Unlike many here, our visit to DLP wasn't the main purpose of our holiday - we are Australians on a month long holiday to Europe, and could only fit in DLP as a day trip to reward the kids for the long days of travel they'd endured.
We'd had the holiday of our lives at the original Disneyland in 2004, and were worried DLP might not match up, but I have to say while Disney LA still stands out for us (due mainly to the great extra rides at DCA) we had a fantastic day and would recommend anyone visiting Paris with kids try to fit in a day in the park.
Getting there is easy - there is a regular commuter train (RER A - make sure you choose Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station - as this line splits and goes to two different destinations). It takes about 45 minutes from Paris, but the one complaint we would have is that this was a very expensive trip for a family of 4, if simply buying 4 return tickets, and others might appreciate advice on how to reduce the cost of this journey.
The train arrives right outside the park - next to Disney village and a short walk to both parks. We'd decided, based on poor reviews of the second park, and the fact we only had a day to do the lot, to only visit DLP.
We visited on a Friday in October when the weather was a little wet, and holiday were long over, and found crowds non-existent, with no queues for tickets, and inside, no queues for most of the rides. Again, the price of entry seemed a little steep, especially compared with Disneyland LA, and we wonder whether there was a cheaper option for day trippers than just turning up at the gates.
The atmosphere inside, despite the lack of crowds was superb - does anything beat that first view of Main Street and the castle? Halloween celebrations weren't officially due to start until the next day, but the park, of course, was already fully decorated with pumpkins and some evil looking characters hanging off all the buildings with orange paint spilt everywhere.
When we visited LA Disney it was just before Christmas, and gave the park a magical feel that took your breath away. Not being American, Halloween doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid, and can't understand why Australia and Europe are rushing to embrace this American tradition which was unknown when I was a child. The decorations were well done, but not nearly as good as those at Christmas, and I think I'd have preferred it if the park had been left in its original state. That said, as we arrived what appeared to be a practice for the Halloween Parade was underway, with the characters walking down Main Street without the floats which was a nice bonus!
When we arrived at Disney LA the kids were unanimous in choosing Dumbo as their first ride. Dumbo, as it turns out, is just about the weakest ride in Disneyland and after trying out all the rides in LA, and checking what was on offer in Paris, this time there was no contest - Autopia! Kids love this ride because it makes them feel all grown up - they are actually driving! And first up DLP wins hands down, its Autopia is a much longer and more interesting track than LA and both Lucy and Katherine are thrilled, so thrilled, it's one of only 3 rides we all do twice.
Autopia is located within Discoveryland and the theming here is also magnificent - the "Jules Verne" look with is both futuristic and old world, and is a vast improvement on the tired and dated look of its LA counterpart "Tomorrowland".
Next we head across to Buzz Lightyear - a ride that wasn't finished when we were in LA, but which we'd heard great things about. Again, the queue is under 10 minutes and again the ride is superb. You sit in a 2 person vehicle, grab a blaster, than blaze away at the targets. Tip - you don't have to shoot at different targets - once you lock on to any target keep blasting as long as you can and you'll keep getting points - it's locking on to start with that's the hard bit! There's a ride picture offered at the end and they are hilarious, with everyone concentrating so hard the expressions are priceless.
Next we rush off to get tickets for the Lion King, which, after some confusion we discover are available from behind the Hyperion Theatre next to Star Tours. Uniquely, you cannot get into this show without tickets, but again, lack of crowds mean no queues and a choice of shows - we decide to skip 12 and go for 2 PM.
But the kids are starving so we head for the nearest food outlet, Café Hyperion, and after grabbing some donuts and drinks discover a number of people already staking out tables for the midday show of Lion King. I remember reading somewhere that in addition to sitting down the front, you can also watch from the café, and given were already there we grab a seat ourselves. Were 1 row back, not bad, but then I notice that across the other side, furthest from the café, the tables are empty so we quickly shift and grab a front row seat. Now, it should be explained that even the first table is a few metres behind the ticketed seats, so you are further back, but, the view, from the front row at least is elevated and clear, you dont need tickets, you dont need to queue and if you are pressed for time like us it allows you to combine the show with a food stop.
