Disneyland Paris: Discoveryland

At DLP, Tomorrowland has been re-imagined and renamed Discoveryland--and I think it is beautiful.    The whole thing has a Jules Verne-esque quality to it, the future as imagined by the people of the 1800s.  

As you enter the land from the main hub, the view is dominated by the Astro Orbitors ride topped by this fabulous model of the universe which constantly rotates--it is stunning and a centerpiece of the land--with Space mountain behind.  Be sire to view it both in daylight and again once it is lit up at night:

There is no themed entry to the land, just walking in as things subtly change, much like in the US parks and then being hit by that gorgeous view above. While gorgeous, the ride itself is not all that interesting and much the same as its US counterpart, only much lower to the ground.  Lines tend to be long as it has a slow low speed.   If you are travelling with limited time, I rate this a low priority simply due to it's similarity with the US and its slow load speed/long lines.

 The first ride, which is on the left as you enter from the main castle hub, is Buzz Lightyear's Laser Blasters.  This is the ride whose building least fits the theming--I always wish they had worked harder to have it blend in.  That said,it is basically behind you as you walk in so does not interupt the view too much and it is a fun ride--much like the Florida counterpart, except the laser blasters are not fixed to the ride vehicles, which means you have a lot more maneuverability.  

This is one of the rides for which fast pass is available (fast pass is like the old system in the US, though with only half hour return windows)---it is worth noting that the fastpass and stand by queues merge pretty early on and you can expect to spend at least 15 minutes standing in line even with a fast pass.  If you are travelling with limited time, I rate this a low priority simply due to it's similarity with the US version.

Continuing around to the left is the Hyperion Cafe, which is now home to the Jedi Training Academy as well as serving Star Wars themed burgers.  Take a few minutes to look up at all the details put into that air ship over the entrance.

Continuing on around to the left (behind the Hyperion, and not really visible from the central area) is Star Tours.  

This has previously been identical to the ride in Florida, with the exception that your robot pilot speaks to you in French.  It is currently down for rehab and I can only assume that it will be getting the same multiple trip possibilities which the upgraded Florida ride now has.  Assuming nothing totally different is added:   If you are travelling with limited time, I rate this a low priority simply due to it's similarity with the US version.

Continuing behind the Hyperion and on around to behind Space Mountain you will also find: a train station (also currently under rehab), a 4-D movie theatre which is currently underutilized ans showing an extended, 3-D "sneak peak preview" of Ant-Man (calling a trailer for a film already out on DVD a preview is just, well, pathetic, isn't it?), and a rarely open restaurant:  Pizza Planet.  When open, in peak seasons, Pizza Planet has an all you can eat pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet, including unlimited soft drinks or water, for about 20€ per person.  It is paper plates and counter service style aluminum tables and chairs in what appears to have once been an arcade, but it is the most food you will get for the money anywhere on property, and the food is decent (the desserts are quite nice actually, French bakery style).

Going back to the entrance, off to the right is Autotopia:

Once again, this ride is virtually the same as in the US parks--including the molasses slow load speed and line that never dips below a 60 minute wait.   If you are travelling with limited time, I rate this don't bother.

Straight ahead, past Astro Orbitors as you enter is not only a great view, but two great, unique attractions:  The Nautilus and Space Mountain.  

(view looking back from near the exit to Space Mountain)

The Nautilus is a walk through attraction--a model of Captain Nemo's submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It is considerably "bigger on the inside" and pretty (though dark when you first enter, I am told more injuries happen on this ride than any other in the park, due to people tripping on the stairs as they enter the dimly lit room from bright sun outdoors).  With almost no wait time virtually any time,  if you are travelling with limited time, I rate this high priority.

Finally, the major attraction in Discoveryland is Space Mountain, Mission 2.  Based on Jules Verne's novel From the Earth to the Moon  it is simply lovely to behold (reading the novel pre trip would be a great way to get in the mood):

That long tunnel on the side of the mountain is your "launch tube" and it is quite a neat feeling moving onto the track, being held at a steep angle and being launched a high speed directly uphill by the magnetic accelerators--it really does give a good impression of being shot out of a huge cannon at the moon.

(detail from the queue)

(loading area)

(nice roomy cars, which seat 4, in two pairs)

This is a much faster moving ride than the US counterpart and features barrel rolls, etc.  It is a bit rough, meaning my old body can only handle it a couple of times per trip, but it is worth the shake up!  Lines can be long, but we find that many days they dip to under half an hour around midday (everyone seems to run to the coasters first) and does have fast pass as an option.   If you are travelling with limited time, I rate this not to be missed!

