I just got back from Disneyland Paris! About This Page:

[tigger536]

I know this isn't a trip report about WDW, but I wasn't sure where to post it.

Anyway, I just got back from my first trip to Europe ever! When the airfares fell this winter, I threw caution to the wind and decided to go see Paris, even though I don't speak much French. (Read: I can say hello, goodbye, thank you and excuse me, LOL! )

Of course, I had to visit Disneyland Paris to see what it was like. The answer: a lot like Disneyland California, but more European in feel. (What is "more European" you ask? Softer colors for the buildings, wine is served and smoking is allowed everywhere except in lines and on rides.)

It was really fun. There are some rides there that aren't at WDW, and some rides are really different from their WDW "cousins".

The first thing I did when I got there was get a fastpass for Space Mountain. Then I rode the Orbitron (the Disneyland Paris version of the Astro Orbiter). (I always enjoy riding the AO first thing when I go to the MK, so I did the same in Disneyland Paris. There is very little difference between this and the AO, except that the Orbitron is gold and the AO is silver.

Next, it was time for Space Mountain. Let me say this ride is COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a cross between Space Mountain at the MK and Rockin Roller Coaster at MGM, which is to say that it goes upside down! Of course, I will always love SM at the MK, there is nothing like it, but this ride was really great!

I did miss the "lab retriever" scene from SM at the MK. There is no such scene at DL Paris. However, they do take your picture on the ride and you can buy the photo when you exit.

Next, I rode Phantom Manor, DL Paris' version of the Haunted Mansion. This was cool, too. From what I can tell of the storyline (some of it was in French) the ghost in the wedding dress that appears towards the end of HM at the MK plays a larger role in the Phantom Manor ride. Her extended presence made the ride a little scarier than at the MK, but it was still more fun than fright. (Also, this may just be me, since her character always gives me the creeps when I see her in the HM at the MK. Something about the beating heart and green face. Anyone else feel this way? I'd enjoy feedback on this.)

Anyway, she is alive at the beginning of the ride, and then she and her husband die, and ghosts come to their wedding. This is the excuse for the "ghost party" scene. The graveyard scene is still there, as are the "singing heads" (one of them Walt) that sing "Grim Grinning Ghosts"). The hitchhiking ghosts are also there at the end.

Next, I rode the Pirates of the Caribbean after getting a fastpass to the Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom - Backwards! Ride. The pirates were OK, but I like the one at the MK better.

Next, it was time for the Indiana Jones ride. This ride also goes upside down. Upside down and backwards was a little too much for me! If I go back, I'll skip this one next time.

Then, it was on to Fantasyland. I rode Its a Small World next. This ride gets made fun of a lot, but I've always liked it. The DL Paris version was great! Newer, better Animatronics, and longer! The funniest part was the America section of the ride. It showed Hollywood. Too funny !

The next thing I did was Big Thunder Mountain. This was pretty much the same as in the MK and I enjoyed it as always. The only change is that they take your picture on this version, and you can buy it if you want.

Afterward, I looped back to ride Space Mountain one more time. Then I watched the Main Street Electrical Parade. It was the perfect end to a really great day!

I had a really good time at this park. It was smaller than the MK, so the pace was more relaxed. Of course, WDW is still my favorite, but DL Paris was really fun.

Has anyone else been? I would love to hear everyone's opinions on this park.

--Jacquelyn





------------------
"Everybody has a laughing place"

Contemporary Resort 1993
Off Site 1994,2000
Coronado Springs 1999
Grand Floridian 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

[This message has been edited by tigger536 (edited 02-20-2001).]

[This message has been edited by tigger536 (edited 02-22-2001).]

