The Most Underrated Things At Disneyland Paris

A magical journey is just a step away! 

Disneyland Paris, as I'm sure you know, is a place full of many fantastic attractions and shows, as well as some great shopping and dining experiences, all to ensure that we have the most magical and memorable holiday as possible. There are so many things to experience at Disneyland Paris that you could easily be forgiven for missing some of these out, either because you didn't see them, or because you simply didn't have the time. Most visitors tend to flock to the more popular attractions, like Pirates of the Caribbean for example, and I find that there are a lot of the same attractions that people like to leave out. I thought I would show a bit of love for these attractions which I think are very underrated, I know there are quite a few fans of them out there. The following is a personal guide to everything that I find underrated at Disneyland Paris. Other than attractions, I will be covering all aspects of the Disneyland Paris resort that I find underrated, including both of the parks, the restaurants, the shops, Disney Village, and also the hotels. 

Disneyland Park

Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to the Disneyland Park!

The Disneyland Park is simply majestical! It is a true work of art. I would even argue that it is more beautiful than the Magic Kingdom park at Walt Disney World in Florida. There are so many iconic attractions to be found at the Disneyland Park, including it's very unique versions of classic Disney rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain. The park's version of the Haunted Mansion ride, Phantom Manor, is another favourite for many fans, as is Space Mountain: Mission 2, the only Space Mountain of it's kind. Of course, most visitors rate these as the best attractions in the park, which I would have to agree with. 

Phantom Manor is waiting for you...

So what do I find underrated about the Disneyland Park you ask? Well there are quite a few things! In terms of actual lands, I would say Discoveryland is the most underrated. This is for a number of reasons. Fans of the Disneyland Park generally agree that Fantasyland and Frontierland are their favourite lands in the park. I do agree that they are amazing lands, especially Frontierland with it's fantastic Wild West theme, and a truly inspired setting for Big Thunder Mountain. Discoveryland though, is actually quite a beautiful setting itself. It is essentially the Disneyland Paris version of Tomorrowland from the other parks. It should be remembered though that Discoveryland is very unique because it is the only version of it's kind. You won't find another Discoveryland at any other Disney resort, although Tokyo DisneySea is very similar in terms of theming. Discoveryland took it's theming from the futuristic novels of Jules Verne, and there are many references to his books throughout Discoveryland. One such example is Les Mysteres du Nautilus, an attraction based on Verne's novel '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea'. This is perhaps one of the most underrated attractions in the whole of Disneyland Paris. To be honest, I think a lot visitors don't even think it is an attraction. A lot of visitors see the Nautilus submarine docking outside Space Mountain: Mission 2 and think that it is just part of the scenery. Those who have not experienced it are really missing out because I think it is one of the best themed attractions at the park. For those who have not experienced it, Les Mysteres du Nautilus is a walkthrough attraction which allows guests to wander around various chambers of the famous submarine. You'll see sleeping quarters, Captain Nemo's pipe organ, and even experience a giant squid attack! It really is a worthwhile experience, even if you only visit it once. It should also be remembered that the attraction (apart from being based on Jules Verne's novel) is also based on the Disney live action film '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea', starring James Mason and Kirk Douglas. In my opinion, definitely one not to be missed!

Lots of mysteries to be discovered in the Nautilus. 

Another part of the Disneyland Park that doesn't always get a lot of mention is Adventureland. Although it is home to fan favourites like Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones, it is also home to Adventure Isle, a little island which features La Cabane des Robinson (Swiss Family Treehouse) and Spyglass Hill caves. While I agree that the Swiss Family Treehouse is a very simple attraction, I do think that it is fantastically themed, and walking to the highest point of the tree offers some of the best views of the Disneyland Park. There isn't an awful lot to see but it is nice to imagine what it would be like to live in such an amazing treehouse, based on the Disney classic 'Swiss Family Robinson', starring John Mills. You will also hear the 'Swissapolka' song continuously playing on an organ while you walk around, and my word, it is catchy! Come to think of it, the catchy little song makes the experience all that much better! I have only experienced the Swiss Family Treehouse once but I would definitely like to do it again. When I did visit it last year, it was during the evening, and the atmosphere was amazing, especially with the views of Sleeping Beauty Castle in the distance, all lit up for the evening performance of Dreams. Again, this is one not to be missed, although I can understand why some people might only want to experience it just the once.

The Swiss Family Robinson's organ. 

Swiss Family Treehouse.

I also mentioned that on Adventure Isle is Spyglass Hill, a fantastic setting full of many caves for all of you keen adventurers to explore. Children especially love it, searching for long lost treasure, and even finding the skeletal remains of some pirates! Spyglass Hill is definitely worth a visit. Most visitors use Spyglass Hill as a walkthrough, so understandably miss out the caves, which is a big shame. From the outside, Spyglass Hill is very photogenic, with it's cave made to look like a skull, a bit like something out of 'The Goonies'! If you have some spare time, the Spyglass Hill caves are definitely worth a look. Plus, you never know what you might find!

Spyglass Hill caves. Beware of pirates!

Frontierland, as I mentioned earlier, is one of the finest parts of the Disneyland Park. There aren't many things that I would say are underrated in this part of the park. If I had to choose one though, I would say Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. Many visitors do ride the riverboats but to be honest, not many talk about it afterwards. Some visitors think that there is not an awful lot to see when riding the riverboats. I agree to an extent but I do think that the riverboats offer a nice relaxing experience from the hustle and bustle of the park. Some of the set pieces on the riverboats route are in serious need of some TLC, especially the defunct geysers. Big Thunder Mountain is currently undergoing a big refurbishment in preparation for next year's 25th anniversary celebrations, and word is that the Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing will be getting refurbished too, so fingers crossed! 

