A dream is a wish your heart makes? My last day in Paris deserved a different kind of magic, a little bit of Disney magic was in order! It had been some years since I had last visited Disneyland, Paris as it had also been a number of years since I was a Cast Member at EPCOT. With an extra day scheduled, I broke away from the city to experience a slice of Disney sparkle!
Hangover-free, I made my way to 'Gare de Lyon' to catch the 'RER A' train service to 'Marne-la-Vallée Chessy' for Disneyland, Paris. Quite literally, Paris allowed me to reach every single point of interest by train and Disneyland, Paris was no exception. Scanning my ticket at the turnstiles had me feeling a huge serving of nostalgia, I had major flashbacks from my time as a Walt Disney Cast Member during 2011 in Orlando, FL, USA! Honestly speaking, I felt like I knew everything because 'Main Street U.S.A' had me reminiscing about those days I would have played at the four 'Disney Parks'. Due to certain worldwide events I hadn't yet made it to Shanghai's Disneyland in Mainland China but with Paris being on my doorstep for the moment, a visit to France's answer had to be done! Soaking in the festive decorations wasn't a problem, clocking those merchandise outlets with the quickness, money would be spent! 'Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant', I did notice as I walked through towards 'Fantasyland'. Petit? I said it!
I had already enjoyed a quick bite for breakfast before I boarded my 'Disney' bound train earlier that morning, sure that 'Alice In Wonderland' queen of hearts ice cream hit different! I knew what I needed to do and where I needed to go, hitting up one of the shops on the other side of the castle was needed! Spending up some serious Euro paper, I knew that my Niece would have the perfect 'Frozen' gifts for an early Christmas present. Half of my gifts were purchased with an ice cream enjoyed, 'Disneyland, Paris' kept things moving with that magical energy! Rating that European park with Orlando's gargantuan parks in the mix was impossible for me to say, I appreciated that Orlando energy even thought the cold European weather brought on some shady weather. 3 hours to see a Princess? I do not think so! Swerving that queue, I headed towards 'Adventureland' next. My morning was definitely feeling like one continuous magical moment after the other! Disneyland, Paris left me some birthday magic for me to enjoy! Génial!
I owed to myself to enjoy at least one ride during that November 2022 day at Disneyland, Paris. Noticing 'Big Thunder Mountain' instantly, 'Adventureland' persuaded me to join that winding queue, the wait time wasn't bad but I knew my wouldn't be ruled by attractions whatsoever. I loved that ride because it made me feel like I was 8 years old again, remembering the times I had enjoyed the same ride at 'Magic Kingdom' in Orlando, Florida. I barely have patience for my own self, I thought to myself that I wouldn't have the nerve to be queued up all day with kids in tow. I am sorry, but it's not happening anytime soon! Enjoying that ride, I vacated Adventureland because I wanted to see the parade. Sure, Adventureland impressed me because so much of it reminded me of the Floridian parks. I wanted to skim around, taking in seldom attractions felt like the perfect mood for me. I did not have two days to take the my time, I wanted to make the most of those hours! 19th century-style paddle boat? Absolutely, you know that I clocked that!
Time was absolutely on my side, with another blast from the past slap bang in front of me, it was a lot! That rotating paddle boat reminded me of the 'Grand Floridian Resort' at 'Walt Disney World Resort', I appreciated that flashback in real-time. You know that I did! Backtracking on my previous steps, I walked back through 'Fantasyland' with 'Discoveryland' as my half-planned destination. I wanted to look out for some Marvel items for my Nephew because he currently adores 'Spiderman' and the 'Hulk'. Those items weren't suitable for him but I had faith. 'Autopia' took me right back to my first visit the 'Walt Disney World Resort' when I first visited when I was only 8 years old! No more rides for me, I wanted to keep my stomach settled because I wanted a glass of champagne later on that afternoon. With morning officially now the afternoon, it was time for me to migrate back towards 'Main Street U.S.A' because I wanted to get a half decent place ahead of the parade. Clocking 'Casper's', I already knew what I wanted to eat! Yes!
Like the big kid that I am, I took no prisoners when finding a place along 'Main Street U.S.A' in-preparation for the 'Stars Of Disney Parade' because there would be no mistakes! Keeping in mind that most of the guests were kids, I found my space but knew that there would be enough room for those to stand who wanted to see the parade. I felt like the cast members did the best job that they could, it was like their words meant nothing as people with their pushchairs preceded to cross the parade's path. I don't miss guests like those ones! The parade passed through for all to enjoy, I loved the simplicity of it because I had not seen such a show since I worked at WDW in 2011. It was great to see Micky & Friends along with a series of Walt Disney favourites such as; stars from 'Frozen', 'Toy Story' and 'Lion King'. Yes, selected Princesses passed through on their own floats but no Tiana stood present. More Melanin, s'il vous plaît? Champagne? As the parade filtered out of sight, I wondered where that beverage cart would be?
Celebrating Disneyland, Paris's 30th year, I had already seen on social media that for a limited period, it had been possible to enjoy a glass of champers beside the castle. I wanted to have a glass of bubbles to celebrate my own birthday celebrations some more with Disneyland's own in mind. Yes, that helpful cast member had given me the correct directions because I found the said champagne being sold. Some American tourists tried to disturb my magical mood with their noise, I wasn't about to take their advice to con the park out of another glass! No, were they mad? Yes! Sipping my bubbles made the day perfect, the visit to the park had so far been worth every Euro of that ticket price! Content with those two glasses of fizz, I had more purchases to make and with that said, I made another move along Main Street U.S.A. Of course, Caspers had not left my train of thought! I would accomplish it all! Was I ready to be fronted by a 'Merchandise' flashback from my 'Internship Program?' You already know that I would be! Go!
Before my day at Disneyland, Paris could be wrapped up, I made sure that I bought my Nephew some gifts like his sister had had. I loved the look of the Marvel t-shirts and the Spiderman beanie hat, I knew that my Nephew would love them and he so did! I had such a feeling from my previous working days within the Merchandise department whilst I browsed through that never-ending retail space. For me that is the reason why I have included a photo of the 30th celebration merchandise. Content with my purchases, food needed to be taken care of because I not had much to eat all day. Hitting up Casper's had to be done, that baseball themed hot-dog quick-service outlet reminded me of my days off spent at Magic Kingdom. Without question, it was amazing to be reunited with such a place to eat, simple memories! Even though the rain had started to pelt down, I still enjoyed my hot-dog meal regardless. Feeling the day and the rest of the trip by that point I did, it was time to make my moves back towards the city. J'étais fatigué!
Oh, I made sure I found a Mickey shaped sweet treat before I left the park during that early evening period. Keeping those sweetie cravings at bay, I enjoyed a Mickey shaped cookie. If truth be told, every single aspect of my day spent at Disneyland, Paris was textbook perfect, so many things reminded me of my Disney days in the United States of America. The sweet treats and even the champagne by the castle had me feeling thankful for that final day in Paris, France. To conclude my visit with such a magical day felt correct, even though the weather had decided to continue to rain on down, I had made sure everything in my path had been discovered. Seeing a Disney Parade again was the best, it gave me the chance to feel like a child, even if it was just for the day. With a likely return to the Chinese Mainland, there's every chance from 2023 that a visit to Shanghai Disneyland will in-fact become a reality! How amazing would it be to visit them all! Yes, Mickey! I'm going to do just that! Oh sure, Disneyland, Paris showcased true magic to me!
Au Revoir & Goodbye!
Desperately Seeking Adventure
