First Visit

[jett]

Hi,

I am an American going to be visiting Disneyland Paris for the first time right before Christmas. Just to give you some background, I grew up on Disneyland and go very often, and have been to WDW a few times. Of course, I love Disneyland the best.

1 - I guess there are no fireworks, but is there any other nighttime shows that I shouldn't miss? How early do I have to get there?

2 - Any specific food places that you would recommend as don't miss? For example, at Disneyland I always bring visitors to the Blue Bayou.

3 - Is one day enough? I'm a poor college student so I hope it is... and I hear that the Studios park isn't that great anyway.

4 - What are the don't miss attractions that are significantly different than Disneyland? I know Phantom Manor is supposed to be amazing, and I think Space Mountain, but I'm not too sure...

5 - any other tips?

Thanks so much! I'm really excited... after this only 2 more parks to go (TDL and HKDL), although I'll probably never get to those

[pussnboots]

Re: First Visit

Hi,

I am an American going to be visiting Disneyland Paris for the first time right before Christmas. Just to give you some background, I grew up on Disneyland and go very often, and have been to WDW a few times. Of course, I love Disneyland the best.

1 - I guess there are no fireworks, but is there any other nighttime shows that I shouldn't miss? How early do I have to get there?

2 - Any specific food places that you would recommend as don't miss? For example, at Disneyland I always bring visitors to the Blue Bayou.

3 - Is one day enough? I'm a poor college student so I hope it is... and I hear that the Studios park isn't that great anyway.

4 - What are the don't miss attractions that are significantly different than Disneyland? I know Phantom Manor is supposed to be amazing, and I think Space Mountain, but I'm not too sure...

5 - any other tips?

Thanks so much! I'm really excited... after this only 2 more parks to go (TDL and HKDL), although I'll probably never get to those

1. I read they're putting on a yuletide version of Candleabration, which will surely involve lighting the Christmas lights on Main Street and the castle.

2. Walt's, over Main Street. The food is great and the restaurant is about as Disney as it gets.

3. Well, Disneyland Park is rather large and has thousands of nooks and crannies that take a little longer than a day to fully explore. But I'm sure you can get all the big rides in. The Studios is a construction site at the moment. I suggest you peek through the main gate (which is just about the best part anyway) and leave, haha.

4. Space Mountain is radically different in Paris, but you won't fail to notice that even from afar. The castle has a gallery and a dragon which can't be missed. The Nautilus walk-through in Discoveryland is very charming, when it's open. The other big rides are similar to those at other parks, but never Xeroxed copies, so they're still definitely worth a gander.

5. Don't wear flip-flops and shorts.

[Malin]

Re: First Visit

1) If your going just before Christmas there is a chance the night time parade Fantaillusion will be performing. Also of course you must catch Candlebration the parks 15th Anniversary castle lighting show, which at Christmas will include a special Christmas ending involving the Disney Pricesses and Princes.

2) Please avoid the Blue Lagoon Resturant as food is over priced, bland, cold and service is slow. As for other Resturants I'll go like Puss with Walt's or one of the many other resturants in the Disney Village and Disney hotels. Here is a good website that offers menu's and reviews. http://www.dlpfoodguide.com/index.php

3) Personally if you can stretch the budget I would try and do 2 days as 1 day in my opinion would be pushing it. DLRP has so much to explore and look at, and please don't listen to what you hear about the Studios as while its not perfect it does still offer some neat shows and attractions. Crush and Cinemagique are high on my list here.

4) Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates and Phantom Manor are all unique versions and are a must. Also another must see attraction is the Lion King show it will blow you away.

[mikeland]

Re: First Visit

Definitely dine at Walt's, but it's not a place for a fast meal. Definitely stay for more than one day - after all, how many times do you get to visit DLRP?

[jett]

Re: First Visit

Definitely dine at Walt's, but it's not a place for a fast meal. Definitely stay for more than one day - after all, how many times do you get to visit DLRP?

Not many, but unfortunately I'll only be in Paris for about 5 days total and we're also going to do day trips to Versailles and Normandy, so with the 1 day at Disneyland we already only have 2 days actually in Paris. I'm sure that there's tons to see at the park, but I guess I'll just have to come back again!

Thanks for the help everyone! It will come in really useful for our planning. I might try and post a short trip report afterwards... personally I love seeing the original Disneyland from the eyes of someone who has never been there before.

Thanks!

[GUYNYC]

Re: First Visit

As someone who also grew up on Disneyland, and who just got back from DLRP...I would suggest that you must see Phantom Manor and Pirates. They are two great takes on the DL favorites. Also, you should ride Crush at the Studios--go early in the am for that one--like before the park opens. It really is a fun ride.

[jett]

Re: First Visit

Thanks!

[nathan detroit]

Re: First Visit

An American in Paris (great film btw!) should not avoid the Studios. It has a very hard time on this site but for someone used to the US parks, it has a lot of different stuff to offer - Animagique, Cinemagique, Crush's Coaster, Armageddin' Outta Here, ermm... not forgetting et cetra!