All abroad the Molly Brown!

Now you're probably going to think I'm crazy about this next one but I actually believe that parts of Fantasyland are quite underrated! As crazy as I may sound, I actually think that Sleeping Beauty Castle itself is underrated! I agree that Sleeping Beauty Castle from the outside is beautiful, like most people I have taken countless photos of it, but there are two elements to the castle that a lot of people miss. First, is La Taniere du Dragon, where visitors can dare to witness the dragon guarding the castle in his lair. Second, is Sleeping Beauty's Gallery, where visitors can look at beautiful tapestries, fantastic stained glass windows, and other features, all telling the story of Sleeping Beauty. It is her castle after all! I personally think some of the best things at Disneyland Paris are the walkthrough attractions, like the ones found at Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's just nice to explore at your own relaxing pace. The dragon's lair in particular is an amazing setting. The 89ft long animatronic dragon is truly an awe-inspiring sight, although it might frighten the little ones. He likes to sleep for most of the day, so try not to wake him up! After all, you wouldn't want to upset a dragon now would you!

Sleeping Beauty Castle. Probably the most photogenic part of the park.

Don't wake him up!

Fantasyland features two more attractions which I think are very underrated, Alice's Curious Labyrinth and Le Pays des Contes de Fees. Alice's Curious Labyrinth never opens during the Extra Magic Hours, so there can be a large crowd of people there during midday. Most people though, will skip this one. A lot of visitors tend to think that it is just an ordinary maze but being Disney, this is certainly no ordinary maze! The maze is full of lots of fun audio-animatronics from Alice In Wonderland, as well as some fun water special effects, which can be very welcoming if it's a hot day at the park! There are also lots of fun photo opportunities inside the maze. The Cheshire Cat flowerbed is a popular photo spot, especially if you want to take a selfie! At the centre of the maze is the Queen of Heart's Castle. Visitors can reach the top of the castle, which when you reach the top will offer some fantastic views of Fantasyland, as well as the Sleeping Beauty Castle in the distance. Even though it's not a ride, it is definitely one of my favourite attractions in Fantasyland. Plus, I can never pass up the opportunity to take lots of photos, and Alice's Curious Labyrinth is the perfect place for that!

I love this place!

A perfect place for a photo!

Just around the corner from Alice's Curious Labyrinth is Le Pays des Contes de Fees, or when translated into English, The Land of Fairy Tales. Honestly, this is such a lovely ride and it's sad that barely any people talk about it when discussing the park. The Land of Fairy Tales is a boat ride through different miniature settings of Disney films, like 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'The Little Mermaid'. The attention to detail in the miniature sets is simply breathtaking. When riding I love to spot all the little characters! This is such a lovely ride because the boats move around in a very leisurely pace and you can sit back and relax. Obviously it isn't one for the thrill seekers but I do think that it is a nice departure from the thrills of most of the other rides. I just find it a really enjoyable and relaxing experience.

 A lovely ride. Definitely a perfect place to relax for a few minutes.

Walt Disney Studios 

Welcome to Walt Disney Studios!

Well that's everything that I personally think is underrated at the Disneyland Park. Now onto Walt Disney Studios. When discussing Walt Disney Studios with my many Disney friends, it is clear that the park is very underrated, especially when you compare it to the Disneyland Park next door, but in all fairness, it does have some very good aspects to it. I'm also a massive film fan, so the film studios theme is a winner with me, even if that theming is somewhat lacking. With the recent additions of Toy Story Playland and Ratatouille, Walt Disney Studios could see a new lease of life in the coming years.

It's just like being in the heart of Paris!

In terms of underrated attractions, I'm going to begin with one that I think is criminally underrated, Cinemagique! Now I am going to be extremely biased about this one because it is my favourite attraction in the whole of Disneyland Paris. Cinemagique, in the Production Courtyard area of the park, is just fantastic in my eyes! It is the perfect Disney attraction to me. If you haven't watched Cinemagique, it is a live theatre show celebrating the magic of cinema. We are shown a sequence of old film clips when all of a sudden a phone rings and a member of the audience answers it. Cinema ushers chase the man onto the stage. The actors on the screen spot the man on the stage, then all of a sudden, he is transported into the film! The man, George, is transported into various film scenes through the years, including the likes of 'Titanic' and 'Star Wars'. I won't give too much away but I just think the film is absolutely brilliant, as are the special effects, especially seeing the audience member suddenly transported onto the screen, it's just pure Disney magic! The character of George on screen is played by Martin Short, who delivers a hilarious performance! The reason I say that this is 'criminally' underrated is because I hardly ever hear people mention it, and when they do, it's not normally good things. Considering most of us in this day and age are film lovers, I would have thought that this was more popular. The story is good, the special effects are brilliant, there's not much to dislike! I do know a few fans of the attraction though, so there are some of us out there! I could go on about my love for this attraction, but I might leave that for another blog one day!

A tribute to cinema, starring Martin Short and Julie Delpy.

Martin Short, lapping it up in the world of Mary Poppins.

Situated in the Production Courtyard area is another place I find underrated, this time not an attraction, but a shop. The one I'm referring to is Tower Gifts, the gift shop for Tower of Terror. While I don't always ride Tower of Terror on every visit to the park, I do always visit the gift shop. The theming inside the shop really keeps together with the theming of the ride. The shop has a real Art Deco theme about it. You feel like you are stepping back in time when walking around this shop. It also offers some very unique 'Hollywood Tower Hotel' merchandise based around the Tower of Terror attraction. I myself bought a 'Hollywood Tower Hotel' Do Not Disturb Sign. The shop also offers some very unique clothing merchandise, where I also bought a trilby hat.

