Is Disneyland Paris worth it?
 

My boyfriend and I are thinking of visiting Disneyland Paris later on this year, possibly in September. I've been to Walt Disney World in Florida, which I loved, but I've heard that the French version isn't quite up to scratch. What do people think?<BR>We were thinking of staying in a Disney hotel for a few days, but would we be better staying in Paris and taking a day trip to Disney? Any advice would be gratefully received.

I would stay in Paris and if you want to spend a day at Disney. I did that one time, but I have been to Paris several times (otherwise I don't think I could have left to go to Disney) As far as the park itself it was lovely, it compares VERY favorably to the Magic Kingdom. The attention to detail was mind boggleing I think it is a much prettier park than Magic Kingdom.

I have not been there, but my opinion would probably be if you really want to go there two days and spend those entire days there, it probably would make more sense to just stay at a hotel near the park to save time and energy. It is right on the RER line, but far out, so I would think it will take perhaps an hour each way in transportation. If you are spending your entire time at the park until late, why stay in a hotel in Paris? Also, some metro/RER lines are not as safe late at night. That is presuming you don't mind moving hotels after a few days; I don't like doing that, I prefer to check-in once, but since you asked, I figured it doesn't bother you.<BR><BR>I've heard they've improved that park within the last few years, actually.

My dil loved it; she couldn't wait to get there. She was disappointed in the quality of the t-shirts she bought - said they pretty much fell apart in the first washing.

Don't Americans think all of Europe is Disneyland? ;-)

You make me very sad.<BR>

I went ot disney on my first trip to paris in november 2000, because my husband wanted to go and since it was his trip too i went. I have to say I would have prefered to be at the dorsay or any other place that was warm , but we enjoyed it. Perhaps because it was late november and it was all decorated for christmas or because my huband had taken me to paris for our first european trip. Now I am going back for the 3rd time since 2000 and will bginging my mom to see disney. Will we stay there no, we will just go in for teh day

Paris itself is a REAL fantasyland...why go for the artifical.. if you were 7 or 8 I could see it but after 14 trips to Paris I haven't seen all there is to see there!The whole damn country is a fantasyland..

Got to Disneyland is you want to. I'd probably only schedule a day for it rather than stay our there, but that's me.I get tired of purists who think you're selling out if you decide to visit D-Land when you're in Paris. Its as if choosing to go there means I have no apreciation for the history and art that surrounds me in Paris. Well, phooey!. I am going to be in Paris this summer and I will be visiting Disneyland. Why? Because I'll be closer to a Disney park in Paris than I ever will be here at home. Because as a college student I worked at Disneyland and loved it. And because I'll be in Paris for a good long time and a day for pop culture and riding rides and eating Mickey Mouse shaped ice cream bars just might be a blast. I don't think I'd take the time if I were only in Paris for a few nights but I'm not. Go, have fun! It will not be like Walt Disney World but WDW is a city unto itself. It will be more like visitng Disneyland with an accent and wine. Ride the Teacups once for me.

What a strange idea! You are in France for goodness sake, why go for a slice of Americana? See something French, otherwise why bother crossing the Atlantic?

Helen, you are simply too stupid for words!

And you xxx, are not very imaginative.

Why Helen, for the reasons I just stated above. One day out of a trip to France to see something I'd have to take a plane to at home is worth it to me. And you know what? Sometimes on a long trip if I'm homesick and want a cheap lunch I GO TO MCDONALDS! The horror! Your response implies that the only reason some of us would go to Paris is to see Disneyland and that perhaps we might be a few francs short of a full wallet. I like Renoir, I go to the Orsay, I like Money I go to the Marmottan. I like Walt I go to Disneyland.

Disneyland Paris is good. Some of the rides are newer and better than their Florida counterparts. There are some good web sites that might advise you.<BR>There is now a second park there also, so you will definitely need two days if you want to do both.<BR>www.dlp-guidebook.de/ <BR>www.themeparkinsider.com <BR><BR>Doug

Well, okay - I have to put in my two cents worth!<BR>We are a family of 4 (2 adults & 2 kids ages 10 & 7) on our first trip to France. Our niece is marrying a nice French fellow & we're going to the wedding in Montlucon. We're doing 4 days in Paris & 2 days at Disneyland. Since we live in Wisconsin USA, we don't often have the chance to "do Disney". My 47-year old husband (3rd kid actually!) loves everything Disney & this was his first request when we began planning this trip! After reading all the various posts about Paris I'm afraid my initial impressions are less-than-fabulous. Disney sounds like a welcome respite from 1) smokers everywhere 2) dog poop in the streets 3) pickpockets 4) the worry about whether I will stick out like an ugly American tourist if I am comfortable wearing vacation clothes/shoes. I suppose some people would tell me to stay home, get a life, etc. This is our vacation - we want to have fun. A slice of no-smoking, clean, worry-free fun sounds wonderful to me! I am hoping Disneyland Paris is closer in ambience to the Anaheim park rather than Orlando. Orlando is too big, too much. Disneyland-Anaheim is much more initimate, easier to get around, less crowded, less overwhelming. So yes, we are doing Paris (staying in 6e) and all the usual tourist stuff (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Lourve, Arch de Triumphe, Seine boat ride, etc.), but I think after 4 days of the big city, we'll enjoy Disneyland too

