How To Avoid Culture Shock at DLP

[DancingBear]

BTW, I'd say I've seen plenty of pushiness for parade positions and flash pictures on dark attractions at WDW.

 

[bavaria]

You asked for my experience, so reluctantly I will share it

• The park is visually stunning, probably one of the best looking parks, but the guests do not take care of it, as many rides have graffiti on the walls (i.e. Peter Pan, & Big Thunder are two examples of the queues having graffiti-even the new Crush’s Coaster which opened less than a month ago had some writing on the walls) (we thought for the 15th Anniversary all of this would have been fixed) I haven't seen any graffiti doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but I didn't notice it

• Cast members do not clean up trash in the queues throughout the day, so you will find overfilled garbage cans everywhere again, I did not experience this - you have photos, but I didn't see the same. My companion did comment on odours, most of which I didn't notice

• Smokers fill the air throughout the parks, in line and everywhere else without a care in the world for who it affects. I felt like I was in a smoky outside bar 85% of the time only noticed this once with smokers in line in front of us. I never felt like I was in a bar. While smoking may be considered a filthy habit in America and the UK, much of the rest of the world still smokes to a much greater extent. Smoking laws are being implemented in France and Germany in the near future
• Most guests feel that the “line” is just a guideline and not something to actually follow-you get many kids walking around you and trying to get ahead of you like its normal (they make the queues very wide and so no one follows the single file rule) once that I can recall in 4 days did we have some people push past us to get to their family up ahead - I have seen much worse in the American parks
• If they do follow the single file rule, they stand on top of you, to the point where they are physically touching you. Personal space does not exist at DLP! different cultures have different concepts of space; Europe which tends to be more crowded than America in terms of population density has less room to move
• Shops on Main Street are not all open before the park opens or even as soon as the park opens! The emporium was not open even though hundreds of people were streaming into the park before opening! (and extra magic hours were happening) correct - they do list opening times on the shops. And in DL this is sometimes the same

• If you want ice cream at the end of the night-forget it! Get in the Main Street ice cream shop before park closing time because as soon as the park closes, so does the ice cream shop-they do not stay open like the Emporium or other shops on Main Street correct
• They start letting all guests in around 9 AM during EMH (the park opens at 10) and while they have ropes set up in front of Fantasyland and Discoveryland, in order to only let in people from the hotels, we noticed they were very inconsistent, one cast member stood there and people just walked in, no checking at all…so you can imagine that the 4 rides open during EMH got lines very quickly-we rode Buzz Lightyear once but as soon as 9AM hit-there was a line. There seemed to be a connection with the lines getting super long and non-hotel guests being let into the park! (also if you walk through the Dragon’s Lair below the castle, there is no one checking so anyone can get into Fantasyland. at WDW they often don't check for hotel keys at MK

• The crowds are huge during summertime and unfortunately the people don’t have a ton of options, since Disney doesn’t start fireworks or nighttime parades (Fantillusion) until July 14th, even though they start extending hours on July 7th. So you have all the extra crowds, but only so many places where they can be…this leads to long lines all night! (Nighttime parades and fireworks spreads out the crowds easing certain areas) from 7pm onwards we had no crowds, the rides were a walk on, and we didn't even stay for evening EMH as we had ridden so much

• Guests either do not realize or do not care that taking flash photos in dark rides is very distracting and annoying to other guests-an no one enforces anyone to not take photos-so Phantom Manor and Pirates always have constant flashing going on I won't comment on whether it was the American or the German who took the photos during the attractions, but let us just say that the American has more photos...

• On Pirates, they fill each row completely, unlike Disneyland and WDW, if you have a party of 2, you will not be by yourself in the tight little row-they will put two strangers on top of you

has never happened to me in DLRP, but often in America this happens to me and on other rides besides Pirates


We both visited at about the same time, but had different impressions and experiences. Mine is simply from a different cultural viewpoint, and as the previous poster pointed out, the American parks do not have a monopoly on good or bad behaviour. I have seen some far worse behaviour there than at DLRP.

