Andrew DEREK UK
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2004
- Messages
- 29,143
Just back from a week at DLP travelling by Eurostar and Staying at the Hotel New York on site.
A very good holiday overall, the weather was changeable with a little sun, lots of showers and some heavy rain.
The train from London to Disneyland was great, so fast you are down to Ashford in less than 30 mins,. We had a Disney band playing at the station in London, all directions the train was prompt to the minute. Park tickets and meal vouchers were given out on the train, half board premium saved us a lot of money and everyone seemed to be using them
Disney express was efficient taking our bags to and from the hotel New York. This hotel is on site and the second closest to the parks, the Disneyland hotel is the only one closer, the service is very good and fast, the breakfast is very good, the pools very nice and we had the outdoor pool open most nights, we have stayed here before and it was very nice to come back, so easy to find outside Disney village.
Highlights must be the E-rides, Big thunder mountain-better than WDW and California I like the start and end in the tunnels, Space mountain mission two, - I would describe more as the track system of Rock and roll rollercoaster, with bits of space mountain WDW and even themeing from Dinosaur at Animal kingdom, as there is meteor strike in the middle, It has an inversion in the dark and corkscrews
Pirates of the Caribbean are always a great ride, the same theme as WDW, but have an incline first, then two drops, WDW is one drop, CL is two drops. Lines were always fast.
Indiana Jones we grabbed on our first day as it was closing for a refurbishment, nice ride, looks far worse than it actually is. One inversion 360 degrees. Basically its just track, in the air, clinging to rocks, it is over all to fast, just as you realise you are on the inversion is over.
Phantom Manor, a little spookier than the others as it’s in French, but basically the same ride. A few changes here and there.
Small world, whilst not an E-ride is worth a mention far better than the other parks, more new and modern looking, more countries, a lot more on Europe, very colourful.
Tea cups, I have done these at WDW and CL, but these were a killer, the worst ride for feeling giddy, they go so fast so easy, I couldn’t focus outside the cup, and we all didn’t feel well after that.
Buzz lightyear, basically the same as WDW and CL, looks newer, a few extra scenes very enjoyable and lines were never bad.
Autopia Cars, like WDW Speedway but longer and more interesting track, kids loved driving these cars, often the longest wait as weekday’s two lanes open, weekend’s four lanes open.
Shows Tarzan was very good, like the old Animal kingdom show, Lion Ling was great, not like the Animal kingdom show, more like the west end musical in London, very good, queue early full 30 mins in advance.
Peter Pan, looks ‘new’ against WDW, but in French, Pinocchio ride, and snow white rides are nice diversions. Star Wars and honey I shrunk the kids same as WDW.
Crushes coaster, the new ride at Walt Disney studios is fantastic ( see warning below) Based on Finding nemo, you travel in little turtle shells, that can spin, Two start in the front two in the the back, I say start is its random, on the fist ride our weight was equal and whilst we span a bit, basically if you were forward you stayed forward, if back you stayed back, but on our next trip we were uneven weight and we spun a lot, all directions a lot more fun.
This coaster is in the dark 95% of the time, you start in the harbour, loaded, and there are the seagulls for example saying mine mine mine. You quickly fall and out outside, then it’s a nice little ride, in and out looking at nemo, jelly fish etc, slow speed, that all changes you have a long incline and you see the sharks, and then you are off the top of the incline, like space mountain going all directions up/down sideways, this is the Australian current, going to Sydney, and enjoyable fast and lots of thrills.
The back set movie tour is generally the same as Disney Hollywood Studios WDW, and the movie set of the canyon.
Rock and roll rollercoaster is basically the same as DHS/WDW, but look after those elbows, on this and Space mountain-mission two they were bruised a lot by confined space and a lot of bouncing around.
The Shows at WDS, are very good it’s hard to schedule them all in we did it with Lights motors action and despite heavy rain they took place but High school musical was off.
Stitch live good for young kids but very funny, and inter active computer show and cartoon with Stitch, just do not say delete.
