brimel2527
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2004
- Messages
- 33
We just returned from 8 fabulous days in Paris, including several visits to DLP. While not offering a detailed trip report here, I thought I would make note of some impressions that my family picked up while there.
First, two observations:
1. Frame of Reference - where you are from and what you are accustomed to - colors everything.
2. Cultural differences in a one-on-one setting can be informative and educational. In a one-on-5000 setting they can be confusing and annoying.
The Disneyland park itself it much more attractive a setting than WDW. We are DVC members since 1995, and have made 30+ trips to WDW, but DLP is by far a more beautiful park. It starts with the approach to the entry, continues to the castle, and goes from there.
Discoveryland was fun, but very crowded. Space Mountain was a great ride, but this 48 yr old felt beaten up after every time. My 13 yr old son loved it. We also liked Buzz Lightyear, although kind of funny to hear him speak French! It's hard to see where you are aiming, so we preferrd the WDW version. We were not overwhelmed by the Lion King show. It was certainly well done, but not nearly as much fun as the WDW Animal Kingdom version.
Autopia is good, except too many people let their 4 yr old drive, which slows everything way down.
Fantasyland was great. Hearing Peter Pan yell "imaginaire (sp?)" made us all laugh. Better than WDW's. Same goes for Small World.
Adventureland has Indy Jones, which has no counterpart at WDW. It was my son's favorite ride for about 30 minutes, until we went on BTMR. We agree with others that POTC is better at DLP than WDW.
In Frontierland, we were blown away by BTMR. What a terrific ride! The trips out to and back from the island are fantastic! Best ride, in our view, in the entire park.
Phantom Manor was fun, but no better than WDW's.
There was always a big crowd for the Paddlewheel Boat. There are days they can't pay people to go on the one at WDW!
Other things we liked: The dragon under the castle, the walk to Fantasyland breakfast when no one else was there, staying at the Sequoia Lodge (comfortable room in the main building).
Dinner at Cafe Mickey's was excellent. We arrived at about 7 PM with no reservations, and were seated immediately.
Line jumping was only an issue once. A group of about 6 girls (speaking French) in the 10-13 age range tried to get past us to join friends. My kids and I held hands to physically restrain them from going past. Since I'm 1.85 meters and 89 kilos, they didn't push too hard. A fond memory for my children!
Cast members were uniformly friendly and informative.
Annoyances:
First (and second, third, and fourth) is the ubiquitous smokers. They are everywhere, including the queues, and so many young people. Is there no health education in Europe? Incredibly irritating for people who don't usually have to put up with it. Also, while the park is beautiful, there was much more trash on the ground than we ever see at WDW. The inside of Skull Rock looked like a rubbish barrel.
Park hours were disappointing. I realize schools are still in session, but a closing time of 8 PM when sunset is at 10 PM is nuts. We never got to see Main Street lit up.
Three of four train stations didn't open until 12:30 PM. Couldn't figure that one out, either.
The Studios Park was okay, but nothing spectacular. We were there for 1/2 a day, and never felt compelled to return.
Disney Village was underwhelming. And how can they charge more for "Panoramagique" than for a trip to the top of la Tour Eiffel?
Pin trading was a tremendous disappointment. Cast member lanyards all looked the same, and the pin trading board that I saw had, on 3 different occasions, about 3 pins worth swapping for.
There was, for us, a certain lack of the "magical feeling" that we get at WDW. I know this has been discussed before, and it seems to be one of those things that separates Americans and Europeans.
All in all, a lovely park and a wonderful vacation. I'd go back to Paris anytime (I just wouldn't stay on the Place de la Republique the same night that les Bleus defeat the Brazilians in the World Cup!), but I wouldn't feel the need to rush back to DLP.
A big thank you to the regulars on this Board. I read your posts for several weeks, and picked up some good tips. I look forward to returning to see posted pictures, because they will bring back good memories.
Steve
First, two observations:
1. Frame of Reference - where you are from and what you are accustomed to - colors everything.
2. Cultural differences in a one-on-one setting can be informative and educational. In a one-on-5000 setting they can be confusing and annoying.
