Euro Disney...maybe About This Page:

[Lilianna]

Okay, I need the skinny on Euro Disney. In 2 years my hubby and I are going to Ireland, France and England for our 10th wedding anniversary. Being the Disney nut I am, I thought we might do Euro Disney for a day. I would love to see the similarities and differences between the two theme parks here it the states.

What is the best book to buy for info?

Did you like the park?

Is a day enough?

Please, there is never such a thing as too much info!

Thanks,
Lilianna

[chezp]

It sounds like you've got an amazing trip in the making - what an awesome way to celebrate your 10th wedding anniversary!

Seeing the differences and similarities between the Disney parks is fascinating - we found a lot of similarities between Disneyland Paris and California in terms of the attractions in each. As far as a book goes, the one we bought might not be that much use, as it's aimed at the UK market - it's called "A Brit's Guide to Disneyland Resort Paris" by Simon Veness. As I say though, it may not be that much use to you, as it is for us Brits, but I found it very helpful.

We enjoyed the parks, as it's Disney, but we far preferred WDW and the Californian parks. We found it very off putting that a lot of things were in French. I know it's in France, but it just didn't seem "Disney" to us to have a lot of favourite attractions voiced in French. And when we went (nearly four years ago now), there wasn't much to do at the Studios - it definitely needed more adding. I know they're in the process of adding the Tower of Terror at the moment, so that will certainly help.

I would say that you can do a lot in a day, but you won't do it all. To do that, I think you'd probably want at least a day and a half or two days - depending what time of the year you go and how busy the parks are.

I hope that helps.

[Lilianna]

Thanks Cheryl!

My husband speaks French, so while I'm sure he won't be translating ever little thing, if I have a question or two, I shouldn't have a problem.

Now, you called it Disneyland Paris? It that the proper name for the park? I always heard it called Euro Disney.

[BarryH]

Disneyland Paris is officially called now...the Disneyland Paris Resort.

I did DLP last June. I did a day each at the parks -- 1 day at the Studios and 1 day at Disneyland Paris. 1 day was pretty much enough for the Studios. I wish I spent 2 days at Disneyland Paris. There's a lot of see and do.

Disneyland Paris is very nice. The best part is Phantom Manor, the coolest Haunted Manison at any Disneyland park. I heard their POTC rules over all, but it was closed when I visited. Don't forget to visit the dragon under Cinderella's castle. Disney Studios is OK. With it's new Pixar-based rides, the park should be a lot better than when I visited. Their Rock N Roller Coaster is a lot better than its US version.

I knew very basic French went I visited, but somehow, I survived! Most CMs do speak English (I assume it's because of a lot of UK visitors). Even when CMs spoke French to me, I knew exactly what to do. The CM at It's a Small World spoke to me in French. I didn't quite get everything she said, but she did a lot of pointing and I knew what to do. Once, she moved me from row 9 to 10. With her hand motions, I knew what she wanted even though she spoke entirely in French.

I have DLP and Walt Disney Studios videos on YouTube at: YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

[Lilianna]

Thanks for the info, Barry! I knew nothing about the dragon under the castle, but had heard the Phantom manor was really good. Read all about it on Doom Buggies.

Okay, what is POTC? I know when you explain it, I'm going to slap my head and say, "D'oh!"

I don't think we'll be doing the Studios side. We are cramming a lot into 2 weeks, so even 2 days at the park will be too much. But, I figure one day will at least allow us some Disney fun.

[BarryH]

POTC = Pirates of the Caribbean

Now slap yo' head and go "doh!"

[nbodyhome]

I was just at DLP a few days ago - I'm home now, though! I will be putting up photos of a walk around the Downtown Disney and resort areas on Saturday (I have like 200 pics). Plus a few of the parks, I wasn't feeling well and was meeting friends inside the park, so I didn't work on photos there at all.

You won't be able to do it all in a day. But you don't want to take away too much time from Paris either to go to DL, IMHO. There is very little at the studios to be concerned about. Even after TOT and the other new rides open, it's still very little.

The main park is beautiful, though. Well worth a day.

[chezp]

We went on Pirates of the Caribbean and it's certainly a great ride - at the time, it was a lot better than the one in WDW, although now that's been rehabbed and upgraded, it's a close call. We went on it about four times while we were there, which says something for how much we enjoyed that ride!

[nbodyhome]

I liked that the POTC didn't have Jack Sparrow, I didn't really like the new update as much at WDW (I don't hate it, just prefer the original). The POTC at DLP is terrific, as is Phantom Manor - but there are other wonderful things, like the Alice in Wonderland maze and castle.

Space Mountain at DLP hurts my head! I didn't even ride it this time.

[bradk]

it was renamed DLP to try to get away from the horrible stigma of being Euro Disney. and not that it's a huge deal, but it's sleeping beauty castle at DLP (it is cinderella castle at TDL) or, more specifically, le château de la belle au bois dormant. the key thing about the DLP castle is that every other park castle is based on actual castles. they felt it wouldn't fly too well in Europe which has its own fair share to begin with, so they created the opposite type of castle - a fantasy one.

i haven't been to DLP yet, but i know someone who has. he was very fortunate to go during september which is pretty famous for its halloween celebration in DLP. pumpkinheaded folk invade the park and start painting everything orange.

[mattnkatsmum]

I did a TR last October which might answer some of your questions.

http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...-complete.html

Hope this helps.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by bradk

i haven't been to DLP yet, but i know someone who has. he was very fortunate to go during september which is pretty famous for its halloween celebration in DLP. pumpkinheaded folk invade the park and start painting everything orange.

We went at that time of the year and the pumpkin people are so much fun - I really wish that they'd do something like that at WDW. I was really disappointed to find out that they don't do that there, as it really does add to DLP.

[Lilianna]

Thank you all for your replies. I mentioned DLP to my hubby last night (who has left the vacation planning to me, as always) and he said no way. Can you believe it? Well, I have two years yet to get him to come to the good side. Maybe I'll start planting DLP books around the house...hmm...

[chezp]

Oh my goodness, that is such a shame! As you say, you've got time to work to him though.... did he give any reason? At least if you know why, then you can come up with counter arguments!

[Disneybine]

I'm sorry your DH doesn't wanna go to DLP. Having a "Disney-reluctant" DH-to-be myself, I know that two years is plenty of time to convince him that going to DLP is exactely what he wanted all along .

If you've only got one day at DLP, I wouldn't spend too much time at the Walt Disney Studios Park. It's similar to the Disney-MGM Studios at WDW. The two new Pixar attractions, Crush's Coaster and Cars Race Rally, can't be found in any other Disney park around the world, though.

The Disneyland park has a very different feel to it as compared to DL California, Tokyo or the Magic Kingdom at WDW. My personal impression is that it's more modern than the other parks and focusses more on young adults while the Magic Kingdom aims primarily at families, IMO. I love Space Mountain at DLP, by the way. If you're into rollercoasters, this is one you don't wanna miss

Here are a few travel guides that are somewhat up to date:
Veness, Simon: A Brit’s Guide to Disneyland Paris (Foulsham, March 2006)
AA Publishing: AA Essential Spiral Disneyland Resort Paris (AA Publishing, January 2007)
Truszkowski, Helen: Take the Kids Paris and Disneyland Resort Paris (Cadogan Guides, June 2006)
Rogers, Helenor; Broad, Laura: Knapsack Guide to Disneyland Paris (Knapsack Publishing Ltd., May 2004)

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!