The Hollywood Tower Hotel, home to Tower Gifts.

I would actually argue that the Walt Disney Studios park has some of the best themed shops to be found at Disneyland Paris. Another fantastic shop, in the Backlot area, is Rock Around The Shop, the gift shop for, you guessed it, Rock N' Roller Coaster! The shop sells merchandise themed around music, mostly rock music in particular. It sells the standard merchandise like t-shirts and hats. You can even buy drumsticks there! I personally think that Rock N' Roller Coaster is the best roller coaster at Disneyland Paris, and with an Aerosmith soundtrack, it's an absolute stormer! Recently, there has been a lot of talk of the ride getting re-themed very soon, with talks of a Marvel theme. No offence to any of you Marvel fans, but I really hope that doesn't happen. I think the ride works perfectly well as a rock music themed roller coaster, and hopefully it will stay that way! Some people argue that Aerosmith aren't a popular enough band to front a ride like Rock N' Roller Coaster but I completely disagree. While yes they are most popular in their native America, the band is still very well known around the world, especially in Europe. I think having a classic band like Aerosmith front the ride is a safe choice. You wouldn't want a modern band to front the attraction who break up after a couple of albums, which is more common these days.

Prepare to rock and roll! 

Tucked away in the Backlot area is a truly hidden gem! The little gem I'm referring to is Cafe des Cascadeurs, an authentic American metal diner. It is situated just opposite the entrance to Moteurs… Action! Stunt Show Spectacular. I've never eaten at the diner but I think it looks fantastic, and theming is truly authentic, especially when you consider the history behind it. Believe it or not, the little metal diner was originally built in 1950! It originated from New Jersey, New York, where it was known as 'The Excellent Diner'. In 1995 it was shipped to Germany. Not a lot is known about what happened before it reached the Walt Disney Studios park, although the whole interior had to be remodelled. The little theme to Cafe des Cascadeurs is that it is an American diner for the stunt show performers to take breaks in. This is just the story of course as you're not likely to ever find the real stunt performers eating at the diner! It is a lovely addition to the park though and sadly, not many people seem to dine there. It is only open seasonly now, which means it does tend to get busy from time to time. If it is open on my next visit then I think I will definitely be paying a visit!

Cafe des Cascadeurs.

A great photo opportunity outside the American diner.

The Art of Disney Animation, in the Toon Studios area, is another attraction that a lot of people miss out. Although the attraction is in French, there are headphones available so you can listen in English if preferred. The show is a little theatre presentation with a Cast Member and Mushu from Mulan. It details the history of Walt Disney and how he changed the history of animated films. While the theatre show isn't anything to really brag about, the exit area is a hidden gem. The exit area features lots of exhibits where visitors can interact with the films. One exhibit even allows visitors to overdub classic Disney scenes with their own voices. I have to say I did have some fun with that exhibit in particular. Perhaps the best feature in this area is the drawing classes. Visitors are given the chance to take part in a free art class of how to draw Mickey Mouse authentically, guided by an attentive Cast Member. The classes are normally presented in different languages as the Cast Member will ask which nationalities the attendees are and they will try their best to present it in more than one language. You have to really praise them for that. One of the best things about the exit exhibits is that you can see them without watching The Art of Disney Animation, so you can just walk straight into the exit area from outside. 

Art of Disney Animation.

That's pretty much all of the things that I find underrated at Walt Disney Studios. Before I carry on, I would just like to wish Walt Disney Studios a very happy birthday! As I'm writing this, the park has just celebrated it's 14th year of operations. Scary to think it's that old already, I can clearly remember when it opened. Anyway, onto my next subject!


Disney Village

Disney Village.

Now this wouldn't be a blog without me mentioning my favourite place Disney Village, and my word, that place is underrated! Disney Village is my favourite aspect of the Disneyland Paris resort. I just love the atmosphere there. I love the shops, the restaurants, the bars. I love listening to the music while walking around. The atmosphere at night is especially fantastic. I have never really understood some of the hate that Disney Village gets. It has changed a lot since it first opened back in 1992. The original theming is still intact, although it has changed drastically in the last 10 years. In my opinion, Disney Village is one of the unsung heroes at the Disneyland Paris resort. It is one of the best places on site for dining and shopping experiences. While most of the shops at Disney Village are generally well received, especially the recent World of Disney store, the restaurants are not all held in high regard. Two in particular, are Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe. I love both of these, so I will go into a little bit of detail about both.

Planet Hollywood is easily my favourite restaurant in the whole of Disneyland Paris. As I mentioned, I'm a film fanatic, so this place is heaven for me. Planet Hollywood is packed with film memorabilia on the walls and serves a very American menu, with the likes of burgers and steaks. Planet Hollywood is an American chain restaurant, and has many locations around the world, including locations at London and Walt Disney World in Florida. Honestly, I have never ever had a bad meal at the Planet Hollywood at Disney Village. The food is always lovely and the service is always good. I can understand that one bad meal may put people off from going but I think people should give it a second chance. It is still popular with a lot of visitors though, but for some reason, a lot of Brits don't appear to be fans. Personally, I love it! I would recommend it to anyone.

Planet Hollywood, easily my favourite place to dine.

