Thrillography Va a Disneyland Paris (Jour 2): L'histoire de Mon Aventure Magique a Paris - Partie II

Bonjour de nouveau, mon amis! :}

It's time for day 2 of My Magic Paris Adventure! 

The squad and I set out bright and early for the resort's second gate, Walt Disney Studios!

Walt Disney Studios Paris is a kindred of Disney's Hollywood Studios. Both parks feature the loose general theme of a studio backlot, but continued developments have seen both parks drift further and further from the original premise. 

Unlike Hollywood Studios, Disney Studios Paris features a very clever indoor main midway. 

Like the arcades of Parc Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A., the indoor studio midway of Disney Studios Paris serves as an ideal solution to Paris's mixed weather conditions. :}

From the outside, it just looks like a nondescript movie studio building. Inside, there's tons of great curb appeal! Way cooler than I was expecting!

You step outside into the hub and BAM! Hollywood Tower Hotel! Big departure from the major lead-in of Hollywood Studio's Sunset Blvd. 

If Parc Disneyland was a rock album, Walt Disney Studios would be the Deluxe Edition 2nd disc of bonus material. 

"And on your right you'll see the enormous queue for Crush's Coaster, which doesn't open for another 20 minutes."

Between the park entrance and Crush's Coaster is this utterly nondescript and abandoned-looking studio building. More on that later. 

Crush's Coaster has the longest, slowest, most grueling queue in Disneyland Paris. We pretty much devoted our entire morning to making sure we got the credit with minimal anguish. 

As you can see, each car seats four guests. There are probably only a dozen cars on this ride, if that.

Math indicates that this not enough throughput for a Disney coaster. 

The average line for Crush is about two hours. There's no FastPass because that would just make the standby line unbearable. Crush's Coaster is first come, first served. 

Our wait for Crush's coaster was mildly taxing. It wasn't terrible, but it just seemed kinda crazy. Nemo is one of Disney's most popular films, and this major coaster attraction for it  has about the same hourly capacity as one of the small Fantasyland dark rides.

Cute signs aim to entertain guests as they zig-zag through about 40 minutes of cue. 

I honestly think what they need to do is make Crush FastPass only.

Hong Kong Disneyland implemented a no-standby system for the Anna and Elsa meet and greets, which seemed to work very well. A similar system for Crush would keep people from spending half of their time at Disney Studios in line. 

A nice gesture is the Crush's Coaster: The Game download with free local wifi. It's not a bad way to kill a few minutes. 

Some of the signage is about raising awareness for wildlife conservation. 

This is the way to the coaster.

But first we must go through this! 

Crush's Coaster is an augmented Maurer Söhne Xtended SC 2000 model, which can also be found at Hersheypark, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Waldameer, Lagoon, Dixie Landin', Seabreeze, Skyline Park (Germany), and the German fair circuit.

(We skipped the Skyline one on our 2013 visit due to time constraints, but I'm a big fan of the three I've ridden)

Crush's Coaster treats undersea adventurers to a short outdoor ride portion and a short dark ride portion before continuing with the basic SC 2000 model. 

A ride through the East Australian Current on the back of Crush's shell is actually quite dark overall – darker than Space Mountain: Mission 2. However, clever projections of blue ocean, bubbles, and various fish friends dance on the walls and coaster track. 

It's a fairly intense ride that feels similar to the four non-looping Space Mountains.

We dubbed the dark, deep sea coaster "Space Mountain Under Water."

The fact that the ride spins is an important selling point for most installations, but Crush's Coaster is so dark inside that it's hard to notice the spinning at all. The spinning (which could be more accurately described as gradual rotation in this case) does, however, accomplish total disorientation. 

The final leg of the outdoor queue is a pass by the exterior wall of the studio, upon which the boredom of queuers has taken its toll. 

On one hand, I'm not a fan of graffiti. Especially at Disney. 

On the other hand, this is all reading very Downtown San Francisco to me, so it sorta fits. 

