Disneyland Paris - Am I A Snob??!

[ttey68]

Was just reading the posting from the Dibber who was quoted £800+ for TWO days in DLP..

I have never been to DLP, apart from (maybe unfairly?) thinking it wont compare to anything like Florida, I really couldn't justify the kind of amounts seen to go. Those kind of costs will get you a good way to '.. the REAL..' Disney in Florida!

Not only that, and god forgive the flaming I will no doubt receive..... BUT.... surely I cant be the ONLY one to notice and breathe a sigh of relief that the kind of people who go to Florida are not of the '..Great British Lager Lout..' variety you would get on a package deal to Benidorm (was that subtle? I dont usually do subtle!) and as Paris is not THAT far away it is a lot more do-able....

Am I a snob, just missing a trick with DLP or justified in saving hard and going to Florida every 2 years?

Tracy

(absolutely NO offence intended with this post -- just a topic for debate!)

[Gill H]

I've not yet been to WDW. I love Paris and have been several times. I love the museums, art galleries, food, theatre, shopping, just strolling around. I tend to like cities anyway, particularly as I don't have a car.

I can't stand lager louts, or insular travellers who will only speak English and spend their holidays complaining that it's not like home, and only eating in McDonalds. (Mind you, perhaps they have tried the French burger chain 'Quick' which Bill Bryson defined as "short for Quick, A Bucket!" and I think he was right! ;) ) We have met our fair share of those we call 'Duggie and Jeanette' types (from the film 'Shirley Valentine' - the couple who keep complaining about Greece). You get them everywhere, but they are not the majority.

Also, I'm not really a theme park person. I get motion sickness driving over hump-backed bridges! And I can't see 3D, as my eyes focus separately, so those sort of rides are no good to me.

And yet ... I've really enjoyed my two day trips to DLP. It's not just a bit of the US plonked willy-nilly in France. They really have given a lot of thought to the theming, and the Studio park in particular celebrates French film.

Perhaps it's because I haven't been to any other Disney parks - but I was surprised at the quality of my surroundings, and the care which was taken over the little details. And I was expecting nothing but 'pizzas and burgers and fries, oh my!' to eat, but had a beautiful meal at Walt's in the evening.

Not stayed at DLP yet, but counting down to 2 nights at Sequoia Lodge. Being able to walk easily between the hotel, Disney Village and the parks looks a definite plus for this non-driver. And I'm already drooling at the thought of a meal at the California Grill.

I don't see why it has to be either/or. I'd happily spend a day at the Louvre and a day at DLP. They're just different. Vive la difference!

[Gill H]

Oh, and by the way, it's costing us about £500 for transport and accomodation.

[Leanne1977]

Trust me, I saw more chavy Brits in Florida last Sept when free dining was on than I have ever seen in Paris or anywhere else for that matter!

I would certainly never pay £800 for 2 nights in Paris. I have never spent more than £500 for the 4 of us to stay on Disney property for 5 days with breakfast and park tickets at DLP. Our last trip during Feb half term was £440 for the 4 of us.

Its a great Disney fix in between our Florida visits. However now that we have bought into DVC I doubt we will be able to go for a fair while.

[Fizzy Fish]

We have looked into DLP a few times to try and bridge the gap till Florida and were shocked at the prices. I really wouldn't pay £800 to go anywhere for 2 days mainly because we couldn't afford it and that would be a chunk of our Florida holiday.

That said, I would like to go to DLP, just have to wait for a good deal!

[Scotsmomma]

Errrrrrr I've been on package deals to Benidorm loads of times and I'm not a lager lout...... :erm:

[Whitequeen]

Trust me, I saw more chavy Brits in Florida last Sept when free dining was on than I have ever seen in Paris or anywhere else for that matter!

I would certainly never pay £800 for 2 nights in Paris. I have never spent more than £500 for the 4 of us to stay on Disney property for 5 days with breakfast and park tickets at DLP. Our last trip during Feb half term was £440 for the 4 of us.

Its a great Disney fix in between our Florida visits. However now that we have bought into DVC I doubt we will be able to go for a fair while.
I have to agree with Leanne. The amount of gobby brits slapping their children about the heads never ceases to amaze me, in Orlando!! :erm:
DLRP is our 'in-between Florida' place. It's not the same, it's never going to be the same and the only things we ever compare is rides. DLRP is newer so it follows that the same rides are newer.
We have APs so we're never going to be paying £800 to go there. Our cheapest was 2 nights for about £150 incl. ferry but not petrol and staying in one of the 'offsite' hotels with shuttle.

