So Utterly Disappointed with DLP

[yitbos96bb]

So arrived at DLP... I thought Orlando went a little overboard but at DLP paris my Luggage was Xrayed AND I was Wand searched before I set foot in the building. Really kind of took the mood out of the trip to be thrown with that first thing. But fine... we all have our own levels of risk tolerance and mitigation so I can deal with that.

After a long wait to check in (nothing that could be helped... some guests just ask a lot of questions) went to the room and headed to the parks. Got searched again, as expected, although I liked they did it at the entrance of Disney Village for hotel guests which meant no need for me to do it at park entrance... was a quicker process. I wish Disney World could do a search before the park entrance but not sure how that would even work.

So they have two of their biggest rides refurbed right now in SpaceMountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm a little surprised they took that many major rides down at the same time, but so be it. A lot of the rides seemed to break down during my visit today, including Big Thunder breaking down and myself and the other riders having to be evacuated (ie Walked Out).

The food wasn't bad but wasn't mind blowing either. It is hard to get used to the indifference of the waiters to the guests. It comes across like they just don't give a you know what about the guests. I can accept that in the city... BUT at Disney? I mean, where is the pride, magic, etc. It's got a Disney Brand it should behave like a Disney Resort.

There are some cool rides but a lot of really just cheapso ways to do things... THe Mysteries of the Nautilus made me think it was 20K leagues from old school WDW... It being a walkthrough more liek Swiss Family Robinson House was a letdown.

Where I was really disappointed is the hotel. I'm at Sequoia Lodge. First off apparently, they didn't build the hotel so that each room had control over the AC/Heat individually. THey have to TURN it on for the entire hotel. That just comes off insanely cheap to me. I can't turn on the air, there are no ceiling fans and my room is 80 degrees. It's just really poor service to the clients. If you really want to keep it turned off then put ceiling fans in or something....The maintenance guy tells me to open a window... in a snotty flippant way. So I do that... except it only opens 2 inches for security reasons. So that isn't really working. They finally brought me a mini-fan, which is basically a delonghi Space heater... it does a little bit of cooling with the heat element off.

I go to plug it in and it hits me... there are only three power plugs in the room. None by the bed for some insane reason. One of which has a lamp in it and the other right at the door entrance (which makes little sense). So I can't even put the fan that close to me. I can't understand a hotel not having power plugs by the bed... I mean, if the building was 200 years old, then sure... I would get that. But its not. Maybe the newly Renovated Newport fixes some of these idiotic design "choices" but either way... it is ridiculous.

No rush to go back to DLP any time soon. Maybe if Disney continues its buyout of the shares and there isn't interference from the other investors who don't want to pay for improvements, then I'll consider it. But as of now, this is by far the worst of the Disney resorts I've been too (Anaheim and Orlando are the others).

Oh 25th anniversary too... Feels like the way Orlando celebrated the last major anniversaries of DAK, DHS, and Epcot

 

[BinaryRun]

As for the hotel and the plugs, that's France for you. I'm sorry for hear that the room had their AC central controlled, they are even separate at the more budget hotels at DLP. As for the x-ray and wand search, that's simply needed. They have been doing that since 9/11. Not weird either, there are regular arrests for terrorist plots on DLP and several times they have arrest people for trying to take firearms with them. (Which visitors brought themselves as an idea to protect themselves against terrorist attacks')

Yes, DLP might not be the best park. But I will always defend it because they are our parks, it gives me a break from my life and quite frankly I like going through their security. It never takes more then 5 minutes and I know that I'm safe once I pass through it. Besides that, we don't have security between parks and as such you can remain in the Disney Bubble all day long.

 

[yitbos96bb]

The problem is the security isn't really that secure. Among my many tasks, I used to
Do physical penetration testing for a living. I saw at least 3-4 ways to bypass the guards doing the screening. It will catch the...less educated... for sure (those bringing guns to protect from terrorist attacks) but anyone with a Little
Bit of intelligence could get in with whatever they wanted. I get that euro Disney has a risk adverse profile when it comes to this but while it's not bad (and probably more Thorough than the states).... in the end it is still a lot of security theater.