Rainforest Cafe is another restaurant in Disney Village that divides opinion. A majority of people like it but there are still quite a few that dislike it. Rainforest Cafe is another American chain. Just like Planet Hollywood, it also has locations in London and at Walt Disney World in Florida. I think the Rainforest Cafe is brilliant because it is almost like an attraction itself. Inside the restaurant features lots of animatronic animals, like gorillas and elephants that come to life every few minutes. The atmosphere inside is amazing, you really do feel like you're in a rainforest! I've eaten here quite a few times and have always had very good service from the waiting staff, who are all dressed up like explorers. The food is a bit more diverse than Planet Hollywood, which is possibly why it has more fans than Planet Hollywood. I love both restaurants and just think it's a shame they're not held in as high regard as I think they should be. I would definitely say these are the two most underrated restaurants at Disney Village.

Enjoying a Dessert at the Rainforest Cafe.

Disney Hotels

Sequoia Lodge, my favourite hotel at Disneyland Paris.

Now the Disneyland Paris hotels all divide opinion because we all have our favourites, which is completely natural. One thing I do find unfair though is that some people like to slate the Hotel Cheyenne and Hotel Santa Fe, just because they are the cheaper hotels. There's nothing wrong with staying at these two hotels, especially if you're on a budget. Also in all fairness, these are still two very nice hotels. Just because they are less expensive to stay in doesn't mean that they are not as nice. I'm personally not a massive fan of the Disneyland Hotel and would quite happily rather stay at the Cheyenne or Santa Fe. I have never stayed at the Hotel Cheyenne but I have gone for a walk around the hotel and loved the theming. It's a bit like an extension of Frontierland from the Disneyland Park. I know the rooms are less basic than some of the other hotels but in all fairness, you don't spend a lot of the holiday in your room do you. I can definitely vouch for the Hotel Santa Fe as I stayed there for the first time last year. I didn't know what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. While I agree the theming isn't spectacular, it is still very easy on the eye. I loved the hotel's restaurant, La Cantina. We eat there every morning for breakfast and also dined there two nights during our stay. The Cast Members at the Hotel Santa Fe were brilliant, some of the best we experienced on our trip.

Hotel Cheyenne.

Hotel Santa Fe this way!

That just about covers everything now. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog. It's been quite a joy to write as I always like to share some love for the underrated things at Disneyland Paris. Thank you for  reading!

Interview with a Disney Friend - Jay

Hello everyone and welcome to the second edition of Interview with a Disney Friend. Joining me today is my very good Disney Friend Jay!

Jay and his girlfriend Bekkie outside Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Hey Jay! Thank you for joining me today. I'm sure we should be in for a very fun and enlightening discussion today. Why don't we start from the very beginning? What is the very first Disney memory you can remember?

Hi Michael! Thank you for asking me to be a part of your blog! Love the work you are doing so it's a pleasure to be a part of it! To answer your first question, the first Disney memory I can remember would probably be the night time firework display in the Magic Kingdom in Florida, aged 7! I remember being amazed by the show and that memory has stuck with me to this day. 

That is a nice memory. The firework displays at the Disney parks in Florida certainly are very memorable to say the least! Let's move onto the subject of Disney films. What is your favourite animated Disney film?

My favourite animated film is Peter Pan. That's been the same since I was tiny and I don't think it will ever change! I love everything about the film and the message it portrays, probably because I'm a big kid and will never ever grow up! (*laughs*)

I know what you mean! How about your favourite live action Disney film?

As for my favourite live action film, I would have to say Pirates of the Caribbean. The series are all fantastic and they are the type of films that I could watch over and over again. I also love how the Disney parks have captured the films in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, one of my favourite attractions.

Yes there are many references in the ride from the films, although the ride came first of course. Now a slightly different topic, music. What is your favourite Disney song?

This is a tough question because there are so many amazing songs to choose from. My favourite song can also change from day to day depending on what sort of mood I am in. If I had to pick one ultimate favourite, I would probably say Go The Distance from Hercules. I think this is one of the most underrated songs but it has always been one of the best songs for me. This is however closely followed by Gaston, I Just Can't Wait To Be King, Be A Man, and pretty much of the soundtrack to Tarzan!

Some very nice choices there, also nice to see you haven't gone for some of the more commercial songs. Anyway. Let's move onto the main topic of conversation, Disneyland Paris! When was the first time you visited Disneyland Paris, and can you remember a lot about it?

I am fairly new to the Disneyland Paris scene, having visited for the first time in 2015. I visited in January with my girlfriend for my 21st birthday. Obviously I remember everything about it being only last year. I loved everything about it and that has fuelled our love for Disneyland Paris. We visited again in 2016 and plan to go next year too. We absolutely love our time at Disneyland Paris and it is always the highlight of our year. Always lots of new memories to be made.

That's very true. Disneyland Paris is the ultimate place to make memories! So you have been to Disneyland Paris twice then?

Currently, I have visited Disneyland Paris twice, although I am currently in the middle of preparing my third visit. I am extremely looking forward to my visit in 2017 having seen and heard all of the renovations that are taking place to prepare the park for it's anniversary. The new projects are very exciting and I look forward to seeing all of the changes they have made to the parks when I next visit. 

Yes next year should be a very exciting year for Disneyland Paris. I will also be visiting next year for my honeymoon! Now there are many things I love about Disneyland Paris but what do you love most about Disneyland Paris?

It sounds very cliche, but you can't beat the magic of first walking into the Disneyland Park. Walking down Main Street USA, taking in all the sights and seeing all of the magic unfold in front of your eyes is priceless! No matter what the weather, the Disney castle never fails to take my breath away and this sums up the magic you feel when visiting the Disneyland Park. I think every Disney fan would agree that there are too many amazing elements of Disney to write about, but Disney magic just about sums up the feeling you get during every second of your time spent in Disneyland Paris!

