Paris Disneyland is as grand as the city it lives in. The wondrous cornucopia of rides, restaurants and exhibits is affectionately called DLP by Mouseketeers everywhere. And fun at DLP has doubled in recent years, particularly after the Walt Disney Studios Park was added to this Paris adventure.
The park and resort lies a short 32 kilometers outside Paris. Many of the traditional rides from the California theme park were recreated here, with some welcome French twists, of course.
There’s the familiar Pirates of the Caribbean, of the famed Disney film. And it would not be Disneyland without the It’s A Small World ride. Dozens of other staple Disneyland rides are at the French park. The signature shows are there too. The Legend of the Lion King regularly sells out, so get tickets in advance.
The Star Tours in Discoveryland is both entertaining and educational. Disney can put those together like no one else! The extremely popular Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland just has to be visited twice.
Space Mountain Mission 2 opened in April, 2005 and - as if it were possible - is even better than the original. Several of the rides have been updated since the park’s opening in 1992 and they just get better and better.
The new Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast is launching and, as it should be, version two is a big improvement over the already great Anaheim offering.
And since this is France, a culinary landmark, food in the park has to be good. The steaks at The Steak House are thick and the wine bottomless. The service is a joyful blend of Gallic pride and American efficiency. The buffet at Chef Mickey’s is plentiful and delicious and the kids will enjoy the Disney characters dancing around.
To round out the trip with some shopping, there are tons of shops and small exhibits familiar to Disney fans everywhere. And nearby is the Val d’Europe shopping mall with dozens of places to go to get keepsakes for a memorable trip.
There is even Auchon, a large grocery and department store partly owned by Disney. Be overwhelmed by its food choices. You can also pick up some French perfume and cosmetics at the local Sephora.
Typically Disneyland, creature comforts and family needs are not ignored. Parents can rent a stroller at the park and there are baby changing facilities provided. The Baby Care Centre on Main Street, USA has more than ample facilities and supplies for families with children.
Park hours change depending on the season, with slightly longer hours during the summer. They change from time to time, so check the website at http://www.disneylandparis.com.
Since queues can be long, it’s best to get the 1-Day Passport that allows unlimited entrance and exit access to one park for the day. There’s also a 3-Day ‘Hopper’ Passport that allows access to both parks. Days don’t have to be consecutive, but the 3-Day Hopper is pricey. Check the website for current prices.
Getting to the park is easy. From Paris take the RER Line A – Marne-la-Vallee/Chessy Station. From the Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports, the VEA shuttle service offers direct rides to the Disneyland Resort Paris hotels every half hour.
Listed below are some tours and destinations in Paris.
Enjoy an unforgettable evening at a dinner show at the Moulin Rouge. Savour an excellent meal before witnessing this resplendent cabaret made world famous by the paintings of Toulouse Lautrec. Discover the new revue “Feerie”, and its “joie de vivre” cancan. All this at the Moulin Rouge, home of the French Cancan for more than a century.
Dine at Altitude 95 on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower to enjoy panoramic views of Paris. Let the romance continue on board a Seine river cruise. Finish the evening with a cabaret show at the famous Moulin Rouge. Likely to Sell-out! Moulin Rouge regularly sells out weeks in advance. Book ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
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