An American in Disneyland Paris About This Page:

[PrincessSharon]

This is a continuation of my Adventures By Disney Cities of Knights and Lights Trip Report. If you need to catch up, head on over there first. I’ll just pick up here where I left off.

Day Seven – Thursday, 21 May
Deez-nay-lohn Paree

I’d set the alarm, but I was awake before it went off. I got ready for the day and then finished up with my packing. I headed down to breakfast to find Miriam and Michael, and they invited me to join them. We were shortly joined by Jessie and Jo and John and Anita – all the same gang who’d had dinner out the other night.

We discussed our upcoming plans. As it turns out, none of us were heading home. Jessie and Jo were staying on at the hotel to do some touring in Paris. Miriam and Michael had rented an apartment and were also planning to do some touring in Paris. John and Anita were heading to Disneyland Paris like I was, but they were staying at the Hotel New York, so they’d have a different car.

After breakfast, I said goodbye to everyone (again) and headed up to my room. I set the luggage outside my door and headed down to the lobby. I found the guides there, saying goodbye to everyone and offering last-minute help and advice. I thanked them again for all their help and gave them the tips I had.

Much of the group had gathered in the lobby, so we all said our goodbyes again. I must’ve said goodbye and exchanged hugs with everyone about three times each, including the guides!

Even though I was heading to Disneyland Paris, it was kind of sad to be leaving. I wanted to take the ABD guides with me. They did promise I’d have one more surprise when I got to my hotel, but I wouldn’t have anyone guiding me around and I’d have to make all the plans myself (though they did offer to make dining reservations for me).

When the car arrived, fellow Adventurers Christy and Tom (also staying at the Disneyland Hotel) got in the back and I rode shotgun next to the (hot) French driver. It was a pleasant ride (it took about 40 minutes)and before I knew it, we were on Disney property. I got a glimpse of a few other resorts.

When I was choosing where to stay, I was disappointed that so many of the resorts are just recycled versions of American resorts – they’ve got a Yacht Club knockoff, a Grand Californian knockoff, and the Disneyland Hotel, which is a Grand Floridian knockoff. Actually, the one I found most interesting was the Hotel New York, which wasn’t a knockoff of anything, but I chose the Disneyland Hotel for its location (inside Disneyland park, at the end of Main Street). Even though I say they were knockoffs, they were still very nice (what I saw of them). I can definitely attest to the loveliness of the Disneyland Hotel.

As I said, I lost most of the pictures from this day, but I did retake most of them the next day, so this update will have pictures here that I snapped later in the trip to help balance it out or to reward you for reading my ramblings. Same difference!

We pulled up to the Disneyland Hotel and a CM came to unload our bags. Here are some photos taken another day.







We checked in together and stored our bags. We were given our park tickets and VIP Fastpasses (which would serve as unlimited and instant FPs for any FP attractions ). That was a nice perk of the ABD add-on. Normally, that benefit is only available to guests in suites. I also got a slip of paper to be used for charging in the parks. Neither of our rooms were ready, so we decided to hit the parks together.

We walked out the back door of our resort and onto Main Street U.S.A. Well, we had to go through the turnstiles first, but we were right there! Once we’d entered the park, I couldn’t wait to check out the castle. Even before seeing it in person, it had been my favorite of the castles, but seeing it in person literally took my breath away! It’s completely majestic and regal and storybook all at the same time.







We took photos in front of the castle, but I have to email Christy and Tom to get copies. If I remember, I’ll add them in later. Anyway, none of us had any firm touring plan, so someone suggested we start with Phantom Manor (their version of the Haunted Mansion).

There is no Fastpass at Phantom Manor, so we’d have to wait in the queue. The wait time posted was 30 minutes, but it looked like it wasn’t going to take that long and indeed it ended up being closer to 15 minutes.

Phantom Manor is in Frontierland, and I found it to be the most different from its American counterparts of all the attractions at DLP. It has an Old West theme, which I liked, but I also found it to be… I don’t want to say “darker,” because that implies that it isn’t lighthearted. It’s creepier, maybe? I do think it would be a little scarier for young kids. More intense, I guess.







While in the queue, you get a very look at Big Thunder Mountain.



As I said, there’s an Old West theme, but the bride is still featured. I really liked Phantom Manor a lot!









We next headed over to Thunder Mesa to ride Big Thunder Mountain.







There was a queue, but because it’s a FP attraction, all we had to do was show our VIP FPs. The FP line was a bit long, but we didn’t have to wait too terribly long. Like most of the rides at DLP, Big Thunder was bumpier than its American counterparts. It was also darker (lighting, not theme), and a bit more intense, but still loads of fun! Woohoo!

When our ride was over, we checked out the ride photo and Tom and Christy decided to buy it. It came with a cute picture frame. I didn’t know it at the time, but they got two, so they presented me with a little surprise the next day!


