Mark said:
Several sites which are all linked and share this one forum...Magic Forum
They have loads of inside knowledge
FORUMS - COASTERFORCE
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
The Truth About Disneyland Paris
- Thread starter Mark
- Start date
Several sites which are all linked and share this one forum...Magic Forum
They have loads of inside knowledge
Nemesis Inferno
Strata Poster
The last two times I've been to Disney (Feb half term and start of July) the park has been reasonably busy and got busier over the week, so it can do ok during the holiday periods...
It still needs more draw to the park, I think the left side lands in Magic Kingdom need at least one new attraction (whether they be unique or copied, new rides are new rides), and the Studios just needs rethinking from the start...
If it were to go bankrupt and hence Disney themselves turned around and saved it through purchasing the rest of the shares then that could be the best thing, as it always seems that the current owners are reluctant to get the new attractions (like Little Mermaid, Tower of Terror, Soarin' and whatever else may have come through the idea chamber), is perhaps letting the parks down...
I'll try and find that random idea storm I did for the Studios after discussions with John that time...
It still needs more draw to the park, I think the left side lands in Magic Kingdom need at least one new attraction (whether they be unique or copied, new rides are new rides), and the Studios just needs rethinking from the start...
If it were to go bankrupt and hence Disney themselves turned around and saved it through purchasing the rest of the shares then that could be the best thing, as it always seems that the current owners are reluctant to get the new attractions (like Little Mermaid, Tower of Terror, Soarin' and whatever else may have come through the idea chamber), is perhaps letting the parks down...
I'll try and find that random idea storm I did for the Studios after discussions with John that time...
SaiyanHajime
CF Legend
I might be very wrong here, but I think more Brits probably go to Florida than Paris for Disney. Maybe somebody has statistics to prove otherwise...
There is the assumption that Florida will be better simply because it is Florida, and I think anyone with the money will thus go to Florida. I think Paris costs too much for what it is seen as, and so people just don't go at all. I think people either pay more and get what they think is the full experience, or just not bother with ether, in general? Anyone agree?
I think it's also worth pointing out that Florida has MORE than just Disney for Disney's own audience (families). Does Paris? I think of Paris as an expensive place where adults will enjoy culture and children will get dragged around. I think, perhaps, Disney thought (maybe rightly or wrongly) that they were enough of a singular draw to bring British families to a city which otherwise has a lot of conflicting connotations with Disney.
Saying that I think we were a fairly average working class British family who went on **** holidays to places like Menorca and, god forbid, Benidorm. And prior to coaster enthusiasm, I was taken to Disneyland Paris twice, which contradicts my theory. Never taken to Florida (or Cali). I think where we differed though, is that more often than Spain we went to Greece. I think that sums up a lot. "We" still liked ****ty British holidays, but slightly quieter ones which didn't need to be "Britain only hot". And it was my sister who took me to Disney first, but only because she was a travel agent and got us a good deal... We were not the sort of family who went to stay at theme park resorts. My mum just wanted to lie on the beach and dad couldn't really give a toss what he did. So America simply wasn't my mother's idea of a holiday. Cheap beach holidays are my mothers idea, and I suspect most of the nation's idea, of a holiday. What a weekend at paris Disney would cost you could get you 5 days on a sunny somewhere in southern Europe.
There is the assumption that Florida will be better simply because it is Florida, and I think anyone with the money will thus go to Florida. I think Paris costs too much for what it is seen as, and so people just don't go at all. I think people either pay more and get what they think is the full experience, or just not bother with ether, in general? Anyone agree?
I think it's also worth pointing out that Florida has MORE than just Disney for Disney's own audience (families). Does Paris? I think of Paris as an expensive place where adults will enjoy culture and children will get dragged around. I think, perhaps, Disney thought (maybe rightly or wrongly) that they were enough of a singular draw to bring British families to a city which otherwise has a lot of conflicting connotations with Disney.
Saying that I think we were a fairly average working class British family who went on **** holidays to places like Menorca and, god forbid, Benidorm. And prior to coaster enthusiasm, I was taken to Disneyland Paris twice, which contradicts my theory. Never taken to Florida (or Cali). I think where we differed though, is that more often than Spain we went to Greece. I think that sums up a lot. "We" still liked ****ty British holidays, but slightly quieter ones which didn't need to be "Britain only hot". And it was my sister who took me to Disney first, but only because she was a travel agent and got us a good deal... We were not the sort of family who went to stay at theme park resorts. My mum just wanted to lie on the beach and dad couldn't really give a toss what he did. So America simply wasn't my mother's idea of a holiday. Cheap beach holidays are my mothers idea, and I suspect most of the nation's idea, of a holiday. What a weekend at paris Disney would cost you could get you 5 days on a sunny somewhere in southern Europe.