Time to wrap up your round of Crush's Coaster Game! It's finally almost our time to ride!

Inside the station, we find ourselves on a wharf at sunset. This sets the stage for our dark and disorienting undersea excursion!

The cars load continuously without stopping to help keep things moving. 

Even though we had to wait close to an hour, our Crush's Coaster was highly enjoyable.

It probably wouldn't have been as enjoyable if we'd had to wait two hours, like we would've if we'd showed up at noon. 

Crush has a single rider line, but odd-numbered parties are highly sporadic, so the predicted wait time (usually somewhere between 20-40 minutes) is never accurate. 

Loading may be sluggish, but the little turtle shells pop around the corner about every 30 seconds. 

We'll be back for another Crush adventure soon! 

When Crush's Coaster opened in 2007, it anchored Walt Disney Studio's new "Toon Studios" area, which is basically an admittedly disjointed collection of attractions themed to Pixar movies. 

Right next to the East Australian Current is Route 66, home to "Cars: Race Rally," a cleverly-themed, high capacity Cuddle-Up style attraction. 

Just past Route 66 is Toy Story Playland,

and adjacent to Toy Story Playland is…well… Paris!

That's right! Disneyland Paris's newest themed environ is Paris! It's home to a major marquee attraction, restaurant, and store themed to my favorite Pixar movie, Ratatouille!

Bistrot Chez Rémy is a very special restaurant, and we have reservations! :D

"Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy" (Literally "Ratatouille: Remy's Totally Zany Adventure) is the latest in Disney's trackless ride technology. 

Like Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland and Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disney, Ratatouille features independently programmed vehicles ("Ratmobiles" in this case) that navigate the ride. However, this is the first to incorporate 4D scenes along with conventional dark ride props like those found on previous trackless rides.

The 3D glasses are pretty slick.

Ratatouille's 6-bay loading platform dispatches Ratmobiles in sets of 3, which dance and undulate their way around the ride leisurely. For the most part.  

Scenes of the dining room and kitchen are produced with 3D dome projections. Other scenes, like the fridge and pantry, are recreated with props. 

I won't give away any plot points, but Ratatouille is an incredible, all-encompassing, over-the-top experience. It seamlessly combines 3D screens, props, 4D elements (heat, water, scent, etc) and fabulous vehicular choreography to create a real slam-dunk ride.

When the adventure concludes, the Ratmobiles deposit guests at Chez Rémy.

The lobby of Chez Rémy is full of accolades! 

Apparently Remy is one of the most decorated chefs in Paris!

Alright! Who's hungry?

Like Remy's Totally Zany Adventure, Chez Rémy shrinks guests down to rat size.

Chez Rémy is the definition of atmospheric full immersion. Every possible detail enriches the environment of the restaurant.

Plate drying racks serve as booths for dinners and drink coasters are our tables. Twinkling Christmas lights provide perfect mood lightning.

The food is delicious. There are a few course options for different budgets. I chose the cheapest option and was still highly impressed. 

Each dish is served with…what else? Ratatouille!

 All of the food was divine.

Also LOOK AT THESE AMAZING KETCHUP TUBES!

Let's take a moment to appreciate the atmosphere. Soak it in!

I think the knotted light "chandelier" threaded through the colander is genius. 

Bottle caps, drink umbrellas, salt shakers. All of these things are present in restaurants, but never before like this! 

Again, this is all part of Walt Disney Studios. It's easy to forget that movie production is the theme here. Really what's going on here is some awesome, beautiful stuff that doesn't fit anywhere in the Magic Kingdom, so they built it here. 

Moped Swag. 

x}

The central fountain is precious.

It's the little details. :}

 Chez Marianne Souvenirs de Paris has special Ratatouille merchandise that can't be found anywhere else!

Next to Bistrot Chez Rémy is a blue Barrel of Monkeys. What is on the other side??

It's Toy Story Playland!

