Do we need to go to Disneyland Paris?

[moviegirl11]

DH and I are big WDW fans. We were considering doing yet another trip back there next year but decided that we needed to do something a little more adventurous for our next big vacation. So yesterday we booked a trip to Paris and Rome. It's ten days, four of which will be in Paris: one is the day we arrive and the other is the day we depart for Rome. So that leaves us two full days to see Paris. Not a lot of time, I know but we mostly just want to sample the city. Do the usual stops (Louvre, Sacred Heart, Notre Dam, Eiffel Tower, etc).

So to those of you who have been to Disneyland Paris (we have no kids, we just love Disney), is it worth taking a day out of our already limited trip to Paris to see? Is it something we can do in half a day? Maybe do a few rides, catch a parade and head back to the city? Or is it not worth it given the short amount of time we have in the area?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[cap'njack.]

It would be totally worth you spending one of your precious days at Disneyland Paris...although if you wanted a different asnwer then you really are in the wrong place

Disneyland Paris is (in my opinion) a much nicer park than WDW. We have all of the updated versions of the classic rides and we have a few DLRP exclusive rides too. The park is much prettier than WDW and a lot newer. Ok our CM's aren't quite as freindly although that is the European way and that does put off a lot of WDW regulars as it does make it a little bit less magical. The park is smaller (I believe) but certainly not worse.

You really couldn't spend half a day in DLRP and get a feel for the place to be honest with you. I would advise spending a whole day here and also limiting yourself to just the Disneyland Park and leave the Studio's out of it. Personally 2 days in Paris is about all I can manage tbh, you'll have covered most of the sights by then and I really think that just being 20 miles from DLRP and not going would be a massive shame.

 

[moviegirl11]

It would be totally worth you spending one of your precious days at Disneyland Paris...although if you wanted a different asnwer then you really are in the wrong place

LOL yeah, that's mostly why I'm here... to be talked into it. I love Disney... I guess my biggest concern is how different the experience of DLRP will be as compared to WDW. Because if I'm going to give up a day in Paris for a day of Disney, I would want it to be just as spectacular as WDW while at the same time, be different enough to make me feel glad to have gotten to experience a different version of Disneyworld/land (have been to california disneyland and WDW). I also need a good argument to present to DH.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Having been to both WDW and DLRP, i perfer DLRP hands down. I love how the park is smaller and the castle is in a league of its own. Far more beautiful then Cinderella's castle in WDW.

The CM's as John mentioned are not as in your face friendly as they are in WDW and if you want to see characters then you will find it a bit of a scrum (unless you go to a organised one where its far more civilised or a character dinner/lunch). The parade is also a must see.

You will not be able to do the Disneyland Park in half a day, there is so much to do and see and depending on when you go you may or may not get to see it all in 1 day. I would also give WDS a miss if your planning on 1 day at the park.

 

[id@53]

Hi moviegirl11.

I might be barred from the forum for what I'm about to say, but I think you should give DLP a miss on this trip as Paris is a truely wonderful city to visit and 1 full day just isn't enough time to "sample the city" let alone see all that it has to offer - you could easily spend a full day in the the Louvre alone!

Some of the must do things in my opinion include:

- The Musée d'Orsay, Modern and Impressionist arts including Monet, Renoir and Degas.
- Lunch @ Chez Denise (5, rue des Prouvaires), a wonderful old bistro serving classic French meals (and the inspiration for Tony Bourdain's Les Halles Restaurant in NYC)
- An evening trip to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, the church at the top of Montmartre, the highest point in Paris.
- Though not for everyone, I think a visit to the Catacombes de Paris is a must do.
- Eiffel Tower (by both day and by night)
- Notre Dame de Paris
- The Arc de Triomphe, a monumemt that honors those who fought for France and includes the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I. (It's also a great place to watch the mad Parisian drivers )
- If you really want to escape the city, then I'd suggest a trip to Versaille (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Finally, whatever you decide to do, make sure you leave a little time to sit at a pavement side cafe with a coffee and pastry and just watch the world go by - Paris is a great city to just People Watch!

There, I've said it and now I fully expect the moderators to slap a life ban on me! Bye all, it's been nice knowing you all........

 

[moviegirl11]

Thanks for your input, everyone!

ID, I think you're right, which is pretty much why I'm looking to be talked into it. As much as I know I'll probably be sad not to get to see DLP if we don't go, I think I'd regret missing out some of Paris' sights even more. We aren't going until April though so I have time to think it over and plan it out! Thanks for the honest answer though! You're making me even more excited to see Paris than I already was

 

[thruthelookinglass19]

In my head, I'm planning on going to Paris for my 40th birthday. . . and it's solely to go to DLP!!! So, you won't get me talking you out of it

 

[britchic4]

I'm going to sit on the fence here on what you 'should' do, but you can certainly do all the Paris sites that have been mentioned - bar Versailles - in one carefully planned long day. And you can do some pavement watching on the two travelling days presumably, which would give you time to come to DLRP. You would need the whole day though really, and as has been mentioned just concentrate on the Magic Kingdom not the Studios. The castle alone is reason enough to come, it's so beautiful!