I used to walk through metal detectors with a pocket full of change during walkthroughs. Would get the guards to bet if I'd set it off....
Never have set one off.

As for the hotel and the plugs, that's France for you. I'm sorry for hear that the room had their AC central controlled, they are even separate at the more budget hotels at DLP. As for the x-ray and wand search, that's simply needed. They have been doing that since 9/11. Not weird either, there are regular arrests for terrorist plots on DLP and several times they have arrest people for trying to take firearms with them. (Which visitors brought themselves as an idea to protect themselves against terrorist attacks')

Yes, DLP might not be the best part. But I will always defend it because it's our parks, it gives me a break from my life and quite frankly I like going through their security. It never takes more then 5 minutes and I know that I'm safe once I pass through it. Besides that, we don't have security between parks and as such you can remain in the Disney Bubble all day long.

It's certainly

 

[yitbos96bb]

And again... I think with as much security theater at parks nowadays that it's overkill. Either do it right or don't do it. But they take half measures. Either way doesn't matter... the security isn't my issue as much as the lack of Disney quality in the park. I saw it in some places but not enough. I will say I loved the nighttime
Show... amazing.

I just think DLP needs an infusion of cash to make it better and much better training in the Disney way. Of course even WDW has ditched traditions so I'm not holding my breath.

The problem is the security isn't really that secure. Among my many tasks, I used to
Do physical penetration testing for a living. I saw at least 3-4 ways to bypass the guards doing the screening. It will catch the...less educated... for sure (those bringing guns to protect from terrorist attacks) but anyone with a Little
Bit of intelligence could get in with whatever they wanted. I get that euro Disney has a risk adverse profile when it comes to this but while it's not bad (and probably more Thorough than the states).... in the end it is still a lot of security theater.

I used to walk through metal detectors with a pocket full of change during walkthroughs. Would get the guards to bet if I'd set it off....
Never have set one off.


It's certainly

 

[anthony2k7]

The food wasn't bad but wasn't mind blowing either. It is hard to get used to the indifference of the waiters to the guests. It comes across like they just don't give a you know what about the guests. I can accept that in the city... BUT at Disney? I mean, where is the pride, magic, etc. It's got a Disney Brand it should behave like a Disney Resort.

This annoys me a little as well. Its Paris - supposedly the foodie capital of the world. So why hasn't DLP got any restaurants that actually wow people? Yes Walts is ok, and likewise Cali Grill...... but neither of those come anywhere close to the top restaurants in DLR or WDW. Especially on service.

 

[BinaryRun]

Inventions is appearently very good, as well as Chef Remy's in Movies. Both are out of my budget unfortunately.

 

[BadPinkTink]

@yitbos96bb

I go to Disneyland California every year and have been to Disneyland Paris 3 times. I always describe DLP as a Frenchified Disney, an American style theme park with the cultural aspects and behaviour of France / central Europe.

There are things I like about Disneyland Paris.
In DLP I stay onsite, the Castle is better than California. I like getting the DLP merchandise and pins. I dont loose money on the currency exchange. I like seeing the different versions of Haunted Mansion / Phantom Manor.

In DLP there are far less attractions, rides and entertainment than in Disneyland California. The general upkeep / maintenance / staff levels are all of a lower standard than Disneyland California. I know and understand why, due to the financial situations, and things like Disney not owning DLP wholly as they do in California.

People comment on the behaviour of CM's in DLP compared to the American Parks. To me there are two reasons for this

In California , working at Disney is a way of life, a career, Many CMs have been there for 10, 15 , 20 years or more. Disney is part of the culture of their country. They grow up going to the parks and or just have the Disney brand as part of their lives and then work there. They are just Disney people, and this shows through in their everyday dealings with guests in the park.

