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Original poster

Am I being unreasonable to be looking forward to Disneyland, Paris?

68 replies

Italiangreyhound · 29/05/2016 10:09

Am I being unreasonable to be looking forward to Disneyland, Paris?

Lots of people seem to say (on Mumsnet) it's not great! But we have booked to go and are excited.

Plus what to do while there, I mean what especially is good.

And what to avoid! Grin

Thanks!

OP posts:
StillRabbit · 29/05/2016 12:33

We love it and have been several times. Planning to go again next year and my DCs are 13 and 18!

My main advice would be not to bother with character breakfast but book I to Cafe Mickey instead. They have loads of characters come out hourly or so but no princesses.

HAVE FUN! It really is magical.

Cinderbloom · 29/05/2016 12:43

YANBU. We all loved it there.

Beware of Crush's Coaster in the Studio Park. Looks are deceptive Shock as was the first part of the ride.

The main restaurants are all nice but we weren't impressed by Planet Hollywood in Disney Village. Awful.

Don't miss the fireworks / Disney Dreams. It was chucking down with rain when we saw them but absolutely worth walking around with still-wet jeans the next day for. Enjoy!

summeraupair · 29/05/2016 12:47

I absolutely love it, have been loads of times without kids and now I'm pregnant we're planning to go for the baby's first birthday with a big group of mates Grin (yes, I know the baby won't really have a clue but I went for the 15th anniversary and want to go for the 25th too!)

Definitely make use of the Fastpasses. Get there as early as you can. In the Studios park get in mega early and nab Fastpasses for Ratatouille before they run out, then head straight for Crush's Coaster - that one has no Fastpass system so get in the queue before it builds up too much. Those two are by far the best rides in the Studios and they get the queues to prove it!

...you might be able to tell I'm a bit of a Disneyland Paris geek Wink. I could probably write a guidebook!

Lea060398 · 29/05/2016 12:54

We went twice last year and enjoyed every second of it!! Don't be fooled into thinking Crush's Coaster is a gentle ride though - I was a nervous wreck by the end if it Grin If you're planning to do the Princess Pavillion get there before it opens and Mickey's Cafe, Inventions in the Disneyland Hotel, and Cinderella's Cafe are great places to meet the characters without having to queue - but you will have to book beforehand. Wish I was going back this half term Sad

XiCi · 29/05/2016 12:59

We took Dd last year. Both me and DH were dreading it but we had an amazing time. We also had lunch with the princesses at Auberge and the character buffet at the Disney hotel in the park, both really worth doing. Also loved the Disney dreams show at the end of the night. Have a brilliant time OP

ijustwannadance · 29/05/2016 13:02

Crush's coaster is great. As is ratatouie.
Don't forget to go see the dragon under the castle.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 29/05/2016 13:02

Loved it. On the second day, DH and I found ourselves dancing down Main Street grinning like idiots. It gets you!

Going back next year, I hope.

Welshmaenad · 29/05/2016 13:07

We went last year and loved it, stayed in the Sequoia Lodge. We had priority passes as DD has CP and was in her wheelchair as no way could she have dealt with walking the parks, so I can't comment on the queues as we skipped them!

Use your Disney Magic hours and get there early, there are loads of characters wandering around, take a nap in the afternoon then go back in the evening for Dreams and shorter queues. Buzz Lightyear is amazing and queues in the evening are non existent.

In the Studios park, Crush and Ratatouille are fab but also Tower if Terror and the Rock n Roller Coaster. The special effects train ride is also good and a nice way of chilling for a bit whilst being entertained.

Nice restaurants - Cafe Agrabah in main park, cafe mickey and Annette's Diner in the Village, Restsurant des Stars in Studios, inventions in Disneyland hotel (pricey but worth it) and Beaver Creek in Sequoua Lodge.

Take ibuprofen. You will hurt at bedtime!

summeraupair · 29/05/2016 13:19

Ooh I do agree with everyone about Crush's Coaster - I love rollercoasters, the bigger the better, but that one has me screaming more than any other I've ever been on! My husband thought it was hilarious because I'm usually unflappable on rides Grin

Lea060398 · 29/05/2016 13:21

Arrrgh I'm now pricing up DLP holidays for this Christmas Grin

Sunnsoo · 29/05/2016 13:22

The staff are rude

Theimpossiblegirl · 29/05/2016 13:27

We loved it but food and drink were expensive and there were no shops nearby. Take plenty of drinks and snacks to keep in your room if you can and don't be shy about taking a couple of pain au chocolate from the breakfast buffet to feed the kids in the queues.

Make the most of the early access and try to get straight to Crush's Coaster when it opens. The queue may look long but I promise it will look even longer later in the day!

PrincessHairyMclary · 29/05/2016 13:29

I found the staff to be amazing, we lost a bag that had our autograph book in the evening before we left. I went to City Hall to see if it had been handed in and no luck however was told if I brought another book they'd do their best to get some signatures in it.

Roll on the next morning, turns out the bag was handed in and they had filled the other one too. We got loads of extra signatures that are quite rare and were so grateful.

birdsdestiny · 29/05/2016 13:47

Just been at Easter. Was very cynical about Disney but just loved it. You sort of need to treat it like a marathon! If you are staying in Disney hotels, get up early and make use of magic hours, stay up late and see the fireworks etc and be prepared to walk miles and be utterly knackered. Try and book cafe Mickey if you can, it's great and saved having to queue in the park to meet characters. Use fast passes and get to crushers coaster as soon as it opens. Don't overlook some of the shows, there is a fantastic stunt show, stitch show is sooo cute, and if you are prepared to queue (a lot) being part of the Jedi training is great. Get the DP app on your phone, gives you waiting times of all rides. My two boys still check the app from time to time, the sad fools.

silverlace · 29/05/2016 13:55

There is an app you can use to show queue times and it is quite accurate so can decide whether to head to a particular ride or get a fast pass for later.

The fast food places at lunchtime were incredibly slow with long queues so we took plastic tubs and made up rolls at breakfast to take with us.

Definitely save up for the character buffet at the disneyland hotel. Good food and loads of time with the characters.

belleandsnowwhite · 29/05/2016 13:57

I love disneyland. Fine that other people don't as we all like different things however people seem to be mean about disney.

NannyR · 29/05/2016 14:44

If you are going with a younger child who doesn't want to ride the big rides you can do a parent swap so you don't have to queue twice. Adult one queues (with older child) , they ride then ask for a parent swap pass which they hand to adult two who goes straight onto the ride (Older child can usually ride again with them).

JacquesHammer · 29/05/2016 15:12

The staff are rude

I have been on 4 occasions so far (number 5 was cancelled following terrorism) with and without my daughter and I have never encountered any staff being rude. To the contrary I find they go above and beyond to make it really, really special.

I absolutely adore DLP. I want to go again (Sister Dear are you reading this.......?)

Floralnomad · 29/05/2016 15:23

I have visited on over 25 different occasions ( multiple days each time normally ) and I've never encountered any staff rudeness , the only bits I have no personal experience of are the hotels Cheyenne and Sante fe .

Original poster
Italiangreyhound · 29/05/2016 15:35

Wow lots of helpful comments. Thank you I am reading them all. Grin

OP posts:
birdsdestiny · 29/05/2016 15:39

The one thing I forgot is that security is very tight, you are searched going into the hotel and obviously on entrance to the park. I found this very reassuring.

Original poster
Italiangreyhound · 29/05/2016 15:52

Dr is 11 (not a princess) and Dr 5. Which rides are best for them, please? Dh and I not fussed about rides. It really is all for the kids. The bit for me is not being at home, not cooking, not cleaning and not going to work!

OP posts:
Original poster
Italiangreyhound · 29/05/2016 15:55

Can I ask what are Disney Magic hours?

OP posts:
WhatTimeIsItCuckoo · 29/05/2016 16:01

We love it too, you'll have a great time! Magic hours are an hour before the park opens to the public, and an hour after it closes too I think, for the residents to make use of the attraction without the general public there. If there is a firework display in the evening it is well worth staying for. I was in tears myself watching it! Have a fab time, we've done it twice and are off to Florida next year! Smile

birdsdestiny · 29/05/2016 16:04

If you are staying in a disney hotel you are allowed in park between 8am and 10am before park opens to public so queues are shorter then. My two are 6 and 11, best rides for them were buzzlightyear, andratatouille. We split up quite a bit as obviously crush coaster, etc are not suitable for 5 year olds. But my 11 year old loved some of the younger rides such as small world and Pinocchio. Buzz lightyear was the one we went on most.

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