Personally, I enjoy the fact that there are less rules and regulations at DLRP. One can go outside the castle and wander the steps in the dark and rain; one can explore Adventure Isle and Swiss Family Treehouse in the dark. This reminds me of the American parks before everyone began to fear lawsuits. No, there are not organized queues for characters; nor were there in the American parks in the 1970's yet I still managed to enjoy myself as a small child.

For those of you who make remarks about other cultures, would you not find it offensive if I or another poster made similar comments about Brits, or Americans, and grouped their behaviour, or fashion sense, etc together?

I am sure that the OP, like myself, did not intend this thread in any way to be a slight on any other nations, and I am also sure that the majority of DISers would be able to see that!

Frankly, then I am proud to be in the minority who do not see it that way. As I have said many times here, good or bad behaviour is not exclusive to certain nationalities.

My time on this thread is done; while I have been writing my trip report, I also no longer plan to post it here as I think that it will be better appreciated elsewhere.

Enjoy your future travels.

 

[HowGrumpy]

I remember when they first started FP in DL Anaheim; they were really strict about letting guests into the FP Return even 1 minute before their appointed hour. When we were at DLRP 2 years ago, we had to argue with a CM at Spc Mtn to let us return later than the ending time on our FPs; using a FP ANY time after the starting time appears to be Standard Operating Procedure at ALL the Disney parks worldwide. If there are people clogging the FP Return line that don't appear to be moving, I just go to the head of the queue & ask the CM what the delay is. The CM then lets us past the others still waiting for their time.

We noted that DLRP seemed the dirtiest and least kept-up of all the Disney parks (though still far better than any non-Disney parks!). Japan was the cleanest. I think both of these are due to Park management decisions. As for smoking, we're spoiled being from California--a person has to find an outdoor smoking area away from any building entrances to light up here. I've noticed that in most places outside the USA, people feel more free to smoke whenever and wherever they please. So be it. In queues, hands on my hips with both my elbows out works pretty well. DLHK was even worse for crowding & jumping queues. Neverthless, these must be minor issues because we're planning on returning to DLRP this fall. I agree with the OP, DLRP is a beautiful park. Enjoy!

 

[dlpSteve]

I'd say my experiences are pretty similar to Bavrias - I think in 8 visits we've maybe had 3 occasions where queue jumping was a problem and that was with teens who share the same lack of patience universally.

A for your trip report Bavaria, please do post it, I for one always enjoy reading tham as I'm sure many others do too.

 

[Cyrano]

Ladies and gentlemen as per Becky's reminder please note that any comments which single out any nationality due to cultural differences is not allowed on these boards.
Remember that as people are not speaking face to face it is easy to misinterprete a posters sentiments.
Lets keep these boards the happy place that they are

Oh and by the way did I tell you I am going for 11 days to DLP... gloat, gloat

 

[disneyangel]

I think you may have mentioned it Reid.

I do think they could be more pro-active in the park about emptying bins and agree with Disneypirate that changing babies nappies in an eating place is just not acceptable .Its unhygienic and given the tables are self clearing at the Cowboy cookout I wouldn't have fancied sitting there next completely unaware of what had just happened and whilst I appreciate (having recently travelled with a toddler myself) that you sometimes get caught short with them I have seen them be allowed to 'go' in line when a toilet is literally a few steps away. That must be confusing for children who are toilet training as it's sendng mixed messages about where you should go.

I have to say I've never spotted the graffitti and I do object to smoking in line but I'm used to the smoking ban we have in Scotland so I probably notice it more.

I do prefer the structured queues to meet characters but I tend to only do the others in the studios where there are less people to contend with.

However none of this distracts from me having great family holidays at DLRP as I think the OP was trying to point out.

