Travel Review: Disneyland Paris

DISNEY tells us that “When we wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you.”

Well all I can say is that the heavens must have been awash with celestial bodies when my two sons were plotting what they wanted to do for their summer holidays.

For as part of our trip to France we made not one, but two visits to Disneyland Paris. Staying a little North of the French capital among the Somme battlefields, the resort was within an hour or so’s travelling time.

Unlike our theme parks which, in the main, I have found difficult to reach because they tend to be hidden away, Disneyland Paris has a purposebuilt motorway which leads right to the gates, so it’s easy to get into and out of.

From some way out, it’s possible to spy the resort’s hot air balloon. Rounding the final bend, a mile or so from the entrance, the castle itself hoves into view. If the kids weren’t excited before now, they were positively bouncing off the roof of the car as we were waved through the gates. Travelators whisk you to the resort’s perimeter and after a short walk you are there, welcomed in by the smiliest ticket collectors on the planet.

Once in, the negotiations begin.

Split into two main areas, the Disneyland Park – which incorporates Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discovery Land – and the Walt Disney Studios, it’s almost impossible to see everything in one day, hence our decision to go twice, once at the beginning of our holiday and again at the end.

My eldest is seven, going on 14, the youngest five and there’s still a significant little kid inside of me. The only one happy to go wherever was my wife, who had the valid excuse that she was carrying child number three.

According to the park’s own survey, the top five attractions are It’s a Small World, Space Mountain: Mission 2, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. Thanks to Fast Passes, an expensive, but highly convenient, way of getting into the best rides ahead of the crowd, we were able to visit most of these at will – some on more than one occasion.

For a gentle, nostalgic trip back to childhood times, It’s a Small World is hard to beat, with its animated displays representing, albeit in a largely stereotypical and sugar-coated way, the populations of the planet and then at the other end of the scale there’s Space Mountain, a headbanging, quite-literally for me, roller coaster that’s a full-on assault on the senses.

Nestled in between are all other manner of other rides, encompassing all ages and dispositions.

The biggest queue seemed to be for, rather bizarrely, the Flying Dumbo ride.

Over at Walt Disney Studios are more thrills and spills, based, unsurprisingly on the company’s movie archive. However, our reason for visiting, or should I say my reason, if I am being honest, was the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show at the Hollywood Studios Lot.

Featuring Lightning McQueen, of Cars the movie fame, it appealed as much to the dads as it did to the kids. Fast cars, jumps, explosions, shoot-outs and a massive fireball finale all served to make this one of the most memorable moments of the holiday – at one point my wife had to tell me to calm down, accusing me of a being a little too enthusiastic in my efforts to get chosen to help with the proceedings.

AFTER all this excitement the need for a drink and something to eat became paramount. Having avoided, in the main, the concession stands, cake shops and the like, we decided to try the restaurants.

On the first day the Buzz Lightyear Pizza Planet and, because we felt that was not good value for money, the service was poor and the layout drab, the Lucky Nugget Saloon on our return, which was completely the opposite, great staff, always willing to help, a magnificent array of food and delightful setting. Admittedly, none of the eateries are cheap, for a family of four we averaged about £70, but when in Rome, or Paris in this case...

Sated, there was still plenty of time left to visit other areas of the resort, given that it does not close until well after 10pm, and one of the many reasons for coming, certainly for my Disneyobsessed youngest, was for the parades.

These appear several times each day and involve lavish floats, marching bands and a whole host of larger than life characters. During our visit there was also a car-themed parade, involving classic American motors, followed by a stage show featuring Mickey and Minnie.

The final performance, which came as darkness fell and climaxed in a spectacular fireworks display, was a fitting way to bring the curtain down on a most magical visit.

TRAVEL FACTS

Magic Ticket: valid for one day, in Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios. £192 for two adults and two children.

Disneyland Paris Express: one day, two parks ticket plus return transfers from Paris city centre.

£262 two adults and two children.

Party Ticket: four-day, two park Hopper Ticket for the price of a regular three-day ticket. The four days in the two Disney Parks do not need to be consecutive, but must be used within seven days.

Ticket not available at the entrances of Disney parks. £492 for two adults and two children.

Prices valid until March 28.

disneylandparis.co.uk