Just back from Disneyland Paris - Highs and Lows

[izzie-wizzie]

Hi All

I just got back from 3 nights in Disneyland Paris with my fiance (Scott) and just wanted to sum things up / go over highs and lows of the trip.

Also, if anyone has any questions at all - feel free to ask away and I am more than happy to help!

I haven't really posted on here for a while - the trip was booked so last minute - just the week before we left!! Which is quite unlike me as I'm usually a super planner - but got such a good deal with the Flash Sale that I couldn't resist!!

Unfortunately both me and Scott got a tummy bug whilst we were away - and it put quite a dampner on the trip as we either couldn't leave the room or just felt exhausted. We carried on as much as we could though and still managed to do quite a bit.

Hotel

We stayed at the Newport Bay Club - which I have been wanting to stay at for a while now.

Highs

We got a great deal to stay here, and I was delighted as we scored a lovely view over the lake and we could see space mountain and the top of the Castle from the room!

It was also the first drop-off on the VEA Shuttle which is good.

The room was nice, the breakfast was lovely and cannot fault that in the slightest.

Lows

It didn't seem to have the same 'magic' and atmosphere as we got with the Cheyenne on our previous trip (If anything staying here made up appreciate the themeing and level of detail at the Cheyenne so much more and we will be back there!) .

There were a few mould / dirty bits of the hotel room, that I just would not have expected.

Cast Members - overall were really poor (especially at Check In) - however there was one lady at breakfast who was lovely.

Moving on from the hotel, and just overall comments about the time that we did get to have fun in the parks!

Highs

The Weather!! Apart from Friday it was nice and warm the whole time which was lovely as it's been rain, wind and grey in Aberdeen for far too long now!

Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Carribean and Crushs Coaster - Three amazing rides that just take my breath away.

Getting to finally ride Pinocchio and the little fairytale boat ride in Fantasyland as they have always been closed on previous trips.

Having lunch and cocktails in Cafe Fantasia in the Disneyland Hotel - can't recommend this enough! We went here at 1.00pm on Saturday afternoon and it was completely quiet - a major contrast to the crowds outside! We split a toasted ham and cheese sandwich (which was more pizza-like but DELICIOUS!) and Mickey Waffles. We also had a couple of cocktails. Overall it is not that much more expensive than we would have been in a crowded counter service in the parks and was lovely.

Merchandise - seems to have come on leaps and bounds since our last trip - lots of choice and quality items.

And who can forget Dreams? What an amazing show!! Jaw-dropping / fun / beautiful / magic!

Lows

Obviously the main low was us not feeling very well.

Rudeness of some other guests - not really Disneylands fault , but when in queues the people behind us would literally lean against us, children playing on our legs / stamping on our feet etc - felt very uncomfortable at times. Smoking in queues / blatant line cutting etc - didn't let it get to us too much but just thought I would point it out.

As much as it was good the parks being open later, it seemed a bit silly as so many things closed much earlier - especially places to eat and it wasn't well communicated what was open / closed - you kind of had to walk over and see if the doors were open or closed!

--

And that seems to sum most of the main things up - for those going soon the main 'Meet Mickey' location is opening on Wednesday I believe

 

[Strawberryblush]

Glad to see you had a great time overall.

I don't like when people behind you lean against you either - - it really annoys the crap out of me. As for the smoking - I think i've been lucky so far when it comes to the smoking because I haven't had anyone smoke next to me - this is another pet hate of mine especially if my kids are by it. Some people are just so rude.

Sorry to hear you were ill though - do you think this was something you picked up before you arrived or from something you ate?

 

[cherrymarzipan]

So sorry you were poorly for your trip but glad you still managed to enjoy yourselves on some fantastic rides and had a room with a great view. We were in the NBC too last week and I actually love this hotel. I like the space and light in the rooms. I agree the outside theming of the Cheyenne is great but to my mind the rooms are a bit dark and cramped. You should not have to put up with dirt and mould in the rooms though.

Hope you are feeling better now.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Sorry you were ill during your trip. It sounds like you had a great time overall though! I know what you mean about the NBC- I stayed there in late 2007 and it was a bit rougher around the edges than I was expecting. I much prefer the Cheyenne too.

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Glad to see you had a great time overall.
I don't like when people behind you lean against you either - - it really annoys the crap out of me. As for the smoking - I think i've been lucky so far when it comes to the smoking because I haven't had anyone smoke next to me - this is another pet hate of mine especially if my kids are by it. Some people are just so rude.
Sorry to hear you were ill though - do you think this was something you picked up before you arrived or from something you ate?

We did have a good time overall thanks

We definitely had the bug before we left as I was ill before we had gone – then the first night we were there Scott started feeling sick too. Not fun being ill in Disneyland – cause you want more than anything to go out and have fun but just sooooo exhausted that you can’t move!

So sorry you were poorly for your trip but glad you still managed to enjoy yourselves on some fantastic rides and had a room with a great view. We were in the NBC too last week and I actually love this hotel. I like the space and light in the rooms. I agree the outside theming of the Cheyenne is great but to my mind the rooms are a bit dark and cramped. You should not have to put up with dirt and mould in the rooms though.
Hope you are feeling better now.

Thank you so much – we are both feeling much better now that we’re home and back at work!! So typical hehe!

The rooms are definitely nice and bright at NBC!

Sorry you were ill during your trip. It sounds like you had a great time overall though! I know what you mean about the NBC- I stayed there in late 2007 and it was a bit rougher around the edges than I was expecting. I much prefer the Cheyenne too.

