RoosMomKanga
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2008
- Messages
- 129
Monday, May 19- Disneyland Paris, One Day, 2 Parks; this day came after a week in Paris and was done as a daytrip.
Cast-
Me- 49, Planner of trips, and have been a Disney lover since 1971 my first trip to WDW.
My Family-
DH- 49, He still thinks all the hours planning are unnecessary (you and I know that’s just
because it all looks seamless when you’ve got someone leading you with the plans!)
DD- 20, Just spent a college semester abroad in France, still loves Eeyore
DS- 18, Actually turned 18 while we were there and Disney was one of his gifts (his other
favorite gift was a pastry class at the Ritz Escoffier cooking school in Paris).
DS- 12, Nickname Roo (although we can no longer call him that in front of friends)
My Brother- 44, Bachelor, he’s the fun Uncle and we were happy to include him.
Overall Impressions:
- It was a wonderful day and we were surprised we were able to do so many things in 8.5 hours.
- The DL Park is beautiful (the detail everywhere is wonderful) and the Castle is spectacular.
- I know we didn’t eat at the better places (no time) but we’re not picky eaters and the food we had was really bad and the service was slow (and we ate out all our meals in Paris so we were used to a slower pace by now).
- Our biggest surprise was how small the parks were, which was nice for us as we only had one day and two parks to zig-zag across. Two parks in a day was very manageable if you’re skipping all the characters/smaller kid stuff.
- The crowds were extremely light; most waits were walking the queues and one or two loads wait- 5 min.
- Weather was perfect- low-mid 60’s with clear skies.
- Smoking was rampant everywhere and Cast Members didn’t seem to care; thought we were going to get burned a few times.
- Didn’t run into any rudeness, no line ditchers (but we were a larger group and used the strategy suggested here to make a wall at times across the queues)
Transportation: Bought Moblis tickets for all on the previous Monday (not dated so you can buy them ahead) at the Invalides RER station (the Invalides Metro station didn’t have anything other than regular Metro passes- she sent us to the France tourist office across the street to buy them, but they were closed, so I then went to the RER station right there; not sure why the Metro attendant wouldn’t know the RER had them, oh well). Took the Metro and then train from the Auber Station. It was easy to get on the right train as everyone here helped. Just looked at the light up board and made sure Marne-la-Vallee was lit up (as the line splits two directions after awhile and you need to be on the right one) and it was the last stop. Just turned right out of the station and the Disneyland hotel/entrance was right there.
Printed Tickets/Entry: I bought and printed tickets (one day, 2 parks) online prior to departure, which is a new offering for DLPR. The printed ones are on regular 8 ½” x 11” paper so they were a little bulky to carry as I was afraid to fold them up. We arrived at about 9:20am (park opened at 10am that day) and they were just opening the gates (about 9:30) to the security check for everyone. After that, headed toward the ticket turnstiles. I asked where the printed ticket line was and was directed to the far Left turnstiles. These 2 turnstiles were marked something like “Tickets printed at Home”. Everyone else in these lines though had regular tickets. In fact we saw absolutely no one else with print at home tickets in the lines. When we got to the turnstiles, they asked to see our passports along with the tickets. Good thing we always carry them since there was no mention of needing these with any of the information we got from Disney (my brother almost left his at the apartment for the day, but decided at the last second to bring it). They have a special scanner at these turnstiles that reads the barcodes on the tickets. They hand you each a FastPass to use and they also stamp your hand there (more on that later). I asked what we would need to get in the other park and the attendant told me we’d need our tickets again; so I carefully rolled them up again and put them in my big Ziploc, so they couldn’t get wet and lose the barcodes (wish they could exchange these there for a smaller ticket to go from Park to Park, like the FastPass they give you).