Martyn B
CF Legend
Personally, I think the bad Euro over here could be the main reason we Brits probably dont go as often as we should.
Though it is expensive, very expensive, and bad Euro just made things worse. But to me, its worth it. I booked our annual 5 night trip there for January the other week, cost us £1014, I'm willing to pay it as I know I WILL have an awsome time. But obviously I guess I am only a minority of people who visit with that attitude.
One thing I will say is that when I visited in January this year, the parks had been their busiest that I had ever witnessed in all of the 7 years now that I've been going in January. You go back a couple of years and everything in the Studio's would be a walk on, but this year that was totally differen't, obviously due to the investments in Crush and ToT. So I personally thought things were looking up for the resort!
And another thing, their lastest deal, 'free meals' is a bloody good one! Our trip would have cost £1162 if we went for that deal instead of the 'free day/night'. Which is a bargain when you consider how much you spend on food! I suppose an offer like that goes to show how bad things are?
Though it is expensive, very expensive, and bad Euro just made things worse. But to me, its worth it. I booked our annual 5 night trip there for January the other week, cost us £1014, I'm willing to pay it as I know I WILL have an awsome time. But obviously I guess I am only a minority of people who visit with that attitude.
One thing I will say is that when I visited in January this year, the parks had been their busiest that I had ever witnessed in all of the 7 years now that I've been going in January. You go back a couple of years and everything in the Studio's would be a walk on, but this year that was totally differen't, obviously due to the investments in Crush and ToT. So I personally thought things were looking up for the resort!
And another thing, their lastest deal, 'free meals' is a bloody good one! Our trip would have cost £1162 if we went for that deal instead of the 'free day/night'. Which is a bargain when you consider how much you spend on food! I suppose an offer like that goes to show how bad things are?
At the moment you will also get $1000 to spend.I initially thought 'another hotel, a conference centre? Waste of money!' but then I read Mark's comment on weekdays being empty and thought this could be the perfect scenario.
I've been to two conferences at Disneyland Paris, and before they have been through Star Tours and in a secret pavilion! (Oooooo) The point is they have always been Tuesday - Thursday, for obvious reasons, the weekends bring in enough guests anyway. You don't want the park plauged with businessmen (or students like we were) when families have paid a lot to be there.
However, to a large business, a random pavilion you have to walk through Star Tours to get to is surely not as an attractive option then a nice conference centre, with a nice business-esque hotel ajacent to it.
I see this as a very wise option ideed and think, finanically, it's definately a step in the right direction, and probably the wisest thing they could do at the minute.
I've been to two conferences at Disneyland Paris, and before they have been through Star Tours and in a secret pavilion! (Oooooo) The point is they have always been Tuesday - Thursday, for obvious reasons, the weekends bring in enough guests anyway. You don't want the park plauged with businessmen (or students like we were) when families have paid a lot to be there.
However, to a large business, a random pavilion you have to walk through Star Tours to get to is surely not as an attractive option then a nice conference centre, with a nice business-esque hotel ajacent to it.
I see this as a very wise option ideed and think, finanically, it's definately a step in the right direction, and probably the wisest thing they could do at the minute.
Are business men really going to go to the park though? Thats my problem with it.
Yes it will give the company more money if they are booked, but it will take some time to get back the money they have had to spend.
I still do not think this is the best way to go.
People go in the week during peak season but there is not enough to keep people there for 5 days, so build another park. This will also help with the queuing time on the current attractions in the other parks.
The queue time on all the big rides at the weekend we were there was 3 hours, no ride there is worth that.
They need more high capacity attractions, plus open all the rides all year. I have been a number of times when not all the rides are open during the week, so this could also stop people going as they would check whats open and wait for the weekend.
They need more there, there is just not enough to do. The MK claims to be the largest yet it has less attractions than Orlando and California.
Yes it will give the company more money if they are booked, but it will take some time to get back the money they have had to spend.
I still do not think this is the best way to go.
People go in the week during peak season but there is not enough to keep people there for 5 days, so build another park. This will also help with the queuing time on the current attractions in the other parks.
The queue time on all the big rides at the weekend we were there was 3 hours, no ride there is worth that.
They need more high capacity attractions, plus open all the rides all year. I have been a number of times when not all the rides are open during the week, so this could also stop people going as they would check whats open and wait for the weekend.
They need more there, there is just not enough to do. The MK claims to be the largest yet it has less attractions than Orlando and California.
Mark
Strata Poster
It is a flipside really. Go at the weekend and it be blighted with queues and you dont get on everything anyways or go during the week and have rides closed.
Personally it is still a case that you can spend little more or in some instances a little less and go to florida for the all out two weeks of it. (And get nicer weather to boot).
