Disneyland Paris - The Basics

[WishAndDream]

Let me start by saying that I know "the basics" is awfully vague and covers a lot of information, so I'm just happy for any information anyone can give me!

I am a U.S. college student who will be studying abroad in Europe at some point, and since my plans have become a bit more definite, I've begun to create a mental list of the places I want to try to visit while I'm in Europe outside my host country. Paris is definitely on this list, and after I thought of Paris it took all of about ten seconds for me to realize that Disneyland Paris also needed to be on this list. As it stands, Walt Disney World is the only Disney property I have visited (although I have been there numerous times, so I know how things work ). Since there's no telling when I might possibly have another chance to visit Disneyland Paris (or France in general for that matter), I want to be sure I see Disneyland Paris properly. Basically... I know nothing about Disneyland Paris. So, I have a few questions. How many days do I realistically need to see most of what Disneyland Paris has to offer (especially considering my limited student budget)? Is it recommended to arrive at park opening as it is at WDW? Does DLP use Fast Passes? What are some of the can't-miss attractions at Disneyland Paris? I'm interested in attractions that are unique to Disneyland Paris, but also ones that are clones from other parks (Disneyland, WDW - DL since I've never been there, WDW since that pesky budget keeps me from visiting nearly as often as I would like). Are there nightly fireworks, as in WDW and Disneyland? And then... this might be a bit of a silly question, haha, but does it ever snow at Disneyland Paris? I have no knowledge of France's climate but I seem to remember seeing pictures of Paris' Main Street with snow, although it is definitely possible I am mistaken.

Again, I know I'm after a lot of information so I really appreciate whatever you can tell me!

 

[hildasmuriel]

HI, welcome to the Paris side of things.


Working backwards through you questions - it certainly does snow on Main Street - you are guaranteed that during the Christmas season - because Disney arrange it that way! Several times during the day, a light tinkly music will start and snow will fall. It is the weirdest stuff because it feels real and it lands and melts just like real snow. Christmas season is from about the first week in November through to the first week in January so if you visit during that time - fake snow at least.
Real snow - that usually happens at least once a year but it's not so easy to pinpoint a time. Last year it snowed just before Christmas (I remember because the trains stopped running and my holiday was cancelled ) then again early in January - some of the trip reports from that time show a really beautiful Park covered in snow.

Fireworks at DLP are not a nightly event. Apparently the local residents have an agreement that fireworks will be restricted to summer season (mid July - end Aug) and then high days and holidays only (New Year, Bastille Day and a couple of others). Most people say the fireworks at DLP are not as good as the ones in the American Parks.

It is only during the summer months that the Park is open until 11 pm. It varies through the rest of the year. Mid week in low season it can close as early as 7pm. Of course the advantages are that crowd levels are so low you can get much more done in a shorter time.

We were there last week - high season - and yes it can get very very busy. At these times I would suggest making sure you are there just after 9 and that you have bought your Park ticket before you go (either online or from a tourist bureau, train station or Disney store) as last week people were in huuuuuge queues just to get entrance tickets. You are allowed into Main Street at about 9.30 and then have half hour to take in the theming and find the rope drop you want to queue at.

FPs are available on some rides - DLP is strict about FP return times- if you do not return during the time stated on your ticket you will probably not be able to ride.

Unique at DLP - Sleeping Beauty tableau upstairs in the castle; animatronic dragon in the basement of castle; Alice's Labyrinth with Queen of Hearts castle in centre; Crush's Coaster in the Studios - there may be more that slip my mind.
DLP rides that differ from US versions: Space Mountain includes inversions and is a head shaking ride; Buzz Lightyear's XP41s are different in some way (hand held guns?); BTM is generally regarded as the superior version - it is set on an island and the mine train goes under the river to reach it; Haunted Mansion becomes Phantom Manor and has a different story and a spooky looking house; POTC - the story is told in reverse apparently; Indiana Jones - this is an outside rollercoaster at DLP - again there are probably more and I'm sure someone else can fill in the gaps.

The subject of comparisons between Paris and other parks is often brought up on this board - a little search would probably bring up loads of subjects - quite often hot-topics! The advice from those who have been to both places seems to be - go with an open mind. Do not expect it to be exactly the same - comparing apples to oranges is not a good idea. Bear in mind cultural differences and attitudes to things like customer service, smoking, queuing and personal space whilst in queues! This is not meant to sound scary - once you have lived in Europe for a while you will understand what I mean about the latter.

