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!

Disneyland Paris - Readers Questions Interview - Part 1

As any of my readers will know, Disneyland Paris is one of my favourite places in the world. Due to a long held admiration for it, as well as various trips there, I have built up quite a bit of knowledge about the place. It was only until my most recent trip that I decided to start up this blog. I'm so glad I did because I have truly enjoyed writing every post on here and it's very rewarding to know that a lot of my readers enjoy the posts. Recently, I asked some of my readers through social media if they had any questions for me to answer. I had a great response, and a big thank you to everyone that asked me the questions. As promised, here are my answers for all of your questions!


How many times have you visited Disneyland Paris?

To be honest, I couldn't tell you the exact amount of times. I know I first went when I was very young, too young to remember in fact. I would probably say I've been over 10 times.

How many times do you visit in a year?

Only once. Believe me, if I could afford it, I would go at least 3 times a year!

Which is your favourite park at Disneyland Paris and favourite ride within that park?

That's an easy one. It has to be the Disneyland Park for me. Don't get me wrong, I do love Walt Disney Studios as I'm a massive film fan, but I just think Disneyland Park is so much better for many reasons. I'd say Disneyland Park tops it for me because it has much better theming than Walt Disney Studios, and there are better attractions in the park. My favourite ride in the Disneyland Park is easily Pirates of the Caribbean. I've always loved Pirates. In my eyes, it's the ultimate Disney ride in the Disneyland Park, it is though, not my favourite overall attraction, which I will talk about in another question.

What is your favourite attraction within both parks?

As I mentioned above, my favourite attraction in the Disneyland Park is without a doubt Pirates of the Caribbean. Like I said, it's just the essential Disney experience for me. I love everything about it. The queue, the ride, the music, everything! Walt Disney Studios, is actually home to my favourite overall attraction. Being a massive film fan, it's quite fitting that my favourite attraction is none other than Cinemagique. Aside from rides, Disney is well known for putting on fantastic shows, and Cinemagique is one of them, and I've never seen anything better! I could go on for ages about why I love this attraction, so I'll leave that for another post!

What is your favourite thing about Disney Village?

Wow, what a question! Where do I even begin? Without my love for Disney Village, this blog would simply not exist! For many different reasons, Disney Village has always been one of my favourite things about the Disneyland Paris resort. I just love how it's an entertainment complex all dedicated to Disney, yet it's not in your face so to speak. I have many favourite things about Disney Village, but it would probably be the fact that it is home to my favourite restaurant, Planet Hollywood.

What would you say to someone who is visiting the parks for the first time? What tips would you give them?

My biggest tip is a simple one, just relax! I know it can be quite daunting for a first time visitor with so much to take in, but I believe that you will benefit so much more if you relax. Try not to rush to see everything. Maybe a bit of simple planning could help. For example, plan in the morning what attractions you most want to experience and try to head to them first. A lot of people tend to go for a couple of days or 5 days. If you're there for a couple of days, you simply won't have enough time to experience everything, so just make sure you head to what you want experience the most first. If you're experiencing a 5 day trip, then you'll definitely be able to experience everything you want, unless there's any ride closures of course! My other big tip is three words, 'Extra Magic Hours!' If you are staying onsite at one of Disney's many wonderful hotels, then you get the privilege of using the Extra Magic Hours. These allow guests to enter the parks a couple of hours before normal opening time. All you have to do is show your 'Disney Hotel Easy Pass' at the park entrance then you're on your way! Extra Magic Hours are so beneficial because you can beat the crowds on some rides and have the chance of meeting lots of the main Disney characters before the big crowds roll in. The only downside is the fact that only some lands in the park are open for the earlier hours.

Do you have any traditions when you visit Disneyland Paris?

I wouldn't say I had any traditions in particular, but there are always certain things that I always like to do. One of my favourite things I always do is walk around Disney Village before heading back to the hotel. I know I see the same things every night, but I still love walking around all the shops and just taking in all the atmosphere! Another thing I've enjoyed doing on the past couple of trips is leaving one evening to walk around all the hotels and look inside the gift shops and just experience the different atmospheres at each hotel. I mean think about it, where else in the world can you experience the Wild West, the hustle and bustle of New York, the beautiful American pine forests, and the American yacht clubs. There's just nothing quite like the Disney hotels in Paris. I would definitely say the hotels in Paris are better than the Disney hotels in Walt Disney World in Florida!

What is your best experience with the characters?

To be honest, it was only this year that we went out of our way to look for the characters and meet them. I would probably say my favourite experience was meeting Eeyore and Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh because Eeyore is my favourite Disney cartoon character, couldn't resist hugging him could I! Rabbit was also great because he put my trilby hat on one of his ears when I was posing for a photo. My other favourite experience was when I met Peter Pan and Smee. Being a facial character, I had a funny chat with Peter Pan, who kept mocking Smee. It was quite a laugh!

Do you like any theme parks from your own country or other countries, or is it just Disney?

As much as I love the Disney parks, they're definitely not the only ones I like. Being from the UK, we have quite a few of our own theme parks. I've been to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, and Chessington World of Adventures. While none of these compare to the magic of Disney, I was really impressed by Chessington World of Adventures on my recent visit earlier this year. Another theme park I like is PortAventura in Salou, Spain. I've visited this one twice and I think it has some brilliant theming, but then again, it was made by the Universal company, so you would expect some pretty nice touches! When it comes to Disney parks, I've been very lucky to have visited Walt Disney World in Florida on nearly 10 occasions. Florida really is the home of the theme park. Disney aside, I absolutely love the Universal Studios Resort. As I have mentioned, I'm a massive film fan, so Universal Studios is of great appeal to me. My favourite Disney park in Florida is definitely Hollywood Studios, although you can't beat the Magic Kingdom.