I know what you mean. You can't beat a bit of Disney magic! Both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios are amazing in their own ways but which park do you prefer?

Personally, I prefer the Disneyland Park purely because it is currently a lot bigger than the studios and I much prefer the theming at the Disneyland Park. Although Walt Disney Studios has a lot to offer, the different areas could definitely use more theming in order to make you feel more immersed in each section you enter. Undoubtedly, both parks are brilliant, however for me, the Disneyland Park definitely makes my Disney experience complete.

I definitely agree with you about the theming at Walt Disney Studios. As you prefer the Disneyland Park, which would you say is your favourite land there?

Good question! My favourite land in the Disneyland Park would probably have to be Frontierland. It's my favourite land because it is home to Big Thunder Mountain, in the middle of a lake! This is one of the best rides in the park and so to feature it in the middle of a lake just makes the whole experience that much better. I definitely think that this area could use some development, however this could be said about every area of the park. Still, this area is very immersive and features some of my favourites rides and restaurants in the park.

Frontierland is a very popular choice, especially with it's immersive Wild West theme. As there are so many fantastic rides on offer in the Disneyland Park, do you have a favourite?

Without a doubt, my favourite ride in the Disneyland Park would have to be Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. My girlfriend and I always have a competition as to who can get the high the highest score on this ride, I always win! It is such a good laugh and we probably ride it the most out of any ride in the park. We always try to outdo our previous score and look for the hidden targets that Disney place around the attraction.

You two are so similar to me and my fiancee! We always try to outdo each other on Buzz Lightyear, safe to say I always win! Anyway, let's turn our attention to the food on offer at the Disneyland Park. Do you have a favourite place to dine in the Disneyland Park?

Unfortunately, only having visited Disneyland Paris twice, I have only been able to dine at Plaza Gardens in the Disneyland Park. I loved this restaurant, offering an excellent choice of food with friendly staff and a relaxing ambience. It is also an incredible place to watch the Disney Dreams show at the end of the night because you can dine whilst watching the fireworks go off around you. Hopefully, with more Disney trips in the works, I will be able to experience more restaurants in the park in the future.

You definitely want to on your next trip mate. There are lots of lovely dining options in the Disneyland Park although I would probably say that Plaza Gardens is the best one there, so you made a good choice going there! How about we discuss a bit more about Walt Disney Studios? Do you have a favourite land in Walt Disney Studios?

I would have to say my favourite land in the studios would be the Ratatouille area. This is a relatively new area and I believe it captures the movie brilliantly! The fact that the ride is amazing also makes this area stand out for me. The studios could definitely use a lot more theming, but I think they are definitely moving towards this with areas like Ratatouille and Toy Story Playland. 

Yes I agree, with the new areas I think the future for Walt Disney Studios looks pretty bright! Would you be able to choose a favourite ride in Walt Disney Studios?

This is such a tough question because there are 3 to 4 rides in the studios that are very high in my estimation! Firstly, Crush's Coaster is one of my favourite rides because it's so much fun and is also quite thrilling. The only downside to this ride is the wait times due to the lack of a fastpass option. Nevertheless, it is still one of my favourite rides in the park. You cannot overlook the Tower Of Terror and Rock N' Roller Coaster, both Disney classic that give you big laughs and big thrills. These rides are definitely the first I head to in the park! Finally, Ratatouille is another of my favourites as it captures the movie so well and is one of the more up to date rides across both parks. It would be a very tough decision to pick between those rides!

All very good choices! Again we turn our attention to food. Where do you like to dine when in Walt Disney Studios?

Sadly, I have not been able to dine in any of the areas at Walt Disney Studios, having only visited twice. Ratatouille (Bistro Chez Remy) is definitely on the list of restaurants to do in the future! I have been able to purchase snacks in the park whilst watching shows like Cinemagique and Moteurs…Action! Things like hotdogs, crisps and burgers have never disappointed! 

I must say Bistro Chez Remy is on my list of restaurants to try in the future too. It is hard to visit a new one though when you have your favourites from previous visits. Let's discuss a different topic, a favourite for many, shopping! Do you have a favourite shop in either park?

One of my favourite shops has to be in Walt Disney Studios directly on the left when you enter the park. This shop has a variety of Disney merchandise and is often very quiet which gives you a lot of time to look around without all of the hustle and bustle. The studios shop has a lot of movie merchandise on sale which is unique to the parks however also sells the majority of Disney merchandise featured around the park.

That is a very lovely shop, probably the best in Walt Disney Studios in my opinion. Also quite handy as well as it's one of the first things you see when you enter the park. Now we're going to turn our attention to my favourite aspect of Disneyland Paris, Disney Village! Are you a fan of Disney Village? If so, what do you like about it?

Disney Village is definitely one of my favourite places to shop. Every single piece of Disney merchandise imaginable is on offer throughout the village, which makes it the best shopping experience in Disneyland Paris for me. I never fail to leave the village without something new! On top of the array of shops, the restaurants and food stalls also offer some of the best food in Disneyland Paris. My favourite of these restaurants is Billy Bob's because I am a big fan of the food they offer and I love the atmosphere. 

I must admit myself and Laura (my fiancee) enjoyed dining at Billy Bob's last year and we'll probably visit there again next year. As you know Jay, just up from Disney Village are the Disneyland Paris hotels, surrounding Lake Disney. Have you stayed in any of these before?