I'm an American, and I've been to Disneyland Paris twice (July 2000 and March 2002). On my last visit, we also went to the new MGM Studios just outside Paris.<BR><BR>Personally, I prefer Paris over Orlando. It's smaller and very doable in a day. It's unique to hear Mickey speak in French!<BR><BR>If you're not a Disney fan, obviously, it makes no sense to go. But we like Disney and had a wonderful time!<BR><BR>One piece of advice: I'd REALLY buy your tickets ahead of time. It's no big deal. You can either buy them at the main tourist office near the Arc de Triomphe, or in the metro, you can buy a ticket to Disneyland when you buy your metro ticket to Marnee la Chessy (probably misspelled, sorry), where Disney is located. The queques to buy tickets at the park itself can be daunting!<BR><BR>Personally, I've always taken the metro in from Paris. It's less than an hour away and the extra expense for a Disney hotel isn't worth it to me.<BR><BR>Jennifer

topping for rebecca

I would save the expense of flying to Europe and go to Florida again.

Why do people always think that going to Disneyland Paris is the ONLY reason people go to Paris? Duh! Some people go to Disneyland Paris as part of a trip to Paris, not just to go to Disneyland!!!

Why would anyone fly all those hours,spend all that money,to go to another country,to go to Disneyland?<BR>Do you just love Disneyland so much? Why bother going to France?<BR>If you want a day trip in France, why not go to Chartres? Lyon?<BR>I cannot comprehend the mentality of someone going to Europe to visit Disneyland.<BR>

why bother spending all that time and money to go to Orlando to DisneyWorld??? did rebecca say that was the only reason she was going to Paris? there's more than the eiffel tower, geez!

Disneyland is a "must avoid"

Some of you people really are morons. I have been to Paris, as well as many other European cities. On our next trip, when we will bring our children, I have every intention of visiting Disneyland Paris. We are not "flying all the way to Paris just to go to Disneyland" as some of you morons are insinuating. Like the other posters, we are taking a day of our trip to Paris to visit Disneyland, for the same reasons the other posters stated. We will do many other day trips as well, but my children will no doubt be thrilled with the visit to Disneyland.<BR><BR>And how some of you geniuses surmise that we could possibly save money by waiting until we return home, buy 4 more round trip tickets to Orlando, stay in a hotel, etc. is really rich. How is that saving money? We will be in Paris anyway, it's only a small cost, relatively speaking to visit Disneyland when we are right there rather than making a separate trip of it. I don't know why I'm surprised that some of you aren't more embarrassed by your stupid comments.

How many of you want to bet that all the people who call Disneyland a "must avoid" or tell us how horrible it would be to go there have never, ever in their lives been there???

On the plus side, I hear than LePen has a new job wearing the Goofy outfit.<BR><BR>Well done, rebecca. Good troll. The funny thing is, it actually sparked an amunsing discussion.<BR><BR>I grew up in Florida and family vacations were usually to Disneyworld. I enjoyed it immensely as a child. When I have children of my own, I will certainly take them and am sure they will love it. However, I simply cannot comprehend wanting to take a day away from Europe to visit Disneyworld. Maybe if I were a jaded expat or something. Really, I don't see it as bad or inherently evil or something, I just really can't understand the attraction.<BR><BR>Different strokes, though.

Disneyland in Orlando is too big? It is a small world after all, being the smallest theme park in Orlando, I would hope that the europe one is bigger, of course being that I don't have any kids, not by choice, just to young right now!

Very simple. You don't go to Europe to go to Disneyland. Its just one of the things you can do.<BR><BR>Going back to the original question, I wouldn't stay at a Disneyland hotel. I would definitely stay in Paris. The RER trip is about 40 minutes from Central Paris.<BR><BR>Is it worth it? If you liked it in Florida you'll love it in Paris. Everything is newer, landscaping is better, and there are a few rides that you won't see in Florida, like Space Mountain (quite different) and Indiana Jones.<BR><BR>

Space Mountain!!! Oh, it is simply unbeatable in Paris. I'm not an expert, but I've probably visited over 25 different amusement parks in various countries, and Space Mountain in Paris is one of my two top rides ever!<BR><BR>I'm not really sure what the big fuss about Disneyland is. If you're not a Disney or amusement park fan, chances are it isn't a good choice. <BR><BR>Probably my biggest reason for choosing Paris over Orlando is that outside of Disney, I personally felt that Paris had a lot more to offer than Orlando! <BR><BR>It's all a matter of preference. And in that sense, no one's preference is "right" or "wrong."<BR><BR>Peace,<BR><BR>Jennifer

