Disneyland Paris

Monday, 24th April 2017

Disneyland Paris kicked off it's 25th anniversary celebrations at the end of March 2017.  Whilst a few attractions were closed due to refurbishment (Jack Sparrow is finally due to make an appearance in Pirates of the Caribbean and Hyperspace Mountain was a few days away from soft opening), the park was looking great and this turned out to be one of my favourite visits to the resort for some time. As an added bonus, it was unexpectedly hot day by the time the Eurostar arrived at Marne la Vallee.

The blue and silver anniversary decor was in full force as you walked down Main Street towards Central Plaza.  Themed Tinker Bells adorned the lamp posts along Main Street, Meet & Greet characters were in new costumes and a Central Plaza was home to new statues of Tinker Bell, Mickey & Minnie, Pluto & Goofy and Daisy & Donald. 

Catchy music aside, I was disappointed with Disney Magic on Parade!, which debuted to mark the 20th anniversary of the park. It retained many floats from its predecessor and culminated in a garish (in my opinion!) float carrying Mickey and friends. A couple of years ago I saw Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade at Walt Disney World, which I loved. One of the highlights of that parade is the steampunk Maleficent dragon, a version of which appears in the new parade at Disneyland Paris, Disney Stars on Parade (see photo further on) and overall I found the current parade to be an improvement on its predecessor.

Various changes to Discoveryland since my last visit.  Hyperspace Mountain was still a few days away from opening but Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had opened the previous month, along with the much improved Star Traders boutique.  Darth Vader now holds court in the store's previous home.

Big Thunder Mountain underwent a relatively recent refurb and Frontierland as a whole was looking great.  Phantom Manor suffered some extended downtime this afternoon - unfortunate for people wishing to ride the attraction but a great opportunity to get photos of the "abandoned" house without throngs of people hanging around the front door!

Dinner at Silver Spur Steakhouse - I haven't eaten there for years but previously rated it as one of my favourite Disneyland Paris restaurants.  Sadly, this return visit was somewhat underwhelming.

Below: the new nighttime spectacular, Disney Illuminations.

Mickey waving guests goodbye from the Disneyland Railroad Station on Main Street.

I was staying at the Compass Club in the Newport Bay Club - fun to find a souvenir Coca Cola bottle and anniversary themed chocolate coins in the room!

Tuesday, 25th April 2017

Starting the day with breakfast in the gorgeous Compass Club restaurant - great variety of food and also a welcome place to return to mid-afternoon for some snacks and drinks.

Mickey Presents: Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris is a lively show with characters representing the different lands of Disneyland Park.  

Lunch at the Lucky Nugget with the added entertainment of a puppet show (which I had totally forgotten about so came as a nice surprise).

The Starlit Princess Waltz is a great opportunity to see many of Disney's most popular characters in one place.  However the "story" does seem to revolve around the need to meet a prince so there's no place for Merida or Elsa.

Below: it's a small world.

Another viewing of Disney Stars on Parade.

Back to Star Tours.

I had dinner at Cafe Mickey, which is now character free. The decor remains the same but I wasn't overly impressed with my meal and I don't see much draw to return there without the fun (albeit chaotic) atmosphere the characters bring.

There were various anniversary drinks to be found around the Resort's hotel.  Below is the Reve d'Etoile at the New York City Bar.

Wednesday, 26th April 2017

After the surprisingly hot start to the week, Tuesday was rainy and relatively cold.  Fortunately, the sun was back out on Wednesday (all those silver statues look somewhat drab against a grey sky).

Pirates of the Caribbean may have been under cover but Adventure Isle was looking great in the sun. I do still miss the old painted mermaid figure head, as opposed to the all gold version though.

Off to Walt Disney Studios Park for some Star Wars entertainment!  The park is home to the March of the First Order and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away, however these do differ from their Walt Disney World counterparts.  The March features considerably fewer Stormtroopers (at least the viewing I saw did), which makes it a somewhat less intimidating experience.  There are also fewer characters in A Galaxy Far, Far Away (no Darth Maul, Boba Fett or...horror...BB-8) and C-3PO looked a bit plastic.  However, the show utilises effective video clips (some of which are particularly moving given the passing of Carrie Fisher) and overall it's a very enjoyable show.

Following my disappointing meal at the Silver Spur Steakhouse I had a much better experience at Bistrot Chez Remy!

Below: 25th anniversary merchandise.  

Thursday, 27th April 2017

Starting the day with another Main Street meet and greet.

My "other" favourite Disneyland Paris dragon.

The Carousels are one of my favourite attractions to photograph at any Disney park but I can't remember the last time I actually rode on the one, certainly in Paris - but that's what quiet Extra Magic Hours are for.

Actually had a relatively easy trip in and out of the Alice's Curious Labyrinth for once!

The geysers, back working in Frontierland!

Leaving the sunshine behind for Phantom Manor (and a couple of well-placed stops).

Below: Mickey Presents: Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris

Lunch at Walts: An American Restaurant - the "shrimp and grits" weren't quite what I was expecting!

Just making into line to meet Daisy.

Below: The Starlit Princess Waltz

Back to the hotel for some snacks in the Compass Club Lounge before going to watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 at the Imax cinema in Disney Village.  The film finished just too late to catch the end of Disney Illuminations so I popped into Cafe Fantasia at the Disneyland Hotel to wait for the exiting crowds to die down and had another anniversary drink before heading back to the hotel.

Friday, 28th April 2017

No characters to meet this morning so straight off to Peter Pan's Flight - decided to go straight back on it but it had been closed!

Star Tours lures you in with the prospect of new destinations but it never quite seems to work out that way...

Exiting Star Tours into the Star Traders store.

My scores are always so poor on Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast - might as well just take photos.

Another ride I haven't been on for ages!

Back over to the Studios.  Considering it's one of my favourite all-time attractions, I seem to have missed riding Tower of Terror during my last few Disney trips.  Time to put that right.

There's always a much shorter line to meet Mickey in the Studios.  Just had enough time before heading back to Disneyland Park for buffet lunch at the Plaza Restaurant.  I can't remember the last time I ate there (possibly breakfast during one of my first visits) but this was definitely on a par with Inventions (no characters at lunch, however).

Below: Jedi Training Academy

Below: it's a small world

The White Rabbit is late for...something...

Below: Le Passage Enchante d'Aladdin

Below: Essentially the Disneyland Paris version of a Dole Whip, without the "Dole".

One last wander down Main Street in the sun before heading for the train home.  View lots more photos of the anniversary celebrations here.