If you are grew up going to CA Disneyland, as I did, you will be sadly disappointed by Disneyland Paris. The food is terrible, there is less to see and do and the weather in Paris is not like Anaheim's. I went to the Paris one with young children but wouldn't dream of visiting again (and neither would they.)

Just work out some routes and walk around Paris with stops at museums that interest you - not necessarily the Louvre by any means.

XYZ123

xyz123 - thank you so much for your response - definitely some great ideas that open up Paris for me :) I'm going to start researching your suggestions and perhaps I'll spend much longer there if I choose to add it to my itinerary.

thank you to those of you who were POLITE even if you didn't agree with me going to Disneyland on a first trip to Paris.

Also - I'm under the impression that people in Paris aren't very friendly towards Americans who do not speak French when they come to their country. Perhaps I'm wrong on that. But I know a few people who have been and all said that if you don't at least attempt to speak french first, they probably aren't giong to be very polite or helpful...

I would also give Disney a miss, especially if you have grown up with the California version!

As for friendly...I think part of it is a cultural difference. The French are much more reserved and service tends to be mort curt and to the point, and not overly cheery and smiley. They will take your order quickly with little to no small talk and then get on with it. This could be misunderstood as rude, especially if you are used to very friendly, smiley people who introduce themselves and spend time chatting.

Also they won't bring the bill until you ask for it in restaurants. The concept if turning tables doesn't really exist so after the last course it may seem like your waiter has disappeared but you just need to get their attention and ask for the bill. At cafes they will bring your bill and stand there waiting for you to pay after each order. Nth is can also seem unfriendly but it's just how it's done.

Learning a few key phrases like bonjour, au revoir, etc will be appreciated.

Hope this helps!

As Jamikins mentioned, just learn a few key phrases. The French are far more polite if you make te attempt to speak their language than if you go up to someone and say whatever you are going to say without first attenpting French.

Even saying, "Mes apologies, je ne parle pas Francais" goes a whole lot farther than "Do you speak English?"

By the way, the check (in restaurants) is called "l'addition."

As far as things to see. Well, really that is up to you. I would sggest a good guide book and start there. If something sounds interesting, consider planning to see it.

As far as Disneyland Paris--I haven't been there, so I cannot tell you to go/not to go. If you REALLY want to go there, plan to see it. But in my personal experience, I have not had the time to visit the attraction because Paris is just FILLED with so much else to experience.

Thanks Jamikins and Travel_Nerd. Very helpful :)

It sounds like Parisians are very similar to Germans in their dislike for small talk. I can handle that!

>>By the way, the check (in restaurants) is called "l'addition."<<

But pronounce it like "la dission" with a very soft last "n".

Stu Dudley

Paris is full of American tourists year round, most of whom do not speak French. Just be polite in French (bonjour madame/monsieur, merci) or even thank you in English will be appreciated.

Jamikins gave a good summary about wait people, they are rarely rude, just busy and to the point. A waitperson in Paris covers, in general, 2 to 3 times the number of tables similar staff would cover in the States. Just observe them a few times and you'll understand why they have no time for chit chat.

Disneyland Paris is a waste of time and a lot of money if you have been to Orlando or Anaheim. It makes no sense to me if you have such limited time.

I'd say with 2 days that going all the way to DL Paris would be a bit much, you could easily spend 2 days in Paris without getting that far :)

On the other hand while DL Paris is not my favourite of the Disney Parks (that goes to DL Hong Kong) I preferred it somewhat to the US parks, true it's more expensive but it's different and i liked that