Disneyland Paris

[cynsaun]

We are starting the early planning stages of a trip to Europe next year with our girls. We were thinking it might be fun to take them to Disneyland Paris one day.

Is a day out of our visit worth it, or is it so similar to WDW or Disneyland that it's just not worth the time or the money. Also, how busy would the park be in the spring?

Thanks!

 

[crcormier]

I can't comment on the Disney Studios, because I haven't seen them, but I've heard unfavorable reviews on that park. I have been to the Magic Kingdom at Disneyland Paris, and I loved it. I think it's a beautiful park and it definitely is unique from the US parks. Space Mountain is completely different. (And awesome!) The castle in France is the most beautiful of all of them, IMO. Big Thunder and Haunted Mansion are different in their own ways. I really enjoyed my day there and thought it was neat hearing everything in English and French. So if you have a day to spare, I would check it out, but I wouldn't make a trip out there ONLY to see it.

ETA: My guess is it shouldn't be that busy in the spring. I went in 1995 on March 31st, and it was pretty empty. Of course, it was also 32 degrees outside.

 

[cynsaun]

Thanks! You were the first one I thought of with regards to this question.

I'll have to write that down for things to see and do. I'm so excited.

 

[ibouncetoo]

You might want to post this question on the UK board also, as there may be more people from there who have popped over the chanel to check it out

 

[Maleficent13]

I went 10 yrs ago in January, so the crowds were minimal (and it was freezing!!). But I found the whole place fascinating. I think it's very different than WDW, but I've never been to Disneyland so I can't compare it to there. It's the little differences that are interesting to me...like the Haunted Mansion...our HMs in the US are based on big, European manor homes...DLP's HM is based on an American Plantation type house...stuff like that.

 

[cynsaun]

I went 10 yrs ago in January, so the crowds were minimal (and it was freezing!!). But I found the whole place fascinating. I think it's very different than WDW, but I've never been to Disneyland so I can't compare it to there. It's the little differences that are interesting to me...like the Haunted Mansion...our HMs in the US are based on big, European manor homes...DLP's HM is based on an American Plantation type house...stuff like that.

Thanks, Mal! I am very excited about this trip now!

 

[beattyfamily]

If you are nearby then it's definitely worth a visit. I thought it was beautiful but, unfortunately, we didn't get much done because of the weather and crowds. I was so bummed I didn't get to do Space Mountain after hearing how great it is. We went the end of April.

I must warn you though, that it is quite a different experience then WDW or even Disneyland. They smoke everywhere. Men will clean the Ladies room and come in at any time. People line cut a lot and tend to invade your personal space. Lastly, there are no set character lines or a character handler so it can be quite cut throat trying to see the characters.

Having said that, it's still a great, beautiful park and definitely worth a visit. Just wanted to make you aware of some things that are a bit different. We still had a great time.

 

[smilingmouse]

Hi,

I have been to both Parc Disneyland and the Disney Studios. I was there for x-mas '03 and in mid Jan '05. I really enjoyed my time there. The Studios is pretty new, and could you more attractions IMHO. It does have some neat shows, though. I spent most of my time at Parc Disneyland. I loved it! The rides were great, people were very friendly, and the castle is the best I've ever seen!!!

Feel free to PM me or post and I'll answer any questions you have!

 

[cynsaun]

Hi,

I have been to both Parc Disneyland and the Disney Studios. I was there for x-mas '03 and in mid Jan '05. I really enjoyed my time there. The Studios is pretty new, and could you more attractions IMHO. It does have some neat shows, though. I spent most of my time at Parc Disneyland. I loved it! The rides were great, people were very friendly, and the castle is the best I've ever seen!!!

Feel free to PM me or post and I'll answer any questions you have!

Thanks!

 

[smilingmouse]

I must warn you though, that it is quite a different experience then WDW or even Disneyland. They smoke everywhere. Men will clean the Ladies room and come in at any time. People line cut a lot and tend to invade your personal space. Lastly, there are no set character lines or a character handler so it can be quite cut throat trying to see the characters.

