Is Disneyland Paris worth it?
 

My husband and I will be in Europe in late March/early April and will be in Paris for 5 & 1/2 days. He wants to go to Disneyland Paris, but I'm not as interested since I'd rather explore the city. It looks similar to Disney World, which we've both been to, from the website, and my husband has also been to Disneyland (he loves his Disney!). Is it worth taking a day to spend at the park? Thanks!

Beats me why you would fly across the Atlantic (as I presume you are), only to go to Disneyland, but this is a pleasure trip and why shouldn't your husband enjoy himself?

Here's a suggestion: let your husband go to Disneyland on his own - during that time you can do whatever you enjoy and he's not interested in (museum, shopping, day spa.....)!

Hope this helps,
Andre

I'm with André. Ship him off to Disneyland and enjoy a day alone in Paris.

I'm also with Andre.

I agree. There is way more to do in Paris than you can possibly do in 5 & 1/2 days. It seems a shame to forego a whole day to go to Disneyland Paris - especially when you have been to the Disneyland/world parks here.

Two questions:
1) Is this your first Paris visit?
2) Do you anticipate returning?

There are so many other cultural things to do in Paris sans children, that DP would not be high on my list for a precious Paris trip. However we did visit DP on our 2 week trip because we had our daughter with us. We really did have a fun time.

If you are easily parted on holiday, DH can easily take the train by himself to DP. You could have a Louvre day or something just for you. OR If you both work terrible hours and need vacation time to regroup as a couple, go with him to DP. He'll love you very much for it!

I'm curious if any of the people who say they don't understand why anyone would go to Disneyland Paris if they've been to other Disneys have ever been there themselves. Or are they just guessing it's like the others? Or are they people who simply don't like Disney, period? I have yet to hear someone say something like "I love Disneyworld and Disneyland, but we went to the one in Paris and didn't like it" or even saying "it was a total waste of our time, even though we like Disney". But maybe I'm wrong. I just haven't heard from them.

I totally understand. My situation is different as I've been to Paris many times. This year I plan to go to Disney. I'm a big believer that Disney really knows how "to do it right" and I'm curious how they do it all in the European setting and frame of mind. I think seeing the haunted mansion with the French theme would be great, as well as many of the other attractions with a different twist. And I have heard it is probably the best "amusement park food" in the world.

I say go for it!

Tell him you'll go to Disneyland Paris if he'll take you to Parc Asterix.

Fair trade!=D>

Go with your husband, you love him and want to be with him when he is enjoying his Disney thing right?

Appreciate him while he is with you.

Disneyland Paris was the most expensive Disneyland every built. Unlike the parks in Florida and California, the main street facades are not built in fiberglass but are made with true materials such as brick and wood. The chateux has stain glass windows, gold plated wroght iron that was made on site and the roof is made from italian glazed tiles. The vegitation around the park is beautiful and adds to the theming of the park. I think this park is by far the most attractive and visually interesting of them all.

The rides are similar to those found in the US but less bountiful. Here are some of the differences:

Its a Small World : Returned to the original layout of the WorldExpo in NYC where the ride was first presented.

Pirates of the Carribean: The longest of the "Pirates" with the most advanced audioanimatronics of any.

Big Thunder Mountain: The entire ride is in the center of the lake yet you board on the land side and are taken under the lake during the ride via a tunnel. Great views of the park.

Phantom Manor: The order of the rooms is reorganized to make a more coherant story. I think the cemetary portion is unique to Paris and again the audio animatronics are more advanced.

Space Mountain : Completely different. A full size roller coaster in the dark with loops and a corkscrew. Very intense ride.

Discover Land: This is "TomorrowLand" in the US. In france it has a very jules vernes appearance. It is a view of the future from the turn of the century.

The Chateaux : It has a walk through attraction on the second level that tells the story of sleeping beauty via a mix of tapestries and stain glass windows. Below the Chateaux is an audio animatronic dragon, the largest audio animatronic character in existance

I think the park is worth it personally but I guess it simply depends on if you are a disney fan or not.

Well it's a matter of perspective. Because of the absurd strength of the Euro, shopping after 1 day is absurd. What can you get that you can't get in New York for the same or less? So you bought it in Paris, big deal.

Having said that, going to Disney and seeing the reaction of the European and their kids is a lot of fun besides the rides etc. It is very easy to get to and especially if you are away in Europe for 2 or 3 weeks, it is somehow refreshing to be able once again to eat American food for 1 day; not to denigrate the European food. And it's a hott also to go to the Buffalo Bill show and watch the reactions of the Europeans to what we would consider another dinner show.

