Highs and Lows from 1st Trip (5/15-5/16)

[cherrymarzipan]

On the other land when we were in the park for DS's birthday last year and were given a birthday sticker for him in Salon Mickey, which was nice of them , not one CM or character we met mentioned it or seemed to notice (and it was quite large!).

Edit to add: That's not to say we haven't met some lovely CMs. On our most recent trip DS was given two pins on separate occasions when we tried to swap.

 

[DLPDreams]

Badgergirl - thank you so much for coming back and replying to everyone . Glad you enjoyed Dreams - can't wait to see it this weekend .

I am really sorry it wasn't a better Disney fix for you but do think some of it was down to the timing. I am not sure how much you know about the 'strike' which was actually 'work to rule', it was due to a CM being continually sexually harrassed at work. The case had gone to a court and the harrasser (who was found guilty) had been given his old job back while the CM in question had been moved . Needless to say, the CMs came all out in that dept (Character entertainment) and stood up for their friend/colleague. While I too would have been so disappointed, when it was all going on I could see their point. Solidarity is a good thing. Apparently they did manage to have characters just in Inventions and the DLH that night but don't think it was well advertised which is a shame.

Like others have said, never say never, I guess if you were that way again, you could pop in for one day and maybe you would be luckier .

In the meantime, keep enjoying WDW - you are so lucky to be able to visit so often! 2015, here we come !

Glad you enjoyed the rest of your trip around Europe - there are some lovely places to visit .

 

[Michael623]

It is just very difficult for US park veterans who are used to a certain level of service and courtesy, not to make comparisons when visiting DLP. I find my self doing it when visiting Universal or Seaworld or even my local amusement park. WDW/DL have set the bar so high for us that anything less is a huge letdown. I don't want to speak for BadgerGirl84 but I feel like we're on the same page when it comes to the "Disney Magic". It's not just rides and Disney characters, it's the general atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement where children and adults can get just as excited. I too, never felt this at all at DLP (2 visits, 6 years apart).

Once again, "Disney Magic" isn't a tangible or physical thing, there is no way to quantify it. Some people feel it, some don't but I've read loads of reviews and people who consider themselves WDW and/or DL veterans typically mention (at the very least) less Disney Magic at DLP.

I agree that DLP has some great rides and attractions (the Castle w/dragon, BTMRR, POC, Animagique etc) but none of these rides alone are so much better than their US counterpart to really make a trip from the US worthwhile. I also get a strong "6 Flags with Disney rides/characters" vibe whenever I've visited DLP. I really feel that there is a reason that there never seem to be flash sales (or any sales at all) targeted to US Disney fans. I believe the theory is that they have 2 superior Disney resorts in their own country, why would they want to come here and be disappointed?

DLP is what is and I don't feel that it will ever really change. It is a Disney branded park targeted to Europeans, many of whom will never visit as US Disney park. For them it is truly heaven, for US park veterans it will always be an inferior copy.

OK moderators, edit away.

 

[DLPdaft]

no need to Michael , as I said before, we're all entitled to our opinions, and you've stated your opinion.

 

[torsie24]

FWIW I pretty much agree with you, Michael.

But I also think as has been said here the vast majority of DLRP visitor aren't hardcore Disney fans, and won't have been to WDW/DLR. So Disneyland Paris is probably acting in the way it's deemed best for the majority of it's visitors.

DLRP is certainly in a whole different league to the other theme parks here in the UK. And I've been to Six Flags Magic Mountain amd think DLRP is way more magical than it. And I also think DLRP has a lot mroe magic than US/IOA and US Hollywood.

We can all have our favourites, that's the beauty of the world.

Mine is WDW, but I'm glad I have DLRP a couple of hours away for when we can't afford the time or airfare over to WDW.

 

[Michael623]

But I also think as has been said here the vast majority of DLRP visitor aren't hardcore Disney fans, and won't have been to WDW/DLR. So Disneyland Paris is probably acting in the way it's deemed best for the majority of it's visitors.

Very well put!