Park Opening: I thought I was being clever (read this tip somewhere) by leading us through the left Arcade and to the covered walkway for rope drop so we’d beat the crowd at Fort Comstock for our first ride at BTMRR. Well it was 15 min. prior to opening and no one was there at the rope except us and the attendant. I also expected the rope to be further down the covered walkway from the description I got, but it was just a little way from the arcade doors. Looking back, I would have taken the 15 min. to walk down Main Street and enjoy it more, but we thought there would be lots of people lining up early, as it was we just took turns using the WC and getting coffee. About 5 min. before park opening several other families joined us at the rope. I was glad I was warned about everyone running at rope drop or we would have been plowed over. It was definitely an eye opener! No Cast Members leading the way like we have at WDW (our rope dropper was encouraging the run and teasing everyone even), just a free-for-all sprint. We laughed at the site the entire way (while we were running of course)! The people at the Fort Comstock rope beat us around the corner, so I’m not sure ours was the best place to line up. We took the left queue (another tip) and although we were the only ones to take it, the attendant filled the first train with people in the right queue then us on the second train (so if your in the first trainload there, take the right queue).
Attractions We Rode/Did: I can’t ride a lot of the big rides (bad back) so I picked up FP’s for everyone and went to some things the rest of my group didn’t want to go on anyway. So I’ll show you what “Me” did, what the “Group” did (everyone but me), and what we “All did”. Keep in mind we have older kids/Adults so this was mainly a “big thrills” trip:
DL- Started at Park Opening- 10am
All- BTMRR (second train out)
Group- I. Jones (5 min.wait), they rode this two times since the wait was short
Me- While they were at IJ this is what I did: I went to Discoveryland for FP’s. There was only a 10 min. wait at that point for SM:M2, so instead I got FP’s for Buzz (it was a 25 min. wait already, return time 10:50-11:20). Then I headed for Fantasyland and took some movies and got in line for the Storybook Boatride (it was about a 15 min. wait). My Group called as I was in line and I told them to go ride SMM2 then meet me at Buzz. I has a nice French family with two little girls in the seat behind me and they asked if the girls could ride in front with me (must have thought it was strange for a grown woman to be riding alone, but I really wanted to see some of the rides we don’t have in Florida). So off we went and I thouroughly enjoyed my new friends and their squeals of delight at each character they saw.
Group- SM:M2 (10 min. wait)
Me- While the Group was riding SM:M2, I went back to Discoveryland and got FP’s for SM:M2 (as I could now get a second set- time had started for Buzz return, return time for SM:M2 was 11:20-11:50).
All- Buzz (with FP’s, it was about 11:10am)
LUNCH- at Café Hyperion (It was 11:30 am now, slow service even though there were only 2 groups in line before us). Food was really bad, and we’re not picky eaters. Saw two ladies with empty burger boxes (not sure where they got them) making their own salads at the burger fixings bar and slathering them with the mayo…interesting!
Group- SM:M2 second time (with FP’s- now about 12:15)
Me- While Group was riding SM:M2, I went and got FP’s for Star Tours. Then I toured the Nautilus. I met the Group when we were all done and gave them the FP’s for Star Tours and we agreed to meet up again at POTC.
Group- Star Tours
Me- I went to ride Pinocchio while they were at Star Tours. This would be my (but not the Group’s) longest wait of the day; about 15-20 min.
All- We all met up and rode POTC (very nicely done- we all agreed this was way better than the one at WDW).
Group- The kids decided they wanted to climb the Treehouse so the Adults waited while they did this.
All- Went to visit the Castle and the Dragon.
All- We all then went to Phantom Manor and rode (it was about a 15 min. wait, we all loved this ride- also much nicer than the WDW one).
All- Got an ice cream on Main Street and watched the Character Express Train go by (it was now about 3pm.
STUDIOS:
Entry: The CM said we could enter with just our handstamps, but after trying the bluelight on 3 of us (wouldn’t work, maybe we’re just good handwashers?), she asked for our tickets (this time we didn’t have to show Passports though) and that let us in (glad I kept them neatly rolled).
All- We headed straight to ToT expecting big lines and thinking we’d have to FP, but there was only a 5 min. wait so we rode.
Group- We then all went to Crush’s Coaster hoping for no line, since we’d hardly had any all day. No such luck- 45 min. wait, but I suggested they go anyway as all of you had been warning me about the huge waits for this. It turned out to be more like a 35 min. wait and they loved the ride.
Me- While they were riding Crush, I went to get FP’s at RnRC, but there was only a 5 min. wait so the machines were covered. I decided to go to the Lights, Motors, Action Show as it was on in 30 min.
All- The rest of the Group made it out of Crush in time to join me for the Lights, Motors, Action show- and the boys all loved it.