Yes. So far I have stayed at the Hotel Santa Fe and Sequoia Lodge. I enjoyed both hotels, however we did not spend a lot of time in either because we were in the parks pretty much all day! I would definitely like to try the Hotel New York and Newport Bay Club in the future just to see the differences. 

All lovely hotels mate. Would you say you have a favourite hotel?

Sequoia Lodge is currently my favourite hotel. I love the atmosphere of this hotel as I think it's very welcoming and homely. The food is excellent and the staff are extremely organised and friendly. On top of this, we enjoyed many nights in the bar enjoying their cocktails! I would definitely say the Sequoia Lodge is more aimed at adults, being themed as a relaxing, warm hotel compared to the more childlike theming at Hotel Santa Fe. I have heard a lot of positive reviews about the Golden Forest rooms in the Sequoia Lodge therefore this is on top of my bucket list for next time we visit.

Although I've stayed at four of the Disneyland Paris hotels, I would agree with you and say that the Sequoia Lodge is also my favourite, especially considering I've stayed there more than any other hotel. Before we end our discussion about Disneyland Paris, are there any changes you would like to see there?

In all honesty, I absolutely love visiting Disneyland Paris with my girlfriend because I believe it is such a unique and magical holiday, hence the numerous visits planned! For this reason, there is not a great deal I believe needs changing. If I had to be picky, I would perhaps say that the studios could do with a redesign in regards to the theming to make the area more sectioned out and immersive. On top of this, I would definitely like to see Discoveryland updated because I believe it is fairly dated and could use some modernisation. As previously mentioned, upon our last visit to Disneyland Paris, a lot of upgrades were being discussed or implemented which makes me very excited to see the changes during my future visits. 

Yes there are many things to look forward to in the coming years at Disneyland Paris. Did you mention that you have visited another Disney park other than Disneyland Paris?

Luckily, I have been to Walt Disney World in Florida on 5 separate occasions. There are a lot more parks in Florida which makes it an excellent place to visit. However, I believe it is very difficult to compare these parks to Disneyland Paris because they offer something completely different. They are uniquely fantastic in their own ways, offering the Disney magic we all know and love. This is why I am such a Disney fan overall! I have recently booked my next trip to Florida in 2017 so I am very excited about visiting again!

I'd be excited too mate! Well thank you very much for a great interview Jay, that was really good stuff man! Just before you go, could I get your thoughts on this blog as well as my Facebook group?

It was a pleasure mate. Thank you for giving me the chance to be a part of your blog and for such interesting questions. I am truly interested in all your work and enjoy reading your blogs. I hope they keep coming for a long time and I look forward to seeing what you keep producing. I think the Facebook group is awesome! Nice to be a part of it and to see it grow with your work. Keep up the excellent work pal! It's been a pleasure!

Disneyland Paris - Readers Questions Interview - Part 2

Hey everyone. As some of you may recall, I wrote a blog last year answering some of your questions, as well as questions people asked me on different Facebook groups. I answered as many as I could but in recent weeks, people have asked me more questions, so I thought it would be fun to follow up the first blog with another one. Disneyland Paris is such a big love of mine that I could quite happily answer questions about it all day, so there may even be more similar blogs like this in the future. Anyway, I hope you find my answers interesting, informative, and of course, fun!

I'm going to begin with some questions about some of my favourite Disney things, other than the theme parks.


What is your favourite animated Disney film?

Now that is a very hard question. Disney are of course the best of the best when it comes to animated films. Like most children, I grew up watching Disney films with all of the family. I spent a lot of my younger years watching the likes of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Cinderella as they are favourites of my family. Having seen those two films so many times, I would probably say that they're my favourites too, especially when it comes to classic Disney animated films. I grew up in the 1990s, when Disney released quite a few successful films like Hercules and Aladdin, but I was never a big fan of them. Although not a typical Disney film for boys to like, I did used to love The Little Mermaid from 1989. I think I liked that one (and I still do, really) because of all the memorable songs in it. The most recent Disney animated film I have fallen in love with, like most people, is Frozen. I first watched it after it came out on DVD and instantly fell in love with it. What I like most about Frozen is it's catchy songs. Brilliant animation too. I'm sure Walt Disney would be proud!

What is your favourite live action Disney film?

Now this is another hard question for me, even harder than choosing a favourite animated film. Most children growing up with Disney films prefer the animated films, but I always preferred the live action Disney films. Looking back through the years, Disney have made many fantastic live action films, and still do to this very day. My favourite live action film, or should I say film series, would have to be the Herbie films. Growing up, I was absolutely fanatical about Herbie, the little volkswagen beetle with a mind of it's own. I would always try to buy toy volkswagen beetles wherever I could find them! The Herbie films have always been a favourite of mine and I think they will be for a long time. The first film, The Love Bug, is my absolute favourite Disney film of all time, no question. I would also like to give a special mention to Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The first film in the Pirates series is undoubtedly the best one. I think Disney were spot on when they made this film. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow was truly an inspired casting, and my word, it paid off didn't it!

What is your favourite Disney song?

What's with these tough questions! Another hard one for me to answer but I'll give it a go. There are so many classic Disney songs aren't there. The soundtrack to my childhood was Disney songs. As I already mentioned, I used to love The Little Mermaid for it's songs, with classics such as Under The Sea and Kiss The Girl. I also love Frozen for it's many singalong songs. It's so hard to chose a favourite Disney song as there are so many, but if I had to, I think I would go with Let It Go, from Frozen. This is just such a classic already, even though it's only just over two years old. It's a really uplifting song, and probably the best sequence from the film. Idina Menzel's soaring vocals are just out of this world!

