Okay, anyone who knows me to a reasonable degree knows I have ADD.
I use this to my advantage in the kitchen and in much of life. However, the one area this isn't useful is traveling.
Every day, well the night before I sit down and plan out my day. In fact, before, or when I get to a new city, I have a plan on what I would like to see and do there. I rate them based on a combination of reviews and personal preference. There are some things I love: history museums, cathedrals, and going to the major sights. There are others that I place on my if I have time or am up to it list: art museums, things with boats (I get seasick) and things high in the air (read yesterdays post).
Today was no different: I had a list. Things I would like to see/ do the things on this list were mostly towards the bottom of my must do list. Therefore, not too essential.
On my way to my first place, I had to change metros at the same station of the RER A train. That means nothing to most non Parisians. However the RER A train is the train that goes to Disneyland Parc, formerly known as Disneyland Paris and Euro Disney. I saw the signs and decided that I should buy my ticket for the next day to be on the safe side. I made my way down to the tracks (4 levels down) and purchased my ticket. I couldn't resist. There it was: the train that would take me to DLP. Something I had looked forward to for years. So, I got on the train and took the 45 minute ride out to the resort.
This is where the two days merger into one. Not mentally, just here. It makes more sense than writing about the same thing twice.
The resort is composed of 2 parks: Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios, Disney Village (think miniature downtown Disney, and a handful of hotels.
Before you can enter either one of the parks, you go through security, instead of just a general bag check, here your bag is X-Rayed and you go through a medal detector.
First stop: Disneyland. Much smaller than wdw. When you walk into the park, you see sleeping beauty castle down main street without having to make a turn or anything (as in fla). The shops on main street are basically the same: Emporium, confectionary, a handful of restaurants including the original Casey's corner (not as good as fla I must say. No cheese for fries, topping bar, fountain (free) water.) However, main street USA seems to have more of a historical feel to it with gas street lights intermingled with the electric lights.
Sleeping beauty castle is truly French. Waterfalls, shaped trees, quirky lines all in pink. Underneath you can visit the dragon that lives there (smoke breathing anamatronic in a pool of water). Above in the castle is a small Christmas shop and Merlin's magic shop (He's pretty forgotten in the states).
Frontierland has it's own entrance from main street, featuring big thunder, and phantom mannor (haunted mansion) talk about scary. There were moments where I was frightened. The ghost host is an recurring anamontronic throughout the attraction. There are also 2 outdoor theaters featuring Tarzan and Toy Story. The rest of frontierland is restaurants and shops along with themed play areas.
Adventureland has a much more defined theme as compared to Orlando. There is a clear Caribbean area and middle east area. The attractions here include an Indiana Jones roller coaster (that includes a loop) and Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride was amazing. It is similar to the original but with additional scenes, no captain Jack and a restaurant (more on that later).
Fantasyland is classic. I was reminded of the plans for the all new fantasyland in Orlando including a forest feel and castle walls. There are classics like it's a small world, dumbo, tea cups, and snow whites scary adventures. There are also park exclusive attractions like Alice's curious labyrinth (a themed hedge maze), and les adventures de Pinocchio (indoor dark ride).
Discoverland is DLP's answer to tomorrowland. Like Disneyland, Captain EO and Star Tours can be found here. But they also have space mountain 2. It's intense to say the least. There is an inversion and it is a launch coaster instead of having a traditional chain lift.
Overall, Disneyland is a great park. A lot of time (and money) was spent in detailing every aspect of the park. It is the third hub design park built in the company and a clear progression can be seen in park and attraction design.
Walt Disney Studios opened in 2002 (I believe) and is like Hollywood Studios, yet improved. This park was made to be a film studio themed theme park, not a studio turned theme park. Classic attractions like rockin roller coaster and tower, with minor changes that make the ride much more thrilling along with new attractions like crush's coaster, an entire pixar area with carnival like rides, and 3 shows that are all really, really good. One about animation, another about classic movies and a third featuring stich, a la turtle talk with crush.
Parades in the two parks are good, but old. Stars and cars at studios is from Orlando, with updates being made over the years. The daytime parade at DLR is at 5pm and from 2008 (celebrate a dream come true is from 2009 so, not too much difference). The floats are huge and over the top. The night parade was originally from Hong Kong and is essentially fantasmic in parade form named fantaslusion. Both parades feature two show stops which are actually miniature shows versus a stop to play a song.
Other notes on entertainment, their character training needs some work along with casting. The heights and shapes (I'm looking at you Mickey) of the characters are off. The mannerisms of the characters while on stage isn't Disney-esque.
The foodservice in the park is well.... Meh. First the restaurants close early. Many at 9 when the park doesn't close until 11. The only place to find food afterwards is on main street. The food is decent. They have no Mickey premiums :( The parks are very buffet heavy. Reservations aren't really needed because of the size of the resort and the stay length of guests. Among the many restaurants I ate at was blue lagoon restaurant which overlooks Pirates. The food seemed good, mainly seafood, which I love. I made a reservation the day before and arrived on time for a 10 minute wait to be seated. After being seated (in the worst seat in the restaurant (between 2 wait stations and next to the steps for the main dining room)) my waitress only had a fork and no knife to give me. She went to get a knife and didn't show up for 20 minutes. I waved down a manager and told him my situation. He took my order. I ordered a crab salad and parrotfish. The crab salad came out and tasted like celery. I took 2 bites and couldn't finish it. My fish came out, hidden by an arugula "salad". The fish was horrible. Tough and overcooked. I know parrotfish is a firmer fish, however this was a chewy stringy (yes stringy) mess. I was ready to leave after 2 bites.I asked for a manager once again to explain everything to him. He told me that I could order something else and pay the difference or just pay my bill. I told him I didn't understand why I had to pay for 4 bites of food. The cost was nearly €40 so not a cheap meal. I understand from a management prospective why I should have to pay, but from a ethics standpoint, I do not. After talking to him, I asked was he the highest manager available. He went and got another manager who then came over very rudely and told me just to leave. So I left, and went to guest relations... Need I say more? The girl at guest relations was very helpful and found me antihero place to eat.
DLP's show standard is low. Cast members out of area (pirates costume on main street) and out of look policy (piercings, hairstyles and not clean shaven) also, guest service is down the toilet. It seems that the cast members have more conversations with each other than with the guests.
To end the night is fireworks. These are rather unimpressive. The soundtrack is just the music to non-Disney songs with a short introduction. All of the fireworks are low, not going above the castle, perhaps local restrictions, and shot from inside the park. Forcing fantasy, adventure, and parts of frontier lands to close an hour before the rest of the park. The show itself is good, but seems to be building up to something big that never happens.
Overall, Disneyland Resort Paris is a beautiful, amazing park that is full of bad show that can easily be fixed.
Have a Magical Day!
-Until
Matt
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