Disneyland Paris is the perfect place for a holiday that the entire family will enjoy. This destination has it all, including rides, shopping, entertainment, and great food, and there is a variety of all-inclusive package trips available to Disneyland Paris. Everything that has made the Disney name synonymous with the best family holidays in the world is here, and it is all located about 30 kilometres from the centre of Paris.
Disneyland Paris Hotels
There is a huge variety of hotels available in and around Disneyland Paris. The hotels located within the Disneyland complex mostly offer family rooms and suites, but there are also romantic accommodation options available. The hotels inside Disneyland Paris tend to be more expensive as they are all located right in the centres of the action - in Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Those who are travelling on a tighter budget will find that there are a number of less expensive accommodation options available outside the Disneyland Paris complex in the nearby suburbs, but still within easy driving distance of the park.
Top Things to do in Disneyland Paris
For most people, of course, the rides are what bring them to Disneyland Paris, but there is more to this magical place. Five of the most popular activities that must be tried when you visit Disneyland Paris include:
1. Take in a Parade - Parades are an integral part of the Disney experience regardless of which park you visit, and Disneyland Paris is no exception. These lively processions - which feature the full complement of Disney's most beloved characters - take place every single day.
2. Meet the Disney Characters - If you want to get even closer to the most famous Disney characters, you and your kids can meet them at various points in the two parks throughout the day. Characters including Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Cinderella can be seen walking around the park, eating in the restaurants, and having afternoon tea. You can even make reservations to have breakfast with your favourite Disney characters.
3. Go Shopping - There are an amazing variety of shops located in Disneyland Paris, offering everything from Disney souvenirs to designer fashions.
4. See Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show - Seeing Mickey and his pals in the Wild West is just as much fun as it sounds; as some of the horse riding and other stunts performed in this show are truly astounding.
5. See a Movie - This might seem like an odd choice of things to do in Disneyland Paris, but it makes sense when you realise they have the largest movie screen in France.
Kids and Families - Rides
As the above list indicates, there are many things for children and families to do when they visit Disneyland Paris. While meeting the characters and seeing the parades are fun, as previously mentioned Disneyland Paris is probably most famous for its large assortment of rides, and there are several that stand out having been consistently popular for many years. These include the Space Mountain: Mission 2 rollercoaster, as well as the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ride, all of which offer a thrilling experience.
Less intense rides include Big Thunder Mountain, which is a slow paced rollercoaster-style train ride. This ride gives you a great view of the park, including the Rivers of the Far West. Another low intensity ride is the Star Tour, which is a motion simulator ride. This ride gives you a firsthand view of the world of Star Wars - lasers and robots will be coming at you, as will stars and meteorites.
Other popular rides include The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Pirates of the Caribbean, and It's a Small World.
Nightlife
For more adult oriented fun, Disneyland Paris has a wide selection of bars and nightclubs.
For those who like country music, Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon is the way to go. This establishment, located in Disney Village, is three levels high, and regularly features live music.
To watch the game, you can remain in Disney Village and head a few metres down the road to the aptly named Sports Bar.
For quiet cocktails to the strains of piano music, visitors should check out Café Fantasia in the Disneyland Hotel. The Newport Bay Club features a pair of nautically themed bars - the Fisherman's Wharf and the Captain's Quarters. As is to be expected, Disney's Hotel New York has a New York themed bar, and Disney's Hotel Santa Fe has the Rio Grande Bar.
Crockett's Saloon is a western themed facility in Disneyland Paris, and it is located in Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch. The Red Garter Saloon in Disney's Hotel Cheyenne is yet another place where you can listen to some country music.
Sport
If you want to work your body a little while on holiday at Disneyland Paris, there are several ways to do it. First off, there is a premium golf facility called Golf Disneyland, located inside the amusement park. This facility consists of three nine-hole golf courses, which may be played in different combinations to create different 18-hole courses. Golf Disneyland is open every day of the week, year round. There is a clubhouse with a restaurant and bar onsite. Lessons are also available at Golf Disneyland.
Another way to get some exercise in Disneyland Paris is to play some tennis. Guests of Disney's Hotel New York will find two tennis courts onsite. The same hotel also has an outdoor skating rink, which can be used at any time of year.
There are also many other sports oriented activities available inside Disneyland Paris including swimming, pony rides, and cycling to name just a few.
Eating
No matter what type of cuisine you are in the mood for, in Disneyland Paris you will find it. Those interested in a European dining experience should check out King Ludwig's Castle in Disney Village, which offers Bavarian fare, or the Plaza Gardens Restaurant in Disneyland Park, which offers Victorian-style dining.
For those who want more of an international flavour, Inventions is a buffet-style restaurant featuring dishes from around the world.
American cuisine can also be found at eateries such as the Cowboy Cookout Barbecue, the Last Chance Café, and the Lucky Nugget Saloon. All three of these cowboy themed establishments are located in Frontierland. Because American cuisine is far and away the most popular kind of food in Disneyland Paris, there are also numerous places to find a burger and fries, such as the Rocket Café in Discoveryland, and Casey's Corner on Main Street, U.S.A.
Pizza places include Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost in Adventureland, as well as Pizzeria Belle Notte in Fantasyland.
With amazing rides, great food, a vibrant nightlife, and a plethora of fun things to do and see, it is impossible for anyone, young or old, not to have a great holiday at Disneyland Paris.