In DLP, working at Disney is just a job. Disney is not part of the culture of their country. Many have never been to America or another Disney Park. Most of them would not have the same loyalty or pride in the Disney company as the American CM's. Its a job, they get paid, they go home. Thats it.

Also the Disney Happy Smilley image of a Disney CM is just an extension of American customer service. just In the parks its exaggerated. In general you get the same happy smiley have a nice day, what can i do for you ma'am , how are you today, have a nice day, in a high street restaurant or shopping centre anywhere in American. Thats just how they are.

And thats the problem in DLP with the CMs. People expect the DLP CM's to be the same as the American CM's, when that happy smiley have a nice day is not part of the culture of Europe.

Once you can understand the differences and see that its peoples expectations of DLP that let them down, not the actual park, then you can see and appreciate the uniqueness of DLP. European people like DLP because it is Frencfied, therefore it fits more with their cultural and social expectations. American people or people who are used to the American parks dont like DLP because it does not fit their cultural and social expectations.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I am actually very happy that DLRP takes such measures for security. Honestly that is something we must have and I have felt WDW has been really lax in this area and is has bothered me. Turns out WDW will be increasing their security now - putting in security checks at Ticket and Transportation. Especially with the terrorist attacks France has had to deal with recently I would expect nothing less. As an American is it unusual to see armed guards around - but in Asia, the Middle East and some parts of Europe it is expected and welcomed. Malls in Turkey have x ray bag scanners at the entrances - just normal.

I do understand there are differences in Disney resort hotels but much of this has to do with expectations for European hotels vs. American hotels. But I know of others who were surprised with the differences (like not having individually controlled AC units/ ceiling fans). Honestly having traveled some in Europe and living many years in Turkey - I have rarely had a hotel room with AC - just different expectations. I think Disney built the hotels with European expectations in mind. But yeah, it is something to adjust to. I will say the new Newport Bay rooms do have more outlets in the vanity which helps with electricity.

My first DLRP trip I was really disappointed with food but I found that to change when I made sure to enjoy a buffet or nicer table service meal in the middle of the day and forego the quick service pretty much all together. I found the buffets and table service meals much more satisfying - and more like I would imagine dining in France would be.

All in all I really love DLRP - but for some used to the US parks it can be a bit of culture shock. I have come to love the the things that are unique and beautiful to DLRP!

 

[Moliphino]

The food wasn't bad but wasn't mind blowing either. It is hard to get used to the indifference of the waiters to the guests. It comes across like they just don't give a you know what about the guests. I can accept that in the city... BUT at Disney? I mean, where is the pride, magic, etc. It's got a Disney Brand it should behave like a Disney Resort.

This is just a cultural difference between Europe and the US. In Europe (at least everywhere I've been) it's seen as rude for the servers to be constantly checking up on you and it's expected that when you need something you'll flag them down. As an American it does take some getting used to, since we've got servers constantly checking in and trying to anticipate our needs. I have spent overlong at a table waiting for the check a few times (in France and Ireland) before realizing I had to actually get my server's attention and ask for it.

 

[Dav2205]

Some of your criticisms are fair and valid but I am a bit confused about some of your comments to be honest. France has had several terrorist attacks in the last 18 months, regardless of opinions on whether the security is effective or not I don't feel like it's overboard at all. I had my bag searched after x ray a few times when I last visited, this actually gave me piece of mind that they are paying attention to the scanners.

I must've missed when DAK, DHS and Epcot got a new parade, night time show and 2 stage shows for their anniversary. In terms of scale the DLP 25th anniversary isn't actually far behind the volume of entertainment Disneyland got for the 60th.

I don't think Nautilus is a cheapo move at all, it never claimed to be anything like 20000 leagues under the sea.

On restaurant service, I actually prefer it a lot of the time to the service in WDW. Restaurant service at the American parks sometimes gets to the stage of obnoxious and overbearing, I prefer the more understated service you get in Paris. The best service I've ever had at a Disney restaurant was at Bistro Chez Remy at DLP.

