auntlynne
Aunt Lynne
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 8,232
"Can anyone tell me about Disneyland Paris and compare it to WDW? Please no that (like a typical American) I speak only English (and my British friends would say that I don't speak it well either!).
Karen"
First off, I don't remember any problems with my not speaking French at DLP.
You'd be better off comparing it to regular Disneyland, as it's very similar. That said, and I will assume you don't know Disneyland, I'll give my 15 cents worth.
There are 2 parks: DLP and the Studios. DLP is a small Magic Kingdom, (doesn't seem to be so far apart between areas, just like DL). Walk across a plaza and you are at the Studios, which seemed like a very small MGM Studios/ Hollywood Studios - whatever it's called now at WDW.
Very similar rides and shows (won't go into detail here because I was only there one day and you are getting a generalized first impression - Steamboat Will can give you more precise details).
What I remember being different is (1) the longer walk from the parking lot to the entrance. There are moving sidewalks that only cover about 1/2 the distance (now, this is not an extreme walk, but it just seems like you should be there when the moving sidewalk ends); (2) there is a food court at the entrance to DLP, full of people (it was cold when we were visiting in Oct). We ate in the Studios and had a not-so-great Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese); (3) there do not seem to be any decent-price Disney hotels; all were in the $400+ bracket per night and included tickets - as a solo traveler with a DLP annual pass, this was just too high; and (4) NO YEAR-ROUND FIREWORKS! Bummer, dude. I love DL and WDW fireworks - Wishes always brings tears to my eyes and had hoped for some. They seem to do them in the high-volume summer months and a few other special times.
Will be there myself Tues-Wed before our cruise.
It is very easy to shower at the spa - the whole area is rather compact, and the women's changing room has nice large showers (so much bigger than the ones in the staterooms) with liquid soap and shampoo. There are disposable razors, q-tips, cottonballs, hairdryers. I don't know the policy on using the lockers if not having a spa treatment, but they may be available for use during gym workout - with easy-to-set locks. There are lounge chairs in the dressing area, so peaceful you might just kick back and relax in there.
Never used a spa pass, only did a port-day special massage, which included the rainforest room on a ladies-only night.
Never cruised Cunard, but have looked at its site. One big difference I noticed is that on DCL everyone from steerage to penthouse (not official terms) have the same dining rooms and menus. There is no differentiation other than that the 3 most expensive categories (on the Magic & Wonder) can order from the restaurants and eat in their cabins. No special bars or areas closed off on the Magic & Wonder (different on the Dream where Concierge rooms have their own lounge and deck area).
Also, except for Palo, you will not be kept out of the dining room based on failing to meet the dress of the day - ie, formal night is not enforced. Palo may send you back to your room if you are wearing jeans.
Karen"
First off, I don't remember any problems with my not speaking French at DLP.
You'd be better off comparing it to regular Disneyland, as it's very similar. That said, and I will assume you don't know Disneyland, I'll give my 15 cents worth.
There are 2 parks: DLP and the Studios. DLP is a small Magic Kingdom, (doesn't seem to be so far apart between areas, just like DL). Walk across a plaza and you are at the Studios, which seemed like a very small MGM Studios/ Hollywood Studios - whatever it's called now at WDW.
Very similar rides and shows (won't go into detail here because I was only there one day and you are getting a generalized first impression - Steamboat Will can give you more precise details).
What I remember being different is (1) the longer walk from the parking lot to the entrance. There are moving sidewalks that only cover about 1/2 the distance (now, this is not an extreme walk, but it just seems like you should be there when the moving sidewalk ends); (2) there is a food court at the entrance to DLP, full of people (it was cold when we were visiting in Oct). We ate in the Studios and had a not-so-great Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese); (3) there do not seem to be any decent-price Disney hotels; all were in the $400+ bracket per night and included tickets - as a solo traveler with a DLP annual pass, this was just too high; and (4) NO YEAR-ROUND FIREWORKS! Bummer, dude. I love DL and WDW fireworks - Wishes always brings tears to my eyes and had hoped for some. They seem to do them in the high-volume summer months and a few other special times.
Will be there myself Tues-Wed before our cruise.
Hi does anybody have an opinion on whether it’s worth purchasing a length of cruise spa pass, or just day spa passes. And does it get overcrowded in the spa, are sometimes of day better than others? And is it easy to shower at the spa after using the gym
It is very easy to shower at the spa - the whole area is rather compact, and the women's changing room has nice large showers (so much bigger than the ones in the staterooms) with liquid soap and shampoo. There are disposable razors, q-tips, cottonballs, hairdryers. I don't know the policy on using the lockers if not having a spa treatment, but they may be available for use during gym workout - with easy-to-set locks. There are lounge chairs in the dressing area, so peaceful you might just kick back and relax in there.
Never used a spa pass, only did a port-day special massage, which included the rainforest room on a ladies-only night.
Never cruised Cunard, but have looked at its site. One big difference I noticed is that on DCL everyone from steerage to penthouse (not official terms) have the same dining rooms and menus. There is no differentiation other than that the 3 most expensive categories (on the Magic & Wonder) can order from the restaurants and eat in their cabins. No special bars or areas closed off on the Magic & Wonder (different on the Dream where Concierge rooms have their own lounge and deck area).
Also, except for Palo, you will not be kept out of the dining room based on failing to meet the dress of the day - ie, formal night is not enforced. Palo may send you back to your room if you are wearing jeans.
This will be my first time in Europe and there was no way I was going to be that close to DLP and not go there for at least one day 
Based on that fact alone, I'll be in Paris from Sept. 3 - Sept. 8, then off to Barcelona until the cruise. I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. 
I know I appreciate all the important information being put on the front page so I don't have to go searching all over creation for the it!!! 
They have a built-in lock mechanism and you choose your own combination.
