With just two parks to explore and staying at the Disneyland Hotel, right at Disneyland Park’s entrance, we were able to visit each park multiple times and really relax, stroll, and take it all in.
The Lay of the Land
The first thing you notice is that Disneyland Park has a Hub-and-Spoke layout with five lands, very similar to those at Disneyland in California and at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
Travel Tip
Having spent as much time at Walt Disney World as we did, we quickly learned to head left. Not only when entering the park, but also often when entering attractions. With 90% of people being right-handed, people naturally go right. Going left through the parks usually means fewer crowds.
So, we’ll start at Main Street USA and make our way left through the park.
Main Street USA
Like Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, you enter the park through the lower level of the train station.
The layout of the street is also very similar to the other Main Streets, with vehicles, shops, and snacks all leading to the Hub and the castle, in this case, Sleeping Beauty Castle.
One of the things we really liked about Main Street USA was that, on either side, behind the row of shops, are the Discovery and Liberty Arcades. These covered walkways with gaslights make a nice escape from the weather and the crowds.
Mickey and Friends greeted us as we entered the park. A little later, we took a loop on the Disneyland Railroad.
Random Weird Stuff
If you look closely at the decor on the Main Street Railroad Station’s balcony, you’ll see that the monogram on the metalwork still reads E.D.R.R for Euro Disney; it was never changed!
Disneyland Railroad
Inside the railroad station, you’ll find four incredible stained-glass windows representing the four lands at Disneyland Paris.
As usual, the train makes a loop, stopping at multiple lands around the park. What makes this railroad unique is that just past Phantom Manor, you are plunged into darkness, with a giant diorama of the Grand Canyon.
Main Street Vehicles
After only five minutes in the park, Chuck was arrested and taken away to the Main Street Police Department.
Frontierland
We really enjoyed Frontierland. Not only did it capture a bit of Mexico in the Old West, but Chuck also got to take a photo with his absolute favorite Disney character, Goofy!
Big Thunder Mountain
We knew in advance that this attraction would be closed for renovation during our visit. But we were still sad because the queue started on one side of the water, and then the mine car takes you under the water onto Big Thunder Mountain.
Phantom Manor
This is Disneyland Paris’s equivalent of the Haunted Mansion, only it’s set in the Old West and looks like a decaying Gold Rush-era western mansion.
The story tells of the bride whose possessive father murders all her suitors. The last one is hung in the attic, leaving the daughter trapped there with him for eternity.
Frontierland Theater
One of our favorite yet oddest attractions in Frontierland is inside the Frontierland Theater, which hosts The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands stage show.
Regardless of the placement, it was a magical show!
Adventureland
Moving into Adventureland, we explored quite a bit, riding attractions multiple times, having our favorite lunch of the visit, and grabbing snacks along the way.
Indiana Jone and the Temple of Peril
First and foremost, Mark is NOT a roller coaster person. To be truthful, we’ve both learned that with age we don’t ride as many roller coasters as we used to. However, this was the one thrill ride here, so we jumped in at dusk.
The Indiana Jones-themed coaster reminds us of the Wild Mouse, and although it made sharp turns, it wasn’t rough on the body.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Ironically, we rode this attraction multiple times over four days and have ZERO photos!
The big difference in this Pirates version is that instead of starting by dropping into a cave, you go upward into a fortress.
Adventure Isle, Pirates Beach, and the Pirate Galleon
Adventure Isle and the surrounding area were fun to look at. The giant skull rock, bridges spanning waterways, and the pirate ship made great backdrops.
Aladdin’s Enchanted Passage
While this is technically not an ‘Attraction’” this passageway was well-themed, a nice way to get away from the crowds, and led to our favorite meal of the entire trip at Agrabah Cafe Restaurant.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland reminds us of Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, with all the classic attractions, but with a French twist.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle, known as Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, is the centerpiece of Disneyland Park.
Not only is it striking, but you can also head beneath the castle to see the Tanière du Dragon, or the Dragon’s Lair in English. It’s also fun and different, and the dragon moves while the eyes glow.
