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Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is the second Disney park to open outside the United States, after the Tokyo Disney Resort. It’s made up of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Paris is a popular European destination, for locals and tourists alike. It’s the most visited tourist destination in both France and Europe.

History

Disneyland Paris was opened on April 12, 1992. Walt Disney Studios Park opened on March 16, 2002. Disneyland Paris, and the town of Marne-La-Vallée, in which it is located, is a bustling retail, dining, and entertainment center with peak seasons during the holidays. Originally named Euro Disney Resort, the park was only renamed in 1994, as part of a rebranding strategy to get over negative associations and public controversies linked to Euro Disney.

Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park is one of two theme parks at Disneyland Paris. Comprised of five “magical lands” from famous Disney stories, American history, and popular entertainment, it’s a guaranteed blast for the family.

There’s Main Street, USA, an area inspired by Walt Disney’s upbringings, in 1900s America, filled with small town hospitality, Victorian-style buildings, ice cream parlors and horse-drawn streetcars. Children will get a big kick out of Fantasyland, filled with fairytale princesses and heroes come to life. Enjoy scenes from many Disney films and classics, such as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. You can also enjoy a special French show called “Les Voyages des Pinnochio” after the beloved puppet turned real boy!

For more adventurous types, there’s Frontierland, a Wild West inspired set where you can visit the Pocahontas Indian Village, practice your sharp shooting at the Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery, or go for a thrill ride at one of the park’s most popular roller coasters on Big Thunder Mountain. Adventureland may also be the cure for those looking to sail the high seas on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, or dare the Indian Jones and the Temple of Peril coaster.

Lastly there’s Discoveryland, where young travelers can explore space and time and all that the world has to offer. Take a ride on Space Mountain: Mission 2, a super roller coaster where you’ll be blasted through the universe, dodging space junk and meteorites at warp-speed. Or help Buzz Lightyear battle the evil Zurg in the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast ride, especially fun for little children.

Dining

Even your food experience at Disneyland Paris is a chance to meet and greet some of the park’s famous faces. At Café Mickey, dine with popular Disney characters such as Pluto, Goofy, and Mickey. Enjoy a variety of international food, as well as wood-fired pizza, pasta, and other traditional theme park food.

Or enjoy a sandwhich at the Disney Blockbuster Café in Walt Disney Studios Park, that has a High School Musical and Pirates of the Caribbean theme. There’s also the Arabah Café, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant with buffet style food. Fans of Pinocchio should be sure to check out au Chalet de la Marionnette. From the décor featuring scenes from the movie to the chalet-style design, it’s sure to be a popular hit with children.

To satisfy that inevitable sweet tooth, the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour, in Main Street, USA does just the trick. Snack on slow-churned ice cream with a variety of special sides and toppings to choose from, along with a freshly baked cone.

Getting There

The Thalys, Eurostar, or RER A4 trains will drop you off at the main Disneyland Paris stop, the Marne-La-Vallée/Chessy station, close to several resort hotels too. Drivers can speedily get to Disneyland Paris on the A4 motorway, a major road accessible not just to Parisians, but anyone traveling in Europe.

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