Disneyland Paris

Disneyland is one of the most visited places in the world. It is an entertainment empire that lets you enjoy a combination of cartoons and real life. You can forget everything and escape the ordinary, fast-paced world for at least a day and immerse yourself in a kingdom of fantasies and happy dreams; a kingdom where good always triumphs over evil.

The birth of magic: the history of the Walt Disney Company

Walter Elias Disney was born on 5 December 1901 in Chicago. He was one of five children in the family. They had to move frequently because his father tried various businesses to support the family.

Walt had dreamed of success since he was a child. He started out as an artist, actor and director, and then became interested in a new direction in cinema - animation. And he achieved incredible success with it. Throughout his life, he set the tone for this art form and turned it into a new industry.

On 16 October 1923, brothers Roy and Walt Disney founded the Disney Brothers film studio. They created it specifically to sign their first contract for the production of six short animated films about Alice in Wonderland. From that moment on, the rocky road to success began.

Disney has released over 100 feature films. His first full-length animated film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which premiered in Los Angeles on 21 December 1937. Despite the Great Depression, it grossed an incredible $1.499 million and won eight Oscars.

Disney was one of the first to use television as a form of entertainment. Walt Disney's amazing colourful world was a popular Sunday evening show, which Disney used to start advertising his new theme park.

Disney was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1966 and died on 15 December 1966 at the age of 65. But he left an indelible mark on the film and entertainment industry.

How many Disneylands are there in the world?

There are six Disneyland parks in the world: two in the United States, one in Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Disneyland calls itself the happiest place on earth, but to keep visitors happy in each theme park, local culture and tastes are taken into account.

Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, United States)

Disneyland Resort the first and oldest Disneyland opened to the public in 1955.

Most attractions in Disney parks are mechanical or controlled by complex computer programming. However, there is one location that can only be found in California, and that's where you need to get to work – Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. Your efforts will be rewarded with views of Tom Sawyer Island and the villages along the riverbanks.

Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, USA)

It is the largest Disneyland in the world and has four separate theme parks, more than 30 resort hotels, two large water parks, a sports complex, a golf course, lakes and many other recreational areas. In total, you can ride 176 carousels and roller coasters.

Tokyo Disney Resort

It opened in 1983 and is the third most visited theme park in the world.

The highlight of Tokyo is DisneySea, which has seven themed harbours. From the Mediterranean Harbour with its Venetian gondolas to the Arabian coast in the style of Aladdin.

Hong Kong Disneyland (Hong Kong, China)

The smallest of all Disneylands, but very special. During construction, local culture was taken into account and Chinese traditions became an integral part of the park. All locations and attractions are positioned according to the rules of feng shui. You may also have noticed that there is no number 4 in the lifts, so after the third floor there is a fifth floor. Four sounds like the word “death” in both Mandarin and Cantonese.

Shanghai Disney Resort (Shanghai, China)

The newest Disney park opened in 2016. It is home to the largest of the built castles - Enchanted Storybook Castle, which is over 60 metres high. There are many accents that distinguish it from its international counterparts. From the red lanterns hanging from the eaves of the café to Mickey and Donald's traditional Chinese silk coats.

Disneyland Paris (Marne la Vallée, France)

The only Disneyland in Europe. The highlight of the park is a unique Discoveryland dedicated to European thinkers. Such as Leonardo da Vinci with the Orbitron attraction – a rocket ship modelled after the inventor – and Jules Verne from Les Mystères du Nautilus, which allows visitors to walk through the rooms of Captain Nemo's submarine from the novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

Disneyland Paris Map

This park is divided into five themed areas:

1. Main Street, U.S.A. The park's main street is designed in the style of an early 20th-century American town.

Main attractions:

• Disneyland Railroad: a circle of railway tracks around the entire park.
• Main Street Vehicles: a ride in vintage vehicles.

2. Frontierland. An area dedicated to the Wild West with cowboy and Indian-themed attractions.

Main attractions:

• Big Thunder Mountain: a roller coaster in an abandoned mine.
• Phantom Manor: a scary haunted house.
• Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing: a boat trip on the lake.