Negatives Lots of negatives,
Break downs, I have never experienced so many ‘technical problems’ on my park visits anywhere, it seemed two /three rides down all the time, Big thunder mountain was often closed due to Technical problems, once we were on it with fast past, near the start and a train undershot the station the last two cars outside the station and people were not able to get off, to took about 60 mins to clear. Lots of people getting off upset kids etc.
Phantom manor was often closed due to ‘TP’ we were on it once and it broke down near the fortune teller with the crystal ball, after about 15 mins the lights came on, even more spooky to see it flood lit up.
Space Mountain was often closed trains running but no one getting on, do not know the reason but a regular occurrence. The railroad stopped for 60 mins again with ‘TP’ I think the PA system.
The worst ride for Technical problems was Crushes coaster, the first time we went on it we got to the ride at 9.30am,10am rope drop, the queue was at least back to Studio 1, which was say an hour, by 9.45am, on the two days we went to Walt Disney studios. The first time on riding, we were very lucky, we rode the attraction and were just coming to the end before the unloading bay, it broke down, Lights came on, and we could see inside the whole attraction.
We were manually released and walked to the unloading bay with others, some were trapped in the middle of the ride far worse, getting off the queue remained very long and wouldn’t be cleared quickly, all day the queue was 60 mins, at one point About 4pm it went to 45 mins, so we wanted to go on again. We progress fast, I was pleased 20 mins and we were getting inside, I estimated about another 10 mins to the front, it broke down, they stopped the ride evacuated, people started leaving, a full reset, and restarted in about 25 mins, we progressed to nearly the front of the queue and it crashed again, This time after 10/15 mins we left as we had reservations for Buffalo bills.
I did ride it again later in the week, and the CM’s said it was crashing all the time we queued up but they didn’t start to let us on due to ‘TP’s till 10.20am. The Turtle shells were moving all the time.
Queue jumping, this seems to be an Olympic sport now at DLP, one man was so embarrassing outside the Tarzan show, taking advantage, he came up from behind us from nowhere, and whenever there was a distraction he move up the stationery queue, at one point the CM’s took people with disabilities out of the queue, there was a couple about 10 people in front of us, as soon as they were pulled out, from behind us this man jumped into their vacated space, we all complained he ignored us and then commenced going up further in the queue, funny, inside he was directed a different way to us and had worse seats,! Rock and roll coaster had people jumping over the rails, where people were queuing, and no one said anything, one would move up, then a group would jump in, then another, would pretend to know someone further up and they would go again.
Smoking, everywhere, people smoking, on rides, queuing, watching the parades with young kids next to them.
Euro rate, good the exchange rate is bad Prices, are high you can buy drinks at the station in relay far cheaper and at McDonalds, an example for a similar meal DLP 40E, McDonalds 25e. Family of four.
Funny comment on Armageddon attraction, the host asked where everyone was from, 4 people from Italy, he could speak a few words, 4 from Spain, he said Hola, he asked who was from France, no one at all, asked UK, 98% of people there were British, eh could speak English, but continued to speak in French for the whole show?
We did Buffalo bills, the building is great, the show is good, it’s very pricey for what it is, and whilst it’s good fun it really isn’t value for money in my opinion.
The food for adults was good, and reasonable amounts given, but they rushed bits, for example the Coffee cup was only a third filled up, and the Chilli was less than a third bowl full. The kid’s meal was poor very small, no ketchup could be found, and we gave pits of our meal to my son. I took him to McDonalds afterwards, we were ok.
I think the servers rush and to save time they give out smaller portions, say the coffee; they can cover more people by giving you half a cup or less.
Disney food we used the half board premium, Lucky Nugget was very good, on selection and also characters, Blue Lagoon was good, had a separate menu for Premium vouchers, but still good. The Plaza garden was a buffet and a little disappointment, not a great selection. An innovations at Disneyland Hotel was excellent, food selection great, service good, on par with Palo at Disney cruise line. Café Mickey was always busy, good food, service slightly slow.
Note on booking, I booked all of the meals in advance, 2/3 months ago, but on arrival I rechecked at the hotel amd a few were not on th system, I also booked Buffalo Bills in advance calling them, in the same call as booking my ressies, the lady then gave the impression I would get the discount on arrival its only if you book with your hotel package, that you get it.
