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Disneyland Paris

Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris

by Mark Eades December 29, 2020

Time for a tour of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland Paris. This is from a trip I took with the family last February.

Fantasyland in Paris is similar to other Disney parks, with a lot of the same attractions, but…

It is very spread out, and to me that works against it. Even the Fantasyland in Florida does not feel as barren.

There are plenty of attractions in this land. More than any other. And while many of the dark ride buildings have the same type of look as Disneyland in California, the distance between things makes it much less charming.

Snow White is similar to the one that was at Disneyland.

The chance to Meet Mickey Mouse does not look as appealing as the one in Toontown in California, at least on the outside. It needs something more to draw a guest over other than a sign.

To me, Casey Junior was a missed opportunity. A brand new version of Fantasyland and the Imagineers could have designed it wander throughout the land. Instead, it is tucked in a back corner by the Storybook Canal attraction.

The Storybook Canal attraction is a nice leisurely attraction. No host or hostess, just music along the way as you see the different scenes. The music for each movie represented is correct throughout. I do miss being swallowed by a whale. It and Casey Junior are tucked back beyond the railroad berm, and not much to draw guests back there. Sigh. Design 101 failure.

Instead of a dark ride, Alice in Wonderland is represented by the Labyrinth as seen in the movie. The problem? It closes in the rain, primarily because of poor drainage. (The Cast Members told me this was why it was closed that day.) It looks charming, one of the few things in the land that does. But there is also another design failure – no place where guests can see the Labyrinth from like a viewing area. Sigh.

There is a statue of the White Rabbit outside the entrance to Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. Yep, it’s made of plastic.

This was the only location where I could snap a photo of the Labyrinth, but it’s only a place where the walkway is a little higher. There should be an easily accessed viewing area where guests can watch other family members navigating the Labyrinth. Just my opinion.

Instead of white, the it’s a small world facade is layered in blue and salmon pink tones – not white like at Disneyland. You know what? I like it.

The Sword in the Stone is there in Fantasyland as an obvious photo opportunity.

Well that’s it folks. I’m all done with my posts about my trip to Disneyland Paris.

Here’s my look at Adventureland.

Here’s my take on Frontierland.

And here is a look at Discoveryland.

And here is a brief look at Main Street.

December 29, 2020 0 comment

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Adventureland at Disneyland Paris

by Mark Eades December 1, 2020

A swashbuckling host at the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Paris.

Time for a salty old look at Adventureland, Disneyland Paris style.

Two things immediately come to mind when wandering through Adventureland at Disneyland Paris. The first is that there is no “Jungle Cruise.” The second is that it is about adventures. Such that all the attractions are either about going on an adventure, or having one. Does it work? For the most part, yes. Though for me it is a little jarring to see the characters of Carl and Russell from the movie “Up” along the shores of a waterway. But then they are about to set out on and adventure, so it’s okay. But, where’s the dog?

A beaten down castle, was it fired upon?

This castle looks like it has suffered some damage, but what from it be ye ask?

The Paris version of the popular Disney attraction.

Keep a weather eye matey, thar be pirates ahead. The sign is in English, curious as to why it’s not in French. C’est la vie.

Some fun loving hostesses at Pirates of the Caribbean.

I’ve said it before, the folks that work at the parks in Paris are definitely fun, happy and seem to have a lot more fun; making the adventures and the experience more fun. They definitely know they are “on stage” and “perform” brilliantly.

I did go on Pirates of the Caribbean in Paris. That’s me in the top left, and partially hidden is my wife, Donna. For the most part it feels more like the version at Disneyland, and that is good. There is a mood setting portion after boarding the boats, which I like. But…the drop is in a strange place in relation to the ride itself. I guess my familiarity with the one in California throws me off. Perhaps one day I will get to see the one in Shanghai, which doesn’t try to copy it as much at all. Just about everything there was working well, including the dueling pirates – that’s a plus in my book.

I don’t think that was the original name of the restaurant, which basically is a pirate version of the Blue Bayou. The queue for the attraction and part of the boat canal wraps around the dining area, which is a real plus. I did not have time to dine there. It was a very rushed day.

