6-12 July 2000. I made DLP my home base while I stayed at the Sequoia Lodge, and took day trips into Paris, Montmarte, and Versailles. Actually, I was only able to spend one FULL day in the park on July 10, 2000. Most of the time, I visited the park early in the morning for an hour, and then took off for my sight-seeing trips into Paris, and then returned to the park in the evening for a few hours. This gave me the security I felt I needed for my first trip overseas. Now I understand why everyone says "One week is not enough!" I am a DISNEY fan (some might say "fanatic"), and this is the third Disney theme park I have been able to visit. This webpage is an American's views about the Disney theme park in Paris, France.
I found the park to be very beautiful and charming. This castle is my favorite of all the Disney Magic Kingdom castles. It has a storybook look to it, especially considering Europe is a land of castles built during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The stain glass windows and the delicate, intricate towers and the "square-edge" trees around the castle with a waterfall makes it a breath-taking experience. I realize that the theme park is actually larger than the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, but it seemed more intimate. There is more attention to the details since it was built latter. The park size and building details reminded me of Disneyland. When you are in a particular "land", you feel totally immersed in the surroundings. Of course, there are a few spots where you can view other "lands", but most times you feel completely surrounded by Main Street, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, or Discoveryland.
People kept asking me, "Didn't they close Disneyland Paris?" I responded with "No, it's alive and living in Paris!" I'm glad I had to the opportunity to visit this delightful park. I didn't notice any real cultural disparity. In fact, I enjoyed the the cosmopolitan atmosphere of hearing and noticing guests from other countries. I think this helped to make my holiday even more pleasant. I was able to meet some other DLP fans: Geert & Lianne Heinemans and their children one afternoon, and Joel Serre for dinner at The Blue Lagoon Restuarant; and share my impressions of their park compared to our parks on this side of the ocean.
These next two rides are both in Adventureland. Which to do first?
Tarzan the Encounter. Deep in the heart of the jungle beneath the shelter of the trees at the Chaparral Theatre; you are in the middle of a legendary tale: TARZAN. For the first time, Tarzan makes contact with another world; Ours. We encounter the magic as Tarzan meets Jane. You hang out with Terk (who "speaks" both English and French) and come face to face with breathtaking, high flying acrobatic action. (I didn't see Mulan, the Legend at Videopolis but I understand it was juggling, gymnastics and acrobatics also!) This part of the show is totally amazing and needs no dialogue to enjoy it. The music is in English from the soundtrack of the Disney animated movie. After Tarzan's primate friends "trash the camp", Terk invites the kids in the audience up to "make some noise". Overall, an enjoyable show. Cresend'O La Magie Du Cirque Aquatique. Bienvenue dans un univers ou l'eau est spectacle! L'eau vous invite a la rencontre de la terre, del'air, du feu et de la glace! Bienvenue dans l'univers de Cresend'O! Water-ballet dancers, divers, trapeze artists, a horse and ice-skaters leap and twist through water, air and fire, bringing this entrancing aquatic and musical spectacle to life. The authentic big top (damaged during a strom in December 1999) offers scenery and effects; a magical pool containing nearly 600,00 litres of water appears and disappears during the show. A unique, exclusive event to DLP. to be enjoyed by all who experience it!
Some of my favorite rides were: Phantom Manor, Space Mountain - De la Terre a la Lune, Big Thunder Mountain RailRoad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril... Backwards! I have to admit that these rides are an improvement over their American counterparts. 
