What sort of nationality mix is there?

[AStamm]

You really don't need to be fluent in French to enjoy DLRP. As is advised in many other thread if you can manage the basics, please, thank you, hello etc. this will help. But most, if not all, CM speak very good English, some shows are performed in French and English but even when there is no English translation it does not spoil any of the enjoyment.

And if you are really bothered about being there on your own, see if another DISer will be there at the same time and if there is I am sure that they would be happy to meet you for coffee during your stay. Go on give it a try you know you want to.

The basics stuck...I can still say merci with the best of them. It's actually not DLRP that scares me, it's the trip from the airport to DLRP. I envision finding no one that speaks English available to help get me on the right train and ending up totally lost. There's no one with a big Mickey glove waving you toward them like there is at the Orlando airport, I'm guessing.

 

[Bexx]

It's actually not DLRP that scares me, it's the trip from the airport to DLRP. I envision finding no one that speaks English available to help get me on the right train and ending up totally lost. There's no one with a big Mickey glove waving you toward them like there is at the Orlando airport, I'm guessing.

Not quite, but it can still be very easy The VEA shuttle is a dedicated airport to DLP shuttle bus which picks up from all terminals at CDG and Orly, and drops off at all the onsite hotels. If you have a look at the website you can find out all the details before you leave. There is also the option of booking a private shuttle, for about 70 euros each way or a shared shuttle from about 35 euros - so the driver will be there to meet you at the airport. The TGV train is just a teensy bit more complicated, but we could easily give you a step by step guide to it, if you prefer that option.

 

[Rookinla]

Just yesterday I decided that DLP is my next Disney goal, but looking through the threads on here it seems that Americans at DLP are far and few between. I'm not as young and brave as I once was, and the thought of being thousands of miles away from home unable to communicate (even after 4 years of French in school...but of course that was twenty years ago) has me a bit uneasy about my new-found fascination with going there.

Can anyone help give me a little courage to seriously contemplate this trip? Are the shows performed in different languages at different times? Is English on all of the signage in addition to French?

First of all, don't be concerned that there may not be many Americans at DLP. Part of the problem is the expense of the trip for many Americans. You will spend a good sum of many to go there...Believe me my AMEX bill just came in! BUT...it was worth every penny! If more Americans knew about this gem it would be more popular with us than it currently is. Language really isn't a barrier. Since there are so many Brits, DLP has to deliver numerous shows in English...Ditto for signage. I think that the limited amount of English in the parks makes it quite charming and unique to differentiate it from our US Disney Parks. You will have ZERO problems navigating DLP because of language. And like I said, my hotel was ALMOST ENTIRELY AMERICAN GUESTS! No worries there. In closing, I have to take my hat off and say thanks to the people of France that I encountered. They were awesome and gracious hosts. Because of all this I will continue to return to Paris and especially DLP over and over again and I will definitely bring my kids here to DLP to experience what I feel is absolutely the most magical Disney Park in the World! Please feel free to message me if you have any specific questions about my experience. I am more than happy to share it with you!

Eric

 

[Cyrano]

Because of all this I will continue to return to Paris and especially DLP over and over again and I will definitely bring my kids here to DLP to experience what I feel is absolutely the most magical Disney Park in the World!

Great to hear this reassurance to other posters

 

[Sheryl_mom]

Great thread! It's going to be so nice to be able to read the signs in the park! Eric, I'm getting more excited just reading what you have to say. I've only been to WDW and you say it's BETTER?!? Oooooooh, get me there now!!

 

[ujpest_doza]

Loads of Americans at DLP when we were there in June.
A lot more than i'd ever encountered there before.

 

[tiring_day]

The TGV train is just a teensy bit more complicated, but we could easily give you a step by step guide to it, if you prefer that option.

I would love to see a step by step guide to the TGV as I like the idea of 20mins from the airport to DLP.

Maybe it could be put in that Really Useful Stuff Thread (or as I like to call it RUST) or whatever it is called.

Thanks

PS FLights booked for May just need to book the hotel now.

 

[miffy7]

The one thing that was baffling people was 'sortie' on the stairs near the dumbo ride. there was such a crowd there taking pictures people didn't realise it was just the exit.

 

[Cyrano]

The one thing that was baffling people was 'sortie' on the stairs near the dumbo ride. there was such a crowd there taking pictures people didn't realise it was just the exit.

I think they do, but it is about the only place to take a picture of a family member unless you join the queue

 

[Rookinla]

Great thread! It's going to be so nice to be able to read the signs in the park! Eric, I'm getting more excited just reading what you have to say. I've only been to WDW and you say it's BETTER?!? Oooooooh, get me there now!!

