wintergreen
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2004
- Messages
- 1,221
I was lucky enough to spend a day in DLP last week (Wednesday). I was travelling to Paris for work, and had a free day the day that I arrived. Took the VEA bus from CDG (which was LATE and SLOW), checked my luggage at Guest Services (2.50 euros, and well worth it--thanks to those on the Board that gave me this info.), bought a ticket (SLOW), and strolled on in.
Things did not start off well. I headed to Discoveryland to ride Space Mountain, and decided to wait in the standby line, as the sign said that there was only a 20 minute wait.
[1st observation: the wait time signs were RARELY correct.]
I had waited about 40 minutes, and was relatively close to the front of the line (I think), when the lights went on in the queue, and you could no longer hear the coasters taking off. About 5 minutes later an announcement came on (in French) that there were technical difficulties, and that the ride would be starting again shortly. About 10 minutes after that, the same announcement (this time with an English translation). 5 minutes later I finally abandoned ship, as I had a relatively short time to spend. I don't think that they ever got the ride going again.
I then headed over to Fantasyland, and did a number of attractions there. I particularly enjoyed Storybook Land.
[2nd observation: I was not impressed with the ability of CMs to guide guests onto the rides (it was kind of a free-for-all).]
At this point, I needed a smoke. I am a some-time smoker (if I am travelling alone, without my family), and was very careful to search the park map for the designated smoking areas. Well, there AREN'T ANY!
[3rd observation: The lack of designated smoking areas may be one of the reasons that people smoke EVERYWHERE.]
I was disappointed that Big Thunder Mountain was closed during my visit, but I did enjoy the Indiana Jones coaster (very short wait). I must say that I liked some of the DLP versions of the rides better than those at WDW (I've been at DLP once before, but I had forgotten what most of the rides were like). For instance, I think that Small World, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are much better at DLP. As I mentioned before, I also love the Storybook Land ride.
Also, since I was travelling solo, I was very aware of other solo travellers--or rather the lack thereof. I don't think that I saw one other person who looked like they were travelling alone.
At the end of the day, I picked up my luggage and took the RER into Paris.
All-in-all a very pleasant diversion. My coworkers think that I am nuts, as I tacked on a day at Hong Kong Disneyland to a work trip there last spring. Ah well, I guess I am! (Nuts that is.)
Things did not start off well. I headed to Discoveryland to ride Space Mountain, and decided to wait in the standby line, as the sign said that there was only a 20 minute wait.
[1st observation: the wait time signs were RARELY correct.]
I had waited about 40 minutes, and was relatively close to the front of the line (I think), when the lights went on in the queue, and you could no longer hear the coasters taking off. About 5 minutes later an announcement came on (in French) that there were technical difficulties, and that the ride would be starting again shortly. About 10 minutes after that, the same announcement (this time with an English translation). 5 minutes later I finally abandoned ship, as I had a relatively short time to spend. I don't think that they ever got the ride going again.
I then headed over to Fantasyland, and did a number of attractions there. I particularly enjoyed Storybook Land.
[2nd observation: I was not impressed with the ability of CMs to guide guests onto the rides (it was kind of a free-for-all).]
At this point, I needed a smoke. I am a some-time smoker (if I am travelling alone, without my family), and was very careful to search the park map for the designated smoking areas. Well, there AREN'T ANY!
[3rd observation: The lack of designated smoking areas may be one of the reasons that people smoke EVERYWHERE.]
I was disappointed that Big Thunder Mountain was closed during my visit, but I did enjoy the Indiana Jones coaster (very short wait). I must say that I liked some of the DLP versions of the rides better than those at WDW (I've been at DLP once before, but I had forgotten what most of the rides were like). For instance, I think that Small World, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are much better at DLP. As I mentioned before, I also love the Storybook Land ride.
Also, since I was travelling solo, I was very aware of other solo travellers--or rather the lack thereof. I don't think that I saw one other person who looked like they were travelling alone.
At the end of the day, I picked up my luggage and took the RER into Paris.
All-in-all a very pleasant diversion. My coworkers think that I am nuts, as I tacked on a day at Hong Kong Disneyland to a work trip there last spring. Ah well, I guess I am! (Nuts that is.)
Thanks for your report 
