29.6.09

Disneyland Paris


With son + wife, daughter + boyfriend and grandkids, we spent a day at Disneyland Paris, situated some 45 minutes shuttle service from the centre of Paris, some 32 km (20 miles). It opened in 1992 and since 2002 a Walt Disney Studios Park has been added. After a difficult start it now attracts some 15 million visitors per year (the double of the Eiffel Tower), which makes it to Europe’s leading tourist destination.


The studio park has an attraction called “Rock’n Roller Coaster” which I was persuaded to try. I learnt only afterwards that the riders experience 4,5 g in the loops, more than an astronaut does on a space shuttle launch! Fortunately the ride lasts only a minute or two.Paloma and Mattias took pleasure with some calmer attractions. After 12 hours we thought they would be exhausted, but they started a frenetic dance!So, around 10 p.m. it closed and we left. Of course a summer Saturday, a lot of time had been used for queuing. ... but it was a nice day! (... and thanks to family members who took the photos where I'm appearing!)

62 comments:

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello Peter!
Glad to see these adorable pictures from your grandkids!I loved that shot showing you driving the fabulous sport red car and for sure the Cinderella Castle is one dream for every girl in this world!
Have a nice week and be always happy!
Leia :-)

David in Setouchi said...

I could never bring myself to go there.
I guess I'll go the day I have kids and they threaten to abandon me if I don't bring them there.

Nathalie said...

Eh oui, Disneyland Paris fait aussi partie de Paris... contente de voir que vous avez passé une belle journée. La présence de la famille ça aide à faire passer les temps d'attente. 65 minutes? Beuh!

chez moi on fête les 100,000 visites. Tu apportes le champagne?
Bises

Nathalie

Rob said...

You're looking good in the red sports car. A fun facility for kids of all ages.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Great pictures! Seems you had a wonderful time! The kids look great!

It is a great pleasure to be on an outing with the entire family, isn't it?

Olivier said...

Paloma a le rock dans la peau, superbe toute cette energie. Et dire que j'ai encore jamais mis les pieds a Disneyland...Mais 65 minutes d'attente..............

alice said...

Et vous êtes tous repartis dans ta superbe auto rouge bien sûr! Contrairement à vous, nous y avions passé une journée peu après l'ouverture du parc, en février, je crois n'avoir jamais eu aussi froid de ma vie!

GMG said...

Ah, after all this excitement you sure need some rest!!

SusuPetal said...

The dance of the children is the jewel of this post, just adorable!

Oh, the mere thought of spending a day in Disneyland, exhausts me!

hpy said...

Les parents et le grand-père étaient sans doute plus fatigués que Paloma et Mathias...
Faire la queue, déjà 65 minutes pour entrer, j'aurais sans doute fait demi-tour bien avant!

Ruth said...

Haha! Paloma and Mattias are the best, and they look like my Lesley & Peter at Disneyworld at just a slightly older age. We stayed 5 days! (They were not dancing on the 5th day, nor were we.) You look very sweet riding in that bumper car. How was your head?

As much as I make fun of Disneyland and what it represents, it is in our children's psyche, and it was something we had to do.

Claudia said...

Hi Peter! We went to Disneyland Paris with the kids about a year ago and also had lots of fun in spite of all the queuing. I wouldn't spend more than one day there, though...

Blind Fly Theater said...

I'd forgotten there was even a Paris Disney. Why did it take so long to become popular?
Your photos are all wonderful (as usual!), but I am partial to the kids dancing -- very entertaining shots...
Thanks once again for a delightful experience, Peter!
David

delphinium said...

suis un peu dubitative sur ces parcs d'attraction monstrueux. Parce qu'on ne sait plus quoi inventer pour amuser les gens. A la limite Disneyland ok. Mais bon, quand on voit les parcs aventure, style on passe d'arbres en arbres avec des poulies et des cordes, je me dis qu'on devrait plutôt éduquer les gens à marcher dans la nature plutôt que de les faire grimper dans des arbres. Et 65 mn d'attente... j'ai aussi vécu cela à Europa Park... je n'ai pas trop aimé et c'est fou le pognon qu'on peut claquer dans ce genre de trucs. Tout y est très cher, comme les gens sont obligés de consommer sur place, il est facile d'augmenter les prix. Mais bon, les enfants ont l'air d'apprécier, c'est l'essentiel. Je t'embrasse

Leena said...

Children seem to have plenty of energy in those lovely pictures of your adorable grandchildren, was it so also after 8 hours, when you probably felt yourself a little bit tired ?
My son and daughter were there too last summer with their kids.
Nice week to you, Peter!

Shammickite said...

I think that a day at Disneyland Paris with your grandchildren would be so much fun, but exhausting! The pictures of Paloma and Mattias dancing for joy are priceless!
I took my 2 sons to Florida Disney World many many years ago, and we really enjoyed it. And I have threatened to take my 2 grandsons there when they are old enough to appreciate all the rides.

Anonymous said...

Very nice post, Peter. Looks like everyone had a good time.

Thérèse said...

