Originally Posted By Mr X So, I just learned that a friend of mine is heading to Paris in a couple of weeks with his girlfriend (Paris and Champaigne (sp?), I believe) on a one week vacation. I didn't get the details of his itinerary, but I asked him if he was going to Disneyland and he replied "no". He's a relatively new acquaintance of mine, so I'm not so sure whether or not he even cares about Disney (I would bet dollars to donuts he's been to Tokyo Disneyland at least a few times, but that's just an assumption since most every person in "mainland" Japan has been to Disney at least once). So, here's my question. We're going to hang out again before he leaves, and I'm wondering if I should push Disney as a recommendation or not. Considering he only has a week and is PROBABLY on some sort of package tour (meaning he might not even have any choice...sometimes these tours plan out the itinerary to the hour for Japanese tourists), would it be worth it for him to visit Disneyland Paris? If so, for 1 day or 2? What kind of parkhopper deals are going on these days, anyway? And, would you recommend that an (assumed) lukewarm Disney fan who is visiting France for the first time even bother with it? (I would say YES for Tokyo, but for the lukewarm types I would recommend only ONE day and that being spend at DisneySEA rather than land...) I'm assuming a couple of things. 1) he's got some plan already mapped out so my suggestions might just annoy him and 2) he's probably thinking that Disneyland Paris is pretty much the same as Tokyo Disneyland... So, thoughts? Should I bother talking to him about this? Is it worth the trouble for a 1st time visitor to Paris to experience Disneyland Paris/WDSP (while possibly skipping some other exciting and interesting Paris highlights) if they've already been to a Magic Kingdom elsewhere? For the record, if it turns out that he and his girl have NEVER been to TDL, I will most certainly recommend they take a day for DLP (or two??), and then visit DisneySea asap upon their return.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmm tricky one. If he has been to TDL and does like disney parks, then I do think it is worth while. DLP has the coolest versions of almost all the e-tickets (assuming the accounts I hear of TDL main copied E's being similar to DL and MK's). Also there are some lovely touches like Le Chateau and the Dragon, Discoveryland, the walk throughs. However, if he views TDL as just an amusement park, he should skip it. DLP should be a mecca to a Disney fan, and I think more Brits should try it. But for such a distance, well he may not feel right. That said, Lulu was not sure it was worth it before going and fell in love afterwards. 1 day is sufficient if not a mega fan if he is only here for a week (though for me I am worried our 6 days next week will not be enough - then again, we're not normal). That said, if travelling to france and the choice is a trip to Provins (Medieval UNESCO market town) OR DLP, Provins wins for the non disneyfan.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, I learned a little more. First of all, he's only got 4 days (6 nights), so it's tough to prioritize. Secondly, though he likes Disneyland Tokyo, he did mention that it seemed foolish to travel half way round the world and visit a place that's practically the same as the one in his own backyard. I did mention that DLP is probably the nicest Magic Kingdom and quite different from Tokyo, and he seemed surprised. Thirdly (and the reason I believe he wouldn't be bothering even if he WERE a big Disney fan), this trip is highly specific, and he's not planning to see many sites even in Paris. He's a wine connoisseur, and his "mission" for this trip is to hang out in sidewalk cafes, eating and drinking...pretty much for the entire 4 days (including a nice evening for two in a park with some wine, cheese and bread). So, since that sounds very nice, can't say as I blame him. Too bad though, I'd love to hear the impressions of a person familiar with but not fanatical about TDL, and how different they find DLP. Oh well.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Also there are some lovely touches like Le Chateau and the Dragon, Discoveryland, the walk throughs.*** TDL USED to have a dragon too.
Originally Posted By Malin <<<Too bad though, I'd love to hear the impressions of a person familiar with but not fanatical about TDL, and how different they find DLP. Oh well.>>> Anything in paticular I could help with X, I'm certainly not a TDL fanatic and I have visited both Resorts in the last year. If your after comparrisons on anything let me know!
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, sure, if you want to share your thoughts! (I'm guessing you're a "Disney fan" basically though, no? that's fine too!)
Originally Posted By Malin <<<Well, sure, if you want to share your thoughts! (I'm guessing you're a "Disney fan" basically though, no? that's fine too!)>>> Well I'm not an obsessive fan who visits on his days off or anything. But yeah I do like Disney. I'm going to start on my thoughts between TDL's Haunted Mansion and DLP's Phantom Manor. Sadly I've only been on the TDL version of this attraction when its during the Holiday Overlay, but I'm assuming its not much differnt to WDW's version. The first real difference you will notice is how TDL's version doesn't belong anywhere inside this park and just sits between Fantasyland and Westernland, as kind of the attraction with no home. Now DLP version has an excellent backstory and is well suited for its Fronterland location over looking Big Thunder Mountain, unlike Dumbo. Also the closer you walk towards the Manor the more you get into the atsmophere. When you shoehorn attractions into spaces where there don't belong its harder to get into the story. Also doesn't help that while I was in the line for the Mansion in TDL, the Halloween parade came passing by really ruining any astmophere the queue may have. I love both farcades but DLP wins again due to its Sycho house look fitting the location area better than TDL's gothic look. I think the above discription on both Haunted Mansions gives you an idea to each parks layout, but were you wanting to know more about the differences in attractions and themed areas or were you more interested to know about other aspects like customer service and overall experience?
Originally Posted By u k fan I always found it odd that HM was in Fantasyland, but I read that's a cultural thing. I'm hoping they put the HK version (should it ever happen) into AL to keep HM's distinction of being in a different land in each resort!!!
Originally Posted By Malin When ever I visit the park, I never like to think of the Haunted Mansion being in Fantasyland. I view it as an attraction with no home, despite what the maps say. I think WDI and OLC wanted the attraction for the park but did not have a suitable location for it so there just built it on the edge of Fantasyland. Same thing with the up coming Monsters Inc attraction. The Haunted Mansion at Hong Kong Disneyland will go in Adventureland, as its the one area of the park that needs more attractions badly. Plus if the rumours are true its already in the process of being built as I type this!
Originally Posted By barboy ///(it's foolish) visit a place that's practically the same as the one in his own backyard./// Even the tepid Disney park goer needs to get a piece of DlP since beauty abounds and astounds. The place blows the doors off of every other park as to eye candy(except for Dis. Sea) and it has 3 F ticket attractions in my opinion(Pirates, BTMRR, Ph. Manor). I would say if he is terribly casual about TDl---one who could take it or leave it--- he shouldn't bother. But if he has any kind of appreciation then by all means he should use one of his 4 days and get out to Marne le Valle.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 People like different things. That's why restaurants have menus. I've learned it's a mistake to assume others will like what I like. (Many times they don't.) Your friend is traveling a long distance to see Paris. He can visit Disneyland next time if he wants...
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks Malin. I definitely have the same impression of the TDL Mansion...totally shoehorned in, and while the building looks GREAT in Florida, it just looks weird and out of place in Tokyo imho. Thanks for the impressions of the DLP version. I'll see it, someday. *sigh*
Originally Posted By Mr X Good observations post 10, Malin. As for what I'm interested in, anything is fine. Haven't been there so it's cool to hear about different peoples' opinions of the place (I only recently got to see the scope of all the covered walkways which was really neat!).
Originally Posted By DlandDug Because of DLP, I can pretty much divide my friends into two groups. You see, I have been to Paris for only a short weekend. And in that time, I spent half a day at DLP. I have friends who cannot believe that with only one full day in Paris I would have gone to see Disneyland. My other friends are equally incredulous that while in Paris, I would spend ONLY half a day at Disneyland. So it all depends on perspective, I guess.
Originally Posted By CDF1 "Even the tepid Disney park goer needs to get a piece of DlP since beauty abounds and astounds. The place blows the doors off of every other park as to eye candy(except for Dis. Sea) and it has 3 F ticket attractions in my opinion(Pirates, BTMRR, Ph. Manor). " Certainly BTMRR at DLP is far superior to other parks but POTC and PM to me merely seemed different than the US counterparts. Again, a matter of taste. But its hard to equate anything that you might see at DLP as being something that tops Paris - there is no more fascinating city on earth that has the charm, the sophistication and the beauty of Paris. Yes - if you have a week to spend in Paris for the first time you might spare a day for DLP, particularly if you are a Disney fan. But if you only have a few days, after a day at the Louvre or taking the tourist bus tour not to mention just exploring some of the great food and architecture, it's hard to sacrifice one of those few precious days for a Disney park experience.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It depends on the person - I don't find Paris that special. Then again I work down the street from Westminster Abbey a few days a week. If seeing a city, I'd much rather be in Barcelona, Munich, Rome or Venice. The Louvre is nice, but I prefer the British Museum. But DLP is gorgeous, and a real interesting cultural learning experience as you observe all the different nationalaitie or the nuances of cultural adaptations taking the American culture for european tastes. I have to admit, I took my wife to DLP 6 times before we ventured into Paris. If in France I''d rather go to Chantilly, Provins or Rheims. And in the summer you can enjoy those all day and be in the park for an evening of Fantillusion and the Enchanted fireworks
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It depends on the person - I don't find Paris that special. Then again I work down the street from Westminster Abbey a few days a week. If seeing a city, I'd much rather be in Barcelona, Munich, Rome or Venice. The Louvre is nice, but I prefer the British Museum. But DLP is gorgeous, and a real interesting cultural learning experience as you observe all the different nationalaitie or the nuances of cultural adaptations taking the American culture for european tastes. I have to admit, I took my wife to DLP 6 times before we ventured into Paris. If in France I''d rather go to Chantilly, Provins or Rheims. And in the summer you can enjoy those all day and be in the park for an evening of Fantillusion and the Enchanted fireworks
Originally Posted By u k fan I agree as someone who lived in London Paris is nothing special for me. I have spent 2 half days there and countless days at DLP. If I lived within a couple of hours drive from a Disney park and was flying to another continent to see Paris I might feel differently, but to each their own!!!
Originally Posted By mstaft I have been two Paris and DLP twice. Not enough time for either. I could spend almost endless days at either place and be completely distressed I still needed more time. I find London wonderful as well- but Musee de Orsay is my favorite museum ever. (I like Munich, love Venice, but haven't seen Rome- yet!)
