Welcome to My

Memories of Disneyland Resort Paris

Using the navigation structure above you can get to pages exploring my vision of the park since my first visit in 1994, see how it has changed over the years!

Rides have come and gone and, in some cases, come back again. A whole new park was added when the Studios opened up

How does the Paris park compare to Florida?

I am asked that a lot. The simple answer is, it is smaller.

More complex answers would involve how well you speak French, how much you value warm weather and how rich you are. If you are on a budget, want it hot and don't speak French then, Paris is not for you ... not that those of us in the UK can really afford Florida either but, if you don't mind saving for longer, do the States, you'll be glad you did

This is not to say Paris isn't good, it is excellent. There are a good selection of rides and attractions, it is reasonably easy to get to and, several of the rides are better than their counterparts in the US or, at least, used to be! Since the refurbishment of 'Pirates of the Caribbean in Florida, that now is superior to Paris yet Paris was ahead for years. Paris is probably still marginally in front if we compare the Haunted Mansion and Phantom Manor though, it has to be said, since the movie the Haunted Manor will be more popular because of the familiarity of it. Big Thunder Mountain is much better at Paris as is Space Mountain though, time will tell how good the Florida version will be after it's refurbishment. Rides such as 'Star Tours' are spoilt by ONLY being in French. When things go wrong in Paris, it is not unknown for the notifications to only be in French. The Tower of Terror is, I think, superior in France but, again, get used to the French. Shows too are just better in the US because of the language issues.

Disney Magic

Paris though is a Disney Theme Park and that magic remains language aside. It is a manageable drive from the channel ports of the UK and the French motorways are some of the best in Europe. Trains run directly from London to Disneyland. Flying though, not so good. There are no airports very close but there is a direct bus running from the Paris airports direct to the park. One stupid omission in Paris which simply doesn't happen in the US is the Davy Crockett park which has NO transport at all to or from anywhere. If you don't have a car, forget it and it is the only self catering Disney accommodation

Disabled facilitates ...

... are good though, it is worth asking what they do as they don't always make it obvious. For those with cars and staying at one of the resort hotels, parking is available at the Disneyland Hotel but, you have to ask at the ticket office when entering the car park for the daily code for the disabled car park. Visitors also have to visit City Hall to obtain passes for those rides where access is restricted though, in practise, anyone in a wheelchair doesn't seem to have to bother. Many of the Studios rides and attractions are disabled friendly from the outset and disabled guest just join the normal queue. Be warned though, if the disability means any queue is difficult, the park is not overly helpful unless you find someone who speaks English well and, each Cast Member has a pin flag on them denoting which languages they speak.

Cost ...

oh dear! The huge French downer! The cost of just about everything in the park is crazy! A case of think of a price and double it! A basic burger meal will easily be double McDonalds prices, want to feed a family of 4 on their most basic meal deal? Think around €40+. A sit down meal perhaps ... plan for €30 EACH over €50 in some places! A pint at your hotel? Budget for €4+

 Hotels ...

... are generally of a good standard and the stars do seem to reflect the ambience of each. Strangely, the Disneyland Hotel and the Hotel New York both merit 4 stars yet it is difficult to see what would need to be done to raise the premium prices Disneyland Hotel to 5 stars. The New York is a nice hotel but does not, in my opinion, compare to the Disneyland Hotel. There are the two 3 star hotels of the Newport Bay Club and the Sequoia Lodge. Again, I don't see this making a lot of sense either. I would rate the Newport Bay Club at the same level as the New York as both compare on many of their facilities. For example, both the Newport Bay and New York have internally accessed swimming pools and all rooms are within a main building. The Sequoia Lodge is a series of 'lodges' and the pool building means going outside and, in mid winter, this is not a pleasant experience. Only the rooms of the New York make it the superior hotel offering slightly more space and a better bathroom with double sinks as opposed to singles. Finally, in the hotels within walking distance, are the Cheyenne and the Santa Fe. The former is modelled on a Western Town of the Wild West type with blocks housing some adequate rooms for 4 though slightly on the small side. The Santa Fe is of a Mexican village yet, simply looks more like a cheap social housing experiment gone wrong! Neither has a pool. Finally there is Davy Crockett Ranch. This is a sprawling parkland with 'cabins' (think, mobile homes) spread over a wide area. This, unlike all other hotels, is not served in any way by Disney transportation.  Breakfast, as all hotels include this, is good in the summer if a guest is staying near to the main road on their designated area but, in the winter, a car is required to 'fetch' the breakfast from the booths at the entrance to each set of pitches. It is also worth noting that there are many complaints about the condition of the some of the cabins, this is the Cinderella park but, at the same time, the only affordable option for larger parties as each cabin sleeps up to 6 people.