First time in DLP in 23 years - thoughts!

[YLL]

I'm on the train back home after 2 days in DLP (solo trip booked only 1 week before) and I thought I'd share my thoughts.

Last DLP visit was in 2000. I prefer going to WDW but as it's not going to be until 2025, I needed a Disney fix!

I had a great time and tried not to compare it to WDW. I rope dropped both days and managed to do 32 attractions in total (only paid for 1 Premier Access), many repeats with 5 times on ToT for instance!

I stayed at the Ibis Val d'Europe Marne-la-Vallée and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to save on hotel costs. The RER station is literally a 30-second walk from the hotel, and the train ride to DLP is only 3 minutes. I'm sure it takes longer to get to the parks when staying on-site! Many thanks to the Dibbers who recommended it. It was basic but clean, and if you just need a room to sleep then it's perfect.

Disneyland Park was busy but manageable (I was there on Monday and Tuesday). The longest line was 45 mins for Hyperspace Mountain (which was fab, rode it 4 times thanks to the Single Rider line - didn't realise there was one on my first attempt!) Everything else was 15 to 30 mins wait, which is not too bad (apart from Peter Pan's Flight, always high waits for it but Fantasyland is my least favourite land, so I had no intention of riding it anyway). I am amazed that in 23 years, they have not added a single new ride in this park!

I guess the focus is on the Studios Park right now for new rides. It was my first visit as it wasn't even open last time I went!

And everything I've heard was true: it is tiny (for now) and probably the worst Disney park I've ever been to. Its only saving grace is ToT, which has always been one of my favourites, although I still do prefer the Florida version. The various stories with the little girl ghost were fun though.

Really liked Crush's Coaster too, but it was always at least 80 mins wait (and at least 50 mins with the Single Rider line), so I paid for Premier Access (about £10) to ride it and I'm glad I did. It's sooo smooth and fun... but very short.

Apart from that, I thought Avengers Campus was pretty meh. It's a small area really, and the rides were disappointing, in particular the ex Rock'n'Roller Coaster, now Avengers Assemble Flight Force, was awful - very rough and shaky, it gave me a headache and seemed even shorter than RnRC in WDW! It always had a 5-10 mins wait time, so obviously is not very popular. The Web Slingers ride was ok, fun but far from a major ride. Shooting webs from your wrists is exhausting! 😆 It was once and done for me.

I missed the Mickey and the Magician show unfortunately, really wanted to see it but left it too late and there wasn't any room left. Oh well.

The rest of the Studios was just not interesting, so I spent lots more time in the main park, and had more fun there. I did like the mini Food and Wine festival in the park though.

Foodwise, I treated myself to Captain Jack's and it was just OK food (45 Euros for a 3-course meal) but I just wanted to experience eating in the Pirates ride! Crossed off the bucket list, I don't think I'll eat there again.

What else? 2 major rides were closed for refurbishment (Indiana Jones and Ratatouille) which was annoying as I never rode the latter.

The 30th anniversary drone show above the castle was great, and the Disney Dreams fireworks show was spectacular - the ending blew me away! Still, it didn't make me feel emotional like nighttime spectaculars at WDW.

All in all I am knackered but had a great time at DLP, and it looks like I'll be back for 1 or 2 days in 2024 with one of my best friends - fingers crossed!

Rides/attractions done:
Big Thunder Mountain (4 times)
Phantom Manor (3 times)
Adventure Isle
Pirates of the Caribbean (4 times)
It's a Small World
Mickey's Philharmagic
Disneyland Railroad
Le Passage Enchante d'Aladdin
Le Pays des Contes de Fees
Les Mysteres du Nautilus
Star Tours
Hyperspace Mountain (4 times)
Thunder Mesa Riverboat
Avengers Assemble Flight Force
Cars Road Trip
Crush's Coaster (Premier Access)
Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (5 times)

If any Dibbers are going soon, have a great time and don't hesitate to ask any questions should you have any!

[Bondy007]

Glad you had a good time. It's hard not to compare it to WDW...!

You're absolutely right, we've stayed at Newport Bay and Sequoia Lodge and it takes much longer than your journey from the Ibis... !

Love DLP for a short fix, ToT is definitely one of the best parts about the Studio. I really don't like Stuido 1, it feels like such a small entrance for the many people trying to get in...

[Rac20]

We are going in March next year and really are looking forward to it. We have only been once in 2010 and only visited the main park then. Just hope the weather is not too chilly or wet.

[YLL]

Originally Posted by Bondy007

Glad you had a good time. It's hard not to compare it to WDW...!

You're absolutely right, we've stayed at Newport Bay and Sequoia Lodge and it takes much longer than your journey from the Ibis... !

Love DLP for a short fix, ToT is definitely one of the best parts about the Studio. I really don't like Stuido 1, it feels like such a small entrance for the many people trying to get in...

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Yes I agree - ToT is great, so is Crush's Coaster... everything else is not so great!

[Ourdaybydesign]

We were just there and the new Pixar show in the studios was fab, as well as Frozen, definitely worth seeing both. Mine loved the avengers campus as all the characters came out and did mini shows all the time. The avengers drone show was also way better than the one in the main park.

[Jamie99]

great report, ive not been DLP but have been looking so good to get some tips thanks.

[YLL]

Originally Posted by Jamie99

great report, ive not been DLP but have been looking so good to get some tips thanks.

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Avoid weekends! And check French, Spanish and Italian holidays before going.