20 Days to 20 Years- 2009

2009 may not have been an amazingly historic year for DLP, but there are a few magical events that happened. With 15,405,000 combined visitors to the Resort’s Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park in the fiscal year of 2009, it is France’s and Europe’s most visited themed attraction.

Image used with the written permission of Euro Souvenirland

The biggest event in 2009 for Disneyland Paris was ‘Mickey’s Magical Party’. This special festival saw some of the biggest rides and attractions born, such as Playhouse Disney Live! Launched as part of this party, this special fun for little ones attraction sees characters from hit Playhouse Disney/Disney Junior shows (including Handy Manny, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey & Friends) unite to help Mickey make the perfect surprise for Minnie’s birthday.

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a great change of scene from the rest of Walt Disney Studios Park. And as some parents say: “it keeps the kids happy”. I’m sure kids (and adults) enjoy seeing there favourite pre-school Disney characters come to life with a cheery presenter! Who doesn’t love singing M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E? It’s great to see the kids faces when tons of glitter and confetti fall from the ceiling as if from no-where! It’s sort of a junior ‘Cinémagique’ but with less rain and explosions! It is also a ‘don’t miss’ as there are no excuses not to watch it! It’s language friendly! Available to watch in English, French and Spanish, you can relax and enjoy not having to try and figure out what the characters are talking about. But what’s starting to annoy me is that Playhouse Disney has changed to Disney Junior, so why hasn’t Playhouse Disney Live! Changed to Disney Junior Live! ??? Just let me know if you do know why! The thing I love about Playhouse Disney Live! Is the cheery, excited presenter! Everyone of them seems so happy, they are all amazing actors. If you had the chance to dance with Playhouse Disney characters wouldn’t you take it?

Image used with the written permission of Euro Souvenirland

Another interesting event in 2009, was the launch of Disney’s Stars n Cars. This daily parade gave us the luxury of seeing our favourite characters in a themed car, plus great music and even a magical Show stop with my favourite song ‘Lights, Camera and Action’. In my experience Disney’s Stars n Cars has always been the first parade we’ve seen when we visit. You have that awful moment when you arrive:  Which park first? Strangely every time I have visited I always go to Walt Disney Studios Park first, and as soon as I get there I always see Cinémagique or the parade. You do have to get there quite early, I did warn my fellow visitors of this. However they totally ignored me, and we had to stand right at the back! S    o getting a place to watch is hard, plus if your lucky and right at the front, you can get autographs from some rare characters (like Jessie, Woody, Mulan, Gaston etc) How else would we be able to see Lilo and Stitch, Mulan and Cruela De Vil every day? Even if it’s raining or cloudy, you can see a video of what the parade is like in a lovely sunny climate upon the screen on the front wall of Playhouse Disney Live! As it is a small parade, you can see the characters up close (if you have beaten the crowds) , if you catch the cast members eyes and smile/wave in an embarrassing ‘goofy’ (pardon the pun) way, you could get a more elegant smile or wave back! If anyone else does this please let me know – lets hope I’m not the only one! Another thing I do is chase after the cars at the end, sometimes you can speak to a cast member or just wave madly whilst panting. Another thing that I only may do, again let me know if you do, otherwise I know I’m going completely mental! The only thing that I get disappointed about in the show is the background on the little island (roundabout for the cars/backstage area), for me it doesn’t really fit in, I think they could of chosen something a bit more sparkly and exciting! But besides that the whole show is a spectacular feast! I always picture myself driving one of those lovely decorated cars in the show, especially the ‘Ratatouille’ car with the smoking, moving pots and pans. (While we’re on the subject of Ratatouille, I can’t wait for the ride!!! Or sitting with Ariel in her aquatic ride!)

OK, so we’re coming to the end of 2009 at Disneyland Paris and my post on the 20 Days blog – sad face!

But one more thing happened in 2009. For all those Coffee lovers, carry on reading because in 2009 Starbucks Coffee opened in Disney Village! Your favourite, Fair-Trade coffee company opened, serving thirsty mice, ducks or visitors delicious coffee and beverages. But for me, I would rather get a drink from a Main Street USA café as they always serve it to you in a Disney themed cup! Whenever I see those cups, I remember sitting in the freezing cold, sitting on the edge of the Main Street road waiting for the Fantillusion parade to start!

Well, I hope you’ve learnt something new about Disneyland Paris, and hopefully agreed with my opinions, and if you haven’t just reply back – I’d love to hear your opinion.

Thanks for reading – DVDisneyFan (Lewis)

P.S As you can see I love reading and writing about Disney, so if any readers would like me to feature as a guest on your blog or pod cast, I’d be more than happy to participate, just send me a message on Twitter or YouTube!

Don’t forget to check  me out on

You Tube: www.youtube.com/user/DVDisneyFan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/dvdisneyfan

And whatever you are doing for the 20th Anniversary for DLP, I hope you have an amazing time!

Thank you Lewis.  After reading today’s post, I bet you have some takers- your passion is contagious!  Please tune into Lewis on You Tube to review your favorite Disney films. 

Tomorrow, Jodi @MagicalMouseSch (of Tiggerific Tuesday!  Blog Hop… or Bounce! fame and home schooling expert)  inches us closer to the kick-off date for the 20th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris; 2010, here we come!