 

[Dingdingding]

I agree with most of the complaints. I disagree however with the explanation that some of those problems lie in the cultural difference between the US and Europe. They lie in France, not in Europe. As much as I love Disney and Disneyland, I hate the fact that they built the park in France (and a lot of my Dutch, German and Belgian Disney-minded friends agree).

In the most of France, even in parts of DLP, they expect you to speak and understand French, while in the most of north-western Europe almost anyone has at least an elementary understanding of English. I agree the service in America is generally of higher standards than in Europe as a whole, but the service in Germany and the UK for example is much better than in France. Service is subpar in DLP. Last week I waited more than half an hour for check-in (even though I was the second in row), due to a lack of staff, and stood in long lines guest services at city hall, my girlfriend had to send a dozen e-mails and phone calls to make reservations for a tour in the park which shouldn't be that hard. I have never had this at any other European theme park. Phantasialand, Europapark and the Efteling know what they're doing, the service at DLP isn't worthy of the Disney name. If it is because Americans grew up with Disneyland and Europeans didn't, why can other European Themeparks get it right? (not as good as the CM in the American Disneyparks, but much better than in DLP) As for the maintenance issues; we have a saying in the Netherlands; "iets met de Franse slag doen" - "doing things the French way" - doing a rushed a sloppy job. That isn't there for nothing; it is too easy to shove the lack of maintenance on the lack of budget; much smaller parks have less problems with that. Then the line cutting. Never do you see so much line cutting as in DLP. In DLP's defense; at my last trip some people were corrected by a CM when they did it, but most of the time they don't see it and I can't blame them; they have other things to do. I blame the people who do it, who most of the time are the locals.

As with the hotels; I live in the Netherlands and travel within Europe a lot (about four citytrips a year aside from shorter trips to visit friends and family in hotels); I have never had the problems with the AC and powersockets I had in Sequoia (where I stayed last week). I forgot to bring my own power plugs so my girlfriend had to charge her phone near the bathroom, camera near the door and we almost overslept because my phone was our alarm clock and it was far away from the bed. I normally use my laptop to backup the photos from my camera but I didn't this time because I couldn't find a place to power my laptop. It was also very hot. Granted; normally I go to fairly luxurious hotels (three or four stars, mostly Mercure's) but never have I had these problems. And strictly speaking Seqoia is a three star hotel and priced about twice or three times what I normally spend a night. I (and my girlfriend agrees) also thought Sequoia kinda looked like a flat; it didn't have the Disney charm that much.

The one thing that is typically European however is the lack of service at restaurants. I wished we had the same tipping system for food servers in the US.

Because I won DLP-tickets on a radio contest I went (and had a good time even with the complaints), and I will be going in September because I have two tickets left. But the next time I rather save the money to go to the American parks later; where the service is good, attractions are in English, attractions are newer, better maintained and less clunky, where there are more attractions and the parks and hotels really got that Disney charm.

 

[s3058]

This is just a cultural difference between Europe and the US. In Europe (at least everywhere I've been) it's seen as rude for the servers to be constantly checking up on you and it's expected that when you need something you'll flag them down. As an American it does take some getting used to, since we've got servers constantly checking in and trying to anticipate our needs. I have spent overlong at a table waiting for the check a few times (in France and Ireland) before realizing I had to actually get my server's attention and ask for it.

I'm from Ireland and totally agree. In my experience if the us it isn't common to sit and chat after or during a meal. The servers want to fill the seats as quickly as they can do it makes sense to constantly check on people to keep the service moving. In general I have just found EU dining to be more relaxed then the us and I can see why this would be seen as a lack of service.

I think an important part of it is the lack of tipping culture we have here. Servers do their job, they aren't trying to butter you up to get a big tip.

 

[sunshine1]

Okay i am gonna ask since no one else has...

What is the job you do that involves 'Physical Penetration'?????

 

[zavandor]

My first DLRP trip I was really disappointed with food but I found that to change when I made sure to enjoy a buffet or nicer table service meal in the middle of the day and forego the quick service pretty much all together. I found the buffets and table service meals much more satisfying - and more like I would imagine dining in France would be.

