Rachael striking a pose with Dale.
Hey Rachael! Thank you very much for joining me today. I'm sure this will be good fun. Let's start from the very beginning. What is the very first Disney memory that you can remember?
The first Disney memory that I can remember is just being big enough to ride Space Mountain, feeling very proud I was big enough to ride a big ride *laughs*. I also remember getting the picture which I still have now. I also remember watching the light up parade, which was just so magical, that's when I fell in love with Disney.
The old electrical parade was certainly a magical experience, it's such a shame it's no longer running. Anyway, let's talk about Disney and film. What is your favourite animated Disney film?
Oh now that's a hard one to decide as I have two and would struggle to choose between them. The Little Mermaid, as Ariel is my favourite princess and I had a proper crush on Prince Eric when I was younger! *laughs* Also Monsters, Inc. as I absolutely adore Sully, he's just the cutest big ball of fluff ever!
Sully certainly is huggable! The Little Mermaid is also a great choice, I love that one myself. Do you have a favourite live action Disney film?
My favourite live action Disney film has got to be Mary Poppins as it's just such a magical film and the songs are so catchy and get you singing along *sings 'A Spoonful of Sugar'* It gets me in such a good mood.
Mary Poppins is such a classic. A quintessential Disney film in my opinion. As you mentioned the songs from Mary Poppins, do you have a favourite Disney song?
Yes, my favourite Disney song is 'Under The Sea' as it's such a catchy song and always guarantees to get me singing and dancing along to it.
Well I must admit, that song always gets me singing along. Doesn't take a lot to get me singing along to Disney songs though! Now onto the main topic of conversation, Disneyland Paris. When exactly was the first time you took a trip to Disneyland Paris, Rachael?
The first time I ever went to Disneyland Paris was roughly about 1997-98 with my mum, dad and my younger brother and sister. I remember getting lost trying to find Disneyland Paris and ending up in Paris city, then getting to Disney very late in the afternoon and buying a Winnie the Pooh hair bobble and Christmas hat, which I still have.
I'm sorry to hear you got lost first trying to find it, at least you made it there in the end though! How many times have you visited Disneyland Paris?
So far I've been to Disneyland Paris 17 times.
Now that is a lot of times! Definitely tops my record. Considering you've visited so many times, what is the thing that you love most about Disneyland Paris?
The thing I love most about Disneyland Paris is just the pure magic and how amazing it makes you feel. As soon as I enter them turnstiles, I just feel like I've returned to being a child again as it's so magical.
I feel exactly the same way when out there. I even feel like that when discussing it, just like we are now. As you know, there are two parks at Disneyland Paris, the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Which one do you prefer?
I prefer the Disneyland Park by a million miles. As soon as you see that castle and do that walk down Main Street USA, the magic just comes alive.
I know that magic feeling you're talking about. Do you have a favourite land in the Disneyland Park?
My favourite land has got to be Fantasyland as it just makes you feel like you're part of the rides, like you're really flying on a flying elephant, or flying over Neverland on the Jolly Roger!
Yes you do certainly feel immersed in each experience, that's for sure! Do you have a favourite ride in the Disneyland Park?
My favourite ride is Big Thunder Mountain, especially more so now as my youngest Miley, who's just turned 5, has just started to like the bigger rides and just seeing her little face as we're going around is priceless!
Bless her! As I'm sure you're well are, there are some great dining options in the Disneyland Park. Do you have a favourite?
My favourite place to dine in the Disneyland Park is The Lucky Nugget Saloon. The food is delicious, especially the fish and chips!
Fish and chips, how British! We're now going to turn our attention to the park next door. I'm talking about Walt Disney Studios of course. Do you have a favourite land in the park?
Mm, let me think. I love Toy Story Playland for the rides but I really like the Ratatouille area as well as they've designed it so beautifully.
Yes Toy Story Playland has some great rides, I especially love the RC Racer. Ratatouille also has a beautiful surrounding area as you mentioned. Do you have a favourite ride in Walt Disney Studios?
My favourite ride in the studios has got to be Ratatouille by far. Just all the thought and attention to detail that they put into the ride is just amazing and so magical, making you feel like you're so tiny.
I agree. The theming on the Ratatouille ride is just stunning. I'm going to turn our attention to the topic of food again. Do you have a favourite restaurant in Walt Disney Studios?
I think there's a theme going on here *laughs* as my favourite place to dine in the studios is Chez Remy. The food is delicious! We've eaten here 5 times. Before our recent trip we had our reservation booked 60 days before the visit.
Chez Remy does have many fans, I'll definitely have to try it sometime. Now a different subject, a favourite of many, shopping! Do you have a favourite shop in either of the parks?
My favourite shop is the Christmas shop inside the castle as I absolutely adore Christmas. Having my two favourite things together in one shop couldn't be any better!
That is indeed a lovely shop. It's also hidden away and quite a few people miss it. As you know, I'm a very big fan of Disney Village, what are your thoughts on it?
I think the village is brilliant. The shops, layout, attention to detail, there's just something for everyone all in one area.
When visiting Disneyland Paris, have you stayed at any of their on-site hotels?
Yeah, we've stopped at a few Disneyland Paris hotels on and off site. In Disney, the Hotel Santa Fe and Hotel Cheyenne. Off site we have stayed at the Kyriad and Explorers hotels.
Do you have a favourite Disneyland Paris hotel?
My favourite Disney hotel by a million miles is the Santa Fe, we absolutely love it there! It's like our 2nd home, I wish it could be our first home and we could live there forever! We always have a standard adapted room as our youngest has disabilities. We've stopped there 17 times, our most recent stay this year. We can't fault the hotel, the staff, or anything about the hotel, it's just perfect to us.
As you know, I totally agree with you about the Hotel Santa Fe. I loved my first stay there last year. We'll definitely return there in the future, no doubt about that. Something a bit different know. Are there any things you would change at Disneyland Paris?
Yes, I wish I could change the smoking situation. It annoys the heck out of me. There's nothing worse than stood watching the parade with someone stood next to you smoking a cigarette and the smoke goes in your face. It's just so annoying. The staff should make them go to designated smoking areas.
I totally agree with you on this. Well we're almost at the end of our interview. Last but not least, have you ever visited any other Disney parks around the world or have plans to in the future?
I've never been lucky enough to visit any other Disney parks around the world but it is my absolute dream to go to Walt Disney World in Florida, and has been for as long as I can remember. We did price it up to go this year but it was the best part of nine thousand pounds for 5 of us, and that would of meant no Disneyland Paris for a year. I seriously couldn't cope with no Disneyland Paris for a year as we go twice a year and have made some very special friends with cast members, we would miss seeing them.
I really hope you get that dream holiday to Florida in the future! Well that concludes our interview Rachael. Thank you very much for taking part!
Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this questions session, I've really enjoyed answering them.
Rachael with all the family.
