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Disneyland Paris: 2011

Theme: Magical Moments Festival

Monday, May 9th 

Sometimes, familiarity can work against you!  The last few times I'd been to Disneyland Paris I'd been able to check straight in to my resort hotel.  As I wanted to sort a few things out before heading to the parks, I foolishly skipped the Disney Express Luggage Service and headed straight to the Sequoia Lodge (which was largely hidden under scaffolding).  Except this time, my room wasn't ready.  I won't make the same mistake next time.  However,  it's easy enough to pass time at Disney and I headed off for a flight on Panoramagique.

Disney Village

I was a little bit worried what state Disneyland Park would be in - many of the attractions and buildings were in the midst of being refurbished for the 20th Anniversary and, in particular, I wasn't sure how much of Sleeping Beauty Castle would actually be visible!  As it happened, by the time I left the worst was a couple of missing turrets which were being repainted.  

By the time I actually made it to the Park, there wasn't long to go until the parade.  Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade has been running since the 15th Anniversary in 2007.  It's a wonderful parade, with some incredible floats but I have to admit, I'm ready for something new.  Of course this didn't stop me taking dozens of photos of floats and characters I already have dozens of photos of!

Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade: Dreams of Imagination

Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade: Dreams of Romance

Spot the unpainted turret on the castle!

Fantasyland

The new Central Plaza show for the Magical Moments Festival was "Mickey's Magical Celebration", which caused some controversy because it was all in French.  I doubt it made that much difference to anyone's understanding of the "story".  Mickey frolics with the Genie, Fairy Godmother and Merlin before the princesses and escorts arrive, centre stage being given to new arrivals Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. 

Mickey's Magical Celebration

Tuesday, May 10th

Early magic hours means the chance to enjoy Fantasyland and Discoveryland before the main crowds arrive.  This is your opportunity to ride Dumbo and Peter Pan's Flight without queuing for ages!

Main Street USA

Peter Pan's Flight

In my desperate (and pretty much failed) attempt to get a couple of decent photos on Peter Pan's Flight, I think I once went on it three times in a row (maybe it was just twice!) without queuing!

No need to worry about high scores on Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast!  I just take photos.

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast

Phantom Manor: Always one of my favourite attractions, although I've yet to spot the phantom in the window.  And you do just want the bride to shut up by the end of the ride!  For more about the attraction, visit Ravenswood Manor.  When I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour at the Magic Kingdom, I was told that there isn't a story behind the ride.  I think many fans would disagree!

Phantom Manor

Another new show: Following the Leader with Peter Pan.  Sadly lacking in Tinker Bell, but a fun little show anyway. Not sure about the Face Character versions of Hook and Smee, though.

Following the Leader with Peter Pan

Following the Leader with Peter Pan

Following the Leader with Peter Pan

Another new feature: Disney Dance Express.  I was hoping this would be similar to the Magic Kingdom's Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party, which has so much energy and I really enjoyed.  But...it wasn't. The train stops and the characters get off and dance with cast members.  Viewing was relatively restricted as the show took place in one part of the Plaza, compared to Move It! which has takes over the whole thing!  It's fun, and I'm sure younger guests (those who could see) loved it, but I was a bit disappointed and only bothered watching it once.  

Disney Dance Express

Still no Jack Sparrow in the French version of Pirates.  And still no happy ending, either!

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

One of my favourite things at Disneyland Paris: the dragon under Sleeping Beauty Castle!  I do wonder how many guests don't even realise it's there.

La Tanière du Dragon

Parade time again!  Stops had been introduced which meant I actually managed to get some decent photos of the Princesses.

Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade: Dreams of Romance

Love this Tiana!

Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade: Dreams of Romance

Next up: some boat rides!

"it's a small world"

Rapunzel's Tower is a new addition to Storybook Land.

Le Pays de Contes de Fées

I stopped to watch Mickey's Magical Celebration again as the sun had been in my eyes the whole time the previous day and I'd only managed to get a couple of decent photos.

Again, not 100% sure about the Face Character Genie!

Mickey's Magical Celebration Mickey's Magical Celebration

Always love seeing Sorcerer Mickey! 

