What our day at Disneyland® Paris was like!

Make no mistake about it. Tom and I are grown adults without kids, but we recently spent a magical day at Disneyland® Paris in celebration of its 30th anniversary. We had a blast! Have you been to Disneyland® Paris and is it even on your radar? If you're planning to be in Paris this summer, it definitely should be. Also, be sure to read until the end for your invite to experience all that is Disneyland® Paris via a special contest brought to you by Orange Holiday.

Orange has been a partner of Disneyland® Paris since it opened 30 years ago and invited us to spend the day at the parks. I was there back in 2010 and Tom visited back when it opened as a kid. Keep on reading to learn how you can enter a contest to experience the magic of Disneyland® Paris this summer.

The first thing to know is that Disneyland® Paris is easy to get to via car or public transport. It's about a 4-hour drive from where we live, so the night before, we made the drive to one of the area hotels. That way, we could get there bright and early the next morning when the parks opened at 9:30 a.m. It's also about a 35-minute ride on the RER A from that Nation stop if you're coming from Paris city center.

You can easily do a day trip or stay for a night or two at one of the Disney hotels. They all have free shuttles that run all day long and some are a short walk away from the parks. A perk of staying at an official Disney hotel is that you get early access and are able to enter the parks an hour before the general public at 8:30 a.m.

The next thing to know is that Disneyland® Paris comprises two parks that are right next to each other: There’s Disneyland Park, the bigger of the two, and Walt Disney Studios Park. There's also Disney Village which is a stone's throw away. Think of it as an entertainment and shopping area just outside the parks where you'll find restaurants, stores, bars, and more. There’s a Planet Hollywood, movie theater, one of the world’s biggest tethered balloons, a Rainforest Cafe, Starbucks, and more. 

Upon looking at a map, you'll see right away that Disneyland® Paris is much smaller than Disney World in Florida which means you’ll get to see pretty much everything even if you're only there a day or two. The Disney atmosphere is just like the parks stateside, with fun characters walking around and taking pictures with visitors, upbeat music and shows, and loads of attractions and entertainment to keep kids of all ages having fun all day long!

We visited on a Friday and started at Disneyland Park. We walked down Main Street, U.S.A, the promenade that leads right to the majestic Sleeping Beauty castle, and made a beeline to Frontierland. There we did Phantom Manor, Big Thunder Mountain, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril next door in Adventureland first. All three are part of the Premier Access program which means if you have the pass, you get to skip the regular line. This is especially worth it if you visit at peak times or during the summer months and want to maximize your time at the park. The downside is that not all attractions are part of Premier Access Ultimate (like Pirates of the Caribbean). You can also purchase Premier Access One instead which works on a per-ride basis. Definitely figure out what rides are the most important and do the math to see what makes sense for your family.

Frontierland’s theme is the 19th century American Frontier, so think saloons and cowboys. We thought it was really well done and it felt like we were walking through an old movie set out west.

Now for the rides. Phantom Manor takes you through a dark haunted house in slow-moving cars where you’ll encounter restless spirits. It’s really spooky although nothing jumps out and actually touches you. There's no gore – just good old-fashioned haunted house fun. The narration in the beginning is done in both English and French.

Next up now that breakfast had a little more time to digest, we headed over to Big Thunder Mountain. It was the ride we were looking forward to the most and our first roller coaster of the day. It did not disappoint!. The ride doesn't go upside down but you twist and turn through an abandoned gold mine on a runaway train. The ride feels pretty long and is a must-do ride if you like roller coasters.

Next up was the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril roller coaster. It was new to us, as I don’t think I rode this when I first visited Disneyland® Paris. It's a rollercoaster that has one upside down loop. You’re in a mine car that weaves in and out of ancient temple ruins. So fun and it left my legs wobbly!

We then made our way back toward the Sleeping Beauty castle, caught a little bit of the Disney Stars on Parade show happening outside, and cut over to Discoveryland. I couldn't help but dance along the way, much to Tom’s embarrassment. The parade featured dancers, costumed characters, and fun music as the ensemble made their way down Main Street. I even got a wave from Peter Pan!

Once over in Discoveryland, we did Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours: l’Aventure Continue. The Hyperspace Mountain roller coaster was another favorite and takes you through the dark to battle with the evil empire. It was an action-packed day, what can I say?!

After Discoveryland, we decided that we’d had enough thrills for the morning and had a walk around pastel-colored Fantasyland, which is perfect for younger kiddos. It’s based on Disney’s animated movies and will make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. There are slow-moving rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Disneyland Railroad, not to mention the fan-favorite “It’s a Small World,” which was closed when we were there due to renovation. We’ll catch it next time!