Group- I knew from tips that the Action show letting out that many would go to RnRC since it was near the exit. Tip for you- they exit the audience nearest the entrance/exit first. I sat at the far left facing the stage and we had to wait quite a while before we could exit. But when we exited, RnRC still stated a 5 min. wait…the sign hadn’t caught up to the crowds coming in…it was about a 20 min. wait.
Me- While they were riding RnRC, I went to the queue for Cinemagique, which was due to start in 5 min. After 20 min. they finally announced that they were having technical difficulties and couldn’t start the show, so I left (not a total loss as I was able to watch the High School Musical show from the queue).
Group- Armegeddon
Me- While they were at Armegeddon, I got FP’s for ToT (return time 17:45-18:00) and went to the Tram Tour.
All- We all went to Cinemagique (fun show).
Group- Rode ToT a second time with FP’s.
DINNER- It was now 6:30pm and we decided to beat the crowds to dinner at the Village (Parks closed at 7pm). We went to Planet Hollywood and were seated right away. Used the 20% off coupon by showing the 2008 Brit’s Guidebook. Our waitress took the book when we asked for the bill, and brought it back with our bill- no marking on the coupon, so I agree that you could use this multiple times. Unfortunately, no one loved their meal, and some really disliked them (my “L.A. Lasagna” was dry and hard as a rock).
World of Disney Store- OK, the crowds we didn’t see in the parks were all in this store. It was miserably crowded so you could hardly move. I can’t imagine what it’s like on a busy day! The store isn’t that large and the aisles are very tight. I didn’t even buy the things I was looking for as it took forever to just to get the few things the kids wanted. This was the biggest disappointment of the day. We were on the train home before 9pm (21:00).
Packing-
Glad we took: Everyone carried a small sling/backpack with their own water bottle and some snacks. Also used “Brit’s Guidebook” (for the coupon), Tickets to the parks & train, 1 page touring plan, camcorder and cameras, sunglasses, hats and light jackets for some of us.
We carried but didn’t use: Rain ponchos, medicines, band-aids/blister care items (and we were glad we didn’t need any of them).
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL for a great day in the parks. We had a blast!
If you need any info. on Paris, just let me know as we had an apartment there for 10 days. I posted my daily reports for Paris on the Rick Steves Traveler's Helpline under "To the West".
Cast-
Me- 49, Planner of trips, and have been a Disney lover since 1971 my first trip to WDW.
My Family-
DH- 49, He still thinks all the hours planning are unnecessary (you and I know that’s just
because it all looks seamless when you’ve got someone leading you with the plans!)
DD- 20, Just spent a college semester abroad in France, still loves Eeyore
DS- 18, Actually turned 18 while we were there and Disney was one of his gifts (his other
favorite gift was a pastry class at the Ritz Escoffier cooking school in Paris).
DS- 12, Nickname Roo (although we can no longer call him that in front of friends)
My Brother- 44, Bachelor, he’s the fun Uncle and we were happy to include him.
Overall Impressions:
- It was a wonderful day and we were surprised we were able to do so many things in 8.5 hours.
- The DL Park is beautiful (the detail everywhere is wonderful) and the Castle is spectacular.
- I know we didn’t eat at the better places (no time) but we’re not picky eaters and the food we had was really bad and the service was slow (and we ate out all our meals in Paris so we were used to a slower pace by now).
- Our biggest surprise was how small the parks were, which was nice for us as we only had one day and two parks to zig-zag across. Two parks in a day was very manageable if you’re skipping all the characters/smaller kid stuff.
- The crowds were extremely light; most waits were walking the queues and one or two loads wait- 5 min.
- Weather was perfect- low-mid 60’s with clear skies.
- Smoking was rampant everywhere and Cast Members didn’t seem to care; thought we were going to get burned a few times.
- Didn’t run into any rudeness, no line ditchers (but we were a larger group and used the strategy suggested here to make a wall at times across the queues)
Transportation: Bought Moblis tickets for all on the previous Monday (not dated so you can buy them ahead) at the Invalides RER station (the Invalides Metro station didn’t have anything other than regular Metro passes- she sent us to the France tourist office across the street to buy them, but they were closed, so I then went to the RER station right there; not sure why the Metro attendant wouldn’t know the RER had them, oh well). Took the Metro and then train from the Auber Station. It was easy to get on the right train as everyone here helped. Just looked at the light up board and made sure Marne-la-Vallee was lit up (as the line splits two directions after awhile and you need to be on the right one) and it was the last stop. Just turned right out of the station and the Disneyland hotel/entrance was right there.
