Monday, March 5, 2012

Disneyland Paris Planning with Nine, Part 6: Attractions

Ok, so this is my Tink at Disney's Hollywood
Studios but I didn't have any photos from Paris
to add to this article.  ~Amy
DLP is split into two distinct parks - Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. I'll focus on The Disneyland Park first.

It is not unlike the Magic Kingdom in many ways. The park itself is separated into five different lands - Main Street, USA, Frontierlandland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. As with it's American counterparts, the park has something for everyone - family adventure, fun for pre-schoolers, thrill rides and a pleasing amount of shops and restaurants. There are also various character meet 'n' greets, parades and shows too.

I am just going to run through the bare minimum of things that I am looking forward to doing and seeing in each land.

Firstly, just like the Magic Kingdom, is Main Street, USA. This is one of my most favourite places in the whole of WDW so it has a lot to live up to, but this is partly why I'm so excited to see it. Walking down this road and seeing the castle at the end is when I truly feel that I have come 'home'. I'm hoping to get that magical feeling in Paris too. Of course, I won't just be crying because I am here, it'll be the first time my baby girl sees everything too. Cue total mama breakdown. I am hoping that there will be lots of nice shops and eateries on this French version, I'm thinking The Emporium and Bakery in WDW, mmm. And of course at the end of Main Street lies Le Chateau de la Belle au Boise Dormant - or Sleeping Beauty's Castle. There is also a Christmas shop right inside the castle, La Boutique du Chateau, so I can't wait to see that.

Heading into Frontierland, I really want to try the Phantom Manor. The Haunted Mansion was my first ever ride in FL and is still my favourite in the MK. The French version boasts some of the best special effects in the whole of DLP. This is not perhaps one for Tink quite yet, although it purports to be less scary than the American equivalents.

In Adventureland it has to be Pirates of the Caribbean. Again I love this ride in the US and my guide book merely states - "not to be missed, Disney at it's best". What more could I need to tempt me? Will Tink be up for this? Maybe, we'll have to judge on the day.

Although Fantasyland holds many rides, many similar to WDW and a few of their own, it is the Princess meet 'n' greet that I'll be looking for here. Tink has just recently really gotten into her princesses, with her firm favourites being Belle and Ariel at the moment. I can't wait for her to at least see a real princess. As for whether we actually meet one, well, I'll see how she is at the time as she does get incredibly shy.

Lastly is Discoveryland. Here there is a clear winner, and as it has the most popular attraction in the whole park, it'll be entirely time dependent on whether we actually get to ride it. Space Mountain 2 is billed as one of the most wildest rides in any Disney park, and makes its US namesake seem as tame as Peter Pan! Yikes! Sounds like our kind of coaster!

However, strange as it may sound, the rides and attractions are actually not the reason that we are going to DLP. As we are only there for one full day and a few hours on either side of the other days, queuing up for coasters even with Fast Pass may not be what we chose to do. This is Tinks first experience of a real Disney park and we will be as happy just wandering through, seeing the sites and soaking up the atmosphere. And hunting for Mickey, Donald and princesses of course :-)


Contributed by Janine P. of Swindon, England. She is a proud wife, mommy to Felicity and one of our Minnie Moms.  Follow along throughout this monthly series as she plans her first trip to Disneyland Paris.


Follow along as Janine plans her family's first trip to Disneyland Paris.  Learn more about Janine here.

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