well, perhaps I was in need for the pre-posters to remind me of the positive things of Disneyland Paris:
1. Sleeping beauty castle: You are right, "our" castle is really beautiful (it is much bigger than the one in California). And, of course, the sleeping dragon below is cute - he (actually it is a "she") sleeps and wakes up from time to time. Then he bristles with anger (fumes comes out of his nares) and he stares at the visitors before he falls back to sleep. Many visitors don't even know that there is a dragon when they enter the cave - those are usually very scared when he wakes up
But the most beautiful event is the show "Disney Dreams" which brings the castle and the "magic inside" alive. I really love this show - even more than Fantasmic (in my opinion a little dated) and World of Color.
2. Phantom Manor: In Disneyland Paris the Imagineers tried to focus more on the storyline of Melanie Ravenswood. The house is not Victorian-style as in California, but looks like an old ghosthouse. And, as far as I know, in Paris it is a real elevator, not only walls going up.
3. Indiana Jones coaster: In Disneyland Paris we have a unique coaster with an Indiana Jones theme. It has a small loop and is very tame, over all. I was very surprised when I realized that in California the decorations of the Indiana Jones indoor right were partly the same.
4. Space Mountain: In Disneyland Paris it is a real coaster with loops and corkscrews (thrill ride). In earlier days it was themed after Jule Verne's novel "From the earth to the moon". But they have re-themed the attraction and now it is only a normal space trip (nice, but I prefer the Jule Verne-style - it was so unique and it fitted perfectly to France).
5. Pirates of the caribbean: the entrance is in a pirates' fortress and looks more "piraty" to me as in California.
6. Crush's coaster: We have a - as far as I know - unique kiddie coaster which spins and whirls all the time. Nice coaster, also for adults. But very, very short ride. And usually wait times are over an hour (even in off-season).
7. Names: We call the Tomorrowland "Discoveryland" -> don't know why they made this difference.
8. Thrill rides: We have only three real thrill rides: Indiana Jones, Space Mountain and Rock'n Rollercoaster (and Tower of Terror - if you want). No splash mountain, no Everest coaster, no river rafting (attractions where you will be drenched are not a good idea in our climate).
9. Shows: Best show ever, ever: Disney Dreams. Also very nice: Animagique (singing and dancing characters) and Cinemagique (show about history of cinema - actually a very nice love story)
10. No big seasonal events: No halloween party events or christmas parties. No wine and food festival....
11. Food: Perfect, but very different from the US (no turkey legs, more healthy options).
12. Crowd levels: okay if you go in off-season (check the school holidays of France and Great Britain- those two are the countries where most of the visitors come from). Even walk-on is possible (especially in November/early December).
13. Fast Pass: old system, like it a lot!
14. Second park: We have a "Magic Kingdom" = Disneyland Park and we have the Walt Disney Studios as a second park. But: The studios are very small, actually it will keep you occupied for only half a day. Not very nice themed. Needs expansion (a few weeks ago they opened a new attraction with a Ratatouille-theme: you drive in rate-shaped trackless waggons around in a giant kitchen. I haven't tried it yet but the reviews are somewhat underwhelming).
And, yes, our cultural habits are very different: The personal space here is much smaller. So you should be prepared to feel more crowded - it is not being rude here to move up and enter your personal space.
And I found the Cast Members, well, all people in California being more friendly. Perhaps this is also a different cultural habit: We are not so open, don't just talk to strangers. I found it in the US much easier to get into contact.
Hopefully I have not forgotten anything important!
Katrin