[DISNEYMAGIC71]

Re: First Visit

Hi! This is my first post, too, on mice chat. I hope that someone will be able to offer some help/advice. We are going to DLRP March 20 - 24th. Although we live here in New Jersey, we will be leaving for Disneyland Paris from London, as we will be visiting and traveling with our daughter who is doing a semester abroad. We looked into the Eurotrain, but it seems to be extremely expensive to go straight to disney (like over $1000 for the 3 of us). We could take another London train into Paris for a little more than $300, but we are somewhat confused how to get to Disney from there. That train goes into the Paris - Nord station. How much does it cost to go from that station to Disney and how difficult is it to get from Paris Nord to the train I need to continue onto Disney. We will be arriving at night. I know it's the red line that we need to get. Is it really worth the extra money (a whole lot extra - lol) to just take the Eurotrain straight to Disney. Does anyone know of any discounts? Also, we're DVC members, so we decided to use our points for our full stay in Paris at the Disney Sequioa Lodge Resort. How long does it take to get into Paris from Disney. Thank you sooooo much for any and all help you can give. Have a magical day!!!!

[nbodyhome]

Re: First Visit

Hi! This is my first post, too, on mice chat. I hope that someone will be able to offer some help/advice. We are going to DLRP March 20 - 24th. Although we live here in New Jersey, we will be leaving for Disneyland Paris from London, as we will be visiting and traveling with our daughter who is doing a semester abroad.

That seems a lot for the Eurostar, but I guess it's more because you are so close to your trip! I always book as soon as it's available. It is VERY convenient, though I always take it into Paris, since I spend more time there.

Getting from Gare Du Nord isn't hard, but you'll want to plot your trip out so you aren't bumbling around the station. I wouldn't personally pay $700 extra to get straight to DLP. I normally get the Carte Orange (not sure if that is still available, I think they were changing the name) for the week. There are a variety of ticket options, but none will equal $700.00.

Oh - I just noticed the night part. What time do you plan to arrive? The best discount for the Eurostar is to book early, I don't know of any others! Oh - and going off-time, that can be cheaper. I'm sure you know that also.

Make sure to see Paris! DLP is fun, but Paris is exquisite. I have Paris pics here:

http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=38&Itemid=68

And DLP pics here:

http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=33&Itemid=63

That was from last May. I love Paris, and London is very nice as well. London has my favorite grocery stores!

[davewasbaloo]

Re: First Visit

Hmmm, well the big difference between the Eurostar direct and all the other options is it saves you a couple of hours travel time, so it really depends how much time is a premium for you.

It takes about 30 mins to transfer from the Gare de Nord to Le Halles to take the RER A line to Chessy Marle Le Vallee (DLP). That train takes between 45-60mins and is not always the safest way to travel at night (fine in the day).

so I think a lot depends on when you are planning to go.

If saving money is the key thing, then you could also look at flying out of London Luton on Easyjet (sometimes very cheap fares are available). Train fare to the airport is about $40 each and then transfers to and from Charles de Gaulle to DLP is about $60 each round trip.

Have a great trip, any more questions just ask.

BTW, to set expectations the Sequoia Lodge is quite nice, but it is a moderate, more akin to Port Orleans Riverside minus the services.

[DISNEYMAGIC71]

Re: First Visit

Thank you so much for the info. It really proved to be helpful. My daughter was able to get a good price for the eurostar in London, but we will be going into Gare de Nord. We decided that we would take a van to Disneyland Paris. We definitely are going to tour Paris! Does anyone know about the tour that Disney has for Paris? We thought of taking it for one day. By the way, I LOVED your pictures. Thanks for sharing!

[nathan detroit]

Re: First Visit

Thank you so much for the info. It really proved to be helpful. My daughter was able to get a good price for the eurostar in London, but we will be going into Gare de Nord. We decided that we would take a van to Disneyland Paris. We definitely are going to tour Paris! Does anyone know about the tour that Disney has for Paris? We thought of taking it for one day. By the way, I LOVED your pictures. Thanks for sharing!

My mother and mother-in-law took the Disney Paris trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think its strictly tourist-ville but included a trip to the Eiffel Tower (although only half-way up - something that two semi-elderly ladies put pay to and insisted on going to the top. Even the French are no match for these two!).
Anyway, they enjoyed it although when I am at DLP, even the lure of the city of Paris is not enough to get me out of the resort!

[pussnboots]

Re: First Visit

My mother and mother-in-law took the Disney Paris trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think its strictly tourist-ville but included a trip to the Eiffel Tower (although only half-way up - something that two semi-elderly ladies put pay to and insisted on going to the top. Even the French are no match for these two!).
Anyway, they enjoyed it although when I am at DLP, even the lure of the city of Paris is not enough to get me out of the resort!

Bless them. When you put "climbing the Eiffel Tower" on your "to do before I die" list, you're not talking about going halfway up, after all. I wish I had done the same.