[Leanne1977]

Errrrrrr I've been on package deals to Benidorm loads of times and I'm not a lager lout...... :erm:

Come on Linda...you know you are!;) :d:

[Scotsmomma]

Florida is affordable to a lot more people these days and I think now you do see some families that you didn't see 10 yrs ago....ie....the ones that think nothing of bawling at their kids in full view of everyone....or giving them a slap if the kids don't listen....DLP is a great place to go for Disney fix.....you have to try not to compare it with WDW.....I'd much rather go to DLP than any theme park in this country

[Scotsmomma]

Come on Linda...you know you are!;) :d:

I'm very posh really Leanne :pgig:

[Sue]

Errrrrrr I've been on package deals to Benidorm loads of times and I'm not a lager lout...... :erm:

We need witness statements on that one Linda ;)

As for the OP - never had the slightest interest in going to DLP, not sure why :confused2

[Scotsmomma]

LOL Sue......ok if i'd been when I was 17/18.....I'd have been a lager lout....Oh....I just remembered how classy I really am.....I went to Benidorm for my honeymoon :pgig:

[Little Monkey]

I think someone posted on here recently that whilst on holiday they experienced some awful behaviour from Brits whilst in Orlando and felt very embarrassed to be from the same country as them....you are always going to get a small minority of Brits who just have to make themselves heard whereever they are....thankfully its only a small number - the majority are 'wellbehaved'.
I think DLP is good for a quick fix, dont compare though because its just not the same....I really hated the last visit to DLP where everyone was able to wander around the park smoking not sure if thats change now though. £800 does seem alot of money but have just been pricing up for a weekend away in this country for 2 nights B and B and that came to £500....

[Leanne1977]

LOL Sue......ok if i'd been when I was 17/18.....I'd have been a lager lout....Oh....I just remembered how classy I really am.....I went to Benidorm for my honeymoon :pgig:

:pgig: :pgig: :pgig:
See its all coming out now Linda!!:d:

[Scotsmomma]

Yep.....I need to shut up and not get on about my wild holidays to Blackpool...... :grin:

Sorry Tracy for going off topic.... :)

[MattF]

DLP is great for a short break. It is never going to compare to WDW but we love it there (went twice last year). Last Feb cost us just under £1000 for 3 nights with travel by Eurostar - more expensive but we were going with friends and Thomson made it easier. When we went back in October it cost us about £500 for 3 nights with us driving and me booking it all direct.

As for the yobbish Brits - they get everywhere I'm afraid. Though the fact that DLP isn't cheap (when compared to other short breaks) means that we've seen less in Paris than Orlando

[Lisa123wm]

I've been to DLP 7 times now. The first time I went was the year after I went to WDW.

I still thought DLP was great, even after being to WDW.

Now, of course, there are a lot more parks in Florida, but still only 2 in DLP.

I don't remember coming across the typical British lager lout in the parks, tbh.

The only time we came across some rude Brits, was in the bar at the Holiday Inn. We thought they were obnoxious and rude towards the French hotel staff.

As for the parks, we've always found them to be full of many different nationalities, with everyone just having fun.

From memory (because we don't go to DLP for a drink) they only serve alcohol in the more expensive restaurants in the park, like Walts and the Blue Lagoon. We usually have a glass of wine with our dinner in those restaurants. We've never seen anyone getting drunk, or acting the stereotype lager lout.

[Lisa123wm]

Oh and yes, it is expensive.
DLP should never be thought of as the cheap Disney alternative, because, like for like, it would cost the same a lot of the time.

We only went for 3 nights at Christmas, and it cost us £1100 for 5 of us.

[Mulan]

I think they was more louts in flordia tbh. we don't go to DLP because it is cheaper, we go because we it.

[BevS97]

The bulk of that £800 quote was for travel which is the same for a two day trip or a 7 day trip. If you can get to Paris cheaply, be that by driving, or finding a cheap flight, then I think DLP can make a very nice break, we went for a 4 night/5 day trip a few years ago and paid around £500 including tickets, hotel and travel. I thought that was reasonable.

