Originally Posted By HTHgal12 I am not sure if this is the right section to post this in but...DH and I are planning one more BIG vacation before we have kids. We are going back and forth between France and Japan. I was wondering which resort is better? And also what area has more non-disney things to do since we want to do more than just the resort. Thank you!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss TDR is by far the better of the two resorts, and there is certainly no lack of things to see and do in Tokyo. If it's one last fling, I'd urge you to also visit Kyoto. DLP is beautiful, but the second park there is pathetic compared to Tokyo's second park. Paris is a prettier city than Tokyo. With the TGV and Eurostar trains, other European destinations are as close as Kyoto is to Tokyo. If Disney is the main component of the trip, I'd pick Tokyo. Beyond that, it's a toss up.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros If it's a "go without kids" trip, I think I would pick Tokyo as well. I don't know why, but there just seems to be something about Paris that is just more family friendly. Not that it's impossible to do the parks in Tokyo with kids, but there are a lot of lines and waiting for things (45 min for popcorn is not unheard of) there that just don't seem like they would be as easy to do with a child, where Paris usually doesn't have extreme lines. Tokyo DisneySea is also a very adult park that I'm not sure kids would really appreciate as much, even moreso than Epcot. If you're planning on doing the other one later when you have kids, I would say that Tokyo would definatley be a better fit for you now, and Paris would be better later.
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 Thank you both so much! As far as cost...is either one more economical? I do like the fact that Paris is close to other countries and one of the other places I would love to go is Amsterdam which is only 4 hours away
Originally Posted By leemac HTHgal12 - it will depend when you are looking to travel. Considering the value of the buck against the yen and the euro I would have thought that the cost of DLP might be cheaper than TDR (in the past fifteen months the dollar has moved from about 68c to 75c whilst the yen has shrunk back from Y112 to about Y100). I guess it really depends what you are looking for. Disney hotels in TDR are very expensive and rarely discounted when compared to the DLP equivalents. Both resorts have online booking options so I'd encourage you to try pricing your trip through them. I've been to both more times than I can count and I'd agree with the earlier comments - it will depend on what you want to see outside the resort. Disneyland Parc in Paris is an almost entirely unqiue Magic Kingdom (whereas Tokyo Disneyland is often a Magic Kingdom clone although it has a bevvy on unique touches like Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! and Pooh's Hunny Hunt) whilst Tokyo DisneySea is a fully fledged second gate compared to the Walt Disney Studios Park. Perhaps if you can provide us with a little more info about how you like to vacation and we can comment more? Cheers, Lee Tales from the Laughing Place - A Laughingplace.com Magazine <a href="http://www.talesfromthelaughingplace.com" target="_blank">http://www.talesfromthelaughingplace.com</a>
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Paris would be more economical when you factor in the cost of transportation. Overall, flights to Japan are more expensive than flights to France. Tokyo (the city) is known as being expensive, but in my experience, food and lodging costs are comparable. Rooms will be smaller in Tokyo. If you're considering one of the Disney hotels, TDR's are going to be higher quality.
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 Leemac- we are planning to go in about a year (I really like to do my research and plan ahead) We want to see more than just Disney and my husband studied graphic design/art in college so I know he is really interested in art and architecture. I live about 30 min from Disneyland in California and have been to Disney World so a unique Magic Kingdom sounds neat. We really like to be on the move always. We don't like to lounge around on vacation and want to get the most out of the vacation. We both love museums.
Originally Posted By leemac The two points that you raised that would sell Paris to me for you was "art and architecture" and "museums". Paris is an architectural masterpiece with so much heritage and history. The museums are excellent too. Tokyo is very much a modern city surrounding older elements but they are few and far between. The feudal castles are all similar in architecture. IMHO Tokyo's museums are weak for a city of its stature - they are just a handful of decent ones and virtually no world-class art museums. I would try and go to Europe in late Spring/early Summer - you will get better weather and avoid crowds. I'd also encourage you to consider traveling around a bit from Paris - I know there are a few LP-ers who know the area very well and might chip in with comments. The rail network is excellent and you can reach most of mainland Europe quickly from Paris.
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 Thanks Leemac! I was thinking sometime in May of 2010. I want to take advantage of the rail and see as much as I can. Do you (or any other LPers) have any advice of don't miss locations in Europe?
Originally Posted By u k fan To my shame I actually haven't been to many northern European cities, but Paris is a great hub. London is 2.5 hours away and is a very easy journey. It does sound like Paris may fit the bill for the out of Disney element of your trip. Just think of their second gate as an elaborate "land"!!!
