Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris formerly known as Euro Disney resort is a real life fairytale destination where fantasy meets reality. Just located outside Paris in Marne-la-Vallee, since opening in 1992 it has attracted over millions of visitors each year with its enchanting blend of classic Disney characters, fascinating entertainment and thrilling attractions. After visiting the iconic resort numerous times it would be highly recommended that you visit this magical place at least once in your lifetime, as no matter what age you are you still feel the goosebumps and butterflies when you enter past the turnstiles to get into the park.
Opening times:
Disneyland Paris is open all year round therefore depending on the time of the year depends on what time the parks open to.
During the start of the year the Disneyland park is open from 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM, the Walt Disney studios is opened from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Just after New year Disney don't hold any seasonal themes until Easter time. During Easter Disney will have easter themed decorations around the parks, the opening and closing times are 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM in the Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios is from 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM.
After the Easter Period there is no themed events held. During the summer time period of the year the Disneyland park opens from 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM with Walt Disney Studios being 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM.
Once October hits Disneyland change its theme to Halloween this is where both parks are decorated Halloween themed, Disneyland Park times are 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM, with Walt Disney Studios being 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM.
After Halloween Disney jump straight into the Christmas theme during mid November with the park openings being the same from November to December. Disneyland park timings are 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Walt Disney Studios are from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Though make sure you check closer to the time incase of any changes to the original timings are made.
Weather:
Due to Disney being opened 365 days a year there is changes in the weather due to the different seasons. During the start of the year from personal experience the park tends to be on and off weather so pack both warm and comfortable clothes to be ready for all types of weather. Going into spring it tends to become warmer with the odd chance of there being rain during your stay at Disney. Summer is the peak season where the weather is scorching sometimes it can be too warm throughout different periods of the day therefore be prepared to expect the heat if you visit during this time and stay hydrated. During the autumn and winter season this is where it can be very cold so the appropriate clothing is necessary such as puffy coats, hats, scarfs and gloves. Disneyland Paris Parks:
Disneyland Paris has two parks located on the resort the Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney studios park, each park has its own little feel to it but they both produce that magical feeling even though they both offer something different. After visiting Disneyland for years being able to have a day in each park is special as you're not rushing throughout the day to get as much stuff packed in a day therefore your Disney experience becomes a lot more memorable. The feeling off walking into the parks is breathtaking especially when you hear the joyful and upbeat music playing with the smell of fresh candy floss hitting your scents every corner you turn, personally my favourite park is the Disneyland Park due to the different theme and attractions it offers with its wide variety of rides, restaurants and of course character interactions.
Disneyland Park-
The Disneyland Park is the main attraction, offering a classic Disney experience to its sister parks in California and Florida the Park is divided into five themes lands, each land offering its own charm and unique attractions.
1. Main Street, U.S.A.
The Main Street U.S.A. serves as the entrance to the Disneyland Park which is designed as a small American town in the early 20th century. As soon as you walk into the park and here the peaceful and catchy music playing goosebumps appear cause of ambience. It is one of my favourite things to experience as you can feel that magic feeling starting to build. The Main Street is a nostalgic walk through cobblestone streets, vintage vehicles and Victorian style architecture. This is the perfect place for any shopper and food fanatics as this is where you will find various shops and restaurants. Don't forget to experience a ride down Main Street on an old vintage vehicle or horse carriage down the Disney Railroad where you can stop off right outside the Sleeping Beauty Castle.
2. Adventureland
Adventureland invites visitors to embark on its daring expeditions through exotic landscapes. This area combines the elements of discovery and exploration with its thrilling and adrenaline pumping rides that it offers. Every time I walked into Adventureland I felt like I was apart of this fantasy world with their spectacular remake of key landmarks of movies for example the pirate ship in Peter Pan.
Highlight attractions include:
- Pirates of the Caribbean- one of the most iconic rides in any Disney park, this boat ride takes you through pirate infested waters, complete with ship battles and hidden treasure just like the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril- this high speed roller coaster gives you a gigantic rush of adrenaline every time you ride as it lets you experience the thrills of the Indiana Jones adventure
- Aladdin's Enchanted Passage- this is a walkthrough attraction were you can relive scenes from Disney's Aladdin through the creation of the beautifully crafted displays that create that real life effect.
3. Frontierland
Frontierland takes guests back to the old American Wild West days, this is where you can experience the rustic saloons, cowboys and Native American lore in ruggedly beautiful land. Every time I walk through Frontierland the hit of the Big Country theme just fills me up with joy as the song is so memorable its gets stuck inside my head all day long.
Highlight attractions include:
- Big Thunder Mountain- this is one of the most popular attractions in the whole resort, its a mine train roller coaster whisking guests through an abandoned gold mine filled with different twists, turns and steep drops in an action packed ride of your life.
- Phantom Manor- Disneylands version of the Haunted Mansion this is a dark and eerie ride that takes you through a haunted house filled with the spooky Mansions history with surprises along the way.
