Firework spectacular (Disneyland Resort Paris)

Member Name: mrsbbq

Product:	Disneyland Resort Paris
Date:	12/07/00 (237 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: closer than Florida, ideal for a long weekend or mid-week break

Disadvantages: the weather, the French, the kids

Having used every method of travel to get to Disneyland Paris, my favourite is Eurostar - the trains are comfortable, run exactly on time, and with the check in service your bags are taken to your hotel so you can go straight into the park. Cost is about the same as flying.

Accomodation varies in price. There are two buget hotels - the Santa Fe which has two double beds in the room and the Cheyenne which has a double bed and two bunk beds. For a few pounds more the Cheyenne is much more fun for kids, with wild west themed rooms. These hotels are about a 10 minute walk to the Disney Village, there are free buses.
The two moderately priced hotels are the Newport Bay, with a nautical theme and the Sequoia Lodge, forest retreat. Both of these hotels have swimming pools (check that they are not closed for annual refurbishment) which is great when going off season. They are a five minute walk around the lake to the Disney Village, although again there are buses. The Hotel New York (see review by maggiemay) is advertised as a business hotel. My ambition is to say at the Disneyland Hotel, but my budget has not stretched that far!

Disneyland Paris is laid out in the same way as the Magic Kingdom in Florida, with everything being just that little bit newer. The Pirates of the Caribbean ride here is the best out of all of the parks. Space Mountain is a fast scary ride in the dark. I had my eyes closed the first time, so I HAD to ride again. The Indianna Jones ride is right at the top of the park, with spectacular views and a 360 degree loop. There are unusual for Disney in they are aimed strictly at the older teens and adults. The warning before the rides is enough to turn you back!

There are the usual childrens rides in Fantasyland, plus some extra not in Florida. If you want to ride Peter Pan's Flight, get their early - there is ALWAYS a queue. Its A Small World is sung in French and will go round and round your head all day (Que le monde
est tout petit ....)

Food and drink are expensive, and not good value at all. Pack plenty of snacks for the kids, I recommend a character breakfast - Mickey and Minnie are in attendance for photographs - (location varies, check with your hotel or travel agent), snack lunch and evening meal back at your hotel or in the Disney village. I especially liked the "all you can eat" dinner at the Sequoia Lodge, platters of barbeque food is brought to your table while magicians, jugglers, musicians wander around the room.

The absolutely best time of year to go to Disneyland Paris is Bonfire Night (which stretches over two or three nights in Disney). They put on spectacular fireworks displays on the lake that will singe your eyebrows and leave you breathless. No one does fireworks like Disney can, be prepared to be amazed.

Update - although more areas are covered than in the USA, the weather in France is the same as the UK and can get very cold during the day. We found that layering is best, with hats, scarves and especially gloves. All the kids had their own bumbag or little rucksack, useful for their snacks and for putting their gloves in!!!

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