[wazzimama]

i don't think your a snob at all, my parents priced up taking ds to dlp for a long weekend and it came out at £1200! that's how much we pay to go to florida for 2 weeks, i just think it's crazy

[rusty30]

We've done DLP a few times and I agree with all who said they encounter far more chavvy Brits in Florida than at DLP!! Funny enough, it tends to be the cliched "rude" French that do my head in over there (and if we can talk about chavvy Brits, then I dont see why we cant talk about the rude French!!)...we found manners appalling - pushing and shoving in lines, and as for meeting characters - no chance unless you were prepared to barge your kid to the head of the line! The French teens were very badly behaved in the parks - smoking, waving ciggies about (I lost count of the times I was nearly burnt), queue jumping, bad language etc. To be fair the French CMs were nearly all VERY nice, but they did tend to turn a blind eye to their fellow countrymen's shenannagans.

Ive encountered some horrendous behaviour by Brits in Florida (swearing, drunkeness etc) but strangely, the ones that go to DLP seem fine! I think maybe the "chav" element are of the mindset "Im not goin to bleedin France nevah in a millyon years right" whereas they all pile on the cheap flights to Florida en masse :D .

[Pipic]

- smoking, waving ciggies about (I lost count of the times I was nearly burnt .

I must admit this is one of the things that puts us off going to DLP (and why we like Florida) - I hate it when smokers wave their cigarettes about and that they usually hold them at child eyes height - I just know if they burnt one of our little ones they will be smoking their cigarette from a different part of their body :blush: (We do appreciate not all smokers are like this)

[perthbelle]

DLP was a fantastic hol - not as good as florida but is anywhere as lovely as WDW for a family holiday??

DLP was my initiation into the disney experience as I hadn't really thought of going for a theme park hol before..

cheap flights to Beauvais and cheap accomodation just outside DLP - we stayed 1 train stop away can make this a cheaper trip than going to a Scotland away footie game (a secondary passion - Maybe I'm the aforementioned lager lout - prefer cocktails though mmmmm)..

My suggestion - don't knock it till you've tried it - we spent a week there and including accomodation, meals, travel and tickets to the park it was only £600 (park tickets were the most expensive bit)

Paris is one of the most incredible cities to visit even with the children theme parks and culture what more could you ask for??

Have to agree about the rude french people though - they assume ignorance from English apeaking holiday makers and more than once I caught them being extremely unkind about unsuspecting non french speaking people.. And pushing and shoving my goodness do they think they own the country lol...

[winnie97]

we have never been to DLP weve always thought of it as a poor relation to the real WDW and the prices are daft if i had the choice of miss a years hol and go to WDW or go to DLP inbetween i would miss a holiday and go to WDW everytime.
i too may sound a bit snobish but have noticed a lot more chavs in florida and have to say some of the behaviour left a lot to be desired.

[madwife]

I'm afraid you will come across 'larger louts' in Florida - we had a large contingent of them on our TCD flight 2 years ago. :(

[Whitequeen]

I've never once seen a 'Lager Lout' in DLRP. I've seen groups of loud obnoxious european teens but I've seen the US equivelant in WDW. :d:

[madwife]

I've never once seen a 'Lager Lout' in DLRP. I've seen groups of loud obnoxious european teens but I've seen the US equivelant in WDW. :d:

So true! :wave:

[marioner]

It very weird, but I have never seen any larger louts in either DLP or WDW. I thing generally people are very well behaved in both places, compared to a lot of the British seaside places. You want to see Torquay harbourside on Sat night, it's a nightmare, we dread the summer for those reasons.
Sorry, gone off the topic.

[Dabies]

It doesn't matter where you go in the world there will be some breed of chavs around, be it from your own country or another. I visit themeparks in this country quite a lot during the year, and I just tend to turn it into a positive and use them for entertainment, as the majority of the time their making a fool out of themselves.

Obviously it's a bit different in WDW because it's a family atmosphere, and it isn't pleasant if you're there with kids and somebody is either being loud or abusive. I think if there's ever a situation that is making you or your family feel uncomfortable, you should notify a cast member and I'm sure that they will sort it out quickly.

But as for DLP, both my fiancee and I really want to pay a visit, but we just can't afford it, the cost of travel and accomodation is too high for the short time you are there. We had some free park tickets, but ended up giving them away as we couldn't afford to get there. When I looked at the prices, a 2 night 3 day deal would've cost us about the same amount that a week at PortAventura cost us last year. As much as I love Disney, I'm not going to pay those prices.

[ethanjosh]

This has been a really good thread, thanks for starting it.

The two things that put me off DLP is: the price and the French. I'm not being partial (well ok I am) but why would Disney choose to be put one of the most friendly places on earth, it the most unfriendly place on earth. And ok the CM's I'm sure are very nice, but as many have said the majority of visitors are going to be French, who are just rude and look down on all Brits.