I agree withthe table services and I think that venturing a bit further away into the hotels can be quite rewarding. The buffet restaurant at the New York Hotel is quite better than the Plaza Gardens, for example.
I can add that the quick service restaurants serving standard hamburger and pizzas are quite lacking (to say the least, cardboard and plastic would be more tasty), but some serving more novelty food are much better. My favorites are Cowboy Cookout BBQ and Fuente del Oro. Hakuna Matata has good reviews as well.

 

[princess_ariel_85]

And again... I think with as much security theater at parks nowadays that it's overkill. Either do it right or don't do it. But they take half measures. Either way doesn't matter... the security isn't my issue as much as the lack of Disney quality in the park. I saw it in some places but not enough. I will say I loved the nighttime
Show... amazing.

I just think DLP needs an infusion of cash to make it better and much better training in the Disney way. Of course even WDW has ditched traditions so I'm not holding my breath.

I agree with half measures but I'd say every theme park I've ever been too has been the same. I was just saying to my husband the other day that WDW is very much inconsistent.

The nighttime show is just wonderful, I think I prefer it to Wishes and Fantasmic etc.

As for the hotel and the plugs, that's France for you. I'm sorry for hear that the room had their AC central controlled, they are even separate at the more budget hotels at DLP. As for the x-ray and wand search, that's simply needed. They have been doing that since 9/11. Not weird either, there are regular arrests for terrorist plots on DLP and several times they have arrest people for trying to take firearms with them. (Which visitors brought themselves as an idea to protect themselves against terrorist attacks')

Yes, DLP might not be the best park. But I will always defend it because they are our parks, it gives me a break from my life and quite frankly I like going through their security. It never takes more then 5 minutes and I know that I'm safe once I pass through it. Besides that, we don't have security between parks and as such you can remain in the Disney Bubble all day long.

The lack of plugs can be quite an annoyance, I think it's just a sign of the times. The more modern we get the more electrical items we need to plug in ha ha! However we stayed in one of the lodges at Sequoia Lodge and not the main building November 2015 and didn't find the lack of plugs to be a problem. I'm also sure we had a socket near the bed?

Totally agree with the Disney Bubble! We went to DLP 5 days after the attack at the Bataclan theatre and surrounding areas and I'll admit to be anxious about going on the trip. Once we were there it was soon easy to forget what was going on outside of the parks and we easily got sucked into the Disney Bubble

I always say to my friends when they ask about my opinion on DLP and I always tell them to go in with an open mind and to never compare it to WDW/DL because it's easy to over look the good things DLP has. The service will never be on par with WDW but I have experiences terrible service both sides of the pond. Some of my best interaction has been in DLP.

 

[woodyjessie]

So arrived at DLP... I thought Orlando went a little overboard but at DLP paris my Luggage was Xrayed AND I was Wand searched before I set foot in the building. Really kind of took the mood out of the trip to be thrown with that first thing. But fine... we all have our own levels of risk tolerance and mitigation so I can deal with that.

After a long wait to check in (nothing that could be helped... some guests just ask a lot of questions) went to the room and headed to the parks. Got searched again, as expected, although I liked they did it at the entrance of Disney Village for hotel guests which meant no need for me to do it at park entrance... was a quicker process. I wish Disney World could do a search before the park entrance but not sure how that would even work.

So they have two of their biggest rides refurbed right now in SpaceMountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm a little surprised they took that many major rides down at the same time, but so be it. A lot of the rides seemed to break down during my visit today, including Big Thunder breaking down and myself and the other riders having to be evacuated (ie Walked Out).

The food wasn't bad but wasn't mind blowing either. It is hard to get used to the indifference of the waiters to the guests. It comes across like they just don't give a you know what about the guests. I can accept that in the city... BUT at Disney? I mean, where is the pride, magic, etc. It's got a Disney Brand it should behave like a Disney Resort.