Overall we enjoyed it, the parks were busy, but its nice to go there and not have an eight hour plane trip with jet lag and those extra costs.
A very good holiday overall, the weather was changeable with a little sun, lots of showers and some heavy rain.
The train from London to Disneyland was great, so fast you are down to Ashford in less than 30 mins,. We had a Disney band playing at the station in London, all directions the train was prompt to the minute. Park tickets and meal vouchers were given out on the train, half board premium saved us a lot of money and everyone seemed to be using them
Disney express was efficient taking our bags to and from the hotel New York. This hotel is on site and the second closest to the parks, the Disneyland hotel is the only one closer, the service is very good and fast, the breakfast is very good, the pools very nice and we had the outdoor pool open most nights, we have stayed here before and it was very nice to come back, so easy to find outside Disney village.
Highlights must be the E-rides, Big thunder mountain-better than WDW and California I like the start and end in the tunnels, Space mountain mission two, - I would describe more as the track system of Rock and roll rollercoaster, with bits of space mountain WDW and even themeing from Dinosaur at Animal kingdom, as there is meteor strike in the middle, It has an inversion in the dark and corkscrews
Pirates of the Caribbean are always a great ride, the same theme as WDW, but have an incline first, then two drops, WDW is one drop, CL is two drops. Lines were always fast.
Indiana Jones we grabbed on our first day as it was closing for a refurbishment, nice ride, looks far worse than it actually is. One inversion 360 degrees. Basically its just track, in the air, clinging to rocks, it is over all to fast, just as you realise you are on the inversion is over.
Phantom Manor, a little spookier than the others as it’s in French, but basically the same ride. A few changes here and there.
Small world, whilst not an E-ride is worth a mention far better than the other parks, more new and modern looking, more countries, a lot more on Europe, very colourful.
Tea cups, I have done these at WDW and CL, but these were a killer, the worst ride for feeling giddy, they go so fast so easy, I couldn’t focus outside the cup, and we all didn’t feel well after that.
Buzz lightyear, basically the same as WDW and CL, looks newer, a few extra scenes very enjoyable and lines were never bad.
Autopia Cars, like WDW Speedway but longer and more interesting track, kids loved driving these cars, often the longest wait as weekday’s two lanes open, weekend’s four lanes open.
Shows Tarzan was very good, like the old Animal kingdom show, Lion Ling was great, not like the Animal kingdom show, more like the west end musical in London, very good, queue early full 30 mins in advance.
Peter Pan, looks ‘new’ against WDW, but in French, Pinocchio ride, and snow white rides are nice diversions. Star Wars and honey I shrunk the kids same as WDW.
Crushes coaster, the new ride at Walt Disney studios is fantastic ( see warning below) Based on Finding nemo, you travel in little turtle shells, that can spin, Two start in the front two in the the back, I say start is its random, on the fist ride our weight was equal and whilst we span a bit, basically if you were forward you stayed forward, if back you stayed back, but on our next trip we were uneven weight and we spun a lot, all directions a lot more fun.
This coaster is in the dark 95% of the time, you start in the harbour, loaded, and there are the seagulls for example saying mine mine mine. You quickly fall and out outside, then it’s a nice little ride, in and out looking at nemo, jelly fish etc, slow speed, that all changes you have a long incline and you see the sharks, and then you are off the top of the incline, like space mountain going all directions up/down sideways, this is the Australian current, going to Sydney, and enjoyable fast and lots of thrills.
The back set movie tour is generally the same as Disney Hollywood Studios WDW, and the movie set of the canyon.
Rock and roll rollercoaster is basically the same as DHS/WDW, but look after those elbows, on this and Space mountain-mission two they were bruised a lot by confined space and a lot of bouncing around.
The Shows at WDS, are very good it’s hard to schedule them all in we did it with Lights motors action and despite heavy rain they took place but High school musical was off.
Stitch live good for young kids but very funny, and inter active computer show and cartoon with Stitch, just do not say delete.
Negatives Lots of negatives,
Break downs, I have never experienced so many ‘technical problems’ on my park visits anywhere, it seemed two /three rides down all the time, Big thunder mountain was often closed due to Technical problems, once we were on it with fast past, near the start and a train undershot the station the last two cars outside the station and people were not able to get off, to took about 60 mins to clear. Lots of people getting off upset kids etc.
