What not to miss and help for a study abroad student please!

[Leigha]

My daughter is familiar with WDW but is now studying abroad and wants to spend a day next week at Disneyland Paris. She will read this thread (and the post stuck to the top of the thread) and appreciate any help you all can give her. Questions for her group are: where to find the best price on tickets? They're based in Belgium (but leave on Tuesday) and I saw a thread on that but it seems to have expired. Should she try both parks in one day or just stick to one? What are the main differences she should see that Paris has the WDW doesn't? Do they have a FP system? Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[Cruzinmaniac]

Hi! Your daughter will have a great time. As far as tickets I know you can buy them online in advance (up to the day before) for potential savings on the gate prices, depending on the day she's going. If it's a weekday she'll most likely save more. This offer is only on the French DLP website and you have to print the tickets out.

Whether she should do both parks really depends on her interests. The park hopper option is 15 euros extra.

There are various things that are different from WDW, like the Star Tours is the old version, the Space Mountain is very different, Big Thunder Mountain takes place on an island, Phantom Manor is a darker storyline, Tower of Terror is the DLR version, Pirates has a few extra effects, etc. I could go on about that. The entirely different attractions are as follows:
Snow White dark ride (not in WDW anymore...doesn't really count but whatevs)
Tanière du Dragon (animatronic dragon cave under the castle, pretty cool and no wait!)
Alice in Wonderland maze, though this can take a while so I wouldn't recommend it for her.
Indiana Jones coaster, though this is short and lame imo;
Crush's Coaster in the studios
Ratatouille in the studios
Animagique in the studios---stage show but I wouldn't recommend it for her
Cinémagique in the studios---this I might recommend
Toy Story Playland in studios---not very interesting unless she likes thrills, in which case she might like RC Racer.
The daily parade
The Halloween cavalcade will be going on while she's there
Disney Dreams! The nighttime spectacular every day at park closing; definitely don't miss this.
Plus some other little things like a cars version of teacups etc.

Yes there is a fast pass system. It's the "old" WDW system where you collect paper tickets for a certain return time.

Hope this helps! If you or your daughter have any questions feel free to ask!

Cruzinmaniac x

 

[Cruzinmaniac]

Also if you want specific info dlpguide.com is great.

 

[Leigha]

Thanks so much!! Awesome answers! Yes, I sent her the link to the guide but I'm guessing she won't be able to read it all! I was hoping the pros would be able to point out what is not to be missed!! It appears from the schedule she just sent me that she will be there this coming Saturday. I'm guessing she will spend the extra money for the parkhoppers since this will only happen once so what is absolutely not to be missed?? And are there any super cute restaurants that are not to be missed (probably just counter service since they won't want to take the time for a table service)??

 

[Cruzinmaniac]

I would recommend starting the day with Crush right at rope drop, as that draws insane lines, then running to Ratatouille for FPs. While waiting for FPs she can see Cinémagique or ride Tower of Terror or Rock 'n' Rollercoaster or whatever depending on what she wants. After Ratatouille she could have lunch in either the Studios or go over to the main park now and hit that. Or alternatively she could bring in food; this is allowed but no hard coolers or "picnicking".

When she gets into the main park I'd say Big Thunder Mountain FPs first; then phantom manor if the lines aren't crazy. By now the lines will be getting long so it's time for stuff with no lines like the dragon, castle, nautilus walkthrough, it's a small world, maybe pirates...etc. When the lines get short again at about 6 or 7 it's time to hit the fantasyland rides, this does close early though so check on that. After dark hit tomorrowland...buzz lightyear, space mountain, and maybe star tours. Then get a spot for Dreams!

This is what I would recommend; of course add in dinner and lunch wherever you want, and if you want to see the regular parade or Halloween cavalcade, you can add that in too.

Sariah x

 

[Danauk]

I agree with starting the day with Crush as soon as the park opens. Although it says that the Studios open at 10am the gates actually open at 9:30am. I recommend getting to the park for 9am, then all the gates open for entry, including the ones marked exit on the far left as you approach the park entrance (so don't just join an existing line!) Then, as soon as the park opens head straight through Studio One (the building at the entrance of the park), then, as you exit the building, take a right and go straight to Crush. A lot of people will be doing this!
Hope this helps.

 

[Leigha]

Thanks so much everyone!! I feel like she has a real game plan now!!