First time at DLP (From the US) - Thoughts

[kizzabel]

Not wishing to start a debate or some such but Im a smoker and I could by no means go a few hours without one!
I am very careful about where I smoke (esp at DLP) as I understand how rude it is to have smoke blown in anyone face esp a child or when they are a non smoker. Im all for designated smoking places at DLP.
It personal choice to smoke at the end of the day and I do think it would detract from my trip if there was a total ban.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I'm not a smoker and don't like it at all. In fact I nag my mum about it all the time.

However, I can honestly say that I don't notice smoking any more at DLP than I do at my local park/high st etc. In fact I don't really remember noticing it at all on our trip a couple of weeks ago, but I'm sure there were plenty of smokers about.

It takes me a long time to save my pennies for my precious DLP holidays and I choose to ignore niggles like this. I think if you look or focus on something you will always find it. I try to switch that part of my brain off at DLP - or I would have a list as long as your arm that annoys me

 

[Michael623]

I'm a non-smoker and the smoking never really bothered me, although I went in expecting it. It's the pushing/shoving and cutting in line that I can't seem to get my head around no matter where I set my expectations.

 

[Anal Annie]

Just left DLP this evening. Spent 1 night 2 days there. While very glad to have gone we did not feel it had the same Disney Magic as WDW and DL. I attribute that to it being a Disney wannabe. It's most likely bcuz it's not really owned & run by Disney. We noticed a lot of differences...the name tags on the CM's don't say where they're from. At WDW there is a CM on every corner. At DLP they only work the ride entrances and behind the cash register. They are not enforcing the smoking (and it WAS everywhere...even que lines...and as a former smoker who smoked for 28 years even I say THAT is wrong!). They were not cleaning up all over etc. Agree the fireworks were a letdown...the parade seemed really short. Crush's Coaster was a blast but the line was ridiculously long (too long to wait more than once at 90 minutes...plus it had a good 20-25 minute breakdown). Last rant...stayed at Hotel Cheyenne as it was only 1 night...expected more...do they even HAVE housekeeping? The hallway & stairs were filthy & the room was really beat up. Shame...it could be a cute resort but def not up to WDW standards.....

 

[kizzabel]

At least you enjoyed Crush. FP is badly needed.

As for not being owned and run by Disney... Really? Bar a few restaurants I dont think this is the case.
I think its a great resort overall, esp when compared to some uk parks ive been to. Havent been to WDW or DL but all in all I dont think DLP is that bad.
Yes the room I got at the Cheyenne was also not great but was fine for the intended purpose of sleeping in between Disney packed days. Which were by all means magical.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

At least you enjoyed Crush. FP is badly needed.

As for not being owned and run by Disney... Really? Bar a few restaurants I dont think this is the case.
I think its a great resort overall, esp when compared to some uk parks ive been to. Havent been to WDW or DL but all in all I dont think DLP is that bad.
Yes the room I got at the Cheyenne was also not great but was fine for the intended purpose of sleeping in between Disney packed days. Which were by all means magical.

DLP is run and owned by Euro Disney S.C.A and it's spilit between the WDC who have a % , then the Saudian prince with his % and then the rest is held by other shareholders.

So as the WDC is not a majority shareholder they don't have much say/control in the running of the park as they do their parks in the US which they own 100%

Looking at the price people pay for a hotel room I'd expect it to be clean and in good shape. Some photos I've seen recently on other forums show this not to be the case (the NPB comes to mind) and I can feel for someone who gets one especially if it is a one time trip.

Doesn't change the fact that yes you are there for the parcs and yes you can and will have a really great magical time but that shouldn't stop once you walk out of those gates

 

[kizzabel]

Yes Carrie I understand some rooms are in very bad condition. We switched rooms in the Cheyenne in March. The 1st room was filthy and tatty and the second was clean but thats about it so in regards to the Cheyenne, no matter how much you pay the rooms arent fantastic. But so long as theyre clean they do fit their purposes.
We got a really great room in NPB last year. Its the luck of the draw but the only fix to getting a rundown, dirty room is to complain.

I was taking owned/run from a not belonging to EuroDisney SCA p.o.v. As in RFC and King Luds

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I do think that if it was only owned 100% by the WDC a lot of the complaints that people have about it wouldn't be brought up time and time again. Especially from a financial pov

Of course that wouldn't change anything in the cultural differences that bother so many and the way of life and customer service and it's meaning are so different here from country to country.

I see differences when I go back to the UK everytime and then come back here and it always takes me a few days to readapt to each country so I'm not suprised when visitors talk about it

 

[Michael623]

Just left DLP this evening. Spent 1 night 2 days there. While very glad to have gone we did not feel it had the same Disney Magic as WDW and DL. I attribute that to it being a Disney wannabe. It's most likely bcuz it's not really owned & run by Disney. We noticed a lot of differences...the name tags on the CM's don't say where they're from. At WDW there is a CM on every corner. At DLP they only work the ride entrances and behind the cash register. They are not enforcing the smoking (and it WAS everywhere...even que lines...and as a former smoker who smoked for 28 years even I say THAT is wrong!). They were not cleaning up all over etc. Agree the fireworks were a letdown...the parade seemed really short. Crush's Coaster was a blast but the line was ridiculously long (too long to wait more than once at 90 minutes...plus it had a good 20-25 minute breakdown). Last rant...stayed at Hotel Cheyenne as it was only 1 night...expected more...do they even HAVE housekeeping? The hallway & stairs were filthy & the room was really beat up. Shame...it could be a cute resort but def not up to WDW standards.....

I've been waiting for your report. I'm always interested to hear how WDW/DL veterans feel about DLP. It is especially interesting to put these reports side by with Europeans who have never visited any of the US parks.