July 2014. My best friends Hannah, Jay and I jetted off from Bristol to Paris in promising weather. How wrong we were. I think the picture above is the only time it wasn't really raining (even though it looks like it is). But the rain didn't matter, our holiday was still amazing! Two days in Disneyland Paris, two days in the beau city of Paris, endless food, a gorgeous hotel. I wouldn't of changed it for the world (other than the weather of course), and I'd love to go back again!
Now, those of you that are still reading my blog, we've established I'm a little bit of a Disney fan so the main highlight for me was of course Disneyland Paris. Thought not quite as great and big as Walt Disney World in Florida, it's still amazing. If you fancy a holiday where you don't want to be too tired, I would suggest Euro Disney. In Florida (if you haven't been there), Walt Disney World is spread out over 25,000 ACRES as opposed to Disneyland Paris which is roughly only 500 acres. Massive difference, eh?
So first, I thought I'd give you a bit of a summary of what is at Disneyland Paris - there are two parks which are next to each other. Disneyland Park is the bigger of the two and is home to a 5 lands;
- Main Street USA (no attractions but a number of gift shops and a spectacular view of Sleeping Beauty's castle - also where the parades happen)
- Frontierland (themed to the American Old West in the 19th century e.g. cowboys, saloons and home to the Riverboat)
- Adventureland (themed to resemble Africa, Asia and South America)
- Fantasyland (personal favourite of mine - full of rides featuring all your favourite Disney characters and films)
- Discoveryland (a futuristic land)
The other is Walt Disney Studios. Significantly smaller, its main theme is Hollywood, noticeable as you walk in. Walt Disney Studios is recognised for featuring more adult-designed rides and attractions.
As well as this, you've got Disney Village, full of restaurants, gift shops and night-time entertainment, including a hot air balloon. This is literally just a step out of Disneyland.
So, to make it a little easier, I've assembled another little countdown; my top 20 things to do in Disneyland Paris.
20. Ratatouille Land
When we went last summer, we were in Paris for the grand opening. We didn't actually get to go on anything within the area (because it was packed), but it's worth it just to have a look around. There's a posh (expensive) French restaurant called Gusteau's (if you've seen the film, you'll probably expect this) and a new dark ride attraction called Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquee de Remy (or Ratatouille: the Adventure, for the less French of us).
19. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Or the French version: "Blanche Neige et les Sept Nains". Very old fashioned, a little bit dated and terrifying for kids, but seeing as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is my favourite Disney film, this is a classic.
18. Sleeping Beauty's Castle (or le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant)
The very heart of Disney, and probably the landmark. Don't just look at it from afar, go inside and see some stunning glass murals of the story of Sleeping Beauty.
17. Big Thunder Mountain
I enjoyed this a lot more when I was younger - consider it a rollercoaster designed for kids. However, it's still a very famous Disney attraction so shouldn't be missed.
16. Buzz Lightyear's Laser Blast
Think the picture says it all. Three things are required - concentration, skill and a fast finger. Just point your gun at the alien and your score will flash up on your vehicle. But it can get extremely competitive (just look at Hannah's face)
15. Toy Story Playland
Great fun. You've got the RC Racer ride, a fast car ride, Toy Soldier Parachute Drop, a tame drop-down ride and the Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, a rollercoaster for kids. As you can probably see, it's probably not best for older kids but young 'uns will love it!
14. Phantom Manor
A typical, terrifying haunted house classic.
13. It's a Small World
Now if you've never heard of this, you shouldn't be going to Disneyland. An absolute classic that is one of the first ever Disney rides, a relaxing boat ride that goes through a number of different countries where "It's a Small World" is sung in many different languages. Underlying themes = diversity and unity. Prepare to have the song in your head FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
12. Peter Pan's Flight
Yet another classic. Hop on a pirate ship and sail over London as if you're flying, witnessing the classic story of Peter Pan.
11. Indiana Jones et Le Temple du Peril
One of the more grown-up rides in Disneyland Paris, this is a thrilling rollercoaster in a mine train through a lost temple. Must-do.
10. The Princess Fairytale Hall
Now, this was kind of accidental because we wanted to get out of the rain, but I am a sucker for Disney princesses. Wait and see which Disney princess you'll get to meet - they don't tell you until you walk around the corner and see who it is! (Expect ridiculously long queues though)
9. Crush's Coaster
I can't really remember doing this ride, but I remember I LOVED it.
8. The Blue Lagoon restaurant
One of the most gorgeous, picturesque restaurants I've ever been to. Yes okay, it's very pricey, but it's completely worth it. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride goes through the restaurant so keep an eye out for the boats.
7. The Rainforest Cafe
This just clinches the best restaurant for me. Despite not being just in Disneyland Paris (there's ones in London, Las Vegas and Disney World in Florida) but the atmosphere in here is incredible. You genuinely feel like you're in a rainforest, with large audio-animatronic animals and draping branches covering the entire place. About every half an hour, an earthquake hits, so expect the lights to flicker and the animals to go nuts - it's awesome.
6. Space Mountain: Mission 2
One of the main thrill rides in Disneyland Paris - travel through space at what feels like the speed of light. If you get chance to look at the scenery, do, but I doubt you will. And you might feel a tad sick (I did).
5. Rock'n'Roller Coaster (starring Aerosmith)
One of the two rollercoasters at Disneyland Paris that takes you upside down (the other being Space Mountain) to "Dude Looks Like a Lady" by Aerosmith. One of the best rollercoasters you will ever encounter.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean
Another classic, and the ride that the films were loosely based on. Travel through the village of Tortuga and witness a number of pirate occurrences. This isn't as tame as the Florida version, which has been recently updated to feature Captain Jack Sparrow. This is completely traditional, with a couple of surprises.
3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Hollywood, 1930. A busy hotel's elevator is struck by lightning, breaking the lift and killing all the people inside it. Chilling, eh? Trust me, it's terrifying. You enter the elevator and see the ghosts of the killed beckoning to you to join them. And then you're off, literally defying gravity as you drop over and over again (no, seriously, your bum will come off the seat, pretty sure my bag hit the ceiling). Incredible!
2. Cinemagique!
This is hard to explain. It's more of a "you have to do it" to fully understand how amazing it is. It mixes the live performance of an actor with synchronized classic movie scenes on a big screen. There are loads of films that you will know and they're so neatly and cleverly combined, it makes it a laugh-out-loud, moving and just extraordinary show. You will never see anything like this in your lifetime.
1. Disney Dreams!
Now if you've left Disneyland Paris and haven't watched this, your whole trip was a waste of time. With images reflected on the castle from classic Disney films, water fountains and fireworks, it is an unforgettable show. Everything is so perfectly timed, it actually feels like magic. Sounds really cheesey, but it does honestly.
So that's it. I hope you enjoyed my little countdown, and if you're thinking of going to Disneyland Paris any time soon, I hope this helps as a handy guide. But for me, it was a nice little flashback and a reminisce of a perfect holiday with my two favourites.
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