The show is NOT as good as the West End version, and the lead roles are not very good singers, but then, it doesnt cost you 60 quid for a seat either. What you do get is some great lighting and stage effects, all the song highlights from the movie, and a pretty good half hours entertainment. Certainly the best entertainment Ive ever had with a coffee and donut!
Over the next 6 hours we do Phantom Manor (not bad, but not as good as the Disney LA Christmas version we rode, and as its in French the kids dont get it), Pirates (much better than the LA version, and we do it twice in a row) Adventure Isle and Swiss Family Robinson (not really rides, but allows the kids the chance to run around a bit) Small World (surprisingly good) Peter Pan (a carbon copy of the LA ride, but still a favourite), Tea cups (great fun) and Alices Maze, which is not bad.
Wed already decided to miss Tarzan, due to our tight time frame, but cramming everything in to one day has its price weve forgotten the Parade!! We hear the music while stuck in the maze and emerge just in time to see the final two floats sailing past. Oh well
We head back to Autopia and Buzz, and dad tries out Space Mountain, under the misapprehension that an indoor roller coaster cant be that severe. Its the closest Ive ever come to throwing up on a theme park ride as were first launched uphill by a rocket, pitch violently downhill, do a complete loop then various others lurches and drops. I have to say the theming is sensational as you soar past planets and stars and through the Milky Way, but doing this all in the dark means you never have a clue when the next lurch is coming and you end up sweating, staggering, bruised and feeling very sick by the time you get off. Im glad I did it, but never again!
We finish off with the Orbitron, and end up queuing for nearly an hour for what we thought would be a simple last ride. This ride loads so slowly the apparently short queue is very deceiving, but Lucy, in particular, loves swooping up and down as you swirl around.
The only other downside is dinner at Rainforest café. Again, this had been a highlight of our LA trip, but while the look of the place appears the same, theres not quite as many effects (no thunderstorm for example) and the food, it has to be said, is very ordinary and very, very expensive. But the service is efficient and quick and we dodge an intense downpour to return to the station, and are back in Paris by 9:30 PM, just over 12 hours after we set out.
So, yes, it is possible to see DLP in a day, but if you have time, Id advise at least 2 days, so you could do both parks, and not have to try to cram in all the shows and parades as well as the rides in the 1 day.
We'd had the holiday of our lives at the original Disneyland in 2004, and were worried DLP might not match up, but I have to say while Disney LA still stands out for us (due mainly to the great extra rides at DCA) we had a fantastic day and would recommend anyone visiting Paris with kids try to fit in a day in the park.
Getting there is easy - there is a regular commuter train (RER A - make sure you choose Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station - as this line splits and goes to two different destinations). It takes about 45 minutes from Paris, but the one complaint we would have is that this was a very expensive trip for a family of 4, if simply buying 4 return tickets, and others might appreciate advice on how to reduce the cost of this journey.
The train arrives right outside the park - next to Disney village and a short walk to both parks. We'd decided, based on poor reviews of the second park, and the fact we only had a day to do the lot, to only visit DLP.
We visited on a Friday in October when the weather was a little wet, and holiday were long over, and found crowds non-existent, with no queues for tickets, and inside, no queues for most of the rides. Again, the price of entry seemed a little steep, especially compared with Disneyland LA, and we wonder whether there was a cheaper option for day trippers than just turning up at the gates.
The atmosphere inside, despite the lack of crowds was superb - does anything beat that first view of Main Street and the castle? Halloween celebrations weren't officially due to start until the next day, but the park, of course, was already fully decorated with pumpkins and some evil looking characters hanging off all the buildings with orange paint spilt everywhere.
When we visited LA Disney it was just before Christmas, and gave the park a magical feel that took your breath away. Not being American, Halloween doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid, and can't understand why Australia and Europe are rushing to embrace this American tradition which was unknown when I was a child. The decorations were well done, but not nearly as good as those at Christmas, and I think I'd have preferred it if the park had been left in its original state. That said, as we arrived what appeared to be a practice for the Halloween Parade was underway, with the characters walking down Main Street without the floats which was a nice bonus!
