Thanks for Your Help (and a Newbie's Thoughts on DLP)

[RyMickey]

First off, I wanted to say thanks to all for your help in planning our one-day Disneyland Paris adventure. While we stayed at the Hotel New York for six nights, we only went to DLP for one day, RERing into Paris the other days (we're DVC members and it was simply a cheaper alternative for our first visit to Paris and the 40-minute train ride was easy).

Anyway, we did both parks in one day, starting at 8am and going until close at 10pm (well, 22:00, I guess). Here are a couple thoughts on the park which I realize may not make everyone here happy, but they're my honest opinions.

On another note...and I don't know if this is a new thing or not, we arrived at the Disney Studios at 9:35 and found the gates open and Crush's Coaster running. The boards initially told me that the gates would open at 9:30 and the ride wouldn't open until 10. That doesn't seem to be the case...perhaps I missed the memo that the park was opening earlier, but guidemaps still listed a park opening of 10am. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

The Highs
- DLP is absolutely beautiful. From the opening moments when you approach the Disneyland Hotel, we knew that the landscaping was going to keep us in awe all day and it certainly did. The Skull Island area was beautiful. Certainly better looking than Orlando's parks that we're so used to.
- Disney Dreams -- While I like Wishes better over here in the states, Dreams is where I'd like to see Orlando's next fireworks spectacle go towards. That said, I'd like a better mix of fireworks and castle projection and Dreams relies a bit too much on the projections and certainly skimps on the fireworks. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a big deal, but in order to achieve "perfection," a better blend would be ideal.
- It's a Small World -- Oddly enough (and completely unexpected), IASW was actually enjoyable. The boats seemed to move a little quicker and it seemed more updated than ours here. Loved the animatronics.
- Pirates -- Nice theming outside and the ride was great. Much, much better than Orlando's.
- Big Thunder Mountain -- I go back and forth as to which I like better -- I think ours here is better themed a bit and an all around better ride when on the "mountain" itself, but the opening and closing moments of DLP's were fantastic.
- Character Interaction -- I enjoyed seeing the characters simply out and about rather than in "character spots." One of our biggest surprises was during Extra Magic Hours and seeing Mickey in his classic outfit walk right out in Fantasyland next to Dumbo. Great fun!
- Crush's Coaster // Cinemagique -- Two very nice attractions in the Studios. While the Studios were shockingly tiny, everything we saw there (Crush, Tower of Tower, Rock n Roller, and Cine and Animagique) was good. Certainly not a whole day park, though.

The Lows
- Queues were extremely hot. In fact, that was something we noticed all over -- inside and outside. Granted, it was probably low-to-mid-60s the day we visited, but unlike the US which has fans in queues, that was non-existent here.
- Space Mountain -- Seriously, one of the worst roller coasters I've ever been on. The first time we rode it during EMH, I didn't really like it, but chalked it up to maybe just being early morning lethargy. The second time we rode it at night, its major flaw of being incredibly rough shone through. It's just painful. And it may explain why at 8:30pm, it was a literal walk-on, something that would be absolutely unheard of in the US.
- Food -- For an American, it was just ridiculously expensive in both the Village and in the parks. Because of that, we left the park and ate at the incredibly reasonably priced and shockingly empty Earl of Sandwich. (We also ate there our first night after walking through the village and cringing at the 9Euro milkshakes at Annettes...which equaled about $13.50 for us Americans). Sorry, but I wouldn't be paying $9 for a milkshake either. And I think WDW is expensive over here...not even close, IMO.
- Didn't love Haunted Mansion as much as I thought I would. It was good, but not quite as good as I had heard. A case of high expectations disappointing a bit.
- Smoking -- Ugh...this isn't just DLP specific (and applies to all of France), but I couldn't stand the smoking everywhere. Coming from a place where smoking is allowed in designated areas only, seeing people walk around with cigarettes was a HUGE drawback to the park. When the woman lit up standing right next to me while waiting for Dreams, this American found it completely inconsiderate and rude. Then again, I think that's just our sensibility and it would be commonplace over there.
- The Village -- Disappointing overall when compared to WDW's. The new store will be a good addition. However, it disgusted me when I walked out of the Studios and and saw a guy selling pictures of Bob Marley lighting up a joint. I can only assume that the strip of property between the parks and the village is not Disney-owned, hence the street performer that went around to people asking guests to slap him on the rear end.
- Walk-Throughs -- what is it with walk-throughs? The labyrinth was fine, but to call the Sleeping Beauty story and the dragon (which was admittedly cool) "attractions" is a stretch. We essentially saw everything in the park (excluding Dumbo, Casey Jr, Captain EO, and Snow White...all of which we could have done if we wanted) in one day. Throw some more rides into the mix.