The pirate theme carries over to a walk around “discovery type” of attraction called “Adventure Isle.”

Pontoon Bridge to and from Adventure Isle.

Adventure Isle is essentially the Paris version of Tom Sawyer Island. It has both a pontoon bridge and a suspension bridge, just like that at Disneyland.

The two bridges will also lead guests to a Treehouse.

There are a number of caves throughout Adventure Isle to explore, all with an eye towards the pirate theme.

Pirate Treasure Grotto on Adventure Isle

This, then, has been my look at Adventureland at Disneyland Paris. Overall, I do like the land, and exploring Adventure Isle. I did not have time to get to the Indiana Jones themed roller coaster attraction. My kids (all adults) did ride it. They reported that it looked like it came right out of one of the Indiana Jones’ movies. Though they were disappointed it wasn’t more like the mine car ride in the second movie. They also said it was a very rough but, thankfully, short ride.

To read about Frontierland visit this link.

Read about Discoveryland at this link.

Here is the link to read about the Paris version of Main Street.

December 1, 2020 0 comment

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Frontierland at Disneyland Paris

by Mark Eades November 24, 2020

The entrance to Frontierland at Disneyland Paris looks and feels like a throwback to the Frontierland as it used to be at Disneyland in California, starting with the entrance to the land. You enter through the same style “entrance” to a frontier fort.

Indian Village in Frontierland at Disneyland Paris.

On the right, just before you enter Frontierland, sits a Native American Village – just outside the fort’s walls.

One thing feels familiar, the river. Now it’s not the “Rivers of America.” Rather, it’s the Western Rivers. Yes, there is a paddlewheeler that plies the river (sorry, I didn’t get photo in my one short day in the park.) but that’s where the similarities end. Because where it should be Tom Sawyer Island, it is, instead, Big Thunder!

That’s right, the majority of the attraction is on the island. But you don’t get to the ride via a raft. That’s because the station for the attraction is on the mainland.

Some of the mining gear in the Big Thunder queue area

The queue line for Big Thunder is similar to others in that it has a number of mining artifacts sprinkled throughout.

As you can see, the trains are pretty much like all the others, complete to the ties in the rails. You might be able to see at the back of the train that it is coming up out of a tunnel. That’s the return from the island, which makes for a much more dynamic finish to the ride than the one here or in Florida. Riders also get to the main part of the ride via a tunnel as well. But beyond that the ride dynamics on the island are pretty much the same as both parks here in America.

Here are some of the shops in Frontierland, right across from Big Thunder. The colors in France for Frontierland are, with one exception, much brighter and bold.

The shops in Frontierland pretty much contain the same type of merchandise as found at most Disney theme parks.

Phantom Manor is Paris Disneyland’s version of the Haunted Mansion. But unlike other parks, designers decided to make the house appear a lot darker and eerier, almost rundown. It’s okay, though I’m not sure I agree with their choice of using a cliche approach to a haunted house. That’s what makes Disneyland’s so interesting; the house is not dark and eerie and definitely not rundown looking from the outside.

The attraction cast members at Paris Disneyland were really into their role. Here this hostess always maintained an Edgar Allen Poe type of demeanor, and it worked. Others on the attraction were similar into their approach, though I didn’t really understand what they were saying in French. But the fact that they were all into it says plenty about the quality of Cast Members there. They were great!

This interesting building’s backstory is supposedly where the “bride” from the manor would host tea for visitors. Obviously she’s not there, but the tea set sits – waiting for her return from the hereafter. The bride character is a major part of the Phantom Manor story, though I think it’s overwrought in the current version and hard to follow.

Just like California’s Haunted Mansion, the queue line heads up to the side of the house before moving around front for entry into the attraction. Here you can see the deliberate approach to making the house exterior look rundown. Inside the attraction many things are the same to a point. There’s the stretching room then you board the omnimovers to go through the house then into the graveyard. However, there is a long scene set in a haunted western ghost town that is, well, strange. It’s definitely different and I guess it was added to ground the attraction in a western Frontierland.

