there done that. Just don't try to compare it to the US parks. They are not the same - but isn't that sort of the point? You want to see different.

 

[McCrae]

I can agree on a good bit with the OP. We stayed at DLP in early June after our DCL Norwegian Fjords cruise. We too found it just a bit off. I will say that we did enjoy the Ratatouille and Toy Story areas of the Studios park and that those areas were well done. Also, the main park is very beautiful to walk around. However, there is a difference in not only the cast members, but the park visitors as well. Smoking seems to be accepted in the park, so it is something to get used to. Also, we did not care for the food either (with the exception of Bistrot Chez Remy, which we very much enjoyed).

Our biggest issue was that they turned the power off at the hotel one of the days we were there (we were at the Sequoia Lodge) and we had a struggle with my DD's medicine that requires refrigeration. The Golden Forest desk took it to place in a Bell Services fridge that was supposedly going to be running, but when we picked it up, it wasn't even cool. They didn't seem to think that was a problem...

My biggest issue with this was that they told us at the Lodge that every hotel has to do this once a year and they have dates planned where this occurs. Apparently, they know these dates a good bit in advance. However, they never let us know until we were there already 2 days that this would occur (they put up a bunch of signs one morning). If they would have notified us about this, we would have switched to either Newport or New York.

At any rate, there were things we enjoyed and things we didn't. I'm glad we went, but I do think it will be better once all of the rides are opened back up. It just seems as though so many are closed right now.

This is so France..... Needless and pointless regulations. Culturally Disney and the French are not a good mix and Disney made a mistake locating at DLP. The weather is also not that great.

It's Disney in name, but none of the special magic exists. Been to DLP twice and would never go again.