All in all, this land is just about perfect in theming and feels so very Disney and so very French and so very elegant all at once--with the result that I can just hang out in the main area in soak in the view and be happy

--Hadley

Disneyland Paris: Frontierland

My Disneyland Paris, land by land descriptions continues with:

Frontierland

One of the things that is a bit unique about DLP is that the main entrances to  most of the lands have an interactive element.  Frontierland,the first one to your left as you walk towards the castle from Main Street is a prime example of this--you enter by walking through a fort full of ramps, stairs and hidden passages fr kids of all ages to explore and run around on.  It is similar to the forest on Tom Sawyer Island in the US, but a lot easier to get to, and without the smell of stale urine lurking in hidden corner.  Buffalo Bill and his companions can also be seen hanging out within.

If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a medium priority (it can be easily seen in 5 minutes and has no wait time):

Once through the fort, your attention is immediately drawn to the central attraction:  Big Thunder Mountain.  At Disneyland Paris, Big Thunder Mountain is an island, bordering for the roller coaster takes place to your right after entering this land, and you ride underground to emerge on the island for the majority of the ride.  The ride is longer, more intricate and than its US counterparts and one of my favourites at the park.  Unfortunately it is currently under MAJOR renovations and closed for an entire year.  However, if you are here once it reopens and you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a high priority to see if possible:

Heading to the left after you enter Frontierlandand you will pass a row of eateries: The Lucky Nugget Saloon which is counter service quality but sort of a hybrid experience--you order before being seated, then food is brought out to your table, and a band comes out to ply for 20 or so minutes about once an hour.  We had lunch there yesterday, and enjoyed it.  (note: this is probably the only "counter service" in the park at which you can order wine--it is not on the menu but you can order it by the glass if you'd like)

Beyond the Lucky Nugget is the Last Chance Cafe, serving standard counter service meals, but with no indoor seating at all it was too cold yesterday to be doing much of any business (it was about 4-6 C or 38-43 F and overcast, which is not terrible but not pleasant for sitting out of doors to eat your meal either).  

and beyond that is a sit down steak house:

There are also two rides in this section of Frontierland:  Phantom Manor and the Riverboat.

Phantom Manor is DLP's version of the Haunted Mansion--brilliantly set up as the mansion of a rich merchant in the wild west, they have done a great job of keeping the original feel/theme alive while putting on a unique twist which really work.  It sits high on a hill and the view of it dominates this portion of the park (and the view from the entry looking out over Bog Thunder and the river boat area is normally lovely as well---right now it offers a fascinating and rare glimpse at the major rehab work going on with those rides).  When not blocked off any construction walls, the Boot Hill graveyard area after you exit to a fabulous place to slow down and spend 5 minutes or so exploring.  If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this not to be missed!

Near Phantom Manor is the dock for the Riverboat.  When it is up and running, this is a very nice ride--a lot of work went into creating interesting themeing all the way around.  It is currently closed, the river drained, as part of the Big Thunder rehab (see below)  Currently Tiana and Prince Naveen are doing photo ops at the landing (I hope to manage to get a photo later this week).  If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a medium priority

(this is usually full of water and the river the boat "sails" on)

If you head right after entering Frontierland, you first pass the ride queue for Big Thunder Mountain and then the land stretches on for quite a way, long and skinny.  There are two additional counter service restaurants:  Feunte del Oro which serves Tex Mex, and even further down Cowboy Cookout (also currently closed--DLP is undergoing extensive renovations this year to prepare for the 25th anniversary next year).  Cowboy cookout had a live band playing when we ate there at Christmas, which was nice:

There is a meet and greet area further in (right now with Merida), a large theatre which is currently showing a forest themed show (at Christmas it was forest themed--we have found the shows to be well done overall) and a train depot for the railway which circles the park.  The train is nice, with U shaped bench seating which is roomier than the WDW benches, and nice views of the area behind Big Thunder Mountain, inside Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. (though the announcements are played at a very loud level which can be irritating)  If you are on a limited time frame, I rate this a medium priority :

Here are just a couple extra photos of the theming in Frontierland as well as some of the land specific merchandise (by request, I will do a post of just DLP merchandise at some point, but thought I would stick the land specific items here):

(most costumes for sale at this time of year are warmer, or come with capes, etc to help keep the kiddos toasty)

--Hadley