Website & Podcast
Let’s start with your name? Steve
When did you first visit a Disney Park? Tokyo Disneyland in October 2001. It was a day trip so I never got to experience a lot of the attractions, but did manage to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.
When did you first visit Disneyland Paris? July 2002. I booked the holiday ‘for my wife’ but within 30 minutes I was converted and my love affair with Disneyland Paris had begun.
How many times have you been to Disneyland Paris since? 16, 17 in total. Our first visit in July 2002 had such an impact that we returned in November of that year. We then honeymooned there in December 2003 and returned again in July 2004, July 2005, December 2005, July 2006, October 2006 and November 2007. We had a break for a few years when our son Lucas was born but visited again in September 2010 for his first time in Disneyland Paris – at 2 years old he also became a fan, especially of It’s A Small World and Cars Race Rally. We took him back again in May 2012 and I had three solo trips in November 2011, 2012, 2013 and one in May 2015. May 2013 was our first time staying off site and December 2014 was an Anniversary trip for my wife and I.
What is that makes you love Disneyland Paris so much? There’s something very special about being in Disneyland Paris that isn’t duplicated anywhere else, no matter how hard they might try. It’s that feeling of being transported to a different world where you can leave reality behind, check your worries at the gate and enter a world of true escapism. I love the sounds, the smells and some of the most visually stunning views I’ve ever experienced.
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What’s your favourite attraction? Pirates of the Caribbean – from the queuing area, the music, the magnificence of the actual ride and even the smell – it’s perfect. Just the thought of being in that boat and climbing the waterfall about to enter a world of pirates and plunder brings a smile to my face. It’s also a nice warm place to go when it’s cold and wet outside!
What would you most like to see added to Disneyland Paris? I’m a huge Star Wars fan so I’m going to say the Star Tours 2 upgrade and Star Wars Weekends. OK, that’s two things, but it’s my website so I can be greedy, can’t I? I think both would be very popular and if the Star Wars Weekends were at times of low attendance then they could have a big effect on increasing visitor numbers.
Away from Disneyland Paris, what do you enjoy? I work as the Ecommerce Manager for a media publishing company and my interests include, but are not limited to, Formula 1, photography, astronomy, vinyl records, books & comic books, films (Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean, then everything else), playing guitar, technology and the web.
I have a Disneyland Paris or Disney product or service I’d like you to review, can you do that? Of course, just send me an email to steve@dedicatedtodlp.com and we’ll take it from there. I will be completely impartial and honest, otherwise there would be no point, right? You can see a couple of a video reviews I have done most recently: Disneyland Paris: 20 Years of Dreams Book and Disneyland Paris: From Sketch to Reality book.
One last question before we go – where are the best hot dogs in Disneyland Paris? That would be at the amazing Casey’s Corner. I even try to have Casey’s Corner hot dog nights at home like I did here. Now I’m hungry – time to go, bye!
Twitter: @DedicatedToDLP
Podcast
Let’s start with your name? Mark
When did you first visit a Disney Park? Walt Disney World 1985, Disneyland Paris (EuroDisney) 1992, Disneyland 1997
When did you first visit Disneyland Paris? September 1992; Despite being 16, I really do not remember a whole lot about this trip.
How many times have you been to Disneyland Paris since? Errr….. at least 9, maybe more
What is that makes you love Disneyland Paris so much? I am a Disney geek in general and so I wouldn’t say that Disneyland Paris is particularly “my love”; in fact, I consider WDW “home”. There are lots of things I think are better at Disneyland Paris than any of the other Disney parks that I have been to; but the opposite is true as well. Overall, I think the Disneyland Parc at DLRP was created by a team of experienced Imagineers given the chance to create a new Magic Kingdom from scratch and fix, plus and enhance wherever possible; and that is obvious from the design, layout and aesthetics of the park. Until I see one that changes my mind, Fantasyland at DLRP will always be by far the most beautiful incarnation, and Frontierland and Adventureland are not far behind it.
What’s your favourite attraction? This is a hard one for me because depending on where I am or who I am with, I have to admit that doing a particular attraction (as a favourite) isn’t overly high on my priority list. I enjoy different attractions for different things and will ride pretty much anything; there are few attractions that I simply cannot get any joy from or cannot do anymore due to possible illness (TeaCups).
What would you most like to see added to Disneyland Paris? A healthy balance sheet. Too often Disneyland Paris is let down by efforts for cost cutting which has led to reduced offerings and maintenance.
Away from Disneyland Paris, what do you enjoy? I had finally kicked the habits of Mafia Wars, Farmville, Chefville, CafeWorld etc etc; then I was introduced to Candy Crush. Commuting into London on weekdays, I listen to a lot of podcasts and read a lot of books which are both almost always either Disney or Star Trek related. My house is pretty much a Disney shrine, there is almost no escaping something Disney related in any room. I have been very good at badminton and bowling; but both have gotten a little rusty. I enjoy movies, video games (although not as much as I used to), playing cards and spending time with my family.
I have a Disneyland Paris or Disney product or service I’d like you to review, can you do that? Of course! And I am much better to send stuff to that Steve 😉
One last question before we go – where are the best hot dogs in Disneyland Paris? Seriously? All of the good food at Disneyland Paris and in Disney parks in general and you’re asking about a hot dog?? Even though of course the answer is Caseys, I am not dignifying that question with a response; I’ll be in Inventions.
Twitter: @FuseMP