On the upper level of the castle is a beautiful gallery showcasing incredible Sleeping Beauty-themed art.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Surprisingly, after seeing ridiculous lines for this attraction at Walt Disney World, the lines here were relatively short. It’s a traditional dark ride, so we only got a few photos inside.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups
We didn’t ride the Tea Cups. Mark doesn’t do well with spinning, so it was a Hard Pass.
However, just behind the Tea Cups is March Hare Refreshments. It’s a grab-and-go ice cream stand with outdoor seating. It’s worth a visit for the theming. Check out the giant teapot. It steams and opens, revealing a mouse inside.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
The kids packed the Dumb attraction, so we didn’t wait in line. It’s still really cute to watch.
Lancelot’s Carousel
The carousel here is magnificent; we decided to be big kids and take a spin on it.
The carousel has 86 steeds built for Disneyland Paris.
However, two of the chariots were built in 1917 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. (YAY PHILLY!) Disney acquired them in 1960 and used them on various carousels before restoring them for this carousel in 1990.
“It’s A Small World”
Yes, we rode this multiple times! The fountain in front and the outdoor queues give you a totally different feel from Walt Disney World.
The inside is very similar, with incredible animatronics.
However, they added a section honoring the United States, featuring the Hollywood sign, Wild West scenes, and American football and baseball.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
This walkthrough maze was really well themed, with lots of great hedges and characters. We had to take a stroll for one major reason. The Queen of Hearts!
For those new here, Mark’s wedding planning company was called The Queen of Hearts!
Le Pays des Contes de Fées
Translated as “The Land of Fairytales,” this boat ride through miniature fairytale scenes offered a nice break during the day.
It almost felt as if you were riding through the miniature train display at EPCOT.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
This is cute, but it’s definitely not the Walt Disney World version.
The Voyage of Pinocchio
Wooden carts take you through a dark ride into Stromboli’s Marionette show and into Pinocchio’s travels.
Random Weird Stuff
The courtyard outside Pizzeria Belle Notte features tile salvaged from the Mary Blair mural in the Star Tours building at Disneyland in California.
Discoveryland
Part Jules Verne, part futuristic space travel, Discoveryland was beautiful and fun to explore.
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
This attraction is a Star Wars takeover of the classic Space Mountain. For us, it was a fun opportunity, and we found the ride smooth.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Disney claims that state-of-the-art technology offers 70 different ride combinations. However, I don’t know how anyone could really confirm that. We will say it was fun, and there’s just something about hearing characters you know and love speak French that makes you smile.
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
This is Disneyland Paris’ version of the laser-shooting gallery we’ve ridden a thousand times in Florida. It was fun, but neither of us beat the high score.
Autopia
Yes, we took a spin on the Autopia. It was a lot of fun, unlike the last time we rode the attraction at Walt Disney World, when we were wearing rain ponchos and the car slid all over the track.
Orbitron, Mickey and his PhilharMagic Orchestra and Les Mystères du Nautilus
Unfortunately, Orbitron and Nautilus were closed, so we chose not to wait in line for Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
Disney Stars on Parade
We chose a spot on the HUB in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle to watch the afternoon parade. Yes, it is crowded, and people push their way to the front. But we had a blast and loved watching so many of the smaller kids beam with excitement!
Disney Tales of Magic
This is Disneyland Paris’ nighttime pyrotechnics show. It’s next-level, and capturing its beauty is nearly impossible.
From digital mapping along Main Street USA to water features and fireworks, it’s really worth waiting for. As in other Disney Parks, people camp out for hours to stake out spaces. We sat on the HUB, directly in front of the castle. People brought blankets and picnic baskets and staked out their spots.
When we visited, the show featured a large drone component, which they later discontinued, and we’ve heard it’s been relocated to a newly opened section of Disney Adventure World.
Needless to say, we had a blast at Disneyland Park, and being able to wander in and out at our leisure from our room at the Disneyland Hotel was a big plus for us.
Next up, our time at Disney Adventure World! But in the meantime, be sure to follow along on our Instagram page, where we post video clips of many of the Disneyland Park attractions!
So much good information! Thank you. Looks like a wonderful time.
Glad you’re enjoying it! We were like two little kids. Still more fun to come.