Monday, April 2, 2012

Disneyland Paris Planning with Nine: Part 7, Walt Disney Studios Park

Today Janine continues her series with us as she plans her family's first trip to Disneyland Paris.  She's also participating in the 20 Days to 20 Years series at DISTherapy and co-hosted by Pursuing the Magic and Manda's Disney Blog.  All of the lovely photos in this article are courtesy of Donna at DISTherapy.  (THANKS!)






2012 is a very special year for Disneyland Paris.  Not only does it mark the 20 year anniversary of it's opening, it is even more importantly the year of my first visit!  I am honoured to be part of this anniversary blog special, as not only is it great fun to write, it has been helping me to plan my trip also.


2006 was a pretty uneventful year for DLP.


2005 had seen the opening of Space Mountain Mission 2, the Wishes premiere and the PanoraMagique Balloon.


There were plans galore ready for 2007, including the opening of my personal favourite, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (I can not wait to try this out).


But the only significant event for 2006 was the opening of the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast on the 8th of April, in the Disneyland Park.


The attraction features everyone's favourite Space Ranger and 88 targets for guests to shoot at, with the aim of scoring as many points as possible. Once certain targets have been hit, others are revealed within the sets.  There are now 5 interactive Buzz Lightyear dark-rides around the world, one of the few selected attractions to be featured at every Magic Kingdom Park.  This will be one of the rides my DD is most looking forward to because, for the moment anyway, she LOVES Toy Story and especially Buzz, whom she calls 'brum brum' - think car noise, well, he does have a jet pack to fly with, she's only 2, work with me here!

But enough of the Disneyland Park - for those of you following my planning series here on Growing Up Disney (and if you're not, why not huh?) you'll know this month it is time to look at Walt Disney Studios.

This park is not unlike the Hollywood Studios at WDW asides from it is much smaller.  It is split into 5 distinct areas - Front Lot, Production Courtyard, Toon Studio, Backlot and Toy Story Playland.  If you've just read my above comment regarding my DDs current obsession with all things Buzz and Woody, you can guess where we'll be spending most of our time.

Production Courtyard holds 2 must do's for us - Playhouse Disney Live on Stage (we will all enjoy this) and for me of course, the Tower of Terror.  I was unable to ride this last time I was in WDW as I was pregnant with Tink so I am extra excited about this one.  In fact, I would forgo all other rides and attractions just to experience this, to see how it compares to the one in Florida.  I will also be having a good look in Tower Hotel Gifts to pick up a few goodies.



Backlot holds the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.  We are big fans of this at HS and would like to try it in France.  Again I was unable to ride it last time so will be good to try this.  We are travelling with DMIL and DFIL who are also enjoy this one, so we will definitely be making use of Baby Switch and Fastpass.


In Toon Studio I would love to do the Art of Disney Animation.  I love the version at WDW.  But it may not be too much fun for a 2 year old.  I think our best bet here will be Animagique.  This is a stage show combining puppets and live action and most importantly for Tink, features Mickey and a naughty Donald.  What more could a 2 year old want huh?  We will definitely take a look in the Disney Animation Gallery to try to pick up another print to add to our collection of Disney Artwork.

Most importantly for the smallest member of the family will be Toy Story Playground.  Fairly new, it only opened in 2010, she's either going to love it and never want to leave, or be over awed and hate it ... Those of you with toddlers know you can never 100% predict which it will be.  I can also see a lot of Euros being spent in the shop here ...



So there is a lot to look forward to whilst touring the Studios.  However, as with Disneyland Park, any rides and attractions we get to see will be a bonus.  It'll mainly be a walk around and time to soak up the atmosphere.  And find a few characters.  And spend some money!


Thanks for reading along!


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.

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