[Cybele]

I haven't been but it sounds lovely. On an interesting note I have never like It's a Small World but I will have to go to the DL-Paris version as it was designed by people I know! I even have a Time magazine one page blurb way-back-when about the designing of DL-Paris and it has a picture the two of them painting their Small World Design.
I'm glad you had a good time I'll have to share the Haunted Mansion story with my Boyfriend as that is his favorite ride at DL and WDW!
Cheers!
Cybele

[All Ears]

How exciting!
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I think it would be interesting to see the little changes here and there -- like you mentioned with HM. And BTW, the ghost bride totally creeps me out, too! She is just so eerie!
How did you feel the CM's were there? I have heard rumors that the CM's aren't as "magical." Would you say the same?
All Ears

[tinkerose]

What a great report! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. It's fun to hear about how things are different at other Disney parks. Although I don't think I'll ever get there, I'd love to be able to see the DL-Paris version of "Small World" (a traditional favorite of mine at WDW - I have to ride it each time I go).

------------------
tinkerose

[DisneyFan]

Tigger that was a great report. I'm so glad you shared. My DH and I would love to go there. And you speak a lot more FR then I/we do. It's so funny you mention the BRIDE she is so scary, and her wedding dress looks like mine - now that's wierd. I would enjoy seeing Walt in the ride. And SM sounds neat. I luv 'It's a Small World' too, I save it for last or I'm singing it all day, drives the DH crazy.
I hear the transportation from Airport to Park is good. You opinion? I don't want to drive in another country.
Good info.
DisneyFan

[This message has been edited by DISNEYFAN (edited 02-22-2001).]

[tigger536]

Thanks to everyone for their responses!

To answer Disneyfan's question, I did not go from the airport to the park, but I've heard the transportation is good (there is a shuttle, I think.)

I DID go to park from Paris via the Metro (Commuter line A). It was easy. I had to change trains only once and had no problems. (Depending on where you start from, you may not have to change trains at all.) The ride took about 45 minutes from Paris. Once you get to the stop, the park is right outside the train station. You can't beat that for convenience! I was glad for this, because I would not want to drive in another country, either! (FYI: the French drive pretty fast!)

Thanks again! I will post another trip report for WDW when we go in July.

------------------
"Everybody has a laughing place"

Contemporary Resort 1993
Off Site 1994,2000
Coronado Springs 1999
Grand Floridian 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

[MrsPotts]

I was there on an impromptu trip for the day in Oct., and agree that it's a cool space mountain.

And, as much as I just love WDW to pieces, I think the best castle is in Disneyland Paris... but then again it's got a whole upstairs of Sleeping Beauty and tells the story thru stained glass and some of the most beautiful tapestries!

I'm glad that you posted your report. It took me back there and we had an awesome time that day!

We have many of the same views of the rides.

[debe]

I am a little late on reading trip reports, but what was your opinion of the Castle? I have only seen a close up picture of some of the (what I would call Gingerbread) workmanship of the castle.

Someday I hope to go visit but first I have to get past the fear of flying... finally able to tolerate 2 hours.

------------------

HAPPY PLANNING! &
"Remember the Magic!"
ºoº
Take Care, debe-nj

[tigger536]

I didn't really explore the inside of the castle, but the outside was lovely. (If I get the opportunity to go again I will definately explore upstairs. Aurora18 made this sound really cool!) The colors of the castle are more muted than those of the castle at DL or MK. The turrets and what-not are also more decorative. The cslte is very beautiful.

Thanks for replying to my post. You definately should consider going to DL paris and to France in general! This was my first trip to France (and to Europe for that matter.) I had a blast. I flew Airfrance and they showed movies the whole flight. Between watching Nurse Betty and Meet the Parents (and sleeping!) I found the time passed more quickly than it does on those dull 2 hour flights where you barely get a bag of peanuts. Before I knew it, we landed and I was in France!
Jacquelyn

------------------
"Everybody has a laughing place"

Contemporary Resort 7/1993
Off Site 6/1994, 12/2000
Coronado Springs 12/1999
Grand Floridian 8/1995, 7/1996, 7/1997, 7/1998, 7/1999, 6/2000, 7/2001
Wilderness Lodge 12/2001

[mikki]

I am going to DLP on 7th June and I will look out for the Walt face in Phantom manor - I have never noticed it before [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] I also love space mountain but am none to sure about doing Indiana Jones backwards [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]