Theme Park Paris

ing a trip to France with the kids but don’t knowgames room for children and a bar with a terrace.
where to go? Looking for theme park excitement inNearby hotels include Novotel, Kyriad, Campanile and
Europe to rival that of America? Then why not visitMercure, so you’ll never be stuck for
Paris – not only is it one of the most beautifulsomewhere to stay.
cities in the world, but it also has two great themeDisneyland Paris
parks nearby, which kids will love. Enter the cartoonIntroduction
world of Gaul at Parc Asterix or mingle with Mickey,Disney’s only theme park in Europe is very
Minnie and company at Disneyland Paris.similar in style to the parks in America. The Magic
Parc AsterixKingdom comprises four different lands, all of which
Introductionconverge on Main Street USA – an early 20th
This quintessentially French theme park brings to lifecentury themed street with horses, trams and vintage
one of France’s most popular comic bookcars. Fantasyland is a world of fairytales and is aimed
cartoons of all time – Asterix de Gaul, a smallat young children. There’s Sleeping
and quirky warrior living in Armorica in 50 BC, in theBeauty’s castle, Snow White’s house
only part of Gaul not to be conquered by the Romans.and Alice in Wonderland’s maze. Peter Pan,
The amusing stories in the comic books focus onDumbo and Pinocchio also put in an appearance.
Asterix, his kind-hearted and somewhat rotund bestFrontierland is a gold rush themed area with
friend Obelix, and the local druid Getafix (Panoramix inPocahontas Indian Village, a shooting gallery, Big
French) who prepares magic potions for them.Thunder Mountain and Wild West legends all around.
LocationAdventureland sweeps you through marvellous exotic
The park is located approximately 30 kilometres (20lands from Aladdin’s Enchanted Passage to the
miles) north of Paris, north of Charles de Gaulle airportPirates of the Caribbean lagoon. Discoveryland is a
on the A1 Paris to Lille motorway.wonderful area of science and space.
AttractionsAttractions
There are some exhilarating and hair-raising rides, allAll the most popular attractions from the American
loosely based on a classical themes –parks are recreated in Disneyland Paris.
there’s the Thunder of Zeus – theThere’s the terrifying Space Mountain, the Mad
largest wooden rollercoaster in Europe, the swingingHatters’ Teacups, It’s a Small World, the
Roman galley ship, the Trojan horse and thePirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain and
death-defying Goudurix loop-the-loop ride, as well asIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
flying chairs, log flumes and other popular theme parkShows
favourites.No trip to a Disney theme park would be complete
Showswithout a parade where you can meet your favourite
There’s always plenty of entertainment goingDisney characters. There are parades in various parts
on when you want a break from the rides. Meet yourof the park all day, so you’ll never miss out.
favourite characters at the costume parade –Some of the excellent stage show performances
they’re held several times a day, or go back ininclude The Lion King, The Tarzan Encounter and
time to a Gaulish Village Festival, where there are lotsWinnie the Pooh and Friends Too.
of great activities and funny goings-on daily. TheRestaurants
dolphin and sea lion show is captivating, and theEvery zone has its own range of eating places to
Panoramix Magic Show will leave you spellbound. Andcater for all tastes and appetites at any time of day.
that’s not all – there are several differentSome of the best ones are Victoria’s
stage performances throughout the day, in whichHomestyle Restaurant in Main Street USA, which
Asterix and his friends get involved in great high jinksserves wholesome, traditional American dishes such
and adventures.as meat pie and chocolate brownies. The Cowboy
RestaurantsCookout in Frontierland is a mouth-watering barbeque
Being a French theme park, the food here is of courserestaurant with country music and dancing, while Buzz
excellent and there’s a huge variety of eatingLightyear’s Pizza Planet serves pizzas in an
places to choose from, whether you’re lookingintergalactic atmosphere.
for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a snack.Shops
There’s a great pizzeria, a tasty creperie and aYou won’t have any bother finding a souvenir
delicious burger bar to name just a few. All theof your favourite Disney character –
restaurants are themed too – there’s athere’s a huge selection of soft toys in many
medieval banqueting hall, a circus buffet in a colourfulof the shops dotted around the park, from old classics
big top tent, a Gaulish tavern and a Roman villa.like Winnie the Pooh to the space-age Buzz Lightyear.
ShopsThe shops in Discoveryland have some weird and
You can get Asterix souvenirs in all shapes and sizes,wonderful scientific gadgets and gizmos, while
from t-shirts and mugs to helmets and swords. ThereAdventureland has exotic gifts and souvenirs from
are stalls and boutiques all over the park, so you canfar-flung lands. Budding cowboys can kit themselves
get whatever you want, whenever you want. Ifout at the Bonanza store in Frontierland, from Stetson
you’re looking for other gifts and souvenirs,hat to boot spurs.
there are some wonderful shops selling Egyptian,Accommodation
Roman and Greek themed ornaments, crafts andIt’s rather expensive to stay in the resort itself,
clothes.although for a real treat it is very good fun. Disneyland
AccommodationHotel on Main Street USA is the most expensive, while
Hotel des Trois Hiboux is the only accommodationDavey Crockett’s Ranch is the cheapest
within the park itself, but it’s a wondeful place tooption. The cosy log cabins are about quarter of an
stay and offers great value for money. The facilities inhour’s drive from the park. Other hotels outside
this three-star hotel are excellent –the park include the Radisson SAS, Kyriad, Holiday Inn
there’s a cosy lounge with a roaring fireplace, aand Pierre et Vacances Hotel.