"Don't anger the dolls"-A France and DLP Trip, June '18-COMPLETED (4/22-ride comparisons)

[missangelalexis]

The Labyrinth looks so fun! All the different photo ops are so cute!

 

[missjackiemcg]

At the end Barbarossa shows up and turns into the skeleton! It’s a pretty well-done effect

Their PoTC looks awesome!!! Now I'd like them to refurb WDW's

That seems sort of frustrating--good thing you found a resource to help you know what to expect as far as what's open/closed. One more thing to keep track of!

(Which resulted in another wonderful park guest experience where a pre-teen boy basically punched me in the chest; like literally, he wasn’t surprised by me walking and wasn’t flailing his arms, he just decided to hit me! Truly ridiculous!)

Wowza. That's beyond rude and ridiculous!

Oh, I love this!!!

 

[amazingact21]

The arcades are one of the best parts about Disneyland Paris. Such a smart solution to the weather problem and they're beautiful.

I don't think I knew about that walkway to Frontierland. Gotta remember that in the future.

Aren't the princess costumes at DLP stunning? We tried to get Evie to interested in the Merida costume but no luck.

Those Lion King plushes....they taunt me. I'm hoping with the Lion King and Jungle Book event this summer the plushes will still be available next September.

How awesome that you had an unexpected character meet with Captain Jack! He had to be a fun character to interact with, and how nice of him to track down a waiter to take some decent photos. Makes up for the restaurant only having so-so food.

Barbosa turning into a skeleton is one of my favorite parts of the Pirates attraction; such a cool effect!

 

[buzzrelly]

ust crazy here with trips and recovering from trips and planning new trips!

Not a bad problem to have

But I am putting a big effort this weekend to getting further in this report!

I'm in the same boat, on a MUCH smaller scale…I have less than three weeks to finish up my October TR before we leave for our April trip!

View of Thunder Mesa from the top

I can't believe how uncrowded it looks!

As I was eating my bread, I heard a series of clomping down the stairs right behind me and thought, who is that klutz? Well, I hear “hello!” and look up to see the owner, Captain Jack himself! The meal isn’t advertised as a character dining because I don’t think he’s always there, but luckily he showed up this time!

That's cool!

We ended up having a fun discussion where I let him know this version of pirates was my favorite. So then he asked if I wanted a photo. I got up to try and snap a selfie, which probably was going to be horrible. And he goes, oh that won’t do – grabs my phone with one hand, my hand with the other and pulls me up the steps to find a waiter who took some great photos of us! It was honestly great! Just an overall fun experience!

Great picture! Sounds like a fun encounter

At the end Barbarossa shows up and turns into the skeleton! It’s a pretty well-done effect

Wow, our POTC is kind of a dud, isn't it?

I saw this at Toad Hall, which was a normal occurrence at restaurants around the park. Basically they only open on certain days (and times).

That's so odd, I wonder why??

And the American guys are hilarious at the end! Rah!

So funny to see the USA in IASW

 

[Lesley Wake]

That Barbossa effect looks awesome! Ooo, I really want to see Paris' now.

The Curious Labyrinth looks like a place I'd spend way too long in. You'd never get me out. You'd genuinely think it was a maze. So cute and the views from the Queen of Hearts' castle are GORJ. Paris seems a lot more open than the other castle parks I've noticed hmmm

I did love the Barbossa effect, especially since I hadn't watched any ride-throughs so I had no idea what to expect!

I did love the views! And the park did feel nice and open, but without being too far apart from everything!

Alright those are absolutely precious. I might have to pick some up for my niece when we go...

I know! I wanted to get my friend's daughter a dress, but they are pricier and she isn't into princesses (yet - i'm working on that), so skipped it.

Nice to know that they aren't just making stuff up (except for when they're supposed to be making stuff up).

Very nicely put!

Ah, so glad you found nice families to take your photo! That's one of the downsides of solo travel, but there are usually enough kind people around who can help you out.

I know! I was happy to have people take my photo rather than awkward selfies!

The Labyrinth looks so fun! All the different photo ops are so cute!

They were very nice!

Their PoTC looks awesome!!! Now I'd like them to refurb WDW's

I can't wait to see the version in Shanghai!

