Disneyland Paris

Tonight at 8:00, ABC will be airing a special "Wonderful World of Disney" all about Disneyland 60.  I've been told there will be airings of some upcoming movie trailers that I am very excited about.

I have yet to visit Disneyland.  Originally, the plan was to visit the year of my tenth wedding anniversary, which is this year.  However, we have two very small children.  While I could leave them at home, I don't see that as fair.  I mean, come on.  Who wouldn't want to visit Disneyland?  Instead, we are traveling to Walt Disney World for Cooper's first visit (and hair cut) and putting off the big trip for five years.  It came to my attention, though, that will be WDW's 50th anniversary.  So there's another dilemma.

So today, instead of talking about the Disneyland I have yet to experience, I will be living in nostalgia for another Disneyland:  Disneyland Paris.

I have been extremely fortunate enough to visit Paris, not once, but twice in my life.  The first time I visited, I was living in the south of France (Montpellier) as a study abroad program.  The second time was with my husband on a tour of Europe (as a generous gift from my father) for our fifth anniversary.  The first time I went to Paris, I wanted to go to Disneyland very badly but didn't really get a chance.  So when my husband and I went to together, he made sure that my dream of visit all of the Disney parks could come true on June 27, 2011.  What a prince!

The best way to describe that visit is HOT!!!  Paris was experiencing record highs during that trip.  Needless to say, we were miserable.  For some reason--we still ask why today--we did not go to Walt Disney Studios, Disneyland Paris's second park.  The price for one park was 57 euros.  The price for two 69 euros, that's still less than a one day ticket at WDW.

The hotel at Disneyland actually sits above the entrance to the park.  Imagine getting to wake up and look out your window with Main Street just below!  Main Street looks very similar to the Street that I'm familiar with.  The big difference is located at the end of the street--Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant, which does in fact house a dragon underneath.  It was so odd for me to see the castle from Sleeping Beauty rather than Cinderella.

We traveled to Discoveryland first which is how we typically tour the Magic Kingdom.  The overlay is interesting; instead of futuristic, Paris has opted for steampunk.  There are many refers to H.G. Wells throughout the land.  We road Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast and Space Mountain:  Mission 2.  My family are big Star Wars fans; I just had to see this in French.  The Parisian version of Space Mountain is unreal.  Like its sister rides, the ride takes place inside in the dark.  However, this ride remains me of Rock n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios.  It's faster and goes upside down.

Fantasyland was next.  The overlay is very old European.  Among several of the extractions we rode "it's a small world" (Janson's favorite in any language), Pinocchio's Fantastic Journey, Storybook Land Canal Boats, and Casey Jr. Circus Train.  I really just wanted to torture Janson with his favorite ride and see how France portrayed America.  It was hilarious to see a football player doll.  I really liked the canal boats.  It's how I imagine Fantasyland in Anaheim.

Much of Adventureland was down that day due to rehabs.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to ride Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril.  But we did enjoy Pirates of the Caribbean.  This version is much longer than the one in Orlando.  By the time we got to Adventureland, we were miserable due to the heat and starting to call it a day.  We decided we would try to make it around the park and head back to the city.

In Frontierland, we rode Big Thunder Mountain and Phantom Manor.  I love both of these attractions in the Magic Kingdom.  Paris did not disappoint.  Phantom Manor is much scarier and darker than other versions.  The storyline centers around a wedding that didn't happen.  Big Thunder Mountain was located on an island in the river.  The guests load the train on the main land the actually travel by tunnel under the river to the track.

We were able to watch the "Once Upon a Dream Parade."  Many of the floats held the go-to characters:  the princesses, the fab five, the popular movies at the moment.  The floats also held a lot of references to Fantasia.  One character that I just can't get over is Maleficent.  She wore a red gown that resembled fire (the literal witch on fire?).  Even five years later, I can't help but stare at this picture.  Do I love it because it is reminiscent to the dragon, or do I hate it because it is not her film costume?  I'm not sure.  But I can't help but post this picture.

I have a minor in French, so I had little difficulty with the language.  Janson, on the other hand, had a hard time dealing with the French.  Everything uses both French and English.  I will say visiting Disneyland Paris gave me new appreciation for those who visit Disneyland or WDW knowing little or no English.

I loved my visit to Disneyland Paris, and I'm so thankful to have gotten to experience.  I just still don't understand why I didn't visit the other park.  Oh well, maybe one day!  Here's hoping to go to the other parks eventually too!