LSky

There’s been a couple of thread lately where younger (than most of us) people have expressed a desire to go to Disneyland Paris.

The go to answer is, “don’t go!” It’s my first thought too, but I’ve never been, so I don’t know. Growing up in So Cal, I’ve been to Disneyland in California many times and enjoyed it when I was in my 20’s.

There are plenty of places I think are a waste of travel time but if someone needs to see for themselves, why should I stop them? I know I didn't want to go to Little Europe but I talked to a young woman who was delighted that she had gone.

So, the question stands. Have you ever gone to Disneyland Paris?

Dukey1

Yes, twice, and enjoyed it. Even stayed in the main hotel once.

I would certainly not suggest going unless one had an absolute abiding interest in all things Disney nor do I think of it as a highlight of the area.

But I've been to lots of crazy places and I knew how to dress when I went to them, too.

xyz123

Look, if you're a Disney fan and have been travelling through Europe for a little while (define that any way you want), it is interesting to see just how Disneyland Paris compares to the Disneyland you grew up loving. You get on Big Thunder Mountain, for example, and listen to the same annoucement you get in Anaheim or Orlando and then hear it repeated in Fr;ench. Basically the same ride. The haunted mansion, same ride but again fun to listen to the spiels in French. Fun to people watch and see the reaction of European kids and teens and even young adults from Germany or France or the UK.

The park is somewhat smaller than Anaheim's Magic Kingdom and much smaller than Orlando's, has many of the same rides (the log flume ride is among the missing as is the country bears (but then again they are no longer in Anaheim either), the tiki room (whose show changed in Orlando a decade ago and since I haven't been back there don't know if they still have the "updated" show. Is it worth it? Well, I'll say this. At least it's easy to get to...the A4 RER from central Paris gets there in about 40 minutes and the station is not too far from the main entrance. You might also wish to see the Annie Oakley show which is the typical American dinner show done in French and English.

The two warnings. I've never been to the accompanying park the MGM park or whatever it is called. Secondly unless it is the absolute peak, many of the restaurants are closed limiting your choice of food.

Finally, although in theory the same smoking regulations exist as they do in Anaheim and Orlando, many of the customers have an attitude that they're in France and nobody is going to keep them from walking around with their cancer sticks and too bad on the innocemts whose lungs are polluted by this garbage. And management, which really could stop it if they wanted with a few ejections from the park, is reluctant to do anything about it. Hell, it's only recently that management relented and allowed men working there to have facial hair and that they enforced. But to look out for customers' health? Nah.

LSky

xyz, I have no interest in going but thanks for you reply.

My question is because too many people are told not to go when they ask.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time but if I had bothered to ask people about places I'd had my heart set on going; many would have said "no", just because they didn't like the sound of it.

kerouac

I have been there a number of times. I enjoy it for what it is -- and am familiar with both Disneyland and Disneyworld. It is at the same time a different and a simiar experience.

I would never advise anybody not to go if they have an interest in it. If they think it is more interesting than the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre (or 'just as interesting' if they have the time to see it all), I will not judge them. I am interested in plenty of things that are of no interest to lots of people.

LSky

There are many people who travel to see the sights, and that's fine. Then there are those of us who travel for our own delights and we have to take chances that some places are going to be duds.

I drove miles out of my way to see a museum of one of my favorite artist; it boiled down to a few sketches. It wasn't really worth the drive but I'm so happy to have gone.

Scootoir

Yes, although it's been a few years (1998). I also grew up in So Cal and visited the original Disneyland many times and WDW once. I thought Disneyland Paris was beautiful. At the time Tommorowland there had much better attractions than in Anaheim. We had a fun day and were glad we visited.

tarquin

I've been with my sons, years ago, on a half term break from the UK. For obvious reasons, it not being FL or CA, the place looked a bit grey and the food options were poor. The second time my sons went on their own from central Paris, so I guess they thought it was ok, or better than museums at any rate.

LSky

Maybe age has a lot to do with it. My nephew went to Disneyland CA for his honeymoon. They loved it.

Bianca_P

I've been quite a few times (I've lived in France for 4 years and my nearest station is on the RER A so it's quite easy!). I usually go at least once a year with family members who visit me. We always have a great time and the price of local tickets mean it's not as expensive as for regular tourists. I do love Disney movies though! So I think it's not for everyone, but I don't "get" the reverse snobbery that comes with it. I enjoy all kinds of holidays, from five-star spa hotels to beach holidays, from cruises to city breaks, so don't see a reason why I "can't" also enjoy Disney. (FWIW, I'm 26, but the people I go with range from early twenties to mid-fifties!)

The Walt Disney Studios park, though, is much smaller - you can easily get round it in a day, whereas for the main park you can't.

For a first-time visitor to Paris, though, I'd say there's more to see, and that they should leave Disney for another time/a separate trip.

sassy_cat

We've been 3 times.
The first was when it opened, the second when our daughter was 2 years old and again last summer when DD was 14 accompanied by two of her US school friends.

