is disneyland paris worth it?

[buzz25]

been looking at going to disneyland paris around the end of november and found a package for about £400 per person staying at disneyland kyriad hotel for 3 nights that includes eurostar and 2 day park tickets.

i have been a few times but even though i am fan of disneyland paris as i think its a more simple and more beautiful park then WDW but i haven't been back to DLP since my 2 visits to WDW,

but since going to WDW i have sort of turned more into a thrill ride fan so now love bush gardens and UNI and another big draw for us is characters and i keep hearing poor reports about meet and greets in paris is this true

so simply is DLP worth it or should i wait and save and go back to WDW.

 

[jon18uk]

If you want thrill rides check out some of the German theme parks such as Phantasialand and Europa Park.

Generally though DLP is more thrilling that WDW (Paris Space Mountain has an inversion for example). But WDW is better for dining, shopping in Florida outlets and other things.

I also think that for £1400 per person you can get a decent holiday in WDW (around 10 nights depending on time of year) so I personally think you get better value in Florida as for three times the price you are getting more different theme parks.

 

[buzz25]

thanks,

yeah I have recently been quoted about £2000 for 14 nights staying at CSR in WDW next year

 

[maclondon]

every time i look at disneyland paris the price puts me off
fora family of 5 you are looking at 3000+ for a weekend

for double that you can have 10 days in florida or california

 

[DLPDreams]

I haven't been to WDW yet, but have been to DLP several times. It is very hard not to compare them. But I don't really think you can, they are different beasts and the European flavour at DLP is unique!

We haven't been to DLP for two years as we 'overdid' it by doing multiple trips that last year we went (DH's words not mine!). DH got a bit disenchanted with the smokers, lack of queuing etc and said we would save for WDW and go abroad elsewhere instead for a while. Which we have done.

However, on a spur of the moment we've booked a short trip to take the children (they ask constantly if we can go back!), at Halloween. I am really looking forward to it and going to try not to pick the place apart. The park is beautiful and it does have some fab advantages (short trip for a start!).

It isn't cheap - we are paying around £1600 for two nights with flights (staying onsite), but there is no way we could get WDW for near that as we always stay onsite and go in school holidays. So, for us, it's a disney fix while we save for WDW .

With regard to the character scrums - this is meant to be much better now as greets are timetabled and queuing is enforced. This seems a huge improvement imo.

Good luck deciding!

 

[ukool]

I went to DLP a few times before my first WDW trip. Then the year after going to WDW we went to DLP for a weekend and i hated it, they do things so much better in florida that its put me off going again. We may do a trip thier at some point when our DD is older but id do WDW everytime.

 

[flortlebap]

I went to DLP a few times before my first WDW trip. Then the year after going to WDW we went to DLP for a weekend and i hated it, they do things so much better in florida that its put me off going again. We may do a trip thier at some point when our DD is older but id do WDW everytime.

Meh, I agree. DLP just has no disney magic for me now. DH refuses to waste another penny at DLP since we went to WDW together. Personally I think the two are barely comparable - DLP is tiny, the food is dreadful and the staff just rude - plus the hotels are very poor unless you want to spend a fortune. That's JMO though - I know plenty of people who love the place!

The plus side for DLP is location, price, and seeing rides that WDW doesn't have - their BTM and POTC versions are great and Crushs coaster and the Indy coaster are fun too! But if you want my honest opinion Id save the cash and go for WDW, in a value the price would be double but that's for a much longer trip and loads more to do!

 

[queendisney]

We used to go all the time to DLP but noticed a rapid decline in the magic and also how dirty/scruffy it'd become. But worst of all the lack of respect by visitors regarding smoking and lining up! People smoked everywhere and cast members never said anything. They jumped the lines, they pushed from behind...just awful. The food was limited and pretty rubbish and way way too expensive. The last time we went we said never again...and unless I hear that its vastly improved I am keeping to this and would recommend people save their money and go to WDW..

