Just back!

[sherbetdibdab]

As seems to be the Dis tradition, here are our highs and lows. This was my second and my partner's first visit to DLP (I last went the year it opened).

Highs:
-The Disneyland Parc is stunning, even more so in the snow, and the decorations are fabulous
-Captain EO - seeing this gem from bygone years bought a tear to my eye. One of Disney's finest moments!
-Hotel New York - lovely room, lovely staff, great service (shame about the desperately bad breakfast)
-Salon Mickey - how cool?
-Friendly, helpful cast members (despite reports on here not a single unfriendly staff member. Can;t say the same of the restaurant staff in the village sadly)
-Small World xmas overlay - top banana
-Transport - the Paris transport system is great and was running normally even in a blizzard!
-Extra magic hours - we literally walked on all the rides (but wished there were more open)
-Gus liked the Crush Coaster (I screamed like a girl)
-Dragon in the castle
-Some rides better than Florida - esp Thunder Mountain, Small World and Peter Pan.

Lows:
-Disruption in the parks caused by snow and lack of information for visitors about it (so many rides and food outlets were closed on Thurs that our day was basically a write off).
-Food - we really struggled to eat anything decent and the cost of all the food was astronomical for the quality. Spoiled our holiday really as we do like to eat out.
-Breakfast at the hotel (could have soled my shoes with the croissants!)
-It just isn't WDW : the attention to detail, sense of show and efficiency just aren't in evidence sadly. Got very frustrated with the lack of proper loading procedures causing longer waits than necessary (half full cars, empty cars etc)
-Studios - what a huge disappointment, soulless and very dull and felt packed because it's way too small.
-Character greetings - rugby scrum, didn't want to fight so didn't get one single character photo
-Merchandise - I hardly bought anything and there were LOTS of things on my list. Felt very generic. Not a single 2010 souvenir in evidence - all 2011!
-It was insanely COLD!

We had a lovely time but we wouldn't go back for more than a one day visit, and would stay in Paris. Florida all the way for us from now on I am afraid.

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I am dismayed by your report of the lack of merchandise and you're not the first person to say this. I've been busy saving my pennies for my May trip ~ I'm starting to think it may be a very inexpensive one.

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Welcome back - glad to hear you liked the HNY - pity about the breakfasts!

Can't wait to read your full trip report!

 

[Michael623]

You will get some responses to your post basically saying that DLP is perfect and your opinion is wrong. The whole thing is many of these responses will come from people who have only been to DLP. If you've been to WDW or DL it is almost impossible not to compare. To me DLP is brought down a level from the US parks by the general indifference of the cast members. I don't need to have everyone jumping up and down wishing me a Disney day every 5 seconds, but how about a smile? Another perfect example occurred when we were in line for Phantom Manor. We got into line and it was moving along and then the line stopped for 20 minutes. Eventually everyone just got out of line confused and angry. There was no announcement made at all, everyone just assumed there was a problem and got out of line. 45 minutes later the rid was still down. I cannot imagine that ever happening in the US parks. There simply shouldn't be a US "Disney way" and a DLP "Disney way."

I've said it before that I think that the Disneyland Park at DLP is beautiful with many fantastic attractions, some better than their US counterparts. The problem is when I'm at the park I feel like I'm at a Six Flags (or any other local amusement park) rather than a Disney Park. Where the cast members are just going through the motions, just collecting a paycheck. I never get that feeling in the US.

The souvenir situation bothered me too, I wanted to buy a couple of t-shirts and couldn't find one I liked. I ended up with a wind breaker which turned out to be a good idea since it rained just about my entire trip.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I think Michael is right about the difference and it did come from the CM's, not the park itself. The castle and Grotto are far better than WDW, as it phantom manor.

My best time was however talking to the Shadow man who said he was from Miami....New Orleans. I think they were genuinely happy to speak to others from the States. We smiled a lot, were very happy to be at Disney and then happy to leave. However, if I lived in France or the UK I am sure that I would know what to expect from the service and not be so surprised.

 

[Jonjo]

Yes I agree Thursday was a snow day alright but it was not a write off for us, we enjoyed just walking around the Park in the snow and taking loads of photos.

We noticed that all the 2010 merchandise was being phased out in the parks too and all the 2011 stuff had come in. Found some of the 2010 merchandise in some of the hotel shops.

I did notice a lot of the park shops had the same merchandise in them except for a very view, like Constellations which was full of Disney Star Wars merchandise.

We did not get a chance to walk around the stores in the Village on this trip so not sure what they had in them.

 

[dossie]

I agree with you all about the difference - but like DLP on it's own merits. We have had many happy times there and the Disney magic is still there.

I guess for us Florida in the main event but DLP is the next best thing for a quick fix in between the big ones.

Christmas in DLP will always be a special time!!

 

[sherbetdibdab]

It was lovely to see the Christmas decorations and I did think the theming and styling of the Disneyland Park was better than Florida's Magic Kingdom. But it's not just about that. We felt very ripped off by the overpriced food, and the cast members were not 'into it' - yes there is a language barrier but we understand some French and lack of enthusiasm is apparent in body language etc. They were not rude at all, but I missed the warmth, humour and being wished a 'nice day' .