3. Adventureland. An adventure area where you can find pirate- and jungle-themed attractions.

Main attractions:

• Pirates of the Caribbean: a pirate adventure on the water.
• Adventure Isle: an island with caves and suspension bridges.
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: a roller coaster in the style of the Indiana Jones adventures.

4. Fantasyland. A magical place where Disney fairy tale characters come to life.

The main attractions:

• It's a Small World: a trip around the world with singing dolls.
• Peter Pan's Flight: a flight over London accompanied by Peter Pan.
• Sleeping Beauty's Castle: Sleeping Beauty's castle.

5. Discoveryland. An area dedicated to science, fantasy and the future.

Main attractions:

• Space Mountain: an exciting roller coaster with a space theme.
• Star Tours: a flight simulator set in the Star Wars universe.
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast: an interactive shooter in the style of Toy Story.

Disneyland Paris is an ideal place for a family holiday, where everyone will find something to their liking, whether it's thrilling rides, magical shows or simply the pleasant atmosphere of the Disney fairy tale world.

Disneyland Paris attractions

1. Pirates of the Caribbean - on this journey, you will join Captain Jack Sparrow on an exciting adventure across the seven seas in search of hidden treasure! Travelling through familiar landscapes and enjoying music from the soundtrack of the classic film, you will be transported to the Caribbean and its thrilling adventures.

   

2. Big Thunder Mountain is for thrill seekers. This incredible journey takes you to an abandoned mine in the Wild West and over sandy cliffs. Hold on tight, because you're going at full speed!

   

3. Phantom Manor - when you hop on a trolley, you travel through the mansion and meet spooky residents along the way. The attraction is quite dark and may frighten younger children at some points.

   

4. Peter Pan's Flight - Located in Fantasyland, this enchanting ride takes guests on a flight over London to Neverland, making it a magical experience for all ages.

   

5. Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain - this thrilling roller coaster in Discoveryland immerses riders in a Star Wars-themed space battle, complete with big drops and fast turns.

   

Useful information about Disneyland

To make your trip to Disneyland a pleasant experience, you need to be well prepared. First of all, you need to decide how many days you want to spend on this trip and what exactly you want to see. Plan the most interesting locations for yourself, but try not to cram too much in so that you have time to just enjoy your stay there. Even outside the high season, there will be queues.

Book your tickets (you can do this on the official website) for the dates you want. If you don't want to wait in line for too long, buy a FastPass, which gives you access to the most popular attractions without having to queue, but it is quite expensive.

If you are travelling for more than a day, there are hotels in the park. If you stay there, you won't miss the various evening shows and you will have access to the attractions an hour earlier in the morning. Be prepared for the fact that the park is huge. If you are travelling with small children, don't forget to bring a pushchair.

For your convenience, it is also important to download a special Disneyland Paris app. This will give you an interactive map of the parks and allow you to track the queues for attractions in real time.

Disneyland Paris tickets

When it first opened, admission to Disneyland parks was different – a small fee for an admission ticket, and then a separate fee for each attraction inside the park. So on opening day, admission was $1 (which is $11.50 today, taking inflation into account) and attractions cost 10 cents for children and 23 cents for adults.

Nowadays, you only pay for the entrance ticket and the cost of all attractions is included. But you will have to pay a lot more. Ticket prices change throughout the year and will be more expensive during the popular season and at weekends.

Children under 3 years old: free.

Where can I buy a ticket for Disneyland Paris?

The most reliable way to buy tickets is on the official website. You can buy tickets for one or more days, as well as special packages (for visits with family or friends). It is cheaper to choose a multi-day ticket; the price is also lower on weekdays. On the website, you can navigate the ticket prices depending on the season and the number of visitors.

You can also use the services of intermediaries, as they often have favourable offers. Websites such as Viator, GetYourGuide and Klook offer tickets for Disneyland, sometimes with discounts or special offers.

When is the best time to go to Disneyland?

When planning a trip to Disneyland, there are several factors to consider that may affect your experience at the park.

