1st Visit to DLP...any advice?

[LaughingTAD]

Hello everyone! :lol: I'm going to be in Paris for the 1st time from May 30th to June 3rd, and wondered if there is a better day of the week to see Disneyland Paris?

I figured I would skip going to the Studios park altogether, and just spend a day, maybe two, at Disneyland. Do they have a discount entry price for evening visits? Can you see the whole park in one day?

I'm traveling by myself so I can take my time seeing the park. I may go for 1.5 days.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance!!!

P.S. Is the Kyriad Hotel okay to stay at? That's where I have reservations!

[pussnboots]

Yes, avoid the Studios. Instead, peek through its gates and behold some nice atmosphere on the entrance plaza, because that way you'll leave with the nicest memory of the park possible.

I don't think there are discount prices for evenings. And you can see most of the Disneyland park in a single day, superficially that is, but there are LOTS of wonderful layers underneath the obvious that will have you enjoyed for days. The park may not have a Splash Mountain or a Toontown, but makes up for that in atmosphere. With that in mind, check out the castle inside out (shops, gallery, fire-breathing dragon in dungeon), the Nautilus walkthrough, the Main Street arcades, the Aladdin walkthrough, Alice's labyrinth, and for after that you won't easily find a more exuberantly relaxing place than the Disneyland Hotel (right at the entrance) and its lounges and bar... It's really a beautiful park. I'm sorry if I'm preaching to the choir, but I figured I'd better give you the basic speech just to be sure, haha.

I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you about what day of the week to go, with the opening hours and fireworks/parade schedules and all.

[Evil Minion]

Might want to read this thread:

http://www.micechat.com/showthread.php?t=1866

[DLRP_bopazot]

I'm going to be in Paris for the 1st time from May 30th to June 3rd....

Those dates are very good because the French students are still in school and the parks is now crowded .

I'll take off on June 3rd for LAX for my trip to DLR .

Start your trip with a full day at Disneyland Park and then the second day morning at the Studios untill the 3.15pm Stunt Show and then back to Disneyland to finish your second day by re riding on Space Mountain Mission 2 , Phantom Manor and Pirates .

[mickeyslittlehelper]

Yes, avoid the Studios. Instead, peek through its gates and behold some nice atmosphere on the entrance plaza, because that way you'll leave with the nicest memory of the park possible.

Is it worth it to spend a part of the day seeing the stunt show, riding RnRC, and doing Armageddon? Or would that time be better spent in DLP?

[pussnboots]

It depends on your idea of a good time. The rides and shows are generally not awful, and RnRC is getting rave reviews the world over. However, the rides are wrapped up in aluminium lunch boxes with miles of nothingness in between, so if you tend to like a park for its atmosphere or architecture, I'd say it's just not worth the entrance fee. Well, perhaps once, in a morbid car crash tourism kind of way. Then you'll be able to decide for yourself anyway.

[Not Afraid]

Start your trip with a full day at Disneyland Park and then the second day morning at the Studios untill the 3.15pm Stunt Show and then back to Disneyland to finish your second day by re riding on Space Mountain Mission 2 , Phantom Manor and Pirates .

That's what we did our first trip for the first 2 days, then found that Disneyland was the place we wanted to be. The second trip, we also went into the Studios, but just to see the Parade and ride RnRC. It was a short visit - then back to incredible DL.

[LaughingTAD]

Thanks everyone for the advice! I may plan on getting a two-day park hopper.

Has anyone stayed at the Kyriad hotel? Is it any good? I think I got a good deal, and thought it would be a safe bet since I've never been to Paris and don't know what their hotels are like....at least the ones I could afford! I figured I couldn't go wrong with a hotel on the Disney lot (or near) for <$100/night!

Any comments?

[J9000]

the french schools have time off on a wednesday, so skip that day. the studios are really dissapointing, however you can get a multipark for about 9 euros extra on a day ticket. even then, thats expensive for the studios. i think multi days are for both parks only.

on the plus side, theres cinemagique which is pretty good, rnrc, and the stunt show.

also be sure to ride phantom manor, and thunder mountain truly works of art

hope this helps
John

[Asterix]

If you get the park hopper, yes do see Cinemagique and RR Coaster. If you want to see the Studios at their worst, I'd say try the tram tour or Armageddon. You'll probably ditch the Studios pretty darn quickly.