Despite the critiques, I'd still certainly recommend this park to every Disney fan. It was absolutely beautiful, although a bit of a let-down in terms of attractions. The cast members were pleasant, although not as "happy" perhaps as WDW's. I don't mean that as an insult...it just seemed like there were less attempts to say "Bonjour" when compared to WDW. That could perhaps just be me being a bit more hyper-sensitive since I read in guidebooks that the cast wasn't as "pleasant" as WDW's. Still, it was an enjoyable day, the Hotel New York was nice for our stay, and we we had a great time overall in France.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Thanks for coming back and giving your run down and it's nice to see you've so many good points

Crush can open before 10.00 am - They start once all the tests are complete - but it's not normal practise - I've been on it at 9.45 before now.

Glad you liked it

Totally agree about SM2, it is so not smooth and it's such a shame as SM was way way better. Hopefully the new harnesses will change this

Food is so so expensive to everyone I think that's why you see some many people with their picnics.

The open spaces between the park, the station and the Village don't belong to Disney no, and I doubt that they ever will. That is to me the major flaw in building the park directely at the foot of a public transport station as you can't control what you'll get there.

At least I'm no longer seeing the petition girls and the street sellers are harmless even if what they are selling is a bit naff

Oh and the fireworks are because they aren't allowed to have real loud fireworks more than a certain number of days in the year as local residents complain(ed)

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Awesome reading thank you As we've only ever been to WDW and this will be our first trip to DLP it's good to know how it compares to WDW. I must admit I'm slightly appalled at the fact people can smoke everywhere in the park! Does that mean whilst queuing for a ride the person in front of you can light up a cigarette?

Have to say we found food in the States VERY cheap and have heard it's very expensive at DLP.

We've only got 1 full day in Disneyland Park and practically a full day in the Studios and I was worrying if that wouldn't be enough but it sounds like from your trip report this will be ample

How would you compare Tower of Terror in DLP to the one in the States? Also, would you say Phantom Manor WAS better than the one in the States just not as hyped up as it seems?

Wow -- I didn't know the characters are just wandering around the park!! That must be awesome to see -- can you stop them for a photo?

Unbelievable about the Bob Marley poster!!!!!

 

[DLPdaft]

thanks for that detailed view of your DLP in a day RyMickey .

 

[DLPdaft]

Awesome reading thank you As we've only ever been to WDW and this will be our first trip to DLP it's good to know how it compares to WDW. I must admit I'm slightly appalled at the fact people can smoke everywhere in the park! Does that mean whilst queuing for a ride the person in front of you can light up a cigarette?

its not unheard of


Have to say we found food in the States VERY cheap and have heard it's very expensive at DLP.

We've only got 1 full day in Disneyland Park and practically a full day in the Studios and I was worrying if that wouldn't be enough but it sounds like from your trip report this will be ample

How would you compare Tower of Terror in DLP to the one in the States? Also, would you say Phantom Manor WAS better than the one in the States just not as hyped up as it seems?

Wow -- I didn't know the characters are just wandering around the park!! That must be awesome to see -- can you stop them for a photo?

yes you can often see characters wandering to random spots in both parks, where you can get a photo/autograph with them. Strangely, loads of people don't seem to like this aspect of DLP as it can end up being a scrum of people (although there are queued meet n greets too).


Unbelievable about the Bob Marley poster!!!!!

Most of the pavement sellers between the Village and the train station entrances attempt to sell extremely cheesy stuff, but the characaturists/human statues are sometimes not bad.

 

[RyMickey]

Oh and the fireworks are because they aren't allowed to have real loud fireworks more than a certain number of days in the year as local residents complain(ed)

It might have been here on the boards that I read that there is always a "lack of fireworks" due to the locals. While it didn't necessarily diminish Dreams, I'd love to see a show that incorporated fantastic fireworks with the wonderful castle display...WDW should be able to do this whenever they create their next show. Or a revamp of Wishes with projections would be great.