 

[DLPdaft]

I haven't visited the city of Paris on any of my trips to DLRP, and I've no intention of doing so anytime in the near future either .

I'd agree with id@53 - if you really can only spare one day in your time to visit DLRP, and you love WDW, I'd skip it to be honest. In my opinion, it does take a lot longer than just one day to appreciate and enjoy what DLRP has to offer (and for you, to see all the differences too).

Immerse yourself in Paris, and enjoy .

 

[ScottwPA]

Hi there,

My fiancee and I just returned from our first trip to DLP last week. We are also big WDW/Disneyland fans and traveled from Philadelphia to France simply to visit DLP for a few days. If you guys are big WDW fans, I would hold off on visiting DLP until a future trip. My first and only prior trip to Paris (in 2002) was for one day as part of a 2 week Europe tour and I did sightseeing rather than DLP. I just did not think one day would be enough for DLP, and after our visit there last week I am glad that I had made that decision. I can't imagine being a first time visitor and only spending a half day there. Besides, depending on when you go, you might not be able to simply jump on rides without queues, etc. You would want a minimum of two days to appreciate the park, and stay in one of the resort hotels.

I was expecting the park to be just *ok* or perhaps even underwhelming, but both of us were completely blown away by this place. The park is absolutely breathtaking in it's beauty and theming, and I agree with cap'njack that is it a much nicer park than WDW. We actually found that all the CM's were quite friendly. For example, for each ride on the attractions that seat in rows, we always requested the front row and were kindly accommodated with the request.

Enjoy your fabulous trip to Paris and Rome, but I totally recommend saving DLP for a future trip if possible.

 

[mommy2ash]

personally i wouldnt go either and for this reason. if you are going to see paris then see paris. if you want to go to dlp then i would save that for a later date and give yourself enough time to enjoy it. i would hate to do a day trip there as its rushed and you wont have enough time to appreciate it. at the same time you will be rushing parts of your paris trip to accomodate dlp and i would think you would end up not seeing enough of either. people always ask me why dont i go to see paris while i am in dlp and i simply dont want to. i would love to see paris but in my own time. when my dd is older i will. right now i want to visit dlp so thats what i do.

 

[A Small World]

Im another person who says forget about about going to DLP and concentrate on Paris. Both need time to enjoy properly.

Yes you can do lots of those things in a carefully planned day in Paris but you wouldnt be able to enjoy them as much - you can see the Eiffel Tower in seconds but you could spend a half day exploring it properly - In my opinion its best view is from Tocadero where you are viewing it from above unobstructed (its amazing here at night) , its then nice to walk down towards it past the fountains etc. If you want to go up it you will find there are queues so by the time you get up and explore the different levels (have a drink or even a meal up there) you will find you have spent a few hours there.
Same with sacre Coeur - you can look at it in a minute but to walk up the hill to it, spend time enjoying the views of Paris from up there and then explore the streets and squares round the back (Montmatre) where all the artists are is the best bit. Sit at a pavement cafe in Montmatre and watch the world go by and the artists at work. There are some really good value restaurants there as well.

Enjoy a boat trip on the river - seeing all the wonderful bridges and places like the Louvre and Notre Dame from the water. I like the Batobus which is a boat bus - you get a day ticket and get on and off as much as you want.
Dont forget to go round the back of Notre Dame - its so different to the front which is very square and angular.
Another favourite of mine is wandering along the river from Notre dame to the Louvre. Walk through the Jardin des Tuileries (the gardens by the Louvre) and stand by the Arc de Carrousel and look up the Champs Elysee - you get a great view all the way up past Place de la Concorde

Can you tell I love Paris

 

[karengr]

Dont rush Paris and dont rush DLRP. So in my opinion i would give DLRP a miss and go another time.xx

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I feel that one day would give you a taste of DLP if you really want to see it. I am a huge WDW fan but I did enjoy DLP. I have to say though, it didn't offer a much extra to what is in Florida. Yes the park is very scenic, but so is Paris. It's a tough call.

 

[Ware Bears]

and now I fully expect the moderators to slap a life ban on me! Bye all, it's been nice knowing you all........

I'm also in the stick to Paris camp. If you'd come on here saying how you had to visit DLRP then I'd be encouraging you to do so but as you're not sure, then I'd advise enjoying Paris and save DLRP for a future visit when you can spare more time to enjoy it fully.

 

[Ljay]

I to would say leave dlp for another time! Then you can at least enjoy both at seperate times for longer
Half a day or a full day would'nt be enough to dlp, like people have said you would be rushing around! so you might not see it for what it is
we were going to take the Paris daytrip when we went dlp in March....but i really didnt want to leave the parks for a full day, so we took the night tour which was lovely to see Paris at night

I hope you have a lovely time in what ever way you do it

 

[id@53]

and now I fully expect the moderators to slap a life ban on me! Bye all, it's been nice knowing you all........

I'm also in the stick to Paris camp. If you'd come on here saying how you had to visit DLRP then I'd be encouraging you to do so but as you're not sure, then I'd advise enjoying Paris and save DLRP for a future visit when you can spare more time to enjoy it fully.

Yea, I'm in the clear with the mods......