Disneyland Paris
Topic: First timer looking for advice

#	Author	Message
1	HokieSkipper Thu 2/2/2012 11:08a	So I'm heading for a 10 day European excursion in April, and I have 2 comp tickets to any Disney park left from back when I was a CM that expire in May, so my friend and I are taking a day on April 15 to check out Disneyland Paris once we've finished a few days in Paris. So, basically I'm looking for advice from more regular guests. I know April is the beginning of their big 20th celebration, so I'm expecting crowds, but I was hoping someone could let me know what the regular crowds were like at that time of the year. How long does it take to get there from Paris by train? I know the park has fastpass, and I was wondering what attractions you guys would recommend getting FP for? I've read Big Thunder is basically a necessity for FPing, but what else? My list of must do's are Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Pirates, and Phantom Manor. What else can't I miss? Thanks for all the advice in advance, everyone!
2	dagobert Thu 2/2/2012 11:45a	Hi Hokie, I've been to DLRP in April only once and the crowds were okay. It depends on the school holidays in France and the neighbouring countries. Maybe someone else knows more, but I think there are school holidays in France at that time. As for the trains from Paris to DLP: http://parisbytrain.com/rer-tr...-disney/ Usually it takes about 45 minutes from the centre to DLP. It's not a Disney train, so don't expect too much. It's a regular commuter train. I would recommend the following attractions: - Phantom Manor - It's a little bit different to the US counterparts. I prefer it over MK's version. - Big Thunder Mt. - It's also a better version compared to the US. The ride is located on an island. You should definitely use FP, the queues can be very long. - Pirates of the Caribbean - The ride doesn't feature the movie characters and that's why I like it more than the MK version. - it's a small world - It features an US scene. - Pinocchio's Journey - You don't have it in the MK. - Space Mt. - It's a lot better than the SM in Florida. It's launch coaster with inversions, but be warned it is a bit rough and bumpy. You also shouldn't miss the dragon beneath the castle and the Nautilus walk through. If you still have time, you could try the Indiana Jones coaster and some of the Fantasyland dark rides. Disneyland Paris is a wonderful park with many details, so take your time. However I want to warn you that people smoke everywhere and there is a possibilty that the park is not as clean as the US parks. The CMs are all friendly and polite, but they are not as friendly as their US colleagues. Do you plan to visit Walt Disney Studios Park as well? If so, you could try Crush's Coaster, a spinning coaster, but the lines are always very, very long. Cinemagique is also a must see in that park. Tower of Terror is the same as in California and Rock'n'Roller Coaster as a little bit different than its brother in Florida. WDSP is considered to be the worst Disney park, but I have to admit that I'm one of the few who likes to spend time there. Nevertheless I prefer DHS' theming.
3	dagobert Thu 2/2/2012 11:52a	Since the official DLRP homepage is pretty bad, I would suggest the following site: http://www.dlrpmagic.com/ It's a fan made website, but it offers a lot of information about the resort. I wish you a wonderful stay in Europe and at DLRP. Enjoy your time.
4	HokieSkipper Thu 2/2/2012 11:52a	Thanks for the advice! Yes, I've read about how detailed the park is and plan on attempting to take my time, but it may be difficult considering we've only got one day there! As for the Studios, we will be skipping it. With only one day, we'd rather spend as much time in Disneyland Park as we can, as Crush is really the only thing we're interested in over there. I definitely want to check out the dragon and Nautilus, as well as take some time to explore Adventure Island. I'm interested to see how long the park will be open. I know they mentioned extended hours coming up due to the start of Dreams. From pictures, the park looks breathtaking at night.
5	davewasbaloo Thu 2/2/2012 11:53a	I will need to get back to you hokie, but I will be there when you are there if you want to meet? To add to dagobert's list, also worth while are time to explore adventure isle, the nautilus and Alice's curious labyrinth. Also we have storybookland which the MK does not. In the studios - armageddon is also unique. Take ,I prefer WDSP to DHS (except dining). Let me know if you need any tips on non Disney stuff too.
6	dagobert Thu 2/2/2012 11:55a	For lunch or dinner I would recommend a table service restaurant, because the fast food can be disppointing. You should try Walt's - An American Restaurant. It has a lot of references to Walt Disney. By the way all restaurants in both parks serve alcohol.
7	davewasbaloo Thu 2/2/2012 11:59a	Difficult to tell, they usually close at 8pm during the week and 10 at weekends. But with the promised extended opening, who knows? Sometimes they only publish the hours the week before. For a 1 day touring plan - start with a to for Big thunder and either ride phantom manor or a river boat while you wait. Head across to discoveryland and grab a fp for space mountain, ride star tours version 1 or buzz while you wait, by then, hopefully the nautilus will be open (this is later in the day sadly). Then go to adventureland and grab a fp for indy and explore adventure isle. Then grab a fp for peter pan and go on pirates of the caribbean and iasw while you wait. Enjoy anything else fantasyland that takes your fancy.
8	Bolna Fri 2/3/2012 1:00a	I would agree with most of the advice given so far. A few things which haven't been mentioned yet: Take your time to explore Main Street, look at the display in the arcades, look at the theming inside the shops. Don't miss the labyrinth. It should be freshly refurbished when you are there and it is unique. Make sure you climb the Queen's castle for quite an interesting view. I think the Storybook boats are very charming. But they do tend to get ridiculously long lines and often have reduced opening hours. DLP has my favourite version of Peter Pan. But this is another candidate for long long lines - you might want to get a FP there early if you want to ride it. It tends to have very far away return times soom. Keep in mind that DLP generally openes two hours early every morning for the resort guests for EMH (more info on the exact time etc at dlrpmagic which dagobert already recommended to you). Fantasyland and Discoveryland are open then. We once did then the official rope drop for Frontierland and it was a mess! The run for BTM equalled the TSM madness happening at DHS. Walt's is really a very special restaurant, but I also like the Steakhouse in Frontierland very much because it seems to fit in so well. A lot of the CS places are very nicely themed as well. Colonel Hati's Pizza Outpost used to be the Explorer's Club which was in a way related to WDW's Adventurers Club. I like the decor of Toad Hall restaurant and the fish and chips we had there were quite good. And Hakuna Matata in Adventureland usually offers some rather interesting food. Hope you have a great time, you have picked a great year to visit DLP from everything I hear.
9	u k fan Fri 2/3/2012 2:20a	Hokie, I think pretty much everything has been covered, but as has already been said take in the signature Disney attractions that are different and take time to explore the nooks and crannies. It will most likely be busy as the schools are out in the UK for certain. I'm trying to work out if I can get to DLP for the 12th, but it'll be a quick one night stay if I do make it at all. Possibly sleeping in my brother's van...!!!
10	davewasbaloo Fri 2/3/2012 3:02a	Or you could crash on the sofa bed at our villa perhaps Kiz.

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