4. Fantasyland
Fantasyland is where the Disney characters and fairy tales come to life. This themed land is the heart of Disneyland filled eccentric charm and attractions mostly suited for younger guests but equally enchanting for adults. The character interactions happen all over both parks and in each different themed land but this is where you find the most characters. Meeting the characters brings the magic to reality having that one to one interaction with a character you've seen on tv since no age it just adds that little spark to your Disney experience.
Highlight attractions include:
- Sleeping Beauty Castle- the iconic centrepiece of Disneyland Paris, this castle is not only visually stunning but also houses the dragons lair where an animatronic dragon lives beneath the castle. This castle is just iconic but unique as no other Disney park has the Sleeping Beauty Castle, you can walk inside the castle and explore its stunning architecture and its creative stained glass windows.
- Peter Pan's Flight- a magical ride that transports you through the skies of London and Neverland on a flying pirate ship
- It's a Small World- the iconic boat ride featuring dolls from all around the world singing the beloved tune that stays in your head all day once you've went on the ride. It is a delightful and colourful experience for guests of all ages.
5. Discoveryland
Discoveryland is inspired by the futuristic and scientific discovery, it blends the futuristic technology with retro styles inspired by the works of Jules Verne and H.G Wells.
Highlight attractions include:
- Star War Hyperspace Mountain- a high speed roller coaster that takes you into the heart of the Star Wars universe with thrilling twists and turns
- Buzz Lightyear Lazar Blast- A fun interactive ride where you can get competitive with each other by shooting targets with laser guns to help Buzz Lightyear defeat the evil Emperor Zurg.
Walt Disney Studios Park: Magic of the Cinema
This is the second theme park at Disneyland Paris, it focuses on the magic of the cinema, television and animation. Opened in 2002 it provides a behind the scenes look at the world of film production, complete with thrilling attractions based on popular Disney and Pixar movies. 1. Toon Studio
This area brings beloved Pixar characters and movies to life, fans of Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille will find plenty to enjoy.
Highlight attractions include;
- Toy Story land- A Toy Story fans dream a real life world of toy story creating the vision the toys experience during the movies with different rides and attractions it offers with character interactions with some of Toy Stories favourite characters.
- Ratatouille: The Adventure- a 4D dark ride that shrinks you to the size of a rat and takes you on a journey through the bustling kitchen of Gusteau's restaurant.
- Crush's Coaster- based on Finding Nemo this spinning roller coaster mimics the feeling of riding the currents of the East Australian Current with Nemo and Friends, this is one of them rides you want too queue up early for as it is a wild adventure that you embark on. Definitely one of my favourite rides that the park has to offer.
2. Production Courtyard
This section of the park is dedicated to the world of television and cinema production.
Highlight attractions include:
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror- this is my favourite ride that Disney offer it is unbelievable the adrenaline and rush of butterflies you experience is out of this world as you drop from the highest floor within the hotel. It's based on a popular tv series The Twilight Zone, the thrilling drop ride takes you through the story of a haunted hotel that has unexpected twists and falls that genuinely leaves you breathless.
- Studio Tram Tour: A scenic ride that takes you through the behind the scenes of a film production only based on the movie Cars, this includes a dramatic Fire and Water encounter but is definitely worth a go on.
3. Marvel Avengers Campus
One of the newest and most exciting additions to Walt Disney Studios Park, a land just entirely dedicated to the MCU. With attractions centered around popular heroes such as Spider Man, Iron Man and the Avengers.
Highlight attractions include:
- Avengers Assemble: Flight Force- a roller coaster experience that puts you in a midst of an epic battle with Iron Man and Captain Marvel.
- Spider Man W.E.B. Adventure- highly interactive ride that allows guests to help Spider Man capture rogue Spider Bots using web slinging hand gestures.
Entertainment: Parades and shows
Throughout the day Disney do hold many different shows and parades with special parades and shows held during key seasons of the year.
- Disneyland Park: the current shows that are running is the Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands this is held numerous times throughout of the day but be quick the queue to get in to the limited seating area has already started to form an hour before the show. In the evening the Disney Stars on parade takes place with the parade taking place from beside its a Small World to its final destination at the top of Main Street. The parade is magical when it takes place with the music, floatations, the dancers and of the course the characters parading around the park its really brings the fantasy to reality. At night the Disney illuminations takes place on the Sleeping Beauty Castle where stories of Disney characters are played on the castle with a dazzling display of fireworks and a drone show.
- Walt Disney Studios- Walt Disney Studios hold various different shows at different times of the day with the most popular ones being Mickey and the Magician, Frozen: Musical invitation, Stitch live and various Marvel shows including Doctor Strange, Spider Man and the Avengers. Witnessing some of these shows in person it has to be on the list of things to do when you visit the Walt Disney Studios due to the sensational and phenomenal shows that they display.
