JohnnySharp2
No man stands as tall as when he stoops to help a
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- Messages
- 7,913
Hi,
Just got back today, like to thank everyone who helped in our planning.
Having been to Florida 12 times this was our first visit to Disneyland Paris.
Good bits:
The travelling was much easier for our autistic/non verbal son which meant he was happier and less tired during our 4 night/5 day stay.
Both he and Julie and I loved Hotel New York, great views over the lake, extremely pleasant and helpful staff, loved the New York Jazz theme, lobby and reception areas great too and most of all loved, loved the City Bar for an evening drink, even the disney store there was good. They even drove us to the train station on the way back as they could see Joshua was disabled and we had a fair bit of luggage!
Minor hotel negatives, they should have considered a zero depth entry into the pool, hot offerings at breakfast average but they were rendered not very important due to the positives.
The parks compare very favourably to the Orlando one's, are wonderfully themed and easy on the eye. Joshua really enjoyed himself, especially at the Disneyland Park. Liked the minor differences such as 2 drops on the Pirates ride though noticed others like Peter Pan not as well themed or as smooth.
However, overall the parks are fantastic and we loved them.
Cast members very friendly and helpful, bearing in mind Joshua was in a wheelchair, they understood his needs (he can actually walk but not long distances).
We rarely dine out but managed to on several occasions something we have never done in Florida, probably partly because Joshua's general happiness was evident through not having to endure the long flights.
Thought Toad Hall in particular was fab and loved the fish n chips, decent value for money too.
We bought some products from the Esso garage and made sandwiches as we went along.
The nearby Val d'europe and La Vallee Village we visited a couple of times and again enjoyed ourselves, very busy but well worth the visits. Joshua even sat outside at a Cafe whilst we had a drink, sounds nothing much but this is just something he would never normally do.
Joshua generally had a smashing time, very happy at the hotel and parks and that made the trip worthwhile.
Whilst the weather was unsettled to say the least in a way we found that made touring the parks easier, though we were never there during prolonged spells of rain, because it was cooler we stayed there longer which we have often struggled to do in the intense Florida heat.
Not so good bits:
Sorry if this appears too harsh a criticism, but really didn't like the Disney Village at all. The shops are not easy on the eye from the outside and the merchandise average on the inside.
The restaurants are expensive and the quality average.
Despite the fact it's located ideally, very close to our hotel, the train station and the parks I didn't rate the village, to be blunt I thought it was dreadful and totally lacking in imagination and character. Like I say apologies if this seems a bit over the top, we did really like the Earl Of Sandwich though, great hot food made to order with very high quality service, have to say also Joshua had hot dog and fries a couple of times also from New York Sandwiches.
Overall it needs a major upgrade though - in my opinion, hopefully the new World Of Disney store will add something.
On the subject of upgrades, some of the hotels really need some work when we walked over to Newport Bay I was genuinely shocked at the state of some areas of the building, wood needing replacing and a major paint job required.
There were pot holes everywhere and it looked like many of the plants had been neglected too, Sante Fe also looks like it needs repainting at the least.
I was also surprised at the number of people smoking, and throwing the remains onto the floor afterwards. Some were 'lighting up' as soon as they entered the park.
I did see cultural differences, I met many very friendly people, especially in hotels, shops and the CMs at the park, but did at times find the jostling, bumping into people all the time (literally) slightly off putting.
Taken all into account however it was a very enjoyable holiday, our son loved it and that generally makes it easier for us, the positives far outweighed the negatives and I am sure we will return, had a sneak peek around the Disneyland Hotel but would gladly return to Hotel New York , the ease of travelling on the Eurostar makes it a much less stressful and tiring journey for us.
Once again thanks for all the great help.
Just got back today, like to thank everyone who helped in our planning.
Having been to Florida 12 times this was our first visit to Disneyland Paris.
Good bits:
The travelling was much easier for our autistic/non verbal son which meant he was happier and less tired during our 4 night/5 day stay.
Both he and Julie and I loved Hotel New York, great views over the lake, extremely pleasant and helpful staff, loved the New York Jazz theme, lobby and reception areas great too and most of all loved, loved the City Bar for an evening drink, even the disney store there was good. They even drove us to the train station on the way back as they could see Joshua was disabled and we had a fair bit of luggage!
Minor hotel negatives, they should have considered a zero depth entry into the pool, hot offerings at breakfast average but they were rendered not very important due to the positives.
The parks compare very favourably to the Orlando one's, are wonderfully themed and easy on the eye. Joshua really enjoyed himself, especially at the Disneyland Park. Liked the minor differences such as 2 drops on the Pirates ride though noticed others like Peter Pan not as well themed or as smooth.
However, overall the parks are fantastic and we loved them.
Cast members very friendly and helpful, bearing in mind Joshua was in a wheelchair, they understood his needs (he can actually walk but not long distances).
We rarely dine out but managed to on several occasions something we have never done in Florida, probably partly because Joshua's general happiness was evident through not having to endure the long flights.
Thought Toad Hall in particular was fab and loved the fish n chips, decent value for money too.
We bought some products from the Esso garage and made sandwiches as we went along.
The nearby Val d'europe and La Vallee Village we visited a couple of times and again enjoyed ourselves, very busy but well worth the visits. Joshua even sat outside at a Cafe whilst we had a drink, sounds nothing much but this is just something he would never normally do.
Joshua generally had a smashing time, very happy at the hotel and parks and that made the trip worthwhile.
Whilst the weather was unsettled to say the least in a way we found that made touring the parks easier, though we were never there during prolonged spells of rain, because it was cooler we stayed there longer which we have often struggled to do in the intense Florida heat.
Not so good bits:
Sorry if this appears too harsh a criticism, but really didn't like the Disney Village at all. The shops are not easy on the eye from the outside and the merchandise average on the inside.
The restaurants are expensive and the quality average.
Despite the fact it's located ideally, very close to our hotel, the train station and the parks I didn't rate the village, to be blunt I thought it was dreadful and totally lacking in imagination and character. Like I say apologies if this seems a bit over the top, we did really like the Earl Of Sandwich though, great hot food made to order with very high quality service, have to say also Joshua had hot dog and fries a couple of times also from New York Sandwiches.
Overall it needs a major upgrade though - in my opinion, hopefully the new World Of Disney store will add something.
On the subject of upgrades, some of the hotels really need some work when we walked over to Newport Bay I was genuinely shocked at the state of some areas of the building, wood needing replacing and a major paint job required.
There were pot holes everywhere and it looked like many of the plants had been neglected too, Sante Fe also looks like it needs repainting at the least.
I was also surprised at the number of people smoking, and throwing the remains onto the floor afterwards. Some were 'lighting up' as soon as they entered the park.
I did see cultural differences, I met many very friendly people, especially in hotels, shops and the CMs at the park, but did at times find the jostling, bumping into people all the time (literally) slightly off putting.
Taken all into account however it was a very enjoyable holiday, our son loved it and that generally makes it easier for us, the positives far outweighed the negatives and I am sure we will return, had a sneak peek around the Disneyland Hotel but would gladly return to Hotel New York , the ease of travelling on the Eurostar makes it a much less stressful and tiring journey for us.
Once again thanks for all the great help.
