I also write reviews on another site under another name, but I do not just duplicate these and try t...
I also write reviews on another site under another name, but I do not just duplicate these and try to write original reviews for each of the sites.
Member since:27.07.2006
Reviews:13
Members who trust:2
MAKE CHRISTMAS COME ALIVE THIS YEAR!!!
A couple of years ago, stumped as to what to buy my grown up kids for Christmas, we came up with the idea of a family visit, pre Christmas, to Disneyland in Paris. This has now become one of our family traditions at this time of year, it makes the Christmases from my childhood come alive and is something we all enjoy.
Remember how there were always Disney cartoons on telly at Christmas? Well, if you go to Disneyland in Paris you can step into the real Disneyworld and recapture your childhood again!!! You don't even need kids to go with you!
We are a party of grown ups, but all big kids at heart, and the sheer pleasure of stepping into this "magical kingdom not so far away" gets us into the Christmas spirit of festivities. I am longing for the time when the grandchildren come along (that's a hint if any of my kids are reading!!!!) as it is a pleasure in itself to watch the faces of kiddies light up when they are at Disneyland.
WHERE IS IT?
Disneyland is approximately 19 miles east of Paris, and is easily accessible by train or on the A4 motorway. Or you can of course, opt for an organised excursion perhaps by coach. Many tour operators offer these all year round, but they do get booked up quickly for this time of year so you will probably be too late for this Christmas.
The first time we went to Disneyland
we only decided to go at the last minute, and as we couldn't get on an organised trip, we decided to drive. As we live in the north it normally takes us several hours to reach the channel ports, but on this occasion there was an accident on the motorway and we were sat in traffic jams for two hours which delayed us considerably!!!!!! However, we did arrive but late in the evening and it was not particularly pleasant driving along the A4 through France on a dark rainy night.
Nowadays we get a cheap flight to Paris and then take the train, this takes about 35 minutes, to Marne La Vallee/Chessy which is right at the entrance to Disneyland. Or you could go by Eurostar. This is the only thing I envy you southerners for - living so close to the channel crossings!!!!
WHERE TO STAY
There are several hotels at Disneyland and in the surrounding districts, but if you have no car you should really stay at one of the Disney hotels. These all have a shuttle bus which will take you to the park itself and these run frequently. The hotels vary in price and star rating, and they are on different themes, so it is best if you look on the website and see what you prefer. www.disneylandparis.com
On our first visit we stayed at the Davy Crocket ranch. This is advertised as being "bungalows" but in fact they are really timber clad static caravans made to look like log cabins. However, the one we stayed in was comfortable and clean, and the woodland setting made the Disney experience all the more interesting as we felt like we were living like Snow White in the middle of the woods and saw lots of wildlife.
The ranch is a 15 minutes drive from the park and there is no shuttle bus, so it is not an option if you don't have your own transport.
On site there is a bar, restaurant, shop and a play area for the kids, but we also found it pleasant just to stroll through the woodland on a nice morning. When we woke up that first morning, the rain had cleared and everywhere was covered in a white frost, the pine trees glistening and sparkling.
Breakfast was provided and this had to be collected each morning from a cabin at the bottom of the avenue. The breakfast was supplied in a box for each person (rather like those you get kiddies' meals in at fast food restaurants) and consisted of baguette, croissant, jam, butter, coffee or chocolate etc. We ate a leisurely breakfast then set off to the park. It is an easy drive and there is ample car parking on site.
Allow yourself several hours to wander around the park, there is a lot to see, and if you do visit in winter then wrap up warmly and wear comfortable shoes! Although most of the footpaths were clear, there was a keen frost and walking could be hazardous at times.
To give you an overview of what is available, please read on. I have not gone into too much detail as there is simply too much to list here, so this is just an outline to give you a "taster" of what is there.
This is one of the attractions at the park and is set out as a 1900's USA town, with timber houses, shops and restaurants all echoing the same theme, and there is a station with steam trains. The houses and everywhere were decorated with beautiful garlands and twinkling lights, just like an old fashioned Christmas film.
FRONTIERLAND
This is based on a Far West theme and you can go on the runaway train or visit the haunted house, for kids there is the Pocahontas adventure playground. The queues for the rides and experiences were not long, but we did visit outside of the school holidays, it may be busier then.
ADVENTURELAND
Here you can visit an oriental bazaar, visit Aladdin's cave, go on a pirate ship and visit the Swiss Family Robinson and Indiana Jones. The whole place is alive with animated characters and music playing over the loudspeakers.
DISCOVERYLAND
Here you will find Buzz Lightyear, Space mountain and Captain Nemo's submarine. Again, you can wander around and take in the different activities or experiences.
There really is something to suit everyone in these attractions at the different parts of the park, but my favourite of all these has to be
FANTASYLAND! Here you will see Snow White, Pinnochio, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Peter Pan and see SleepingBeauty's castle. However, my special favourite has to be the "trip around the world" where you can listen to the song "It's a small world" and see the different dolls dressed in national costumes from around the world. (I can even hear myself silently humming the tune as I write)!
Okay, so I might be a big softie but, as I said at the beginning, it was just like stepping into the Disney television programmes I remember watching at Christmas. You may be walking along and suddenly Goofy or Pluto will wander over to have a chat and shake your hand!
SHOPS/RESTAURANTS
If you get fed up of walking around, or just need refreshments, there are lots of different restaurants where you can have everything from pizza to ice cream or simply just a cup of coffee.
There are shops and boutiques which sell everything from souvenirs of Disney, toys, clothes, books, cd's, china, and of course the Disney character toys. We bought the Disney Christmas CD and this has been listened to so many times since that first visit and never fails to revive the special magic of the place.
You can even visit an old fashioned barber's shop and have a haircut! I can't guarantee what this is like though, so if you don't want to risk looking a mess for Christmas, then perhaps give this a miss!
Every day at different times there are Disney parades. To me the most magical of these was the Disney Christmas Electrical Parade. To the sounds of Disney music the main street comes alive in a blaze of colour from the brightly decorated floats carrying the different Disney characters. Micky and Minnie Mouse and their friends dance through the street, along with princesses and toy soldiers. It is really MAGICAL!!!! But the final icing on the cake is when Santa Claus appears with his real reindeer!! (of course I am sure he is the REAL Santa too!)
I simply cannot explain here what a fantastic experience this is! From seeing the parade itself, to watching the looks of wonder and amazement on the faces of the children in the crowds, is something you have to see for yourself.
The parade ends with a dazzling firework display which lights up the skies and then the park closes and people make their weary way back to their hotels.
STUCK FOR A PRESENT?
If you are stuck for present ideas for your family then why not treat yourselves to a visit to Disney. It is not going to cost much more than buying a lot of individual gifts and it will be a memorable experience that you will all remember for a long time afterwards. If you book now there will probably still be time to book for the weeks leading up to Christmas. But if you want to go at Christmas or New Year, then I am sure you need to book for next year now!
CONCLUSION
I hope I have covered most things in this review, please do check out the website for more comprehensive information, but you have to go to Disneyland itself to really understand what it is like! I have never been in summer and don't want to, purely because to me Disney is always connected with Christmas, visiting here is like a Christmas fairytale.
(Note - this review has also been submitted onto another consumer site under my "other" id).
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Very useful and readable review. Disney is not really my thing, but I can well imagine viewing somewhere like this through the eyes of your children is pretty special!
n13roy 24.11.2006 00:14
Really well written and very informative review there, not my cup of tea though.........Roy......
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Nov 23rd, 2006
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