We still managed to enjoy the times we felt better =) Think our expectations for NBC were maybe a bit too high as well with the premium they usually charge in comparison with Cheyenne! Does make me excited to go back to Cheyenne at some point though!!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Welcome back, sounds like a good trip Typical to be ill in the most magical place on earth and then be healthy for work Glad you're feeling better

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Sounds like you didn't let your tummy bug get to you and put a dampner on things They do say a bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office but typical you get home, back to work and better

Our first visit will be October and I do like my 'personal space' so people leaning on me etc. is going to be an issue - I'll just have to try and breathe and not let it get to me. DH detests smoking (gives him a headache) so am hoping we'll be fortunate enough not to have anyone smoking in a queue. I like WDW where there is no smoking in the park except in designated smoking areas.

I did not know Cafe Fantasia served food too - thought it was just cocktails!! I'll be changing my planner again to go there for a quick bite for lunch as DH is a huge Fantasia fan so am sure he'll love it! Was it very expensive?

Silly question but how do you get to the Disneyland Hotel from the park?

 

[JustJonathan]

Sounds like you didn't let your tummy bug get to you and put a dampner on things They do say a bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office but typical you get home, back to work and better

Our first visit will be October and I do like my 'personal space' so people leaning on me etc. is going to be an issue - I'll just have to try and breathe and not let it get to me. DH detests smoking (gives him a headache) so am hoping we'll be fortunate enough not to have anyone smoking in a queue. I like WDW where there is no smoking in the park except in designated smoking areas.

I did not know Cafe Fantasia served food too - thought it was just cocktails!! I'll be changing my planner again to go there for a quick bite for lunch as DH is a huge Fantasia fan so am sure he'll love it! Was it very expensive?

Silly question but how do you get to the Disneyland Hotel from the park?

I always have a rucksack so generally stand at the back, I've had a few people (crushes being the worst queue) try and "push"... until to their surprise I give them a good nudge back. It REALLY cheeses me off and there's no need at all for it.

 

[markpsych]

As much as it was good the parks being open later, it seemed a bit silly as so many things closed much earlier - especially places to eat and it wasn't well communicated what was open / closed - you kind of had to walk over and see if the doors were open or closed!

This has been my biggest disappointment over the last few years

Hopefully enough people will complain for them to work towards structuring things better!

 

[jothp]

How typical to be ill on your holiday, glad you still managed to do some things.

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Sounds like you didn't let your tummy bug get to you and put a dampner on things They do say a bad day at the beach is better than a good day at the office but typical you get home, back to work and better

Our first visit will be October and I do like my 'personal space' so people leaning on me etc. is going to be an issue - I'll just have to try and breathe and not let it get to me. DH detests smoking (gives him a headache) so am hoping we'll be fortunate enough not to have anyone smoking in a queue. I like WDW where there is no smoking in the park except in designated smoking areas.

I did not know Cafe Fantasia served food too - thought it was just cocktails!! I'll be changing my planner again to go there for a quick bite for lunch as DH is a huge Fantasia fan so am sure he'll love it! Was it very expensive?

Silly question but how do you get to the Disneyland Hotel from the park?

Oooh how exciting for your first trip - I kind of wish I could see the park from fresh eyes like it was the first time again - it's so exciting and just so breathtaking - it really is a beautiful park!!

It does say on the park map etc that smoking is not permitted (and points out the designated areas that smoking is allowed) but it's not followed at all and not enforced by cast members (that I seen). I hope this is something that they get stricter on pronto!

The Disneyland Hotel is literally at the entrance of the Disneyland Park (you have to walk underneath it to get in!).

To get to the main door, as you are heading / facing to the park you head right. I think cocktails were about 12 euros each, the hot sandwich (served with crisps and a small salad with balsamic) was about 12 euros (me and Scott shared one serving which was fine for us), as was the Mickey Waffles about 12 euros - again we shared one serving.

Not exactly cheap - but a meal deal for a cheeseburger, chips and diet coke at a really busy counter service in the park was 10 euros. So in comparison it's worth the extra few euros in my opinion - a little quiet haven but right at the parks too

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Oooh how exciting for your first trip - I kind of wish I could see the park from fresh eyes like it was the first time again - it's so exciting and just so breathtaking - it really is a beautiful park!!

It does say on the park map etc that smoking is not permitted (and points out the designated areas that smoking is allowed) but it's not followed at all and not enforced by cast members (that I seen). I hope this is something that they get stricter on pronto!

The Disneyland Hotel is literally at the entrance of the Disneyland Park (you have to walk underneath it to get in!).

To get to the main door, as you are heading / facing to the park you head right. I think cocktails were about 12 euros each, the hot sandwich (served with crisps and a small salad with balsamic) was about 12 euros (me and Scott shared one serving which was fine for us), as was the Mickey Waffles about 12 euros - again we shared one serving.

Not exactly cheap - but a meal deal for a cheeseburger, chips and diet coke at a really busy counter service in the park was 10 euros. So in comparison it's worth the extra few euros in my opinion - a little quiet haven but right at the parks too

i totally cannot wait to go .. am so excited! never been on the eurostar either (which i guess is just a glorified train but it's still a new experience). never had EMH before (couldn't afford the hotel price in florida) so another new exciting experience

the park maps say no smoking except in designated smoking areas and yet everyone still smokes everywhere?! it would much more pleasurable IF they enforced it! let's hope they will soon

thanks for the directions to the DL hotel --- didn't know you practically have to walk underneath it to get into the park DOH! thank you

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back sorry to hear you were both poorly but glad you managed to still have a good time.