Originally Posted By leemac No problem! I know the parks **very** well in Paris but I'm not familiar with the area. The joy of having a job that relates to the parks! I'd suggest that you post a topic in the Paris section with a title of "Calling Davewasbaloo" - Dave is a wonderful depositary of information about the area surrounding Paris and he may not see this thread.
Originally Posted By u k fan Sadly, I'm not sure you'll get much at the moment. I think Dave's having a KitKat!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan I haven't explored the area much myself other than Paris itself and Parc Asterix!!!
Originally Posted By HTHgal12 Thanks Leemac and U K fan!! Do either of you have any tips or tricks for the park? Maybe I should move this now over to the Paris section? Hubby and I decided Paris for sure! I am so excited even though it's a year away haha
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<If you're planning on doing the other one later when you have kids, I would say that Tokyo would definatley be a better fit for you now, and Paris would be better later.>> Sounds like you've already decided on Paris, but I'm in agreement with the above statement. It will be easier to tour Tokyo now as a couple, than later as a family. I also think that Japanese art and history is undervalued by many people. Not taking away anything from Europe, but IMO the "lack" of art and architecture in Japan (and Asia) is only because of a lack of understanding of eastern cultures.
Originally Posted By u k fan I guess I have some tips, but it might be best to discuss them in the other thread as a DL regular you'll know all the usual theme park stuff!!!
Originally Posted By barboy Paris: 1)stinky and absolutely filthy... dog feces and urine everywhere so watch where you step. 2)best museums in the world, I say 3)graffiti in too many places 4)very cold, unwelcoming place...you had better have a most basic understanding of the French language and culture if you want to tour Paris without issue. 5)DlP is easily my favorite "Magic Kingdom" style park of the 5... A WINNER! 6)Disney Studios is half baked and for a Disney park it is very ugly to look at since it feels like it's devoid of trees and water features....too much asphalt and concrete. 7)Disney Paris Resort emphasises way too much USA's old west/cowboys + Indians/frontier. 8)hub of western Europe making travels outside Paris easy 9)very usable train and subways 10)stunning architecture, very ornate! 11)as a USAer you might well find Europeans in desperate need of baths--- especially if your olfactory works well, so take heed. Tokyo: 1)for a huge metropolis Tokyo is mind boggling clean and orderly. 2)very welcoming to the US tourist 3)Tokyo Disneyland is very much like Orlando's Magic Kingdom 4)Disney Sea alone is worth the trip over the Pacific 5)TDR is VERY clean and friendly... the best CM's in the world. 6)you might feel like you're the only "American" in the whole metropolis, assuming that you do not have Japanese racial ties. 7)museums are not the city's strength but it does host my pet favorite that I have ever seen anywhere in any country....Japanese War Museum(Yushukan) 8)things are small in Tokyo: rooms, cars, people, food portions, electronics, furniture 9)cute is everywhere 10)very safe place, don't worry about others taking your money or trappings 11)even more elaborate, effecient, far cleaner train/subway system than Paris 12)potentially very expensive
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ooops, I have only just seen this one. Barboy is pretty much spot on about Paris (I can't comment on Tokyo other than what I have read and conversations with people who have been). But if you go to Paris, some things to consider in the regions: I am a northern Californian living in the UK, and my do not miss recommendation for you is Provins. Think a medieval version of Virginia City. It has 43 structures built in the 13th century, and has living history exhibits such as falconry displays, middle age siege weapons demonstrations, and an awesome medieval horseback riding show. It is a do not miss for people from the new world. An hour North of DLP is Compiegne, where Napolean's favorite home was (as well as where Joan of Arc was captured), or Pierrefonds, a lovely storybook town that looks right out of the 3 Muskateers, with a great castle, and of course the railway carriage where the armistace for WW1 was signed is between the two towns. About 80 minutes to the east is Rhiems. Now, most English speaking people are unaware that the Notre Dame here is historically more important than the one in Paris, as it is where all the medieval kings of France were coronated. Also, there are several champagne wineries to visit. Now I know Napa Valley and Sonoma have similar offerings, but the Tattinger Winery is in the cellars of a 13th century monestary (so a little different). Also, Vaux le Vicompte is worth visiting on a Saturday night, it is only a little way from DLP and it was the mansion that inspired the sun king to build Versailles. In fact, he was so jealous, he imprisoned the owner the day after the inaugural party, and the official that built the chateau died in prison. On Saturday nights, they line the gardens with candles. The other really great place to check out is Chantilly, about an hour north of DLP. It is a wonderful old town, but the chateau has