Disneyland Paris

[Stingo]

“Joseph. Joseph. Wake up – it’s time to get dressed”. I shook the small sleeping form gently. He stirred and asked “Are we going to diz-a-nee?” “Yes” I replied. He asked “Are we going on an aeroplane?” “Yes, and then a coach”. “Lucy, Lucy, it’s time to get ready Lucy – we’re going to diz-a-nee!!” Joseph called to his sister as she lay still sleeping.

It was just after three in the morning. We had to get the kids ready so that we could get to Exeter airport to board the 0630 flight to CDG Paris.

Once at the airport, we had breakfast at the ‘in-house’ facility – I went for the full English option, as you do. Whilst the fried egg was hot, the baked beans were somewhat tepid whilst the bacon was cold and single sausage had an air of something ‘luke’ about it. I was already a bit tired in addition to being somewhat peckish so I ate the lot without complaint but made a mental note not to be taken in by the offer of ‘A free drink with every breakfast’ in future.


Anyways, I have to say, I was damned sceptical prior to going. Once there it was mot what I expected at all. It was absolutely superb. I know the kids had great time (We did five days), but I was just gobsmacked at the attention to detail and all around customer service. The food was excellent, the hotel was great, swimming pool was an added bonus...it was well exceeded my expectations.

Diz-a-nee? I would recommend to anyone - just go. I want to go again (not just yet though, I'm all queued out!)

Hmmm - you probably saw my cousin, she works there, probably as the second fairy on the right ...

... bang goes an expensive, (yet also seemingly pointless) stage-school education from the age of 8. Personally I think it's up there with working behind the counter at McD's for stakes.

I'm glad your kids weren't scared by being confronted by a 6' rat (sorry, mouse ).


That said - from comments by everyone I've known who has gone there - many British amusement parks could learn a thing or too from the whole Disney way of operating.

[Stingo]

Originally Posted by K

Hmmm - you probably saw my cousin, she works there, probably as the second fairy on the right ...

... bang goes an expensive, (yet also seemingly pointless) stage-school education from the age of 8. Personally I think it's up there with working behind the counter at McD's for stakes.

I'm glad your kids weren't scared by being confronted by a 6' rat (sorry, mouse ).


That said - from comments by everyone I've known who has gone there - many British amusement parks could learn a thing or too from the whole Disney way of operating.

I certainly felt this. I think Disney seek to have it weighed off quite well though. They seem to have the ability to start with a completely clean sheet and then stamp it with their template, which covers all possible angles. I also quite enjoyed the shows such as Cinemagique and Animagique - very imaginative and cleverly interracted with the audience...mind boggling stuff - I was constantly being surprised...

I think disney parks are real theme parks, whereas british ones are just large areas of nothing with a few rides and bits of scenery. (Alton towers possibly excluded)

[Supervox]

Originally Posted by K

Hmmm - you probably saw my cousin, she works there, probably as the second fairy on the right ...

... bang goes an expensive, (yet also seemingly pointless) stage-school education from the age of 8. Personally I think it's up there with working behind the counter at McD's for stakes.

Assuming for a moment that she's working as part of the Entertainment Team it certainly ISN'T on a par with McD's !!

Disney have a very good reputation for loyalty to their performers - I know several people who have worked at Eurodisney who have then gone on to other things within the Disney organisation.

One other thing that you might bear in mind - the next time she goes for an audition at least she'll have something to add to her CV other than just her stage school production credits.

We loved Disneyland Paris. Took Isaac for his 4th birthday (HINT: take your kids before they hit compulsory school age. Go midweek during term-time and you'll have free run of the place with no queuing).

2 days in he fell in with the worst case of chickenpox my GP has ever seen. The hotel staff were brilliant - got a doctor in, had someone run out for medicines, and topped it off by raiding the shop and presenting him with a cuddly toy to cheer him up. They also did the 'gallic shrug' when I enquired about quarantining him for our final day.

Brave little soldier decided that he did want to go into the park, so we bundled him up and he slowly made his way to see Mickey. Went on a ferw gentler rides but was off his nosh. Then he carried his little backpack across Paris to board the Eurostar. where he collapsed into a feverish heap and was laid out for thr next fortnight.


ah, the magic of Disney! It meant we had to go again though

I was a bit bored of Disney, until my kids 3 and 7 saw Mickey and Minnie and their faces lit up - from that moment on I too loved the place................

I went to Disney in Florida when I was about 13 and hated every minute of it.

Originally Posted by CoolGirl

We loved Disneyland Paris. Took Isaac for his 4th birthday (HINT: take your kids before they hit compulsory school age. Go midweek during term-time and you'll have free run of the place with no queuing).

2 days in he fell in with the worst case of chickenpox my GP has ever seen. The hotel staff were brilliant - got a doctor in, had someone run out for medicines, and topped it off by raiding the shop and presenting him with a cuddly toy to cheer him up. They also did the 'gallic shrug' when I enquired about quarantining him for our final day.

Brave little soldier decided that he did want to go into the park, so we bundled him up and he slowly made his way to see Mickey. Went on a ferw gentler rides but was off his nosh. Then he carried his little backpack across Paris to board the Eurostar. where he collapsed into a feverish heap and was laid out for thr next fortnight.


ah, the magic of Disney! It meant we had to go again though

Aah bless

If a child is having a good time then usually the parents do too. Not been to Eurodisney but may go when baba is old enough to appreciate it more.

[Sir Trev]

Did Disneyland Paris as a corprorate fun day 15 years ago on a freezing cold December 1. Slid along on the ice to get in and had the place to ourselves. Fabulous for those of us who'd brought a warm coat and gloves. Did it again with family two years ago in May half term and the crowds were horrid - use Fast Pass whenever you can and it's not too bad but queue as normal and it's a good hour for the good rides.

Tip 1 - use the train to get there if you can. Straight to the park and if you use one of the on-site hotels they take your luggage on for you and you go straight in to the park itself. The hotels are very good, excellent family rooms and food.

Tip 2 - head for the popular rides when the parades are on. It distracts a lot of the punters and you don't have such a long queue.

Has anyone been to Disneyland (the original in CA) and Disneyland Paris?

I'm probably going to end up at Disneyland Paris sooner rather than later since the wife comes from about 2 miles from Disneyland (CA) and wondered how it compared.

If you go to Disneyland (CA) you must be prepared to live, eat, and breathe Disney.

Kev - I hear the Magic Kingdom in Disneyworld (Florida) is like that, but the other parks there aren't? Is that true?