After Fantasyland, we walked back to Main Street, U.S.A. to grab a hot dog for lunch over at Casey’s before heading over to spend the afternoon at Walt Disney Studios Park. On the way, I popped into one of the gift shops selling special 30th anniversary shirts and bought a gift for my nephew. I got a kick out of the fact that Disney still has pencils that are shaped like Mickey Mouse. I remember them from when I was a kid at Disney World. Definitely take some time to explore the shops on Main Street as you walk by. I felt like I stepped back in time into small-town life. The buildings are gorgeous.

Once over at Walt Disney Studios, I saw what I had been waiting all day for. The big draw for us was The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, so naturally we went there first. It was always my favorite attraction at Disney World when I’d go as a kid, so it was a must-do at Disneyland® Paris and Tom’s first time. As expected, it was our favorite ride at Walt Disney Studios Park. The attraction takes you into a creepy abandoned hotel where you're seated in an elevator and move around the hotel. It's super well-done and the drops will have you screaming when you least expect it. 10 out of 10! Tom was smiling the rest of the day and couldn’t stop talking about the tower!

Something we loved in Walt Disney Studios Park were all the food stand options on the way to the Ratatouille attraction. There were regional French options such as La Bretagne and Alsace but also international stands with food from Spain, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, and more -- plus a vegetarian stand option. It was a nice change from fast food fare.

Right next to all the yummy food stands was Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Remy, which is in 3D. You sit in a car and duck and dive through all the obstacles you come across as you watch the action unfold on a screen. You see the kitchen from the perspective of a tiny rat, an unexpected point of view. And if you haven’t seen the movie, it’s fabulous, by the way and one of Disney’s best. Everything in this area of the park was charming, from the restaurant Chez Remy right next door to the decor of the old-style Parisian buildings.
 

Make no mistake about it. Tom and I are grown adults without kids, but we recently spent a magical day at Disneyland® Paris in celebration of its 30th anniversary. We had a blast! Have you been to Disneyland® Paris and is it even on your radar? If you're planning to be in Paris this summer, it definitely should be. Also, be sure to read until the end for your invite to experience all that is Disneyland® Paris via a special contest brought to you by Orange Holiday.

Orange has been a partner of Disneyland® Paris since it opened 30 years ago and invited us to spend the day at the parks. I was there back in 2010 and Tom visited back when it opened as a kid. Keep on reading to learn how you can enter a contest to experience the magic of Disneyland® Paris this summer.

The first thing to know is that Disneyland® Paris is easy to get to via car or public transport. It's about a 4-hour drive from where we live, so the night before, we made the drive to one of the area hotels. That way, we could get there bright and early the next morning when the parks opened at 9:30 a.m. It's also about a 35-minute ride on the RER A from that Nation stop if you're coming from Paris city center.

You can easily do a day trip or stay for a night or two at one of the Disney hotels. They all have free shuttles that run all day long and some are a short walk away from the parks. A perk of staying at an official Disney hotel is that you get early access and are able to enter the parks an hour before the general public at 8:30 a.m.

The next thing to know is that Disneyland® Paris comprises two parks that are right next to each other: There’s Disneyland Park, the bigger of the two, and Walt Disney Studios Park. There's also Disney Village which is a stone's throw away. Think of it as an entertainment and shopping area just outside the parks where you'll find restaurants, stores, bars, and more. There’s a Planet Hollywood, movie theater, one of the world’s biggest tethered balloons, a Rainforest Cafe, Starbucks, and more. 

Upon looking at a map, you'll see right away that Disneyland® Paris is much smaller than Disney World in Florida which means you’ll get to see pretty much everything even if you're only there a day or two. The Disney atmosphere is just like the parks stateside, with fun characters walking around and taking pictures with visitors, upbeat music and shows, and loads of attractions and entertainment to keep kids of all ages having fun all day long!

We visited on a Friday and started at Disneyland Park. We walked down Main Street, U.S.A, the promenade that leads right to the majestic Sleeping Beauty castle, and made a beeline to Frontierland. There we did Phantom Manor, Big Thunder Mountain, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril next door in Adventureland first. All three are part of the Premier Access program which means if you have the pass, you get to skip the regular line. This is especially worth it if you visit at peak times or during the summer months and want to maximize your time at the park. The downside is that not all attractions are part of Premier Access Ultimate (like Pirates of the Caribbean). You can also purchase Premier Access One instead which works on a per-ride basis. Definitely figure out what rides are the most important and do the math to see what makes sense for your family.

Frontierland’s theme is the 19th century American Frontier, so think saloons and cowboys. We thought it was really well done and it felt like we were walking through an old movie set out west.

Now for the rides. Phantom Manor takes you through a dark haunted house in slow-moving cars where you’ll encounter restless spirits. It’s really spooky although nothing jumps out and actually touches you. There's no gore – just good old-fashioned haunted house fun. The narration in the beginning is done in both English and French.

Next up now that breakfast had a little more time to digest, we headed over to Big Thunder Mountain. It was the ride we were looking forward to the most and our first roller coaster of the day. It did not disappoint!. The ride doesn't go upside down but you twist and turn through an abandoned gold mine on a runaway train. The ride feels pretty long and is a must-do ride if you like roller coasters.

