DLP vs DLR vs WDW

[kxs401]

Hi all!

I am going to Paris the second week of March to visit a friend, and I decided to take three days at the beginning of the trip to swing by Disneyland. At first I wasn't sure if I should take the time, as I've never been to Paris and know that there will be many more things to do than time to do them in. Then I realized... I love all things Disney! How can I be so close to DLP and not go??

Anyway, I'm very excited and a little bit nervous -- this will be my first vacation by myself, and I'm going to a country where I don't (really) speak the language. I've already booked my room at the Hotel Cheyenne (chosen over the Santa Fe based on what I've read here) and bought my ticket on the VEA bus and purchased the half-board meal plan. After staying for two nights, I'll be heading to my hostel in the 19e arrondissement (which I'm hoping will be easy!). Anyway, any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

For now though I'd like to ask those of you who have been to either of the Disney resorts in the US -- how does DLP compare? I mean this in any way you can think of -- the size, the CMs, the rides, the food, the prices...?

Also, what rides should I be sure not to miss? I don't mind scary/bumpy/thrilling, and I'd like to try the rides that are different in some way from their counterparts at DLR and WDW.

Thanks for your help!

 

[ukstitch]

DLRP is kind of like DL. It's a little larger than DL though and is "missing" a couple of lands (there's no new orleans square, no critter country and no toon town).

The rides are generally newer than DL so the animatronics and theming is "better". The coasters are generally a little more intense though - especially Space Mountain which is a totally different ride as it has a launch (like rock 'n' rollercoaster at WDW and also loops).

Food and prices in general are more expensive I found (this is from a UK point of view), but half board can go a long way to help with the food prices if you're entitled to book this option and you're likely to eat a table service or buffet meal every night.

The language isn't really a problem - one or two words go a long way to please the locals (the numbers 1 - 12 for ride queues, hello, please, thank you), but they're not really compulsory. If you indicate that you don't understand what is being said, then the CMs (almost without exception) will slip seamlessly into English for you.

There's less rides in DLRP than the other two I think, but there's also an awful lot of subtle hidden details. It's possible to rush your way round the park in a day, but you'll miss an awful lot and a lot of people seem to come away disappointed having not taken the time to seek out these details.

It's quite late here, so I'll stop at that for now - I'm sure somebody else will happily fill you in with specific information about unique rides and attractions and also which are almost identical and therefore not really worth doing.

 

[hildasmuriel]

I haven't been to any other Park than the Paris one, but a common thought I have read is that the CMs are not so enthusiastic and friendly (that's one way to put it) as their American counterparts.
In Europe we tend to be a bit less... " Have a nice day!"

and tend to be a bit more...... " Enjoy yourself if you want"

 

[Danauk]

DLRP is more comparable to DL in that the 2 parks are close to oneanother and so you can park hop eaily. A few things I would make sure you do which are different to both American parks:
Make sure you see the dragon under the castle and go up inside the castle.
The Alice in Wonderland maze.
Space Mountain is a launch coaster similar to RnRC.
Casy Junior and the Canal boats are similar to Disneylands.
BTMRR: My better at Paris than in the other parks, the train goes under the lake and the mountain is on an island in the middle of the lagoon.
Crush's coaster in the studios is a must.
The Tram Tour is slighly different to the one at WDW, it still has catastrophie canyon but you see other different things.
Anamagique and Cinemagique shows are unique to DLRP and are well worth watching.

As for food, if it is open i would recommend a meal in Walts, it is unique to DLRP (the entrance to the restaurant is based on club 33, the lifts are the same!), Blue Lagoon is similar to Blue Bayou, I actually prefer the setting of the Blue Lagoon but the food from my experience is no where near as good as Blue Bayou.

I'm sure others will join in and I'll think of more to add later!

 

[Ware Bears]

I can't think of anything else to add but just wanted to say I think DLRP is so beautiful, please just take time to enjoy all the detail.

 

[kxs401]

Thanks, Stitch!

And great detailed answer, Danauk! Exactly what I wanted to know. I will see if my budget can handle a meal at Walt's... and if it can't, I'll go anyway, and just ask myself "Hey self, how many times are you going to be in Paris?" I have a feeling that's an attitude that may get me in some trouble...

hildasmuriel, I expect nothing less (more?) from you Europeans!

Ware Bears, I have already slated mornings for running frantically from attraction to attraction and evenings for wandering/admiring.