Phantom Manor is located in Frontierland and its exterior resembles the Bates house from Psycho. It sits on top of a hill and this gives it a more ominous feeling as you walk up to it. Most of the time I was in DLP, I just walked right on to the ride; the landscaping around it is a little bit more abandoned looking (think the Hollywood Tower Hotel from Disney-MGM Studios). There was a gazebo playing an erie music-box tune and the fountain was dry. From the front porch of Phantom Manor you get a great view of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the rest of Frontierland. It was wierd listening to the ghost-host in French (but I guess I can say this for all the rides at DLP), but the storyline is pretty obvious during the ride. The house belongs to the Phantom who is obsessed with the bride (reminds me of The Phantom of the Opera). At different times during the ride, the bride or a painting of the bride appears. (The bride does not just appear in the hallway or attic) All four pictures in the "stretching room" are of the bride. One shows her on a picnic withg her beau, another working in the garden, crossing a steam, and canoeing down a river. Of course, as the room stretches we realize the possible impending dangers to her life. A really cool twist on this ride is that in the graveyard the Phantom send you and your doombuggy down an open grave and into a western ghost town below the cemetery. This is both cool and amusing. It's here that you can hear and see all our old favorites from Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Overall, this (the Haunted Mansion/Phantom Manor) is still one of my favorite Magic Kingdom rides. The soundtrack/theme music is wonderful, so rich and evocative. I will also have to say the same about Space Mountain's background music!
Space Mountain - De la Terre a la Lune. This ride will blow you away! First of all, this is the FIRST DISNEY ride I have gone on that had loops and corkscrews. (I haven't been on Rock'n'Roller coaster yet!) Waiting to be "shot" out of the Columbiad cannon and then hurtling through space with all the asteroids and twists and turns is just fantastic. I never really knew where exactly I was on the ride no matter how often I rode it. Even at one point where it seems you are slowing down and reaching the "man in the moon", you are off and twisting and turning through corkscrews and loops again before you know it. One time, (I guess I was lucky enough), I wound up sitting in the front of the first car and people kept cheering and calling "Encore" (or something along those lines) and we were able to ride Space Mountain three times in a row. By the third time I was ready to get off and could hardly walk straight, but it was well worth it. My picture on the following page shows my excitement. (Click here!) I think this was the third time and by then I knew when they took our picture on the ride. I think the themeing for Space Mountain fits in very well with Discoveryland and all the neo-Jules Verne/Leonardo da Vinci look to the land. The walk-through of the Nautilus is a great experience for anyone who remembers the movie "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea". They even have the attacking squid!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - "the wildest ride in the wilderness". One of the few rides I found in English, probably because it takes place in the American West. The actual ride for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is on an island surrounded by the Rivers of the Far West. The roller coaster train crosses under the Rivers of the Far West through a pitch-black tunnel on its way to Big Thunder Mountain. Once on the island, the trains move at dizzying-speed along tracks with steep rises and followed by plunging falls and banked curves. The "Wild West" landscape is superbly detailed with animatronic burros, a goat which tugs the jeans from a miner's washing line, and a howling coyote. The train has to cross the bridge before flood waters wash it away. Be prepared to be splashed , but not soaked, when the train plunges through the water. (Here it is where they snap your photo on the ride CLICK HERE! ). The ride continues through a mine explosion of collapsing rocks with flashes of light revealing rocks streaked with gold. The train shoots out into daylight, only to plunge again into a cave filled with bats. The train finally pulls into the mining company station on the other side of the river.
Pirates of the Caribbean is in all the Disney parks (California, Orlando, Tokyo, Paris). This is by far the superior ride. At the beginning of the ride, like at Disneyland, you glide past the Blue Lagoon restaurant where diners feast on tropical food; then you experience the havoc of the pirate attack and then you descend into the caverns to witness the desolation of the ghostly, skeleton-strewn treasure trove. Once inside the fort (during the ride), there is a state of seige and pirates swarming everywhere. Below in the harbor, a pirate ship fires on the fort as the ship's captain shouts orders to his men. The pirates are attacking this Spanish fort, there is even a pirates who swings on a rope over your head. Too Cool! There is the usual plundering and pillaging by the pirates, the crew chasing maidens (or being chased), fighting over treasure and swigging from barrels of liquor. Some of the the townpeople are captured and the mayor Carlos is dunked in the well again. (His wife speaks in Spanish/the pirates in French.) There is also the auctioning of several maidens including the red-head! Somewhere during these scenes there are a pair of sword-fighting pirates who engage in hand-to-hand combat with the swords actually striking each other. The buccaneers plunder and set fire to the city (three prisoners in the jail cell try to reach their freedom by tempting the dog with the keys in its mouth --- just like the other parks), and an inebriated pirate sets the arsenal into a burning inferno. HUGH EXPLOSION, your boat hurtles down one or two slopes, and beyond is the pirates' booty with golden peices of eight and the captain's cabin strewn with plenty of jewels. Over-all a great Disney ride, rich in atmosphere and packed with thrills for the entire familly. 