I must admit I'm slightly appalled at the fact people can smoke everywhere in the park! Does that mean whilst queuing for a ride the person in front of you can light up a cigarette?

We never experienced smoking in queues, however, like I said, while we were waiting for Dreams, the person next to me lit right up.

]Have to say we found food in the States VERY cheap and have heard it's very expensive at DLP.

It was simply too expensive for us. We couldn't muster spending the money. I don't know how the pound/Euro exchange rate is, but it just wasn't worth it for us. And, I forgot to add, we couldn't find butter-flavored popcorn...is it available in the parks? When we got the flavored popcorn (which wasn't labeled as "sugar" popcorn, it was a shock...and a disappointment to us WDW popcorn lovers!

We've only got 1 full day in Disneyland Park and practically a full day in the Studios and I was worrying if that wouldn't be enough but it sounds like from your trip report this will be ample

You should have plenty of time. I'd just suggest getting there early.

How would you compare Tower of Terror in DLP to the one in the States? Also, would you say Phantom Manor WAS better than the one in the States just not as hyped up as it seems?

ToT is similar...much, much slower loading because the elevator doesn't move forward in the shaft. WDW's is better, but it's really very similar.

And I like Haunted Mansion better. Phantom Manor was good, but I'll take our HM over theirs.

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

I think catching a character for a photo whilst they are wandering is an excellent idea! It's Disney, it's their home so it would make it even more magical to see them walking about and you can just go up and ask for a photo! Trouble is it must take them AGES to get from point A to point B

 

[DLPdaft]

I think catching a character for a photo whilst they are wandering is an excellent idea! It's Disney, it's their home so it would make it even more magical to see them walking about and you can just go up and ask for a photo!
Trouble is it must take them AGES to get from point A to point B

in practice the character has a particular spot in mind to walk to and then just sort of hang around waiting for guests to interact with, so when they have just come out and are walking to "their" spot they get a few fans walking along with them .

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

in practice the character has a particular spot in mind to walk to and then just sort of hang around waiting for guests to interact with, so when they have just come out and are walking to "their" spot they get a few fans walking along with them .

love it!! can't WAIT to be one of the 'fans' meandering along with Mickey or Goofy or Pluto or STITCH!! So cool!!!!!

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

We never experienced smoking in queues, however, like I said, while we were waiting for Dreams, the person next to me lit right up.

You should have plenty of time. I'd just suggest getting there early.

ToT is similar...much, much slower loading because the elevator doesn't move forward in the shaft. WDW's is better, but it's really very similar.

And I like Haunted Mansion better. Phantom Manor was good, but I'll take our HM over theirs.

Sadly we don't have EMH BUT we'll be there on each day for 10am rope drop

So there's no little story ride so to speak on ToT as in WDW? Took me AGES to pluck up the courage to go on ToT in WDW -- infact I didn't have the guts to go on it until our second visit and then it was our penultimate day when I actually plucked up the courage to do it! And I LOVED it!!!! So much I walked off and straight back on again

Am looking forward to riding Phantom Manor but I do enjoy Haunted Mansion (especially when the ride stopped half way through to unload a wheelchair and we got a really good look around at all the detail that had gone into it).

 

[torsie24]

Really enjoyed your thoughts. Thank you.

We've had 2 (very long) WDW stays since our last DLRP trip so we've been used to comparing the other way.

But I think everything you've said completely matches our thoughts. I think the DLRP HM isn't as good due to the lack of narration. Which of course would be hard for them to do. Also the queue and ending of WDW HM is much better. Bit on the flip side DLRPs looks way more creepy. And it's wonderful how it fits with Frontierland.

We agree that WDW ToT is better. Due to the lofts moving forward through the twilight zone as well as the random drop sequences. Hopefully they'll add the randomisation to DLRP at some point.

Glad you enjoyed your stay. We're at HNY in 11 days. How did you find it compared to WDW resorts? I'm not expecting the same standards. X

 

[jothp]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think we all agree that the food is very expensive, we haven't tried EOS yet but I think we might soon.

The smoking is not nice too, luckily we have never had a direct problem ourselves but it seems a lot of people do.

 

[DLPDreams]

Great thoughts - thanks!

Haven't been to WDW yet but hopefully will be in 3 years time when my youngest DD is old enough to fly that far/appreciate the place .

One thing I can comment on is the smoking, which I too loathe. Having said all that, we spent 2 days at Legoland in Windsor last summer and the smoking in the park was just as bad there! In fact, worse than I have experienced in DLRP .

