Does Disneyland Paris need 'saving'?

[TeamJones22]

I know its old news now, but having recently been back to DLP and now reading every article i can find i was wondering whether people feel Disneyland Paris needs 'saving'; as insinuated in that oh so famous petition created back in September? If so, how? If not, why not?

As i said ive been able to look around and assess things for myself now that ive been again after a 9 year absence. My opinion is absolutely not. The new Ratatouille ride, refinancing with the help of TWDC and a move to improve the guest experience and the little things rather than new rides etc makes me feel that the future is relatively bright long term. A few changes and updates are required, obviously, but they will take time and i have confidence that they will be done up to the 25th anniversary in 2017.

 

[Princessindisguise]

I couldnt agree more as Disney fans we must keep the faith! They seem to have a plan and lets let them see it through!

 

[HFJohnson]

I've said no. We were also there in the last few months and thought the parks looked fab. I think we're all aware of maintenance issues here and there but from what I've read recently things are set to improve over the next few years.

 

[Lisa_C]

I'm saying no too. My opinion of this was well voiced in one of our podcast and I get really agitated by that petition. I think the park is beautiful, the staff are lovely and I even love the food. I've been accused of wearing rose tinted glasses over this and got into a war of words over it on this board, but I passionately love Disneyland Paris. And I am fully aware of niggles around the whole resort, I just don't think its worth kicking up a fuss because the bathrooms are dirty. We're the ones who use them

 

[Lolsmum]

There are a few changes that need to happen, and toilets that desperately need cleaning, but overall it's not bad.

I will admit to preferring Disneyland, but the one in France is much, much easier to get to for us.

 

[Jonjo]

Saving from what?

It's still Europes number one tourist attraction, we have a new ride opening in the summer and Europe is slowly recovering from the recession which will mean more visitors.

The hotels are undergoing a huge refurbishment project and with the Villages Nature waterpark development and a chance to invest in owning your own holiday home so near to the magic things are on the up.

So NO it does not need saving, it was saved on 14 March 1994 by Sanford Litvack.

 

[Lisa_C]

Saving from what?

It's still Europes number one tourist attraction, we have a new ride opening in the summer and Europe is slowly recovering from the recession which will mean more visitors.

The hotels are undergoing a huge refurbishment project and with the Villages Nature waterpark development and a chance to invest in owning your own holiday home so near to the magic things are on the up.

So NO it does not need saving, it was saved on 14 March 1994 by Sanford Litvack.

^^that^^

 

[Michael623]

It's still Europes number one tourist attraction,

I feel like this is a bit of a crutch on this board. Times Square is the #1 tourist attraction in the USA and it is filthy and crime riddled.

 

[TeamJones22]

Thanks all for your thoughts and votes.

Pretty conclusive result from the boards, 92% of people who replied thought the park doesnt need saving.

It was good to hear that a lot of you had similar thoughts to myself on the subject, its not like people are oblivious to the issues faced in the park both now and in the future but almost everyone feels like DLP is facing that in a sufficient way and thats a good thing.

I really appreciated your thoughts, very interesting! Thanks all.

 

[aj2703]

Thanks all for your thoughts and votes.

Pretty conclusive result from the boards, 92% of people who replied thought the park doesnt need saving.

It was good to hear that a lot of you had similar thoughts to myself on the subject, its not like people are oblivious to the issues faced in the park both now and in the future but almost everyone feels like DLP is facing that in a sufficient way and thats a good thing.

I really appreciated your thoughts, very interesting! Thanks all.

I think it does.

Dirty toilets, very expensive both for food, drink and souvineers, not to mention the costs to stay on-site. Smoking everywhere. No shows anymore. Staff with bad attitudes.

We just came back from a 5 day stay. That was our fifth trip and TBH we had a good time but won't be going again for a very long time. For the money you spend (over 2k) you can get much better value and a longer holiday too.

 

[Ware Bears]

I didn't feel qualified to vote on this seeing as I haven't been to DLP for 18 months and obviously a lot can happen (or not happen) in that time ..... so I'm really pleased to mainly positive comments and see that the majority voted no (at time of posting it's 2 for yes, 12 for no).