I'm so glad that you're excited about DLP! I can't wait to return! I am a former WDW Cast Member so let me point out a few differences between the two resorts as I'm very familiar with WDW. WDW is just massive as I'm sure you know. It's a very magical resort but I feel that much of that magic comes from critical mass...There's just so much to do there that it can actually be frustrating. You want to do so many things but there just isn't enough time to do even a reasonable portion of the to-do list. Prioritization is an absolute must as is MANY repeat visits! Now for DLP...Part of its charm comes from being a managable size. There are only two parks instead of WDW's four but you can really get to know the DLP parks if you allow enough time in your visit. IIRC, Disneyland Park is actually larger than WDW's Magic Kingdom and has so many great pathways to follow that it feels more like an adventure. Also I give DLP a BIG thumbs up on the quality of the rides. Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Phantom Manor and Rock N' Roller Coaster are MUCH better than their American counterparts in every way. And of course there are some really cool attractions here that just don't exist anywhere else. Crush's Coaster is amazing and Cinemagique is truly a must see. You just have to look at the argument of quality vs. quantity and DLP may not be the biggest Disney Resort but it is head and shoulders above the others in quality.

 

[Sheryl_mom]

I'm so glad that you're excited about DLP! I can't wait to return! I am a former WDW Cast Member so let me point out a few differences between the two resorts as I'm very familiar with WDW. WDW is just massive as I'm sure you know. It's a very magical resort but I feel that much of that magic comes from critical mass...There's just so much to do there that it can actually be frustrating. You want to do so many things but there just isn't enough time to do even a reasonable portion of the to-do list. Prioritization is an absolute must as is MANY repeat visits! Now for DLP...Part of its charm comes from being a managable size. There are only two parks instead of WDW's four but you can really get to know the DLP parks if you allow enough time in your visit. IIRC, Disneyland Park is actually larger than WDW's Magic Kingdom and has so many great pathways to follow that it feels more like an adventure. Also I give DLP a BIG thumbs up on the quality of the rides. Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Phantom Manor and Rock N' Roller Coaster are MUCH better than their American counterparts in every way. And of course there are some really cool attractions here that just don't exist anywhere else. Crush's Coaster is amazing and Cinemagique is truly a must see. You just have to look at the argument of quality vs. quantity and DLP may not be the biggest Disney Resort but it is head and shoulders above the others in quality.

I wanted to wrok at WDW since I was a little kid!! We used to go almost every year until I was 12 and my father was laid off. We did go back last year as adults with my husband and kids. My father came along as well and teared up as we entered MK. Going to WDW as a kid and even as an adult was the most magical time of my life.

I just showed my 6 year old some videos of some of the DLP parades and shows. She asked how it's done and if the characters were just people dressed up and I told her that I didn't know that it's done with "Disney Magic". She just said "Oooooooohhhhh"

Thanks for the info Eric, I'm just our trip to DLP will be at least as magical as our trips to WDW. I'm so excited to give my kids the same memories and Disney experience that I got as a kid.

 

[Rookinla]

I wanted to wrok at WDW since I was a little kid!! We used to go almost every year until I was 12 and my father was laid off. We did go back last year as adults with my husband and kids. My father came along as well and teared up as we entered MK. Going to WDW as a kid and even as an adult was the most magical time of my life.

I just showed my 6 year old some videos of some of the DLP parades and shows. She asked how it's done and if the characters were just people dressed up and I told her that I didn't know that it's done with "Disney Magic". She just said "Oooooooohhhhh"

Thanks for the info Eric, I'm just our trip to DLP will be at least as magical as our trips to WDW. I'm so excited to give my kids the same memories and Disney experience that I got as a kid.

That last sentence says it all...Have a magical and enjoyable visit! If you want to ask me anything about DLP just PM me...and be sure to post a trip report when you go!

Eric

 

[the_princess]

All of us will be more then happy to answer your questions. That's what we are here for!!!

 

[Ware Bears]

Now for DLP...Part of its charm comes from being a managable size. There are only two parks instead of WDW's four but you can really get to know the DLP parks if you allow enough time in your visit. IIRC, Disneyland Park is actually larger than WDW's Magic Kingdom and has so many great pathways to follow that it feels more like an adventure.

This is just one of the many reasons why we love DLP so much.

I hope you get to visit DLP Sheryl_mom and I hope you continue to enjoy future trips there too, Eric.

 

[miffy7]

lol cyrano - no - what i meant was....
people in a mad rush to get on dumbo before the end of extra magic hours were racing up the stairs towards the crowd before realiing it was just people stood at the exit taking pictures.
they all stomped away fighting with each other or ranting about monolingual signage.
i had a baby sleeping on me so coudn't let them know.

it's funny how people are in their own little worlds at dlp and they have quite loud conversations/fights/joyous outbursts etc forgetting there are other people there.