We were blown away by Disney Sea in Tokyo when we visited in 2016. We’re not a big Disney family. Of course we’ve seen most of the films, but we don’t LOVE Mickey, wear Disney merch, get about with mouse ears on etc. But Disney Sea had us so immersed in a world of fantasy, and we felt so welcomed into it by the Disney staff, that we couldn’t help but to submit.

Disneyland Paris was a little different. While we were set to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth”, everyone WAS happy at the start of the day, apart from anyone working at the park. They were all over it. Over the screaming kids and holidaying Spanish, Italian and American tourists. Over all of us, and wishing they were anywhere other than among garish animatronic creatures in need of repair and a repaint. The resort is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, and some of the sections of the park clearly haven’t been upgraded since its 1992 opening. According to Wiki, “The park is burdened by its debt, which is calculated at about €1.75 billion ($2.20 billion) and roughly 15 times its gross average earnings,” which explains a lot.

There are also no physical maps of the park…none handed out, and none to look at as a group like you’d find at the zoo, or in a shopping centre, or ANYWHERE YOU NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO GO, especially with rowdy kids in tow. Poor beleaguered parents had to instead navigate using their phones. Waiting times for most rides were between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours (that one was a Disney Princess meet and greet!). There were thousands upon thousands of people there. It was hot. It was a lot.

Apart from the above, it was a fun but long day. We were there for 9 hours! Laughing at the thrill of the Star Wars “The Adventures Continue” 3D ride; crying (yes) at the stomach-dropping “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril” rollercoaster; enjoying an African-inspired meal at the “Hakuna Matata” restaurant; being star-struck by some sassy stormtroopers; and cringing at the American families wearing their matching “The Buckley Family Disney 2023” (for example) tees.

Disney Sea Tokyo? 10/10. Disney Paris? A generous 7.