The first couple of times we were living near London and made frequent trips across the channel so Disneyland Paris was a treat for the kids after suffering a diet of French pastries for a week

The third time we went it was the teenagers choice and they had a ball while dressed up as identical princesses. The American girls thought it was the perfect end to their first European adventure...

The French Space Mountain ride is more disorientating than Disneyworld, FL or Disneyland, CA so be warned!

Langcraft

I was one of the first people to visit Disneyland Paris, or as it was known as at the time, EuroDisney, back in April 1992. Never having been a fan of Disney parks in the U.S., I went because my then significant other wanted to see it..

The lines were outrageously long, the park was highly disorganized and I think I had enough patience to barely last two rides..

I tell people about visiting Versailles the same thing I would say about Disney; Unless you are a die hard fan of 17th century France and Louis XIV, which I am, but I do have limits, I wouldn't recommend Disney as a day trip. If you have kids that insist on going, just bribe them with a few Euros and candy and stay in Paris or go elsewhere....Yes, It's just that bad!! I hate theme parks!

Tentek

We just came back from visiting EuroDisney/Disneyland Paris while on a trip to Paris. We went with a 5 year old boy (my son) and an 11 year old girl (my cousin). While it was fun, especially in the first 2 hours, we could have had even more interesting and charming and unique time in Paris proper visiting Jardin des Plantes or some other destination, or just hanging out in cafes and parks in Paris itself.

Based on my experience, even seeing it through my son's eyes, I would say the lines and the lack of customer service makes Disneyland Paris very unattractive in my book. Yes, everyone is expressing their own opinions here on Fodors and ultimately the travelers have to make their own decisions based on their own values and priorities, but if people ask for advice I am going to say NOT to go and waste time on Disneyland Paris, even with kids, IMHO.

LSky

It seems like the couple of people I've read lately who have asked about Disney Paris have been 18-2something. Still the age to just have fun.

trvlgirlmq

My family are huge Disney fans. I grew up going to Disneyland and we have made several trips to WDW now that we live in TN. When we decided to spend a week in Paris we knew we wanted to visit DLRP for a day.

We were prepared to have a great day but a couple of factors changed it and I think have now colored our perception. First, my father was a jerk to my youngest child before we even entered the park. This is his M.O. but I thought he could curtail his rudeness when we were planning a fun day.

Second, it poured rain, including thunder and lightening, which closed many rides. When it dried out and we finally hit Fantasyland we would get in line for a ride and at some point the ride would break and they would shut it down. We did not ride one single thing in FL.

The vibe of the park is different than the US. It is dirtier, the cast members are not as "magical" and the smoking was quite off putting. Also, it seems as if pushing and shoving your way to the front of the line is acceptable to some people.

We were really hoping to love it but just did not. I do think that if you are a true Disney fan and are going to be in Paris for at least a week then a day at DLRP is OK.

Dukey1

It is interesting that many people mention the smoking at Disney Paris and yet nobody seems much interested in all the smoking that goes on in Paris although it is good, IMO, that it has been limited by law in some places, finally.

sassy27

Yes, I have gone twice and wouldn't classify myself as a Disney fan. The first time was because my friend is a huge Disney fan and used to go to WDW many times growing up. We went on New Years Day and it was just too cold for me so only stayed a little while. The second time, the same friend was living in Paris and had taken her nieces and had some free tickets to go back. We went on a weekend and it was very crowded. I wasn't very impressed with DLP on either trip but I also got extremely sick the last time I was at WDW. If I never visited either place again, I wouldn't be upset. Now if someone asked me if they should go, I would never say not to. I have found some of the most touristy things to be my most favorite part of a trip.

Guenmai

I've been to Euro Disney, but it was during the opening. I don't know how it is now, but I have no desire to go back.

I've been going to the original Disneyland here in California since around 1958 (It opened in 1955). I was a small tot when my parents first took me. We still have the photos. So, I've seen it change and grow over fifty-plus years and still enjoy it. We used to go at least once a year as it's only an hour drive away.

I think that people should go to find out for themselves if a Disney park is worth while or not.

Happy Travels!

Guenmai

"Langcraft on Sep 8, 12 at 10:58am
I was one of the first people to visit Disneyland Paris, or as it was known as at the time, EuroDisney, back in April 1992."

Interesting as that's when a friend and I were there. I just couldn't remember the opening year. But, it had to have been during the week before Easter Sunday (April 19th). I remember clearly that it was overcast and cold, and that week in Paris there was a transportation strike, as I walked from the 6th to my optician on rue des Rosiers, in the Marais, to pick up my new eyeglasses.

Happy Travels!

justineparis

I have been twice . The first time with my 13 yr old son, the second time with my 11 yr old daughter. Neither myself or kids were blown away, but since neither child had been to any other Disney they each wanted a try. I had been to the Disney in Anahiem 4 times before.

I also took my daughter to Disney Anahiem a year later, she enjoyed it more, but probaly becuase of the other park, California something or other.

If asked I usually tell people not to bother if they have seen other Disneys, or unless they have kids with them, or unless they themselves have a burning interest in Disney. Its not worth a day out of Paris to me. And note, the time I took my son we purchased a two day ticket as it was only a few euros more then a one day pass. My son did not wish to return the second day.