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Hi all, it's been a very long time! Schoolwork (both the teaching and the Master's classes) took over my life for a while, but I plan to start checking back in on a regular basis!
In 43 days I'll be co-chaperoning a trip to France for the very first time!! I've never been, and am super excited. We'll be starting in Paris, then heading West, through Versailles, Chartres, Carnac, Quimper, Mont St. Michel, and Normandy, before heading back to Paris for an extra day at the end of our trip. We are contemplating spending that extra day in Disneyland Paris. We will have already seen the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, etc. This would be an optional excursion for students, and there are several interested (with parental permission, of course). Those of you who have been, is it different enough to warrant spending time there? The other chaperone and I are set to split up that day, and I am uncomfortable being "left" in a country where I don't speak the language, so this seemed like a good option.
Any advice is welcomed.
Thanks!
Beth
__________________
-- Beth
"There are moments of life worth purchasing with worlds."
My first thought was to check when you'll be there (as I couldn't instantly work out 42 days - long day! ) and I don't think it'll be a particularly busy time of the year, as the British schools will be in and Brits make up the majority of visitors. They break up around Easter and Easter's quite late this year.
One thing I would say is that if the day you're looking at is a weekday, it will be a lot quieter in the parks, as the weekends tend to be when the locals hit the parks or people visit for long weekend breaks.
You'll certainly have seen the main sights in Paris and, as you say, if you're uncomfortable about not speaking the language, this would be a good choice for you, as the Cast Members do speak both English and French.
A couple of other things spring to mind. Firstly, where are you staying the night before, as that may make your journey over to Disneyland Paris. It's on the RER A line and you'd need to get to that. The other thing is what are you planning on doing about tickets? Would you buy them beforehand, as if you're a big group, it could take quite a chunk out of your day, queuing up for tickets on the day.
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But then if you are already in Paris, how could you pass up the opportunity to visit a new (to you) Disney park? There are some things there that are unique to DLP, (Alice's Maze, Cinemagique, Animagique, etc), and it is such a cute park, honestly - I would say GO!
Yes, the cast members do speak English. A lot of the ride narrations are in French, but if you know the ride, you will get the gist of what is going on anyway. For example, Phantom Manor - their version of the Haunted Mansion - is all spoken in French, but it is a great ride nonetheless, and quite different from WDW's as it is 'darker' and more spooky, with a slightly different storyline. The themeing there is magnificent.
There are two parks, the Magic Kingdom and the Studios, but if you get there early enough and get a move on, you can walk round them both in one day, although you may have to sacrifice some rides if the parks are busy.
The food is lovely, but can be very expensive - try a croque monsieur from the country that invented them!
As Chepz said, you will already have seen the main sights in Paris anyway, so I think you will regret not taking the opportunity to visit DLP while you are in Paris if you don't go this time.
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Silvercat
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As a Disney nut, there's no way I'd pass up visiting a park I've never been to If you decide to go, definitely get a 2-park ticket so you can visit both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. A lot of the attractions that are unique to DLP are located in the latter.
If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask
Thanks for the advice! Several of the kids are interested, so we'll see what pans out. (ha ha ha... unintentional pun )
As for timing, we leave 6 weeks from today, putting us at March 18th. Our extra day is on Thursday the 27th, I believe. It looks like from what Chez said, that it would be a decent day to go, if we decide to do that.
Ticket-wise, I think the tour company might be able to handle that for us. If not, there would only be about 10 or so going (18 on the trip total). So even waiting shouldn't take that long, I would hope.
As for the hotel, they haven't given us that specific of an itinerary yet. We'll have to wait and see.
There is a lot to do in Paris, but this at least helps me prepare a little more in case that's what we decide.
Thanks again! I can't wait to go to France!!!!
__________________
-- Beth
"There are moments of life worth purchasing with worlds."
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A Thursday in March shouldn't be busy at all so you'd be fine! You could easily get the tickets the morning of. If you decide to go, be sure to check out the Animagique show And I bet the kids would want to try Crush's Coaster and the RC Racer!
I agree about the Animagique show, it's one of our favourites and we love CineMagique in the Studios too.... oh and I can't forget Stitch Live! Those are all great. I'm not a thrill ride fan, as Sabine knows - she got me on Crush's Coaster and never again!
I love the Alice in Wonderland maze in the Disneyland Park, and Pirates and the Haunted Mansion are also always a must for us too.
If you can get tickets beforehand, definitely do that. We've queued once for tickets and it took us about 15 minutes and I remember when Melanie came over last summer, it took her a while to get tickets as well.
If you have any other questions, just shout! As someone who's literally just got in from a day trip to France (got to love living 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel! ) I can understand your enthusiasm for wanting to visit France!
You must do Crush's Coaster FIRST THING!!! Go direct to that line and wait...no stoping for photos, fast passes or coffee...Go straight there and do it first then enjoy the rest of the place...
My picks include the Indiana Jones roller coaster, Space Mountain II (simply the best), Phantom Manor (the best outside photos of all the HMs in ANY of the parks), the most beautiful castle of all and inside you'll find the dragon and you must watch Dreams!
If you run out of time skip the Backlot tour, TOT, RNRC and do rides during the afternoon parade (although it's great, it's a Disney parade and they're all good).
Don't expect the multitude of fantastic food options you find at WDW. There are a few great places but we found that many restaurants closed at random hours and service was less than stellar. Counter options were budget friendly and provided a good range but lacked the fresh fruit/vegies found in the USA parks.