Sorry - waffled on for ages, but you know how it is when you just got back from a great trip, you want to share the magic. I'm sure other people will be along with less waffly answers.

 

[ben1993]

The post above pretty much covers what you asked but I'll add my two cents anyway. DLP consists of two parks, Disneyland park (the "Magic Kingdom" style park) and Walt Disney Studios. During high season you will probably need atleast 2 or maybe 3 days to do both parks justice, in low season 2 days should be enough - and if you are on a tight budget it might be possible to hit all major attractions between both parks in just 1 day, although you'd probably miss out on just taking in your surroundings at a slower pace, Disneyland Park is regarded as the most beautiful 'Magic Kingdom' in the world.

There are many unique features here compared to the American parks; Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are highly superior to their US cousins (imo, but I do believe many share this opinion too), Phantom Manor is a variation on The Haunted Mansion that I also prefer. Pirates of The Caribbean is another classic attraction that is ranked higher than others of its kind in the world - it seems that when Disney were building the resort back in 1992, every attraction was made to be the very best version of itself. All of the attractions I listed I would consider 'Must Do's' for Disneyland Park.

Now, Walt Disney Studios, the resorts second gate. This much smaller park gets alot of flack because of its smaller size and incoherent theme, but it's still a lovelly little park with alot of potential. It was supposed to be themed as a 'real working studio' back when it opened in 2002 but since then Disney have obviously merged it into a celebrate Hollywood/Ride the movies park as with every other movie studio park in the world. Because of it's inital theme, the park does lack in having more beautiful themeing i suppose, (sound stages and movie sets arn't as appealing as recreation of Hollywood Blvd.) however the last time I visited was openeing year, and the next time I visit will be in November - and it has changed waaaaaaay for the better. Must do attractions here are Crush's Coaster (has awfully long queue times all year round so hit this one as soon as the park opens) Rock n' Roller Coaster (which again is different but just as good as the one in Florida) Tower of Terror (same as before) The Motors, Action stunt show, and Animagique.

All in all, DLP isn't WDW, and don't go there expecting it to be - but, it is fantastic, and I'm sure you'll find alot to love especially if you're abit of a Disney Parks geek.

That was alot of typing, but it was fun

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Have a great time planning!

I am an American living in Turkey and love to visit DLRP whenever possible. As others have said - it is a different experience than WDW so it is best to be open minded and try not to compare the two.

What I appreciate about DLRP - it's smaller size is actually a plus for me - you can often see your favorite attractions a few times in a visit - and park hopping is really park hopping - it is a breeze to spend the morning at Disneyland Park then pop over to the Studios for the afternoon and back to Disneyland for the evening. Two days is actually enough in my opinion to see both parks at non peak times. They do have a fast pass system but the window is 30 minutes not 1 hour.

I also appreciate the artistic details at DLRP - lots of really beautiful details in the parks and the following attractions are tops - Big Thunder Mountain RR, Pirates, Space Mountain if you are into big thrill rides (very different from the WDW version), and Tower of Terror.

Little tip - I thought buffet meals/table service meals are worth doing even on a budget. I just planned for one meal a day.

 

[r1lissa]

Great info!
My husband is currently working overseas and we are looking for a family vacation in Europe during Christmas.
Here is my typical American question- Do you need to know a lot of French to navigate DLP? Or are things written/spoken in French and English? Such as the menus, the ride narrations, etc.
Thank you!

 

[mommy2ash]

Great info!
My husband is currently working overseas and we are looking for a family vacation in Europe during Christmas.
Here is my typical American question- Do you need to know a lot of French to navigate DLP? Or are things written/spoken in French and English? Such as the menus, the ride narrations, etc.
Thank you!

i dont speak french at all and really you dont need it. you may encounter a few cms who dont have very good english but these tend to work in the counter service restaurant. any characters or waiters in table service restaurants i have spoken to have had wonderful english and quite a lot of them had more than french and english

 

[DLPdaft]

Great info!
My husband is currently working overseas and we are looking for a family vacation in Europe during Christmas.
Here is my typical American question- Do you need to know a lot of French to navigate DLP? Or are things written/spoken in French and English? Such as the menus, the ride narrations, etc.
Thank you!

If you speak no French at all, you'll still be fine at DLP - everything is in English as well as French and occasionally other languages .