In case you were wondering, yes, that is my standard doofy ride expression

After our ride, it began to sprinkle rain a bit. Luckily, it didn’t last for more than a few minutes (and it was pretty light what there was of it). I had an umbrella with me, but I’d no sooner pulled it out than it stopped and the sun came out again, and the rain never started up again.

We headed to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, which, unlike its cool cousin in California, is just a roller coaster. It’s well themed, fun and has a loop, but it’s also quite bumpy. I guess the Europeans don’t mind rough rides.

We were all hungry at this point, so we decided to find someplace to have lunch. We stopped at Restaurant Hakuna Matata. I didn’t make a note of what I had to eat (took a picture), but I seem to remember getting chicken wings and fries that I remember being quite tasty, and I charged it to my room.

After lunch, we wanted to try Pirates of the Caribbean. The wait time was posted at 45 minutes (and it looked like it’d be that long). Since there’s no FP, we decided to come back later.

The park was pretty crowded and Christy was getting a little tired. We all felt like we might enjoy an attraction where we could sit and relax for a while, but DLP is short on those. So I suggested the Disneyland Railroad. At least we’d be able to sit down for as long as we needed to!

One little wrinkle in my plan: the wait! We ended up waiting about 30 minutes for the train. It seems (based on a sign posted in the queue) the train doesn’t make all the stops throughout the day (like in the early morning, it skips some stations). That was my guess for why the queue was so backed up. Anyway, when we finally did get on, we were able to relax and enjoy the ride.

The train has the Grand Canyon diorama just like at Disneyland, which is cool. My favorite thing about the train was listening to the announcements on the train. The CMs would pronounce the name of each land/stop with French accents – do you know how exotic “Discoveryland” sounds with a French accent?

We made a full revolution and got off the train at Main Street. Tom and Christy were ready for a break, and I wanted to find out if my room was ready and check it out and unpack. We agreed to meet up in the park later to watch the afternoon parade together.

Our rooms were indeed ready, so we each headed to check them out. Mine was at nearly the end of a long hall, but it was really nice! I later learned that Christy and Tom were at the very end of the same hall, two doors down. What I liked most about the room was that it had little Disney touches everywhere!











Even the wallpaper borders had Disney touches!



There were roses for me, too! How nice!






The bathroom was full of Disney touches, too.






This is the mirror frame

Once I’d unpacked, I headed back down to meet my friends for the parade.

Up Next: My favorite attraction at Disneyland Parc. You’ll never believe it!

[orionchika]

So totally ..... The first set of pics - the park looked a little empty.... The roses were lovely....and how sweet to receive them....The topiaries were so cute as well.... Wish you had a pic of the "hot" driver.....LOL!!!!

[cajunlace]

Your room looks quite lovely. I loved the fact that the wall-paper had cute pictures on it.

[Meggera]

it!!!!!! What a fantastic start. The pictures are gorgeous. The castle is stunning. The rides sound terrific. I can't wait to read more!

[Minnie Lor]

Oh wow! Just gorgeous. Alot prettier when the sun is shining. The phatom manor sounds fun. Your room is beautiful. How nice have fresh roses. I wonder if they do that for everyone or if they did it because they knew you were royalty.

[claytrgtshooter]

Great pics and a great commentary -- looking forward to more

[UncleBob]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Up Next: My favorite attraction at Disneyland Parc. You’ll never believe it!

I'm all a quiver, I can't wait to find out which DLP ride is your fave.

[christiejay]

What a wonderful beginning! Can't wait to read more.

[coffeechef]

I love the castle...and how cool to be able to leave the Hotel and step into Disneylaand park. The HM looks interesting, actually that is how I think of a Haunted House to look. In your Hotel room I just love the head board and the Bed spread. IN the bathroom , were those bath cyrstals and if you stuff the toiletries in your suitcase, do you get replacements every day I have a big yellow bucket of Disney soaps, shampoos, whatevers as part of my Disney themed 1/2 bath at home,courtesy of the come back to my room and put them in my suitcase to take home

I can't wait to hear more of the DLP adventure

[rhinohunter]

Great beginning. The park looks really neat. I believe the their Hounted Mansion is more scarry looking than the one at WDW.

[DrDolphin]

What a wonderful start to your DLP experience!! Can't wait to read more!

[Desurae]

Can't wait to read more!!

[chezp]

Great start Sharon! I love the Disneyland Hotel - mind you, it would have to be amazingly beautiful, the prices they charge for it!

[Disneybine]

Yay, I've been looking forward to this part of your TR

How cool that you got VIP Fastpasses! The DLP castle is my favorite, too. When the sun is shining, it looks just purely magical.

I agree that Phantom Manor is a little scarier at DLP than at WDW.

Well, about the train... It does stop at each station along the way all day. However, since most people do a full round, if just a few people get off at the station you're waiting at, it can take forever to get onto the train Been there...

Your room at the Disneyland Hotel looks LOVELY!

Originally Posted by chezp

I love the Disneyland Hotel - mind you, it would have to be amazingly beautiful, the prices they charge for it!

[lauriep]

Another great day! I love the reclining topiaries outside the hotel.