Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 So, I'm studying in Paris for the summer and of course I had to make a visit to DLP. I've never been before, so I was excited to add it to my "collection". I know that Ratatouille is yet to open, but I didn't want to wait to see everything then. I plan to return in July to see that. Anyway, I went to DLP by myself. I figured I would skip the ticket window lines by buying my ticket from the Disney Store on Champs Élysées, which was fairly easy. I'm happy that I got through the entire transaction and conversation in French. That's what I'm here for. Got to Disneyland a few minutes before the parks opened. I like that it's a bit like Disneyland Anaheim in that both parks are walking distance from each other. The layout of Disney Village is a bit weird and a little more confusing than the Downtown Disney counterpart. But, still, everything was within walking distance, which is great. The train was very easy to figure out and didn't take long to get to the resort from Paris. My first park was Disneyland because, well, just because I was most excited to see that. Fantasia Gardens was really pretty, and the Disneyland Hotel was impressive. It gave me that "Disney" feeling, especially knowing what was on the other side. I passed under and saw Main Street. So pretty! The ticket turnstiles make a strange noise as each guest passes through. Not the pixie dust chime, but something that sounded like a distorted "bonjour", but not that distinct. I was approached by someone taking surveys and he asked if I would answer a few questions. If I preferred to speak in French or English. I started in French, but then it got complicated so we switched to English. Turns out he's an American who is living in France and he had lived in the same international student housing "Cité Universitaire" that I am staying in now. I swear I recognized him from somewhere; maybe a news article or blog post. He seemed very familiar. The park was decorated for Spring, and it was tastefully done. I headed down the street taking pictures of things. I like the gazebo in the center, although it blocks photos of the castle. Headed for Discoveryland to ride Space Mountain, and this is where the disappointments started. Maybe because I'm in Paris and have seen some amazing architecture that has authentic history and charm, the "fakeness" of Disney stood out much more. Main Street was actually fine, I love Main Street. Discoveryland though, had some big flaws in my opinion. Especially as I stood in line at Space Mountain and saw the "rocks" were in really bad shape, and the lagoon where the Nautilus was looked very bad. I could see the square concrete tiles that made up the bottom. No attempt to make it look deep at all. They should color that water so it's opaque. It destroyed any illusion. Space Mountain Mission 2 was just confusing. Did they ditch the story for it or something? It didn't match at all to the original theming. I loved the fact that the queue was Victorian themed and we wandered through rooms that had potential, but the Mission 2 overlay made no sense with it. Also, the queue was VERY dark inside and I worried about tripping. I hope the rumors of a return to the original are true, because then the Victorian theme would make sense again. As for the ride itself, it was fun, and fast, but again, the Mission 2 elements made no sense. The music was really hard to hear, and my head hit the sides a lot. Not very comfortable. I still prefer Disneyland Anaheim's version of Space Mountain the best. I then toured the Nautilus, which was pretty cool once you got inside. The squid window was neat, and something unique to any Disney park. There was nothing else I needed to see in Discoveryland so I headed over to Sleeping Beauty Castle to check that out. It really is beautiful and so different from any of the other castles. I like that you could pretty much go anywhere inside it. Wandering between the stained glass windows, the balconies, the shops, and then the dragon. The dragon is a great addition, and one of those "Disney" things that is just there for the sake of it. Fantasyland itself is very pretty, and also very large. I haven't seen WDW's new version yet, but this one was probably the best one prior to that. Although I really do love Anaheim's. I rode the Disneyland Railroad and noticed that they only had two trains running that day, so it took a long time to board. I rode the Washington, and really appreciated the elegance of the carriages. The ride itself was nice, but the Grand Canyon diorama was...eh. I'm surprised it didn't really get upgraded much from its Anaheim counterpart. Also, the train blew through it pretty fast. I fell asleep a bit as we waited at each station for boarding. I liked the stretch from Frontierland to Fantasyland, with the views of the river and the open spaces that made it seem more authentic. A cabin off in the distance, a meadow, etc. After that I ran over to Disney Studios to check out a couple things and see if the Ratatouille area was at least open yet...it wasn't. But I saw CineMagique, which was pretty cute. And I waited in line to see Spider-Man, which was...long and hot. No AC...I asked him how he managed, and he seemed to have no complaints about the heat. Disney did a good job with his suit, and it looks better than the Universal Islands of Adventure version. The rest of that park is a mess though, and it was a bit depressing. I have seen the original DCA, and the Studio park is worse than that, in my opinion. Too much concrete and boxy attraction building. The Tower area was nice, but too small and since nothing else was themed like that, it stood out. Studio 1 was...like a mall. Toy Story Playland was ok, but not for me at all. It does look a bit like A Bug's Land, which is fine, but doesn't hold my interest. I'm going back for Ratatouille later, but I don't need to see much else in this park. Oh, and Crush's Coaster was down, so I couldn't ride that. So, next time I go back, I'll see Ratatouille, Crush's Coaster, and Animagique. Went back over to Disneyland and did the other big attractions I had been waiting for. Phantom Manor. This was everything I've heard about it. No disappointment at all. I was much creepier than the other versions, which I appreciated. The