Ok, we'll give DLP another try!

[Lizzim]

My boyfriend and I went to Disneyland Paris a few years ago and to be honest we weren't that impressed. It just didn't have that Disney magic feel to it...not exactly sure why.

So, a few months ago I started looking at prices for a short trip in November...long story short - I decided it was too expensive but managed to get a good deal on a January trip...so we booked.

Eventually turned in to a family trip as Rob's parents and brother and his family came along as well.

I have written up a trip report on my blog and links are below:

http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/background.html

http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/getting-there.html

http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/cafe-mickey-breakfast.html

http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/disneyland-parc-friday-13th-january.html

http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-day-very-early-start.html

http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-few-hours-on-our-own.html

Anyway, in summary -we had a nice trip. It was extremely cold and very busy on the Saturday which made it a little less fun but I did get to meet some great characters.

Having said that, I don't think we will be going back for a number of reasons:

• Way too many people smoking
• Everything was so expensive - almost like they took the prices that would be charged in Dollars and swapped a Euro sign in
• Not enough to do for more than a couple of days (in my opinion)

 

[Terkina]

I don't like DLRP either. The magic wasn't there. I visited the park for the 2nd time in March 2011 (the first time was in the summer 1995).

 

[ssjdisney32]

Tried clicking on your links but it doesn't seem to work. Comes up that it can't access the page so I tried typing in link in search bar on browser and comes up with the talk talk 'page does not exist' page

 

[JohnnySharp2]

As I regard myself as a Florida veteran (having been 12 times), and a DLRP newbie (went last year at HNY going this year to DLH), I do kind of understand what you mean about the magic.

I don't think you can really fully compare the two as there are too many differences.

The reason we have started to go to Paris is we find it hard with all the long flight travelling with our autistic child, DLRP gives him his 'disney fix' without him getting stressed or concerned on the plane (we all hate flying!)

To be honest we have found magic at DLRP, Joshua was never that keen on dining out yet loves doing so at the Disneyland Park, he was never that keen on hotels but again was really happy at the Hotel New York and expect even better at the Disneyland Hotel.

I think 'magic' depends on our own circumstances and interpretation, I do understand what you mean though.

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

The only way to fully enjoy DLRP is to go there and not compare it to any other Disney experience. Its more the Europeans I think, and also the strictness of the staff and their routine.

Things I dont like about DLRP:
Smoking
Unclean toilets
Unorganised character meets (scrums!)

 

[Rachandgarry]

I would agree with the last poster about not comparing it.

My heart wants to go back to WDW, but my wallet can't afford it, so I go to DLP. It never seems as good, or as big, or as friendly - there aren't the huge malls, great cheap restaurants etc nearby, the amazing Florida weather etc.

However, what it does have, that Orlando doesn't - is incredibly rich architecture, a full pallette of colour, lots and lots of nods to Walt himself, plenty of foliage, and some amazing rides. I prefer DLP's IASW, Pirates, Big Thunder, Carousel, Dumbo and Phantom Manor. The theming is just amazing to me, whereas I find WDW very dated now.

When I went back to WDW after several trips to DLP, I found myself thinking "well this isn't as pretty as DLP" and "ooh, how bland does Tomorrowland look?" etc...

For me, the trick is to see DLP as its own place, not an offshoot of something else. Whereas Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe, Legoland etc are the same in every branch around the world, DLP was never supposed to be a copy of WDW.

I will agree, however, that I HATE the character meet scrums. Its a nightmare, and I generally find many guests very rude and pushy, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Each to his own I guess, but glad you were able to go again.

(Oh, I can't get the links to work either, sorry)

 

[tinks_1989]

• Way too many people smoking
• Everything was so expensive - almost like they took the prices that would be charged in Dollars and swapped a Euro sign in
• Not enough to do for more than a couple of days (in my opinion)

The link also didnt work for me but I did read it on another forum!

I agree with you the smoking is disgusting and is the thing that annoys me more then anything!

It is expensive but with shareholders discount and managing when and where we eat we cope with the prices!

After reading your report if some one you are travelling with is scared of the characters that takes a lot out of what you can do! We went in September for 5 days and didnt get everything we wanted to do done!

Congratulations on passing your exmas

 

[Lizzim]

I'll try another link in the hope that it will work: http://disneylandparis2012.blogspot.com/

I should point out that the first time we went to DLP (years ago) we hadn't been to WDW and so I wasn't comparing it.

This time I deliberately tried not to make comparisons as well, but there are some major flaws - queue areas being outside is one of them - it gets so cold in the winter surely it would have made sense to try and put them as much inside as possible?

I did see more characters in DLP but it was very annoying as an adult trying to meet the characters...as most parents push their children in front assuming that adults don't want to meet the characters