Dinning and Shopping at Disneyland Paris:
This is where I struggle the most over the number of years I have visited Disneyland trying to save money is the hardest job ever in Disneyland as there is so much to offer. The amount of merchandise I have collected over the years is astonishing but that's all down to the feeling that Disney offers as they invite you in to see what they are selling or what unique food items they have that look mouth watering. Disney offer a wide variety of dining options catering to all tastes and preferences from quick service meals to fine dining experiences.
Some popular choices include:
- Auberge de Cendrillion- located in Fantasyland this is a perfect spot to feel like royalty as you dine over a regal meal with the princesses and princes on that day. This offers character interactions while you eat like royalty.
- Captain Jack's: Restaurant des Pirates- a unique dining experience located inside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This one is for the seafood lovers and those who like to explore their food options with some Caribbean inspired dishes. You eat your meal over looking the pirate themed lagoon.
- Character dining at Plaza Gardens Restaurant- this is located on Main Street where you can experience the magic Disney has to offer, this all you can eat buffet that has an action packed dinner or breakfast service where you can meet various different characters as you dine. I do recommend though that you book in advance as it can be very hard to find a table on the day, either book a day before or two days before to ensure that you've got a spot. You can book through the Disneyland Paris app, online or in the restaurant.
Now onto the shopping Disneyland Paris is home to a wide range of stores where you can find everything from Disney themed apparel to toys, accessories and collectables. Don't forget to visit the Emporium on Main Street for the mist extensive collection of Disney merchandise, also don't forget the Christmas shop that's located inside of the Sleeping Beauty Castle for those who want to buy their decorations early.
Disney Village:
The Disney Village is located just adjacent to the two parks, it offers an exciting array of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Whether you're looking to to dine on a sumptuous meal, catch a live show or find the perfect Disney souvenir the Disney village has it all. There was nothing more I love when the parade is over in the park and you go the the village at night to explore in the shops that offer different merchandise or enjoy a lovely meal in a peaceful calm setting knowing you are in the most perfect place in the world.
Popular dining spots within the village include: Rainforest Cafe which is unbelievable getting that experience of having a meal in a rainforest setting with the odd animal noise played out in back, this is a hotspot to go to if you have kids cause they will love the whole atmosphere within the restaurant. Annette's diner which offers a classic American style food, McDonald's and a newest addition over the last few years Five Guys.
Popular shopping spots within the village include: World of Disney, Disney store, Disney & Co and the Lego shop which is very popular with the younger ones.
Where to Stay: Hotels and Accommodation
Disneyland Paris offers a variety of on-site hotels that provide easy access to the parks and come with the added bonus of Disney magic. Each hotel has its own unique theme and features, during every morning all the Disney hotels do have character meet and greets in the morning to help start the magic for the day.
1. Disneyland Hotel
The flagship hotel is the Disneyland Hotel, located right at the entrance of the Disneyland Park. It's a 5-star hotel that offers luxury accommodations and impeccable service. The Victorian themed hotel also provides breathtaking views of the park and access to exclusive perks like early entry. Every time I have visited Disney this has been the hotel that I have stayed at and it is out of this world, the scent that they use as you walk through the door is like something you've never smelt before it is beautiful, the decoration of the place is tremendous and the character interaction it provides in the morning for the staying guests creates a butterfly feeling when going to bed and waking up knowing that there's going to be various characters at the lounge in the morning. Definitely I recommend to stay in this beautiful hotel.
2. Disney's NewPort Bay Club
This is a elegant nautical themed hotel inspired by the 1920's coastal resorts, it offers the stunning views of Lake Disney and within walking distance of both parks.
3. Disney's Hotel New York- The Art of Marvel
This is one of the newest additions to Disneys hotels, it is a New York themed based hotel featuring different art work and marvel features around the Hotel. The Hotel New York is a 4 star hotel featuring an American diner themed restaurant and within walking distance of both parks. 
Tips for visiting Disneyland Paris
- Plan ahead- Downloading the Disneyland Paris app can help your stay be easier as it provides, timings for rides, characters interaction locations and parade timings. Booking reservations for well popular restaurants can help to cut down time and guarantee a spot in the restaurant.
- Use FastPass- Disneyland Paris offers a free fast past system which allows you to skip the line for certain attractions by booking a return time. Be sure to take advantage of this to maximise your ride time.
- Dress comfortably- Disneyland Paris requires a lot of walking so comfortable shoes and clothing are essential. Be prepared for the various weather conditions particularly if visiting in the colder months.
- Stay nearby- Consider staying at one of the official Disneyland Paris hotels to take advantage of the Extra Magic Time, which grants early access to the parks before the general public.
I Hope you enjoyed. Disneyland Paris is a unique place in the world where the fantasy and magic comes to life. Disneyland Paris offers an unforgettable experience for all ages with its cheerful and upbeat music to its breathtaking and thrilling rides that it embarks you on but also the interaction with the Disney characters. The experience Disney creates is an unforgettable experience and will remain with you for the rest of your life, starting with the hotels to the village to the parks, everything within in the Disney resort makes you feel like that you're in a world of your own and the outside world doesn't exist. I hope you consider going to visit this magnificent place in the near future. Thank you for reading.
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