Disneyland Paris

What 20-year-old wouldn't want to spend a fun-filled day at Disneyland? I know I was pretty excited to head out to the European theme park, just outside of Paris. It is modeled after the two Disney parks in America, although a bit smaller. But it was just as magical!

 

The park is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

One of the great things about Disney is how they go all out on holiday decorations. We went in October, so everything was designed for Halloween. It was crazy just how much they put into it. I can't imagine what they do for Christmas!

the entrance plaza

Main Street

Jack Skeleton was there signing autographs and taking pictures.

The castle at this park belongs to Sleeping Beauty (versus Cinderella's at Disney World). So it is themed with things from that movie. It was cute how you could walk the second floor and follow the story along through stained glass windows.

The castle was pretty awesome, it even had the dragon's lair in a cave underneath.

All of the rides were the same as those in Disneyland, CA and Disney World, FL. I've never been to Disney in California, so some of them were new to me. But it was nice to have the same familiar rides that you're used to seeing.

'It's a Small World' - always my favorite since I was little

the Teacups! classic

Some things were still in French, it was a funny combo in such an American atmosphere.

'Alice in Wonderland'

 

There are actually two theme parks in one - the classic Disneyland Park (with its components of Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Discoveryland) and Walt Disney Studios. The Studios have more thrill rides and areas dedicated to Pixar movie themes:

probably my favorite ride in the park

Toy Story!

 

Finding Nemo

 

These birds actually did talk and say "Mine!"

Cars

Monsters, Inc.

Singin' in the Rain

Of course the best part of any theme park is the gift shops. There are SO MANY of them! We had fun looking at all the ridiculous souvenirs... Maybe we tried out a few too...

Because it is the 20th anniversary celebration of the park, every evening before close, they have a fireworks and light show on the castle. It was a really cool show! Not just fireworks, they had created a whole story with a light show that somehow transformed the entire castle into whatever they wanted - incorporating elements from many Disney classics. Here are a few of the better pictures I was able to capture:

the castle lit up at night

 

Aladdin

 

Hunchback of Notre Dame

Tangled

Princess and the Frog

Suffice it to say, Disneyland is always a magical place, no matter how old you are!

A bientot!