You get to go on their Big Thunder, I'm so envious! I miss it. Even the smaller attractions like Casey Jr. are full of surprises and worth doing.

At the Studios there is a sit down restaurant which has good food, and they have free coffee! Free!!

And of course there's the non-Disney park, Parc Asterix...but you won't likely have time for it...(www.parcasterix.fr)

[TweedlDum9]

It's not that bad, guys!

Yes, avoid the Studios. Instead, peek through its gates and behold some nice atmosphere on the entrance plaza, because that way you'll leave with the nicest memory of the park possible.

I'm curious as to how many of you have actually been to the Studios Park, or are just making suggestions based on what you've read and heard.

To LaughingTAD: You DO need to go into the Studios Park. You definitely don't need to experience everything (who really cares about Aladdin's Flying Carpets?), but here are a few things you MUST do:

1. Watch the "Disney Cinema Parade." It's a little weird and "European" in terms of its design and presentation, but it's better than having no parade at all, right? Just remember that this park's central walkway (now the Parade Route) was not originally designed to accommodate a large parade, so you will need to search a little to find a good spot (IMHO somewhere along the unside of a curve so you can see things both ahead of and after you) Oh, and make sure the sun is behind you so it won't blind your pictures!

2. See "Cinemagique!" Oh my gosh, this is one of the greatest theme park films ANYWHERE, and this alone is almost worth the admission into the Park. Martin Short stars in the film, which at its core is a really spectacular take on the history of movies... except that it's really cool. Only a few of the clips in the film are actually Disney movies, which makes it even cooler since some of the scenes are things you would never have expected to see!

3. Watch "Animagique!" Similarly, I dare say this is one of the most entertaining shows I've seen. It's all done in black-light with a lot of puppetry (a la Voyage of the Little Mermaid at MGM), but on a much larger scale than anything I've ever seen. And the Heffalumps absolutely stole the show for me!

4. There are other things like Rock 'n Roller Coaster (same track, just different lighting) and the Stunt Show (awesome) that you should also make a point of doing... but I figure everyone who goes through the gates will see those anyway, so I don't need to take time to list them again here.

I just wanted to make a point of saying that, while WDS definitely fails in terms of things like atmosphere or the number of attractions, there are actually several good things that still make it worthwhile... especially in terms of its entertainment offerings!

And besides... You know no one else will be in the park no matter what day you go, so it won't take too long to hit up the good attractions and entertainment before hightailing it next door to Disneyland.

Oh... And you definitely, DEFINITELY need at least two days to truly experience everything (and you WILL want to experience things like Big Thunder, Phantom Manor, and Space Mountain more than once)! I would suggest spending one full day in Disneyland Park. On the second day, go into the Studios at park opening, see what you want to see (and what I've suggested, of course... :-p), and then go into Disneyland again.

Have a wonderful trip! You will come home having the WORST case of castle envy ever!!!

[LaughingTAD]

Thank you TweedlDum9, and everyone else too for your helpful insight! I will probably go on Tuesday and Thursday, since I've heard (from this board and elsewhere) that Wednesday will be crowded with school kids.

I'm probably going to look like the typical American tourist with my videocamera and my digital camera lugging around, but I don't care. I'll enjoy being a kid at heart!!!

Has anyone stayed at the Kyriad hotel?

[milo_vhw]

Kyriad hotel

Has anyone stayed at the Kyriad hotel? Is it any good? I think I got a good deal, and thought it would be a safe bet since I've never been to Paris and don't know what their hotels are like....at least the ones I could afford!
Any comments?