Spring (March - June):

• Weather: pleasant, with average temperatures between 10°C and 20°C.
• Advantages: fewer visitors compared to the summer season, beautiful flowering gardens and trees.

Autumn (September - October):

• Weather: pleasant temperatures ranging from 12°C to 18°C, less chance of rain.
• Advantages: less crowded after the summer holidays, magical autumn atmosphere.

Where can you eat at Disneyland?

Eating at Disneyland isn't just a way to satisfy your hunger, it's a real part of a fairy-tale journey. After all, there's magic in every detail.

If you want to save money, meals in The Disney Village are cheaper than in the park itself. The Rainforest Cafe, with its tropical décor, is popular with families.

But even if you're on a budget, treat yourself and choose one of the restaurants in one of the parks to get the most out of your Disneyland experience.

Here is a short list of the most popular restaurants:

• Auberge de Cendrillon - a luxurious French castle-style restaurant where you can meet your favourite Disney characters.

• Pizzeria Bella Notte is a pizzeria decorated in the style of the cartoon ‘Lady and the Tramp’.

• Agrabah Cafe is a restaurant based on the fairy tale ‘Aladdin’. Delicious oriental cuisine in the form of a buffet.

• Hakuna Matata is a fast food restaurant with a Lion King atmosphere. Delicious African-style dishes for every taste.

• Captain Jack's Pirate Restaurant is a Caribbean-themed restaurant that creates the effect of being on a night beach. One of the most popular establishments, despite the high prices.

• Cafe Hyperion is a fast food restaurant in a giant steampunk-style airship hangar. Delicious burgers, French fries, nuggets and more await you. Although there are usually long queues here, they move quickly.

• Bistrot Chez Remy is an exquisite Ratatouille-style restaurant serving excellent French cuisine. The décor is designed to make guests feel like they are the size of a rat, allowing them to immerse themselves in the atmosphere.

Disney hotels in Paris

You can choose a hotel in Paris and travel to Disneyland by metro/car/taxi, which takes a lot of time, but there is another option: book accommodation in one of the Disneyland hotels. Choosing a hotel located within the Disneyland grounds (both in the park and within the complex) is a good decision, which can have several advantages:

1. Hotels in Disneyland often have a unique atmosphere and themes that add to the overall experience of the trip. They may be decorated in the style of your favourite Disney cartoons or fairy tales, creating a special atmosphere and mood.
2. You get the most out of your travel time, without wasting it on long journeys, leaving you more time to relax and have fun.
3. During your holiday, you can easily return to the hotel to rest, have lunch or even take a short break without leaving the park. This is especially convenient for families with children who may need to rest for a while.
4. Hotels on the Disneyland site often offer their guests additional benefits, such as early access to the park or the option to use the FastPass system in advance. They may also have special offers and discounts on tickets.

Disneyland Paris offers a variety of themed hotels to suit all tastes and budgets:

• Disneyland Hotel: a chic hotel located at the entrance to Disneyland Park, where the fairy tale never ends.

• Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel: a hotel for true Marvel fans, where you can meet your favourite superheroes.

• Disney's Newport Bay Club: a yacht club-style hotel that transports you to the magical world of maritime adventure.

Disneyland Paris parking

The car parks at Disneyland Paris offer a convenient solution for visitors arriving by car. The car parks are located near the theme parks and hotels, offering convenience and accessibility for guests. They offer a wide range of parking spaces and ensure safety and convenience during your visit to the park.

There are many car parks at Disneyland. In terms of value for money and access to the parks, a few stand out:

• Indigo Disney Village;
• Disneyland Paris Visitor Car Park.

Indigo Disney Village is a convenient and spacious car park in the heart of Disney Village, close to Disneyland Paris. It offers visitors convenience and accessibility and a safe place to park their cars.

Parking Visiteurs Disneyland Paris is the official car park for visitors to Disneyland Paris. It is located close to the theme parks, offers easy access to the park and allows visitors to park their cars safely.

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter|X

YouTube

Website