Believe me, if I lived in the UK and could take a $50 Easyjet/Ryanair flight to DLP (plus a cheap annual pass) for a quick Disney fix I would do it on a regular basis for sure.

 

[lilacgems23]

But I also think as has been said here the vast majority of DLRP visitor aren't hardcore Disney fans, and won't have been to WDW/DLR. So Disneyland Paris is probably acting in the way it's deemed best for the majority of it's visitors.

I'm not sure how you can decide the most people who visit DLRP aren't hardcore disney fans and I for one have not seen it mentioned here before.

Infact everyone I speak to who are not hardcore disney fans all talk about going to WDW.

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm not sure how you can decide the most people who visit DLRP aren't hardcore disney fans and I for one have not seen it mentioned here before.


Infact everyone I speak to who are not hardcore disney fans all talk about going to WDW.

I think most people who go to any Disney parks full stop are not members of any forums at all, they're not hardcore Disney fans, they just book the holiday and turn up with possibly an unofficial guide to the parks as their total planning beforehand .

 

[Michael623]

So what you're saying is the casual Disney fans are willing to spend thousands of dollars plus half a day on a plane to go to WDW while the hardcore Disney fans go to DLP? I just want to be clear. Am I the only one by this?

 

[DLPdaft]

So what you're saying is the casual Disney fans are willing to spend thousands of dollars plus half a day on a plane to go to WDW while the hardcore Disney fans go to DLP? I just want to be clear. Am I the only one by this?

I think where you live in the world may have a bearing on which park you go to most, especially if you're a "hardcore" fan? Does that make sense?

There possibly is, in the UK anyway, the idea that WDW is a "proper" Disney holiday to lots of first-timers because its a long-distance flight, and Florida has so much more than WDW so you could easily fill your 2 or 3 weeks holidays there.

I'm sure there are hardcore Disney fans of all the parks, every fan will have their favourite park, which they prefer to visit most.

 

[torsie24]

I'm not sure how you can decide the most people who visit DLRP aren't hardcore disney fans and I for one have not seen it mentioned here before.

Infact everyone I speak to who are not hardcore disney fans all talk about going to WDW.

It's just simple maths.

Out of 100 people only 1 is going to be a hardcore Disney fan.

Of course in DLRP there are going to be more Disney fans than in the general population.

But most people at DLRP are just going to be normal holiday makers who have chosen Disney because a friend told them to.

They've not gone for magic, or to shed a tear at Dreams. They just want to turn up, ride all the rides, eat a hotdog, and take a photo or two with Mickey.

We're (DISers, planners, FP users, sharholders) the minority. Even more so in Europe than America. As Disney is an American company.

 

[torsie24]

And lilacgems, this is what I was referring to when I said it had been mentioned on here before:

Aw, I'm sorry you didn't feel the magic. It was one of my biggest concerns after visiting WDW first but I'm glad to say I found it in abundance.


I think a lot of this is down to the guest demographic - unlike the US parks, the average DLP guest isn't a die-hard Disney fan and just wouldn't appreciate the attention! And I've got to disagree about the CMs with their congratulations - when I celebrated a milestone birthday at DLP last year my DDs insisted on me wearing a birthday badge and I received lots of Bon Anniversaire wishes from CMs ..... and even a couple of kisses!

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Europe.

 

[adr2.8i]

They've not gone for magic, or to shed a tear at Dreams.




i disagree, this is the main reason why i and my family are going back to Disney!

(as well as ride the rides, eat a hot dog, and chase the characters around the park)

Do people feel the magic and shed a tear only when they go Florida?
for my family, Paris feels just as magical as Florida.

if florida only had magic kingdom and mgm studios (is it even called mgm anymore i dont know,i havent been since 2006) then we wouldnt even be having this discussion as both parks would be compared equally.

** runs off and hides behind sofa ready for backlash ****

 

[DLPdaft]

I think you've misunderstood Torsie's post to be honest adr - she wasn't talking about us repeat visitors to DLP or any other Disney park at all. She was talking about the many many many visitors to any Disney park who don't go to "feel the Magic".

