First Visit - Trip Planning Feedback

[shb5007]

Hello friends! I am currently working on planning a quick 2-day trip (as part of a longer European trip) to celebrate marriage with my fiance on May 14 (Sunday) and May 15 (Monday). We are from the United States and are Disney World regulars (I even proposed to her in Magic Kingdom). I have started with a few hours of research around the internet and DIS boards, but I am looking for some feedback on my work so far.

01.) We are planning on doing the Studio's on Sunday, as it closes earlier on Monday.

02.) We would like to eat at Inventions (calling the 14th to make reservations), and plan on doing this on Sunday night, so we don't miss the night show at Disneyland.

03.) We are staying at the Vienna House Dream Castle.

04.) We are not going to be hopping, and have 1 full day in each park, how rushed will things be?

05.) First 3 attractions (for time) in each park, should be?

06.) Is there no Fast Pass type system at the Paris parks?

07.) Any other unique / fun things unique to the Paris parks?

08.) Any fun little pubs / bars on property?

09.) Your top 2 places for lunch in each park, would be?

10.) Which rides are identical to the US parks?

Thanks for any help you are willing to provide.

 

[micksn]

I'll start with 4!
You'll be fine to do the Studios in a day, but 1 day at the Disneyland Park might be rushed. If you could do hoppers on the Sunday that would give you more time.
5. Studios - Crush's Coaster, RC Racer, Parachutes - you can get a FP for others, but get FP for Ratatouille after Crush or use single rider.
Park - Trickier as we usually do EMH's first, but as it's a Monday out of school holidays you should be fine. I would probably do Discoveryland - Space Mountain (if open by then!), Star Tours and Buzz or start with BTM and Indiana Jones.
6. Yes it's the paper FP, available on BTM, Indiana Jones, Peter pan, Space Mountain, Buzz and Star Tours and ToT, RnR and Ratatouille in the Studios.
7.The dragon under the castle, all the new shows and parades for the 25th anniversary, the arcades behind Main Street and being in France!
8. Billy Bobs bar in the village and the bars in the hotels, particularly DLH, HNY and Sequoia Lodge are nice.
9.Disneyland Park - Lucky Nugget, Cowboy Cookout and Pizzaria Bella Notte, I wouldn't bother with lunch in the Studios other than Chez Remy which is table service and delightful, I'd go to the Village for Earl of Sandwich.
10.None are identical, but some are very similar; Buzz, Peter pan, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Carousel, Magic Carpets, RnR Coaster, ToT, Star Tours (but the new version hasn't opened yet so we don't know!) BTM and Space Mountain are better and Phantom Manor is different to Haunted mansion.

Hope this helps! Have fun!

 

[shb5007]

I'll start with 4!
You'll be fine to do the Studios in a day, but 1 day at the Disneyland Park might be rushed. If you could do hoppers on the Sunday that would give you more time.
5. Studios - Crush's Coaster, RC Racer, Parachutes - you can get a FP for others, but get FP for Ratatouille after Crush or use single rider.
Park - Trickier as we usually do EMH's first, but as it's a Monday out of school holidays you should be fine. I would probably do Discoveryland - Space Mountain (if open by then!), Star Tours and Buzz or start with BTM and Indiana Jones.
6. Yes it's the paper FP, available on BTM, Indiana Jones, Peter pan, Space Mountain, Buzz and Star Tours and ToT, RnR and Ratatouille in the Studios.
7.The dragon under the castle, all the new shows and parades for the 25th anniversary, the arcades behind Main Street and being in France!
8. Billy Bobs bar in the village and the bars in the hotels, particularly DLH, HNY and Sequoia Lodge are nice.
9.Disneyland Park - Lucky Nugget, Cowboy Cookout and Pizzaria Bella Notte, I wouldn't bother with lunch in the Studios other than Chez Remy which is table service and delightful, I'd go to the Village for Earl of Sandwich.
10.None are identical, but some are very similar; Buzz, Peter pan, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Carousel, Magic Carpets, RnR Coaster, ToT, Star Tours (but the new version hasn't opened yet so we don't know!) BTM and Space Mountain are better and Phantom Manor is different to Haunted mansion.

Hope this helps! Have fun!

Great reply! Thanks so much.

We might consider a hopper on Sunday. Good idea!

So (in order) you recommend: Crush's Coaster, obtain FP for Ratatoulle, RC Racer, and Parachutes for the Studios? Is Parachutes "worth it" for adults? It looks fun / unique, but I was worried the height was more for children.

So (in order) you recommend: Space Mountain (please be open), Star Tours, Big Thunder Mountain, and Indiana Jones for Disneyland? We are not worried about Buzz, as we have ridden that at Disneyland (California) and Disney World.

I am guessing we will try to obtain FP for Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones, or Peter Pan.

We are very much looking forward to the dragon under the castle, hear great things about the castle in general! I am also looking forward to the parades and Mickey magic show.

I haven't thought much about the arcades, but will look into that.

Getting so excited for this trip! Thanks again!

 

[loladelorean]

micksn has already given you great answers so I'll just add a little! Well done on your planning, it all sounds great so far. Really glad you're going to Inventions - you won't regret it. Being used to the US parks, you may find the Paris parks slightly lacking in characters, and when characters do appear there are disorganised scrums to meet them, usually! Therefore Inventions is the best way to get great, relaxed character interaction as well as the best food in the resort.

I always hop, whether I've got one day at the parks or five, so I'm not sure re the rushing - it's worth letting you know, if you're not already aware, that the entrances to the 2 parks are right next to each other so hopping is very easy. The studios is a small park whereas Disneyland Parc is enormous, and you might find you want to visit the main park on Sunday as well.

Crush first is a must, the order you've proposed based on micksn's advice sounds good.
BTM is much more popular than Space Mountain so personally I'd prioritise that at rope drop in the main park - even if it's to grab a FP then head back to Space Mountain.

Q7 - as well as the castle, you should also make time to wander around each of the lands to enjoy the themes. I'm not familiar with the US parks, but I believe the extensive lands around Pirates in DLP are quite unique. I also love the little Arabian bazaar and Aladdin walkthrough in Adventureland - easily missed!

Q8 - now you're on my favourite topic, DLP drinking. Haha! Definitely go to at least some of the hotel bars, the theming and atmosphere are great especially in the Hotel New York and Sequoia Lodge. The walk around the lake is fabulous at night too.
Having a cocktail in the Disneyland Hotel before or after your Inventions meal is highly recommended too.
King Ludwigs in the Village is not a very pleasant bar BUT it has happy hour every day and is usually really lively and fun. Billy Bobs has live music most nights. The Sports Bar offers some of the cheapest drinks, but I'm not a huge fan, I prefer the theme and music etc in Billy Bobs. Can you tell that booze plays a key role in most of my trips?! Oh, I think this is different from the US parks - you can buy alcohol in most of the restaurants within the park too, wine with lunch is very typical in Europe. Am I right in thinking you can't buy alcohol in the US parks? Maybe I made that up....

Q9 - I agree that lunch options in the Studios besides Chez Remy are pathetic - Earl of Sandwich is a much better option, or Annette's which is also in the village and a favourite of mine. In the main park, the themes within the counter service places can be really delightful. Depends what you like, but there are lots of fun and tasty options - Fish and Chips at Toad Hall, Bavarian sausages at Pinocchios, spicy chicken at Hakuna Matata, pizza and pasta at Colonel Haitis or Bella Notte, really tasty freshly made baguettes and sandwiches at various cute places on Main St...just be aware they're not usually all open at once, you can check on posters which are open when you visit.

Hope that helps!! Happy planning.