Anyone who knows me, knows my love for Disneyland. Disneyland is to Brittany like peanut butter is to jelly. I don’t know what it is, but I have always had a love for this place. I grew up going to Disneyland, and as an adult I have been for Halloween, for Christmas, for my 21st birthday, and it’s where I ran my first half marathon.
I knew there was a Disneyland Paris, but I never thought I would go.
Paris was never on my radar, but the one place that put it there was Disneyland. I briefly entertained the idea of going to Disneyland Paris with my roommate MaryBeth a few months ago, and when she expressed interest I knew we had to make this work. Never did I imagine I would find myself walking through the gates of the happiest place on earth…Europe edition.
Disneyland Paris is smaller than the parks in the states, but I loved every part of it. We arrived at open and left at close, which wasn’t hard to do as the park was only open for 8 hours. I couldn’t have asked for a better adventure. Going in January meant less crowds allowing us to go on every ride we wanted, and we really only waited in a long line once.
Disneyland Paris is very similar to Disneyland, Main Street felt just like it does in California (albeit smaller), but one major difference was the food. There were no snack stalls around (maybe because it was winter?) and the restaurant options were more French themed. Naturally. I thought the food was fine, but we met a few other Americans that thought the food was gross.
I stuck to basics like salad, cake, popcorn, and a cupcake. Everything for me was good aside from the cupcake…but it was worth it because…Minnie.
If you avoid reading the signs, everything felt as it does in California. The audio for the rides are all in French, but they also had English audio most of the time. The signs are all in French, but it’s not hard to figure out what the rides are if you’re a seasoned Disney goer.
“que le monde est petit!”
Disneyland in the states usually has multiple languages spoken, so really it didn’t feel like I was in France. There were a few differences in rides, like Space Mountain in France is “Hyperspace Mountain” and it was Star Wars themed, Indiana Jones was a weird roller coaster in France (I prefer the California ride), and the Haunted Mansion was legit scary.
Fantasyland still makes me feel like I’m eight years old regardless of where I am, and I now notice how much it resembles Bavaria and I will never look at it the same.
I never felt rushed here – I love how big Disneyland in California is, and the ride selection is better, but the mass amounts of humans and the long lines really taint the experience sometimes. This experience in Paris was much more casual and I would go back in a heartbeat.
The firework show at the end of the day was fantastic, and it was fun to see the Disney Illumination show on Sleeping Beauties castle. The show was in both English and French and showcased movies like: Frozen, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and of course…Star Wars!
I haven’t been back to Disney since moving to Germany and visiting Neuschwanstein, the castle that was part of Disney’s inspiration.
Château de Sleeping Beauty, ou Neuschwanstein?
This day quickly became one of my favorite days since moving to Europe. I will never forget this experience, and I couldn’t imagine going with a better partner in crime! Our tickets were significantly cheaper than they would have been in the states, and we included a shuttle pick up to and from the park to avoid dealing with parking/trains.
Me when I’m stressed.
A stress free visit to the happiest place on earth. Until next time Disney, Au revoir.
Q: Disney fan?
Blissfulbritt 
29 thoughts on “Disneyland Paris”
thechrisdotcom
I love old Disney. I went to Disney World when I was 9. I had breakfast with Mickey and Minnie and all the others. I still remember it. I love all the old cartoons growing up. I wanna take my kid some day.
Brittany
Omggg having breakfast with them sounds so fun.
B
Hyperspace Mountain sounds so bad ass!
Brittany
Yo it was so cool. Even though it was all in French, it was awesome. The second time was a bit rough though, my old body was like “ok that’s enough!” 😂
sunsetdoc
Now u got me singing the song from Pirates if the Cairbbean!
Brittany
Arghhhh. A pirates life for meeeee.
rootchopper
I went to Disneyland when I was in my early 20s. It was a rainy day and not very crowded. For some odd reason I didn’t see any of the characters like Mickey or Donald. But I did see Stephen Stills. Go figure.
Brittany
HA, that’s too funny. I always see a few characters (in Paris I saw Mickey, Donald, tweedle dee and dum), but didn’t stop to meet any. 😝
rootchopper
FWIW I didn’t see Crosby, Nash, or Young.
Brittany
FWIW, I had to google who Stephen Stills was. LOL
rootchopper
So what’s the opposite of “OK Boomer”?
Brittany
Ok millennial. 🤪
PUSH ANIMAL
Oh gosh, I love this. I went to Disneyland Paris when I was in high school and it was just so magical. I’d love to go back one day!
Brittany
AHH I love that you went. I would have loved to go when I was in high school. What a cool experience.
Captain Q
Very cool! I went to Tokyo Disney when I was out that way last fall. It was a neat experience to compare it to what we have in the States.
Brittany
I’d love to see Tokyo Disney next.
Amy
Disneyland without the lines and crowds??? COUNT ME IN!!!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I grew up going to Disneyland almost once a year… Until college. 🙊 We went last April for the first time in what felt like forever, and I still love it just as much now as an adult as I did as a kid. But it’s certainly more crowded, and the lines are no joke. 🙈 If I’m ever in France again and have a spare day, you better believe I’m headed to Disneyland there! 😉 SO glad you had such an incredible time!!! ❤️
Brittany
I’d love to Disney it up with you! But yes, California has gotten out of control!
Amy
If you ever go back to the original Disneyland in Anaheim, LET ME KNOW!! I will totally drive up to go with you!!! 😘❤️
Brittany
THIS would be the best way to FINALLY meet!!!
Amy
YESSSSS!!!! LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
itsmejenlovett
I’ve never been to any Disney parks, but watching the new mini-series on Disney+ called “The Imagineering Story” makes me want to go now! It’s the story of how Walt founded DisneyLand and how imagineers built and brought it to life there and every theme park, ride and attraction since. It’s incredible, I highly recommend it! I learned so much about each park, so I was so excited to see your post!
Brittany
Wow that is SO cool! What a fun show, I hope to see it someday!
Josh dV
Overall I’d say I am not Disney fan, not in the sense of what it means these days though I did grow up with the films (didn’t we all these days).
I’ve been to Disneyland once and Disney World a few times as a youth. My favorite was the World presentation at Epcot. Something about feeling like I got to know something about such faraway places. I guess I loved travel even then.
I’m glad you had such fun! I would probably have eaten the cupcake too!
Brittany
I love the old classic Disney movies. I’ve only been to Disney world once, but I too loved Epcot! That was my first taste of other countries.
Pam
Disney World……Senior trip High School one of my friends DadRented us an RV 10 people later we were on the road , it was a blast 🧜🏼♀️🧞♂️🧞♀️
Brittany
That is so fun!!
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