There are some cool rides but a lot of really just cheapso ways to do things... THe Mysteries of the Nautilus made me think it was 20K leagues from old school WDW... It being a walkthrough more liek Swiss Family Robinson House was a letdown.

Where I was really disappointed is the hotel. I'm at Sequoia Lodge. First off apparently, they didn't build the hotel so that each room had control over the AC/Heat individually. THey have to TURN it on for the entire hotel. That just comes off insanely cheap to me. I can't turn on the air, there are no ceiling fans and my room is 80 degrees. It's just really poor service to the clients. If you really want to keep it turned off then put ceiling fans in or something....The maintenance guy tells me to open a window... in a snotty flippant way. So I do that... except it only opens 2 inches for security reasons. So that isn't really working. They finally brought me a mini-fan, which is basically a delonghi Space heater... it does a little bit of cooling with the heat element off.

I go to plug it in and it hits me... there are only three power plugs in the room. None by the bed for some insane reason. One of which has a lamp in it and the other right at the door entrance (which makes little sense). So I can't even put the fan that close to me. I can't understand a hotel not having power plugs by the bed... I mean, if the building was 200 years old, then sure... I would get that. But its not. Maybe the newly Renovated Newport fixes some of these idiotic design "choices" but either way... it is ridiculous.

No rush to go back to DLP any time soon. Maybe if Disney continues its buyout of the shares and there isn't interference from the other investors who don't want to pay for improvements, then I'll consider it. But as of now, this is by far the worst of the Disney resorts I've been too (Anaheim and Orlando are the others).

Oh 25th anniversary too... Feels like the way Orlando celebrated the last major anniversaries of DAK, DHS, and Epcot

 

[woodyjessie]

I thought the security was a bit intense having been the last 8 years every year the seem to Up the security, however this year waiting in line at entrance scanner the the couple in front of me got caught with a large knife 4-5 inch blade! And argued quite aggressively with secutity when they confiscated it and let them in the park this held up the queue for ages, personally would have just turned them away, as there is enough ignorant people in there anyway

 

[meggiebeth]

I agree that DLP pales in comparison to the American parks, and, faced with a choice, I would choose WDW 100%. That said, there are things I love about Disneyland Paris. It is a great way to get your Disney fix if you can't get to the US. The first time I visited DLP years ago with my family, we kept comparing it to WDW, but we've learnt that it is not and will never be WDW. It's a nearby resort, the annual passes are (or rather were) affordable, and whilst I would never spend Christmas at WDW we have celebrated Christmas in DLP the last two years with minimal queues. I agree that the food is generally much better in WDW too, although I find the DLP plus plan buffets to have much fresher, less processed food than their American counterparts. It comes down to it being a completely different culture. We've had appalling customer service in Paris but we've also managed to have a really fun time. I maintain that it's good for a Disney fix (price dependent) but I agree that WDW is generally just completely incomparable.

Oh, and I don't mind the security. They're just trying to make the parks safer for everyone

 

[Westcoastwild]

As mentioned above, France (and their neighbors) have had terrorist attacks recently. Plus the security I saw at DLP was either the same or lesser than what I saw at the major museums. It doesn't take long to get through, and metal detectors are at US parks as well (Universal).

I loved the nautilus. I think the submarine ride at DL is pretty lame, honestly. What was 20,000 leagues like?

I'll agree about French CMs and the French attendees, though, to a certain extent. Lots of line cutting and smoking, and the parks seem short staffed. The central heat is weird, and not something I'd expect in a hotel that modern, but the plugin problem is pretty common.

The other stuff...I don't know. I found that the French are polite if you're polite to them- say hello and goodbye, and make some kind of attempt to speak French. that's pretty much like everywhere else in Europe, though. the places I got bad customer service were major tourist traps or the transit stations. But it's not like you get good customer service in the tourist traps of transit station in NYC or Chicago, either I loved the lack of tip culture, and didn't find that it made service worse. I actually really liked how servers gave you time to finish each course. Some places in the US are far too enthusiastic about flipping tables!