Yes, just like Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Studios Paris features a colorful subsection of larger-than-life playthings! The layout is essentially the same, but the Paris incarnation has a lot more natural foliage. Tall trees are nowhere to be found in Hong Kong's Toy Story Playland!

#RCselfie

Like Hong Kong Disneyland, the mild delight of this pirate-ship-like Intamin Half-Pipe makes up 33% of the park's coaster collection. :} 

Slinky Dog makes his neighborhood romp just across from RC Racer. :}

I have this exact same shot from Hong Kong, only it has 100% fewer trees in it. 

Man! It's déjà vu all over again! I feel like Mystic Manor should be just on the other side of the Toy Soldier Parachute Drop! The bamboo really takes me back to Hong Kong!

I see some troublemakers in those last two rows!

RC Racer is a hit with the squad. :}

With slightly less land to devote to the concept, Paris's Toy Story Playland lacks a few of the details of Hong Kong's Toy Story Land. Most notable is the lack of Andy's Toy Box, which would be just past RC Racer. The blue Barrel of Monkeys serves as a Meet-and-Greet in Hong Kong (located adjacent to Andy's Toy Box), and where Paris's barrel is located is home to Scrabble-themed restrooms in Hong Kong. Also, Slinky Dog's Spin lacks Hong Kong's Lincoln Log entrance building.

This view is eerily similar to the view in Hong Kong. The only giveaway is the crowd. 

Hello Hollywood Tower. :}

Look at the time! It's half-past FastPass!

The full name of the Paris tower is

"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Un Saut dans la Quatrième Dimension (A Jump into the 4th Dimension)."

We'll be back for it in later. :}

The Backlot is the third area of Disney Studios Paris after Production Courtyard and Toon Studios. Unlike the other two areas, the Backlot has seen virtually no changes since the park's inaugural season. 

Who's ready to rock???

Besides the two parks being movie studio themed, the biggest bridge between Disney Studios Paris and Disney's Hollywood Studios is "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster avec Aerosmith!"

Like the Florida ride, the queue for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is basically a rock music museum of roughly the same caliber as your typical Hard Rock Cafe. 

There just so happened to be a large percentage of articles from bands that I adore. :}

*______________*

<3

!!!!!!!

When they invent a time machine, I'm going to this concert. 

While the two Rock 'n' Roller Coasters are identical in design, the stories of the rides differ. Rather than a stretch limo racing through LA to make a show in time, the premise of the Paris coaster is that Aerosmith is actually…well… designing a coaster!

Steven Tyler and Co. have been commissioned by Disney to design a roller coaster that takes place inside of an Aerosmith music video (which makes this the only Disney roller coaster that is thematically credited as a roller coaster).

With the help of specially designed "Soundtracker" vehicles, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster propels guests through an in-progress Aerosmith performance that's awash with colorful stage lights, strobes, smoke, and other various live show accouterments.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has five Soundtrackers (although only four at a time run; they each take turns going offline for refurbishment), all of whom feature their own unique Aerosmith soundtrack and corresponding light show. The Soundtrackers are:

1. Back In The Saddle / Dude Looks Like a Lady (green lights)
2. Young Lust / F.I.N.E. / Love in an Elevator (purple lights)
3. Love in an Elevator / Walk This Way (rainbow lights)
4. Nine Lives (red and yellow lights)
5. Sweet Emotion (live) (blue lights)

At the back of each Soundtracker is a jukebox of sorts that makes the onboard audio possible!

Rockers are briefed on what to expect before being hurled into the elements.

Boom! Off they go!

Mission Control!

For our inaugural ride on French Rock 'n' Roller Coaster we were treated to Soundtracker #1. Back in the Saddle is perfect for the first half of the ride, and the transition into Dude Looks Like a Lady after the mid course brake run was a fun surprise (we didn't know anything about the different soundtracks at the time). 

Back to the Production Courtyard for our next thrilling adventure!

And by "thrilling adventure" I mean not thrilling at all. 

