Disneyland ResortParis (previously Euro Disney) is one of the four large Disney Parks dotted around the globe (the others being Disney World, Florida and Tokyo Disneysea, Japan.) and is situated in Marne-la-Vallée, south and west of Paris, France. The park opened in 1992 amid much fanfare and has since operated its socks off, paying hostage to the Disney saga over the last decade and has become one of Europe's largest tourist spots. High demand from European families has meant the park has had to expand, building numerous hotels putting up over 5,200 rooms and facilities on the actual site. The park also launched the Disney Studios Park to balance out crowds from the initial Disney park, which by the new Millenium had soared to thousands upon thousands a day, making queues to do the simplest things unbearably long.
These days the park still operated as one of the busiest theme park resorts on the planet. The simple routes from Britain to Paris and to the resort itself has made getting to Disneyland Paris a fairly painless effort, which is good for both the park and
for the families visiting there. Once you arrive to the 'entrance' of the park (I say entrance with hesitation because the actual entrance onto the theme park is an exceedingly long way from where you actually check in) you are faced with conveyer belt-type walkways that move you along with your luggage. At the end of this walkway you are given the option to either check into your hotel (if you are staying for a longer period) or enter the park via day center ticket booths (for those just visiting for the day.) Fortunatley checking into your hotel is a failr simple procedure and is done with minimal effort. We were staying at the Hotel Santa Fe resort hotel situated about a ten minutes walk from the park (there are trams and buses to take you back and forth so don't worry.) The hotel was grand and was filled with families and couples. The rooms were very spacious and very inviting. The check in lounge was very nicely decorated and the whole hotel was just generally very nice.
But I am no travel agent and I am sure by now you want to know if the actual park is any good? Well, here goes then. We stayed at Disneyland Resort Paris in June of 2008 for 4 nights self catering at Hotel Santa Fe. We received 3 day park hopper tickets (I'll explain later don't worry) to both the Disneyland Park and the Disney Studios Park at a cost of £199 per person, including travel costs to and from Paris. After checking in we walked to the park (the walk is quite pleasant but surprisingly very un-Disney) and entered using our Disney tickets. The first stop after walking through the main gates of the Disneyland park is a large proportioned area known as 'Main Street USA' a very crowded walkway and square pitched with expensive Disney shops, cafe's and a stopping point for Disney cast-character autographs. At certain times there is also a Disney parade in this area. Main Street USA is a beautiful area and is highly detailed to every last nook and cranny. The shops look wonderful, as do the walkways into the main park from Main Street. The shops are always busy here, as this is the main shopping stop for Disney fans. Onto the main park up a bright archway, the first striking thing you will notice is the Sleeping Beauty Castle something which only has to be seen to be believed. This gorgeous castle will enchant everyone as they approach it. The tall spikes and structures will delight you. Walking around the castle it is clear to see how much care Disney puts into its maintenance work! The castle is the center of diffrentley themed lands. My personal favorite is 'Frontierland' which houses one of the best Vekoma Runaway Mine Train attractions on the planet 'Big Thunder Mountain' which is a wonderful wonderful coster suitable for the whole family. Other coasters within the park include 'Indiana Jones Et Le Temple Du Peril' a fast Intamin looping coaster based on the Indiana Jones saga and Space Mountain: Mission 2 a hugely popular dark launch coaster. Disneyland Resort Paris has its fair share of rides to keep the teens happy enough. But this is Disney...and the real heart of Disneyland Resort Paris is in its theatrical displays and enchanting Disney-esque rides. You only have to watch the Lion King show or take a ride on 'Its A Small World' to notice how wonderfully themed and spectacular this Disney park is. There are many many many rides for children to enjoy, all based on Disney pictures, and adults can enjoy these rides to. Dumbo the Flying Elephant is always a popular favourite. Cost wise, it is going to wither some of your hard earned cash in the Disney park. Merchandises are pricey and so is the catering. This is a flaw, but in a Disney park it is come to be expected.
If you are staying in a Disney hotel you will be given 'Park Hopper' tickets which allows you to transfer to the Disneyland Park or the Disney Studios Park (which is adjacent) at any time throughout the day. The Disney Studios Park is better for teenagers as it features stunt shows and has some better rides for the intended audience. You may also learn about how to create your own Disney mini movie and take a look into the future with some spectacular advanced laser shows based on technology. The absolute key thing about the Disney studios park is its key ride, 'Rock n Rollercoaster avec Aerosmith' a lightening fast Vekoma looping dark rides based around a rock concert. This ride launches riders up to 50mph through a virtual rock video and features some great special lighting and music from Aerosmith. The trains are themed like 70's Limousines and the whole ride is amazing to the ears and the body. Younger thrill seekers can ride 'Crush's Coaster' a fun indoor/outdoor spinning coaster based on the hugely popular Finding Nemo. Meanwhile adults can discover how their favorite Disney movies of the last few decades were made by professional artists. It is even possible to learn how to animate your own Disney characters!
Speaking of adults, the Downtown Disney Village offers some fine dining and nightlife as well as numerous French/Disney themed clubs. You can leave your kids at a special Disney creche and enjoy time together in one of these special adult orientated bars- so everybody wins!
Cost wise, Disneyland Resort Paris IS in many parts overpriced. Whilst this is Disney and whilst Disneyland Resort Paris is much better than practically every other European park it is still very expensive unless you have an amazing package deal. It would probably cost the same to visit the Walt Disney World park in Florida as it does to visit the one in Paris. If you have the money then Disneyland Resort Paris can make your dreams come true, but be careful- everything is very pricey, from catering to merchandise.
Would I recommend Disneyland Resort Paris? If you are in a comfortable money position then definatley yes. A great Park for the most part but very expensive in others.
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Apr 19th, 2009
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