Trip Report Disneyland Paris thoughts/review

[btm1992]

This is only my 2nd post but I just returned last night from 11 days in the Paris region, of which 4 were spent at Disneyland. I would like to start with the fact that I loved Disneyland park. To me it is the most detailed, lushly themed, and beautiful Disneyland park in the world. I grew up going to Disneyland in California and Wdw every year. I've also been to Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong multiple times in the last 4 years. I can confidentially say that I believe Disneyland park in Paris is the best version of Disneyland. It does every attraction just as well and mostly better than its counterparts around the world. To me it is 2nd only behind Tokyo Disneysea and here is why it is 2nd and not tied for 1st:

-upkeep. General maintenance, mostly paint is absolutely horrific in the resort. There was not a single hand rail in the park that didn't need painting. In fact most hand rails and fence barriers around the park looked as if they had not been painted in over a year. Even on street lamps around the park metal was showing where there should have been paint. Light bulb were out all over the place. This shows total disrespect for the beautiful product that they have and it is inexcusable.

-food. In general the food around the resort was bad. Colonel Haitis offered the worst theme park meal I've ever had. The pizza and lasagna were obviously frozen and tasted horrific. Pastries around the resort were equally as bad from pre made crepes, to pre-packaged beignets. This is France right? Nothing in the resort tasted fresh. We ate at Walts and Blue Lagoon. Both restaurants were gorgeous but the food was only passable at best.

-WDS. This park should never have been built. I honestly dont even think it can be saved at this point. It is much further gone than DCA ever was and I thought that park was bad. Who did Eisner think he was fooling with this park? Crush was very good though!

The cast around the resort was wonderful we had no bad experiences with them. Dreams was wonderful. As I said I loved the park but really wish that they could at least offer fresh food and paint the place every once and a while.

 

[trpltongue]

I am putting together my trip report but I agree with just about everything you've said. You've echo'd my thoughts almost completely

 

[Metsoskil]

We just got back a few days ago. I agree with everything you've said (although I've never been to Tokyo).

I'd also add that the service at DLRP doesn't come close to comparing with that at WDW. It's not totally the fault of the Cast Members. We came across only a few that were unmagical.

The park and resorts are severely understaffed compared to the Florida resort. Several times during our trip I needed help from a cast member (Fastpass wouldn't print, needed to ask directions to somewhere, etc.) and had to go looking for someone. I saw very few CMs cleaning/sweeping/emptying garbage, and many overfull garbage cans spilling over.

Our waiter at the Blue Lagoon was responsible for 10 tables. He was working like crazy, but the understaffing made it impossible for him to give good service.

Things that create a wonderful atmosphere at WDW are absent at DLP - CM's giving stickers to kids, high-fiving you with Mickey Hands as you walk down Main St., having someone waving goodbye to you with a Mickey Hand as you leave the park, Citizens of Main Street and Streetmosphere characters, being wished a "magical day."

The DL park is beautiful, and many of the attractions are top notch. It's a shame that Disney doesn't follow it's own philosophy of "exceeding guests expectations" at this resort. It has such amazing potential.