Florida are doing the offer at the moment where they will even give you $1000 spending money (within the disney locations). Not sure of the specifics though... (It is even being advertised on CF as we speak in fact)
The first time I went to DLRP, it cost just short of £800 for two nights for two people. £400 each basically, in the cheapest hotel. That is an awfully expensive weekend away! That was a number of years ago...
Personally it is still a case that you can spend little more or in some instances a little less and go to florida for the all out two weeks of it. (And get nicer weather to boot).
Florida are doing the offer at the moment where they will even give you $1000 spending money (within the disney locations). Not sure of the specifics though... (It is even being advertised on CF as we speak in fact)
The first time I went to DLRP, it cost just short of £800 for two nights for two people. £400 each basically, in the cheapest hotel. That is an awfully expensive weekend away! That was a number of years ago...
^Florida are also doing some fantastic offers with their passes, too. 14-day pass for the price of a 7-day, as just one example. Not that anyone could spend that long at DLP, but the idea's there.
Do they actually make money off the hotels? Personally, I can't see why anyone would stay in them if they don't include park entrance and there are far cheaper alternatives available in Paris itself.
Do they actually make money off the hotels? Personally, I can't see why anyone would stay in them if they don't include park entrance and there are far cheaper alternatives available in Paris itself.
Gavin, the Florida offer kicks the DLP offer out the window.
Even if you stay in a basic hotel your get $350 to spend, thats basically your ticket price back.
Free food or 50% off as well.
20% off hotel bookings, so you can upgrade and get even more than the $350.
This offer is until May 2010.
I just had a quick look £800 for 2 people including flights and car higher for 14 nights, vs DLP 4 nights £1200 for 2. Both are for going this weekend. Why would people want to go to rainy cold Paris when they can go to warm Orlando for less and get more for the £ as the exchange rate is 1.6 vs 1.04.
This is what DLP have to compete with, lower the price and more people would go and not go to Orlando which is bigger better and cheeper.
And here is a shock it is cheaper to go to Tokyo than DLP. 4 nights for 2 people including the park staying in the top hotel is £1149 this includes the flights btw.
I would not just go there for 4 nights though as there is more to see in Tokyo. 4 nights in Paris for me is more than enough as I don't like Paris.
I am not being negative btw I am just pointing out facts. I do like DLP but it is just to expensive for what it is.
Right now using the DVC Mark and I could go for £800 to Tokyo, or Paris for £700. Sorry for £100 Tokyo would win.
Even if you stay in a basic hotel your get $350 to spend, thats basically your ticket price back.
Free food or 50% off as well.
20% off hotel bookings, so you can upgrade and get even more than the $350.
This offer is until May 2010.
I just had a quick look £800 for 2 people including flights and car higher for 14 nights, vs DLP 4 nights £1200 for 2. Both are for going this weekend. Why would people want to go to rainy cold Paris when they can go to warm Orlando for less and get more for the £ as the exchange rate is 1.6 vs 1.04.
This is what DLP have to compete with, lower the price and more people would go and not go to Orlando which is bigger better and cheeper.
And here is a shock it is cheaper to go to Tokyo than DLP. 4 nights for 2 people including the park staying in the top hotel is £1149 this includes the flights btw.
I would not just go there for 4 nights though as there is more to see in Tokyo. 4 nights in Paris for me is more than enough as I don't like Paris.
I am not being negative btw I am just pointing out facts. I do like DLP but it is just to expensive for what it is.
Right now using the DVC Mark and I could go for £800 to Tokyo, or Paris for £700. Sorry for £100 Tokyo would win.
Mark
Strata Poster
Just to clarify, Tokyo still gives us free entry to the parks and etc.... Also, both Marc and I do absolutely love visiting DLRP when we are there. The main issue here is just how expensive it is.
It does seem that in terms of value and what is also out there in terms of a Disney holiday. Paris is the bum deal, and if Marc has researched for 5 minutes and found these deals and so on, you can guarantee others would have and that is basically what DLRP are up against.
They need to consider how to entice people to not just pay the little extra and go to florida/tokyo and only travel the little way.
Over the years I have heard soooo many people say that they would rather just save a little bit more and do the much nastier journey over to Florida because of the range of stuff to do and the much better value.
This is ultimately (and to keep the topic in perspective) why DLRP are struggling to manage any profits...
It does seem that in terms of value and what is also out there in terms of a Disney holiday. Paris is the bum deal, and if Marc has researched for 5 minutes and found these deals and so on, you can guarantee others would have and that is basically what DLRP are up against.
They need to consider how to entice people to not just pay the little extra and go to florida/tokyo and only travel the little way.
Over the years I have heard soooo many people say that they would rather just save a little bit more and do the much nastier journey over to Florida because of the range of stuff to do and the much better value.
This is ultimately (and to keep the topic in perspective) why DLRP are struggling to manage any profits...