If you had to work for Disney, what would your ideal job be?

Wow, what a fantastic opportunity that would be! I think if given the choice, I would love to do something that would involve writing, very much like I do with these blogs. I'm very good with people though, so I think I would like to be a Cast Member in some kind. I would work in any of the parks, whether it be in Paris or America. If given the opportunity I would prefer to work in America. I think ideally I would like to be a professional blog writer for Disney. Who knows, if I keep this little hobby going, you never know what might happen!

Have you got any future blogs planned?

Oh yes, many! One of the things I love most about writing these blogs is knowing that I have built up a little fan base full of Disney fans. It's so lovely to know that I have fans of this blog that love my articles. Considering I started this as a little side hobby, it's so nice to know that there are people out there that enjoy my work, and I truly thank you all! I still can't believe that I have fans from all over the world. I would never have dreamed that I would have fans from countries as far away as Australia and Brazil! To keep the blog running, I always have a couple of blogs on the go at the same time. Currently in the pipeline are some hotel reviews, facts about Disney Village, and some blogs discussing my top 5 restaurants and shops at Disneyland Paris. Again, I really do appreciate everyone that reads my blogs!

Now onto questions about my biggest passion, that's right, Disneyland Paris!


What is your favourite section of the Disneyland Park?

I would probably go with Discoveryland, although Frontierland is a very close second! I love the ambience of Discoveryland. The wonderful architecture, the inspiring music, just everything. Yes, I think it could do with some changes but I still love it. I think it's the most unique version of the Tomorrowland area to be found at any Disney park around the world. Discoveryland was inspired by the science fiction novels of Jules Verne, and the influences are very clear to see. Although it looks amazing in the day, it looks even better in the dark evenings. Like I said, Frontierland would be a close second, for a number of reasons. Just like Discoveryland, I think the Frontierland in Disneyland Paris is the best Frontierland around the world. It is unique because it is the only Disney park to have Big Thunder Mountain on an island in the middle of a lake. The version of Haunted Mansion, Phantom Manor, is also the best. This is one thing about Disneyland Paris that many people overlook, it actually features some very unique versions of attractions found in the other parks, as well as it's own unique attractions not to be found anywhere else.

What is your favourite section of Walt Disney Studios?

Although I'm a fan of the park, I'm not overly keen on some the theming at certain areas. In fact, I think the park lacks quite a lot of theming to be honest. Recent areas though, like Toy Story Playland and Ratatouille, would suggest that the park is getting better when it comes to theming, so positive signs ahead! I would have to say my favourite section of the park is probably the Ratatouille area. Although the section only features one ride and a restaurant, it's theming is immaculate!

Which is your favourite hotel to stay in and why?

I've been lucky enough to have stayed at four of the Disneyland Paris hotels. I have stayed at the Hotel New York, Hotel Santa Fe, Sequoia Lodge, and Newport Bay Club. I love all of these hotels for many reasons, which I will write in another blog soon. It really is a struggle to chose a favourite as I love them all for different reasons but as I have stayed there the most times, I would go with the Sequoia Lodge. I won't go into too much detail about why I love it as I am planning on writing a hotel review about it, but I think the theming here is exceptional. I also got engaged to my fiancee outside the front of the Sequoia Lodge, so it will always hold a special place in my heart for that.

Which seasons have you experienced at Disneyland Paris and which one was your favourite?

I've been lucky enough to have experienced the Halloween and Christmas seasons at Disneyland Paris. Both are equally as lovely in terms of theming but I think Christmas season would top it for me. As you'd expect, Disneyland Paris goes that extra step further for Christmas. In Disney Village, there are many Christmas stalls put up, where you can buy the likes of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. In the Disneyland Park, guests can experience snow every day when walking down Main Street during the Christmas special. Little things like this make Christmas that extra bit special for me. Don't get me wrong though, the Halloween season theming is fantastic, with lots of fun ghost and pumpkin people statues to be found around the Disneyland Park. Halloween season also provides guests the best opportunity to meet some of the Disney villains, whereas the rest of the year they are very rare to find in the parks.

Which season do you most look forward to?

I don't tend to visit Disneyland Paris based on the seasons but I would say I probably most look forward to the Christmas season, whether it be visiting, or watching videos/looking at photos of that time of year. Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year anyway, so visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas time makes it extra magical!

Have you met any rare characters at Disneyland Paris?

Sadly, I have never met any rare characters at Disneyland Paris. On my last trip I met many characters I had never met before but I wouldn't say any of them were rare characters to meet. The closest to rare characters I've met were the two ugly stepsisters from Cinderella, Anastasia and Drizella, and the two mice, Suzy and Perla, also from Cinderella. I would say that the two ugly stepsisters are quite rare to meet because they are not normally out and about in the parks other than during the Halloween season. They provided one of the best character experiences on my last trip, they were just hilarious! Suzy and Perla can be quite rare to meet walking about the parks, although you can quite easily meet them if you dine at Auberge de Cendrillon (Cinderella's Inn) at the Disneyland Park. You can also meet many of the princesses at the restaurant too.

Which character would you like to meet in the parks that you haven't already?

Now to be honest, I never thought I would be a fan of meeting the characters at my age (22) but I loved it on my trip last year. Me and my fiancee were so lucky with the amount of characters we met last year but there are still some I would really like to meet. I would love to meet Buzz Lightyear as I met Woody last year. I would also love to meet Winnie the Pooh, as he was one of my favourite Disney characters growing up. Having never seen any for meet and greets at either park, I would absolutely love to meet some characters from Star Wars! It would make my day if I could meet the likes of Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca! It would also be nice to meet some other princesses as well as they provide  some of the best character interactions. It would be nice to meet Ariel and Belle.

