Vive la Difference! In the continued mid-life straddling of nostalgia and the quest for new adventures, I am now dreaming of Disneyland Paris. This is a year of anniversaries for Disney; Walt Disney World celebrates its 40th birthday this coming October 1st, and I’ll be there with bells on. Disneyland Paris has officially entered its 20th year, with its birthday approaching on April 12th of 2012. I’d like to be part of that Disney history too! Here listed are my top ten reasons why:
- Did you know that in 2010 Disneyland Paris officially overtook the EIFFEL TOWER as the most popular tourist attraction in the Paris region?? This resort is smack in the middle of Western Europe and is about as far from the US heartland attitude of Walt Disney’s home as you can get. After some early growing pains, (including a name change), this park might actually become the second American Revolution.
- Romance. Not the typical oo-la-la Parisian kind, but the allure that only the very birthplace of fairytales can bring.
- More romance. Even Europeans, who are surrounded by the medieval originals, are in awe of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Arguably the most stunning of all Disney castles, this beauty is receiving a gilded facelift as I type.
- Eighteen years ago, my parents visited Euro Disney (as it was known then) and brought back 10 “Euro Disney” rain ponchos for my family. The last remaining slicker ripped just this past year. Why, we need replacements, of course.
- Space Mountain: Mission 2 This Jules Verne-inspired version was the first to preview an onboard synchronized soundtrack, and is the only Mountain to feature an outside track or “cannon blaster” which propels the trains at 42 mph, and then includes three inversions a la Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Michael Eisner has been quoted as saying that De la Terre a la Lune was the “savior of Disneyland Paris” because of the excitement it generated after its refurbishment in 2005.
- The famed Disneyland Hotel. Wouldn’t you just love to wake up, open the curtains, and gaze down on Main Street U.S.A.?? Talk about an immersion experience.
- VIP FASTPASS available! If you book a suite or room at the Disneyland Hotel Castle Club or Hotel New York’s Empire State Club, or a suite at the Newport Bay Club or Sequoia Lodge, you will be given a ticket for unlimited FASTPASS use. Can you imagine? What an ideal way to beat the summer crowds. There may be some restrictions on usage, but it would be worth the additional (gulp) cost for this additional once-in-a-lifetime adventure (gulp).
- The food. While it may not rival offerings on the Champs-Elysees, restaurants at Disneyland Paris promise new, creative theme park dining exploits. As our family owns several eateries, we live to eat and not the other way around. Let the salivating begin!!
- Specifically, Walt’s- An American Restaurant. One of my all-time favorite Disney restaurants is the Carnation Cafe. The food is wonderful, the service always good, but there is just something about eating right on Main Street that grips me. Walt’s is an upscale table service restaurant located at the corner of Flower and Main, and whose decor offers homage to the man himself. I understand that with some luck (and barring refurbishment facades), you can grab a table overlooking the afternoon parade; tre magnifique.
- What a perfect spot to test out my Rosetta Stone “expertise”. As said, I am a baby boomer in search of new lands. I’m not, however, all that brave. Speaking French at Disneyland Paris comes with the comfort of the very familiar plus English signage, English-speaking Cast Members, and multi-lingual attractions. Sounds like the best of all “Worlds” to me…
These all sound like fantastic reasons to vist Disneyland Paris! I've been to Paris 3 times but haven't ever seen Disneyland there. My family loves Disneyworld at Christmas and make a trip about every 3-4 years. Next time wil be my son's first trip (he's 9 months old now)! We can't wait!
PS thanks for visiting my TTT post!
We made a surprise to Disneyland Paris while we were there last year. It was great, very familiar but foreign at the same time.
Who needs a reason to go to Disneyland;)
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Katie,
You are going to love WDW with your baby- there's nothing like the "first time" with your children. And at Christmas? It can't be beat!
PS I'll be back to visit you 😀
Hi Jessica,
"Familiar but foreign" is exactly what I'm looking for! Just a bit outside the comfort zone… D
Hmmm….we're studying French in homeschool. Sounds like it's field trip time!
Hi Tricia,
My 17 yo DS is doing a week immersion program in Paris in conjunction with DLP. We get a field trip too!! (Everything in life should be a learning experience, right?) 😀
With reasons like these you just MUST be there for that birthday party.
#4 makes me chuckle…because I'm refusing to buy a new umbrella until I get back to WDW to replace the one that just broke. It's been raining here a lot.
#s 6 & 7 would be my top reasons!
Dream it! Do it!
Hi dizzneemomma,
Isn't it funny that we all have our Disney "quirks"?? I think I will need that extra suitcase for all that I will buy at DLP (even with the extra bag tariffs, it will be cheaper than flying back for replacements…)!
This is great! I LOVE dlp … so it was awesome reading you bigging up my favourite place in the world! 😛
Oh Manda, I KNOW!! Your blog is chock full of DLP tidbits, and I visit often. As June approaches, I'm sure I'll be by more and more!
Thanks- 😀