Possible Debate - a Disney Fanatic saying "no" to Disney

[RadioFanatic]

So, I admit, I'm a disney fanatic - love it and all things disney. Go there a lot, always ask for disney related stuff- have it everywhere, including my office at work. Everyone knows I'm the disney guru. I'm the one EVERYONE comes to for questions on Disney and WDW.

So one of my friends just called to ask me a disney related question. She and her husband are going to Europe for the first time in April - 3-4 days in Amsterdam and 3-4 days in Paris. She told her husband last night that she wanted to see Eurodisney. He said no way and they could go to WDW at another time. She called me up to ask if I thought it was worth fighting for.

And I told her no. In fact, I told her I would think she was crazy if she spent one day of her trip to go.

And why did I do that? Because, especially on her first trip to Europe, there are way too many other amazing things that she should see while she is in Amsterdam and France, which she couldn't see in the US, that it would be a waste of a day to see a place when she could get her fix at WDW, which would be cheaper and closer. To me, Europe is such an amazing place on it's own with its rich history, culture, etc., that she should experience all of that instead of going to Eurodisney.

In fact, I have (1) lived six months in France; (2) been to France three times, Italy twice, Greece, Switzerland, and England; and I still haven't been. Do I want to go one day? Yes, very much so; but for now, there are too many other things I want to see in Europe.

What would you have said?

 

[wdwgirl03]

I don't know what I would have said, but I definitely understand what you told her.

 

[agotta]

Disneyland Paris, not EuroDisney. Sorry pet peve.

And for the record, I totally see where you are coming from.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I totally agree with you! I wouldn't go to Europe and waste time on Disney when I can always visit DL back at home!

 

[laura001]

I was in Paris this past fall, being a "Disney Fanatic" myself I thought I would be bothered by not going to Eurodisney. Not once was I sorry that we didn't go. There are so many other places to go and see that it was a non issue for me. On the other hand, there is NO way I could go to Florida and not go to WDW.

 

[Laura]

If she were going to France for several weeks or something, then sure, take a day and go. But for that short a trip, she needs to see stuff you can't get in the USA.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Disneyland Paris, not EuroDisney. Sorry pet peve.

And for the record, I totally see where you are coming from.

OOPS! Some disney fanatic I am. I swear I knew that - she just kept calling it Eurodisney so it got stuck in my head!

 

[Towncrier]

We visited Europe back in 1997 for 3 weeks. We managed to find a couple of days to visit Disneyland Paris and I think that I am speaking for our entire family when I say that I am glad that we did.

Each Disney park is unique and has its own charm. Disneyland Paris is no different in that respect.

Before you judge me foolish for "wasting" time at DLP, I should mention that we were based in Antwerp and we might have skipped the trip to Paris had it not been for the lure of DLP. I will readily admit that we didn't spend enough time in downtown Paris and that the only part of our journey to France that was not rushed was the day that we spent at Versailles. Still, the trip to DLP was a highlight of our European trip for both my kids and myself.

 

[RadioFanatic]

no judging from me - to each their own. I was just curious what people thought.

 

[scrump]

I have and would have said the same exact thing.

I had friends come to me for travel advice to Japan (I travel there for family), and some have mentioned that they would like to see Tokyo Disney. It was their first trip to Japan, their time was limited, and they asked if Tokyo Disneyland would be worth it. I said, "If you really want to go, and you want to make it a Disney trip, then it might be worth it. But if you are going to see JAPAN, then there are tons of other sights and places that you should see, and I wouldn't be wasting my time on Disney." I am a Disney fan to the core, but I too feel that there is way too much history and culture out there to explore.

 

[caitycaity]

Since it's her first trip and she is spending such short amount of time there, i agree with your response. However, if she had been there before and was spending more time there, i would have recommended going.

DH and i took a week and a half off to go to Paris last year and we spent 2 days at Disneyland Paris. We felt that it was worth it.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm in the minority. I would absolutely go to Disneyland Paris if I was within 2 to 3 hours of it! I would be afraid I'd never get back to Europe again to see it and my goal is to see all the Disneyland's in my lifetime!

I'd do the same thing if I were going to visit China...I'd stop in Tokyo on the way and see Tokyo Disneyland AND Hong Kong Disneyland too even though there's SO much to see in China!

But that's just me!

 

[NMAmy]

If I was only going to be there for a short time, then no, I wouldn't go. If I were going to be there for longer, then, sure, I'd check it out.