Phantom manor was often closed due to ‘TP’ we were on it once and it broke down near the fortune teller with the crystal ball, after about 15 mins the lights came on, even more spooky to see it flood lit up.
Space Mountain was often closed trains running but no one getting on, do not know the reason but a regular occurrence. The railroad stopped for 60 mins again with ‘TP’ I think the PA system.
The worst ride for Technical problems was Crushes coaster, the first time we went on it we got to the ride at 9.30am,10am rope drop, the queue was at least back to Studio 1, which was say an hour, by 9.45am, on the two days we went to Walt Disney studios. The first time on riding, we were very lucky, we rode the attraction and were just coming to the end before the unloading bay, it broke down, Lights came on, and we could see inside the whole attraction.
We were manually released and walked to the unloading bay with others, some were trapped in the middle of the ride far worse, getting off the queue remained very long and wouldn’t be cleared quickly, all day the queue was 60 mins, at one point About 4pm it went to 45 mins, so we wanted to go on again. We progress fast, I was pleased 20 mins and we were getting inside, I estimated about another 10 mins to the front, it broke down, they stopped the ride evacuated, people started leaving, a full reset, and restarted in about 25 mins, we progressed to nearly the front of the queue and it crashed again, This time after 10/15 mins we left as we had reservations for Buffalo bills.
I did ride it again later in the week, and the CM’s said it was crashing all the time we queued up but they didn’t start to let us on due to ‘TP’s till 10.20am. The Turtle shells were moving all the time.
Queue jumping, this seems to be an Olympic sport now at DLP, one man was so embarrassing outside the Tarzan show, taking advantage, he came up from behind us from nowhere, and whenever there was a distraction he move up the stationery queue, at one point the CM’s took people with disabilities out of the queue, there was a couple about 10 people in front of us, as soon as they were pulled out, from behind us this man jumped into their vacated space, we all complained he ignored us and then commenced going up further in the queue, funny, inside he was directed a different way to us and had worse seats,! Rock and roll coaster had people jumping over the rails, where people were queuing, and no one said anything, one would move up, then a group would jump in, then another, would pretend to know someone further up and they would go again.
Smoking, everywhere, people smoking, on rides, queuing, watching the parades with young kids next to them.
Euro rate, good the exchange rate is bad Prices, are high you can buy drinks at the station in relay far cheaper and at McDonalds, an example for a similar meal DLP 40E, McDonalds 25e. Family of four.
Funny comment on Armageddon attraction, the host asked where everyone was from, 4 people from Italy, he could speak a few words, 4 from Spain, he said Hola, he asked who was from France, no one at all, asked UK, 98% of people there were British, eh could speak English, but continued to speak in French for the whole show?
We did Buffalo bills, the building is great, the show is good, it’s very pricey for what it is, and whilst it’s good fun it really isn’t value for money in my opinion.
The food for adults was good, and reasonable amounts given, but they rushed bits, for example the Coffee cup was only a third filled up, and the Chilli was less than a third bowl full. The kid’s meal was poor very small, no ketchup could be found, and we gave pits of our meal to my son. I took him to McDonalds afterwards, we were ok.
I think the servers rush and to save time they give out smaller portions, say the coffee; they can cover more people by giving you half a cup or less.
Disney food we used the half board premium, Lucky Nugget was very good, on selection and also characters, Blue Lagoon was good, had a separate menu for Premium vouchers, but still good. The Plaza garden was a buffet and a little disappointment, not a great selection. An innovations at Disneyland Hotel was excellent, food selection great, service good, on par with Palo at Disney cruise line. Café Mickey was always busy, good food, service slightly slow.
Note on booking, I booked all of the meals in advance, 2/3 months ago, but on arrival I rechecked at the hotel amd a few were not on th system, I also booked Buffalo Bills in advance calling them, in the same call as booking my ressies, the lady then gave the impression I would get the discount on arrival its only if you book with your hotel package, that you get it.
Overall we enjoyed it, the parks were busy, but its nice to go there and not have an eight hour plane trip with jet lag and those extra costs.
