Unique non-thrill attractions / experiences

[traveler_t]

We've been to Disney in CA and Florida with our kids (4yo, 8yo). We will visit Paris (the city) with them for a short visit and wonder if it is worth it to dedicate one of the days to Disney Paris. The kids do not like fast/thrill rides. Are there enough non-thrill rides or experiences unique in Disney Paris to justify dedicating a day out of a short trip to Disney?

 

[Karin1984]

Yes. First of all, because it's fun to discover a new Disney park. Just keep in mind that there are cultural differences, go in with an open mind.

Assuming you are going to visit in the coming weeks/months, this is on offer for non-thrill rides.

Disneyland Park

Rides:
- Phantom Manor
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Casey Jr.
- Pays des Contes Fees
- Dumbo (not unique)
- Peter Pan (not unique)
- Pinocchio
- Snow White
- Disney Railroad
- Autopia
- Philharmagic (not unique)
- Orbitron (not unique)
- Buzz Lightyears Laser Blast (not unique)
- It's a Small World (not unique-ish)
- Teacups (not unique)
- Caroussel (not unique)

Characters:
- Meet Mickey
- Meet a Disney Princess
- Meet a Star Wars Character
+ roaming characters

Diversions:
- Aladdin's walkthrough
- Alice' maze
- Robinson's Tree
- Pirate Grottos
- Nautilus
- The castle
- Dragon under the castle

Shows:
- Stars on Parade
- Splash of Colour
- Rhythm of the Pride Lands
- Fireworks
- Drone show

Studios

Rides:
- Ratatouille (not unique)
- Spiderman Web slingers (not unique)
- Cars Rallye
- Slinky Dog Spin
- Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (not sure if this is a thrill ride for your kids)
- Cars Road Trip

Shows:
- Disney Jr. Dream Factory
- Stitch Live ((not unique-ish)
- Mickey & the Magician
- Frozen a musical invitation
- Together
- As of May 25th, Alice and the Queen of Hearts

Roaming characters

 

[traveler_t]

Yes. First of all, because it's fun to discover a new Disney park. Just keep in mind that there are cultural differences, go in with an open mind.

Assuming you are going to visit in the coming weeks/months, this is on offer for non-thrill rides.

Disneyland Park

Rides:
- Phantom Manor
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Casey Jr.
- Pays des Contes Fees
- Dumbo (not unique)
- Peter Pan (not unique)
- Pinocchio
- Snow White
- Disney Railroad
- Autopia
- Philharmagic (not unique)
- Orbitron (not unique)
- Buzz Lightyears Laser Blast (not unique)
- It's a Small World (not unique-ish)
- Teacups (not unique)
- Caroussel (not unique)

Characters:
- Meet Mickey
- Meet a Disney Princess
- Meet a Star Wars Character
+ roaming characters

Diversions:
- Aladdin's walkthrough
- Alice' maze
- Robinson's Tree
- Pirate Grottos
- Nautilus
- The castle
- Dragon under the castle

Shows:
- Stars on Parade
- Splash of Colour
- Rhythm of the Pride Lands
- Fireworks
- Drone show

Studios

Rides:
- Ratatouille (not unique)
- Spiderman Web slingers (not unique)
- Cars Rallye
- Slinky Dog Spin
- Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (not sure if this is a thrill ride for your kids)
- Cars Road Trip

Shows:
- Disney Jr. Dream Factory
- Stitch Live ((not unique-ish)
- Mickey & the Magician
- Frozen a musical invitation
- Together
- As of May 25th, Alice and the Queen of Hearts

Roaming characters

thank you! what do you mean by cultural differences, anything specific I should prepare to?

 

[Karin1984]

thank you! what do you mean by cultural differences, anything specific I should prepare to?

There are people who travel from the US to Paris and think because it says "Disney", everything will be the same as in the US parks. But that's not the case. If Americans write a bad review about Disneyland Paris, it usually goes wrong when they do not do their research because they think they know Disney.

As you have visited both California and Florida, you probably know that a CM in Florida is different from a CM in California. That's also in France. In Europe we didn't grow up with an Uncle Walt and working at Disneyland Paris is a job like any other, not a lifelong wish, for most CMs in Paris.

That doesn't mean there are not wonderful CMs in Paris, you will find plenty who dance and sing along with the parade and the shows, but you will notice this difference in shops. In the US all the CMs seem over the top happy (from a European pov), in Paris CMs can seem uninterested or rude (from a US pov).

Smoking is another thing Americans notice. It is getting less and less, but it is noticeable if you are not used to it. You will see people smoking in the parks. It's officially only allowed in designated areas, and plenty of people only smoke there. However, this is a long standing French tradition and hard to eradicate. If you see someone smoke it will most likely be when they are walking from A to B. Smoking in queues is rare.

And there other little differences, like how a table service in France will take longer, you might have to ask for the bill yourself. In France dining is a social experience, and it's rude for the waiter to constantly interrupt you. In Disneyland Paris it might not be as long as a restaurant in the city center of Paris, but a table service will take longer than in the US parks.

No free soda refills (that's a law in France), they don't really like peanut butter, they do like Nutella.

These are the first things that come to mind. But if you read some trip reviews you will find others.

 

[Mommb]

If you are choosing one park, I would go with Disneyland Park. As you can see from the list above, there are more kid-friendly rides, and it is interesting to see the theming differences from the similar US parks — the names of the lands are the same, but they look a bit different.

I would say Small World is also significantly different, especially in the “US” section.
Phantom Manor feels scarier than the US Haunted Mansions, but if your 4 year old has done those, you should be able to gauge whether that will be a problem.
Pays des Contes Fees is very similar to the Storybook Land Canal Boats at Disneyland, but does have a few differences (and maybe more after its current refurbishment).

 

[traveler_t]

There are people who travel from the US to Paris and think because it says "Disney", everything will be the same as in the US parks. But that's not the case. If Americans write a bad review about Disneyland Paris, it usually goes wrong when they do not do their research because they think they know Disney.

As you have visited both California and Florida, you probably know that a CM in Florida is different from a CM in California. That's also in France. In Europe we didn't grow up with an Uncle Walt and working at Disneyland Paris is a job like any other, not a lifelong wish, for most CMs in Paris.

That doesn't mean there are not wonderful CMs in Paris, you will find plenty who dance and sing along with the parade and the shows, but you will notice this difference in shops. In the US all the CMs seem over the top happy (from a European pov), in Paris CMs can seem uninterested or rude (from a US pov).

Smoking is another thing Americans notice. It is getting less and less, but it is noticeable if you are not used to it. You will see people smoking in the parks. It's officially only allowed in designated areas, and plenty of people only smoke there. However, this is a long standing French tradition and hard to eradicate. If you see someone smoke it will most likely be when they are walking from A to B. Smoking in queues is rare.

And there other little differences, like how a table service in France will take longer, you might have to ask for the bill yourself. In France dining is a social experience, and it's rude for the waiter to constantly interrupt you. In Disneyland Paris it might not be as long as a restaurant in the city center of Paris, but a table service will take longer than in the US parks.

No free soda refills (that's a law in France), they don't really like peanut butter, they do like Nutella.

These are the first things that come to mind. But if you read some trip reviews you will find others.

thank you for all this detailed information!