Is it worth it...or am I wasting money???

[first trip]

Hi,
I've never been to any Disneyland before and I have been getting super excited about taking DD (5) to DLRP in January. But the more I read on these forums from some seasoned visitors, I'm worrying that DLRP is down at heel and has been let go and I'm worrying that DD and I will be disappointed
I've waited 36 years to go to disneyland and now I'm not sure if I should cancel and save up for a bit longer and go to WDW instead.
Can anyone reassure me that I won't be disappointed?????
thanks
Jen

 

[avviexxx]

DLP is totally worth it, i love DLP and WDW but DLP is great for short breaks, obviously some people feel differently then others about DLP but i doubt you will be disappointed

 

[hazelj27]

Aww I don't think you would be disappointed one bit, or your DD. Just seeing my daughter enjoying herself makes me happy! With regards to the maintenance thread, I probably wouldn't have noticed any of those issues shown! Lots of people go frequently and have fun. Hildasmuriel seems to be one. I love reading her trip reports as well as everyone elses. How about reading some of those? I'm sure they will show how much fun people really do have, time and again!

 

[avviexxx]

ive been lucky enough to have been 10 times and ive loved every trip with no complaints apart from the food poisoning at Mcdonalds lol

 

[disney_princess_85]

I'm going to DLP in October and it will be my fourth trip in 12 months. I just love it! Try not to take too much notice of the negative threads. Besides, it's what you make of it: if you go there thinking you won't like it, you probably won't! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[DLPdaft]

DLP is brilliant with young children - everything is within walking distance, so great for little legs. I first went with my daughter when she was 5 - and then went back again twice in that same year . We're now on trip number 9, and have booked trip 10 for next year already.
You'll see Disney through your DD's eyes at DLP - and I'm sure, with a bit of planning ahead, you'll see The Magic there .

 

[wideeyes]

The whole park doesn't look like that, there is just a few areas that need a bit of TLC and they are not glaring obvious to ruin a trip, just noticeable to some as DLP used to be better maintained however they do seem to be doing a lot of refurbs this year so I am hopeful the park will look lovely again soon. The castle is getting one very soon.

I am disappointed about the lack of shows now though however obviously something new visitors are not going to miss. However If you are going in January the Mickey winter show will be on which is a great show and cute for the kids.

DLP is still great though, main street was looking excellent and there is lots of great rides and CM. The restaurants are still great, we are going back next year.

 

[first trip]

thanks for all your replies. I feel much better now and I am getting excited all over again!!
thanks again

 

[adr2.8i]

trust me you will NOT be disapointed!! i have just come back from first trip with our 4yr old son and we had a ball!!! trust me you will not even notice the maintenance issues (except for the pirate ship maybe coz thats pretty bad).......

we have been to florida twice and to honest, the paris park is better and bigger than magic kingdom in america!

amimagic,cinemagic and playhouse disney live in the studios park are brilliant for young children, then you get to meet all the characters and you will see your kids face light up and all your worries will evaporate in that single second!!

 

[IsobelJackmummy]

I have been to WDW twice, without children, and personally I would not travel there with young children. It is a long flight, and a very tiring holiday to see everything.

We went to DLP for the first time in Feb, with a 4 and 2 year old, and we had a ball! So much so that as soon as we got back we booked to go again!

It is perfect for young children, as everything is within walking distance, and it is not overwhelming. Beleive me, as a first timer you do not notice the faults, you just get caught up in the magic!

 

[x_zipped_x]

i really dont think you will be dissapointed..
ive been to DLRP 4 times now and im going again...once you go you wont stop..
ive never been to WDW but i know who has been to both WDW and DLRP and they prefer DLRP over it

 

[Jayney73]

hiya,
You really shouldnt be worried, we hadnt been for 5 years when we went in july and some of the negative reoprts hanging around really did worry me alot.

However I have to say that we had an absolute blast, it was wonderful.
My 8 year old son had a fabulous time and just watching his face marvelling at the stuff around him and meeting the characters was worth every penny.
Yes there are issues of maintenance which there are with all major parks like Disney. I know the castle is due for a big refurb soon. The weather also affects DLP more than it would say WDW.
But we never saw any major problems with litter and we thought Main Street was stunning. If you go looking for problems you will find them if you go intending to enjoy yourself youll find the magic is still there.
When I get round to it I will finish my trip my trip report ( hopefully soon as work has finally settled down!) but the first couple of days are on there and should give you an idea of how much fun we had and we did have FUN!!
Were already planning to go back next July because as a family it was the best holiday we have had.

