Independent's Euro Theme Park Guide

[luke]

Just listened to the start of the show on the way home and heard Kevin mention that Jamie from the UK had sent him a newspaper with an article about Europe's best theme parks so thought I'd share it so everyone can read :

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/the-complete-guide-to-european-theme-parks-1703743.html

I must disagree about Disneyland Paris tho.
Yeah the weather isn't great (usually) and the French can be a lot ruder some, but it's still a beautiful park (and I believe it's the biggest of the "Magic Kingdoms").
I am a full WDW convert but DL(R)P has was always my "first love" as it's the first place (now) DW and I ever went together on vacation.

As long as you're not always comparing the experience to WDW you'll have a great time

 

[mikelan6]

I think DLRP is a must do for every Disney theme park fan, no matter what. The design of the park is one of the best and some of the attractions are unique there. The fact that the person writing the letter had bad weather, and had bad experiences with other guests, what can happen anywhere. Some of the DLRP cast members aren't as friendly as those at the other parks, but I attribute that to their culture more than anything.

 

[luke]

Some of the DLRP cast members aren't as friendly as those at the other parks, but I attribute that to their culture more than anything.

Yep. We've never had an overly bad experience with a cast member but they're definitely not as friendly as those in the US.

As you say tho, due to it's beauty (of the "magic kingdom") it's a definite must-see for fans of Disney parks

 

[wishspirit]

I think Lee Cockrell was right when he said it is a park which hasn't had time to develop the traditions of quality like the American parks have. Plus they forced and American model on French workers which will always lead to issues.

I have to say that I had a great time when I went last September, yes I had some rude CM's but I also had some great ones, especially with the language barrier. Most spoke almost perfect English, and were helpful with my substandard GCSE French.

The few things I didn't like were
1) the price, very very expensive, the only thing which was less expensive from America was the travel
2) Some of the other guests, different cultures from the British have different attitudes to queuing and personal space, which at times I found intrusive, but that wasn't rudeness, but rather different expectations. I did feel very sorry for Capt' Jack, who was speaking 4 different languages (English, French, Spanish and German, very very well and all in character) who was getting mobbed as there was no orderly queue.
3) Attitude to adults getting cuddles and autographs, we were sneered at quite a lot.

However don't let this put you off going, it is a gorgeous park, with some great rides like Crushes coaster (and involves a lot less planing than a Disneyworld holiday, good for some, not good for others)

It's a definite must visit!

 

[luke]

1) the price, very very expensive, the only thing which was less expensive from America was the travel

Yes, that's very true, especially with the strength of the Euro at the moment, we looked into going at New Year but I think our almost impromptu week in New York next month has put paid to that (what on earth is Gossip Girl anyway!?!?).

We can spend almost as much going to DLRP for 4 days as we do going to Orlando for two weeks!!

 

[mikelan6]

As you say tho, due to it's beauty (of the "magic kingdom") it's a definite must-see for fans of Disney parks

Not only the Magic Kingdom, but the design of the Resort hotels, the RER and TGV stations as well.

I've never been, but the Val d' Europe site also looks impressive.

 

[luke]

Not only the Magic Kingdom, but the design of the Resort hotels, the RER and TGV stations as well.

I've never been, but the Val d' Europe site also looks impressive.

Yes, the Disney Village and the way the hotels are situated around the lake is wonderful. We've stayed in all the hotels there now except for the big one, the Disneyland Hotel, which in itself is just brilliantly located, overlooking Main St and literally being part of the gates to the Park!

Val D'Europe isn't that special to be honest, we spent a bit of time there once but it's nothing to write home about

 

[mikelan6]

We've stayed in all the hotels there now except for the big one, the Disneyland Hotel, which in itself is just brilliantly located, overlooking Main St and literally being part of the gates to the Park!

The Disneyland Hotel is indeed the crown jewel of theme park hotels, except for the DLH and the Miracosta in Tokyo.

Last time, we stayed at the Dream Castle Hotel, which is one of the resort's "official" hotels and enjoyed the service and accommodations MUCH better than at Disney's NBC.

 

[luke]

Last time, we stayed at the Dream Castle Hotel, which is one of the resort's "official" hotels and enjoyed the service and accommodations MUCH better than at Disney's NBC.

Along with the Santa Fe, the Newport Bay is our least favourite hotel - it IS the biggest hotel in Europe tho I believe.

The Dream Castle was what we were looking at IF we somehow get there at New Year, as the Disney Hotel were ridiculously expensive (around $2000 for 4 nights at the Cheyenne, the second cheapest!).