Totally agree with Micheal about the lack of comms - we were waiting for Crush Coaster for ages and the ride was not moving - no announcement, nothing. Meanwhile people were pushing and shoving us in the queue (this NEVER happens in Florida). The parade was late and we got a ten minute announcement, then a five minute announcement, then a ten minute one again and seconds later it started!!! There was no signage at park entrances to indicate that most e-ticket rides were closed on the Thurs - if we'd have known we would have spent the day in Paris instead of fruitlessly wandering around the parks.

It wasn't all bad by any means and we have many happy memories of our visit. I'd certainly go back but just for a day visit and only to the Disneyland Park, not the Studios. Given what we spent we could have had a week in Florida for very little extra which is why we would not go back for a longer break again. Clearly we have been totally spoiled by our many visits to WDW!!!

 

[Jonjo]

There was no signage at park entrances to indicate that most e-ticket rides were closed on the Thurs - if we'd have known we would have spent the day in Paris instead of fruitlessly wandering around the parks.

The LCD screens in Main Street was showing that information on Thursday morning and there were plenty of i-CM's posted around there and outside City Hall advising guests which rides were operational. The newsletters they were handing out in City Hall came in useful too with info about which resturants were closed that day. Considering the circumstances I think DLP did the best they could considering how low staffed they were.

I spoke to one CM on Thursday afternoon who had being stuck in an 8 hour traffic jam on their way home on Wednesday night. She still had her Disney Magic while we pin traded with her.

 

[almcg]

I absolutely love DLP. It was the first Disney holiday for us so will always be very special. This year we went to WDW just because DLP had become so expensive. Not the fault of DLP itself of course,they can't help how the Euro is fairing, but we realised we could go to WDW for very little more and there is no doubt that the food and drink is cheaper in the US. I would dearly love to go back to DLP but the prices would have to come down a bit first. I've only ever come across a rude CM once in DLP. My DD10 has a disability and we had a pass for her. When I showed the CM at the Carosel de Lancelot(sp?) the pass he shrugged his shoulders and said "Well what do you want me to do about it?". I didn't get cross,he was young and could have been new,so I explained to him what the pass was and what it meant. Again he shrugged and said nothing but he let my DD10 on the ride and she really loved it. I hope this doesn't sound like a CM bashing post..it's not! We've met some lovely CM's AND some very funny CM's both at DLP and WDW!

 

[rottie155]

Like many others on this board, DLP was my first Disney experience too and therefore will always be special to me for that reason.
Having visited both DLP and WDW countless times, I still find DLP to be more 'personal'... Maybe it was purely because that was my first Disney experience?

I agree that CM's in WDW have the American Charm ("have a great day" and are constantly smiling, not to mention will literally bend over backwards to make sure you have a fantastic vacation) - but, that IS America. This is DLP... we're in Europe, and I think it is just a cultural thing.

I have experienced a couple of negative CM's at DLP - but, in all honesty, I have actually experienced the same number of negative CM's in WDW also.
No matter when I visit DLP, I always have the absolute pleasure of meeting some fantastically friendly, amusing and "Disneyfied" CM's - a few of which actually recognise me now and will greet me by name when I visit the park!

WDW, as I said, I absolutely adore - I love the magical feeling, the friendliness and the all-round 'happy' environment... But then, I still get that when I'm in DLP... With the added bonus of not having to queue for 2 - 3 hours for a 2minute ride - which has always been my experience in WDW...

DLP, for me, is smaller -yes - but this makes it more magical in my eyes as it becomes that bit more personal. For example, DLP has its scheduled Meet & Greets for Characters - just like WDW, so if people want to meet a character without the carnage (that, let's all face it, is a European thing regardless of where you are) you can do, but DLP also offers the chance to meet characters randomly in the parks throughout the day - which is so spontaneous and making the interaction that more memorable.

I agree that the souvenir side of things could be improved... but it is a theme park, as is WDW... They're going to slap faces of their most popular characters onto merchandise to make a buck...

Foodwise, I found WDW to be quite similar to DLP... Fast food everywhere - as with any tourist attraction - but also with sit-down restaurants that serve top-notch, quality and enjoyable food... It all depends on where you eat I guess? But you are right, it is extremely expensive to eat enjoyably in DLP - that is the only downfall, but then Europe is an expensive place to visit. I live in Central London and food / drink / entertainment isn't the cheapest ... but maybe that could be why I see no fault in DLP?! Living in a busy city I'm used to prices and crowds?

I think I've written an essay here so I'm going to step down - at the end of the day, we are all different and we all enjoy different places and things. Life would be so boring if we all liked the same thing!

I'm just glad you're a Disney fan , otherwise I would be most confused !

P.S. - Sherbetdibdab - I'm glad you had a lovely holiday and I am a little jealous you got to see DLP at Christmas time!