Trip Report: Disneyland Paris November 2012

Disneyland Paris: November 2012

Thursday, 15th November

Several years ago, my sister and I were due to stay at the Newport Bay Hotel but we were upgraded to the Disneyland Hotel. A package deal with two free nights meant I could just about justify staying there again!

A quick bite to eat and drink at Planet Hollywood before checking in.

What better way to start my Christmas trip than by meeting Santa Goofy!

Jack Skellington & Sally - the line wasn't too long but these too certainly like to talk! I pity the Cast Member trying to keep them in check. Whilst Jack was out every day during my trip, this was the only time I saw Sally so glad I stuck it out!

Disney Magic on Parade!

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Christmas Decorations - the Castle covered with lights is one of the most beautiful sights at Disneyland Paris and I was worried whether Dreams would affect this. Fortunately, the Castle was still lit up each night.

Gingerbread house at the Disneyland Hotel

After watching Dreams, I went for a wander around Disney Village to find somewhere to eat but not surprisingly everywhere was packed so headed back to the hotel to get a snack from Cafe Fantasia.

Friday, 16th November

Christmas decorations in the Disneyland Hotel.

Meeting Pluto after breakfast.

As usual, I took advantage of Extra Magic Hours to ride Peter Pan's Ride & Dumbo, followed by a visit to my favourite dragon.

Having wandered about the gallery in Sleeping Beauty Castle, I was amused to find Maleficent's friend Diablo keeping an eye over the castle!

I think this may be the one mode of transportation at Disneyland Paris I've yet to take.

Winnie the Pooh.

"it's a small world Celebration".

Cinderella at the Princess Pavilion.

The Christmas Cavalcade was running three times a day.

While the other princesses were tucked away in the Princess Pavilion, poor Belle had to brave the cold outside!

Lunch at Walts. As I was sat by the window, I was able to catch the Cavalcade going past. Note the Disney "snow"!

I'd seen some great photos online of characters in their Christmas outfits at Santa's Grotto in Frontierland. I was disappointed not to see Eeyore but I guess you can't have everything.

The weather was pretty gloomy for most of my trip but there was a brief spell with sunshine on blue skies!

Meeting Mickey Mouse. I just can't resist getting photos of him in this location!

Over to Frontierland - Zero keeps an eye on Jack Skellington's line!

Phantom Manor

Time for Disney Magic on Parade! again. I still find this to be a disappointing parade for the Park's 20th Anniversary, with the majority of the floats remaining from Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade. Parades are one of my favourite things to watch and I'll usually camp out for ages beforehand to get a good spot but I didn't bother watching this again during the remainder of my stay.

Evening meal at Cafe Mickey.

The revamped Disney Fashion in Disney Village has become one of my favourite places to photograph.

It was a very foggy evening.

An unexpected Hidden Mickey!

Saturday, 17th November

Aside from a one day Saturday visit to the Park a few years ago to see the Christmas Parade, I've always avoided booking over a weekend because of the additional crowds. This photo of the queue for Pirates probably explains why! Fortunately, this was just fine.

Minnie's turn to meet guests at the Disneyland Hotel.

A quick visit to the Walt Disney Studios Park.

Then back to Disneyland Park.

Another viewing of the Christmas Cavalcade.

Jack was still busy hamming it up!

At the time of writing, this is the most popular photo on this site.

One more viewing of the Christmas Cavalcade! I used to focus solely on the Disney characters but now I try to focus equally on the other cast performers.

That being said, I can never resist Mickey & Minnie!

Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin is one of those attractions which is easy to miss, tucked away just as you enter Adventureland.

Right next door is the boutique, La Girafe Curieuse, a perfect example of Disney's attention to detail.

Lunch at the Blue Lagoon.

Then back for my first proper wander around the Studios this trip. As many websites/twitter feeds noted at the time, Christmas decorations in this park were somewhat lacking.

I finally made it on to Toy Soliders Parachute Drop - note that there's a single rider line for this attraction.

Christmas Chipmunks!

Back to the hotel to see the characters afternoon appearance.

My new purchase relaxing in the hotel!

Back to enjoy the Park at night.

A trip to Phantom Manor.

I did really like the Christmas decorations around the Hub this year but do wish the Castle has stayed lit up for longer. I was asked to take a photo for a couple of people and the lights went out just as I was about to take it.

Back to Cafe Fantasia!

More decorations in this one shot that in the whole of Walt Disney Studios Park...

Sunday 18th November

Giant Advent Calendar in the Disneyland Hotel.

It was a miserable wet day but the Christmas decorations brightened the Park up.

Heading for the exit through Discovery Arcade, I came across Minnie on the hunt for a dry place to meet guests!

Back to the Studios and one of my favourite attractions. I've ridden most of the rides som many times that I don't mind if if I have to guess them a miss because of long queues etc but I always try to visit the Tower of Terror at least once. Aside from the ride itself, I just love the detail - and that's without even being able to appreciate all the Twilight Zone prop references!

Aside from the Tower, Toon Studio is one of my favourite places to take photos in the Studios.

Yes, I still wish this was in front of the Castle.

Still raining. Spot Mickey heading for a break!

Back to the Park and a trip on Le Pays de Contes de Fées, which appeared to be having some technical difficulties. I'd decided to video the ride and ended up with about 5 minutes sat along side the "Night at Bald Mountain" display!

I dare say the version of Prince Eric's castle in New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is slightly more impressive than this one! But my main problem remains that Ariel is only shown as bubbles!

I do not need to hear this music again, thank you!

I hadn't actually appreciated how detailed Beast's Castle is. Check out the full size photo at the source and note all the gargoyles etc.

Yes, it's time for the Cavalcade again. Well, it did run three times a day.

Donald enduring Disney snow and real rain!

An early lunch to try and beat the queue at the Lucky Nugget Saloon. I've only eaten there once before, when it was still a character buffet but was lured back by the new set menu. I'd definitely recommend the food and of course it's in a lovely setting too.

Back to the Studios to see the Disney Stars'n'Cars Parade but first a visit with Buzz.

Still raining...

A musical Christmas overlay for the parade but aside from that, no change.

Eeyore finishing up his meet and greet at the Disneyland Hotel.

A reminder which country we're in at the Storybook Store.

Up next, my first visit to the Studios after dark!

Photo location inside Studio 1.

Detail inside the Tower's gift shop.

Frankenweenie merchandise.

I fully intended to see Cinemagique this trip. I failed.

Christmas!!

A wander around the gorgeous Art Deco style building housing World of Disney.

Finally, back to the hotel for a very expensive, but delicious meal at the California Grill.

A display of the gorgeous retro 20th Anniversary merchandise in Mickey's Boutique. I kept popping back in there as I was trying to decide whether or not to buy a Swarovski Tinker Bell necklace! In the end I managed to resist.