When we arrived at Disney LA the kids were unanimous in choosing Dumbo as their first ride. Dumbo, as it turns out, is just about the weakest ride in Disneyland and after trying out all the rides in LA, and checking what was on offer in Paris, this time there was no contest - Autopia! Kids love this ride because it makes them feel all grown up - they are actually driving! And first up DLP wins hands down, its Autopia is a much longer and more interesting track than LA and both Lucy and Katherine are thrilled, so thrilled, it's one of only 3 rides we all do twice.
Autopia is located within Discoveryland and the theming here is also magnificent - the "Jules Verne" look with is both futuristic and old world, and is a vast improvement on the tired and dated look of its LA counterpart "Tomorrowland".
Next we head across to Buzz Lightyear - a ride that wasn't finished when we were in LA, but which we'd heard great things about. Again, the queue is under 10 minutes and again the ride is superb. You sit in a 2 person vehicle, grab a blaster, than blaze away at the targets. Tip - you don't have to shoot at different targets - once you lock on to any target keep blasting as long as you can and you'll keep getting points - it's locking on to start with that's the hard bit! There's a ride picture offered at the end and they are hilarious, with everyone concentrating so hard the expressions are priceless.
Next we rush off to get tickets for the Lion King, which, after some confusion we discover are available from behind the Hyperion Theatre next to Star Tours. Uniquely, you cannot get into this show without tickets, but again, lack of crowds mean no queues and a choice of shows - we decide to skip 12 and go for 2 PM.
But the kids are starving so we head for the nearest food outlet, Café Hyperion, and after grabbing some donuts and drinks discover a number of people already staking out tables for the midday show of Lion King. I remember reading somewhere that in addition to sitting down the front, you can also watch from the café, and given were already there we grab a seat ourselves. Were 1 row back, not bad, but then I notice that across the other side, furthest from the café, the tables are empty so we quickly shift and grab a front row seat. Now, it should be explained that even the first table is a few metres behind the ticketed seats, so you are further back, but, the view, from the front row at least is elevated and clear, you dont need tickets, you dont need to queue and if you are pressed for time like us it allows you to combine the show with a food stop.
The show is NOT as good as the West End version, and the lead roles are not very good singers, but then, it doesnt cost you 60 quid for a seat either. What you do get is some great lighting and stage effects, all the song highlights from the movie, and a pretty good half hours entertainment. Certainly the best entertainment Ive ever had with a coffee and donut!
Over the next 6 hours we do Phantom Manor (not bad, but not as good as the Disney LA Christmas version we rode, and as its in French the kids dont get it), Pirates (much better than the LA version, and we do it twice in a row) Adventure Isle and Swiss Family Robinson (not really rides, but allows the kids the chance to run around a bit) Small World (surprisingly good) Peter Pan (a carbon copy of the LA ride, but still a favourite), Tea cups (great fun) and Alices Maze, which is not bad.
Wed already decided to miss Tarzan, due to our tight time frame, but cramming everything in to one day has its price weve forgotten the Parade!! We hear the music while stuck in the maze and emerge just in time to see the final two floats sailing past. Oh well
We head back to Autopia and Buzz, and dad tries out Space Mountain, under the misapprehension that an indoor roller coaster cant be that severe. Its the closest Ive ever come to throwing up on a theme park ride as were first launched uphill by a rocket, pitch violently downhill, do a complete loop then various others lurches and drops. I have to say the theming is sensational as you soar past planets and stars and through the Milky Way, but doing this all in the dark means you never have a clue when the next lurch is coming and you end up sweating, staggering, bruised and feeling very sick by the time you get off. Im glad I did it, but never again!
We finish off with the Orbitron, and end up queuing for nearly an hour for what we thought would be a simple last ride. This ride loads so slowly the apparently short queue is very deceiving, but Lucy, in particular, loves swooping up and down as you swirl around.
The only other downside is dinner at Rainforest café. Again, this had been a highlight of our LA trip, but while the look of the place appears the same, theres not quite as many effects (no thunderstorm for example) and the food, it has to be said, is very ordinary and very, very expensive. But the service is efficient and quick and we dodge an intense downpour to return to the station, and are back in Paris by 9:30 PM, just over 12 hours after we set out.
So, yes, it is possible to see DLP in a day, but if you have time, Id advise at least 2 days, so you could do both parks, and not have to try to cram in all the shows and parades as well as the rides in the 1 day.
