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Ok...so long story short I ended up getting an amazing opportunity...but I only found out about it a few days ago. I am traveling with my 25yo brother and 18yo sister to Rome, Paris, and Barcelona for 12 days. The issue is...we leave August 7th! We each get one "experience" paid for... and I (of course) chose Disney! I have never been to Europe and I'm completely lost and overwhelmed with the planning of all this! We are staying at the Villathena Hotel in Paris and I cannot figure out how to get to Disney using public transportation. In addition to this, we only have 1 day to see the parks. So...does anyone know what's the best way to get to Disney? Also, I know 1 day isn't enough time (I usually do at least 6 days at Disney World and 2-3 at Disneyland)...but does anyone have any recommendations for how best to see the parks? Should I just focus on one or do some of both? We are all adults so we can move through the park quickly and won't need much downtime. Thanks so much for any info you can give me!
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Ok, first off deep breath! What a wonderful time you're going to have!
Right, I looked up your hotel on Google Maps and had a look at the public transport map for Paris. I think your best bet is to walk to Auber station (Google maps tells me it's about a 10 minute walk), as that's an RER station on line A and that's the line you need to get to Disneyland Paris. You want a train heading for Marne La Vallee.
When you come out of the station, the parks are literally a couple of minutes walk away and you can easily walk between both. I think for a first visit, I'd try and see both to at least get a flavour of them. If you can get there for opening, you already know the crowds will be a bit lighter. I'd head for the Studios, as that will be the big ticket with the new area complete with the new Ratatouille ride. It opens in July and I'm sure that will have long waits, but the new area will no doubt be well worth seeing.
I'd concentrate on the attractions that are unique to Disneyland Paris and some, like the Haunted Mansion, are worth seeing, as they're very different to the American versions. And finally definitely get yourself the PassPorter for Disneyland Paris - that will be invaluable in your planning.
Go to the Studio park first and be waiting 30 mins before park opening. Go directly through the entry and head right to the Crush's Coaster and line up. Forget coffee, photos and fast passes, just go there and wait. Whilst waiting study the map and plan your morning. Like Chezp says hit the attractions that are unique and then do the ones that have differences, skip the same same rides.
Hop over to Disneyland and follow the same plan...use your lunch downtime to plan your visit at DL park. If time watch the afternoon parade (I think it was 5pm?) at DL, forget the parade at WDS as you probably saw it before at the old MGM park at WDW back in 2005/6ish. (Forgive me if they now have a new offering).
If you can stay for night time entertainment, be sure to get a spot with a frontal view of the castle so you can watch the Dreams spectacular fireworks and light show projected onto the castle - it's well worth waiting for a good spot. Oh and the dragon attraction in the castle closes for tours at 3pm sharp. No entry after that...
Have fun!
Go to the Studio park first and be waiting 30 mins before park opening. Go directly through the entry and head right to the Crush's Coaster and line up. Forget coffee, photos and fast passes, just go there and wait.
Now I think about it, it's going to be fascinating to see what difference the opening of the Ratatouille ride does for lines at Crush's Coaster...
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I have some friends visiting Paris now and they are hoping to experience Ratatouille around the 7-15 July. I'm guessing that is going to take the pressure off Crush's Coaster but I still think braving the crowds is worth it!
I have some friends visiting Paris now and they are hoping to experience Ratatouille around the 7-15 July. I'm guessing that is going to take the pressure off Crush's Coaster but I still think braving the crowds is worth it!
Wow, I bet it will be insane as it will just have opened. I'm hoping by the time we go in November, with the lower crowds, it won't be too terrible. I'm never doing Crush's Coaster again - once was more than enough for me!
PPer's does have a Paris Guide (I think it is an e-guide...but it helped us a lot!). There is also an Unofficial Guide to Paris DL which can be useful to plan the days.
We are living in Europe and have been to DL several times over the past year. So here are some quick tips:
1. It is smaller than what you expect and possible to do both parks in a day. Plan for the full day and plan what you want to see so you can move quickly
2. Studios is a half-day park for us...not much there and some of it is "repeat" of WDW. So, if you don't need to see the Stunt Show, miss it (it is the same as WDW). If you don't have small kids with you, skip the Animagique and Cinamagic shows. They are not well done (not Disney style at all...and very "babyish" in theme). Our family could not stay awake in these shows...
3. At Studios, head to the big thrill ride of your choice...this park has Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Crushes Coaster...if you want to try Crush's because it is unique, head there first. Expect waits at this ride...it draws a crowd early.