Heureusement il ne faut pas 65 minutes pour arriver sur ton blog... bien que mon ordinateur devienne lent, lent, lent...
Tu as choisi une bien belle auto pour tester ta conduite. A part la dernière photo il est difficile de déceler que l'on est en France.
Dommage quand même ces exportations de loisirs.

Neva said...

I love all things Disney! When Disney World in Florida opend in 71....I worked there....love the mouse but the waits are so hard to do with little ones!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Great photos, seems like you all had a super fun time :-)

I might take my grandchildren there, when they are a bit older...might..no promise!!

Tanya Breese said...

Great photos Peter, looks like so much fun! And your grandbabies are adorable! I'm happy to hear that Disney is doing much better over there now! I miss Disneyland, used to go a lot back when I lived in Ca. Your photos bring back many happy memories!

Kate said...

Paloma is growing up! Mattias is quite handsome, and the photos of the two of them frolicing is a pleasure to see. When my husband and I took our then 7-yr-old grandson to Paris, they went to Disneyland while I went to a cooking class. We each thought we made the right decision for ourselves. After Disneyland and Disneyworld in the US, I was ready for French cooking!!

Bergson said...

il y a 2 petits enfants qui ont de la chance

Cheryl said...

Disneyland Paris! Yay! I went there back in "99 as a college student and would love to go back with my nieces and nephews. Their dream is to see every Disney park in the world. So far they've seen the ones in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Anaheim, and Orlando, leaving only Paris. So I can understand your grandchildren's spontaneous dance of joy. So cute!

Baglady said...

I bloody hate Disney but I adore rides so have visited Eurodisney a few years ago... It didn't look as good as this though.

I especially love the photo of the Minnie balloons. Beautiful.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Great photos, Peter! Looks that Paloma and Mattias had so much fun. Both are very beautiful!

Starman said...

I love Disney World in Florida but I haven't been there in years.

Parisbreakfasts said...

What a fabulous dance sequence!
They are adorable!
Merci!!

La Belette Rouge said...

As I grew up just 25 miles from Disney L.A. I can't imagine spending precious Paris time at Disney. But, I suppose, it is different if you live there. And, even Disney seems chic when in French.
The kids are ADORABLE!!!!!:-))

claude said...

Coucou Peter ! I'm back !
C'est un paradis pour petits et grands. Je suis passée pas très loin dimanche matin en revenant de Roissy. J'ai traversé aussi une partie de parie pour me rendre à la gare Montparnasse. J'ai pensé à toi et en parlait à mon Chéri en voyant de beaux immeules que tu sais si bien mettre en images.

Virginia said...

Peter,
I am laughing because this is one place we escaped on our trip as you well know. What a wonderful grandpére you were to go along and stay so long! I am happy to see Mattias at last! He is as adorable as your Paloma. Glad your family had such a great day and bravo for the wonderful photos. Maybe a well deserved rest is in order pour tu?? :) Actually, I'm tired just looking at the photos!

V
PS. This in NOT on my short list! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi... just happen to cross your site... I see that you also love Disney... me too...

Im planning to go to Tokyo or Hong Kong Disney this Christmas. Hoho and I found some stuffs from Hong Kong Disneyland here as well:
disneycloth.cwahi.net

I will definitely take tones of photos there!!!

Sixpence and A Blue Moon said...

Fantastic photos! Darling kids!

I was close to it a couple times, but never went. Children love amusement parks. It would be much cooler to say you had been to Disneyland in Paris.:) I've never been to the ones in the states.

Jilly said...

Looks like you had such a fun daywith your family, Peter. Love to see you in those little red cars. But goodness, 65 minutes...that's a long wait. It must be such fun seeing Disneyland through a child's eye.

Cergie said...

Et bien, Mattias a de bien jolies bouclettes, les gadera-t-il lorsqu'il sera adulte ?
Paloma a un charmant sourire.
Il faut vouloir voir ces airs heureux pour aller dans un endroit pareil et faire autant de queue (j'ai attendu tout autant à Giverny).
Avec mon frère qui est un grand gosse, je suis allée à Mirapolis à 20mns à pied de notre maison avant que cela ne ferme ainsi qu'à Aqua Boulevard et même Thoiry... Je n'ai jamais mis les pieds à Disney Land qu'il soit de Paris ou d'ailleurs.

Mo said...

The perfect way for me to visit disneyland

PeterParis said...

Léia:
It was tougher to drive this car than I thought! :-)

David:
I have resisted for years.... ! :-)

Nathalie:
... et les 65 minutes étaient seulement pour une attraction!
Le champagne arrive! :-)

PeterParis said...

Dusty Lens:
It would have been even better with a real red sports car! :-)

Rakesh:
You are right about the whole family part, at least! :-)

Olivier:
Si, ce n'est pas pour accompagner des enfants, je te comprends! :-)

PeterParis said...

Alice:
Là, on a pas eu froid! :-)

GMG:
Yes!!! :-)

SusuPetal:
I'm happy I did it, but I'm also happy it's over! :-)

PeterParis said...

hpy:
Pour rentrer, ça va; c'est les attentes pour les différentes attractions qui sont frustrantes! :-)

Ruth:
The same feeling, something you have to do, one day or the other! Possibly, when the kids have the age to enjoy it! :-)

Claudia:
One - long - day is enough! :-)

PeterParis said...