If you could choose any current attraction from another Disney park around the world, which one would you like to be built at either of the parks?

The first one that comes to mind is The Great Movie Ride. I think The Great Movie Ride (from Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida) is the perfect attraction that Walt Disney Studios really craves. If you're unfamiliar with the ride then The Great Movie Ride is a journey into the magic of the movies, with a guided vehicle taking you through many classic scenes from the movies, featuring audio-animatronics and lots of special effects. This classic attraction has been a staple of Disney's Hollywood Studios, ever since it opened on the park's opening day in 1989. While I agree that people could argue that The Great Movie Ride is similar to the already standing attraction at Walt Disney Studios, Cinemagique, it would still fit very well into the park, and I think it would be a success. Cinemagique, by the way, is my favourite attraction at both of the parks in Paris, so there is no way I would substitute it for The Great Movie Ride, I'd love them both!

What would you say is the biggest difference between the Disneyland Park in Paris and the Magic Kingdom in Florida?

There are too many differences to choose just one. I would like to note though that I think it is very unfair when people are negative when comparing both parks. People have to remember that Disneyland Paris is completely unique to the Magic Kingdom, and is not a carbon copy. While yes, there are many of the same attractions, both parks have their own unique attractions, especially at Disneyland Paris. I would say the most noticeable difference between the parks is the size. The Disneyland Park doesn't compare in sheer size comparison to the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is a whole lot bigger than the Disneyland Park, so people have to realise how much space either park has to work with. There is still lots of space for the Magic Kingdom to work with but at the Disneyland Park in Paris, there is a big lack of space, whereas most of the land is already taken up with attractions and backstage areas. In all honesty, I don't think people should compare either park as they're so different. I think people should look at the positives of both.

If you could make any changes to either of the parks and Disney Village, what would they be?

Again, this is another subject I have dedicated a whole blog to but I will discuss some of the main ones. In the Disneyland Park, I would love to see Discoveryland given some more attention. Despite it being my favourite land at the Disneyland Park, I still think it needs some updating. The theatre next door to Star Tours that used to host Captain EO and Honey, I Shrunk The Audience could easily be remodelled into something different. One idea I had was for that theatre to be remodelled into a Star Wars themed restaurant based on the famous cantina scene from Star Wars: A New Hope. As Star Wars is so popular at the moment with the new film not long released, I think a Star Wars themed restaurant would be amazing, as well as being unique due to the fact there is not a Star Wars themed restaurant anywhere else in the world. It would be amazing for guests to dine in a setting, surrounded by Star Wars characters and aliens. Walt Disney Studios, as I already mentioned, just really needs some re-theming. Disney Village, my favourite thing at Disneyland Paris, isn't in need of any major changes. Many would say that Disney Village is the best it ever has been since it opened in 1992. One change I would make though would be to bring back daily concerts at Disney Village. I remember in the early 2000s that Disney Village used to host concerts on a daily basis every evening. This used to draw in huge crowds and I remember seeing many great bands there. I think it would be a great way to improve some of the night life at Disneyland Paris.

Which bar is your favourite in the parks, hotels, and Disney Village?

While there aren't any bars so to speak in the parks, my favourite place to sit down and relax with a drink is the Market House Deli, on Main Street USA in the Disneyland Park. This little venue serves up some very nice sandwiches as well as some lovely sweet treats like chocolate muffins for example. Hotel wise, my favourite bar is without doubt the Redwood Bar at the Sequoia Lodge! The atmosphere here is just so relaxing, especially in the evening after a busy day at the parks. I've never actually had an alcoholic drink at the Redwood Bar but I have always enjoyed sitting down and relaxing with a hot chocolate or latte. Cast Members at the Redwood Bar are just as exceptional as you'd expect. I'd also like to give a little shout out to the Rio Grande Bar at the Hotel Santa Fe. While it's probably the least themed bar at the Disneyland Paris resort, it's the most peaceful one. It's also one of the cheapest bars on site too. In Disney Village, the Sports Bar is my absolute favourite to grab a drink. I love the atmosphere here, especially when there is a crowd of people all watching the same game and cheering a team on. It is never rowdy there and always has a good family friendly atmosphere, despite it being a bar. The Sports Bar is definitely my favourite destination for a beer while visiting Disneyland Paris.

Do you think Disney Village is missing any type of restaurant?

Yes, definitely! As much as I love Disney Village, there is definitely an overabundance of American style food. King Ludwig's Castle is the only restaurant in Disney Village to not specialise in American food, instead specialising in German food. I think Disney Village should stick to a more European theme when it comes to restaurants, after all, most of the visitors to Disneyland Paris are from Europe. I think Disney Village could definitely do with an Italian themed restaurant as well as a British themed restaurant. The Olive Garden restaurant chain, which specialises in Italian food, would definitely be a good fit for Disney Village. In terms of a British themed restaurant, I'm sure there could be a pub themed restaurant in the future. One can only hope!


Well that brings things to an end for now. I hope you have enjoyed reading my answers to these questions. It's been a pleasure answering the questions. Always more than happy to answer your questions, especially as it gives me an excuse to write about Disneyland Paris once again, but then again, I never need an excuse to write about my favourite place in the world!

Before I finish, I'd just like to give a special shout out to Immy Cousins and Jay Miles for their help with this blog. Much appreciated you two!