It wouldn’t be Frontierland unless there was a shooting gallery, and this one seems to be pretty popular.

I did not have time, but word is that this steakhouse is pretty darned good. It is, appropriately, located in Frontierland and does require reservations. The prices are in line with a higher end steakhouse too, but I wish I had had the time to dine there. Oh well, next time.

Read about Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris at this link.

You can read and see photos of Main Street at Disneyland Paris at this link.

November 24, 2020 1 comment

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Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris

by Mark Eades November 23, 2020

It wasn’t called Tomorrowland, it was named Discoveryland. This Paris version of Disneyland pays an homage to Jules Verne.

The entrance to Discoveryland from the hub at Disneyland Paris.

If you’re wondering Tomorrowland in California got its look from for the redo in the late 90s, look here at Paris Disneyland. Finally, the Imagineers got the message in California and got rid of this look, but it lives on in Paris. It has not really stood the test of time as much as the park’s designers thought it would. Part of the problem is that it is too open. Secondly, there is no real reason to carry the look throughout the area.

Space Mountain anchors one area of Discoveryland.

This is the Paris Disneyland version of Space Mountain. It’s a very ornate look. The problem? The ride is actually (at least at this time which was February 2020) Hyperspace Mountain. It was meant to be an ode to the time of Jules Verne and the old silent 1902 movie “A Trip to the Moon.” So the exterior decor does not set up the actual “space journey” at all.

Discoveryland’s Space Mountain queue line decor.

Inside the queue line above the load area of Space Mountain, the theming matches the premise of being from the time of Jules Verne and the 1902 movie. It is very ornate. But, at least during this visit, the ride itself does not match up at all.

The intricacy and ornate “Jules Verne” inspired look continues throughout, nice consistency. But no fit at all with Star Wars, which is what the ride had been converted into.

One of the original attractions in the area was a walk-through attraction whereby guests walk down inside the Nautilus based on the Walt Disney film, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” To be honest, this is about the only thing, other than a fast-food dining facility, that fits the Jules Verne design theme in Discoveryland.

The look for this fast food facility was taken, almost directly, from the Walt Disney Productions film, “Island at the Top of the World.” Interesting look. The film was a big flop. So, lots of money spent on a look and where it’s located doesn’t really work to draw people out to it at all. Someone was determined to finally put this into a Disney park and did. Oddly enough, there was a model/design done to put this into Disneyland way back in the 70s. But fortunately, management back then knew better.

The Disneyland version of this attraction is essentially the same as this one in Disneyland Paris. It is surrounded by the “french fry” rocks like Disneyland’s was. But it doesn’t work as well as it makes it hard for guests to take pictures of their family on the attraction. In my book, this is a failure of basic Disney design and the original designers should have known better.

They have an Autopia at Disneyland Paris. My question is why? Other than people like to ride the gas-powered cars. But this was an opportunity lost. If they wanted it to fit in with the theming, perhaps more thought should have been put into what they attraction was to be, and come up with a unique look for the cars. Why didn’t they? Cost. Sad.

At least for Star Tours the designers did not try to give it the Jules Verne look for the attraction building or the interior queue space. It’s the same as all the others, though it is in French. Yes, that’s me with the attraction hostess at the entrance. Of course, not sure how Star Tours fits in with a Jules Verne themed land.

This photo op of the characters from the Disney/Pixar movie “WALL-E.” They were obviously planted along one of the giant walkways to give guests a chance to be photographed with, but somehow doesn’t totally fit in the Jules Verne style theming of Discoveryland.

This building was originally the home for “Le Visionarium,” a Circlevision-360 style attraction. I spent three and a half months mostly inside that building overseeing the installation, programming and more as the Show Producer. I was not the original Show Producer on the project, but in August of the year before the park opened, I was given that job by Mickey Steinberg and Marty Sklar. At that time the attraction was not going to open with the park, even though it was mandated by contract with the French government. In fact, the schedule at the time said it would open four months late.