Have fun!
It's been a long time, I had friends of friends that were cast members. We even stayed at Cast Housing (yes, this required one of us hiding in the trunk of a car at one point) It was a one day, two park experience. We had a great time but I don't remember many details. I LOVED the skull rock area in the equivilant of Tom Sawyer's Island, but that's just kinda my scene, I love the walk throughs most of all. I also agree with Tigger, the castle is like Disney on Disney.
What I remember most about this day was riding It's a Small World with my two foreign friends. They had never been to a Disney park, being from Spain and Brazil. I said "Oooh, we have to go on this!!!" At the end, one looks at me and says "What the h*ll was that!?!?!" I laughed so hard!!!!!
We did it on the super cheap (including comped tickets) so I can't comment on food or anything, but wow, did we have a great time. I think overall, this sounds like the least stressful way to spend a day with a bunch of students (high school age?) I hope you can let them roam a bit so you can drink it all in.
It looks like the Disney trip is on!!! We have at least five kids who want to go, and the French teacher said he'd get us to and on the train. So excited to do this... 34 days from now I'll be on a plane to ATL, and then on to Paris
Will be starting the PTR soon!!!
__________________
-- Beth
"There are moments of life worth purchasing with worlds."
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
OK!! You are going (or coming...since I am in Europe). Good decision!! After all the wonderful art, history, beauty and Frenchiness, you will be ready for a day of fun!! We have been to DLP several times since living in Germany and plan two more trips before summers end.
DLParis is worth a visit. Many of the attractions are the same as WDW but many are different/changed or new completely.
Go directly to Passporter guide for DLParis (there is an e version that will offer great tips!!) I will try to post some quick tips...There is also an Unofficial Guide to DLP which has some info...more useful if you are staying in the Disney hotels.
Personally, I think the Studios is a half-day park. If you want to ride Crush Coaster, head there first thing (as another poster suggested previously). This ride attracts a line early and is unique to DLP. In addition, Crush n Coaster does not have Fast pass. So, get there early and plan to wait. TnT is also in Studios along with the Backlot Tour and Stunt/Car show. Our family did not like the Cinamagique show or Animagique. I think they were targeted at much younger children...so if you are traveling with High School students, I would seriously check these out on Youtube first (if possible)...or just plan to skip them. Tnt is OK and RnR is not as well-themed as WDW but if you like thrill rides, you gotta ride them. The Animation Studio is fun if you have a love of drawing...but it is essentially the same as WDW.
If you only have one day, choose Magic Kingdom!
It is wonderful and the two shows in the evening are a must-do. The castle is the most well-designed of the Disney castles, IMHO. (**I know...that almost sounds like blasphemy...and I do love Cinderella's castle in WDW but DLP castle is better! The theming is SO good and there is so much to see...see the dragon for sure!). So, the castle deserves time to tour.
In addition, the Alice in Wonderland Maze is great and unique to DLP. Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain are similar to WDW but they are actually better here (theming and smoothness of ride..much better). Mansion is similar but worth a visit. There is just something so fun about the rides when the songs/words are in French. Buzz is essentially the same (yes, Buzz speaks in French). Peter Pan is the same and not a must-do. Its a Small World is worth the wait (or get there during the parade when crowds are out in the street).
Otherwise, thngs are "run" differently here. Characters are much harder to find (they appear infrequently). It is difficult to get pics or autographs because they are "mobbed" and there is no official qeue. People just surround them and the lucky few get in...however, you can, of course, see Mickey if you want to go to his tent and wait. But expect to wait because he opens later than the park usually and a line is formed early. Fastpass is less "fast" than you would hope...but try to use it for the big attractions.
Food and dining...disappointing. Don't expect the wonderful TS service and quality food of WDW. We have given up on TS here...CS is OK but expensive. Expect about 10-15 Euro per meal (adult) and 7-10 for kid meals. There is a nice pizza place near Fantasyland called Pizzeria Bella Note (themed like Lady and the Tramp). There is also a Buzz Lightyear's Pizza Planet...but it has not been opened when we are there (only opened during busy season). There is also a large CS near Space Mountain (I can't recall the name) which has ample seating indoors and often has live shows (or sometimes cartoons playing). It is a good place to relax and enjoy lunch while being entertained.
Well, enjoy your trip to Paris and to DLP. Sounds fun!!!
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"Disneyland has that thing - the imagination and the feeling of happy excitement - I knew when I was a kid."
--Walt Disney
Food and dining...disappointing. Don't expect the wonderful TS service and quality food of WDW. We have given up on TS here...CS is OK but expensive. Expect about 10-15 Euro per meal (adult) and 7-10 for kid meals. There is a nice pizza place near Fantasyland called Pizzeria Bella Note (themed like Lady and the Tramp). There is also a Buzz Lightyear's Pizza Planet...but it has not been opened when we are there (only opened during busy season). There is also a large CS near Space Mountain (I can't recall the name) which has ample seating indoors and often has live shows (or sometimes cartoons playing). It is a good place to relax and enjoy lunch while being entertained.
Don't give up totally on table service - we were feeling the same, then we went to Walt's - An American Restaurant and had a superb dinner there. We've been back once and it was just as good, so if you haven't given that one a go, then try it out.
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) and I don't think it'll be a particularly busy time of the year, as the British schools will be in and Brits make up the majority of visitors. They break up around Easter and Easter's quite late this year. 
) I can understand your enthusiasm for wanting to visit France!
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