Printed Tickets/Entry: I bought and printed tickets (one day, 2 parks) online prior to departure, which is a new offering for DLPR. The printed ones are on regular 8 ½” x 11” paper so they were a little bulky to carry as I was afraid to fold them up. We arrived at about 9:20am (park opened at 10am that day) and they were just opening the gates (about 9:30) to the security check for everyone. After that, headed toward the ticket turnstiles. I asked where the printed ticket line was and was directed to the far Left turnstiles. These 2 turnstiles were marked something like “Tickets printed at Home”. Everyone else in these lines though had regular tickets. In fact we saw absolutely no one else with print at home tickets in the lines. When we got to the turnstiles, they asked to see our passports along with the tickets. Good thing we always carry them since there was no mention of needing these with any of the information we got from Disney (my brother almost left his at the apartment for the day, but decided at the last second to bring it). They have a special scanner at these turnstiles that reads the barcodes on the tickets. They hand you each a FastPass to use and they also stamp your hand there (more on that later). I asked what we would need to get in the other park and the attendant told me we’d need our tickets again; so I carefully rolled them up again and put them in my big Ziploc, so they couldn’t get wet and lose the barcodes (wish they could exchange these there for a smaller ticket to go from Park to Park, like the FastPass they give you).
Park Opening: I thought I was being clever (read this tip somewhere) by leading us through the left Arcade and to the covered walkway for rope drop so we’d beat the crowd at Fort Comstock for our first ride at BTMRR. Well it was 15 min. prior to opening and no one was there at the rope except us and the attendant. I also expected the rope to be further down the covered walkway from the description I got, but it was just a little way from the arcade doors. Looking back, I would have taken the 15 min. to walk down Main Street and enjoy it more, but we thought there would be lots of people lining up early, as it was we just took turns using the WC and getting coffee. About 5 min. before park opening several other families joined us at the rope. I was glad I was warned about everyone running at rope drop or we would have been plowed over. It was definitely an eye opener! No Cast Members leading the way like we have at WDW (our rope dropper was encouraging the run and teasing everyone even), just a free-for-all sprint. We laughed at the site the entire way (while we were running of course)! The people at the Fort Comstock rope beat us around the corner, so I’m not sure ours was the best place to line up. We took the left queue (another tip) and although we were the only ones to take it, the attendant filled the first train with people in the right queue then us on the second train (so if your in the first trainload there, take the right queue).
Attractions We Rode/Did: I can’t ride a lot of the big rides (bad back) so I picked up FP’s for everyone and went to some things the rest of my group didn’t want to go on anyway. So I’ll show you what “Me” did, what the “Group” did (everyone but me), and what we “All did”. Keep in mind we have older kids/Adults so this was mainly a “big thrills” trip:
DL- Started at Park Opening- 10am
All- BTMRR (second train out)
Group- I. Jones (5 min.wait), they rode this two times since the wait was short
Me- While they were at IJ this is what I did: I went to Discoveryland for FP’s. There was only a 10 min. wait at that point for SM:M2, so instead I got FP’s for Buzz (it was a 25 min. wait already, return time 10:50-11:20). Then I headed for Fantasyland and took some movies and got in line for the Storybook Boatride (it was about a 15 min. wait). My Group called as I was in line and I told them to go ride SMM2 then meet me at Buzz. I has a nice French family with two little girls in the seat behind me and they asked if the girls could ride in front with me (must have thought it was strange for a grown woman to be riding alone, but I really wanted to see some of the rides we don’t have in Florida). So off we went and I thouroughly enjoyed my new friends and their squeals of delight at each character they saw.
Group- SM:M2 (10 min. wait)
Me- While the Group was riding SM:M2, I went back to Discoveryland and got FP’s for SM:M2 (as I could now get a second set- time had started for Buzz return, return time for SM:M2 was 11:20-11:50).
All- Buzz (with FP’s, it was about 11:10am)
LUNCH- at Café Hyperion (It was 11:30 am now, slow service even though there were only 2 groups in line before us). Food was really bad, and we’re not picky eaters. Saw two ladies with empty burger boxes (not sure where they got them) making their own salads at the burger fixings bar and slathering them with the mayo…interesting!