Mickey's Magical Celebration

Mickey's Magical Celebration

Mickey's Magical Celebration

Note the scaffolding!

Mickey's Magical Celebration

Mickey's Magical Celebration

That evening I went to see Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  I haven't seen it in years and certainly not since they added "...with Mickey and Friends!"  Whilst it's great entertainment, it is expensive and my memories of the food were far from flattering.  But I really enjoyed it and the food was a lot better than I was expecting.

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show ...with Mickey and Friends!

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show ...with Mickey and Friends!

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show ...with Mickey and Friends!

Was it necessary to include Mickey & Co in the show? No.  But they only play a minimal role and I don't think they spoil the overall effect.  But then, I'm a sucker for seeing the characters in different costumes anyway so of course I didn't mind!

One thing I would say, is that I paid for a seat in the more expensive area, which was lower to the ground and I think I might have actually had a better view higher up, as the fencing obscured some of the stage area.

Wednesday, May 11th

Quick visit to Disneyland Park during EMH before heading over to Walt Disney Studios Park.  

Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant

Main Street USA

Off to the Studios. I know it makes sense to have the Partners statue set against a Hollywood backdrop but I still feel jealous when I see photos of its counterparts in other parks with the castle in the background.

"Partners"

"Partners"

I remember the first time I saw Tower of Terror looming over the MGM Studios (as was) in Florida and basically thinking, no fricking way am I getting on that thing.  Of course I did and it's one of my favourite attractions.  The Disneyland Paris version lacks some of the special effects but it does have one thing - an amazing view when those elevator doors open!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Goofy, checking out the ride requirements.

Goofy

Another show I hadn't seen in a number of years (and indeed, only once before) was Moteurs...Action! Stunt Show Spectacular.  A new twist had been added...Lightning McQueen, who makes a brief cameo alongside a villain car whose name (if given) escapes me.

Moteurs...Action! Stunt Show Spectacular featuring Lightning McQueen

Moteurs...Action! Stunt Show Spectacular featuring Lightning McQueen

Moteurs...Action! Stunt Show Spectacular featuring Lightning McQueen

Next up...Disney's Stars'n'Cars which, I realised afterwards, I really don't like very much as a show. It's a great opportunity to get photos of a multitude of characters, and the cars themselves are wonderful, but the show falls a bit flat for me. Maybe I'd prefer it if it featured Disney music as opposed to, for example, Snow White dancing to "Pretty Woman".  But honestly, it would work just as well as a parade - ditch the show part altogether!

Disney's Stars 'n' Cars

Disney's Stars 'n' Cars

Didn't do any of the rides in Toy Story Playland this time around - I still need to try Toy Soldier Parachute Drop but it was down at the time.

Toy Story Playland

Walt Disney Studios Park

And so, back to Disneyland Park in time for the parade!

Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade: Dreams of Imagination

I was excited to see Maleficent on the Dreams of Power float - the character had been missing for a long while after the cast member fell from the float.

Disney's Once Upon A Dream Parade: Dreams of Power

The Resort has installed numerous security checks which can lead to a real jam of guests trying to leave/enter different areas.  I decided to leave the park early to avoid the backlog at the entrance to Disney Village and grabbed a bite to eat at Planet Hollywood before heading back to the hotel for a rest.  The day before, my plan had been even more cunning - hide out in the Fantasia Bar at the Disneyland Hotel with a cocktail until the crowds had cleared!

After a while, I headed out to take some photos of the hotels.  This is one of the wonderful things about Disneyland Paris.  Of course it has less to see than Walt Disney World but everything is so close together.  You can tour all the main resort hotels in no time at all - and on foot!

The Santa Fe is slowly being taken over by Cars.

Disney's Hotel Santa Fe

I'll always have a soft spot for the Hotel Cheyenne, as it was the first Disney hotel I stayed at.

Disney's Hotel Cheyenne

Disney's Hotel Cheyenne

The Legends Europe bronze .

Legends Europe

Disney Village

Back to the Sequoia.