Crazycoaster
Giga Poster
I have a 5 day/4 night (mon-friday) package booked at DLP for 3 people late march next year which includes:
-Hotel 4 nights,
-Park Tickets
-All inclusive food
-Travel
All for £250 per person.
If you can be flexible, Disneyland Paris can be very cheap.
-Hotel 4 nights,
-Park Tickets
-All inclusive food
-Travel
All for £250 per person.
If you can be flexible, Disneyland Paris can be very cheap.
Crazycoaster
Giga Poster
www.leisuredirection.com
I booked at the Santa Fe (yeah its not the nicest hotel, but its a room and gets you into early hours so im not complaining..) between the 22nd and 26th march. If you book transport seperatley it works out cheaper too. I had to ring up to get the food deal, but I think if you book before the 15th there might be some still left.
I think the only reason I booked the holiday again though this year is because of how cheap I got this deal. After going last year neither me or my Bf was really all that fussed about going back before a couple of years had passed.
DLP is definitely lacking something 'Disney', its missing something in the atmosphere that seems to bring florida alive.
I booked at the Santa Fe (yeah its not the nicest hotel, but its a room and gets you into early hours so im not complaining..) between the 22nd and 26th march. If you book transport seperatley it works out cheaper too. I had to ring up to get the food deal, but I think if you book before the 15th there might be some still left.
I think the only reason I booked the holiday again though this year is because of how cheap I got this deal. After going last year neither me or my Bf was really all that fussed about going back before a couple of years had passed.
DLP is definitely lacking something 'Disney', its missing something in the atmosphere that seems to bring florida alive.
Cheers for the link.
I really wanted to go in December for my birthday, but even on there its still £800 without travel
but that is for the New York hotel. The Santa Fe was £434.
I can see what you mean about being flexible, but for me the thing with holidays is I like to go when I want to go if you know what I mean.
There are some good offers on there though.
I really wanted to go in December for my birthday, but even on there its still £800 without travel
but that is for the New York hotel. The Santa Fe was £434.I can see what you mean about being flexible, but for me the thing with holidays is I like to go when I want to go if you know what I mean.
There are some good offers on there though.
spicy
Giga Poster
Crazycoaster said:
Strange that, as my only qualm with Florida was that it seemed to be lacking some Disney magic that I found DLP has in bundles.
As for DLP struggling due to being too expensive its a fair point but whenever I go the hotels always seems busy, as do the parks so people are paying the money.
What is completely rediculous is the food and drink prices which seem to have crept up significantly the past 5 years or so, obviously with the exchange rate not in our favour any longer that also has an effect.
In the rainforest cafe last December it was 25euros for a rack of ribs, thats almost £25! All this needs to be addressed ASAP.
As for DLP being more sucessful in Spain? No. The Eurostar brings in at least 4 full trains of UK guests into DLP everyday. Its also the reason I go every year as its such an easy journey to get there. A 20minute drive to Ashford and a 2hr train journey straight into the heart of DLP. Technically I can get to DLP quicker than I can get to Alton!
Either way DLP is going to be fine and you can guarantee it will out live ourselves!
Mark
Strata Poster
spicy said:
Christ. At Rainforest in Florida we paid the equivalent of £35 for the two of us and that was starter, main course, desert and drinks....
Don't be so sure that those Eurostar trains are so full though. Not only that but that is the point in itself. Even 4 full trains is not even a scratch on what SHOULD be going to the park from all over Europe in order for them to make a profit. It is all very well dragging the British over but there is a much bigger European contingent that are still not going there...
I was talking about this at work with a fellow disney fan but they have always avoided France on the language basis. It is a shame really, but unfortunately some people will always have it in their head that the language barrier is going to be an issue.
I was always under the impression that the idea for Disney in Paris was that they were hoping tourists visiting Paris itself would also take the short (and very direct) trip into Marne le Valle to visit DLRP. Unfortunately it has never panned out that way. And why? Well from what I can make out there is very little incentive to get the people to go from Paris to Disney. Perhaps they should consider teaming up with more of the hotels that are in central Paris to offer entrance/cheaper food or something that will get people to visit DLRP or even add a couple of days onto their holiday in order to visit.
Ironically, the people who visit DLRP are unlikely to visit Paris either because it is now enforced that length of stay park entrance tickets must be purchased and therefore people will ensure they will use the tickets they have been forced to buy, or just stay a shorter time on resort. When I visited a few years back we were there 2 nights and only had to buy park tickets for 2 days. We arrived earlyish on Day 1 and visited the main park. Day 2 we visited Paris itself, since we only had 2 days worth of park tickets and then Day 3 we did Studios and then the main park. This worked out fantastic for us but like I say, for many guests they enforce a minimum day purchase on park entrance.
I think better flexibility here is a key, and an increased prescense in encouraging people to experience everything Paris has to offer including Disney! This would be a very hard sell though as it is so well known, Parisians in a large majority hate the place!