This was discussed a while back on here and I made the point that staff (at legoland) or CMs at DLRP, don't necessarily say anything to a smoker because I think they worry about a backlash from/provocation of the person sadly!

 

[Bexx]

Glad you enjoyed DLP on the whole.

I do agree that DLP is fond of the walkthrough! But I personally love the Sleeping Beauty one in the Castle, and think the Dragon is superb. The Nautilus one is very well done too. Though the Aladdin one could disappear tomorrow and I wouldn't be too upset!!

 

[RyMickey]

But I think everything you've said completely matches our thoughts. I think the DLRP HM isn't as good due to the lack of narration. Which of course would be hard for them to do. Also the queue and ending of WDW HM is much better. Bit on the flip side DLRPs looks way more creepy. And it's wonderful how it fits with Frontierland.

I didn't even think about the lack of narration...that's a huge "negative" factor. There was a lot of "empty space" in terms of the sound. [I should also add that the ghost mirrors at the end weren't working so we stared at mirrors of ourselves at the end.]

We're at HNY in 11 days. How did you find it compared to WDW resorts? I'm not expecting the same standards. X

HNY was nice...pleasant. The Swan and Dolphin aren't our favorites and HNY looks just like them (as they should since they were designed by the same guy). The rooms were fine (same quality really as WDW). We found it a little odd that the maid moved things around (toothbrushes, eyeglasses, contact cases), but that also happened at a small hotel/bed and breakfast we stayed in at Bayeux, so maybe it's just a European thing.

I will say, however, that of HNY, Newport Bay Club, and Sequoia Lodge -- the three other than the Disneyland Hotel within walking distance of the park -- HNY was my least favorite. I actually thought the Sequoia Lodge was rather beautiful. It doesn't have the same epic scale of the Wilderness Lodge's tall lobby, but it looked lovely.

I think we all agree that the food is very expensive, we haven't tried EOS yet but I think we might soon.

Don't get me wrong. EOS isn't anything spectacular, but it's a cheap alternative to everything else DLP has to offer. We refused to eat at McDonald's (which always had HUGE lines anyway when I went to use their free wifi ), so EOS was our only option. It's a good sandwich...but it is just a sandwich.

I do agree that DLP is fond of the walkthrough! But I personally love the Sleeping Beauty one in the Castle, and think the Dragon is superb. The Nautilus one is very well done too. Though the Aladdin one could disappear tomorrow and I wouldn't be too upset!!

I totally forgot about the Aladdin walk-through...but I guess we didn't miss anything. We spent a ton of time in the Adventureland area, too. I don't know how I missed that or that Oasis restaurant...oh, well.

 

[RyMickey]

So there's no little story ride so to speak on ToT as in WDW? Took me AGES to pluck up the courage to go on ToT in WDW -- infact I didn't have the guts to go on it until our second visit and then it was our penultimate day when I actually plucked up the courage to do it! And I LOVED it!!!! So much I walked off and straight back on again

ToT has the same exact story. It's different only in the fact that in WDW's version, once you get to the top, the elevator moves forward and then you drop. Here (and at Disneyland's version), you don't move forward. You simply go up a floor, then you actually (if I remember correctly) go down a floor (just in a normal elevator operational mode...meaning "slowly"), and then actually drop. I'm sure others will be more familiar with the ride, but I think that's the way it works. There are a few up and down moments, but like others have mentioned there are no randomized drop sequences.

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I think everyone finds it expensive at DLP but it hurts visitors from the US hardest.

 

[TLHB70]

Thank you so much for your post, RyMickey! I am a WDW fan. I consider myself a pro at planning WDW trips; our family has been about twenty times in all. We have an upcoming trip to London and Paris for my DD's graduation gift. It is her dream to tour London and Paris so the trip is for her. She is giving me two days for DLRP because she knows what a huge Disney fan I am. I have been reading all I can about DLRP and trying to figure out how to plan our days there. I have been concerned that two days will not be long enough. I thought that we would feel rushed and have to miss some things. Your post made me feel much better. I am not sure if we will be able to make it to the Village. I was worried about missing it. After reading your post, I will not stress so much if we don't get to see it.
As a fellow WDW fan, I truly appreciate your honest feedback. It helps me more than you know as I plan my upcoming FIRST trip to DLRP.