In fact, the most thrilling thing about this attraction might be these trams. 

They roll in. 

Oh shoot! 

Magic wall doors! 

Ron and I had trouble staying away during parts of the ride. 

We did our best to entertain each other to keep from nodding off. 

The Studio Tour is actually just a jazzed-up parking lot tram around a fabricated backlot and a series of late 90s movie prop displays. The narration is charmingly dated.  

Ron! Wake up! We've got company!

ZZZZZzzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzz

Here's some stuff from some movie that nobody remembers.

Here's a space thing. 

Here's some stuff. 

Well this looks interesting. 

x}

Hmmm. It would appear that water is happening. 

Now there's fire happening!

MORE WATER IS HAPPENING

Ron! Be careful!

!!!

Ron's ok, guys!

Catastrophe Canyon made its debut in Hollywood Studio's tram tour (back when it was MGM Studios, of course). As the attraction's most prominent feature, it naturally found its way into the Paris incarnation.

BOOBS!

Here's a big set piece from a film of some kind. 

You know, the original Studio Tour ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios bit the dust in 2014. I didn't know this until just a few minutes ago; I don't remember any outcry about its departure (which speaks volumes to the public opinion of the ride). After all, the entire Streets of America area of Hollywood Studios (which is home to "Lights, Motors, Action," a show that actually originated here and was brought to Orlando in 2005) is getting totally redeveloped.

Perhaps Paris will see a similar transformation? 

Prop cars!

RC!

Here's how dated this ride is, in a nutshell: These cars are props from the critically panned and largely forgotten 102 Dalmatians film that came out over fifteen years ago.

Ron! Wake up! We're back in London!

Speaking of critically panned and largely forgotten films from 15 years ago, here's one of the sets from the Touchstone Pictures film Reign of Fire.

Like at Disney Hollywood Studios, the tram ride travels directly behind Lights, Motors, Action (which, like Streets of America, was carved out of space originally occupied by part of the tram ride). Between these two dated attractions and the verging-on-irrelevant Armageddon Effects Special (more on that later), there's a LOT of space to work with! With Hollywood Studios on the verge of a total re-branding to coincide with its new Star Wars and Toy Story areas, I'm sure a similar plan isn't far behind for Disney Studios. 

The so-called "studios" aspect of these parks aren't even that great anyways. The best attractions at both of these parks are the ones that have deviated completely from the theme of backlots and filmmaking. 

On that note, let's wake ourselves up with another visit to Toy Story Playland!

We had to ride the parachutes. not much of a view during or ride, but it's just so fun. :}

We also enjoyed a Paris exclusive Disney show, "Cinemagique," which was fantastic. It was hilarious, clever, and quite touching. It's so good that I find it hard to believe that they haven't brought it to Florida. 

After Cinemagique it was time to use our Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Fast Passes!

"Le Tour de la Terrer" is the 4th and most recent incarnation of the iconic Disney staple. Orlando's spectacular original ride led to three smaller, mechanically identical versions (located at each of the three non-Magic Kingdom Disney parks outside of Florida). 

While Tokyo DisneySea's Tower of Terror lacks a Twilight Zone tie-in and features a turn-of-the-century aesthetic, Walt Disney Studios and Disney California Adventure feature virtually identical installations of the ride. 

Yes, Hollywood is alive and well (or perhaps dead and well in this case) in France.

The two story boiler room is exactly how I remember the one in Anaheim. I haven't ridden that one in ten years, but I remember it well because we waited in this room for ever. 

And the ride, like Anaheim's, is bouncy and delightful if not particularly deep. 

It felt like a longer ride cycle than the California Adventure one, though. Maybe it's just me? I don't know. I liked the Paris one more. :}

With the last major attraction of Walt Disney Studios taken care of, we revisited a few of the favorite rides ( Rockin' Roller Coaster, Crush's Coaster (single rider, of course) and Ratatouille) before splitting into a few smaller groups. 

