If you know me, you know I love all things Disney and of course Disney world! And being this close to a park for the first time in 3 years, how could I not go! Besides I want to go to ALL the parks in my lifetime, so 2 down 2 to go!
We decided to go to "Disneyland Parc" basically magic kingdom, because they only had one other park that was kind of like Hollywood studios but it looked like there wasn't that much to do, it wouldn't of been worth it.
Ah mainstreet usa! Basically a carbon copy of the one at WDW, music and all! I even recognized a song from Hello Dolly and another "Hot Time" that we play in pregame in Bronco Marching band at Western!
Another thing, unlike sunny California or Florida it was bit cold and gloomy which we really didn't have that much of a choice over, but it did clear up over the day!
Instead of Tomorrowland it's"Discoveryland"
Teacups!
Alice's labyrinth was so detailed I loved it, it included the queen's castle that you could go up in
Meeting Princesses! Or so I thought...I think meeting characters is a bigger thing at the US parks for sure. Walking around all day I only saw a few from Alice walking around, when we went into the princess pavilion we only got to meet 1 after a long wait! While in WDW you'd at least meet 4 along with others you could meet just walking around the parks.
However, Rapunzel was very sweet and british and we had girl talk about braids like last time.
I also got to meet Mickey! But that was it, just 2 characters
Adventureland! And got to go on one of my favorites, Pirates of the Caribbean!
In the magic kingdom there were basically parades every 5 seconds, here there was just one,with one song. If they have all of these characters why don't they have more meet and greets in the park? (Apparently they're at the many hotels that are all Disney)
UGH Elsa turned away because people were getting in my way, but she was perfect
Haunted Mansion is called "Phantom Manor" here, which is the same on the inside but the exterior doesn't have any of the tombstones or anything really interesting at all, so that was disappointing
This castle has to be the prettiest and most detailed of them all though, because you can walk through it and look at the stained glass windows and tapestries, beautiful!
All in all, I got to go on my favorite rides: space mountain, pirates, phantom manor/haunted mansion, teacups, and yes small world. Eat overpriced Disney food (too cold for ice cream),and shop. But what I really didn't like was the people. Maybe it was because it was a holiday for everyone in Europe that people and their kids became incredibly pushy, rude and obnoxious. Cast members didn't seem even too happy to be there either, it was a completely different atmosphere for me, not as magical maybe, I couldn't let it ruin my day but the vast majority of people were like that. Also: not a lot of entertainment or parades that was something different
Let's talk about how magical Disney is at night though
The firework/castle show they had was probably the greatest of them all! They really out did themselves. I saw one at WDW in 2011 but this topped it definitely, my favorite part for sure! I'd say if you were in Europe/Paris and really wanted to go here I'd think twice about it, unless you really have your heart set on it. If I were only in Europe for a short while I'd see different things/cities over this.
All in all, Paris was a dream, my favorite city EVER. All I expected and even more. It's crazy to think my stay in Europe is already half way over! I'll keep you posted on my adventures here and traveling! We'll see what I end up doing for spring break....and what I'm doing in the meantime now since I've moved onto campus here in Besançon
Bisous, Liz
