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“The attraction seemed massive – I assumed they were literally launched into space”

THE THRILL SEEKER

I’ll be honest with you; this isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been lucky enough to walk down Main Street, U.S.A. five times in my life – three times in Paris and twice at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Though admittedly, I was somewhat younger than I am now on each of those occasions.

During the Grand Finale of Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary celebrations, running until September 2023, we spoke to two Independent writers who love the parks for very different reasons

The superfan

On her most recent visit, the hardest decision Emma Rossiter had to make was whether to take part in a dance-off with the Guardians of the Galaxy or watch the 30th Anniversary drone show

Dominique Boulan’s love of Disney extends beyond the long-lasting magic. From Big Thunder Mountain to the The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, she’s in it for the kicks

“As a self-proclaimed Disney Adult, I can confirm that Disneyland Paris is my happy place”

When I was growing up my grandparents lived in Marly-le-Roi; a small commune located a little less than 20km from Paris. It would take us about five or six hours to get there by car from our Rotterdam home. Me and my two sisters were squeezed into the back, with the dog usually popping his head over our shoulders from the trunk.

As most people with siblings know, things could get heated when three of you shared such a confined space for multiple hours on end, but the one thing that would keep us quiet were those magic words: we’ll go to Disneyland Paris while we’re there. And we knew: only an hour’s drive the next morning stood between us and that magical place.

Yes, Disney is a place for the whole family, but trust me, it’s for thrill seekers too. I’m not sure how old I was when we started going, or how many times I’ve been over the years, but one of my earliest memories there involved me staring in awe at how the people in Space Mountain (now named Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain since 2017), were cannon launched into what I could only imagine was a pretty wild ride. To a young me the attraction seemed massive, and I assumed they were literally launched into space at that speed.

Fast forward a couple of years and I was finally tall (and brave) enough to get on the attraction myself. Up until that point my experience with roller coasters was mostly limited to the more family-friendly Big Thunder Mountain – still one of my favourite rides today – with its quick turns, dives and climbs, all in a fun goldmine theme. The tumbling rock still gets me, and even though I’m only 163cm tall, I keep ducking, fearing I’ll bump my head against the top of the cave when the mine cart takes a big drop.

Space Mountain was nothing like that. My dad warned me there’d be inversions and twists (meaning you’d hang upside down on multiple occasions) and that most of the ride would be in the dark. I could feel my heart racing in my chest when being strapped in, when slowly pulling up the ramp, when being launched and throughout every twist and turn. That wonderful tummy tingle that happens on sharp drops seemed never-ending on this ride. It was speedy, dark and oh so exciting, leaving me ready to get back in line for my second go. After that, no roller coaster was left unridden.

It took us some years to make it to Walt Disney Studios, but during a big family weekend we stayed in one of the Disney hotels and had a second day to venture out to the Studios and explore all the fun there. I’d quickly spotted my Everest for the day: the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. No matter where I was in the park, I could spot the tall attraction and hear the screams of those being dropped in its “elevator” again and again… And by the end of the day, I finally dared to queue up.

For this ride, as for many other attractions, the queue is an important part of the experience. The storyline and haunted vibe had me on edge the whole time, making me more nervous for the ride itself. Eventually, the nerves merged with adrenaline and excitement, and that’s what made this free-fall attraction even more rewarding.

There’s still a picture somewhere of me and some family members screaming in the Tower of Terror, and while Disney is best known for its long-lasting magic, it’s a great place for an adrenaline kick too.

Editor: George Clode Project Manager: Lydia Lockyer Head of Design: Loraine Fajutag Images: Alamy and Disney

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But despite my official adult status, the second I walk through the gates to Disneyland Paris and spy the pink and blue turrets in the distance, I’m eight-years-old once again and beaming from ear to ear like a certain smiling cat.

I can smell freshly popped popcorn and there’s a sea of Mickey ears bobbing along beside me. Just ahead of us stands a crowd of people all dancing along to the “Dream… and Shine Brighter!” daytime show – which we later discover features more than 30 performers and Disney Characters, including the main Mouse himself.

I immediately get swept up in the magic, trying to copy Goofy’s moves to the letter much to the embarrassment of my party. But as I look around, I realise that children, parents, grandparents, even others around my age are doing the same and it’s beautiful to see.