I went off on my own to run a few errands in Parc Disneyland. :}

Bye Disney Studios! See you in two days!

And hellooooooooo big beautiful Disneyland Hotel! 

We're just in time for the parade!

As I was walking into Main Street, I got flagged down by fellow ACE UK Tour attendees  Martin Puller, David Rager, and Dave Patrick! Small world. :}

Turns out Martin, David, and Dave have a great spot picked out for the parade: The Disneyland Railroad station! 

"Disney's Magic on Parade" has been running in Paris since 2012. It replaced "Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade," which debuted in 2007. The current parade features most of the previous parade's floats plus a growing number of new ones. 

The lead float features Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio. :}

We'll get to see the fronts of these floats as well as their profiles thanks to our great seats.

The parade will make its way down Main Street U.S.A. before finishing with a 270º loop around Town Square, as is customary. :}

Snow White, Anna, Elsa, and more are on their way!

The window through which Alice peers is actually a cleverly-disguised projection.  Alice seems unaffected by her predicament as she casually looks around at park-goers. 

The lead float has reached Town Square!

More excitement is coming our way!

The Toy Story float is jam-packed with friends!

Oh look! Merlin is on the lead float too!

Various members of royalty make their way around the bend. 

Most of Paris's parade floats are double-sided. I'm assuming this is the case with other Disney parades too, but aside from the parades in Hong Kong (whose floats are not double-sided), this is my first Disney parade in over 10 years.

Sharing a float with Anna and Elsa is Rapunzel. :}

If it were me trapped in a cottage like that, I'd probably panic from claustrophobia and hulk out of the poor structure. 

Look who shares the float with Alice! It's Geppetto and his dancing marionettes!

Back on Main Street, Captain Hook's ship is closing in!

Who's on the other side of the Toy Story book?

It's Winnie the Pooh and friends!

Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, and some honeybees are out and about.

Eeyore is scolded by a bee while Piglet looks on in amusement. 

The last float is making its way down Main Street!

The float is festooned with Mickey and Friends!

Back in Town Square, we have a seamless jungle float shared by characters The Lion King and The Jungle Book.

GIRAFFE DON'T EAT SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE!

Oh oobee doo! I wanna be like you!

Look at this problematic individual.

Mary Poppins and Peter Pan make for a decidedly British float.

Whew! Look at that post parade swarm!

What a great parade. :}

Hey look! It's the Wiener Riesenrad! ;}

Obligatory shot of the ACE troublemakers I ran into! Thanks for letting me watch the show with you guys!

It can wait no longer! I need Autopia in my life!

I'm not exactly sure what the story is with this platform of barstools in Autopia's queue, but I kind of like it.

Autopia and Star Tours anchored Discoveryland when the resort opened. Thanks to the area's retro-futuristic theme, the presence of 1960s inspired motor freeway is probably more relevant here than in any of the Tomorrowlands.  

In Hong Kong, Autopia is extraordinarily popular. The city is full of fancy highways, but most people in Hong Kong don't drive (the people who do drive in Hong Kong do it commercially). Autopia is one of the only opportunities for a typical Hong Konger to get behind the wheel! It's a similar story with Tokyo Disney's Grand Circuit Speedway.

Domestic driving is much more common in Europe than in Asia, but the appeal of Autopia is just as strong here. Like Disneyland and Hong Kong's Autopias, the Discoveryland Autopia features multiple unique tracks that intertwine with each other and the scenery. :}

Today's Thrillography is brought to you by the letter A.

A is for Astrocoupe! Also arthritis. 

My pink chariot awaits!

Woohoo! Who's ready for some of my crazy driving?

Off we go!

First order of business is a trip around the Autopia queue. 

Cue super futuristic solar flare! 

"Look down there, honey! It's an American tourist trying to take pictures and drive at the same time."