My brother and my brother-in-law would most definitely count in that category.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Ok I go every week on average and I'm an AP holder plus a DISer but I'm not a Disney fan in the way you are describing it... far from it ... I don't like characters, don't need or want people interacting with me while I visit etc etc but I'm not into just riding and eating (rather a good thing at DLP ) in the park.

I mainly walk around and look at all the detail, sit and read my Kindle on Colonel Hathis veranda , people watch, take pictures for here ....

That said next year we are going to DLHK (for a day while visiting HK) and might stop at DL a day or two if we have the time but even though we are going to Florida for 2 weeks on our way home we won't be going to WDW as it's too full on for us.

 

[torsie24]

I think you've misunderstood Torsie's post to be honest adr - she wasn't talking about us repeat visitors to DLP or any other Disney park at all. She was talking about the many many many visitors to any Disney park who don't go to "feel the Magic".

My brother and my brother-in-law would most definitely count in that category.

This is exactly what I meant.

I'm talking about the people who aren't DISers - believe it or not we're a rare breed.

Like the man I saw walking past Art of Animation saying to his son "Nah, we aint going in there, it's just about films, it's boring"

Or the people running through Aladdin's Enchanted Passage shouting "where's the ride?'

Or the woman standing by Tower of Terror on her phone telling the person at the other end "I'm by the Tower of Death, you know, the Hollywood Hotel of Fear" (Jack and I quoted that one all holiday, amazing.)

They're the same people who when any of us say "We're going back to Disney" roll their eyes and just don't get it.

 

[adr2.8i]

please forgive my thickness, but i am welsh and stooopid innit

i honestly thought people visit disney parks because they love everything disney????

wow, how thick do i feel now!

 

[adr2.8i]

This is exactly what i meant.

I'm talking about the people who aren't disers - believe it or not we're a rare breed.

Like the man i saw walking past art of animation saying to his son "nah, we aint going in there, it's just about films, it's boring"

or the people running through aladdin's enchanted passage shouting "where's the ride?'

or the woman standing by tower of terror on her phone telling the person at the other end "i'm by the tower of death, you know, the hollywood hotel of fear" (jack and i quoted that one all holiday, amazing.)

they're the same people who when any of us say "we're going back to disney" roll their eyes and just don't get it.

shocking!!! The hollywood hotel of fear!!!?????

 

[Ware Bears]

I'm talking about the people who aren't DISers - believe it or not we're a rare breed.

They're the same people who when any of us say "We're going back to Disney" roll their eyes and just don't get it.

Or the ones who ask why are you going now that your children are grown up? They just don't get that Disney is really far too good for children!

But most people at DLRP are just going to be normal holiday makers who have chosen Disney because a friend told them to.

They've not gone for magic, or to shed a tear at Dreams. They just want to turn up, ride all the rides, eat a hotdog, and take a photo or two with Mickey.

We're (DISers, planners, FP users, sharholders) the minority. Even more so in Europe than America. As Disney is an American company.

I'm not sure how you can decide the most people who visit DLRP aren't hardcore disney fans and I for one have not seen it mentioned here before.

torsie's explained what I meant ^ ^ ^ when I said the average DLP guest isn't a die-hard fan, unlike us! IMO you can see it just by looking at the guests (the percentage of guests wearing Disney attire at the US parks is far higher) and in the merchandise (or rather lack of it ) available at DLP.

 

[TLHB70]

Thank you so much for your post. I, too, am a huge WDW fanatic! I love all things, Disney.........movies, music, characters, and ESPECIALLY WDW. I have been many times. I consider myself a WDW expert. Our family is soon going on a 15 day trip to London and Paris. It will be our first time in Europe. DH and DD have promised that I can have two days for DLRP. I am looking forward to the experience. I am happy to read your report because it will help me know what to expect. I feel if I go in with expectations a bit lower, I will likely not be disappointed. Also, since DLRP is not our main tourist destination, it will be a pleasant stop on our itinerary.