I visited DLP this april and stayed at the Kyriad hotel. REALLY GREAT HOTEL !!
The rooms are very clean, acceptable size, tv. We got a really nice bathroom with a bath and shower. There's a cute Disneystore in the hotel. Breakfast is a great buffet. The fresh juices are quitte jummy. But what's really good, is that there a bus going from and to the park every ten minutes. You'll be at the entrance gate in +/- 9 minutes.
You should do the hopper! Studios are quitte cool (for a while). We also did 2 days. First whole day Disneyland. Second day in the morning Studio's (see: CINEMAGIQUE!!!, stunt show, RnRC, i'm not quitte sure if Armaggedon is that great), then we went to Disneyland for the rest of the day.
If you have a medium budget do the Rainforest Cafe in DisneyVillage !! Great atmosphere and large fishtanks and other nice jungle stuff.
Small budget? Go to McDonalds. It is the best looking McD in Europe.

Most of all I wish u lots of fun in one of the happiest places in the world.

- Milo

[pussnboots]

I'm curious as to how many of you have actually been to the Studios Park, or are just making suggestions based on what you've read and heard.

Well, this is one park I'm proud to say I've actually been to, haha! But seeing the thing in person really doesn't make it any better... Well, there's the music, but that kind of feels like they're playing epic George Lucasian music to the sight of a parking lot.

[Mooshu]

I plan on going to DLP in September 2005. I was wondering if anyone knew of any park tours they have? and if they do how can I make reservations.

Thanks

[Olivier]

I plan on going to DLP in September 2005. I was wondering if anyone knew of any park tours they have? and if they do how can I make reservations.

Thanks

Found on the official site :

http://www.disneylandparis.com/uk/good_to_know/boutiques/park_services.htm#21

Have fun !

[PeaJay18]

I'd be interested to know if anyone has taken the guided tour of DLP - it's something I'm considering for my visit in Oct.

Anybody know if it's worth it? (or is that a whole new thread?)

[Mooshu]

Thank you! I will probably take the tour in September and I'll give you a summary when I get back!

[mickeyandme67]

Just got back from DLP. Let me weigh in on the Studio. Yes, it is small, but the stunt show, RnR Rollercoaster, Cinemagique all are really worthwhile. Armeggedon is also worth it if there is no wait. It is kinda cool as it is mostly in French so you really don't know what the hell is going on and then Wham! I thought it was good cheesy fun.

You will spend much more time in Disneyland, but the walk between the parks is only like five minutes. Go for it!

[LaughingTAD]

Hi everyone! I just got back from my trip, and have a few things to say about Disneyland. First, I still like Disneyland in California best, but there are a couple of rides I thought were better in Paris. Space Mountain was fun, but the ending was a little dissapointing. Thunder Mountain was a BIG surprise, as I don't care much for the one in California, but this one was GREAT!!! Especially the ending...it felt like we were dropping forever! I didn't care for Phantom Manor at all! (sorry!!!) I felt it was too much like a carnival haunted house...especially the graveyard. Pirates was closed, unfortunately, and I was really looking forward to that ride. Overall, it was a beautiful park, but I didn't care for it as much as I thought I would. Maybe I read too much hype and therefore was a little dissapointed. What also didn't help was that I accidently left my backpack in Phantom Manor, and nobody turned it in!!! I was so dissapointed...it kind of ruined the rest of my day. I kept checking back every couple of hours, and even called a week later, and nobody turned it in! There was nothing valuable in it, just my jacket, sunglasses, and a camera case (no camera fortunately!). I was bummed that someone didn't think anything about taking something that didn't belong to them, but I won't accuse ALL the French people of being this way!! <grin>

For anyone planning on staying at the Kyriad Hotel.....DON'T DO IT!!!! I'm definately not the type of person to complain, and I didn't complain either, but I will never stay there again!!! Tons of loud, obnoxious, COMPLETLY MISBEHAVED kids, mostly from somewhere in England (very strong accent!). They also gave me a room directly above the reception area, which didn't help. I didn't complain, but I know better for next time (if there IS a next time) to stay in Paris and just take the train to Disneyland. I say IF there is a next time because I wasn't very impressed with French hospitality, or lack of, but that's a whole other story. IMHO, London has Paris beat by a long shot!!!

Oh well, many thanks to everyone who gave me advice on this site....MUCH MUCH appreciated!!!

Tad