 

[aj2703]

I didn't feel qualified to vote on this seeing as I haven't been to DLP for 18 months and obviously a lot can happen (or not happen) in that time ..... so I'm really pleased to mainly positive comments and see that the majority voted no (at time of posting it's 2 for yes, 12 for no).

It will be interesting to see what / if anything they do when this Paramount park opens in Dartford.

Although it is a few years off (if it even goes ahead), it will be very stiff competition for disney...

 

[Danauk]

Does DLP need saving; IMHO, No. Does it need some TCL, yes. But then it is a theme park open all year around.

We went to DLP 3 times last year in 3 different seasons and we were impressed with what we saw each time. We have AP's and stay off site, just one stop down the metro line and the apart hotel we stay in is right next to the station. This means trips are much cheaper and we have found that, if we time the trains right, it is actually quicker to get back there than it is to walk through the village to the Disney hotels. On every trip we saw maintenance happening; gardeners replanting in Alice's Maze, painting on Main Street and in Discoveryland etc. We did notice lots of smoking in queue lines and around the park, but I think that has to do with a different attitude to smoking in mainland Europe compared to in the UK. We also noticed some smaller details that do need some attention, broken bulbs in the lights in the arcades are one thing that spring to mind. Food and souvenirs are expensive, but that is nothing to so with saving the resort.

I do agree with the lack of shows aspect though. DLP does need to bring some of those back. We did a backstage tour at Halloween and I asked about the rumour about the Tarzan show returning. I was informed that the theatre is no longer up to code for performing on a stage and for any show to return there work would need to be done on it. The guide didn't know if work was planned or not, but he did state that shows could not be put on there at the present time.

One thing we didn't notice on any trip though was dirty bathrooms, maybe we were lucky. I think the worst Disney bathroom I have ever seen was on the morning on the 1st January at WDW in DTD near the Irish pub. Let's just say NYE celebrations and cleaners hadn't arrived yet! Yukk!!

 

[lilacgems23]

I have never noticed the toilet issue in all our trips until when we went last month. The stench on entering the toilets was disgusting and you could see most people screwing their faces up on entering.

 

[A Small World]

I voted no as well.

Its not perfect - there is room for improvement but there is at WDW and DL as well.

I went in December for my first visit for about 5 years and was unsure what to expect with all the negative posts on here recently however we had a great time.
The only smelly toilets I came across were in the Disneyland Hotel which I was very surprised about and it was on more than 1 day so not a one off.
The CMs were all friendly and helpful
The Hotel - Sequioa Lodge was looking lovely after its refurb
The park looked beautiful with all the Christmas decorations about
We had some lovely meals both counter service and Table Service - in the parks, village and hotels

I never did get round to doing a Highs and Lows after my trip so there you are a mini one!!

 

[lilacgems23]

I think it does.

Dirty toilets, very expensive both for food, drink and souvineers, not to mention the costs to stay on-site. Smoking everywhere. No shows anymore. Staff with bad attitudes.

We just came back from a 5 day stay. That was our fifth trip and TBH we had a good time but won't be going again for a very long time. For the money you spend (over 2k) you can get much better value and a longer holiday too.

I thought the souvenirs were reasonable, they are the same price as the Disney store online.

Food is expensive but no more so than the food at legoland etc.

 

[Madhattermad]

Simply put...no!

The parks need to continue to move with the times and evolve in line with Walt's vision and there are a few improvements which could be made but personally I have faith and confidence that the fans are listened to!

DLP still produces the magic

 

[johnodonnell]

I know its old news now, but having recently been back to DLP and now reading every article i can find i was wondering whether people feel Disneyland Paris needs 'saving'; as insinuated in that oh so famous petition created back in September? If so, how? If not, why not?

As i said ive been able to look around and assess things for myself now that ive been again after a 9 year absence. My opinion is absolutely not. The new Ratatouille ride, refinancing with the help of TWDC and a move to improve the guest experience and the little things rather than new rides etc makes me feel that the future is relatively bright long term. A few changes and updates are required, obviously, but they will take time and i have confidence that they will be done up to the 25th anniversary in 2017.

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I'm one of the seeing the future through rose tinted glasses crowd. Disney is brilliant and seems to be ever more popular. Onwards and upwards............