Group- SM:M2 second time (with FP’s- now about 12:15)
Me- While Group was riding SM:M2, I went and got FP’s for Star Tours. Then I toured the Nautilus. I met the Group when we were all done and gave them the FP’s for Star Tours and we agreed to meet up again at POTC.
Group- Star Tours
Me- I went to ride Pinocchio while they were at Star Tours. This would be my (but not the Group’s) longest wait of the day; about 15-20 min.
All- We all met up and rode POTC (very nicely done- we all agreed this was way better than the one at WDW).
Group- The kids decided they wanted to climb the Treehouse so the Adults waited while they did this.
All- Went to visit the Castle and the Dragon.
All- We all then went to Phantom Manor and rode (it was about a 15 min. wait, we all loved this ride- also much nicer than the WDW one).
All- Got an ice cream on Main Street and watched the Character Express Train go by (it was now about 3pm.
STUDIOS:
Entry: The CM said we could enter with just our handstamps, but after trying the bluelight on 3 of us (wouldn’t work, maybe we’re just good handwashers?), she asked for our tickets (this time we didn’t have to show Passports though) and that let us in (glad I kept them neatly rolled).
All- We headed straight to ToT expecting big lines and thinking we’d have to FP, but there was only a 5 min. wait so we rode.
Group- We then all went to Crush’s Coaster hoping for no line, since we’d hardly had any all day. No such luck- 45 min. wait, but I suggested they go anyway as all of you had been warning me about the huge waits for this. It turned out to be more like a 35 min. wait and they loved the ride.
Me- While they were riding Crush, I went to get FP’s at RnRC, but there was only a 5 min. wait so the machines were covered. I decided to go to the Lights, Motors, Action Show as it was on in 30 min.
All- The rest of the Group made it out of Crush in time to join me for the Lights, Motors, Action show- and the boys all loved it.
Group- I knew from tips that the Action show letting out that many would go to RnRC since it was near the exit. Tip for you- they exit the audience nearest the entrance/exit first. I sat at the far left facing the stage and we had to wait quite a while before we could exit. But when we exited, RnRC still stated a 5 min. wait…the sign hadn’t caught up to the crowds coming in…it was about a 20 min. wait.
Me- While they were riding RnRC, I went to the queue for Cinemagique, which was due to start in 5 min. After 20 min. they finally announced that they were having technical difficulties and couldn’t start the show, so I left (not a total loss as I was able to watch the High School Musical show from the queue).
Group- Armegeddon
Me- While they were at Armegeddon, I got FP’s for ToT (return time 17:45-18:00) and went to the Tram Tour.
All- We all went to Cinemagique (fun show).
Group- Rode ToT a second time with FP’s.
DINNER- It was now 6:30pm and we decided to beat the crowds to dinner at the Village (Parks closed at 7pm). We went to Planet Hollywood and were seated right away. Used the 20% off coupon by showing the 2008 Brit’s Guidebook. Our waitress took the book when we asked for the bill, and brought it back with our bill- no marking on the coupon, so I agree that you could use this multiple times. Unfortunately, no one loved their meal, and some really disliked them (my “L.A. Lasagna” was dry and hard as a rock).
World of Disney Store- OK, the crowds we didn’t see in the parks were all in this store. It was miserably crowded so you could hardly move. I can’t imagine what it’s like on a busy day! The store isn’t that large and the aisles are very tight. I didn’t even buy the things I was looking for as it took forever to just to get the few things the kids wanted. This was the biggest disappointment of the day. We were on the train home before 9pm (21:00).
Packing-
Glad we took: Everyone carried a small sling/backpack with their own water bottle and some snacks. Also used “Brit’s Guidebook” (for the coupon), Tickets to the parks & train, 1 page touring plan, camcorder and cameras, sunglasses, hats and light jackets for some of us.
We carried but didn’t use: Rain ponchos, medicines, band-aids/blister care items (and we were glad we didn’t need any of them).
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL for a great day in the parks. We had a blast!
If you need any info. on Paris, just let me know as we had an apartment there for 10 days. I posted my daily reports for Paris on the Rick Steves Traveler's Helpline under "To the West".