 

[cliveywolves]

IMO for a short break if you can land a good price then it is well worth a visit it is NO WDW the CM are far to grumpy to allow that to happen, but our DD still enjoyed her time there, We did a 2 night 3 day stay @ Seqoia Lodge DLP in May 2013 it costs us about £650 all in via Eurostar

 

[maclondon]

yep I've heard the queue jumping is epic - a friend who went recently said he was driven to get punchy the amount of people that would cut in.

 

[pascalstongue]

£400pp sounds pretty steep for the Kyriad, especially during November. I imagine you could get it much cheaper than that if you DIY. Expedia had the Kyriad for £35 per night when I was looking for our dates in the Easter holidays next year!

I personally like DLRP. It isn't the same as WDW but still good for a short break. I much prefer their Disneyland Park to the Magic Kingdom equivalent at WDW. The rides are much better and the park is far prettier. The customer service at DLRP is definately French, so do not expect the same type of service as in the US parks.

I haven't had any issues with pushing in. The queues have all been short and civilised, maybe at peak times it's bad? There are people smoking which does annoy me slightly. Unfortunately it's just the French way.

 

[Florida2012]

We have been going to DLP for the past 5-6 years and haven't had many complaints! We usually stay at the Cheyenne for 2-3 days and never spend more than £400 for the pair of us, but this doesn't include flights (which we do for another £150) or food

I get what people say about the smoking and the queue jumping (though as I'm a big bloke I get in the way so they can't push past lol) but we have never had any issues with the CM's and we always manage to eat well! (Must be lucky as I have always heard this!)

Would second that it is good for a short break, as there is not enough to do for a week imo.

 

[Kath2003]

Meh, I agree. DLP just has no disney magic for me now. DH refuses to waste another penny at DLP since we went to WDW together. Personally I think the two are barely comparable - DLP is tiny, the food is dreadful and the staff just rude - plus the hotels are very poor unless you want to spend a fortune. That's JMO though - I know plenty of people who love the place!

The plus side for DLP is location, price, and seeing rides that WDW doesn't have - their BTM and POTC versions are great and Crushs coaster and the Indy coaster are fun too! But if you want my honest opinion Id save the cash and go for WDW, in a value the price would be double but that's for a much longer trip and loads more to do!

We have enjoyed all our visits to DLP but are done. It's poor value for money. Staff terribly rude, other guests even worse. Food appallingly expensive, even for a theme park, and not great either! Queue jumping, smoking everywhere. The prices are unbelievable in the school holidays - you really could go to WDW for a similar price! GREAT rides though!

 

[ninamouse]

To be honest, I don't think DLP is worth it. By the time you've paid those prices you might as well go to WDW...and I didn't feel the magic in Paris like I do in WDW or DL California

 

[buzz25]

thanks for all the help I think we will be giving DLP a miss and just save for WDW and try to get a late deal next year

 

[chipndalefan]

I regularly visit WDW and DLP - Normally a 2 week trip to Florida and a 5 night break at DLP for the last 10 years. I can honestly say I love them both, and don't consider DLP inferior in any way. Here are my thoughts....

Queuing - On the rides I have never witnessed any queue jumping in WDW or DLP (The only occasion this was a problem was a trip a few years ago to Islands of Adventure)

Character wise it did used to be a scrum at DLP however most of the meet and greets now have queues same as WDW.

Smoking - More people smoke around the parks in Paris, however you have to remember you are in continental Europe where is considered more socially acceptable than the UK and USA (Personally I hate smoking). A few times I have witnessed people smoking in queues, however they have always been confronted by cast members when it was noticed.

Cast members - I have never encountered a rude cast member at DLP. You do not get American style customer service, but you are not in America. Are UK cast members in the Disney store on a par with WDW cast?

Cost - People often comment they can go to Florida for a few £ more. In my experience for flights, theme park tickets and hotel I spend around £3000 on WDW for 2 adults for 2 weeks. The same for a 5 night trip to DLP is around £800, so to me there is a big difference in cost.

Attraction wise I think some of the DLP versions are more elaborate than the counterparts - Pirates, Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor and IASW. Yes there are less attractions, but with 2 parks versus WDW's 4 it is to be expected.

Both DLP and WDW are unique and amazing places. Vive le difference!