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril... Backwards! It's quite hard to exactly describe this ride. I guess its based on the run-away mine trains in the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom . This attraction leads you on a wild chase through the ruins of an archeological site built around a temple full of stone idols. You jump into a little mining cart and set off on a mad careening journey around the site of the excavations to . . . who knows where? . . . because you are going backwards! The mining car rockets along crazily at dizzying speed, even turning upside down at the end. Exciting roller-coaster ride but not as cool as The Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland, California. (Much better theming and ride experience!)
Disney's ImagiNations Parade. This is the parade celebrating the new millenium around the world with floats as high as 4 storeys tall. There are seven floats each depicting one of the continents with a Disney character reperesenting its cultures and traditions. The first float is Mickey Mouse in a flying machine to take us on this worldwide carnival of music, dance and colorful icons. All our favorite Disney characters are here. Next is Minnie Mouse as Asia. She is a gigantic geisha girl surrounded by the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, pagodas and dragons and camels. Next is Chip and Dale as Africa. One of them is the Sphinx (Dale) and the other is an African warrior (Chip). They are surrounded by mosques and thatch huts, pyramids and the Nile, and wild beasts of the jungle and savannah. Daisy Duck is next as Oceania. A lot of this float was marine life and ocean waves, sea shells and flowered leis. Donald Duck followed as Latin America (reprising his world famous roles in "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Caballeros". He is surrounded by a Peruvian llama, Aztec/Mayan pyramid, and a Brazillian parrot. Donald looks like he is all dressed up for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Goofy represents Anglo America dressed as the Statue of Liberty and holding a torch in one hand and a pink Cadillac in the other. He is surrounded by Mount Rushmore, slot machines, Kennedy Space Center, Indian teppees, a grizzly bear and moose, and I think what is supposed to be New York City and Hollywood is included, and possibly Niagra Falls. Last is Pluto as Europe. He is surrounded by the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a gondola, the Little Mermaid monument from Coppenhagen, the Parthenon and Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and a Dutch windmill, grapes and a soccer ball. Since these floats were so gigantic, I only got to see one side of them at a time. The day I hoped to catch the other side, it rained (major storm) and the Wonderful World of Disney took its place. Most parades took place even if it was raining, there were just a few "adjustments" to what was or wasn't seen.
Main Street Electrical Parade. I never caught the original MSEP in Disneyland, California. This parade was the kick-off for the Magical Summer Evenings which run from 8 July 2000 to 3 September 2000. As the suns sets (which isn't until almost 10pm), Disneyland Paris is transformed into a magical fairyland of light with the illuminations of The Main Street Electrical Parade, a parade of floats gliding along Main Street, U.S.A. under the starry skies of night. It truly is magical and the music still leaves me with goose bumps when I hear the introduction in French. (In case anyone in the United States is wondering there is not a patriotic salute to America at the end of the parade. It ends with Pete's dragon, Elliot, as seen to the left.) The grand finale, next to the Sleeping Beauty Castle, is a fireworks display: Tinker Bell's Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks accompanied by music from Peter Pan and crowned by the appearance of Tinker Bell.
Wonderful World Of Disney Parade. This was the 3pm and 6:30pm parade before ImagiNations was introduced this year. I got to see this parade when a storm blew in over Paris while I was sight-seeing for the day. I guess the rain and wind made it difficult to run the ImagiNations parade with its tall floats. Basically this is a parade of most Disney Classic movies: Steamboat Willie, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, with Disney characters from Pinocchio, Snow White, Robin Hood, Song of the South, Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella walking along. Cute, fun parade that was a nice crowd pleaser. Better than no parade at all!