SparkleMirror:
There were difficulties in the beginning, the park was perhaps not quite ready, the studio park was not there, the hotel capacity was not sufficient... For some people, perhaps too American? :-)

Delphinium:
C'est sur que par goût, je préfère une balade en montagne (suisse ou non) à une journée à Disney - ou un autre parc, mais pour les enfants ce n'es pas pareil. Il faut le faire! :-)

Leena:
They made the dance after 12 hours! :-)

PeterParis said...

Shammickite:
My first Disney visit was LA/Anaheim in 1965! This was may secon (and last?) one! :-)

Abe:
Yes, it was a nice day - hopefully especially for the kids! :-)

Thérèse:
Il faut bien accepter Disney, McDonald, Starbucks... si ça ne devient pas une vraie invasion! Ça fait un peu peur! :-)

PeterParis said...

Neva:
Yes, waiting is a bit tough... but you should choose a better day than a summer Saturday! :-)

Anne:
I understand that you want to think about it! :-)

Tanya:
I guess I'm a more moderate fan than you! :-)

PeterParis said...

Kate:
Kids and grandkids have already been there a number of times. I had resisted until last Saturday! :-)

Bergson:
En effet! J'éspère qu'ils réalisent ... un jour! :-)

Cheryl:
The Paris one is waiting for you! :-)

PeterParis said...

Baglady:
You didn't find the bag you were looking for? :-)

Sonia:
Thanks, you are always so kind! :-)

Starman:
I never visited the Florida version, but I believe they are all quite similar! You should check next time in Paris! :-)

PeterParis said...

ParisBreakfast:
I knew Paloma is good at dancing, but I was impressed by Mattias! :-)

La Belette Rouge:
I wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for the grandkids! :-)

Claude:
Content de te voir retour: J'espère que tu es contente aussi! :-)

PeterParis said...

Virginia:
I tried to resist, but...! :-)

Minako:
Thanks for your visit! To say that I LOVE is Disney is perhaps too much! But, I'm happy I have done it! :-)

Sixpence...:
So, you have to do the Paris one then! :-)

PeterParis said...

Jilly:
Yes, the art is to see it with a child's eyes! I did my best! :-)

Cergie:
Son père était pareil, mais ses cheveus sont un peu moins bouclés aujourd'hui; on verra! :-)

Mo:
You mean just look at pictures without having to go? :-)

Unknown said...

You have some great shots here, Peter! My favourite in on the right low corner of the 1st collage.

PeterParis said...

JM:
Thanks! The place is quite spectacular, so not too difficult to get some nice shots! :-)

Virginia said...

How can grandpére resist?? What a good sport you were Peter. I could NOT do the roller coaster. I"m the photographer in our family, thank goodness. :)
V

krystyna said...

What a beautiful day full of fun for kids... and not only for kids.
Peter, you are very handsome, look young, rather like papa than grandpa.
How old is Mattias? He dances like a professional dancer. Paloma is dancer, if I remember.

I enjoyed my time being here. Thanks for sharing!

Karen said...

Oh what fun. We have the Rockin' Roller Coaster, too, but I've not gone on it. The lines have been so long and I didn't think it would be worth it. Is it?
Great shots of the children dancing. What fun.
Your Disney has prettier buildings than mine. :=]

Karen said...

ohh, I just noticed that you have the Hollywood Tower. Ours is called the Tower of Terror and it is my favorite thing at Disney Studios. Did you go on it?

PeterParis said...

Virginia:
Well, somehow I was "pushed" into it! :-)

Krystyna:
Thanks for your compliments, which I believe I can return! :-)
Mattias will be 3 end August.

Karen:
Is it worth it? I can tell you that it's an experience! I would not immediately go for a second ride! :-)

Cuckoo said...

Some of the photos reminded me of my time there. Don't you think that to enjoy it fully at an easy pace, one day is insufficient ?

Cuckoo said...

And that tower of terror. Oh My God !! It's actually terror. I had to keep my eyes closed for most of it. :-)

PeterParis said...

Cuckoo:
In one way you are right, but I don't think I was ready for a second day immediately! :-)

Catherine said...

Je connais le parc par coeur. Tes premières photos n'ont plus de secret pour moi. C'est pourquoi, mon choix va tout naturellement vers ces petits visages souriants et emerveillés. Les enfants y rêvent les yeux ouverts, cela vaut bien les minutes longues comme des heures à patienter.
Rassure moi, ils ont bien fini par s'endormir dans le RER ?

PeterParis said...

Catherine:
Les enfants étaient en voiture avec leurs parents, moi en RER avec ma fille et son copain. Je suppose qu'ils ont dormi, nous non! :-)

Shionge said...

Wooooooo...love to see the children having a good time. This reminded me of my trip to Paris Disneyland...It was raining and freezing :)

PeterParis said...

Shionge:
Possibly with less waiting time then? :-)