[parisdisneyfan]

From my name you can see I love Paris and we had been there about 6 times before we did Orlando. We have never paid full price, always looked around and got a deal varying between less than £300 to about a £1000, but that was for 5 days in the Disneyland just before xmas.

We have stayed in all of the on-site hotels, some more than once. We have been at various times of the year, mostly Halloween, twice at Christmas which was incomparable, really gets you in the mood. We visited in June 2002 (i think!) and stayed in the cheyenne, weather was beautiful and even with 3 trips to Orlando now under my belt, that one is still one of my most memorable.

One other thing, we always self drive, it is easy esp with sat nav and this keeps the cost down. Eurostar is the same sort of price as flying and with all the check ins/transfer etc I can't see that it is much quicker, plus we can do lots more shopping (but we aren't like the brits you see in the supermarkets filling 17 trolleys with 2E bottles of wine).

Anyway we did DLP at Christmas in the Sequoia and then Orlando end of February and enjoyed both, just got to look for a deal, and pick your times, sometimes you can even get good prices during school holidays!!

BTW I don't agree with stereotyping nationalities - brits aren't always lager lout, kid slapping chavs, the french aren't always rude smokers with pavement fouling rat dogs and americans aren't all thick, but I think you notice it more when you are on holiday. No offence intended, as I said I don't stereotype.nationalities

[jolloyd81]

I have planned to go to DLP a couple of times, then got a quote and decided against it. I just think for not a lot extra, we can go to Florida, so theres no contest really.

I love Paris itself, and would definitely revisit there, maybe just missing out Disney.

[Hels80]

Can someone tell me where I would get a holiday to Orlando, staying on-site, with park tickets, for £500 for a family of 3?????

Hmmm. I don't think so. I love Disney and as we can;t afford to go to Florida every year, we will probably go to DLP every year til Hollie is a bit older. It's great for children! I for one couldn't be doing with a week in Spain, chasing after a very energetic 2 yr old!

[Mulan]

Can someone tell me where I would get a holiday to Orlando, staying on-site, with park tickets, for £500 for a family of 3?????

I have no idea - my WDW holiday is costing 4 times as much as my DLP holiday.

[judith nicholls]

I like DLP. Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean are all better than MK!! TM and P of C are much longer and TM is much faster.

BUT I love WDW - it's more magical and I love Splash Mountain etc etc

We took our very small daughters to DLP in 1994. We started going to WDW in 1996 and have now been so many times.

I often go to DLP with kids from school- I still continue to enjoy it.

I enjoy going to WDW out of the main season - though that's not always possible. I just prefer no crowds and being able to go on rides without queueing for ages.

Judith :wavey:

[neilb1265]

I would advise anyone not to compare WDW and DLP because they are both different in minor ways but also alike in the Disney way.
DLP can be expensive to get to if you use the usual methods of travel, ie Eurostar or Plane into CDG airport but at the New Year we took some advice from friends who go regular to DLP because their Daughter is a face caracter in DLP and they Drive down to Disney to see her, so we checked this method out and found it very cheap conpared to the other methods of travel, so going independent and not stopping in a Disney hotel it work out a lot better on the wallet.
DLP will never replace Florida in attracting us to holiday there but it will now be a cheaper fix when Florida is out of reach for a year here and there. :cool2:

[jentill]

I've been to DLP twice and WDW once. I really loved DLP and actually thought some aspects of it were better than WDW. Unfortunately where I live in Scotland, it means it is more cost effective to travel and stay in WDW than DLP. However I would be delighted to go to either as there is such as sense of magic. I loved DLP for the closeness of the parks, being able to just wander from your hotel to park within minutes. It really does feel like home to me.

[mickeymouse06]

If we go to DLP its always early dec because its magical!! if you want the xmas spirit you will find it there, it is cold but that adds to the magic if you know what i mean, but i wouldnt go there for a summer holiday i'd keep that for florida. :mickeybou :jump: :donald_bo :jump: :donald_bo :mickeybou

[annie-lisa]

Was just reading the posting from the Dibber who was quoted £800+ for TWO days in DLP..

I have never been to DLP, apart from (maybe unfairly?) thinking it wont compare to anything like Florida, I really couldn't justify the kind of amounts seen to go. Those kind of costs will get you a good way to '.. the REAL..' Disney in Florida!

Not only that, and god forgive the flaming I will no doubt receive..... BUT.... surely I cant be the ONLY one to notice and breathe a sigh of relief that the kind of people who go to Florida are not of the '..Great British Lager Lout..' variety you would get on a package deal to Benidorm (was that subtle? I dont usually do subtle!) and as Paris is not THAT far away it is a lot more do-able....

