Disneyland Paris September 2024 Part 2 - Disneyland Theme Park and Disney Studios Park
- chiannhager
- Oct 7, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 10, 2024
The Disneyland Paris resort is set up similarly to Disneyland, California in the fact that it is divided into two theme parks set side by side. The entrance to Disneyland Main Park, Disney Studios, and Disney Village shopping area, are all side by side of each other with easy access to all three areas.
I purchased my theme park tickets online before I left for my vacation. I decided on two-day park hopper passes to give me access to both parks unlimited for two days. If you are military, (Yes, American Military) ask me about Military tickets! I saved a lot on a Military two park hopper pass.
I also purchased the Disney Premier Access Ultimate addition.
The Ultimate Access Pass allows you to ride each available attraction one time at any time during the day. You do not have a return time and you do not have to select with attraction you want to ride. You simply walk up and tap your ticket or mobile app and walk on the ride.
TIP - You have to select the day you want to purchase the Ultimate pass for. However, I was able to hop between parks and use the pass for rides in both Disneyland Main Park and the Disney Studios Park on the same day using that Ultimate pass ticket.
Since I had two days, I wanted to make the most out of my time and ride all the rides and see all the shows as much as possible.
I decided to purchase the Ultimate Pass for the first day and use the second day to see the shows.
The attractions are a combination of originals you find in all Disney Parks:
It's a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo, The Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Hollywood Tower of Terror, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Even though the rides are similar there are a few that do have some differences.
It's a Small World - It is the same type of attraction, boat ride with child shapes dolls singing the forever in your head song: It's a Small World After All (Now you are hearing the song aren't you!)
The outside of the attraction is bigger and more detailed on the outside. You will notice a few differences inside as well.
ie: There is an appearance of Ariel the Little Mermaid.
Space Mountain is called "Hyperspace Moutain" - The ride is still an inside coaster type ride. However, it does move faster and has an awesome high-tech theme.
I LOVED it! I do believe all of the parks are making similar changes and updates to Space Mountain as well. Making it more Star Wars Space themed.
Hollywood Tower of Terror - Looks basically the same on the outside and the story of the Twilight Zone people being stranded in the elevator was the same. I expected it to be the same type of ride as Disney World Florida. However, it took me by surprise when it started! First - You don't move through the hotel. You go straight up and stop. The same "ghost" people are in the hotel, and you are guided or advised to leave by the little girl ghost. Then you suddenly start dropping and going up and down. If was the same thrill and definitely fun!
The Haunted Mansion - This is called Phantom Manor
The whole attraction is completely different than any others I have been in.
Compared to the other Disney Parks, Phantom Mansion has a darker, more elaborate story, influenced by European history and horror cinema. This influence can be seen right from the façade of the dilapidated mansion, which bears a striking resemblance to the mansion in Alfred Hitchcock's horror film Psycho
There are also different attractions that I have not seen in other Disney Parks.
Crushes Coaster in Disney Studios - This is a fast-moving coaster; you sit in a turtle shell car and spin around the track.
Avengers Assemble Flight Force in Disney Studios - This attraction is part of the Avengers Campus in Disney Studios. If you have been on the Rock and Roller Coaster in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, then you know what this ride is. Just a theming difference to Avengers instead of Arrowsmith.
I love the Rock and Roller Coaster ride, and I enjoyed the Avengers ride just as much!
Another fun part of the Avengers Campus is the appearances of the Avengers themselves!
No Disney Park visit would be complete with Parades and Fireworks!
There is also an option to purchase reserved viewing areas for both parades and evening fireworks.
I purchased both for the Stars on Parade viewing area and the nighttime illuminations show at the castle.
It gave me front row seating for both, and I felt it was well worth it. It seems to be the normal nighttime event to have a show on the castle before and during the fireworks. If you are too far back, you do not get the full show and can only see the fireworks. The Disney fireworks are always spectacular on their own and there are times I only want to see them. However, since this was a onetime event attending Disneyland Paris, I wanted to experience the full show.
This closed out Day 1 in the theme parks. It was an easy walk back to my hotel and rest for the night.
Day 2 - I purchased guaranteed access seating passes to the shows that offered them. This way I was able to schedule the time of day to see each show. Guaranteed Access seating has a separate line, and you go in before the standby line so you are sure to get a seat and a good seat to watch the show.
Mickey and the Magician
This was my favorite of all the shows! It had so many characters and Princesses throughout the show.
Together: a Pixar Musical Adventure
This was a fun show with various Pixar characters. Most was centered on the Toy Story Crew.
Frozen: A musical invitation
This was a unique live stage show with Anna, Elsa, Kristoph, and Sven
The complete show splits into two different theaters. You start in one and then move to the second to see the second half.
Leaving the Park with an Au revoir! from Donald Duck
I have a goal to visit all 6 of the Disney Resorts. So far, I have been to four of them:
Walt Disney World Florida, Disneyland California, Tokyo Disney, and now Disneyland Paris.
The last two are: Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney
Maybe one day, you never know!!
Start planning your Paris vacation:
Contact me:
Comments