DLP in January? Worth a day trip?

[Westcoastwild]

I have 6 nights in Paris. This is the tail end of a long solo Germany/Italy trip, and although I do enjoy Disney I am not a Disney fanatic. My "local" park is California, and I went to WDW for a long trip this summer. BUT I've never done any park during the holidays as I don't usually travel over Christmas. The first two days I'm in Paris are the last two days of the Christmas festivities (early January) and I'm seriously debating. Help me Disboards...you are my only hope...because I don't know anyone personally who has been to DLP and my family will just give me a "look" if I ask their opinion.

First and most important: did the dis crew do any video reports on DLP?


So: those of you who have been at this time, would you go again? Why or why not? Would you do both parks or only one park?

Phantom Mansion is shut down on my dates, which is a bummer. But are there unique attractions that will make up for that? How did you find the lines, weather, food? (When talking about the weather, please explain your context- I want to know if you are from the tropics or Alaska!) How does fast pass work? Are the shows and music all in French? I know it's smaller but prettier- did you find it boring? Are there rides that you would consider definitely superior or inferior to the states parks?

Do the fireworks happen every night? Because I can't figure that out from the website. Is pin trading a thing? Because I would love a Paris pin to add to my collection but I'm sure that's not worth a park ticket.

How is park hopping? Is it like the California parks where you literally just walk across a plaza? Are there single rider lines?

....and anything else you might think of, thanks!!!

 

[A Small World]

DLP is very similar in size to DL California.
As you say there are 2 parks and they are just across the plaza to each other same as DL which makes park hopping really easy.
Although there are only 2 parks there are probably a similar number of rides as DL

FP is the old paper system like DL but you only have a half hour slot whereas DL has an hour slot I think - and they do enforce times.
There are a few single rider lines but not many.

Overnight there is the Dreams show (at park closing) which incorporates fireworks/lights/fountains etc

They do have pin trading but its not as poplar as the US parks but you can buy DLP pins in the shops

The weather can be unpredictable but will be similar to your time in Paris/Germany. It could be snowing, raining, very very cold or may be slightly warmer than normal (Im from UK). Its hard to say but won't be like being in DL or WDW at that time of year - you will need a coat and possibly several layers.

There are several rides unique to DLP
Ratatouille land/ride in Studios park
Crush coaster in studios park
Toystory land with 3 rides in Studios
Cinemagique show in studios

Indiana Jones is a coaster in DL park
Space Mountain goes upside down
Big Thunder is on an island
Pirates is different
Alice's labyrinth is a walk through attraction

There are a lot of closures and renovations going on at the moment to get the park ready for the big 25th anniversary in April.

January is normally a quiet month so shouldn't be too bad line wise but Ive never been then (although I have been in December )

Hope that helps

 

[ThBa]

Hello from Germany!

We will go from January 2nd until 8th 2017 and we did this time of year for the 3rd time.

It is nice because you get the Christmas season in DLP and brings you back in the christmas spirit.

The weather could be cold but we also had rain and snow in March some years ago and the weather in January was fine.

In my opinion avoid to visit after January 9th because then there are too many closures.

The waiting lines should be ok because there are no school holiday in France at this time.

I think you will have a great time and go for it. DLP is always worth a visit.

We will be there.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

We went for the last few days of the Christmas season in early January last year precisely because it is great to have all the Christmas decorations, parades, shows etc. and hence prolong the Christmas spirit, but without the crowds. The only seasonal thing that finishes after Christmas day itself is the meet and greet with Santa for obvious reasons. Last year the weather wasn't too bad, not as bitterly cold as I experienced at DLP at the end of January a few years back, but that really isn't any indication for this coming January. The last few years have not been so cold IMHO but be prepared with plenty of layers, waterproofs etc. in case.

Shows, parades, rides etc. are usually in a mix of both languages and very easy to follow. Single rider lines are at Ratatouille and Crush's Coaster, not sure of any others. Dreams is on every night. The new Mickey and the Magician show (Studios) is fabulous and not to be missed with the added bonus of being in a nice warm theatre!

 

[stocst]

From the UK.

It can be very cold, you will definitely need coat, hats, scarves, gloves and warm footwear. But the queues should be short and you may not need the Fastpasses. It is easy to walk from one park to the other.

I speak very little French but most, if not all the shows, that I have seen were in English.

 

[londontime]

Are the shows and music all in French? I know it's smaller but prettier- did you find it boring? Are there rides that you would consider definitely superior or inferior to the states parks?

No, most of them are bilingual. On Mickey & The Magicien, Mickey Speaks in French, the Magician speaks in English, but both of them recap the main plot points so everyone can keep up. Some songs in french, some in English. The main parade (Celebrate the Magic) is all in English.
Its not boring at all. It is an incredibly charming park.

Dreams (Fireworks) - Probably the best Night time show out of all the parks. It's amazing.
Space Mountain - Harder, faster and more inversions (Better for me, worse for others)
Pirates - Similar, just slightly different story line
Small World - Much more colourful than WDW, but like DL in that there is less water (i.e a channel)#
Ratatouille - Unique (and also trackless)
Crush - Unique (same sort of thrill level as 7DMT)
Phantom Manor - No commentary, so a little bit worse, but same ride.

But it will be cold, definitely if your local park is DL!

I'm from London, and we have annual passes, and we still find things to do.

 

[zavandor]

I'm Italian (living in London now). In early January it can be REALLY cold. Be preoared, possibly thermal clothes, the kind used to go skying. Yes, that cold.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Thanks, everyone. My "local" park is California but I live very far north of there. So the weather would not be a shock- it's just that I'm not sure I'm up for the queuing, and given the general expense of my trip, I'm not sure a Disney pass is the best use of my money. I could eat my way through Paris instead