My mandate from Marty and Mickey was to do what needed to be done to try and get it done on time for the park’s opening day. I did a lot of persuading, cajoling, darned near got into a couple of fist fights and more. But when all was said and done, I delivered the project to operations a week before opening.

Yes, some people were mad at me, but I was in an untenable position. I was fully supported by Marty and Mickey to get it done – though other execs at WDI were not, but left me alone. At least for a few years after it was done.

My take on the film/attraction was that (frankly) it was not as good as it should have been. I fault the show’s writers and the production of the film. It was too contrived but that’s what they wanted – I guess. By the time I came on board it was too far along to really exert any influence on the direction of the script and the film’s production efforts; so didn’t try.

Yes, I rode Space Mountain and here’s a photo of the ride photo to prove it. I’m the one in the front right at the bottom. It is a fun ride and an interesting, if tight, ride layout.

That’s it for this part of my visit to Paris Disneyland in February 2020.

There are some who will disagree with me on my opinions of this land. Others might agree. Feel free to write to me via email to: markaeades@aol.com.

Want to read about Main Street at Paris Disneyland, this is the link.

Take a tour of Frontierland at this link.

November 23, 2020 3 comments

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Main Street at Disneyland Paris

by Mark Eades November 11, 2020

I and my family paid a visit to Disneyland Paris in February 2020, it was cold, but the park was gorgeous. So in this post, I cover Main Street.

The Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris

To get to the entrance of Disneyland Park, aka the Magic Kingdom, you walk from your hotel, car, train station or bus to this area at the north end of the resort’s Downtown Disney, then underneath the Disneyland Hotel. To the west is the second gate, Walt Disney Studios Park.

After gaining entrance, it is a very similar layout to the original Disneyland. You walk under the train tunnels and there you are in Town Square on Main Street. Sadly, the trains were not running this day. (Boo!) You can see a small band stand in the middle of the plaza. No flag ceremony here.

City Hall in Town Square at Disneyland Paris

While the layout is nearly the same, there are slight design differences. Notice City Hall. It’s in the same place but a different design. By the way, the streets are wet as it had rained over night, and while the skies are clear blue in the morning, we did have cloud cover and wind later in the day.

The home of the Main Street Trolley Cars

Unlike Disneyland in California, an onstage presence for where the Trolley Cars are kept is very visible. Because of the inclement weather that is present for a significant period of time (nearly six months) the cars have to be kept in an enclosed building.

A view of Sleeping Beauty Castle from Main Street at Disneyland Paris.

Main Street here at Disneyland Paris is all bricks, not asphalt. The Rails for the Horse-Drawn Trolley (not running this day) still run down the middle of the street just like in California. The castle is still called Sleeping Beauty Castle, but it definitely looks more like the one in the Disney animated film “Sleeping Beauty.” Sadly, we could not walk through the castle due to the high winds that day. (See the flag on the building on the upper left!)

One of the entrances to the Emporium. The statues are a little kitschy, but cute. The Emporium is in the same relative location as the one at Disneyland in California.

A Main Street Vehicle in the hub (Plaza).

The Main Street Vehicles are very similar to those found at Disneyland in California, and were running this day.

It is called the Plaza Gardens at Disneyland Paris, but it is in the same location as the Plaza Inn at Disneyland in California. Unfortunately, we did not have time to eat there as we only had the one day at this park.

Here’s a closer view of Sleeping Beauty Castle. You can see how much is looks like the animated film version. We got to this point just as they did the rope drop to open the rest of the park, and we were off.

Main Street at Disneyland Paris has side corridors running down both sides of the street and both are covered, which allows people to stay under cover from the winter time inclement weather and the park to stay open. Winter coats, gloves and hats are the order of the day there. But other than that, it’s like visiting Disneyland in California, only in French.

Want to see photos and read about the French version of Downtown Disney? This is the link.

Here is where you’ll find Part 1 of my visit to the Walt Disney Studios Park.

And here is where you’ll find Part 2 of my visit to the Walt Disney Studios Park.

The next land is Discoveryland, which you can find at this link.