Am I a snob, just missing a trick with DLP or justified in saving hard and going to Florida every 2 years?

Tracy

(absolutely NO offence intended with this post -- just a topic for debate!)

well, i'm afraid there were a lot of the "great british lager louts" in jan feb and also last september. a bbq place we eat at said that he wanted to attract more britts. we assured him he didn't, especially as he had a garden dining area. it would be full of people eating very little and drinking lots. :(

[BevS97]

Can someone tell me where I would get a holiday to Orlando, staying on-site, with park tickets, for £500 for a family of 3?????

Here here....


We've also visited Disneyland Paris for Christmas, and Florida for Christmas (well truth be told, both trips were in November) and I much preferred DLParis for the Christmas feeling, there is something about christmas carols when you are wearing shorts and it's 80 degree's that just doesn't work for me. Walking down main street in Paris when it was crisp and clear, felt 100% more christmassy to me.

[Gill H]

This has been a really good thread, thanks for starting it.

The two things that put me off DLP is: the price and the French. I'm not being partial (well ok I am) but why would Disney choose to be put one of the most friendly places on earth, it the most unfriendly place on earth. And ok the CM's I'm sure are very nice, but as many have said the majority of visitors are going to be French, who are just rude and look down on all Brits.

Can I ask a few questions?

(a) have you ever been to France?
(b) do you speak any French?
(c) are you The Pub Landlord? ;)

There is a stereotype of rude French people who look down on Brits, certainly. Just as there is a stereotype of British lager louts who refuse to learn any French and believe the best way to communicate with people in foreign countries is to shout at them.

Stereotypes grow up because there are enough people to fit them - but they are not the majority.

I have been to Paris several times and never once had anyone be rude to me. I do speak very rusty school French, and I find that if I'm willing to try my French out first, the other person is usually kindness itself, and can't wait to try out their rusty school English when my French runs out.

It's not surprising really. If I was walking down the road at home in London, and a total stranger came up to me and asked me a question in Portuguese, as if he expected me to understand him - well, I'd feel a little disgruntled. I'd feel he should at least make the effort to learn a few words of the language of the country he was in. So why should the French people feel any different?

The only time I've had a frosty reception in France was a lady who ran a lace shop in Calais. And after a day in Calais I can see why. It was full of shell-suited Brits who were only there for cheap booze. Someone got on the coach to the hypermarket, and the driver said (in English) '15 francs please' (yes, it was pre-Euro!). The passenger thrust a handful of cash at him and said 'take it out of that, and don't cheat me!'

As Noel Coward said "Why do the wrong people travel, when the right people stay at home?" ;)

[ethanjosh]

Can I ask a few questions?

(a) have you ever been to France?
(b) do you speak any French?
(c) are you The Pub Landlord? ;)

There is a stereotype of rude French people who look down on Brits, certainly. Just as there is a stereotype of British lager louts who refuse to learn any French and believe the best way to communicate with people in foreign countries is to shout at them.

Stereotypes grow up because there are enough people to fit them - but they are not the majority.

I have been to Paris several times and never once had anyone be rude to me. I do speak very rusty school French, and I find that if I'm willing to try my French out first, the other person is usually kindness itself, and can't wait to try out their rusty school English when my French runs out.

It's not surprising really. If I was walking down the road at home in London, and a total stranger came up to me and asked me a question in Portuguese, as if he expected me to understand him - well, I'd feel a little disgruntled. I'd feel he should at least make the effort to learn a few words of the language of the country he was in. So why should the French people feel any different?

The only time I've had a frosty reception in France was a lady who ran a lace shop in Calais. And after a day in Calais I can see why. It was full of shell-suited Brits who were only there for cheap booze. Someone got on the coach to the hypermarket, and the driver said (in English) '15 francs please' (yes, it was pre-Euro!). The passenger thrust a handful of cash at him and said 'take it out of that, and don't cheat me!'

As Noel Coward said "Why do the wrong people travel, when the right people stay at home?" ;)

To answer your questions,

1 : I've been to France may times,
2 : I only speak the French I learnt in school, however I am Welsh and very proud to speak Welsh (which does go down very well with the French)
3 : Yes I agree my comments do make me sound like the Pub Landlord. ;)

However I stand by my word, the French regardless of who you are where you come from are rude , I'm speaking from experience and most of my friends (who are not larger louts) agree.