Next up was the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril roller coaster. It was new to us, as I don’t think I rode this when I first visited Disneyland® Paris. It's a rollercoaster that has one upside down loop. You’re in a mine car that weaves in and out of ancient temple ruins. So fun and it left my legs wobbly!

We then made our way back toward the Sleeping Beauty castle, caught a little bit of the Disney Stars on Parade show happening outside, and cut over to Discoveryland. I couldn't help but dance along the way, much to Tom’s embarrassment. The parade featured dancers, costumed characters, and fun music as the ensemble made their way down Main Street. I even got a wave from Peter Pan! 

Once over in Discoveryland, we did Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours: l’Aventure Continue. The Hyperspace Mountain roller coaster was another favorite and takes you through the dark to battle with the evil empire. It was an action-packed day, what can I say?!

After Discoveryland, we decided that we’d had enough thrills for the morning and had a walk around pastel-colored Fantasyland, which is perfect for younger kiddos. It’s based on Disney’s animated movies and will make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. There are slow-moving rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Disneyland Railroad, not to mention the fan-favorite “It’s a Small World,” which was closed when we were there due to renovation. We’ll catch it next time!

After Fantasyland, we walked back to Main Street, U.S.A. to grab a hot dog for lunch over at Casey’s before heading over to spend the afternoon at Walt Disney Studios Park. On the way, I popped into one of the gift shops selling special 30th anniversary shirts and bought a gift for my nephew. I got a kick out of the fact that Disney still has pencils that are shaped like Mickey Mouse. I remember them from when I was a kid at Disney World. Definitely take some time to explore the shops on Main Street as you walk by. I felt like I stepped back in time into small-town life. The buildings are gorgeous.

Once over at Walt Disney Studios, I saw what I had been waiting all day for. The big draw for us was The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, so naturally we went there first. It was always my favorite attraction at Disney World when I’d go as a kid, so it was a must-do at Disneyland® Paris and Tom’s first time. As expected, it was our favorite ride at Walt Disney Studios Park. The attraction takes you into a creepy abandoned hotel where you're seated in an elevator and move around the hotel. It's super well-done and the drops will have you screaming when you least expect it. 10 out of 10! Tom was smiling the rest of the day and couldn’t stop talking about the tower!

Something we loved in Walt Disney Studios Park were all the food stand options on the way to the Ratatouille attraction. There were regional French options such as La Bretagne and Alsace but also international stands with food from Spain, Greece, Belgium, Portugal, and more -- plus a vegetarian stand option. It was a nice change from fast food fare.

Right next to all the yummy food stands was Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Remy, which is in 3D. You sit in a car and duck and dive through all the obstacles you come across as you watch the action unfold on a screen. You see the kitchen from the perspective of a tiny rat, an unexpected point of view. And if you haven’t seen the movie, it’s fabulous, by the way and one of Disney’s best. Everything in this area of the park was charming, from the restaurant Chez Remy right next door to the decor of the old-style Parisian buildings.

The last roller coaster of the day for us was Crush’s Coaster which is inspired by Finding Nemo. Two passengers face forward and two face backward in the 4-person turtle shell car that zips and spins through East Australian waters. This coaster is on the tamer side and doesn’t go upside down.

By early evening, we were wiped out and grabbed the shuttle back to our hotel with stars in our eyes after experiencing the magic of Disneyland® Paris. It was SUCH a fun day and we had to get one last Mickey Mouse ice cream before leaving! It felt great to act like a kid all day and walk around wide eyed, taking it all in. Does all of that sound like fun?

Well, if you find yourself in Paris this summer now through August 26, let me invite you to enter the Orange Holiday Summer 2022 contest for some fun of your own. You’ll get to experience the magic of Disneyland® Paris firsthand! The contest is brought to you by Orange Holiday, which is an all-inclusive SIM card for your phone where you can call, text, and use the internet while in France or elsewhere in Europe. Orange Holiday is a great way to avoid expensive roaming fees and instead get the quality of the #1 network in France and use your phone like a local. And when you’re at Disneyland® Paris, save your data and use the free Orange Wi-Fi available in the parks.

Now for the details. To celebrate Disneyland® Paris’s 30th anniversary, they’ve joined forces with their longtime partner, Orange, so you can experience the magical experience that is Disneyland® Paris. Orange Holiday will be giving away two tickets to the park per day through August 26. If you’re going to be in Paris this summer, be sure to register for your chance to win via this link. There are a bunch of special events going on this summer to celebrate the anniversary so it really is a wonderful time to visit. In addition, when you’re there, you can take part in a special treasure hunt. Download the Celebration Quest application created by Orange to go on a digital treasure hunt that’ll have you discovering Disneyland® Paris’s secrets. Bonne chance!