Here is a look at Adventureland.

November 11, 2020 5 comments

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A visit to Downtown Disney in Paris

by Mark Eades November 8, 2020

Yes, there is a Downtown Disney in Paris, and like California, it is located conveniently outside the gates of the two theme parks. This visit is from February, 2020 before the whole COVID-19 stuff hit.

But it’s not really between the two parks. Instead, it serves as a buffer zone between the railroad station that serves Paris and France, and the hotels located at the resort.

The Disneyland Hotel is just outside the gates to the Magic Kingdom in Paris. To get to the gates you walk under the hotel.

The Legends Statue at Downtown Disney has the names of significant people who made major contributions to the Resort, either during construction or otherwise.

World of Disney at Downtown Disney of the Disneyland Paris Resort.

Of course, one of the first shops seen when going to Downtown Disney from the theme parks is the World of Disney. It is also very large and does seem to have a Disney style to the architecture.

There is a Rainforest Cafe and Cafe Mickey there.

Generally, the theming of Downtown Disney in Paris is, well, more outdoor mall, and not really all that great. But that seems to be true for all the Downtown Disney’s. But here, well judge for yourself.

That Earl of Sandwich sure gets around. They have outdoor seating, but as this was winter – no thanks. Lots of open glass in this building’s design. But inside it’s still just an Earl of Sandwich. I’d rather eat in Paris.

McDonald’s is here at Downtown Disney too. Offering a more economical selection for the budget conscious traveler. A bigger budget? Visit “The Steakhouse” next door. Not a very French name.

Here’s a better view of “The Steakhouse” and the neighboring “Billy Bob’s Saloon.”

The prices of The Steakhouse are more in line with a higher end steak restaurant. The saloon looked interesting, but I did not have much time to visit and did not go inside.

This side of Downtown Disney features a series of interconnected shops (good during the winter and other times of inclement weather), but it’s rather plain looking. But lots of windows from which to window shop.

Pretty easy to window shop, but the window displays were, frankly, uninspiring. Disney needs to make Downtown Disney more interesting. I know inclement weather in the late fall through early spring means stuff needs to be inside, but it could have been designed better to attract people inside and to wander the whole area.

We stayed at the Sequoia Lodge on property while visiting Disneyland Paris Resort, but just for two nights. (Really just one and a half daytime hours.) I did not have any time to get outdoor photos. But I did take two detail shots in our room.

The room was nice enough, but this was a moderate price hotel. I did get down to the bar and while the bartenders were nice and friendly, I had to teach them how to make a Manhattan!

A deer theme to the hotel wall lamp in the room.

I would have liked about four days to really see the place, but on a family budget (all five of my kids, wife and three significant others plus a grandson meant no.) it was not possible.

Ah well.

You can read about Part 1 of my visit to the Walt Disney Studios in Paris at this link.

Part 2 of my visit to the Walt Disney Studios in Paris is at this link.

Here’s a look at Main Street at the Disneyland Park aka the Magic Kingdom.

November 8, 2020 1 comment

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A tour of Walt Disney Studios in Paris Pt.2

by Mark Eades October 6, 2020

Now we get to check out the Pixar area and Tower of Terror at the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. Let’s get started. This is not a 2319!

One of the office buildings at Walt Disney Studios Park at Paris Disneyland.

This is another example of “what are we looking at?” The original park design was very low budget, and many of those buildings reflect that. I guess it is supposed to be themed like a movie studio, but so what? The newer areas like the Ratatouille area feel more like a theme park. This area does not at all.

The building with the Sorcerer’s Apprentice Hat outside the far building. Look at how the view of it is blocked by the boring landscaping.

This is an interesting design element. A wall of dominos. But it would have been better if they also had a bunch of the oversized dominos in the walkway so people would stop and have fun with them.

An easy and obvious photo op for guests. This is a good thing, but it would have been nice if there were more of them around.

RC Racers means Radio Controlled Racers and is based on the PIXAR Cars movie.

Most of the rides in the PIXAR area are rethemed off-the-shelf rides and so is this one.