I stayed at the Sequoia Lodge in the Sierra Building. This hotel reflects the style of the famous lodges in the National parks of the great American Northwest. Nestled among pines, cedars and 500 ancient sequoias, the Sequoia Lodge is a peaceful forest refuge. The Sequoia Lodge is made up of a central pavillion surrounded by five large wooden and stone chalets with cozy rooms. My room had one large double bed, natural wooden furniture and landscape photographs of lakes and animals. It included a beautiful view of trees and flowers from my window. The Quarry Pool Health Club (seen at left) has an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi that invite you to relax and socialize in a natural setting with waterfalls. It was too cool in July to swim or sunbath outside at the open air pool and patio. The fitness club is extremely well-equipped, with a sauna, turkish bath (steam room), solarium and gymnasium equipment. (Towels were provided) All you needed was your DLP Identiy Card and your room number. Each morning, I ate a continental breakfast at either the Hunter's Grill or Beaver Creek Tavern. Of course, one morning I decided to enjoy my continental breakfast in the park at Au Chalet de la Marionnette (Pinocchio). You needed to "reserve/request" your breakfast time the day before and you are given a card to present to the hostess/host for your seating. Breakfast included three kinds of rolls/croissants, toast and jellies, cold cereals, cheese and hard meats, and fruit salad to eat; coffee, tea, milk and orange juice to drink. If you wanted to, you could order an "American breakfast" of eggs, bacon and sausage for an extra charge. One evening, after spending the day at the park, I went to the Redwood Bar and Lounge for a Millenium Special drink (think Whiskey Sour with lots of fruit garnish) but I got to keep the cool glass. This place was really "rugged" with deep leather armchairs and divans around the immense stone fireplace and available board games around the bar. I felt it should be snowing outside, (or at least someone should have their leg in a cast). It was the perfect place to relax at ease at the end of a long day.Across from the Disneyland Paris theme park is the Disney Village, a veritable boulevard of the Americas offering an astounding array of entertainment: dance, have a drink, have breakfast, lunch or dinner, take in a concert, amble through the shops, catch a show throughoutt the day and night. Disney Village gives a French glimpse of the way of life in an America, and a good-humored party spirit reigns in the main street leading down to the lake. The eye-catching polished steel towers soar to 66 feet, well above the vast entertainment center, with its silvery facade. In the evening the center is bathed in neon and twinkling lights. Night owls can dance the night away at Hurricanes (free entry for Disneyland Paris resort guests). Places like Planet Hollywood, Annette's Diner, Rainforest Cafe, Los Angeles Bar & Grill, Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon, and Rock'n Roll America are all hummin with life. You can also experience either the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (Dinner-show) or Cresend'O the Magic of Aquatic Circus (Aquatic show) at Disney Village. There is even The Disney Store in the Disney Village! (Imagine that?!)
Yes, I did go into Paris and just didn't spend ALL my time at DLP! I took a day trip to Paris with CITYRAMA. This tour enabled me to discover the major sights of Paris: the Marais district, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Place de la Concorde, Avenue des Champs-Elysees. We also took a one-hour boat cruise with "Bateaux Parisien". We ended the day with a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris from the first and second floor of the Eiffel Tower. There were recorded commentaries in various languages with individual earphones. The bus tour gave me a general feel for the "lay-of-the-land" of the city of Paris and I felt more comfortable taking the RER and Metro to where ever I wanted to go. We departed from the Hotel New York in the morning and returned in the evening. Lunch was not included. I took the one and a half hours we had at Notre-Dame to eat lunch at a cafe along the Seine River, buy some postcards, and attend Mass at Notre-Dame located on Ile de la Cite. Mass wasn't that long and it was in English in a side chapel. No other building is so associated with the history of Paris as Notre-Dame. This is a stunningly beautiful gothic cathedral and the original rose windows are absolutely spectacular; as are the West Front with its three main doors/portals; the flying buttresses; the high-vaulted central nave looking down toward the hugh transept, the choir and high altar; and the galerie des chimieres (gargoyles). Since this was our first stop to go off on our own, I ate lunch quickly because I didn't want to get left behind in Paris and not know how to get back to DLP. Of course, THAT ALMOST HAPPENED at the Eiffel Tower. 
The Eiffel Tower is in the Invalides Quarter. The Eiffel Tower's futuristic metal framework has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. The first level is at 187 feet high and can be reached by elevator or 360 steps. The second level is at 376 feet high and can also be reached by elevator or 359 steps from the first level. The third level is 899 feet above the ground, holds 400 people at a time and can only be reached by the elevators. There is an excellent panoramic view from the 2nd floor. From here you can see the monuments of Paris clearly and explanatory panels (in French and English?) detail the city's landmarks. There are double-decker elevators that travel up and down the legs of the Eiffel Tower. The limited capacity of the elevators means that it can take up to two hours to reach the top and back to the ground. Taking the elevators requires patience and a good head for heights. After missing several elevators returning to the ground, I walked to another leg and queued for the "upper cabin" of the elevators. This plan worked, and I made it back to the bus and DLP.
My next day trip was to Paris and Montmarte. Today I visited the Musee du Louvre in the Tuileries Quarter. This palace is huge and I didn't get to see "everything" in one day. Of course I saw the "tourist highlights": the glass Pyramid Entrance designed by I.M. Pei and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Michelangelo's The Dying Slave, and the Mona Lisa (La Giocanda) by Leonardo da Vinci. The Mona Lisa is so small and dark. I thought it would be larger, but it was quite an experience to see it up close and in person. 
The Venus de Milo is quite awe-inspiring. The beauty and detail and just knowing you are in the presence of an icon of a great and ancient civilization makes you realize how tiny we truly are in the universe of time.
I also took the Metro over to the Paris Opera House (Opera de paris Garnier). The Phantom of the Opera is not such a big deal over here, but the atmosphere is rich and evocative. Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical caught the effects of endless candlelight and opulent sculptures, hidden rooms and the stunning immensity of the great staircase quite well. After this, I went to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. For some reason, this afternoon exemplified the joi d'vie of Paris for me. I went down into the catacombs/crypt but not up into the tower. Notre-Dame was beautiful but Sacre Coeur made the divine present. You could feel the sanctity of the basilica. No photography of any kind was allowed inside. There is the Great Byzantine Mosaic of Christ, the Bronze Doors at the portico entrance, the Ovoid Dome (which is the second highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower). There was benediction taking place in the Crypt Vaults when I visited. I know I couldn't understand the French being spoken or sung, but the rites and rituals were common for all Catholics. It wasn't until later, that I found out that Sacre-Coeur is actually modern and was completed within the last hundred years (1914). Notre-Dame is actually medieval (1330) and took longer to complete to its massive size. But today I felt I was "in" Paris! Maybe it was taking the funiculaire up to the top of Montmarte? Maybe it was standing on the steps overlooking the city of Paris? Maybe it was all the candles and statues and frescoes? Maybe it was the local procession going on outside or the benediction going on inside? Maybe Montmarte made me feel I was truly in Paris with its narrow streets, local shops and cafes, the street musicians, or any other combination of all things French like an Edith Piaf song? Needless to say, today was the day I didn't want to leave Paris and imagined what life would be like as an expatriate? (I plan to return someday!) The Moulin-Rouge is located in Montmarte, although I didn't stay til late to enjoy the nightlife. I did enjoy some jambon et fromage (croque monsieur?) at a small local cafe. Thank goodness someone spoke a little English to match my little French. Let me say here: I think it was rude I did not learn more French before my trip. Most people were kind to me and did their best to communicate with me; and lots of people in Paris did speak English (much better than I did French)! But common courtesy would dictate I have a better grasp and knowledge of the French language. Next time I will!
Everyday I fell more and more in love with Paris! Two days later I took another day trip to Paris, and Versailles. By today I was feeling more comfortable trying to communicate in French. Avez-vous un stylo? This was the first phrase I used without a guide book or translation in my hand (I don't feel that merci or oui count). I was on the train (RER A) and needed a pen. I turned to the young man sitting next to me, a possible college/universite student and asked him this question without really thinking about it. I knew what I wanted to say and it just came out. Since he handed me a pen I knew I had done/said it right. BIG SMILE! First stop, Sainte-Chapelle. This chapel was built in 1248 by Louis IX (patron saint of my home city) to house Christ's Crown of Thorns and a fragment of Christ's Cross. A blaze of light is created by the 15 magnificient stained glass windows that are seperated by the narrowest of columns that soar 50 feet to the vaulted roof created an atmosphere that is both etheral and magical. The windows portray over 1,000 Old and New Testament scenes from the Bible in a kaleidoscope of blue, gold, green, mauve and red. The entire chapel is surrounded by the Palais de Justice, so you can imagine my initial confusion when I needed to pass through a security checkpoint to reach the chapel. After visiting this shrine first thing in the morning, I then took the metro over to the Arc de Triomphe. (I was getting good at this!) 
The Arc de Triomphe is another Parisian symbol that is recognized around the world. It was commissioned in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte in honor of the Grand Army. You can pay to go to the platform at the top (164 feet) which gives a brilliant view of the 12 avenues spanning out around it overlooking the grand Champs-Elusees on one side and La Defense on the other side. It was a beautiful and clear start to the day. Underneath the monument is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, erected in commemoration of all those who died in the First World War. (Similar to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the United States, an unknown French soldier from World War I is buried here.)
Of course, I did get on the wrong train to Versailles, had to get off, walk up to the street, still see the Eiffel Tower, walk back down and then figure out how I was to get where I wanted to go. I was on the RER C train to Versailles-Rive Gauche and needed to be on the RER C train to Chateau de Versailles. Luck was with me, as I was missing most of the rain later in the day. I spent almost the entire afternoon and early evening visiting the palace and gardens, but again I was not able to see everything. Since the rain was holding off for the moment, I toured the gardens first. I don't think I can do justice to the gardens (or the chateau) in my descriptions of the paths and groves, hedges and flower beds, water pools and fountains. It is easy to see and understand how this is an example of the glory of the Sun King's (Louis XIV) reign. I was able to visit both the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon at the far end of the grounds. After my long walk, the fresh orange juice stand was a welcome sight. I stopped for a quick snack of glace by the Grand Canal. By the time I made it back to the Chateau, there was only enough time to visit the Chapalle Royale (Chapel), the Grands Appartements (State Apartments), Appartement de la reine (Queen's Suite), and the Salle de sacre (Coronation Room). The highlights for me were the Queen's Bedroom and the Hall of Mirrors. Given the rain storm moving in, the Hall of Mirrors seemed darker that I expected it would have been in the sunlight. I did find most of the main apartments to be sumptuous and richly decorated with colored marbles, stone and wood carvings, murals, velvet, silver and gilded furniture. I guess I can understand now why the Third Estate rose up in revolution against the monarchy. The ride back to Paris was even more exciting that the ride down. A huge rain storm broke out and while runing back to the train station I found a little shop that sold Lumouge porcelains. I had promised my mom to bring one back for her, but had no luck until this moment. I returned to Paris soaking wet, just like everyone else on the train. The people I was sitting with spoke no English or French, (I think they were Scandanavian students) but we kept wiping the fogged up windows to keep track of the various stations we pulled into. I also understand why there were signs prohibiting backpacks in the museums. These signs are not refering to the small canvas backpacks but the rather large frame backpacks for students/youths hiking across/around Europe. Most museums and monuments allow anyone under the age of 18 free of any admission charge. What a great way to see and appreciate the greatest contributions to Western Civilization!
