Does Mickey Speak French?

If you know one thing about my family, it's that all things Disney are quite popular. My mom, especially, is a big fan, but the sentiments are shared by most of the family. I wouldn't consider myself as 'obsessed' as other certain family members are, but I still enjoy the parks. I went to Disneyland countless times in my childhood, and recently our family has gone to Disneyworld in Florida for summer vacation.

While planning the trip, we considered different possible destinations to visit after we'd seen enough of England. Eventually we decided that Paris would be the best, especially with the ease of access due to the Chunnel. Of course, being so close, my Mom couldn't resist the pull of Disneyland Paris and the rest of us obliged. So we dropped off the rental car which had served us well the previous 10 days, and jammed into a taxi bound for Paris.

(Okay, so maybe we didn't take a taxi all the way... St. Pancras, the London rail station where we boarded the EuroStar)

(On the platform. The high speed EuroStar trains connect London with a few Western European destinations, and aren't all that expensive)

(Adrian and I in our seats, eating breakfast. The train was great, way more roomy than flying, and better [bigger, faster, more comfortable] than any trains I'd been on in the UK)

The ride was surprisingly short. Even before we got to the channel, we were in and out of tunnels, so it was hard to tell when we were finally in the tunnel. Eventually we emerged from a particularly long tunnel, and into France. At first, it was hard to tell that we were in a new country. The green landscape and grey weather seemed almost exactly the same. Eventually the give-away was cars driving on the wrong (or perhaps, right, depending on your point of view) side of the road. A short time later we made it to Disneyland Resort Paris, two themeparks about 20 miles north east 0f Paris. There's Paris Disneyland, and the newer Walt Disney Studio Park. We spent two nights at Paris Disney, visiting both parks several times.

(Mom checking into our Hotel, with a little help from a certain mouse)

(The Entrance to Disneyland Paris)

(It's still Main Street USA, even in Paris)

(The view down Main Street, towards the castle)

The Disneyland Paris park was remarkably similar to Southern California's Disneyland, as well as Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It had the same layout as Disneyland, and most of the same attractions. There were just a few minor differences... Oh yeah, and alot more French.

(As I said, alot more French. At least it hasn't been renamed, "Le Tour des Etoiles")

(Indiana Jones was actually more of a roller coaster than a bumpy indoor thrill ride. It even had a loop!)

(Some things are the same in any language- Big Thunder Railroad)

(Adrian and I consulting a park map... An English one!)

(And of course they also had a few of the classics, like Pirates of the Caribbean...)

(and the Disneyland Railroad)

(Mom leading us in a map consultation, before heading into the Disney Studios Park)

(Another Disneyland constant, in any language or country: long lines. This one was for Crush's Coaster, a Finding Nemo themed ride in the Studios Park)

(Of course, as the movie was set in Paris, Ratatouille attractions were quite popular. They don't have a Ratatouille themed ride yet though, unfortunately)





(Dad modeling a Ratatouille chef's hat, continuing his summer vacation tradition of donning ridiculous hats for photographs)

(Main Street at Dusk)

( Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, AKA Sleeping Beauty's Castle)

(Resting in Fantasyland, getting ready for the fireworks)

Overall, I think we all enjoyed Disneyland Paris. It was at once familiar, yet different. It allowed us to get a bit acclimated to France (the language, the Euro, etc.) while still being in a really touristy place where English was readily spoken by most. It was a good bridge between England and Paris, and definitely a worthwhile place to spend a few days. I'd go again.





Paris, coming soon.