Newbie to Disneyland Paris

[RyMickey]

So, I'm just starting to explore this board about Disneyland Paris. We're only planning on spending one day at the park (seeing as how this is our first trip to Europe, we've got so much to see on our 2-week London-Paris trip that as much as I'd like to, one day is all we've got to spend) and it will be during the first week of May (either Wednesday May 2-Friday, May 4 as I assume the weekends will be busier and I saw that Tuesday, May 8, is a holiday and I assume that will make the Monday prior to that busier as well). What would the traditional park hours be like on days like that in May? Since we won't be staying onsite, should we completely avoid trying to go on an extra magic hours day?

Since we only have one day, we're certainly going to spend it only in the "main" park as much as I'd like to check out Crush's Coaster. Are there any sites/books (other than the DIS) that people recommend in order to best figure out how to tour the park in one day? Admittedly, I'm just starting my research, but I thought I'd start here first.

Any CAN'T MISS attractions? Is there any sit-down dining place that is absolutely worth forfeiting attraction time to eat at? We are family of all adults, so things like Dumbo won't be necessary, but we would like to explore any dark rides that are different from WDW in Orlando, and we won't feel the need to explore any ride that is an exact duplicate of what we find in Orlando, so if anything is a mirror image, that info would be much appreciated too.

I know I've thrown out a lot of questions and will likely be back to these boards once I can formulate some more specific questions, but any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[scottwb]

You should be okay with the Wednesday, if the holiday is only the Tuesday?

Generally May will be quieter than June/July/August. One day only is a stretch but can be done if you plan accordingly, collecting fast passes etc

Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are better than WDW IMO and both can be ridden with fast passes.

Restaurants are very subjective but I would certainly pen in Blue Lagoon, Walts or Inventions and aim for a late meal, this way it won't cut into your time in the park.

 

[honeyb35]

I've got a book called 'unofficial guide to disneyland paris' that actually lists one day tours of the park, its pretty good.
Can't lay my hands on it atm to check who its written by, but its on amazon, white book, red writing

 

[jessrose18]

we are also doing dlp in 1 day in may! i did buy the unnofficial guide from amazon, very good book. Includes ride description's and touring plans. We have done dlp in 1 day before during a trip to paris, it is totally doable and worth it. Have fun, maybe I'll run into you! We will be there on May 3rd or 4th, dont know yet.....Just dont go on the weekend, crowds are huge, and they will have extended hours during the week it sounds like for the 20th anniversary celebration.

 

[YoungGangMom]

I didn't care for Blue Lagoon, but that's a matter of taste. We were there in the fall of 2012 and were able to cover the whole park in under a day. We were actually sort of disappointed, but we have been to Disneyland and WDW, so this is quite small in comparison. Being big Disney fans, it was worth a trip since we were in Paris and will probably not return for quite some time.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I'd go the Thursday out of the 3 days as it will be the calmest...Wednesday schools are closed or on half day and Friday is the start of the next 4 day weekend

 

[loladelorean]

What would the traditional park hours be like on days like that in May? Since we won't be staying onsite, should we completely avoid trying to go on an extra magic hours day?

We are still waiting for confirmed opening hours, but we do know that the parks will be open later for the 20th Anniversary celebrations so it will be longer than the standard 7pm. You're going on the right year, the new Dreams night time show looks like its going to be magical. As for EMH, don't worry about trying to avoid it as it happens almost every day and shouldn't make any difference.

Any CAN'T MISS attractions?

The new Dreams show, Big Thunder Mountain, Phantom Manor, Pirates, Space Mountain, taking the time to explore inside the castle.
Is there any sit-down dining place that is absolutely worth forfeiting attraction time to eat at?
For me, Walts is the best in-park restaurant. Gorgeous food, beautiful unique surroundings and views over Main St. Am I right in thinking you don't have an equivalent to this in the US? If you really want to maximise your time in the parks there are good restaurants in the hotels and Disney Village which you could go to after the park shuts - Inventions, the Steakhouse or Cafe Mickey (character dining)
We are family of all adults, so things like Dumbo won't be necessary, but we would like to explore any dark rides that are different from WDW in Orlando, and we won't feel the need to explore any ride that is an exact duplicate of what we find in Orlando, so if anything is a mirror image, that info would be much appreciated too.

Our Space Mountain is a different experience, more raucous! Worth trying out if you're a coaster fan. Pirates is also different and following its recent refurb, a must-see attraction. Phantom Manor is very different, with its own story. Big Thunder isn't all that different but one I don't think anyone should miss anyway There are some "kids" rides which I'm not sure you have in the US but someone more knowledgeable about WDW could confirm - Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice's Labyrinth.
I would usually advise people to miss Indiana Jones, I don't think its a very good ride. But that could just be my opinion.

I think one of the main things you'll get from the trip is the different feel of the park as a whole, its got distinctive European character. Take the time to appreciate the differences in the buildings, layout and most especially, the castle.

Hope that helps! As I say, I'm not too savvy about the US parks to tell you about differences but I'm sure someone else will jump in with more info soon.