I'm being judged by other drivers but I don't care. :}

The Astrocoupe was built in a style derived from Disneyland Autopia cars that ran from the 1967 until 1999 (Mark VII Series), which were based on the Chevy Corvette Stingray. :}

The U.S. rides have had a number of sponsors throughout the years (including Richfield Oil, Goodyear (which also sponsored Disneyland's PeopleMover) and Chevron) but now lack a sponsor. Toyko's has never had a sponsor.

Hong Kong Disneyland's Autopia is sponsored by Honda, and Paris's is sponsored by Ford. :}

"Please do not exceed 220 Kilometers per hour." x}

"Also, be on the lookout for wild solar flares that may be crossing the road."

#AstroCoupeSelfie

Look at this crazy Parisian traffic!

Almost time to disembark. :}

What a fun drive that was. 8}

We'll be back for an encore trip around Autopia in a couple days. :}

Obviously another Space Mountain ride happened. I can't walk by the *new for 2015* single rider line and not partake. 

I am so impressed with the relatively young foliage of Paris's Autopia. It looks so full and grown-up. :}

Just past the X-wing headed straight for Space Mountain is a serene little spot in Parc Disneyland. 

The walkway between Fantasyland and Discoveryland was added shortly after the opening of Space Mountain. It has no rides or facilities; just trees, shrubs, and a nice lawn. 

This lovely establishment is the Pizzeria Bella Notte, a.k.a. the Pizza Castle. 

Every Disney trip comes with a missing attraction or two, since every attraction has to get serviced at some point. 

With the triumphant return of Space Mountain: Mission 2 after a 6-month rehab came the beginning of a 6-month rehab for it's a small world. 

Fear not French small world fans! Small World re-opens on Dec 19! 

With small world fast asleep, the east corner of Fantasyland is a particularly quiet place. 

Fantasyland France is so big! You know there are still rides we haven't ridden here??

Time to cross beneath the Disneyland Railroad to check out another very special railroad!

A direct link between Disneyland Anaheim and Disneyland Paris is Casey Jr. and the Storybook Land Canal Boats: two attractions that opened with Disneyland in 1955 and remained unique to California until 40 years later, when the struggling Euro Disney Resort debuted their own incarnations of the attractions as a major expansion to Fantasyland. 

Look who it is! I knew we'd run into each other again. :}

I'm so excited for "Casey Jr. - Le Petit Train du Cirque!"

Captivating circus animals will join us on our journey!

Voila!

The 40 years of amusement ride development that separates the two Casey Jr. rides gave way to a major overhaul of the original concept.

Disneyland Anaheim's Casey Jr. is a traditional miniature train ride (built by Arrow Development, of course) with a few roller coaster-like tendencies. It features a chain lift hill and a gradually-sloped layout, but is primarily propelled by what is essentially an oversized lawnmower engine inside the locomotive.

Disneyland Paris's Casey Jr. is actually a large powered roller coaster (Vekoma) that, unlike the original, features most of the hallmarks of a typical kiddie coaster. With Mickey's Toontown becoming a prominent development at each of the other Disney resorts in the late 80s / early 90s (particularly for their inclusion of a kiddie coaster), Paris's kiddie coaster slot was instead filled by this re-imagined Disney classic. 

Given the choice between Toontown and Storybook Land, I'll gladly chose the latter.

If you want both, you gotta go to California. ;}

Hong Kong Disneyland has neither a Toontown nor a kiddie coaster, but they do have the brand-new (est. 17 Dec 2015) Fairy Tale Forest, a walk-thru attraction designed in the style of the Storybook Canal Boats. It features several detailed animated vignettes of Disney classics and a new Tinkerbell Meet & Greet. :}

(The local fascination with taking selfies next to/with virtually everything at Hong Kong Disneyland is probably what prompted the need for walk-thru attraction. Guests are able to pose next to their favorite Disney classics much more easily this way than if they were floating by on a small boat :} )

Though not a "credit," the scenic and lengthy nature of Casey Jr. - Le Petit Train du Cirque (not to mention amazing onboard audio from the film) makes it an experience superior to that of Gadget's Go Coaster or Goofy's Barnstormer.