Rebecca, <BR><BR>Disneyland Paris is a lot of fun, but is very small in comparison to WDW Orlando. The Paris version only has the main theme park and not all parts of it. However, if you are looking for a slice of Americana on your trip or want to see it portrayed in the French version, by all means go and enjoy. We went to Disney Paris on a weekend and loved staying at the Yacht Club resort. If you do not have children, maybe you will be as lucky as we were and be booked into a honeymoon suite at no additional charge. The hotels at Disneyland Paris are very nice and new with the easy bus service into the park. Also, a train station is conveniently set between them for trips into Paris. If you go, I would only stay for two nights at the park because you can really see all there is to see in one full day if the lines are decent. At night be sure not to miss the Buffalo Bill Wild West Dinner Show in the Disney Pavillion. It outshines any Dixie Stampede version anywhere. It is superb. Have a great trip.

Disneyland is a gross and ridiculously expensive place no matter what continent it's on. Americans who slave all year to make a decent middle-class salary find no problem going to this place and dropping the kind of money they might use to experience another culture on another continent. But to actually spend the money to fly to France, where you might completely alter your life faced with the history, architecture, culture, food, ambience, etc., and still go to Disney, well, sorry but you have to be dumped into the category of people who are just plain too dumb for words.

xxx, do you respect that we all have different tastes? One person's "must see" is a "must avoid" for another! No one's preferences are right or wrong.<BR><BR>I think it's very easy to criticize what we don't understand. <BR><BR>Jennifer

No xxx, it is you who are too dumb for words. As EVERYONE who has posted here who is visiting Disneyland has said over and over and over again, they are not flying all the way to France to visit Disneyworld. While they are in France experiencing the culture and sights, they are making a side trip to Disneyworld. It's really quite a simple concept but clearly one that's beyond your grasp.<BR><BR>That's OK xxx, someday those remedial reading comprehension classes will pay off and you will finally be able to express yourself without displaying your stupidity.

I think someone said it best earlier, if you are a Disney fan you'll probably enjoy the park, if you're not, then don't go. Personally, I don't enjoy the Louvre in Paris. It's too big to see everything, I really don't know anything about art from the Renaissance time period and I would much rather go to small museums such as the Rodin, Balzac's house and Picasso. Does this make me "unworthy" to step my feet on the soil of Paris because I don't like the Louvre? I don't think so!!!! Rebecca, if you want to go, GO!!!! Don't listen to anyone else on this site. I think we're all have crazy anyway.

I think someone said it best earlier, if you are a Disney fan you'll probably enjoy the park, if you're not, then don't go. Personally, I don't enjoy the Louvre in Paris. It's too big to see everything, I really don't know anything about art from the Renaissance time period and I would much rather go to small museums such as the Rodin, Balzac's house and Picasso. Does this make me "unworthy" to step my feet on the soil of Paris because I don't like the Louvre? I don't think so!!!! Rebecca, if you want to go, GO!!!! Don't listen to anyone else on this site. I think we're all half crazy anyway.

no

Just "piling on" here but... we visited Paris for a week in March 2001 with our 13 year old son. Whenever we go to Europe, we try to accomodate his desire to see an amusement park - usually a local one. This time the French park (can't remember the name - Astrix?) was still closed for winter so we went to Disneyland Paris (Hey, he went to every museum conceivable with us without complaint - fair is fair). In fact, we had a great time.<BR><BR>1) Definitely stay in Paris and take the train - it's very fast. Visit Disney during the day and have a great meal in Paris that night. Excellent combination.<BR><BR>2) The Fast Pass works great - we saw everything and rode space Mountain twice within four hours.<BR><BR>3) Space Mountain was very different and really good - very whimsical as well as thrilling. Indiana Jones just made me nauseated. A backwards roller-coaster - eesh.<BR><BR>4) I enjoyed standing in lines with the Europeans - very few Americans. Gave yet another glimpse of how they behave - very polite and patient, I thought.<BR><BR>5) Vacation is about doing the things you enjoy. One of the things I love about Europe is the ability to do a variety of interesting, fun things - cultural, artistic, outdoorsy (hiking, walking), pure leisure fun (Disneyland Paris, etc) all on one trip. Something for everyone. I've found this a lot more difficult to accomplish in the US.<BR><BR>Have a great time!

Someone's neice is marrying a "nice French fellow..."<BR><BR>Talk about an oxymoron! Where were they hiding him?

I think someone said it best earlier, if you are a Disney fan you'll probably enjoy the park, if you're not, then don't go. Personally, I don't enjoy the Louvre in Paris. It's too big to see everything, I really don't know anything about art from the Renaissance time period and I would much rather go to small museums such as the Rodin, Balzac's house and Picasso. Does this make me "unworthy" to step my feet on the soil of Paris because I don't like the Louvre? I don't think so!!!! Rebecca, if you want to go, GO!!!! Don't listen to anyone else on this site. I think we're all half crazy anyway.

I wonder how many threads have the same exact title, "Is Disneyland Paris worth it?"?<BR><BR>MAYBE if I did a search, I'd find out??