France
Make the Most of Disneyland Paris: Day 2
We kicked off Day 2 at Walt Disney Studios, after having had breakfast at the apartment. When I first visited Disneyland in 2003, Studios was a celebration of show business, films, and behind-the-scenes. This time, I didn’t feel that vibe as clearly as before – the park is more of an extension of Disneyland combined with the worlds of Pixar and Marvel, although with a different architecture, its own characters and merchandising.
There are 5 worlds in Disney Studios:
- Worlds of Pixar
- Marvel Avengers Campus
- Toon Studio
- Production Courtyard
- Front Lot
We started at Marvel Avengers Campus, where we stood in line for Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure for more than 40 minutes! Aboard a W.E.B. SLINGER Vehicle with a pair of 3D glasses, we have had a fun time slinging our own webs alongside Spider-Man to save the world from a bug that caused Spider Bots to multiply beyond control. The attraction is popular among families, as it fosters healthy competition between participants, with a leaderboard per car.
Moving on to World of Pixar, our favorite part of Disney Studios, I took time to decide if I wanted to jump on Crush’s Coaster. I am not a big fan of roller coasters with loops or backwards moving. The thing with Crush’s Coaster is that you don’t really know what to expect because it takes place inside a pavilion – you only get a sneak peek when the roller coaster gets outside the building. Don’t be deceived by the fact that this is a Finding Nemo inspired attraction or that you board a turtle shell from Sydney Harbour scenery. This was one of the most difficult rides I have been on, and I don’t think I would do it again. At first, familiar faces from the movie greet you in the Great Barrier Reef. But the water doesn’t stay quiet for long… Soon you’re sent plunging to the deepest darkest depths, spinning and diving (including backwards!). It is worth the try if you are up for a thrill. Note: there is no real water included – this is a pure roller coaster.
With one more stop before lunch, at “Cars Road Trip” we revisited our honeymoon on an unexpected tram tour along Route 66. Initially, it had the vibe of a joyful kids’ adventure with Cars movie characters. However, it took a surprising turn when a massive water tanker tipped over onto the tram upon reaching Cars-tastrophe Canyon. Passengers seated on the left side of the tram could feel the refreshing splash. For those familiar with the original attraction, named Studio Tram Tour until June 2021, this revamped version is still exciting, though with a more child-friendly, laid-back feel. It now covers a smaller circuit around a relatively empty open-air area, featuring only a few props, which was somehow disappointing.
On our way back, we stopped in a wooden bench to ate our sandwiches. It was right next to two fun Disney Walls, perfect to take photos with. Facing each other, the first looks like you’re being grabbed by a claw, surrounded by Toy Story aliens; the second says ‘To Infinity and Beyond’ and has Buzz’s wings to pose with.
With great photos taken, we headed to Ratatouille: The Adventure. Plan plenty of time for this attraction, as it is one of the most popular – we had to wait in line for about 45 minutes. Suitable for any ages and height you will jump on a car and be shrinked to the size of Remy while entering Gusteau’s famous Parisian restaurant. Expect a fun, chilled 4D experience while running away from evil Chef Skinner.
I still don’t know where I found the courage for the next ride on the list…and although I probably wouldn’t repeat, when I got out of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror I was feeling proud and brave, so it was worth facing the fear. I had seen videos of it online, so in theory, I knew what I was up against…but I missed some basic gravity lessons. As you enter The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it feels like you are inside an old, decadent hotel. You are taken into one of the large elevators which goes up a couple of floors before…free falling. This happens about 3 or 4 times, until you reach the top, where the doors open and you are on the 13th floor, with a magnificent view of the park…until you drop again. My mistake? Not to grab the handles on the seat, which made me feel as if my soul was staying at the top, while my body was coming down.
After such an intense ride, we stopped for a custom Magnum ice cream, from the Ice Cream Creations truck located in the Production Courtyard. Expensive but unique and delicious!
Felling invincible after The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, we didn’t hesitate to jump into Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. Amazing views from the top, including of the new park area, said to include Arendelle’s frozen castle.
Our farewell to the park was at Les Tapis Volants – Flying Carpets Over Agrabah. Aboard a magic carpet we soared around a giant genie lamp through the skies of Agrabah. Each driver commands its carpet, which makes this ride as soft or bumpy as you like.
With some extra time to spare before dinner at Walt’s – An American Restaurant, we headed back to Disneyland Paris. We wandered around La Galerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant and Discovery Arcade to escape the hustle of the park for a while and look for unique souvenirs. While we didn’t find anything original (you’ll soon realize that merchandising is pretty much the same across the shops), La Galerie, located inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, was a delightful surprise. It features beautiful stained-glass windows and tapestries that tell the tale of Sleeping Beauty – a simple yet enchanting attraction. Be sure to head to the balcony to wave to the bustling crowd below, pretending to be royalty for a moment.
To wrap up before dinner, we visited 3 classic attractions: Les Voyages de Pinocchio, Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. With their simplicity and nostalgic appeal, these rides are great for both children and adults, which makes them very busy during the day. Lines were moving quickly around 6pm, when most families head to dinner, making it the perfect time to visit. Although magical, we wouldn’t spend more than 15 minutes in line to ride.
Les Voyages de Pinocchio takes you through Pinocchio’s story aboard a wooden cart, with the instrumental ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ playing in the background. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains winds through the dark forest, the dwarfs’ cottage, and the Queen’s castle. The vintage animation adds a unique charm, especially for those who grew up with these films, in contrast with today’s technology. Dumbo the Flying Elephant lets you soar above Fantasyland in your own flying elephant, with vibrant colors and joyful music creating a cheerful atmosphere.
Once we were done with dinner at Walt’s – An American Restaurant, we strolled around the Gardens of Wonder, a temporary exhibit in celebration of Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary. The gardens in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle were alive with colorful, moving sculptures, each one alluding to a Disney character or a movie. We had fun trying to identify which characters each sculpture represented. As night began to fall, we wandered around Discoveryland and Adventureland, both of which have a more mysterious look at night, with warm, yellow lights adding to the atmosphere.
Feeling the crowd moving toward the castle, we joined them in searching for the perfect spot to watch the night shows. At the time of our visit, there were two, “Disney Dreams Nighttime Extravaganza” and “Disney D-Light” but these change with the season, offering visitors a fresh experience each time they come. At this time of day, most families would have left, so if you’re travelling with kids, it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a better viewing spot or be prepared to carry them on your shoulders. The shows incorporate a blend of lights, fireworks, projections, drones, and music, culminating in a grand, emotional finale. The innovative use of technology and the heartfelt tribute to the park’s history made it an unforgettable experience and the perfect ending to our magical honeymoon.