setting is fantastic. The host was great, and everything about this attraction is wonderful. I was impressed with the "grand staircase" loading area, it's so different from the other versions. The bride theme was very unsettling in a good way, and her appearance throughout was well done. The ghost town graveyard was great too. I went to ride Big Thunder but the wait time was long, and then later on in the evening it broke down, so I'll have to ride that when I go back. Headed over to Adventureland to ride Pirates, and I loved the theming of the land. Although the Skull Rock and Pirate ship area needs serious attention. Is it Hook's ship? It's in bad disrepair. Pirates though, again was as good as or better than my expectations. The queue is fantastic, and the only one I can compare it to is Indy in California. It's just a great buildup. The setting is so much better than WDW's Spanish fort. I think the story is so much tighter at DLP with the reorganization of the show scenes. The Blue Lagoon is cool too. Walking by the Indy coaster, I was surprised just how much Raging Spirits at TDS looks like it. The temple entrance seems nearly identical to me, granted, without the fire and water effects, but still... I figured when I return to DL later, I will focus on the Fantasyland dark rides, so I didn't ride any of those. but the area was nice. I did however, ride Storybook Land Canal Boats, and It's a Small World. Storybook land...hmm...I have always wanted to ride this because I heard it was so picturesque and tranquil, and also to compare it to it's California cousin. Well, after riding it, I much prefer California's. Because the live narrators add an extra something. I realize at DLP that is difficult with so many languages, and the scenes pretty much speak for themselves. But honestly, I didn't find the scenes any better looking that Disneyland's, and the few different ones, like Peter and the Wolf, and OZ were nice, but not nice enough to make me like this one over the original. I also missed entering through Monsto's mouth. I know they replaced that by going through the Cave of Wonders from Aladdin, but I think the original is the more charming and idealistic version of this attraction. The same for It's a Small World. It's bigger here, yes, but something is missing. Namely the Mary Blair art style. The DLP version is very "90's Mattel" looking, very plastic and toylike. It's not as charming to me. It was also where I saw the most badly behaved children, ironically. They threw tantrums, threw things into the water, put their hands in the water, stood up on the boats for selfies, and just ignored all instructions. They should be shipped off to pleasure island... Oh yes, I ate lunch at Plaza Gardens restaurant, and it was...ok. Pretty much like Crystal Palace at WDW, and Plaza Pavilion at Disneyland. But the way they seat you is strange and I wonder if unique to DLP, I haven't seen other French restaurants seat this way. It's buffet style, granted, but if you haven't got reservations, you wait at the front. You're asked how many in your party, you're then sent to a cashier to pay for your meal (it's prix-fix). Choose what you want to drink, and then are sent to stand and wait for a server to seat you. Then you're brought to a table and are allowed to go up and get food. They bring you the drink you've paid for. The food was basic stuff, and nothing outstanding. I saw the mini-parade and show Swing into Spring or whatever it was called, and it was cute, and a nice effort for a small seasonal thing. It reminded me a tiny bit of Tokyo DisneySea and their Spring Carnival events from years past. Spent time browsing Main Street, and noticed that the merchandise is like the other parks...generic and princess-heavy. I found nothing that I wanted to buy. But I did stroll down both the Liberty and Discovery Arcades, and really liked those. I wish they would build them at the other parks. A respite from crowds, and a way to get down Main Street if there's a parade going on. The details in each were very classy and appropriate. Stopping and looking at the displays were fun, and again Disney at it's best. While I waited for park closing and "Disney Dreams" I got a hot-dog from Casey's Corner, and it was...a hot dog. Sat down on a curb to wait for the show and saw how rude people could be. Now, to me, it seemed like every other Disney park crowd, no more rude than guests at DL or WDW, pushing, running over people with strollers, standing instead of sitting, etc. The only difference here was that people loved climbing into the flower beds or grass and sitting down. The CM's kept trying to get them out, but they feigned ignorance and the CM's gave up. Some other guests tried to tell them it's forbidden to no avail. One guy next to me argued with one guy who tried to push into his spot. I just sat there waiting for the show. There was a big storm brewing off in the distance and I hoped they wouldn't cancel the show. Lightning was flashing and it was coming. The show started anyway, and wow what a fantastic castle show! I think they eliminated the fireworks portion, but even without that, it was amazing. The lasers and projections onto the castle were stunning, and the segments were fun. I liked how they incorporated the French films, like Beauty and the Beast, Hunchback, and Ratatouille. The Glow with the Show ears were kind of distracting, but oh well. The lightning that was approaching only added to the show. At one point, during the villains segment, as Maleficent was doing her thing, there was a strike of lightning that hit exactly at the perfect moment in the show, and the crowd went crazy! As if Disney controlled the lightning too. All in all, I had fun, but the deteriorating attractions and paint all over the park marred my experience, especially emphasizing the "fakeness" of Disney, and comparing to the real Paris that I'm living in for the moment made it even more clear. Of course I'm still going back to experience the new Ratatouille attraction, and ride the things I missed the first time, but it was a bittersweet Disney park experience for me.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Oh yes, and I also didn't understand why there was both a Disney Store and a World of Disney store at Disney Village. That made no sense to me.
Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips I have been waiting for someone to post a current post like this ....thanks! My son is stationed in Germany and has been begging me to come and he wants to take me here...I decided about a month ago that I am going to make the trip (probably) next year... He has been and he really liked the park...
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "The rest of that park is a mess though, and it was a bit depressing. I have seen the original DCA, and the Studio park is worse than that, in my opinion." Exactly the same reaction I had... and I was there before ToT and all the additions were made so imagine what it was like then. It's the most un-Disney park I've been to.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Interesting that you also noted that it's a small world and Discoveryland looked dated. Although the entire park was built in the early 90's, those areas seemed to really get some extra design elements that have left them stuck in that era. Nothing terrible, but I definitely got a similar "huh, they just wouldn't make it like that today" vibe from them too And I agree with your assessment of the Studios. I think one of the biggest things it's lacking is any sort of topography or water feature. All the other parks seem to have some sort of gentle grades, rockwork, and a body of water, but WDSP is pancake flat with only a few flower beds to break up the monotony. DCA at least had some good anchor attractions and a handful of well-designed areas; WDSP is just a mess all over (even the newer additions seem haphazard, though Ratatouille gives me hope)
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>No AC<<< Welcome to Europe. I'm very sorry to disaapoint you, but Europe isn't AC crazy. >>>Oh yes, and I also didn't understand why there was both a Disney Store and a World of Disney store at Disney Village. That made no sense to me.<<< It will make sense next year. If I'm not mistaken, the Disney Store will be operated by Disney Store (TWDC), while World of Disney Store belongs to Euro Disney SCA, the operating company of DLP. As for WDSP, I think we all agree that WDSP is still Disney's worst park. However it received some improvements in recent years and finally you can spend at least a few hours there. WDSP offers some nice attractions, that are worth trying.
Originally Posted By u k fan Having grown up with DLP, I don't really see Discoveryland or IASW in that way. IASW seems as timeless as any other version to me, perhaps the USA room has some features that could date it, but I don't really see it much if I'm honest!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert Gurgitoy2, what are you impressions of the European CMs. I've already experienced the WDW CMs and they were too much for me. The over friendlyness felt fake and that's why I didn't like it. When I have been to DLP the CMs were always friendly and helpful, but I'm not sure if Americans would have seen it that way compared to WDW.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Am I the only person who thinks DLP has the best Small World?" I'm with you.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I liked the European CM's. But then, I'm not the kind of American who assumes all Europeans and French are rude. I live in NYC so I know what that impression can be from outside. I also find the WDW and DL CM's overly friendly sometimes, and I thought that the DLP counterparts were friendly but acted more...normally? The only time I saw any hint of rudeness was my lunch at Plaza Gardens, but even then I didn't see it as rude. The hostess was extremely busy and buzzing around like a bee, I didn't think she had the time to be chatty. She also reminded me of somebody's mom and the way she would put on her reading glasses and then remove them when she was talking was kind of cute. As for It's a Small World, maybe it has to do with the version you grew up with, and for me it's the original Disneyland version. I didn't hate the DLP ride, but it just felt more...plastic to me. I shouldn't really say that DLP's feels dated when DL's can feel equally so (stuck in the 60's) but personally I like Mary Blair's art direction much better. Discoveryland though? Yeah, it's a shame the theme has gone down the chute and it's a hodegpodge now. And, the deteriorating rockwork and peeled paint made the impression stronger.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "As for It's a Small World, maybe it has to do with the version you grew up with, and for me it's the original Disneyland version." I did grow up with the DL version. *shrugs*
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I think that the overall design of DLP's iasw is the best, but I think that some of the props have a distinct 90's-vibe to them. If it were built with the same style as the other versions, it would be the best by a long shot (WDW's being the worst) As for the CMs, I think that they fine, but I remember 2 distinct instances from our trip circa 1999 that definitely go against the typical Disney experience. While we were boarding the Indy coaster, we saw a CM slap a teenager who we assumed had been skipping the line or something. And at Star Tours we saw an overstressed CM running by, muttering a string of swear words. But in general the CMs were fine, and I didn't notice anything even remotely bad on my visit 2 years ago
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "I think that the overall design of DLP's iasw is the best, but I think that some of the props have a distinct 90's-vibe to them." The Anaheim version has a '60s vibe. Not sure that's better.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros At least the 60's-vibe in Anaheim (which is recreated in the other versions) is consistent throughout. DLP's has the 60's AAs and costumes and finale room, but 90's sets and props; it feels like more of a mishmash of a couple different ideas I was also surprised to see that they had permanently installed the white Christmas lights on the interior sets, but just turned them off during the rest of the year. They were still quite visible due to the simple set design, and made it feel kind of cheap and neglected. Then again, they still had holiday signs hanging from the ceiling of the queue in May, so I guess I should have expected it
Originally Posted By dagobert I haven't done IASW for many years now, so I can't tell anything about its current state. The lines were always too long. I don't know why IASW is so popular that people queue for over an hour, like last January.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 IASW seemed to be in good condition, especially compared to other attractions with peeling paint and broken things. It's just that, personally, I prefer the 60's look.
