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[nkosiek]

Okay, so myself and my family (DH, a 7 yr old and a 4 year old )will be in Paris in late July/early August and am planning on a few days at DLP. I am curious how many days we should budget there. We will probably be in the city itself for 3 days before heading to DLP and then stay on site before heading to London. My question is, does it make sense to check in during the late afternoon/early evening of Sunday 31/7 or to just get there early on Monday 1/8? We would be leaving around lunchtime on Wednesday 3/8.

We are WDW regulars and have also visited DL in California but never been to a park outside the US, so aren't too sure what to expect. The price difference is obviously a few hundred euro/dollars but wasn't sure how much time is "needed" for the 2 parks. Any help would be great.

 

[zinderella]

Hi, If you are staying onsite in a Disney Hotel you will have park tickets for the day you arrive and leave. Given that you havent been before, and you'll be going in the busiest season, I would go for the longest stay that you can fit in. That way you can do things at a reasonable pace, go back to the hotel for the hottest part of the day, kids can nap / use the pool (not at Santa Fe or Cheyenne) etc depending on where you choose to stay. There are so many posts on this forum that describe the park in how it compares to the US Parks, you'll probably get a more comprehensive idea of what to expect by doing a search.

The park will be open late, so turning up Sunday afternoon, checking in and visiting the park for an evening might allow you to watch the parade and the fireworks and stroll around what many believe to be the most beautiful park in terms of landscaping and theming.

The big bias in any advice I may give is this...after many years of doing DLP like a (very fun) endurance marathon, I am now coming round to the idea of making it more leisurely and well, holiday-like! So am I always going to advocate for as much time as you can afford to allow for resting, icecream eating and people watching, and of course multiple rides on Big Thunder Mountain, which is also the best version in the world as it goes under the lake!

Enjoy your planning

 

[Karin1984]

To add to Zinderella, you will have park tickets included for all days if you are staying onsite AND have purchased through Disneyland Paris themselves. Their package deals standard include all days.

July/August is summer holidays for the whole of Europe. Due to the pandemic international travel hasn't fully resumed and/or people are a bit hesitant to travel internationally, more European people will spend their holidays in Europe. Aka, it's going to be busy.

I echo Zinderella's proposal, go there Sunday afternoon, take it all in, get familiar with the park, do a few rides with short lines, watch the fireworks etc.

Also, The Avengers Campus hopefully will be open. New attraction = lines.

General advice for US Disneypark enthusiasts: Disneyland Paris was build in France for 1. the French, 2. the European public. Things are different here. Some good, some not so good. Go in with an open mind, don't compare too much. There is plenty of Magic to see, be willing to see it.

Regular thing to encounter when travelling:
- We have hotels, not resorts. Less amenities, less decor.
- A/C is not really a thing here. When it gets hot, we open a window ;-)
- Hotel rooms will be smaller, bed sizes are different
- We do not do free refills here of soda (obesity laws)
- Peanut butter is not a thing in France,
- Food is much better in WDW, keep your expectations low: If you want great French food, get it in Paris (Outside the touristy areas, where the locals go)
- Table service takes longer in France. It's not a 45 minute turnover.
- Disney Village cannot be compared to Downtown Disney / Disney Springs.

Bests about Disneyland Paris:
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Crush Coaster
-Distractions like Alice' Labyrinth, Aladdin's walkthrough
- The castle and the park is the prettiest. We have a dragon!
- Mickey and the Magician
- Disney Jr. show - Dream Factory
- Lion King - Rhythm of the Pride Lands.

 

[nkosiek]

To add to Zinderella, you will have park tickets included for all days if you are staying onsite AND have purchased through Disneyland Paris themselves. Their package deals standard include all days.

July/August is summer holidays for the whole of Europe. Due to the pandemic international travel hasn't fully resumed and/or people are a bit hesitant to travel internationally, more European people will spend their holidays in Europe. Aka, it's going to be busy.

I echo Zinderella's proposal, go there Sunday afternoon, take it all in, get familiar with the park, do a few rides with short lines, watch the fireworks etc.

Also, The Avengers Campus hopefully will be open. New attraction = lines.

General advice for US Disneypark enthusiasts: Disneyland Paris was build in France for 1. the French, 2. the European public. Things are different here. Some good, some not so good. Go in with an open mind, don't compare too much. There is plenty of Magic to see, be willing to see it.

Regular thing to encounter when travelling:
- We have hotels, not resorts. Less amenities, less decor.
- A/C is not really a thing here. When it gets hot, we open a window ;-)
- Hotel rooms will be smaller, bed sizes are different
- We do not do free refills here of soda (obesity laws)
- Peanut butter is not a thing in France,
- Food is much better in WDW, keep your expectations low: If you want great French food, get it in Paris (Outside the touristy areas, where the locals go)
- Table service takes longer in France. It's not a 45 minute turnover.
- Disney Village cannot be compared to Downtown Disney / Disney Springs.

Bests about Disneyland Paris:
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Crush Coaster
-Distractions like Alice' Labyrinth, Aladdin's walkthrough
- The castle and the park is the prettiest. We have a dragon!
- Mickey and the Magician
- Disney Jr. show - Dream Factory
- Lion King - Rhythm of the Pride Lands.

Thanks for the particulars on DLP, and the other stuff as well. I've both lived in the UK and Ireland previously and backpacked chunks of Europe three times, in addition to other visits. While it will be my kids first time out of the US, it won't be their parents.

Question, when Disney announces "Summer of..." in DLP is there typically a date they shoot for? Do we think that Avengers Campus will be open by that time of summer (1/8)? My kids loved the Avengers Campus in DL last year.

 

[zinderella]

I don't know what other parks are like around the world but I feel DLP is particularly sketchy about opening dates and also festival or seasonal dates? I'm a bit surprised a date hasn't been released for Avengers Campus. It would really help with planning! I would be really surprised if it wasn't open by August though. The latest Insta indicates summer....

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

and the sign looks pretty neat!!!

 

[Karin1984]

It's hard to say. With the castle refurb last year it wasn't till a few weeks before (if I remember correctly) that they announced they wanted the castle to be ready for the NYE party with the fireworks show.

I can see it happening that they say summer, but mean September. When schools are back in session, crowds go down tremendously. It will give them an easier time to manage crowds in the first weeks.
I would say: hope for the best, assume the worst.