DH's family live in England--he was telling me that next time we went for a visit we should hop over to DL-Paris. I told him I'd rather go to the Louvre and Versailles but unfortunately, dd overheard the conversation, so we may be stopping for a day during our next trip. She can't remember the next day if I tell her to do a chore but she'll remember that comment for a year!

 

[Briarmom]

I got back from Paris last night. I went to DLP, but if I were only there for 3-4 days, there is no way I'd suggest it.

 

[Michelle2]

I'm in the minority. I would absolutely go to Disneyland Paris if I was within 2 to 3 hours of it! I would be afraid I'd never get back to Europe again to see it and my goal is to see all the Disneyland's in my lifetime!

I'd do the same thing if I were going to visit China...I'd stop in Tokyo on the way and see Tokyo Disneyland AND Hong Kong Disneyland too even though there's SO much to see in China!

But that's just me!

I guess I am in the minority too, but I would go, and did! But of course, my dream is to visit every Disney park in the world (dragging poor DH along with me LOL), so my views could be different than other people's....In fact, I am going with DH on his business trip just to go to Tokyo Disneyland

I SO agree with the poster that said each Disney park has its own uniqueness and charms, and I definitely say DLP is one of those with things that are different, and there are things you CANNOT find in any other Disney park. (Haunted Mansion and BTMRR come to my mind--they are my favorites of all the parks.) So for ME, saying I will just hit DL or WDW at home, does not do it.
We were in Paris for 6 days in 2001, and went to DLP, and still had time to see everything in and around Paris that we wanted to see. We had great time, and I would love to go back there again.

 

[Chicago526]

Personally, I'd make time to go to Disneyland if I were in Paris (or Tokyo, for that mater). I'd love to see differant parks in differant countries! Especially Tokyo, I mean how often do you get to go to Japan, after all?

DH wants to go to Paris in the next few years. I've never been interested (even though I took french in high school) so for me, Disneyland Paris would be the reward for going! If I ever go to Japan, I'd make time to go to Disneyland, it would be part of my trip planning and I'd extend my trip to fit it in rather than cut it out. Plus DisneySea looks AMAZING!!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I guess I am in the minority too, but I would go, and did! But of course, my dream is to visit every Disney park in the world (dragging poor DH along with me LOL), so my views could be different than other people's....In fact, I am going with DH on his business trip just to go to Tokyo Disneyland

I SO agree with the poster that said each Disney park has its own uniqueness and charms, and I definitely say DLP is one of those with things that are different, and there are things you CANNOT find in any other Disney park. (Haunted Mansion and BTMRR come to my mind--they are my favorites of all the parks.) So for ME, saying I will just hit DL or WDW at home, does not do it.
We were in Paris for 6 days in 2001, and went to DLP, and still had time to see everything in and around Paris that we wanted to see. We had great time, and I would love to go back there again.

Great minds think alike! I'm glad to know I'm not alone! We also did it! In 2002 for our 10th anniversary DH suggested Paris because he knew that my girls and myself would be more interested in going if we had the 'reward' of going to Disneyland Paris!

We went for 5 days and I did SO much research and planning so we could fit in everything we wanted. We did the Louvre museum, a double decker bus tour, a boat tour of the Seine, Notre Dame, the Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe, a Burlesque show at the Lido, saw the Moulin Rouge (from the outside), had lots of Nutella on crepes on the Champs-Elysées and of course, Disneyland Paris.

It's possible if you are determined!!

 

[asta]

This is a little off topic but you might be interested in AdventuresByDisney.com. I just received a brochure and it looks very interesting. Disney has put together vacation packages in Europe, Canada, Hawaii and Costa Rica. It doesn't have anything to do with their theme parks but uses their expertise in family entertainment to design these packages. I haven't checked their prices but I like the idea.

 

[princess pooh]

I would have told my friend to skip DLP too. I went for two days when I was spending the summer in London and it was okay, but I wouldn't go again. There are so many more interesting things to see in Europe.

 

[toto2]

I have never been to DP , but , if you only have a little time in Paris , I would skip too. Paris is an amazing city that you dont want to do commando style.The best part about the city is walking , sitting at a sidewalk café and people watch , pic-nicking in the champs de mars , looking at the eiffel tower etc. I ve spend alot of time there: if you are affraid to be bored in Paris , E-mail me ! I will give you a few pointers !