I have to agree...lines for attractions and characters can be less organized than at the US Disney parks. Smoking is also muchmore prevalent in DLP, and France in general. Also, the French have different ideas aboout personal space which can be difficult to get used to.

I hope this is helpful to you

 

[NancyIL]

I was there solo on Halloween 2002! DH and I were staying in Paris, so I took the train to DLP in the morning and back in the evening (DH didn't want to go). It's more like Disneyland than the Magic Kingdom at WDW, but worth seeing. One tip - purchase your admission tickets in advance! I waited in a LONG line to buy mine...thinking I would get a Disney Club discount that way...but there was none!

Here's a book that was a great help to me as I planned a family trip to Europe: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...103-8398248-6158225?n=507846&s=books&v=glance

Another is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...103-8398248-6158225?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

 

[Towncrier]

We spent a couple of days at Disneyland Paris in 1997 during our whirlwind tour of Europe. It was well worth the stop for our family. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope to make it back there someday.

Oh, and Paris and Versailles were nice too.

 

[TxJasmine]

We took our kids to DLP in spring 2003. DH and I used to live in Paris, so we had been several times previously. DLP is still my absolute favorite Disney park. They took the best of DL and MK and made it better. The castle is beautiful, and I like the western theming around the Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain. The Haunted Mansion has a different theme, and Small World is very different. The maze is also a lot of fun.

The studios are okay, but they don't have too much. The two things they do have that are great are Cinemagique and Animagique. Animagique has to do with animation and is really good, but I loved Cinemagique which is a show about movies with Martin Short. I don't know why they haven't brought it to WDW.

You also might want to consider the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show that is at the downtown Disney area. It's a wonderful wild west type show (the best I've ever been to) but it's expensive - especially with the poor exchange rate.

Also, just a warning, but popcorn in Europe is sweet! I had forgotten all about that and the kids wanted popcorn, so we bought them some. They were very disappointed! I personally like the sweet popcorn, but my kids sure didn't!

Good luck with your planning! DLP is a great place to visit!

 

[beattyfamily]

Also, just a warning, but popcorn in Europe is sweet! I had forgotten all about that and the kids wanted popcorn, so we bought them some. They were very disappointed! I personally like the sweet popcorn, but my kids sure didn't!

Good luck with your planning! DLP is a great place to visit!

Oh, I forgot about that! YUM! We loved it so so much. I tried to find similar popcorn around here with no luck. Nothing was quite the same.

 

[cynsaun]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Towncrier]

Oh, I forgot about that! YUM! We loved it so so much. I tried to find similar popcorn around here with no luck. Nothing was quite the same.

Try kettle corn. It's popcorn with sugar added right at the end of popping. It's as close to the sweet popcorn that we had in Europe.

BTW - Imagine how Europeans feel the first time they taste popcorn that is salty (when they are expecting sweet).

 

[beattyfamily]

Try kettle corn. It's popcorn with sugar added right at the end of popping. It's as close to the sweet popcorn that we had in Europe.

BTW - Imagine how Europeans feel the first time they taste popcorn that is salty (when they are expecting sweet).

Yes, I have tried kettle corn, it's pretty close.

I know what you mean about Europeans trying salty popcorn!!

 

[alabamaalan]

Which brings up a good point.

You may not be able to find Krispy Kreme doughnuts there. Will we need to ship you some?

 

[Dodie]

Do you know that there's a forum here discussing Disneyland Paris (the old Euro Disney)? If you do - sorry. If not - I would think that you would get TONS of information if you posted your questions there.

 

[cynsaun]

Which brings up a good point.

You may not be able to find Krispy Kreme doughnuts there. Will we need to ship you some?

Thanks, Alan, but I'd rather snack on toenails.


Thanks, Dodie! I didn't know that. I'll have to look for it.