Dreams really do come true! It is with complete joy, wonder and awe that I am writing to you today from Disneyland Paris. Honey and I have been in Paris all week, soaking up the beauty and romance of the City of Light. I’ll share all the details on that leg of our trip next month. For now, here’s how the magic unfolded in our first day in Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris
Day 1: Hotel New York, Disneyland Park, Captain Jack’s, Walt Disney Studios Park, Bistrot Chez Remy, Nighttime Shows
Day 2: Disneyland Park, Auberge de Cendrillon, Walt Disney Studios Park, Hotel New York
Bistrot Chez Remy
Auberge de Cendrillon Princess Dining
Captain Jack’s – Restaurant des Pirates
Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
Paris
Sites, Scenes and Eating All the Things
Esprit Saint Germain Hotel
Le Grand Controle at Chateau de Versailles
We’ll Always Have Paris
Disneyland Paris
Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel Hotel
As its name suggests, Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel pays tribute to the home of MARVEL Super Heroes and the artists who created them.
This four-star hotel offers premium comfort and personalized services, while celebrating the culture and vibrant energy of New York City, styled as an iconic art gallery. With more than 350 pieces of artwork on display, spanning both comics and movies, it is one of the largest collections of MARVEL artwork in the world.
First things first, Honey couldn’t wait to take in the Super Hero Station where guests can make photos immersed in their favorite character’s surroundings.
Hotel New York is located just about two minutes from Disney Village. Once inside security for Disney Village, you can then move freely between there and the two theme parks, both of which are about an 8-10 minute walk. Since all Disneyland Paris travel packages come with tickets for every day of your stay, we hit the ground running.
Disneyland Paris
There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted my first steps inside Disneyland Paris to be in the Disneyland Theme Park. Like in the states, this is a magical kingdom, where five lands bring fairy tales and adventures to life like nowhere else. It is the pink theme park entrance of my dreams!
We walked down main street for a bit of exploring and, of course, took that first peek at the castle. We even caught the special 30th anniversary cavalcade – Dream… and Shine Brighter! – just as we entered.
Walt Disney Studios Park
At Walt Disney Studios Park, get ready for lights, camera and a whole lot of action as blockbuster attractions and star-studded shows add some movie magic to your family’s story. It is about a 3-5 minute walk between the two theme parks, making it so easy to hop back and forth!
We started Worlds of Pixar, where we were thrilled to find attractions from some of our favorite films – Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Toy Story and Cars. Our favorite in this area was RC Racer. We also enjoyed Cars Road Trip, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin.
Just before lunch we headed to Ratatouille: The Adventure. It’s one of our favorite attractions in the states, and was even more charming in France. When the ride ends in the dining room with Remy and Emilie, you exit and are looking into the exact restaurant – Bistrot Chez Remy!
Bistrot Chez Rémy
And, so, our next stop was just there for lunch. If I had been asked to pick one thing I was most excited about doing in Disneyland Paris, it would be shrinking down to to size of Remy and stepping inside Bistrot Chez Remy!
The restaurant is just as darling as I’d dreamed it would be. Inside, we pull up giant champagne corks and took our seats at a jam jar lid. Oversized cocktail umbrellas, cookbooks and cutlery create a rat’s eye view, Bon appétit!
We had such a nice time here. Meals are served at a leisurely place and we enjoyed sitting and soaking it all in. T
Hotel New York – Art of Marvel Afternoon Break
We took at afternoon break back at the hotel to settle in and rest before heading back for the evening. Rooms are not available before 3PM, so we were thrilled to finally get to see it. Everything was spacious and comfortable, with all the modern amenities.
Disneyland Park
Rested and refreshed, we headed back to Disneyland Park until closing! This must be the most beautiful entrance ever to a theme park. I must come back when Disneyland Paris Hotel reopens (it’s been years!)
We made our way down Main Street, weaving in and out of the shops and soaking it all in.
I love it so much that Sleeping Beauty Castle – Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant – is an attraction, not just a façade. There is so much to explore. You can even tip-toe through the dark dungeon “La Tanière du Dragon” underneath where a monstrous prisoner lurks.
We spent a while in Fantasyland. it’s a small world was so charming in French, as were many of our favorites. We explored Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, Peter Pan’s Flight, le Petit Train du Cirque, Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, and more.
Captain Jack’s – Restaurant des Pirates
We enjoyed the most delightful dinner at Captain Jack’s, located in Adventureland in Disneyland Park. It was such a treat to enjoy a new to us Disney restaurant with such perfect theming.
Overlooking Pirates of the Caribbean, inside is a tropical lagoon bedecked in pirate flags, banners and wanted posters from a lawless age. It is Disney theming at its best!
Waiters in pirates’ garb serve up hearty Creole cooking. Our meal was quite good and we both called it a marvelous night!
Afterwards, we continued the pirate life with a spin on Pirates of the Caribbean, waving at our former dining mates as we sailed by. This one is my favorite version yet!
Disney D-Light
As night falls, the 30th Anniversary spectacular with drone light choreography illuminates the sky over Sleeping Beauty Castle. This was absolutely the best nighttime show we’ve seen at Disney. WOW.
Disney Dreams Nighttime Extravaganza
Immediately following Disney D-Light, the sky was again lit with jaw-dropping fireworks, fountains and magical effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle. The show’s story is told by Peter Pan and his shadow leads you through beloved Disney stories. I know I keep saying this but – WOW. It was absolutely incredible and absolutely my favorite Disney fireworks show.
Bonne Nuit
As we exited Disneyland Park after a day filled with pure joy and awe, we were bid a Bonne Nuit by Mickey Mouse.
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