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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there’s nothing ‘magical’ about Disneyland Paris?

193 replies

Wrappleschat82 · 01/04/2019 08:14

And it’s all just one big money making extravaganza. I guess if you can throw enough money at it then maybe the ‘magic’ comes more easily.
We are meant to be going in a few weeks and I’m hoping for a bout of norovirus instead! I was really excited when we booked it a year ago but gradually I’ve started to feel similar towards it as I do now to Christmas: one big money making load of crap.
I’m on the fb Disneyland Paris site and it’s full of adults crying over meeting a French woman in a mouse costume. Trip advisor speaks the truth - that it’s too busy, there’s no customer care, the only places you don’t have to queue for hours are the shops (cunning) and that generally it couldn’t be less magical.

I do wish I could stop seeing everything through the lens of ‘just trying to make money’ because now I’ve started it applies to a lot of things that are billed as ‘special.’ Dh was talking about taking the children to some Easter hunt thing with loads of Easter decorations in the gardens. It looks really impressive online. Then I just think ‘money making scheme.’

OP posts:
Echobelly · 01/04/2019 08:18

I have to say hate the whole thing of calling a commercial enterprise 'Magical'. But, must say we went, to DLP a few years ago as we had an opportunity to go 'off peak' when the kids were a good age, and we're cynical as hell and not Disney fans and we had a fantastic time, really great. We're quite satisfied never to go again, but we went with the flow and had a lot of fun, even though yes, things like food are very expensive.

Top tip - get the kids costumes in Argos or whatever, pack them, and present them the first morning. Kids will be thrilled, costumes will be £50 cheaper than Disneyland ones (which, admittedly are extra fancy, but all the same) and you'll get lots of parent points.

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 01/04/2019 08:18

YANBU.

They keep all the magic in Florida unfortunately...

SimonJT · 01/04/2019 08:18

I went last year (long weekend during term time) and we enjoyed it, we’re going back at the end of May/start of June for three days for an event.

We like it, I found it to be fairly reasonable (apart from food) when I compare how much I spend on weekends away in the UK. Although someone else has paid this time, so I’m not sure what premium the event has added.

NorthernBirdAtHeart · 01/04/2019 08:18

So don’t go then. I’d love to take my kids to Disneyland. And yes it’s about making money, it’s a commercial venture, in the same way that Lego Land and Alton Towers are.
YABU to complain about something you’ve never actually experienced yourself.

Brunobear · 01/04/2019 08:23

I can see no attraction in anything to do with Disney and we have a child who would hate it so we would never go but if other people enjoy it then presumably they consider the money well spent.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 01/04/2019 08:23

YABU and rather judgemental. It’s definitely not a patch on Florida, but the cast members there are amazing, and you don’t have to queue for hours or wait too long for anything if you just spend a bit of time doing some research.

BeanBag7 · 01/04/2019 08:24

I also find the grown adults getting so into it kind of weird. A friend of mine (mid 20s, no kids) is going to the Florida one this summer and is already "so excited" about meeting Mickey. I can understand kids being into it but adults KNOW it's just a bloke in a costume.

I don't think we will take DD to Disneyland unless we're can get a really cheap deal. We live really close to Peppa Pig World so she can go there and meet Peppa and George instead Grin

Inniu · 01/04/2019 08:24

You either need to go off peak or have VIP fast passes.

Original poster
Wrappleschat82 · 01/04/2019 08:25

No I’ve been before and enjoyed it.
It’s my new cynical frame of mind that has changed. I feel like I’m seeing it as it really is!

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 01/04/2019 08:25

I can see no attraction in anything to do with Disney and we have a child who would hate it so we would never go

Yeah, my MIL thought that and never took my DH, but we’ve been to both DLP and WDW numerous times because we both love it. He had been told all his life by his mum he would hate it, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.

PurplePiePete · 01/04/2019 08:26

Commercial venture aims to make money non- shocker. What do you expect from a business with a captive audience? Tabulated.

stucknoue · 01/04/2019 08:30

It's really busy in summer and quite expensive but it's special imho we all liked it but vowed not to return in summer

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 01/04/2019 08:30

Parc Asterix is far more fun.

Brunobear · 01/04/2019 08:30

My son would hate it. He has autism and all the people, noise and over stimulation and difference from his usual life would be very distressing for him. I accept that many children would love it so others should accept that it is not what some children would enjoy.