Also, at twice the size (area-wise) of the original Casey Jr, French Casey feels much more  like a journey.

Despite the financial woes Disney was facing when this area was built, no corners were cut in the area's execution.

Hello boaters!

Stone bridges carry train passengers over the canal of boats several times. 

"Fields" of little trees help maintain the perspective set by the intricate scenes.

Coming back around toward the station!

Next we'll take a closer look at all of the fairytales via boat! I'm so excited. :}

You may have noticed that the boats lack skippers. Unlike the original motor-powered Storybook Land Canal Boats, the Paris attraction is actually a very cleverly-designed Intamin towboat ride. 

Hiding in the lagoon is a simple cableway anchored by a series of pulleys that create the fleet's directional changes. The boats are all evenly spaced and always remain in motion. It's essentially an underwater Omnimover. :}

One last look from above before we take to the waters!

If you need help finding the attraction, look for the giant book. :}

While "Storybook Land Canal Boats" is the moniker for the attraction with which I am most familiar, the name of the French attraction, "Le Pays des Contes de Fées," simply means "The Land of Fairy Tales." For whatever reason, no mention of boats or canals is made in the French name. x}

First stop on our tour is the Seven Dwarves' cottage and Rapunzel's tower.

The tower has actually always been part of this attraction; it received Rapunzel's hair as a film tie-in over 15 years later. Also she lives near the carnivorous witch from Hansel and Gretel, apparently.

A small incarnation of the Old Mill complements the larger, waffle-selling version. 

Here's Prince Eric's place. Lookin' fly. 

Isn't this just lovely? :}

So this is from Peter and the Wolf.

I know this because I looked it up on Wikipedia because I didn't have a flippin' clue at the time. 

Here's the "Night on Bald Mountain" scene from Fantasia. Also required research to deduce. 

Wave to Casey, everyone!

Casey Jr.'s coming down the track! Casey Jr.'s coming down the track with a smokey stack!

Hear him puffin', comin' 'round the hill! Casey's here to thrill! Every Jack and Jill!

Instead of being swallowed by Monstro the whale, the little French boats are instead swallowed by the Cave of Wonders from Aladdin (the current Disney film phenomenon at the time of the attraction's development).

On the other side we have representation from The Sword in the Stone.

As expected, the largest fixture in Le Pays des Contes de Fées is…well…everything from Beauty and the Beast. 

The detail here is particularly impressive. 

You could reenact the entire movie here!

The ride ends with the City of Oz.

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure why either.

Woo! Peter Pan! 

Ok. Time for food! I want barbecue. 

This will have to do. :}

I got ribs. They were delicious. By the time I remembered to take a picture, they were all gone. :} 

Hello Big Thunder!

Who's ready for a Phantom Manor reprise?

Our Doom Buggy awaits!

Real talk. Looking at this picture makes me uncomfortable. 

Ok so I kind of failed at getting a lot of decent pictures from inside Phantom Manor. It's just too dark!

However, the manor grounds has lots of well-lit things to see!

The midway dead ends with a cemetery (hehe…I made a pun) beyond the exit for Phantom Manor.

Past the cemetery is a water feature meant to replicate geothermal activity. It's been dormant for a while now.

This area is a prime spot for development when the time comes. Rumors of a Splash Mountain installation, and later a Grizzly River Run clone, came and went (allegedly shot down due to concerns about Paris's cooler climate). Still nothing for now. 

Disneyland Railroad chugs by in the distance. 

At first glance, these look like perfectly benign epitaphs, 

but the Imagineers pulled a fast one everyone who's come to expect only G-rated innuendo from Disney. ;}

The cemetery offers particularly nice views of Big Thunder at dusk. 

The only sound is chugging of Big Thunder and squeals of its guests. :}

The Rivers of the Far West are at rest. :}

This picture was a pain in the ass to get, so you better enjoy it.