 

[RyMickey]

we are also doing dlp in 1 day in may! i did buy the unnofficial guide from amazon, very good book. Includes ride description's and touring plans. We have done dlp in 1 day before during a trip to paris, it is totally doable and worth it. Have fun, maybe I'll run into you! We will be there on May 3rd or 4th, dont know yet.....Just dont go on the weekend, crowds are huge, and they will have extended hours during the week it sounds like for the 20th anniversary celebration.

I didn't realize there was an Unofficial Guide (as I said, I'm just starting out on the research). I'll be sure to pick that up.

I didn't care for Blue Lagoon, but that's a matter of taste. We were there in the fall of 2012 and were able to cover the whole park in under a day. We were actually sort of disappointed, but we have been to Disneyland and WDW, so this is quite small in comparison. Being big Disney fans, it was worth a trip since we were in Paris and will probably not return for quite some time.

Nice to hear that most of the park is doable in a day. I'm going in with my expectations "lowered" so to speak because I've heard it's smaller than WDW (of course, Disneyland is as well).

I'd go the Thursday out of the 3 days as it will be the calmest...Wednesday schools are closed or on half day and Friday is the start of the next 4 day weekend

That four day-weekend is throwing a kink into things...I was leaning towards the Thursday as well since Wednesday will be our first day in France.

And loladoreen, thanks for the tips. I feel like I've read about Walt's on some site before.

And thanks to all for your help. I'm sure I'll be back with many more questions as the trip draws nearer...

 

[jessrose18]

I think we will be there thurs as well. Our first day in Paris is we'd I think we will do the Eiffel tower that night. Mi think we are doin similar vacations! We fly to London on the 24th and then take the Eurostar on the 30th to Paris, but heading out to Normandy for 2 nights right away then back to Paris for 5 nights.

We are going to buy the discounted 1 day 2 park ticket from their website. Never been to the studios. Another suggestion is to listen to the dis board podcast team's recent review of Disneyland Paris, they really loved it! I think they reviewed in October. They give a great breakdown of park highlights from a wow lovers point of view.

 

[wendyt_ca]

I think we will be there thurs as well. Our first day in Paris is we'd I think we will do the Eiffel tower that night. Mi think we are doin similar vacations! We fly to London on the 24th and then take the Eurostar on the 30th to Paris, but heading out to Normandy for 2 nights right away then back to Paris for 5 nights.

We are going to buy the discounted 1 day 2 park ticket from their website. Never been to the studios. Another suggestion is to listen to the dis board podcast team's recent review of Disneyland Paris, they really loved it! I think they reviewed in October. They give a great breakdown of park highlights from a wow lovers point of view.

We are going in Sept as well going first to London then taking the Eurostar to Paris and then ending our trip with 2 nights at DLP. What site has the discounted tickets as we are also only doing one day?

 

[jessrose18]

Disneylandparis.com the official site has discounted 1 day 2 park tickets if you buy them ahead of time. I can't remember the price difference, but I remember it was worth it ( sorry iPad has no flash so I can't check right now!)

 

[Royal Consort]

I didn't realize there was an Unofficial Guide (as I said, I'm just starting out on the research). I'll be sure to pick that up.

Nice to hear that most of the park is doable in a day. I'm going in with my expectations "lowered" so to speak because I've heard it's smaller than WDW (of course, Disneyland is as well).

I think Disneyland Paris gets a bad rap for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't go with my expectations lowered but just be open to a new experience. This isn't an American park and it doesn't feel like one - at all. The most common thing heard is 'it's not Magic Kingdom or Disneyland' - well, it's not -true. It is distinctly European and, in this way, I think DLRP is a breath of fresh air. I think it is also the most beautiful of all the magic kingdoms. Once you see the castle, you 'feel it'; raised on the mountain with the animatronic dragon underneath - fantastic!

I believe DLRP is bigger than Disneyland in terms of area.

Don't expect the CM's to have the same culture as the American Disney parks (they have a French culture of course). I've been very lucky and experienced very happy and helpful CMs but they have a different approach. This is a different interpretation of Disney for European sensibilities. If you keep that in mind then Disneyland Paris is remarkable. Landscaping seems to be key for this park.

Space Mountain is more extreme with inversions unlike the US parks. Phantom Mannor is different and darker. Thunder Mountain is on its own island. Dumbo is more beautiful atop a fountain. Many of the Fantasyland dark rides are similar but there's Alice's Curious Labyrinth which isn't in the US parks. Also there's no Tomorrowland but Discoveryland which is steampunk rather than 'futuristic'. I'd give as much as possible a go just for a different flavour to what you're used to.

PS: Tangled is called Rapunzel (Raiponce) in Paris, so this also makes it much better

 

[Happy Tappy]

I don't understand why people lower their expectations when coming to Disneyland Paris.

It's a beautiful park and a very good resort. The main park is the bigger than it's American cousins and is far better laid out. The versions of the rides in Paris are far superior to their American counterparts: Pirates, Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain etc...

Both parks are next door to each other and All the Disney hotels are walkable.

There are clear cultural differences which can often leave you frustrated (smoking and character scrums) but all in all it's a fantastic place to spend a couple of days.

You'll have a great time.