the largest library in France after the Louvre, and contains the book Le Duc De Berry, the artwork that inspired Walt Disney's animators when designing the art direction for Sleeping Beauty (the castle looks like it belongs to Cinderella's step mother). The grounds also houses an equine (horse) museum, where there is an enormous mansion for horses (the owner thought he would be reincarnated as a horse), and as well as having lovely exhibits including a carousel horse display, it also has lipenzer stallion dressage and training displays. Also, Chantilly is reknowned for the sweet whip cream, very popular on waffles (guaffre) or ice cream. Barbizon is nice if you like impressionism, it was an artist colony during the impressionist movements. And DLP is in the Brie region, so the cheeses at local markets such as Meaux are great choices. If you like war time history, La Cople, 3 hours north of DLP, is where all the V2 rockets were tested by the nazis, and near by is the Artois region town of Arras, where there are immense underground tunnels to explore, first built in the medieval age, but essential for the allied wins in WWI, also the town has beautiful unique architecture, especially the town hall. also, a huge Canadian War cemetary is 3 miles out. 5 hours to the North West of course the Normandy Beaches, Mont St Michel, and the Beayeux Tapestry (c1086) tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England. 4 hours to the North East, you could pay a visit to the WWI trenches or Brussels, the capital of Europe (with some great architecture again), or the beautiful medieval canal town of Brugges (with more canals than Venice). Nearer to DLP, if you like coasters and shows, Parc Asterix is great fun. Think more 6 Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, but with better theming. Warning though, it is 100% in French, but my wife and kids do not speak French, but they still enjoy it. Also, if you like shopping, Val de Europe is 2 miles from DLP, and it is one of the biggest malls in Europe, with a designer outlet, an Aquarium, and some great dining options. we have been on vacation in the region over 50 times in the last 20 years and not seen it all. And as much as I love DLP, I really think people that just keep going to the parks are missing out on so much. There is far more to the region than just Disney and the city of Paris. In Paris itself, the Louvre, the Opera, the Orsay, and the catacombes are high up the priority list. Then Amsterdam, Brussels, Barcelona, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Venice and Rome are all awesome places to check out. Or if you want a short flight, Copenhagen and a visit to Tivoli Gardens that inspired much of Disneyland are worth while too. Any other questions about Northern Europe, let me know.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Ooops, I have only just seen this one. Barboy is pretty much spot on about Paris (I can't comment on Tokyo other than what I have read and conversations with people who have been).*** I'd give his comments a "spot on" regarding Tokyo too, except for a couple of very minor caveats. First of all while I agree that Japan is very welcoming to tourists, the entry procedures are anything but. Immigration and Customs at Narita airport (most peoples' point of entry) is extremely geared towards processing Japanese returnees quickly and comfortably, and that can mean long waits for the outsiders, as well as a not-too-friendly customs inquiry session at times (don't expect them to smile and speak English, in other words). Other than that, people here do try their best to be helpful, friendly, and polite to foreign visitors. A note on language barrier concerns/getting around; I always tell people to memorize or write down the name of their hotel AND (much more importantly) the NAME OF THE STATION nearest their hotel in order to get back to square one if they ever get lost in the city (most local folks know how to navigate to most major stations, and of course train personnel can help you navigate the system AS LONG AS you know the name of the station where your hotel is located). Of course, if you're staying at the Tokyo Disney Resort you don't even have to remember "Maihama station", since all you need to ask is "Tokyo Disneylando doko (where)?" and you can get directions from anywhere in Japan to there easily from just about anyone. As to my other minor point, I wouldn't say that Tokyo Disneyland is "like" the Magic Kingdom in Florida per se. If anything, the place is a real amalgam of Florida and California, and in some ways it seems like it was thrown together haphazardly out of elements of both parks. I love the place, but elegant it is certainly NOT (in that sense, Florida "works" a lot better unless you think it makes sense to see the Florida version of the Haunted Mansion shoehorned in next to It's a Small World (California version) with Dumbo sitting out in front of both of them), the best I can say is the park is "quirky" in a kitchy, throwback sort of way. Still, worth a visit if just to check out World Bazaar, marvel at the amazing shows and gawk at the amazing crowds, and of course ride Pooh. And I would say that, Barboys comment aside, one should certainly not skip seeing Tokyo Disneyland just because one has been to the Magic Kingdom in Florida and they're "very much alike". Other than that, I'd say he nailed it.
