Description of the attraction
Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular attractions not only in France, but throughout Europe. People often prefer this theme park to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower.
But the park could be in another country. After the huge success of Disneyland Japan, the Walt Disney Company decided that the experience should be replicated in Europe. About 1,200 construction sites were proposed for consideration, all in different countries. Finally there were four left: two in Spain and two in France. The Spanish and French fought desperately for the right to provide land for Disneyland and thereby help their economy; the Spaniards, who had almost won the fight, already boasted that Mickey Mouse would be wearing a sombrero, not a beret.
However, the French still won. Location played an important role in this victory: the town of Marne-la-Vallee, where the Disney students stayed, is located near Paris, almost in the center of Europe, it is convenient for visitors from other countries to come here.
While officials fought for Disneyland, French intellectuals opposed it. They called it cultural Chernobyl, threatening to ruin the French way of life and replace it with an American one, and dreamed that "the rebels would set fire to Disneyland."
No rebels set fire to anything, the park opened in 1992. It spans 19 square kilometers and houses two themed zones, seven hotels, shops, restaurants and even a golf course. Among the most popular attractions are the eerie roller coaster Space Mountain: Mission 2, Big Thunder, Indiana Jones, a journey through the pirate world Pirates of the Caribbean, and a completely scary, peaceful boat ride accompanied by the song It's a Small World. . 60 rides are designed for different ages. Kids are delighted to meet actors in costumes like Peter Pan, Cinderella, Aladdin, Donald Duck and other Disney characters.
The French still wrinkle their nose and say something like - wow, Disneyland, who needs it! Despite many financial difficulties (the calculations for absolute success were not justified) and accidents (rare, but they do happen), the park is needed by a huge number of visitors - there are about 12 million of them a year. There are always crowds here, you can stand in line for an attraction for an hour, or even two, but many people come here more than once - even adults. And if a tourist arrives in Paris with a child, he will hardly be able to avoid visiting the famous park.
Disney people use the term "Disney magic". In these two words - the whole policy of the park: it's not only about the dizzying rides, where the squealing visitors get a dose of adrenaline. Disney magic includes always smiling employees, magical music, colorful parades of cartoon characters, and even the rule that all behind-the-scenes work should be hidden from visitors. When a tourist walks out onto the main street of the park leading to the Sleeping Beauty Castle, it doesn't matter how old he is - he will still enjoy it.
On a note
- Location: 77777 Marne-la-Vallée.
- How to get there: take the RER from the Orera station (line A) to the Marne La Vallee Chessy stop.
- Official website:
- Opening Hours: Disneyland Park - daily from 10:00 to 22:00; Walt Disney Studio - daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
- Tickets: adult - 47 euros, children - 40 euros