Originally Posted By u k fan I think my average queue time can't be much more than about 10 minutes, I guess you're just unlucky dagobert! Can someone give me some specific examples of 90's elements as I'm really struggling to come up with one. I guess that clown in the final room holding a sign saying "Please Hammer, don't hurt 'em" could count?!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It's nothing as blatant as a doll dressed as MC Hammer or Kurt Cobain, but the overall design aesthetic is rooted in late-80's/early-90's postmodernism. Instead of having whimsical patterns on the icons, like the plaid mountains of Scotland or the graphic shapes on the Eifel Tower in DL's version, the icons all have quasi-realistic designs that are intended to show 3D depth and texture. They're still stylized, but are now painted to try and fool the eye into thinking it's almost something more than a flat piece of scenery Anaheim: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://s910.photobucket.com/user/SnobbyDisneyGirl/media/small%20world%20disneyland/scotland_room_small_world.jpg.html">http://s910.photobucket.com/us...jpg.html</a> https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3129/2450975020_2bb82c9756.jpg Paris: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al022608u.jpg">http://miceage.micechat.com/al...608u.jpg</a> (different hills, but you get the idea) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3382/3595818286_bb23207485.jpg Additionally, there's something about the cartoony sculpted animals that seems very 90's to me. In the other versions, the animals are stylized, but don't have human/cartoon eyes and mouths. There's also something about the fiberglass look of them (instead of paper mache), that seems out of place <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al022608t.jpg">http://miceage.micechat.com/al...608t.jpg</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://s265.photobucket.com/user/foggieclimber/media/Foreign%20Travel/Paris%202012/2012paris35.jpg.html">http://s265.photobucket.com/us...jpg.html</a> The overall massing of the scenes, with props and scenery overlapping each other, almost like a collage, also creates a very different tone than the other versions, where each vignette tends to be more of a standalone scene with simple props that don't overlap each other <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/content/GB/EN/Neutral/system/images/n014336_2020fev01_its-a-small-world_926x351.jpg">http://www.disneylandparis.co....x351.jpg</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al022608t.jpg">http://miceage.micechat.com/al...608t.jpg</a> Now for comparison, check out some of postmodern architecture that have come to embody that same era. Although these buildings are obviously very different from what's in the ride, they seem to have a similar vibe to me <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Portland_Building_1982.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi...1982.jpg</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W0o7kiYLNAg/URUE15potfI/AAAAAAAAGwA/9fkwXmzLv7s/s640/Hotel+New+York,+Michael+Graves,+Disneyland,+Parijs,+1991.jpg">http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W0o7...1991.jpg</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pitt.edu/~tokerism/0040/images3/316.jpg">http://www.pitt.edu/~tokerism/.../316.jpg</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-swU-I68G8/URUE4iQkfaI/AAAAAAAAGwI/a7OCZLm7IwA/s1600/Arata+Isozaki+&Associates,+Team+Disney+Building,+Orlando,+Florida,+1991.jpg">http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-sw...1991.jpg</a> These ones even seem to show a similar color palette and have the fiberglass animals! https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2748/5699808012_0c0ed285df_z.jpg <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tOzOu_f9Mhs/SyFm8JoeJ0I/AAAAAAAAAMY/Ubw4EcyZ7NA/s400/ARTSTOR_103_41822003729934.jpg">http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tOzO...9934.jpg</a>