 

[LJH77]

Oh my goodness don't let all the negative threads cancel your trip. You will have a ball and probably won't even notice any of things brought up in other threads.

I love WDW and DLC and have been to both loads of times and I think that DLP is just as good. It's a bit different in terms of atmosphere, but the park is in Europe not America so of course that will happen - but it's not in a bad way.

We are just back and didn't notice even half of the maintenance issues mentioned nor was the lack of magic some people have been commenting about an issue at all.

It will be an excellent trip for you and your daughter - go and enjoy...I'm sure you will!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

DLRP is lovely!!! Enjoy!! It is Disney all the same and very beautiful- well worth it!

 

[loladelorean]

As everyone else has said, don't be disheartened by other threads. There are points where DLP needs maintenance, but they are constantly doing work to try and keep up with this need.
In comparison to Florida, my personal opinion is that Disneyland Park in DLP is actually more beautiful and original.
There is a lot more to enjoy about the parks than to criticise, especially if you have never been before so you won't know what it used to be like in the "good old days".
Don't worry!!!

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

We think visiting DLP is worh every penny, more so since we became parents, nothing beats seeing the looks on our boys faces when they meet the characters etc....priceless

 

[wmoon]

We had our first trip with our 3 year old earlier in the month and have booked two more trips since we came back. It was great.

I was a bit worried we wouldn't like it having been to WDW 3 times before our son was born but we all loved every minute.

There is no way I would take him to Florida until he is a lot older so DLP ticks all the boxes for me.

My Mother-in -Law was with us and she kept commenting on how clean and tidy the parks were and she had never been to Disney before and just like us loved it.

I think you would have a great time.

Wendy

 

[mommy2ash]

no matter where you go there will always be good reports and bad reports. for the casual visitor i dont think dlp looks bad at all. its just people who are used to going time and again notice the slip. they are currently doing a lot of refurb so i hope they can bring it up to standard again.

i love it there. for me and my dd it has the magic. we have a wonderful time together and i can tell you that if there are any cracks there i dont notice them.

 

[first trip]

thank you so much everyone for all your positive comments. I am back in super excited mode now and planning everything!

 

[carlins_leap]

Hi,
I've never been to any Disneyland before and I have been getting super excited about taking DD (5) to DLRP in January. But the more I read on these forums from some seasoned visitors, I'm worrying that DLRP is down at heel and has been let go and I'm worrying that DD and I will be disappointed
I've waited 36 years to go to disneyland and now I'm not sure if I should cancel and save up for a bit longer and go to WDW instead.
Can anyone reassure me that I won't be disappointed?????
thanks
Jen

Hi Jen,

I dont think anyone will be able to ensure you're not disappointed, I guess it depends what you're looking for & what your outlook is.....I mean I was reading one thread where someone had taken it to the extreme by taking a photo of every fault they came across.

I think that if you go anywhere in with that sort of outlook, you'll find faults...

I've only been once with my wife and 2 girls, but I can honestly say that it is the most magical trip we've ever taken. We stayed in the Santa Fe which was by no means grand, but its a room with beds, a TV and shower - what else do you want when you get "home" late and all pass out because of how tired you are and get up at the crack of dawn for another day of magic?

The parks were amazing and very authentic. There was literally a magical sight around every corner. We didn't go on the big rides (the girls were 7 and 4) so every ride was a chance to get up close and personal with some of the magical scenes from the movies they love so much!

Plenty of choices for where to eat - we had mostly fast food (think McDonalds in a much nicer place), but we went for a nice dinner one night where we were all made to feel very special.

BUT by far and away the thing that made our stay AMAZING was the staff.
Every single member of staff - from the receptionist at our hotel, to the cast members playing the princesses were just beyond special....I know its their job, but they take it to another level - they really do.

You know the feeling you get when you see that look of amazement on your childs face? Well imagine it happening 20 times a day!
If you want her to have a magical experience, then I really can't think of anything better.

Did I mention that I like DLP?

Steve