I have a very good friend who is French and in his words : 'We French don't do manners', especially to tourists.

Despite what the stereotype suggests I really believe manners are a good British trait

[Leanne1977]

I also think that a lot of people stereotype the French as rude. I imagine that every country has people that are rude and have no manners.

Whenever we have been to Paris the only rude people we have encountered was the Brits! In my experience of both DLP and WDW I have seen a huge amount of Brits being rude, slapping and shouting at their kids, generally being loud and chavvy. It is a total embarrassment and I for one feel like apologising on their behalf most of the time.:blush:

Our latest trip to Paris was no exception. We encountered no rude French people and the CM's were all polite and friendly especially to the kids.
The worst most embarrassing moment for us was whilst at breakfast at the Cheyenne. We had to pick a table near the worst Brit family ever. Loud and not a brain cell between them. At one point they were changing their sons underpants(he was about 4) whilst he was standing naked from the waist down on the breakfast table!!:omg: They thought it was oh so funny.:mad2: Idiots!

I really do believe if they did a poll of the worst behaved holiday makers it would definately be the Brits. This is the main reason I avoid Spain and the Canaries. Would hate to holiday with these people. Give me DLP anyday.:thumbs-up

[Dabies]

I don't think it's fair to single out the French, obviously with this thread being about DLP it's hard not to, but I find most Europeans have the same attitude. Germans and Spanish are the same, they refuse to queue for anything and don't care who they have to barge out of the way, when they do have to queue (for rides etc), they seem to get as close to you as possible making the whole experience fairly uncomfortable. Obviously this from my experience, maybe they just don't make great tourists, as this is the only situation I've encountered them in. We Brits although we have the lager louts and chavs, on the whole we are much better mannered than other countries it is just the minority spoiling our reputation amoung the world.

As for the question of where you can get a holiday to Orlando, staying on-site, with park tickets, for £500 for a family of 3?????

You probably can't but, I don't think anybody is really saying that WDW is cheaper than DLP, it is just comparatively much cheaper and much better value, if you work out the cost per day, plus things are more expensive when you get there.

[Mulan]

We have had two 16year old french girls stay with us for the summer, they were both lovely girls, and very grateful and appreciative.

I have come across a couple of rude french people, however I put this down to there nature not there nationality, as you get rude people in every country. I have even come across rude Americans, however I don't come away saying Americans are rude, I come away thinking wow that person was rude.

[beanybucket]

i have never been to DLP always found it to expensive, would much rather spend the money on going to WDW instead.
thats just me. :thumbs-up

[Gill H]

Diolch ethanjosh for your reply!

I'm from South Wales and of a generation that didn't really learn Welsh. Good on you for being proud to speak it. And I'm sure you do your best to counteract the stereotype of North Walians who switch from English to Welsh as soon as the tourists appear. (What are the stereotypes about South Walians? That we're not really Welsh?)

Oh, and could all you queue-ers please come to London? They don't know how to queue for buses here. Regardless of ethnicity, age, gender - it just seems to be a forgotten concept. I've kind of got used to it now. I guess 15 years in London will do that for you. But I still talk to strangers on public transport. You can take the girl out of Wales, but you can't take Wales out of the girl!

[parisdisneyfan]

We have had two 16year old french girls stay with us for the summer, they were both lovely girls, and very grateful and appreciative.

I have come across a couple of rude french people, however I put this down to there nature not there nationality, as you get rude people in every country. I have even come across rude Americans, however I don't come away saying Americans are rude, I come away thinking wow that person was rude.
Yep totally agree, people are people not nationalities and if the french nation are so rude why are brits flocking to buy holiday homes over there. I also am put off spain by the type of brits who go seem to go there and feel that is the type of person they want to attract. So multiply that by german, french, italian etc and there is no way we would go there.

[parisdisneyfan]

Can I ask a few questions?

(a) have you ever been to France?
(b) do you speak any French?
(c) are you The Pub Landlord? ;)

There is a stereotype of rude French people who look down on Brits, certainly. Just as there is a stereotype of British lager louts who refuse to learn any French and believe the best way to communicate with people in foreign countries is to shout at them.

Stereotypes grow up because there are enough people to fit them - but they are not the majority.

I have been to Paris several times and never once had anyone be rude to me. I do speak very rusty school French, and I find that if I'm willing to try my French out first, the other person is usually kindness itself, and can't wait to try out their rusty school English when my French runs out.