These snippets of magic continue throughout my visit. We pass Baloo on route who is on his way to a character meet ‘n’ greet, so we just give him a quick wave for now. Those of us in the immediate area begin belting out “The Bear Necessities” in full (albeit out of tune) voice. This happens again as we pass the “Hakuna Matata” restaurant and we of course have to practise our best Jack Sparrow run as we head for the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

As the night draws in, and my feet begin to ache, my excitement is still at peak. Even as a child we always stayed for the final firework display and considering I’m here during Disneyland Paris’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations – which sees the first ever drone show in a Disney Park – there’s no way I’m leaving yet.

As the lights on Main Street dim, Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes a shining beacon. The Disney D-Light show projects onto the castle and the minute I hear the instrumental from Inside Out I get goosebumps. A symphony of old and new Disney film tunes plays out – hearing Hercules’ “I will go the distance” melt perfectly into Frozen’s “Into the Unknown” brings me a joy I can’t quite describe – and then the drones make a perfect rainbow arch behind the castle (really, I expect nothing else).

Then, like pixie dust floating through the air, they form to make Mickey’s image next to the castle. And, some of you may be ahead of us here, but this also mimics the numbers 3 and 0 – coincidence, we think not!

The very first drone show of its kind dedicated to Marvel’s Super Heroes, it looks almost as incredible as The Hulk. We haven’t seen it for ourselves sadly, but a friend reported back that it was mesmerising to see the icons of Captain America, Shang Chi and Black Panther light up the night sky. We have no doubt in their review though as our visit to Marvel Avengers Campus meant everything.

I am instantly excited to spy the Quinjet in the distance and I earmark the “Avengers Campus” sign for a Black Widow pose and picture later on. When I get on the Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure, I flail my arms around like some sort of octopus – Peter Parker’s job is definitely safe for the time being. While over in Avengers Assemble: Flight Force I get so excited at the sight of the animatronic Iron Man (which looks so real I half expected Tony Stark to step out of it) in the queue that I immediately demand we go again just to get a picture.

Once outside I prepare for my dance off with the Guardians – I am so ready for Star-Lord to tell me my moves are sweeter than Kevin Bacon’s. And I also spy many of my favourite characters doing what they do best. Black Widow is busy battling Hydra Agents on the rooftops, while Loki swans about among the crowds. I feel like I’ve jumped straight into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and I’m living for every moment.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that seeing these characters in the flesh matches the excitement I felt when I met Mickey and the gang as a kid – clearly, I’ll never grow up.

But then again, why would I want to? I only went to Disneyland Paris for a short break, but it was genuinely a weekend full of joy. Yes, I may have ended the trip with far too much Baby Groot merchandise and the temptation to buy many a Tinkerbell emblazoned gift for myself was real, but I have no regrets.

I wear my Disney Adult badge with pride. If that means spending my days riding roller coasters, singing the songs of my childhood, and meeting characters from films I still watch on repeat, then I really don’t mind. Disneyland is a place to forget about all your troubles and your strife, and you can’t help but get swept up in the magic. I’ll be back quicker than you can say Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo.

For Disney superfan Emma, every visit to Disneyland Paris is a magical experience. But with the 30th Anniversary Celebrations in full swing, she’s well and truly in her element

years

magic

YEARS OF MAGIC

I immediately get swept up in the magic, trying to copy Goofy’s moves. And as I look around, I realise that children, parents and grandparents are all doing the same

It’s physically impossible to walk past Sleeping Beauty Castle without taking a selfie

Thrill-seeker Dominique loves the magical atmosphere of Disneyland Paris. But it’s the hair-raising, white knuckle rides that keep her coming back

No matter where I was in the park, I could see the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and hear the screams of those being dropped in its ‘elevator’

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Disneyland® Paris is offering Independent and Evening Standard readers the chance to win a magical two-night all-inclusive trip to the park. To enter now via Evening Standard

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While you only have until 30th September 2023 to catch the Disney D-Light show, and really it is worth a visit for this alone, Disney is already one step ahead. Not only will it be reintroducing its Disney Dreams firework show on 12 April 2023, it has since started an Avengers: Power the Night drone show over in Walt Disney Studios.

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