its our final day in Paris, following a very long night, we are slowly rousing ourselves and preparing to fulfill one of my life-long dreams: visiting Disneyland Paris. Despite feeling excited, we’re both quite sore and fatigued from the previous night’s festivities. Adding to our concerns, the weather forecast predicts rain and cold temperatures. Nevertheless, we’re determined to make the most of our day.

Bundled up for the chilly weather, we grab breakfast from the lobby and summon an Uber. While I considered utilizing the shuttle bus offered by Disney Paris, the timing didn’t align with the fireworks show we hoped to catch later in the evening, and the cost for two people was comparable to the Uber fare. Thus, we opted for the convenience of Uber, despite the slightly higher price.

Disney Paris

Traveling across Paris to Marne-la-Vallee, roughly an hour’s drive away, the journey feels like a trek into the unknown. The area surrounding the park appears relatively desolate compared to the vibrant scenes typically found around other Disney Parks. Upon arrival, we’re conveniently dropped off right at the main entrance. Given my experiences at Disneyland in Anaheim and vaguely remembered visits to Disney World in Florida, my comparisons in this post will primarily focus on Disneyland.

In Disneyland, the vibrant Downtown Disney district is teeming with shops and dining options. Naturally, I anticipated something similar at Disneyland Paris, but it was a bit different. The main strip featured only a handful of establishments like Five Guys and Fries, Vapiano, and a Disney store.

Before entering the park thought, there’s a small area called Disney Village with a few more shops and restaurants, but we didn’t explore it extensively. There were also several hotels on the property which made perfect sense, considering the limited amenities in the surrounding area.

Moving forward into Disney, we were greeted by a grand sign that read “Disneyland Paris” in vibrant blue with sparkling gold accents, a truly magical sight to behold. After having our tickets scanned, we stepped inside the park. Everything still retained its Christmas decorations, which added to the enchantment of the experience.

As we entered, Mickey and Minnie were dancing, a delightful welcome that filled us with joy. Main Street had a familiar feel, reminiscent of Disneyland, although it seemed slightly shorter and with fewer shops.

Despite the limited merchandise selection, the Christmas overlay with its twinkling lights, lush foliage, and festive decor created a truly enchanting atmosphere that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Disney Paris – Pirates of the Caribbean

At this early hour on the day after New Year’s, the park was surprisingly quiet. There were hardly any visitors yet, giving us the perfect opportunity to tackle some of the more popular rides before the crowds arrived.

Our first choice was my personal favorite, Pirates of the Caribbean. However, finding the entrance proved to be a bit of an adventure in itself, as it was nestled amidst waterfalls, caves, and pirate ships, a unique feature not found in Disneyland. Despite the challenge of locating it, we were delighted to discover that there was no wait and no line at the entrance. I couldn’t help but remark to William how fortunate he was, as Disneyland is typically bustling with crowds right from the start of the day.

As we boarded the ride, it felt reminiscent of the Disneyland version, and I anticipated the familiar small drops at the beginning. However, to my disappointment, there were only two very minor dips and no thrilling drops like I had hoped for.

Nevertheless, the ride itself remained largely the same, detailed scenes of pirate life, including a chaotic auction, a prison break, and a thrilling ship battle with cannons blazing. The attention to detail is remarkable, with flickering lanterns, realistic water effects, and the smell of gunpowder adding to the authenticity.

One memorable moment is the sight of Captain Jack Sparrow, cleverly hidden among the other pirates, bringing a touch of Hollywood magic to the ride. As your boat glides through the dark waters, you feel completely immersed in this world of adventure and danger. The ride concludes with a climb back up to the fortress, where the fine line between myth and reality in this captivating pirate saga becomes apparent. While there are subtle differences in storytelling from the Disneyland version, they're not too noticeable unless you're a frequent rider like me. Despite the absence of my favorite drops, the immersive experience and intricate details still made the adventure thoroughly enjoyable. The enchanting atmosphere, combined with the lively pirate scenes, ensures that Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland Paris remains a must-visit attraction.

Disney Paris – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril

The next attraction on our list was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, conveniently located near Pirates of the Caribbean. After researching some of the rides at Disneyland Paris, I discovered that this one is actually a rollercoaster with a thrilling 360-degree loop, where riders journey through a lost temple in mine cars.

The coaster twists and turns over the temple’s surface, navigating through debris before simulating an “out of control” experience. In comparison, the Disneyland version features an enhanced motion vehicle ride, immersing you in Indiana Jones’ quest through a perilous subterranean temple guarded by supernatural forces, with a significant drop after encountering a rolling boulder.

Since I’m not particularly fond of rollercoasters, I decided to sit this one out and let William enjoy the ride while I went to grab some snacks. As he headed to the ride, I eagerly made my way to a snack stand, anticipating the delicious churros that Disneyland is known for. However, to my surprise, I quickly remembered I was in Paris when I discovered that they didn’t serve churros at all.

Instead, the stands offered crepes or Nutella waffles, a stark contrast to what I had expected. Disappointed but still eager for a sweet treat, I opted for a Nutella waffle and a latte for us both. When he returned from the ride and shared his experience, I was relieved that I had opted out, as it seemed like the right decision for me.