Woosh! Crazy fastness!

Dusk photo time is best time. :}

A sunset Big Thunder ride happened and it was awesome. :}

Lighting makes me happy. :}

Back through Adventureland!

Pirates time. :}

I totally have pictures from inside this time!

Woohoo! Ship sails and things!

Classic shot! 

"This lovely lady can be yours for not seven, not five, but just four easy payments of €99.99! But wait! There's more!"

Oh Lord Jesus it's a fahr!

"Argh! Dead men tell no tales and stuff."

Whoa! Nighttime happened! 

Adventure Isle looks magical at night. :}

Things are definitely quieting down throughout Disneyland. Everyone's crowding into Main Street for Disney Dreams!

Ooooooh. Pretty lights. :}

YOU GUYS LOOK AT THIS LAMP.

I WANT THIS LAMP SO BAD IT'S AMAZING.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle is all lit up!

It doesn't look like it, but this picture is full of people! :}

Quick visit to Tomorrowland for more Space Mountain time. I just can't stay away. :}

<3 <3 <3

Lights are very important. :}

I got a very special ride on Space Mountain in this instance. 

They kind sorta left one of the maintenance lights on inside the building. I could see all of the track! It was amazing! It's a mess in there. 

Ok! It's it's time to get seated for Disney Dreams! 

And by "seated" I mean standing in front of the water effect at the entrance to Discoveryland! 

Ta-da!

Disney Dreams uses lots of castle projections. Which are amazing. 

Also water! And fireworks! 

It's a whirlwind adventure through classic Disney moments, a la World of Color. 

The story is that Peter Pan's shadow is ruining everything. The 2nd Star, which hovers atop the castle, gets broken and showers pixie dust all over. Calamity ensues. 

There are some really outstanding song/animation sequences, like Aladdin's Friend Like Me, during which Sleeping Beauty's Castle actually takes the form of Genie, who's taking the form of the castle. If that makes sense. 

The water projections work pretty well, but they don't exactly photograph well. lol

Here's a rare but fitting inclusion: Out There from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Singin' I Wanna Be Like You for the second time today!

Like the parade, Jungle Book and Lion King share a substantial and wild sequence!

"Oh I just can't WAIT to be kiiiiiiiiiing!"

Frozen <3

"LET IT GOOOOOOOO! LET IT GOOOOOOOOO! CAN'T HOLD IT BACK ANYMORE!!!!"

*sobs*

Frozen and Tangled also return as a pairing. :}

"AND AT LAST I SEE THE LIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!"

Now we go from France to the French Quarter! 

Friends on the Other Side from The Princess and the Frog really stole the show!

The fires of hell were summoned to help accent the Shadowman's signature song!

Yay! Tinkerbell fixed the 2nd Star!

WOOOOOOOOO!

*Cue Peter Pan music medley*

"YOU CAN FLY! YOU CAN FLY! YOU CAN FLY!"

and all that jazz.

Disney really pulled out all the stops for this show. 

To say I'm impressed is an understatement. We'll be seeing the show from a different perspective in two days!

Here comes a fiery finish! 

TA-DA!!!

Woo! That was fun. :}

Let's go shopping! 

Soon the Disney stores will flood with guests!

We're actually going to Disney Village for shopping! It's the place to be!

World of Disney is one of the newer shopping experiences at Disneyland Paris. Built in 2010, it's the most recent expansion to Disney Village.

Disney Village is rumored to be getting some new developments following the re-launch of Disney Springs in Orlando. Curious to see what happens!

Even with the newer Word of Disney next door, the more whimsical Disney Store still is not without its fans!

The Disney Store has a build-your-own-Mr.-Potato-Head station! How cool is that??

Back across Disney Lake!

Goodnight everyone. :}

Tomorrow we change things up with a visit to France's largest regional amusement park, Parc Astérix, as well as a quick visit to Paris proper! 

Until next time. :}