 

[Becx N Gav]

The last one on the list sounded interesting Nigloland

I wonder why no metion of Alton Towers? Maybe because it doesn't draw many non-Brits?

I do agree that DLRP has its place, but you can't compare it to WDW without being disapointed.

 

[ziggy298]

I have been to a number of theme parks in Europe including Disneyland Paris (albeit some time ago).

The park itself is really beautiful and some of the rides are great and quite different from other Disney parks. Space Mountain for one is great in Paris as is the Indiana Jones ride.
The thing that spoils it for me compared to the US disney parks is that there seems to be a lot more rude and ignorent people there. Unfortunately mostly French and especially the ones in their late teen years.

Other parks around Europe I like are Port Aventura in Spain. I believe was owned by Universal for a while but I think they have now sold it. A really picturesque park and they seem to have tried to copy a lot of the disney type features including a fantastic fireworks and water show each night. Some great rides there including Dragon Khan which is a great rollercoaster with 8 loops.

Alton Towers in the UK is good, has some great coasters but compared to the disney parks just seems a bit dirty and tacky to me.

For me all the parks in Orlando and I am including Universal and Seaworld are head and shoulders above anything else I have been too.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I have been to a number of theme parks in Europe including Disneyland Paris (albeit some time ago).

The park itself is really beautiful and some of the rides are great and quite different from other Disney parks. Space Mountain for one is great in Paris as is the Indiana Jones ride.
The thing that spoils it for me compared to the US disney parks is that there seems to be a lot more rude and ignorent people there. Unfortunately mostly French and especially the ones in their late teen years.

Other parks around Europe I like are Port Aventura in Spain. I believe was owned by Universal for a while but I think they have now sold it. A really picturesque park and they seem to have tried to copy a lot of the disney type features including a fantastic fireworks and water show each night. Some great rides there including Dragon Khan which is a great rollercoaster with 8 loops.

Alton Towers in the UK is good, has some great coasters but compared to the disney parks just seems a bit dirty and tacky to me.

For me all the parks in Orlando and I am including Universal and Seaworld are head and shoulders above anything else I have been too.

I would have to agree and I think it's the American hospitality that does this. Lets face it the French didn't want a 'kiddie' theme park right next door to their capital city - why didn't they put Euro Disney in Spain

 

[mikelan6]

Lets face it the French didn't want a 'kiddie' theme park right next door to their capital city - why didn't they put Euro Disney in Spain

I don't know if building it near Barcelona, which was the second option for Eisner, would have been better. The service in Spain is only a bit friendlier than France. The weather would definitely be better though.

 

[luke]

I don't know if building it near Barcelona, which was the second option for Eisner, would have been better. The service in Spain is only a bit friendlier than France. The weather would definitely be better though.

Agree about the Spanish service, it's not massively better than France from what I remember from visiting Port Aventura in Salou and MovieWorld just outside Madrid.
I'd rather it was in Spain as my Spanish is much better than my French (well, my Spanish is pretty much fluent and my French is very ropey to say the least ).

But as it is, I do still have a lot of time for DLP and hopefully will get back there soon (you know, when Pete lets Kevin go ).

 

[Becx N Gav]

Agree about the Spanish service, it's not massively better than France from what I remember from visiting Port Aventura in Salou and MovieWorld just outside Madrid.
I'd rather it was in Spain as my Spanish is much better than my French (well, my Spanish is pretty much fluent and my French is very ropey to say the least ).

But as it is, I do still have a lot of time for DLP and hopefully will get back there soon (you know, when Pete lets Kevin go ).

I don't speak any Spanish (well I kow a couple of words but wouldn't say them to a stranger!) and when I tired speaking French (the few words I remember from school) the CM started babbling away in French - I was like je suis anglais (or what ever it is )

At least it would be a bit warmer year round in Spain

 

[astrodrummergirl]

TBH, theres no way can really be compared to WDW, since they actually are somewhat different, but I love DLRP none the less, and a nice chuck of disney magic which is cheaper, not so far away and you don't need to be away for 2 weeks...

 

[gbrchill]

Just wanted to make a quick comment (as Jamie's dad). He put the letter together by himself (and selected the stuff to go with it). We got to read the letter and then pay the postage [ouch].

It was a long time ago when we went to DLRP, about 6 or 7 years. It was a weekend in February and it spent the entire time raining, except when we went into Paris.

The feeling I got from the park, apart from the one of differing cultures, was that of a lack of space. At MK one moves from one area to another and the themes change gradually. At DLRP the transition is very abrupt, it just struck me that they didn't really have enough space to make this transition work, or that they just chose not to bother.


Chris