Fun Without Smiles in Disneyland Paris
From the beginning of the Disneyland Paris Resort, back when it was called Eurodisney, I'd heard about the cultural differences, specifically how French castmembers had to be coached to smile at guests. I couldn't leave Paris without taking a day trip to see for myself how the land of the Mouse translated overseas.
My sister and brother-in-law, both big Disney fans, came along. The surreal metro ride from Paris to Marne-la-Vallée, which takes about 40 minutes (RER A for about 6.5 Euros), was my first clue about how different the experience would be. Far from the jovial we're-all-on-vacation atmosphere of the monorails and buses at the east and west coast U.S. Disney parks, it seemed people had left their souls back in Paris. Even the children wore somber faces.
Once we arrived, the atmosphere lightened considerably. The park was beautifully landscaped, and a uniformed band pumped out a tune. We headed first to Walt Disney Studios Park, where the extremely cool Crush's Coaster topped my list of rides to experience. The first ride of the day, and we were greeted by a smiling cast member: so far, so good. We hopped on a car for four and my brother-in-law foolishly pulled down his safety bar.
Apparently you're not supposed to do that, since it causes the safety bars for the rest of us to be released and reset. The castmember smiled broadly as he called my quiet, unassuming brother-in-law a "mean and stupid person" a few times in a charming French accent. To be sure, the whole incident put big smiles on our faces for the rest of the day. Really, for years to come, as we tried to imagine castmembers in Disney World insulting guests. Surreal? Definitely.
Of course, it wasn't all play for me. I toured the grand Disneyland Hotel, which reminded me of the Grand Floridian at Disney World. The hotel sits directly over the entrance to the Disneyland Park, a nice touch. Three other hotels are situated around a lake, on the other side of a compact Downtown Disney area, called Disney Village. Worth a visit? If you're a Disney fan, you betcha. Just be prepared for some culture shock.
Image courtesy Disney
I have been to Disneyland Paris a number of times. At every visit there, I always come across rude castmembers which find it hard to smile and even talk to guests.
I was on the TOT and asked if it could be switched to English I was told this was not possible. The castmember lied as French is the default and the cast member flickes a switch and it changes to English.
If you have been to Disney in the US dont go to Disneyland Paris.
Stephen, sorry about your experience at Disneyland Paris. I have to say we experienced quite a range of treatment from cast members. A woman who set up a reservation for us at a buffet was very pleasant, helpful and smiling. On the other hand, a cast member who was eating at the buffet pushed ahead of my brother-in-law (yes, him again, poor guy) to grab silverware nearly out of his grasp.
Of course, we had the same experience with other guests, pushing ahead of us in lines. One woman told her two daughters to strip down and pee on the footpath. The girls were above the age where they should be stripping down in public, and the bathrooms were about 15 feet away (in sight).
Overall, though, we had a great time, and it was so interesting to compare the rides at Disneyland Paris with their counterparts in the U.S. Riding Phantom Manor (their Haunted Mansion), the longer version of Big Thunder Mountain and the crazy-fast Space Mountain Mission 2 were memorable experiences for us.