It's not surprising really. If I was walking down the road at home in London, and a total stranger came up to me and asked me a question in Portuguese, as if he expected me to understand him - well, I'd feel a little disgruntled. I'd feel he should at least make the effort to learn a few words of the language of the country he was in. So why should the French people feel any different?

The only time I've had a frosty reception in France was a lady who ran a lace shop in Calais. And after a day in Calais I can see why. It was full of shell-suited Brits who were only there for cheap booze. Someone got on the coach to the hypermarket, and the driver said (in English) '15 francs please' (yes, it was pre-Euro!). The passenger thrust a handful of cash at him and said 'take it out of that, and don't cheat me!'

As Noel Coward said "Why do the wrong people travel, when the right people stay at home?" ;)

Got to agree, I use my rusty school french and they are really helpful. Although did find that outside Disney, their english is not so good but lots of smiles and pointing and on BOTH sides tends to work. Only time we really got stuck was coming back from 2 weeks in Germany into France, got confused where I was and spoke German and got totally blank stares!!

[Hels80]

I agree that WDW is comparatively much cheaper and much better value, BUT when you only have £500 to spend on a holiday, I would much rather go for a few days to DLP than a beach holiday in Spain where I would be chasing after a 2 yr old, who would be a complete nightmare near the beach/pool!
It's a totally different kettle of fish!

[ethanjosh]

Diolch ethanjosh for your reply!

I'm from South Wales and of a generation that didn't really learn Welsh. Good on you for being proud to speak it. And I'm sure you do your best to counteract the stereotype of North Walians who switch from English to Welsh as soon as the tourists appear. (What are the stereotypes about South Walians? That we're not really Welsh?)

Oh, and could all you queue-ers please come to London? They don't know how to queue for buses here. Regardless of ethnicity, age, gender - it just seems to be a forgotten concept. I've kind of got used to it now. I guess 15 years in London will do that for you. But I still talk to strangers on public transport. You can take the girl out of Wales, but you can't take Wales out of the girl!

Da Iawn Gill , Sut Mae ?

Your very right about us North Walians switching to Welsh whenever a tourist appears :d: . And of course your right, South of Snowdonia isn't really Wales ;)

Very nice to speak to a fellow Welsh person.

And I know stereotypes are often exaggerated and maybe I have been a little OTT with my stereotyping of the French , I'm just speaking as I have seen.

[Peter H]

I've been too long in London, but I can still 'talk tidy' when I want to, though! (Particularly after last weekend, when my office is suddenly full of proud Welshmen!)

[Gill H]

Sorry, that was me (he never logs out!)

[mobeckwith]

the thing that struck me about dlp was the people smoking in ques for the rides,also i saw a lot of french teens spitting,i was not impressed i was saying "oh my god thats disgusting you **&^%$#@!@#$%^&*&^% gross beggers,or words to that effect,i mean ,spitting in disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.were not used to that :angry: .but i loved most parts,and would go back. mo :wave: :wave:

[tomnj]

Lager louts in Orlando? Drinking age is 21. Where and how are they getting all this alcohol?

[moolie19]

I really like dlrp, in fact i have been about 7 times, I go because my dh does not like holidays :cry: :cry: and would rather stay at home.
I agree it is expensive but if its holiday or no holiday i choose dlp every time.
Also its a great place for a couple of days away and to get some disney magic. I got a ticket on the eurostar the other year for £29 each way and a hotel room for £50, then just needed park ticket. dh didn't want to go so I went on my own and had a really good time.
:mickeywal :mickeywal :mickeywal

[Gill H]

France's no-smoking laws came in this January, so perhaps there'll be no smoking there now. That would be good for me!

[winnie97]

im afraid the chavy brits are invading florida last year we had the unfortunate experience of being on a plane that mainly consisted of them complete with fake Burberry luggage it was awfull the lanuage was dreadfull every sentance had at least one f word in it.
I was ashamed to be british the immigration people were just shaking their heads.

[Leanne1977]

France's no-smoking laws came in this January, so perhaps there'll be no smoking there now. That would be good for me!

There was plenty of smoking going on at DLP in Feb unfortunately.

[lainey5565]

Lager louts in Orlando? Drinking age is 21. Where and how are they getting all this alcohol?

who said a larger lout has to be under 21 ???

[tomnj]

im afraid the chavy brits are invading florida last year we had the unfortunate experience of being on a plane that mainly consisted of them complete with fake Burberry luggage it was awfull the lanuage was dreadfull every sentance had at least one f word in it.

:( :( :(

Orlando isnt known as a party town. And it certainly isnt a short inexpensive trip. What brings them there?