How many attractions are there at Disneyland Paris?

Well in simple terms, quite a few! It depends on what you count as attractions. I would personally include rides, shows, and things to explore in that list, so I count a grand total of 35. Walt Disney Studios has far less attractions and I count 17 in the park. In all fairness Walt Disney Studios is a lot smaller than it's sister park.

What is the most recent attraction?

The most recent attraction is Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquee de Remy, or in English, Ratatouille: Remy's Totally Zany Adventure, although I prefer to just call it Ratatouille! This one officially opened on the 10th July 2014. There haven't been any recent announcements for any new attractions in the pipeline, however, 2016 will see a lot of rides receiving some major refurbishments.

When is the highest attendance at the parks?

It tends to vary, but the busiest periods for the park are definitely the summer holidays, so between July and early September. The Christmas season (November 7th to January 7th) is also another popular time for visitors, especially Christmas week. I have to admit, I would love to spend Christmas Day and Boxing Day at Disneyland Paris!

Do Disneyland Paris put on any special seasonal events and how long do they last for?

They certainly do. The first big seasonal event each year is the Swing into Spring season, lasting from March 1st to May 31st. Swing into Spring typically celebrates the Easter holidays, and you will normally have the chance to have meet and greets with character such as Thumper from Bambi. Halloween season is the next big one. The Halloween Festival lasts from the 1st October to 1st November. I was out there for the start of the Halloween season this year. There is of course a Christmas season. Disney's Enchanted Christmas lasts from November 7th to January 7th. Let me tell you, you haven't experienced Disneyland Paris until you've witnessed it in all it's Christmas season glory! There are also other special events such as St Patrick's Day, Disney's Halloween Party, and New Year's Eve.

Where are the most popular destinations for food at Disneyland Paris?

A majority of these are in Disney Village. However, in the Disneyand Park, the most popular places to eat are Walt's restaurant, and the brilliant buffet Plaza Gardens. In Walt Disney Studios, a lot of people eat at the new Bistro Chez Remy which is situated right next to the Ratatouille ride. You even exit the ride right next to the restaurant. Being the mecca that it is, Disney Village has it's fair share of restaurants, and with so many, you'll find this is the place most people tend to head to for food. Being a worldwide restaurant chain, Planet Hollywood is very popular with visitors. Rainforest Cafe is also another popular choice. The most popular though is Cafe Mickey, where guests can dine with some of the Disney characters, providing a very memorable experience. Another popular place for guests, Brits in particular, is Earl of Sandwich. Like the name suggests, this place specialises in sandwiches, all of which are toasted and made to order. I've quite honestly never had a toasted sandwich as nice as the ones there, okay, maybe in America, home of the toasted sandwich!

What is your favourite restaurant at Disneyland Paris?

Planet Hollywood, no contest! This has always been a favourite of mine ever since I can remember. I've been dining at various Planet Hollywoods around the world for years. The restaurants in Disney Village and Downtown Disney in Florida are definitely my two favourites. It's just the ultimate place to dine if you're a film buff. The food is great too in my opinion. I could spend hours walking around the restaurant looking at all the film memorabilia dotted around the walls of the building.

What are the best dishes that you have tried?

Well my favourite dish I've eaten can be found at Planet Hollywood, and that is the Chicken Penne Broccoli. I ask for it without the broccoli, but the pasta has an amazing creamy sauce and the chicken just adds to it's amazing flavour. It's so nice I have it every single time! I've also enjoyed some lovely burgers at the Rainforest Cafe and Annette's Diner. One of my favourite places to eat though was definitely La Cantina buffet at the Hotel Santa Fe. The food there was just amazing, and such a great choice too!

Have you ever eaten any Mickey Mouse shaped food?

I have, but not in Disneyland Paris. On a Florida holiday I once eat some Mickey Mouse shaped waffles for breakfast, oh my they were delicious!

What is your favourite shop at Disneyland Paris?

Now that is a hard question to answer! I have many favourite shops at Disneyland Paris. My favourite three would be the World of Disney store, The Disney Gallery, and Planet Hollywood Boutique, all inside Disney Village. World of Disney is quite a recent addition to Disneyland Paris, but it's certainly a good one! It's probably the best Disney shop you'll see in your life, other than maybe one of the ones in America. There are just so many amazing things to buy in there that you could easily spend thousands in there! The Disney Gallery is another of my favourite shops because it has some of the best Cast Members you'll find. The staff in there are so attentive and friendly, you won't find better service anywhere else. Oh, and the artwork is out of this world! I could clear my bank account in that shop! I also love the Planet Hollywood Boutique because I love their brand of clothing as well as merchandise. Got to buy a Planet Hollywood cocktail glass!


Once again, thank you to everyone that asked me the questions. I hope you all enjoyed reading the answers. If you ever have any other questions then please don't hesitate to ask me, I'm always happy to help!

A special thanks to Bobbi Christina O'Reilly, Daniel Graham, Jack Rodgers, and Chantelle Woodruff!

Keep sharing the Disney Village love!