 

[Ste7en]

Personally I have no problems with Perdie's post. It's observations is all, it doesn't discriminate against a particular nationality as far as I can see.

Litter can be a problem when it's busy, now there is photographic evidence.

But when the park is quieter I have spotted many, many cast members sweeping the park obsessively.

The graffiti IS there, it is etched into the wooden parts of the queueing area of Peter Pan and Big Thunder Mountain (but not as much on BTM). As it is etched into the wood it is a permanent fixture unfortunately, I think that because it is darker people tend not to notice it. But if you are standing waiting for 50 minutes you do tend to pick up on it.

It is a long time since I've been to WDW but I don't 'think' I experienced any queue jumpers, I could be mistaken. I was speaking to an American girl in DLP and she was very positive about the park and when I mentioned the queue jumpers she said it was no worse than back at home.

I've got to admit that queue jumping wasn't too bad during this visit and when it happened all guests standing in line were very outspoken about it. But last year it was terrible at Easter, I had several confrontations.

I know it's easy to view the parks with rose tinted glasses (I do it myself) but please try to remember that some folks notice and experience things that others do not...

 

[MsFreud]

Being one of those token Americans, I can see both sides. I have been here in Europe for over 5 years. DLP is so pretty!
Last time I was in Anaheim, I was amazed at the lack of trash around the park- I had even commented on it- they have some disney magic that just whisks it away. Here it does tend to pile up.

The parade thing did have me ready to chew nails. I staked out for an hour, sitting on the curb, and strategically using my backpacks to save room for my kiddos. I purposely took much more space to start with than I knew we would need, knowing that space would be whittled away. I managed to hold our ground for them, but I was squished pretty good, with the people trying to push in front of me... I was kissing light post. The kids got to stand on the front of the curb and see everything, and that is what mattered most to me.

After the 2 parade experiences, I figured out pretty quick that once staked, stand your ground. During candlebration, 3 times I was forced to use the wide arms and such to keep people back and to keep the kids from eing smashed against the ropes... I was even called some rather colorful names in another language because I didn't let someone push me aside so their "child" of 15 or 16 who was about 6 inches taller than me could stand in front.

The character bum rush... incredibly frustrating- and if you are not willing to do the big rush rush push maneuver with the kids- expect to have kids in tears because despite their patience in letting everyone else quit pushing and wait their turn- they will not get a turn before the minder takes them away. I think DLP could do this much better- like Ariel's Grotto in Anaheim, with a que and such.

It is a gorgeous place- and I am a big fan... but yes, "We The People" should be prepared for some differences from Anaheim or WDW. Just be patient, and relax. It's a vacation... The world's round. You'll get there.

 

[poppyolivia]

I dont recall seeing any grafitti,and there always seemed to be someone sweeping up litter,so no complaints on that front.

the smoking argh, a few times my son almost got a cigarette burn !

plus the worst dress sense ever seen ,we made it a game to see who could spot the worst outfit

The dress sense thing made me laugh!!! I have just bought a bright pink ski suit to wear in January!!! WOW...do I get a prize????

 

[Rachie B]

The dress sense thing made me laugh!!! I have just bought a bright pink ski suit to wear in January!!! WOW...do I get a prize????

heck no ! that would be positively tame, compared to what we witnessed

 

[Cass]

OMG Trash & Grafitti?

I shouldn't have read this thread
I shouldn't have read this thread
I shouldn't have read this thread
I shouldn't have read this thread

 

[dlpSteve]

I wouldn't worry - I've been 8 times and never noticed the grafitti, it's hardly a park-wide problem.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I actually thought the engraved names in the wood on Big Thunder was supposed to be there - sort of part of the theming - like all the olde time miners have carved their names into the wood for posterity. It certainly isn't obtrusive grafitti as we see everwhere in the UK.