Mumshappy · 01/04/2019 08:31

The magic for me when is my daughters face (3) when she went running into cinderella arms when she was crossing the park with prince charming to go to a specific event. They arent meant to interact when they do this (just wave) but dd just did it. The girl was from the UK and made a fuss of her but the Prince was far from charming. He wasnt impressed.

Bufferingkisses · 01/04/2019 08:31

You need to let go of your cynicism before it starts ruining things for you and your kids. Yes it's about making money, it's a business! We all know that, your realisation doesn't stand you apart in some way. It's just that the people on fb etc have decided to go with it and enjoy it for what it is. Im not suggesting you start weeping at the feet of the nearest Goofy but definitely lighten up a bit and teach yourself to go with the flow for the sake of some (expensive) family fun.

GreenEggsHamandChips · 01/04/2019 08:32

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TheNavigator · 01/04/2019 08:35

We went as a family with our teens and had such a laugh - I think cynical teens are the best company. You can gawp at the middle aged couples in micky mouse ears and tackiness of it all, while still appreciating the incredible design, attention to detail and amazing rides. We still have great memories of that weekend. I wouldn't take teenies - most of them seemed to be have sobbing tanties.

YouBumder · 01/04/2019 08:38

I liked it, it’s as commercial and overpriced as hell obviously and I hate queuing but I quite enjoyed my few days in the Disney bubble.

I’m with you on grown adults who fawn over characters though. Tbh I’m even a bit puzzled by kids who do too. My nieces apparently believe that the costumes contain the real Belle or Moana or whatever 😬🙄 I was a cynical bitch as a child, I’d never have fallen for that in a million years.

melissasummerfield · 01/04/2019 08:38

I think your enjoyment / happiness / ‘magic’ should be coming from seeing how your dc find it ‘magical’ Confused

Same with the easter thing, its not something an adult would really enjoy but i love seeing how my dc enjoy stuff like that and that is what makes me happy!

mclaleli · 01/04/2019 08:39

I hated it. Queuing for over an hour with young kids is no fun. We went in march one year and not only was it busy with mad queue times, it was bloody freezing too. Frosty each morning type cold. I hated it. Nothing magical at all. The waiting ends me.

SouthWestmom · 01/04/2019 08:40

Last time we went (October) I felt like you op. I think it's that page! All the adults making gifts to take for cast members, banging on about 'pixie dust' - blagging free stuff - and making it sound like a military style operation.

Plus my son was very unwell and I spent a lot of time crying outside things.

Also witnessed a lot of fed up angry parents (way more chilled pleasant ones) and some poor kid being smacked by his irate mum behind a wall.

Grown adults pushing my kids away from me (in the disabled area!) so they could get a better view.

Etc

GreenEggsHamandChips · 01/04/2019 08:41

i can see no attraction in anything to do with Disney and we have a child who would hate it so we would never go

My DP fully grown thought this. Early in our relationship he came with us on a short "farewell visit" to DLP. It turned out not to be a farewell visit afteralĺ... GrinGrinGrin

Mumshappy · 01/04/2019 08:43

In 2007 I had to complain about a french woman sat on the prime carriage roundabout spot for six turns lol. She refused to get off despite the queue and the children wanting to sit on it. Her partner/dh was encouraging her to strike several poses laid across the damm thing. She had to be told by staff several times to get off. It was bizarre. I also had an argument with an italian woman after waiting for 1.5 hours before the evening parade on the kerb so my daughter and niece could see. She turned up literally as it started and tried to shove us all out of the way. She spoke no english and I dont speak Italian but I turned into a fishwife.

BlackSatinDancer · 01/04/2019 08:43

All the Disney sites are expensive and, sadly the world does seem to revolve around money.

I was really disappointed with Disney land Paris. It is very small compared to others and the weather not reliable. However I think Disneyland in Los Angeles is a magical place in spite of the queues and the cost. Maybe it is more to do with the constant sunshine and dry weather and also the lakeside setting for the nightly shows.

Disneyworld Orlando is also far superior to Paris but gets spoilt in summer months by humidity and massive afternoon deluges of rain.

IME there does seem to be a cultural difference as children in the US visiting Disney sites seem to be more happy and excited than us whinging Brits. This all adds to the magical atmosphere there.