Again, this is a rethemed off-the-shelf ride themed to the Green Army Men from the “Toy Story” movies.

The Slink Dog attraction is a twirl-a-whirl type of ride, again a rethemed off-the-shelf ride system.

The Hollywood Tower of Terror attraction is similar to the others, but like the one that used to be at Disney California Adventure, it is not as long a ride as the original in Florida. At least the area around it as you approach has some theming.

Because of the inclement weather for a chunk of the year, the queue line is mostly indoors, and the queue line does have good theming.

The hotel lobby of the Hollywood Hotel “Tower of Terror.”

This looks a bit more like it doesn’t it?

This is a lot like the other Tower of Terror. Rod Serling appears on the television screen and sets up the story.

One of the broken elevators in the Tower of Terror

This is not one that is used, but is themed well. This is actually what is seen after “doing the drop.”

Yes, I rode the French version of the Hollywood Hotel Tower of Terror, that is me with my hand up in the air and wearing the glasses on the right.

That concludes my tour of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris.

Part one of my tour can be found at this link.

A tour of the Eiffel Tower in Paris can be found at this link.

Here’s a look at Main Street of the Disneyland Park in Paris.

October 6, 2020 1 comment

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A tour of Walt Disney Studios in Paris Pt.1

by Mark Eades October 1, 2020

While in Paris with the family in February of this year, we decided to spend a couple days over at the Disneyland Paris parks. Of course, I remember the place as EuroDisneyland from back when I worked on it in 1992 prior to its opening.

So here we go on the first part of my day at the Walt Disney Studios Park.

Mark the Monster, entering via a Monsters Inc. door.

Okay, that’s not really the way to enter this park, but I figured it was a good way to start this tour.

The Animation Theater at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.

The Animation Theater has a semi-live show presentation that can be seen inside. Because of our limited time, I did not get a chance to see it. My kids did and said it was good. But my purpose in showing this is that it demonstrates one of the significant problems with this park. Where do you look? The layout of the park, at least the original portions, seem to have nothing to direct your eye to the next area to visit. Frankly, Tony Baxter would have done a better job with the layout – even hamstrung as they were by a very limited budget back then.

We ventured to our right to see the area based upon the “Ratatouille” Disney/Pixar animated movie. This area was definitely more immersive and well themed. Though a bit strange to be walking a “typical” street in Paris, when the real thing is just a few miles (kilometers for those in Europe) away.

The entrance to the Ratatouille attraction.

This is the “big ticket” attraction in the park called “Ratatouille L’Aventure Totalement Toquee de Remy.” You get the chance to be the size of one of the rats in the movie as you go on this adventure. Very well done and feels a lot more like a Disney attraction than some of the others in the park.

This was a nice touch for a supposed access to a sewer line.

The preshow/queue line for the Ratatouille attraction.

The action takes place in Gusteau’s restaurant. But while in the line “outside” the restaurant, Gusteau occasionally comes to life and talks to us while we wait. Once inside, After queuing on the rooftops of Paris, guests board their “ratmobiles” and find themselves “shrunk” down to rat size on the roof of Gusteau’s restaurant, with Remy and spirit of Auguste Gusteau trying to decide what meal they shall serve the riders. After deciding on their famous ratatouille dish, Remy and the riders fall through a swinging roof glass-pane, winding up on the restaurant kitchen floor. This starts a chase sequence with Remy leading the riders and other rats away from the cooks, passing through the cold room and under the hot oven.

The ride ends at the Bistrot Chez Rémy restaurant, where guests are bid farewell by the rat colony and the spirit of Gusteau and invited to join in.

There were a number of outdoor food booths in the Ratatouille area, across from the entrance to the attraction.

Crush’s Coaster, based on the Disney/Pixar film “Finding Nemo,” is a roller coaster type of attraction that takes you on a trip in the ocean with Crush. The ride vehicles are spinning cars, that add an element to the attraction that is in the dark at times.

Well that ends part one of the tour. More to come.

Click here to go on to Part 2 of the tour of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris.