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[CafeFantasia]

I wanted to start a new topic to get some discussion going. So I pose this controversial question to you:

Is Disneyland Paris a holiday for lazy travellers?

What I mean by that is, does it appeal to people because it's so convenient and because it's so easy? Does it appeal to people because they want adventure, without taking any risks? Does it appeal to people because they want to travel to far off lands, without going any further than France? Does it appeal to people because they feel safe knowing it's all run by Disney?

[disneylandparisgirl]

Well we return again and again for many reasons although some have suggested its because were lazy.

Firstly we are a family all of women so we do consider where is "safe" for us to go and not feel unsafe because my dad isnt with us anymore (divorce).

Secondly and more importantly my mum is in a wheelchair so finding somewhere we can all go and enjoy stress free has been difficult, which is why we mostly stick to disney. My sister and myself feel we can leave my mum to wonder around on her own and not have to worry so much about if she can get around ok. Cast members have always been available if she does need help.  :thumbs:

The hotels are all wheelchair friendly, the resturants have no issues placing the wheelchair somewhere she doesn't feel she is stuck out and in the way. My sister and myself are fans of rides but my mum prefers a gentler pace all this is available in disney.

Shopping is a major activity for us when were there and there is always something we want to buy.  

We live in Swindon in England and its so easy for us to get there by driving. We dont have to worry about luggage limits, trying to negoitate an airport and fly for a long time (mum finds this uncomfortable/painful) We dont have to worry about leaving the car in an airport or trainstation carpark while we are away.

There is something different to see and do everytime we go, we may go to the same place but we always have a different holiday with a different kind of experience.

Lastly it is our ultimate escape where we can be as busy or as lazy as we want. Spend out or go on a budget and always know we will have a great holiday and as we can only afford 1 a year at most we want to make sure we all enjoy it equally, which with disney we always do.  

[stacey-claire]

I wouldnt say i go because its easy and convenient (going by eurostar at christmas with the sno was by no means easy lol), I'm guessing its the same for alot of people, I go because I love it, I love the feeling, the atmosphere, just everything, even if it was the most difficult place in the world to get to, I would still go :belle: xx

[Josh]

Disney holidays are sort-of a niche thing. Back when we could afford it, me and my family used to go to Spain in the summer and DLP for New Year. A two week Spanish holiday is much easier to book, because it's just a typical holiday. DLP is the only place in Europe that I can think of that I would stay at or many nights. It's not like going to somewhere like Blackpool for a night and then going home; it's a proper holiday, which is why it's so niche.

[pussinboots]

I wanted to start a new topic to get some discussion going. So I pose this controversial question to you:

Is Disneyland Paris a holiday for lazy travellers?

What I mean by that is, does it appeal to people because it's so convenient and because it's so easy? Does it appeal to people because they want adventure, without taking any risks? Does it appeal to people because they want to travel to far off lands, without going any further than France? Does it appeal to people because they feel safe knowing it's all run by Disney?

Yes, I think so. When Ratatouille finally opens, some of us may finally be able to visit Paris, haha.

There is of course another side to this, in that Disney — like all works of fiction — provides an escape into a reality that may not actually exist anywhere, and creates an artistic reconstruction of the world that stimulates our imagination and makes us reassess reality. In Disney's case, of course, it's mostly there to reassure us that everything is a-okay after all, but even within those PG-rated constrictions there is still plenty of room for universal hopes, fears, dreams, curiosity... Fiction helps us learn, it helps us cope, it helps us grow, it helps many of us recharge. That is to say, there is a time and place for fiction in this world and it is not necessarily simply a cop out from nobler activities.

But sometimes, it is, a little bit. If Disney is all you ever go to because you think all the rest of the world is just food poisoning waiting to happen... You could be a MiceAge columnist, haha. But yes, that is a bit sad.

But it could be worse. You could be one of those people who go to far-off places on prearranged tours and then refuse to touch a morsel of food until they've located a Burger King. Or those Germans in Spain who fly Air Berlin and then spend a week drinking Warsteiner in German-owned restaurants. Or those Americans who wonder why there isn't a Starbucks anywhere in Rome...

[andrewuk]

Great question :thumbs:

I think it is a little bit, but then you compare it to most other holidays where you would probably only do one activity most of the time, be that nightclubbing, sun-bathing, reading a book, hiking, looking at paintings or whatever else. At DLP you can do so much different stuff in such a short time: dark-rides, coaster, shows, parades, admiring the architecture and landscaping and you don't have to travel miles to do so.