Well, for all of you "world travelers" who cannot imagine going to Paris "just to go to Disneyland" sit up and take notice: I just did that very thing in November. I;ve nbeen to Paris many times and woulnd't forego seeing the city for Disney had I never been before, however since the original poster is wondering "if it is worth a day" I would say apparently it IS for at least ONE member of the traveling party. The issues seem to be whether or not it is worth giving up something ELSE in Paris to see? Depends on what you find important I guess.

The Paris Disney is SMALLER than the counterparts and please forget that ridiculous post above about it being made of "real wood" and "real bricks"...they ALL look "real"...it's as authentic as a "Magic Kingdom" can be!!!! If you like Disney, you'll enjoy seeing it from a somewhat European perspective. Of course, you can always run around the Rue Cler and pretend you aren't a tourist.

Perhaps you might ask your husband if he thinks it is worth it to spend a day looking at the Eifel Tower and wandering through the Louvre instead of going to Disney. Unfortunately, none of us can get you out of that marital difficulty...enjoy your trip.

Disney Paris was one of the most fun days I ever spent in Europe. I bet most of the people who put it down have never been there, and probably never even been to the US Disneys either. OK, it's not for everyone, but to put it down as being something tacky to do just because you've gone all that way to Paris is ridiculous.

Jon Jon, maybe you cannot tell the difference between painted fiberglass and actual wood and brick but I can. You are welcome to disagree but please refrain from calling my posts ridiculous.

By the way, Disneyland Paris is actually the LARGEST of the Magic Kingdoms:

Florida : 106 acres
California: 74 acres
Tokyo: 114 acres
Paris : 138 acres

However, it does have fewer rides.

Sheryl,

Answering a question like "is it worth it?" will be close to impossible.

If your husband likes the FL and CA parks, he will definitely enjoy Disneyland Paris. I think it is nicer than the US parks, and Space Mountain rocks. The pirates ride is indeed longer, and Phantom Manor is a lot more fun with a story that kinda makes sense. Landscaping is better, too.

It is just one of the things you can do while in Paris. Is it a "French" experience? I don't know. The park IS different than the US parks.

Will you miss other things by going there? Definitely, it is a one day thing.

Is it worth it? I have no idea. I've been 3 times at the park, and everytime I had a lot of fun, so for me it was worth it.

Will you think it is / was worth it? I've no idea.

And now another question. In researching Disneyland Paris, I find there is now a Studios park there as well. Any comments about that?

Sheryl: I have been to Disneyland in Orlando and I really enjoyed it. I have also been to Paris a number of times. In my opinion I would spend my time in Paris seeing new sights with only 5 1/2 days. There is just to much to do in Paris.

I would recommend that you have your husband read all these replys to your question and let him make the decision on what to do with his time. This is a decision only the two of you can make and I am sure the two of you will come to a solution that will make you both happy. Bon Voyage!

Patrick, the Studios is just a short walk from the main park. I was there last year. Smaller than the one in Orlando, and a few attractions were closed, so we could not fill up a full day in there. My 4-year old was not very interested, but he liked the Studio back lot tour (same as in Florida).
Don't expect the food to be better just because you're in France! It's still mostly fast food, nuggets, chips, pizza. I thought that the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant had the best food.

Patrick, Studio Disney is fairly new and was done on a very strict budget. It definately shows. It has the following attractions:

Rock in Roller Coaster: A in the dark coaster that is quite fun

The Stunt Show: I think this is the best attraction in the park. The automobile stunts are spectacular.

Armegeddon: A walk through attraction where you are in the exploding shuttle. I found this underwhelming.

Studio Tram tour: With the exception of the catastophe canyon this is a terrible attraction. Not up to disney standards at all.

Cinemagic: Basically a 10 minute film montage of scences from movies with some effects in the audience. It was okay.

Anamagique: Supposedly a lesson in how anamation is done but it is targeted at 4 year olds so it is very simplistic.

The flying carpets: Aladin remake of the dumbo attraction

I was underwhelmed with this park and dont find it very attractive. If you get a park hopper pass it is worth taking a look at it but it can basically be done in half a day.

I think Walts is the best restaurant in the Magic Kingdom btw. If you want a sitdown table service style meal.

Great topic, very usefull to me.
I suggested to my friends to take their son to PD (my daughter been there but I do not mine to go again) and they told me it is better to do when they are in States,
but from Phila to Orlando it is another $300 pp to fly.

I personally believe that every child should visit Disneyworld at least once...
So now after what I read here I will insist to take their son to PD. And I will try to make it half-a-day to have evening in Paris for us.

Any discounts for tickets in April ?