The Disneyland park itself it much more attractive a setting than WDW. We are DVC members since 1995, and have made 30+ trips to WDW, but DLP is by far a more beautiful park. It starts with the approach to the entry, continues to the castle, and goes from there.
Discoveryland was fun, but very crowded. Space Mountain was a great ride, but this 48 yr old felt beaten up after every time. My 13 yr old son loved it. We also liked Buzz Lightyear, although kind of funny to hear him speak French! It's hard to see where you are aiming, so we preferrd the WDW version. We were not overwhelmed by the Lion King show. It was certainly well done, but not nearly as much fun as the WDW Animal Kingdom version.
Autopia is good, except too many people let their 4 yr old drive, which slows everything way down.
Fantasyland was great. Hearing Peter Pan yell "imaginaire (sp?)" made us all laugh. Better than WDW's. Same goes for Small World.
Adventureland has Indy Jones, which has no counterpart at WDW. It was my son's favorite ride for about 30 minutes, until we went on BTMR. We agree with others that POTC is better at DLP than WDW.
In Frontierland, we were blown away by BTMR. What a terrific ride! The trips out to and back from the island are fantastic! Best ride, in our view, in the entire park.
Phantom Manor was fun, but no better than WDW's.
There was always a big crowd for the Paddlewheel Boat. There are days they can't pay people to go on the one at WDW!
Other things we liked: The dragon under the castle, the walk to Fantasyland breakfast when no one else was there, staying at the Sequoia Lodge (comfortable room in the main building).
Dinner at Cafe Mickey's was excellent. We arrived at about 7 PM with no reservations, and were seated immediately.
Line jumping was only an issue once. A group of about 6 girls (speaking French) in the 10-13 age range tried to get past us to join friends. My kids and I held hands to physically restrain them from going past. Since I'm 1.85 meters and 89 kilos, they didn't push too hard. A fond memory for my children!
Cast members were uniformly friendly and informative.
Annoyances:
First (and second, third, and fourth) is the ubiquitous smokers. They are everywhere, including the queues, and so many young people. Is there no health education in Europe? Incredibly irritating for people who don't usually have to put up with it. Also, while the park is beautiful, there was much more trash on the ground than we ever see at WDW. The inside of Skull Rock looked like a rubbish barrel.
Park hours were disappointing. I realize schools are still in session, but a closing time of 8 PM when sunset is at 10 PM is nuts. We never got to see Main Street lit up.
Three of four train stations didn't open until 12:30 PM. Couldn't figure that one out, either.
The Studios Park was okay, but nothing spectacular. We were there for 1/2 a day, and never felt compelled to return.
Disney Village was underwhelming. And how can they charge more for "Panoramagique" than for a trip to the top of la Tour Eiffel?
Pin trading was a tremendous disappointment. Cast member lanyards all looked the same, and the pin trading board that I saw had, on 3 different occasions, about 3 pins worth swapping for.
There was, for us, a certain lack of the "magical feeling" that we get at WDW. I know this has been discussed before, and it seems to be one of those things that separates Americans and Europeans.
All in all, a lovely park and a wonderful vacation. I'd go back to Paris anytime (I just wouldn't stay on the Place de la Republique the same night that les Bleus defeat the Brazilians in the World Cup!), but I wouldn't feel the need to rush back to DLP.
A big thank you to the regulars on this Board. I read your posts for several weeks, and picked up some good tips. I look forward to returning to see posted pictures, because they will bring back good memories.
Steve
and the Anima/cinemagique shows but I never spend more than 1/2 a day. There's too much going on in the main park to keep my attention on the studios personally. 
Let's include the polite Canadians on that list too - they are pretty patient at queuing too! And to avoid making sweeping generalizations, I would add that while queuing may be somewhat cultural, there are exceptions to that rule. (Hey, I swear that I didn't start pushing to get on the Lufthansa flight until a businessman rammed me through the turnstile and I had no choice! 
)