[tomnj]

who said a larger lout has to be under 21 ???

What age do they outgrow it?

[motty1969]

I also think that a lot of people stereotype the French as rude. I imagine that every country has people that are rude and have no manners.

Whenever we have been to Paris the only rude people we have encountered was the Brits! In my experience of both DLP and WDW I have seen a huge amount of Brits being rude, slapping and shouting at their kids, generally being loud and chavvy. It is a total embarrassment and I for one feel like apologising on their behalf most of the time.:blush:

Our latest trip to Paris was no exception. We encountered no rude French people and the CM's were all polite and friendly especially to the kids.
The worst most embarrassing moment for us was whilst at breakfast at the Cheyenne. We had to pick a table near the worst Brit family ever. Loud and not a brain cell between them. At one point they were changing their sons underpants(he was about 4) whilst he was standing naked from the waist down on the breakfast table!!:omg: They thought it was oh so funny.:mad2: Idiots!

I really do believe if they did a poll of the worst behaved holiday makers it would definately be the Brits. This is the main reason I avoid Spain and the Canaries. Would hate to holiday with these people. Give me DLP anyday.:thumbs-up

Can I ask what's wrong with taking holidays in The Canaries??????????I holiday there some timestwice a year as well as Florida , Egypt, places like Gambia, and other holiday destinations. I'm obviously being very over sensitive, but, I'm from a very nice family, a very well brought up back ground, have a very well behaved child , have a good job, a lovely house, great hubby and two cars. So please don't class me with the CHAVVY lot who obviously only holiday in the Canaries.
I'm not a lager lout, nor is hubby, and don't like to mix with loud mouthed, child slapping holiday makers in The Canaries!!!!!!

[Leanne1977]

Can I ask what's wrong with taking holidays in The Canaries??????????I holiday there some timestwice a year as well as Florida , Egypt, places like Gambia, and other holiday destinations. I'm obviously being very over sensitive, but, I'm from a very nice family, a very well brought up back ground, have a very well behaved child , have a good job, a lovely house, great hubby and two cars. So please don't class me with the CHAVVY lot who obviously only holiday in the Canaries.
I'm not a lager lout, nor is hubby, and don't like to mix with loud mouthed, child slapping holiday makers in The Canaries!!!!!!

Can you please point me to where I mentioned anything about you in my post????:confused2 I wasn't referring to you or anyone else!!

There is a huge chav element in Spain and the Canaries. My MIL holidays in the Canaries and Spain approximately 8-9 times a year. She always goes to the typical Brit invaded areas where egg and chips is the main item on all the menus. She enjoys it or she wouldn't go back but for me that would be my idea of hell!

If you look over my past posts you will see that I have always said I would like to visit Spain and the Canaries but I would avoid the typical holidaymaker areas like the plague. I have always said I would do my homework and visit areas that have true locals not just chav Brits everywhere you look!

So I really don't know why you are having a go at me!:confused2

[Leanne1977]

I'm not a lager lout, nor is hubby, and don't like to mix with loud mouthed, child slapping holiday makers in The Canaries!!!!!!

I didn't refer to any of this going on in the Canaries!! If you re read my post you will see that I was referring to behaviour that I have seen in DLP and WDW!!

[Bozza]

Not only that, and god forgive the flaming I will no doubt receive..... BUT.... surely I cant be the ONLY one to notice and breathe a sigh of relief that the kind of people who go to Florida are not of the '..Great British Lager Lout..' variety you would get on a package deal to Benidorm (was that subtle? I dont usually do subtle!) and as Paris is not THAT far away it is a lot more do-able....

Like many other contributors to this thread I have to disagree. In the 20 years I've been taking holidays to Florida, I've found the 'quality' of Brit I encounter in and around Orlando has steadily declined. Of course there are a lot of decent folk who go too but, like myself I imagine, they'll be going quietly about their holiday and you'd have to get pretty close to know they were from this green and pleasant land. Those who leave me feeling a little bit embarrassed at coming from the same country seem to have a problem with volume control.

Possibly the most depressing experience I've had in 25 or so weeks in Orlando, spread over 10 or 11 trips was when I went for breakfast in one of those Golden Corral or Ponderosa type places a few trips ago. I appreciate these places are used because they do a job, but it just seemed to be filled with depressingly obvious Brit families who were just intent on stuffing their faces with huge quantities of what was very evidently poor quality food. Eating out should be a joy - one of life's pleasures but to most of these folk it was purely functional - shovel as much in as possible. Grim.