It is an easy choice to make, especially with the transport being so easy, but you're anything but lazy when you're there!

[pussinboots]

I think perhaps people are answering the thread's title without reading the rest of Alan's post. The idea is not that Disney provides more convenience than a half-board holiday in Majorca. The implication up for debate is that people (we) travel to Disney rather than, say, rural Vietnam, because we are too afraid to take risks. Disney provides pleasant little make-believe adventures where one can pretend to go on a safari but without the danger of being mauled by lions or having to spend the night under attack by eyeball-biting mosquitoes and having to eat anaconda for dinner. No matter which part of the Disneyland Park you head into, you never have to worry about warlords or pick-pockets or police state brutality or simply the many inconveniences that come with visiting a land where Western influences are at a minimum. He doesn't mean "lazy" in the sense of physical exertion, but in the sense of not leaving one's comfort zone.

[CafeFantasia]

Lots of interesting replies. I think @pussinboots understood my point the most clearly. I probably could've phrased it better.

Disneyland Paris definitely provides lots of fantasy adventures that you could never have in real life. There's no other holiday destination where you can fly over Neverland, or take a Starspeeder to Endor. So enjoying Peter Pan's Flight doesn't make you lazy, because there's no other way to have that experience.

Where the comparison gets more interesting, is when Disney tries to simulate a real life adventure. Some of Disney's attractions are safer, less risky simulations of activities you can do in real life. Most of the best examples are over at Walt Disney World:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris - a recreation of an African safari ride
• Kali River Rapids - a recreation of a rafting expedition in Asia
• Soarin' - a simulation of hang gliding over parts of California

So what I'm saying is, if you enjoy Soarin' but have no desire to actually go hang gliding, doesn't that mean the attraction appeals to your lazy nature? You want the thrill and exhilaration of that experience, but you can't be bothered to actually do it for real? You want the adventure, but you don't want the risk.

[littlemermaid83]

I go because it's home.

[andrewuk]

I suppose that going to a theme park must be a less authentic experience than the real one, assuming that exists. You are having the imagineers' interpretation of the experience, rather than the genuine one. They can edit out the more boring bits as well as the dangerous ones though!  In my life I do want to trek through the Andes to Macchu Picchu, I guess if I get to 60 and haven't done it I can blame Adventureland and my lazy nature!

The other point that Disneylandparisgirl made is important though, the whole family can go. Some will enjoy some bits more than others. And I can still have my jungle trek while my wife gets the nice hotel. The family can stay together on holiday rather than having one person's preferences indulged.

[bethella]

We go because we LOVE disney and cant afford to go to florida very often, paris is nearer so cheaper  

[torillien]

I love Disney, my 4 and a bit year old loves disney and a trip (or 2)to DLP per year has become our family holiday

I really don't want to drag a 4 year old 8 + hours on a plane to WDW and when I do take her to America we'll be going to Calafornia not Orlando for the first family trip

My other half is a train driver and we get discounted train travel and live in Kent so the Eurostar is both cheep and convienient.

We find it really hard to book 2 weeks off at the same time so WDW really isn't an option at the moment

and WE LOVE DLP !!

I go to WDW once a year for a conference and get park days - but I still love DLP

It only takes us 2 hours to get to - we can have a fantastic family holiday - Emily see's all her "friends"

at the moment I would rather do 2 trips to DLP a year than one to the US of A

[davewasbaloo]

We used to be obsessed because there was so much choice that took you to different places and times in a sanitised way (e.g. the wild west is hard to find in a non spoilled way, and many castles are ruins).

Sadly all the characters and commercialisation and cheap tack and removal of real live themed entertainment has removed a lot of the enjoyment factor for me.

For those that have said their reasons, there are some alternatives I can highly recommend to you - Europa Park in Germany and Efteling in the Netherlands. Guaranteed, you will have a great time, maybe even better than with the mouse.

[AislingM]

Nobody goes to Disneyland for culture , you go because its an escape from the real world , a few days where problems disappear and you get to live in a little bubble of pure happiness and magic , , If a certain place can make you so happy then you should go as often as you can and want , without feeling like you are being " lazy " for not trying somewhere new!

[disneyisthebest]

One word answers your question No