Paris Disney

click here to review the prior posts on Disneyland Paris.

You asked for opinions. As you click through the prior posts, you'll find that sometimes strong opinions have been expressed on both sides: some express surprise that someone would want to do this, given the high cost and the other choices in Paris; others were glad they did it.

If you're a Disney fan go for it. I've done it twice, and had a good time. It's near CDG airport and it's a good way to to adjust to jet lag before heading into central Paris. I don't recommend staying at any of the on-site hotels. They're over priced and poorly run. The RER trains easily transport you from Cinderella's Castle to central Paris.

Jonathan, I was just there in September. Even though I am a Disney freak, I debated about whether or not to take a day from Paris to go there. I am glad we decided to go, but I don't think it's for everyone, and I'll always wonder if we would have enjoyed Versailles more (I am not that into fancy palaces, though I was interested in the gardens). You have to really really love Disney parks or have children with you. Disneyland Paris is very much like the Magic Kingdom in Florida and California. However, there are enough differences to make it interesting for Disneyphiles like me. And it's a beautful park. However, it is a bit jarring to find yourself in an American park in the middle of a France vacation.

I think the best way to do it would be to make it your last day in France. That way, you have kind of a gradual transition back to the US. However, if your last day is a weekend, that might be a problem because the park is very crowded on the weekends, and you won't get to ride much or enjoy walking around as much with so many people.

If you go, I would not bother with the Studios park. It left me cold -- too much cement and not enough rides. There is one attraction that is very good that's not in the US parks -- Cinemagique -- but I would not go just for that. Also, the hotels are really expensive. We stayed our last night at the Cheyenne Hotel. I don't think the hotels are as nice as the ones in FL and CA, and they are not a good value. The main hotel at the entrance (whose name escapes me) looked lovely from the outside, but it is extremely expensive.

I think for most people, they would be better off skipping it. But as I said, we really enjoyed it.

p.s. Here's a great website on the park that I found very helpful: http://allears.net/tp/dlp/disneylandparis.htm

I totally agree with Carrol, i am glad we went but i would not go again.
If we did not have our son i don't think we would have gone.

We went in June. We had a blast! We printed our tickets from home before we left. Disney had a deal at the time allowing you to go to Walt Disney Studios for 1 Euro extra. Its a lot smaller than Disneyland in California. Regulars here will probably talk you out of it, especially if you have limited time in Paris, but with my 16 year old son, it was a great way to "energize" him half way through our trip.

I'm glad we went, although I have 2 kids under 5. I'll agree with the fact that it's not much different than the parks in the states, although we're Disney fans and would go regardless. It was a great break for my kids from all the "old buildings".

we will be staying very near there in July, and I have a diabolical plan! I will drop off my two teenagers at the gate at 5:00 pm once or twice, let them knock themselves out until it closes (10 or 11, I think), while hubby and I have a lovely French dinner à deux. Rick's book says it really empties out at 5:00, so they should get plenty of rides in and I won't have to go.

This should also save me the trip to Orlando I've been putting off for a decade.

Your teenagers will probably enjoy the Studios park more than Disneyland. Studios has more of the high-adrenaline type rides. The two parks have separate admission.