4. Ratatouille just opened...expect lines but I would advise checking it out. It is "uniquely" a DLParis ride.
5. MK has Space Mountain, thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones...all thriller type rides. Of course, the Indiana Jones ride is unique...not a fave of our family but you may want to try this. The "Mountain" rides are essentially the same...some minor differences. Thunder Mountain is slightly different (better but louder) and has a few surprises worth enjoying (I am trying not to spoil those surprises...).
6. The MadHatter Maze is nice and at MK. If you like Alice in Wonderland, take a visit here. It is in Fantasyland but draws a crowd of all ages.
7. Small World, Peter pan...many of the same rides. So, pick those you love or those you have never done. Personally, I think Small World is better here...it seems "brighter" or "newer" and it certainly fits the feel of Europe. Even if you have done this a bazillion times in WDW, it is a nice visit in Paris.
8. We have not found any Table Service restaurants that we like but there are some OK counter service. Expect about 10-15 Euro per meal (CS). There is an Earl OF sandwich in Disney Village (DTD) which is about 10 Euro. Also, there are several American TS restaurants such as Planet Hollywood.
9. DO NOT MISS the Fireworks show at MK (or the picture preshow). This is a wonderful show (there is no closing show at the Studios). The show begins at park close and people "stake" out their spot hours early. They will actually sit and camp out on the streets. It is very hard to walk through the circle area in front of the Castle even 3 hours before the show. They expect you to sit if you are in the front and if you don't...the other guests will tell you to sit (in French). You can stand further away though if you prefer.
10. Studios usually closes earlier than MK (now it closes at 6...not sure about in August) and MK usually closes at 10 or 11. So, plan your day with that in mind.
11. There is an ice cream shoppe in the same location as in WDW (end of Main Street) which sells delicious Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream (OK...I Know that is not very Parisian...but it is so good!!!). Three large scoops is 4 Euro...this cannot be beat! Such a good deal!
12. Many restaurants and snack booths close early. If you want a snack later in the night, plan ahead. Most shops are closed early evening. The little red popcorn booth on the circle by the square closes at 10:30...so you can get popcorn early for the fireworks show.
13. The RER train will drop you at the parks. It is very close. No worries and it runs all day and is easy to catch (I think it usually runs every 15 minutes). Check the locations and times close to your hotel.
14. There is a Starbucks at the Disney Village...Again, I know that is so not European...but if it makes you happy in your European Happy place...enjoy!!
15. You can buy MIckey Ears that are synchronized with the fireworks show. They light up in a synchronized fashion...20 Euro (I think).
16. Check the park times the day before. They usually announce the times for the full week but it is good to know when parks open etc. Also, some venues open late and close early...since you have one day, you want to be strategic. You don't want to head to a ride that is closed until 11.
Enjoy!! Your whole trip sounds wonderful!
__________________
"Disneyland has that thing - the imagination and the feeling of happy excitement - I knew when I was a kid."
--Walt Disney
Sorry, I just saw your post. You've already gotten great advice! I agree with what's been said. The attractions I'd make my #1 priority are Ratatouille, Crush's Coaster, Animagique, RC Racer at the Studios and Space Mountain (totally different from the U.S. version!), Alice's Curious Labyrinth, Adventure Isle, and Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril at DL Park.
BTW, I wrote the PassPorter DL Paris ebook If you have any more questions, just ask!
I agree with what is being said as well, especially Tigger71. We did a one day power trip a few years ago and had fun! Got up early and took the train which drops you off right at the entrance. We were at the Studios for opening and did the rides that were unique to that park. We loved the HM which is a lot scarier than at WDW. At lunch time we were off to the MK for lunch at Walt's Place (I think that what it was called?). Expensive but lovely. We did everything we possible could at MK and rode the train around for rest. The parade was great, especially Chernabog . We left when the park closed at 11 and joined the masses heading toward the train but the train itself was not crowded.
Some time I would like to go back and stay longer but at least we got to see it.
Have fun!
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We each get one "experience" paid for... and I (of course) chose Disney! I have never been to Europe and I'm completely lost and overwhelmed with the planning of all this! We are staying at the Villathena Hotel in Paris and I cannot figure out how to get to Disney using public transportation. In addition to this, we only have 1 day to see the parks. So...does anyone know what's the best way to get to Disney? Also, I know 1 day isn't enough time (I usually do at least 6 days at Disney World and 2-3 at Disneyland)...but does anyone have any recommendations for how best to see the parks? Should I just focus on one or do some of both? We are all adults so we can move through the park quickly and won't need much downtime. Thanks so much for any info you can give me!
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What a wonderful time you're going to have! 
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