We are back fresh from Europe! Are you eager to learn about Disneyland Paris!?! I’m going to be brutally honest, if you want to save money, don’t go in the summer! I think that, for the ultimate Disney fans, it’s something you should see. If you aren’t all that interested, save your money for something bigger and better in France. There is a lot to do, but that is for another time and place 😉
I loved being in another Disney park. The decor and the rides were great! Their Space Mountain was awesome, it has a fast take off and some twists and the decor and theme may even be better than Orlando’s. Most of the rides were comparable to the ones we know and love. We rode the following: Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Small World, Lancelot’s Carousel, Hatter’s tea cups, Pirates of the Caribbean (no Jack Sparrow in theirs!), Indiana Jones Coaster and the Haunted Mansion. The Indiana Jones coaster was more like a “wild mouse” ride. Personally, I like the show better;) Their Rock and Roll roller coaster was down while we were there, so there wasn’t too much to do in the Studios Park besides Tower of Terror. Like our Hollywood Studios, their Studios Park is a lot of shows and experiences. It was very crowded so getting on everything was never a possibility.
Ok, so the truth? Disneyland Paris is NOT worth the money in the summer time. Ever. I do not regret going, because if we did not go I’d always be wondering what it was like. Take my advice though, and save yourself the money. If you must go, visit in the fall or in the spring, but never during the French holidays I mentioned in the last post. While the park was beautiful and the rides were fun, the people were awful. Think about the worse days at any amusement park…you know, the non-Disney ones that are annoying and crowded. It seemed like the staff at DLRP have no control over the crowds and are not as efficient as our beloved cast members. As soon as we got into our first line at Space Mountain, there were so many line cutters!!! They were blatant and so rude about it, and even though the cast members tried to help, they were ultimately helpless. This was my 3rd time to France and I have never, ever experienced the French being mean until now.
Also, the Fast Pass system isn’t even a system, and you’ll still wait in 30 min+ lines. It was a terrible experience waiting in their lines, whereas in our Disney, it’s never a situation that makes me upset or stress. It honestly killed the magic of it all, which was such a let down in such a beautiful park. I do think that this problem could possibly be remedied with less crowds, so if someone visits at another time, I’d love to hear your experience.
The other fact I would like to tell you is that France is VERY rainy in the summer! Not like Orlando, where it may rain in the afternoon for a little bit and then clears up again, it rains all day! It’s cold rain too, so again save the money and time and save yourself some wet feet and clothes and go in the fall or spring when the weather is perfect and the crowds are low low low!All that said, I am very glad we went and got to try it out. We may never have that opportunity again! Would I return? Maybe! If we went at a different time with less crowds and had kids with us, it would be worth it. If the weather was better I would’ve loved strolling around the park more, enjoying their decor and comparing it to WDW Orlando. The truth is though, there is no comparison. You can copy the landscaping and the decoration and the rides, but you can’t recreate the magic that grabs you and stays with you forever. I appreciate our Disney more than ever, and the hard work that is put into everyday operations so that each guest has a magical experience! Disneyland Paris was great, but it just wasn’t “Disney” enough for me;)
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Tina works full time as a school counselor in an elementary school. She lives close to Baltimore, MD with her husband Dave and her 13 year old stepdaughter, Ashley. They also have a furry family member, a cat name Frodo, that keeps life interesting in their house! Tina began visiting Disney World as a child with her family, and now her, Dave & Ashley take a trip to the World every year. She considers herself a Disney “fanatic” and once her family is finished one trip, she is already planning their next one. Tina loves to find the best deals, even in the busy seasons (she can only go when schools are off!) and loves sharing those deals & tips with anyone and everyone! What Tina loves most is the magic of WDW, it makes her feel like a kid again. She hopes that every family has the opportunity go to the World and experience the magic for themselves because it has a way of reminding its visitors that dreams do indeed come true! Read more of Tina’s work on her blog A Not So Bland Life, where she writes about home decor, cooking, couponing, traveling, and and of course, Disney!
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Loved hearing about Disneyland Paris – I’m sad that it isn’t “Disney” like our WDW or DL though. That is a shame, but here’s hoping it is better a different time of the year. Glad to hear you really enjoyed your other travels. Welcome back!