Disney's Sequoia Lodge

Thursday, 12th May

Last day and still really lucky with the weather.

Disney's Hotel New York.

Disney's Hotel New York

PanoraMagique

Disneyland Park

More scaffolding had been removed from the Castle. Just a shame about those unpainted/missing turrets.

Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant

I used to love Space Mountain (one time, my sister and I stayed in on five rides in a row) but the last few times I've ridden it have been ridiculously uncomfortable so I didn't even bother this time around. Still spent a lot of time photographing it though!

Space Mountain: Mission 2

Braving Alice's Curious Labyrinth! Love the theming, hate trying to get round it!

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Alice's Curious Labyrinth

OK, one more brief peek at Disney Dance Express but only to snap a few more photos.

Disney Dance Express

I'd been making sure to keep back enough money for a nice lunch at the Silver Spur Steakhouse and...it was closed.  Still, Walts proved to be a pretty good backup!

Walt's - An American Restaurant

Walt's - An American Restaurant

I'd only eaten there once before, for a character breakfast. But I'll be back!

Then I did something I've never done before.  Actually got in a queue to take a photo of a character.  There was this wonderful Tangled photo location in Fantasyland and I decided I had to get a photo of Rapunzel with the model Pascal which formed part of it.  The line didn't look too bad but I ended up waiting, probably, over an hour.  Flynn Rider entertained the line when Rapunzel went on a break.

Flynn Rider

Rapunzel

I made, for me, a huge decision and decided to skip the parade and instead headed to Frontierland, Phantom Manor and then a trip on the newly refurbished Molly Brown.

Phantom Manor

Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing

Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing

Big Thunder Mountain

Wandered through Adventureland and finally got a photo of Captain Jack Sparrow!

Captain Jack Sparrow

One final Disney meal, in Au Chalet de la Marionnette.

Au Chalet de la Marionnette

Farewell to the dragon!

La Tanière du Dragon

Another trip over...time to head for the Eurostar.

Main Street USA Station

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  • Home
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  • Disneyland Paris
    • Disneyland Park >
      • Main Street USA
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      • Discoveryland
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    • Walt Disney Studios Park >
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      • Production Courtyard
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      • Backlot
    • Characters
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  • Disneyland Resort
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    • Disney California Adventure
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  • Walt Disney World Resort
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Disney's Hollywood Studios
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    • Resort Hotels
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  • Disney Dining
    • Dining - Disneyland Paris
    • Dining - Disneyland Resort
    • Dining - Walt Disney World
  • Photo Gallery Index
  • Videos
  • Disney Parks Seasonal & Special Events
    • Disneyland Resort: Christmas 2019
    • Disneyland Resort: Halloween 2018
    • Disneyland Paris: Marvel Summer of Super Heroes
    • Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2018
    • Disneyland Resort: Christmas 2017
    • Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary
    • Walt Disney World: Christmas 2016
    • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2016
    • Disneyland Paris: Swing into Spring 2016
    • Disneyland Resort: Christmas 2015
    • Disneyland Diamond Celebration
    • Star Wars: Season of the Force
    • Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2015
    • Disneyland Resort: Halloween 2014
    • Disneyland Paris: St Patrick's Day 2014
    • Walt Disney World: Christmas 2013
    • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2013
    • Disneyland Paris: Christmas 2012
    • Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2012
    • Disneyland Paris: 20th Anniversary
    • Disneyland Paris: Christmas 2010
    • Stitch's Great Escape! Opening Day
    • Disneyland Paris: 15th Anniversary
    • Disneyland Paris: Halloween 2003
  • Trip Reports
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2019
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2018
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris 2018
    • Trip Report: Walt Disney World 2018
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2017
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris 2017
    • Trip Report: Walt Disney World 2016
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris 2016
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2015
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris July 2015
    • Trip Report: Walt Disney World 2015
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2014
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris July 2014
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris March 2014
    • Trip Report: Walt Disney World 2013
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2013
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris November 2012
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris July 2012
    • Trip Report Walt Disney World 2012
    • Trip Report: Disneyland Paris 2011
  • Disney Cinderella: The Exhibition
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