Disney ParksNews

Calls for Reform: Disney Resort Faces Heavy Criticism

Disneyland Paris has long been a magical destination for families and Disney enthusiasts alike. Nestled just outside of Paris, it’s celebrated for its fairy-tale charm and European flair, drawing millions of visitors each year.

However, beneath the enchantment lies a series of recurring issues that have sparked criticism from parkgoers, particularly when compared to its sister resorts in the United States and Asia.

City Hall exterior with Guests walking in front at Disneyland Paris' Disneyland Park
Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), Flickr

Unlike Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, which consistently set the standard for immersive experiences and impeccable service, Disneyland Paris often struggles to meet the high expectations associated with the Disney brand. Guests have pointed out lapses in maintenance, inconsistent enforcement of park rules, and shortcomings in customer service that leave some aspects of the experience lacking.

While the park’s iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle and unique attractions continue to charm visitors, these concerns highlight areas needing improvement.

Disneyland Paris New Year's Eve Fireworks
Credit: Disneyland Paris

Recently, a wave of criticism on Reddit brought renewed attention to five specific issues impacting the park’s reputation. From smoking policies to allergy-friendly dining options, these complaints offer a glimpse into the frustrations faced by guests and raise questions about how Disneyland Paris can bridge the gap between guest expectations and reality.

Smoking Inside the Park

This is an issue that has been frequently raised at Disneyland Paris. As one Reddit user noted, “The designated areas I feel are too close to some attractions (example the one close to Indiana Jones) and sometimes the CMs do not control where people Vape/Smoke, so multiple time I have seeing people doing it right at the reserve area when waiting for the night show to start.”

While Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California are fully smoke-free, Disneyland Paris allows smoking in specific designated areas within Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. According to the Disneyland Paris website, “Theme Parks’ covered and uncovered areas are non-smoking, except for designated outdoor areas specially created and equipped for smokers. This rule also applies to electronic cigarettes.”

Guests walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Paris.
Credit: Disneyland Paris

However, guests frequently ignore this rule, and enforcement is inconsistent. Guests have reported seeing people smoking or vaping in various areas, including ride queues and even inside Animagique Theater. Vaping seems to be the bigger issue.

As one Reddit user shared, “I didn’t have any major issues with smoking, but tons of people were vaping wherever they wanted. I saw cast members stop people smoking at least 2 times, but never for vaping, even when directly in front of them.”

Allergy-Friendly Food

Food options at Disneyland Paris are another common complaint, particularly when it comes to accommodating allergies. “In comparison with WDW where every menu has an allergic friendly counterpart, I feel that DLP falls short in keeping the Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Soy Free guests feel welcome,” said one Reddit user. “My best example was the little Windmill coffee shop next to the Princess Pavilion, when ordering coffee the only milk option was cow milk.”

Disneyland Paris guests with ice creams
Credit: Disney

Others have echoed these sentiments, with another guest writing, “The allergy situation has always been very poor and shouldn’t be.” Disneyland Paris has often been criticized for its food offerings, but prioritizing the needs of guests with allergies is an area where the parks should make greater efforts.

Extra Magic Time Availability

Like Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Paris offers bonus time in the parks for hotel guests. However, this perk has been met with frustration due to limited options during these early hours.

“I feel that a lot of the attractions are not even open at that time so basically you get inside to do a line for a character you want (in my case Stitch/princess pavilion) and wait for the character to come out at 9am (princess pavilion at 10am) or just go to Walt Studios and get it out of the way as quick as possible,” explained one Reddit user.

Popcorn Buckets

Novelty popcorn buckets are a beloved staple in Disney parks, but Disneyland Paris has lagged behind in offering unique designs.

Disney World Figment popcorn bucket
Credit: Disney

“I feel the variation of popcorn buckets are very low, not even for Christmas/Halloween I felt that DLP has a special bucket,” shared one guest. “I love the Cinderella bucket but outside that one the 2 Minnie/Mickey popcorn buckets are just too common. I wish they had more variations.”

Controlling Line-Jumpers

Line-jumping is a universal issue at theme parks, but guests report that it’s particularly problematic at Disneyland Paris.

“I have felt that DLP usually gets a bigger amount of Disney teenagers traveling in groups than when I was in WDW, and therefore you occasionally get the teenage smarty pant ones that want to skip the lines without premium access (like jumping lines) or just pushy behavior (and extremely loud),” one user explained. “Some don’t even follow the No Selfie stick policy (3 times already being hit by one).”

What would you change about Disneyland Paris?

Chloe James

Chloë is a theme park addict and self-proclaimed novelty hunter. She's obsessed with all things Star Wars, loves roller coasters (but hates Pixar Pal-A-Round), and lives for Disney's next Muppets project.

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