This Must Be A Dream, Part 2: Disneyland Paris

My trip continued the next morning, early as I left Caen to return to Paris and on to Disneyland. My train left just before 8 and I gave myself plenty of time to take the bus back to the station. After waiting for 10 minutes and no bus I double checked the schedule and consulted my phrase book. I learned that the buses did not run on Sunday which was not what the website told me. Oh well. I walked back the the hotel and asked about the buses. Fortunately they had a number handy for a taxi and they called one for me. A few minutes later I was at Gare Caen and on my train. Soon we were headed back to Paris.

Back in Paris I walked the block from Gare St. Lazare to the RER A Auber station. The RER A ends at Marne-la-Vallee which is also the stop for Parc Disneyland. It takes about 30 minutes from the center of Paris. I got off a few stops from Disneyland to drop my stuff off at my hotel, Mister Bed City Hotel. I love the names of chain hotels in France, they are very fun. Back on the RER A, I was at Disneyland before noon, giving me plenty of time to see the parks. I was so excited walking in. Now that Normandy was crossed off my list, this was all I needed to see. The Disneyland Hotel serves as the Main Gate for Disneyland. Once inside you walk under the train and onto Main Street (U.S.A. I think). It all feels the same, but yet somewhat different. The shops and food establishments are arranged differently. I decide to go to the left and work my way around the park.

I first go to Adventureland and ride Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril. While walking through Frontierland and past the Mark Twain which goes counter-clockwise around the island I thought I saw something white falling and while I was in line for Indiana Jones it began to snow. It was snowing at Disneyland. I could not believe it though it was cold enough. After that I made my way around through Fantasyland. It is a lot bigger than the one in Anaheim. Compared to Anaheim, they have the same rides along with a maze inspired by the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland and they have an area just for Belle. I walked around the back towards Its A Small World but it was down. I headed over to Discoveryland (Anaheim's equivalent of Tomorrowland). I immediately got a Fastpass for Space Mountain: Mission 2.0. I had an hour or so and I decided to take the train around the park. I walked past Star Tours and thought to my self, I am sure it is the same, I can skip this. But then a light bulb turned on, the robots should be speaking in French, how can I not see this. It was glorious. Enjoy this little gem of a video I recorded.



After Star Tours I decided to have lunch. At this point it was snowing, flurries I believe would be the correct term. By the tie I had finished eating, there was a layer o snow on the buildings and shrubbery. I went on to Space Mountain and it was fantastic; there were loops and multiple inversions, much better than Anaheim.

I went over to Walt Disney Studios. You walk in and are directed through a sound stage type building. Inside is a 'main street' type layout. On the right is a commissary and on the left is a gift shop. Once you walk through you come to a hub area, complete with Walt and Mickey statue. I went straight to Rock 'N' Roller Coaster. I love this ride, it was just like the one in Florida. I also went on Tower of Terror. I was hoping it would be like Florida but it was set up like Anaheim. It was still fun, especially to hear it French.

The language completely threw me off. I knew the park and what they should be saying but it was completely different. It was like a dream where I know this place, I am familiar with it but it was different, something was off. I walked around a bit more and did some shopping.

The sun had set and I went back to see Disneyland at night and do a bit more shopping. It was beautiful. I was ready to go back to my hotel. I was a little cold and I think my feet were wet since it has been sprinkling since the afternoon when it stopped snowing. I was walking down Main Street when I heard the train in the station. I could not resist so I rode the train once around the park. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day, not even the cold or wet could hinder the great time I had.

I hopped back on the RER A to my stop, Torcy, and went to bed in my nice warm bed. I took my time the next morning and made my way back to the center of Paris. I was not sad about only seeing train stations in Paris because I knew I would be back next week. And then it would also be with my brother.

It was a great weekend. I saw some unbelievable places, it seemed so surreal. Normandy was just the beginning and I cannot wait until I can return and go more in depth. Disneyland was a bit of home in Europe, it was nice even with all the differences. So fun!

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler