McPhee Family

We spent two full 13+ hour days at Disneyland Paris.

It was simply sensational and beyond all of our expectations.  It included some great new rides not available in any other Disney park to include the Crush Coaster, Ratatouille and Indiana Jones’ Temple de Peril (very different to the California version).

This Disneyland visit was a little different to all of our previous visits due to the weather.  We are normally in shorts and t-shirts however the maximum for both days was only 16 degrees.  We were very lucky with the weather however as despite the very cool mornings, it was perfect blue skies both days and it felt so warm in the sun as Paris’ spring certainly sprung in time for us.

It was also different in that patrons are allowed to smoke inside the park – this is one thing we had read about and were a little concerned about beforehand …. eg. standing in line for a ride and the people around you smoking.   Whilst we could often smell cigarette smoke, it was never a major issue.

The girls started their first day with the traditional pose in Main Street with the castle in the background.

We headed first for Mum’s favourite ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Four parks around the world have the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, however after the ride it was instantly declared the best version of the ride.  Paris’ version is unique as it is situated on an island in the middle of the Rivers of the Far West, where Tom Sawyer’s Island normally sits in the other parks.  The tunnel under the water to the island and then the tunnel back add a unique and exciting element to the ride, as it is pitch black and very fast.

We of course stayed late until 10pm on day one to watch the illumination / fireworks show which lasted 30 minutes and was sensational to watch – it is a great way to finish the day at Disneyland.

The castle lit up at night looks great but the way they have different moving images projected onto the castle is spectacular – add the fireworks to it and it is an incredible experience.

We also had to meet King of all things Disney, Mickey Mouse.  We try to say hello whenever we are in one of his parks – Paris was no different.

Disneyland Paris has two parks – Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park.  The latter includes a great roller coaster – the Aerosmith rollercoaster, only found elsewhere in Florida.  It also had two new rides found nowhere else, both of which were excellent – the Crush Coaster and the Ratatouille ride.

We also all went on the Tower of Terror ride found inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel.  These are being rethemed to a Marvel ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ ride so it was good to all go on it before all the changes.

Our two days at Disneyland Paris were outstanding, incredible.  We were thrilled to have been and check it off the Disney property list.

After visits to Disneyland in California, Florida, Tokyo and Hong Kong (as well as Aulani in Hawaii and a Disney Cruise), we finally visited Disneyland Paris and it was definitely worth the wait.