 

[stargatebarbie]

The graffiti ,never noticed it far to busy shopping

The smoking ,the rules could be inforced a little better and i have avoided the odd careless arm movement

The pushing at charactor meets ,my biggest bug ! I spend my life telling the kids to be polite ,wait their turn ,and they are not pushy and have been very dissapointed on many ocassion ,by the 4th visit they got the hang of it and fought back a little

The litter ,the usa is very active on this front ,I find dlrp to be alittle more laid back on this ,although i would challenge anyone to saying that the park is dirty ,just look at any uk theme park or holiday resort

On the whole Dlrp is a very pretty park ,and you can get all the disney magic with out the cost of the USA (and lets face no one does disney parks like the americans they did invent them after all )we have to expect a more europian attitude and embrace our differences and when in Rome etc.......


me myself im booking for next year very soon (hoping to take my coach load of friends with me they will be about 40 of us so i hope all armed with ,scrubbing brushes ,fire exsinquishers,litter pickers,sharp elbows ,barricades of buggys ,autograph books and mickey mouse ears

 

[Ste7en]

I'd like to share my observations regarding shopping. They are my observations, so lighten up guys and gals

I was a little concerned prior to our first visit about our kids going into Disney overdrive with regard to the adundance of shopping options available.

We have a Disney Store at the MetroCentre (where we go quite a bit) and they go crazy in there!

But I think the amount of shops and merchandise available in the parks seemed to desentisise them to wanting it all, which was a little odd...

I think I wanted more stuff than they did

Actually, that is one improvment that could be made at DLP. WDW have a lot more ride specific park exclusive items. I'd like to see the same at DLP.

Imagine, a Phantom Manor gift shop

 

[BONITATIME]

I'd like to share my observations regarding shopping. They are my observations, so lighten up guys and gals

I was a little concerned prior to our first visit about our kids going into Disney overdrive with regard to the adundance of shopping options available.

We have a Disney Store at the MetroCentre (where we go quite a bit) and they go crazy in there!

But I think the amount of shops and merchandise available in the parks seemed to desentisise them to wanting it all, which was a little odd...

I think I wanted more stuff than they did

Actually, that is one improvment that could be made at DLP. WDW have a lot more ride specific park exclusive items. I'd like to see the same at DLP.

Imagine, a Phantom Manor gift shop

You will love the 15th anniversary stuff then.

 

[Perdie]

I'd like to share my observations regarding shopping. They are my observations, so lighten up guys and gals

I was a little concerned prior to our first visit about our kids going into Disney overdrive with regard to the adundance of shopping options available.

We have a Disney Store at the MetroCentre (where we go quite a bit) and they go crazy in there!

But I think the amount of shops and merchandise available in the parks seemed to desentisise them to wanting it all, which was a little odd...

I think I wanted more stuff than they did

Actually, that is one improvment that could be made at DLP. WDW have a lot more ride specific park exclusive items. I'd like to see the same at DLP.

Imagine, a Phantom Manor gift shop

We don't have any kids, but at one point my husband and I looked at each other and said "We need a parent to tell us to stop buying stuff!" (the rain didn't help-we were stuck in a shop-having left our ponchos in the room-so we bought a lot to kill time!!)

 

[Ware Bears]

You will love the 15th anniversary stuff then.

I can't wait to see this.

I'm the same ~ I am always saying to my DDs that there can't be much more they want to buy then we hit the shops and I usually end up buying the most!

 

[NIK]

I know what you mean about getting desensitised to the shopping experience. I had a list as long as my arm of must have items I wanted to bring home. Trouble was, there was so much choice when I got there I was afraid to buy anything in case I saw something better and couldn't justify the expense It then led to a mad dash round on the last day for presents and souvenirs etc.

 

[MsFreud]

We were far worse about buying stuff than the kids... they had a few select things they wanted, and were rather one track minded about them. I wanted a ton of stuff from every shop!
The 15th anniversary stuff is wonderful! I makes a nice addition to go with my 50th anniversary stuff from Anaheim.