That seems sort of frustrating--good thing you found a resource to help you know what to expect as far as what's open/closed. One more thing to keep track of!

Yeah, I think Disney Tourist Blog gave a link to them. But it could be annoying - at least I wasn't planning a lot of QS meals.

Aren't the princess costumes at DLP stunning? We tried to get Evie to interested in the Merida costume but no luck.

Hmm, well maybe get her into an archery class once you move to England, and then can ease her into Merida? Or they just need some awesome villain costumes too!

I can't believe how uncrowded it looks!

I think I lucked out on low crowds and decent weather. It did have its rainy bits, but overall, it worked out well!

That's so odd, I wonder why??

I guess just a cost savings measure. Maybe now that Disney has taken full control over the park, they will eventually change it?

 

[Lesley Wake]

I decided to write up a new Pre Trip Report for all my various Disney trips in the next 1.5 yrs (I realized I have 7 of them! ). If you want to check it out, here goes:
A World of Disney - 2019-2020 PTR

Part 9 - Window shopping galore!

I then decided to just wander around Fantasyland and check out all the shops. Rule of thumb (not just Paris but every Disney park) – go in a shop and look up! So many details!

Starting from the Northeast side and continuing clockwise – Sir Mickey’s is just full of stuffed animals! I had to hold off from buying them all (luggage space issues)

The interior of the store is themed around The Brave Little Tailor/Mickey and the Beanstalk.

There is an area which looks like it’s labeled La Menagerie du Royaume, but it’s really part of the same store.

There is a lovely waiting plaza outside Auberge de Cendrillon. When I was there it was empty and peaceful (I decided not to spend the money to eat at Auberge).

Window displays (sorry for the glare)

Fountain. I think this was recently refurbed and looks nicer.

Carriage. Which apparently kids climb all over, neglecting the fence entirely.

Wishing well planter. Love the detailed carvings at the bottom.

Even the gates are themed!

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[Lesley Wake]

Part 10 – More Fantasyland Shops

Next, La Confiserie des Trois Fees (Three Fairies Sweet Shop). I adored the stained glass windows!

Castle views. Sorry, it was hard not to stop and take a photo whenever I passed by!

Christmas shop in the castle. Very crowded! I was unlucky in finding ornaments I liked. Everything was too generic and could have been purchased at any Disney store, not exclusive to Disneyland Paris. This fall though I was able to find some more special ones on the Shop Disney UK site (which just started selling some of the DLP items), so had them shipped over from the UK! I’ll include photos at the end of the report!

I regretted not getting this ornament. It was celebrating the 35th anniversary, and I love Chip and Dale!

Donald is cool too!

Always a sucker for Figaro! And more plushes!

I considered this ornament but was worried about breaking it in travel. In retrospect I also regretted not getting it!

Cute! But too expensive/heavy/breakable

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[Lesley Wake]

Part 11 – La Belle au Bois Dormant

I continued on to La Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty walkthrough). It’s different than DLR’s version, which has more dioramas. This is mainly stained glass and tapestries.

If you notice in this one, her crown and hair aren’t colored. I guess someone broke them, and until they were replaced, they just put in plain glass! I guess better than nothing… I don’t remember if I’ve even seen tweets about them being fixed yet.

Love the structural details too

On the way out you can walk across a balcony and get another view of Fantasyland.

Details, details!

Something is missing here… (I think it was gone for 6 months, but finally put back right after I left)

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[Lesley Wake]

Part 12: Completing my tour of Fantasyland

Another store – La Chaumiere des Sept Nains (Seven Dwarves Cottage). Where they have most of the princess dresses in the park. The dresses normally are on racks outside the store, but with the threat of rain, they kept them inside.

The very cute interior/exterior themed area. It serves absolutely no function except to look cute! Love it!

The cottage itself – adorable!

And the plushies were in the Seven Dwarves beds! It took me a moment to realize that! Simplet, Atchoum, Joyeux, Prof, Grincheux, Timide, Dormeur.

Miscellaneous Fantasyland shots

And I was hungry, so grabbed a sugar crepe from March Hare. Though it was pretty rubbery, so I wasn’t too impressed.


Croissant count: 16, Crepe count: 10.

Coming up: Adventure Isle!
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[dolewhipdreams]

I had to hold off from buying them all (luggage space issues)

The worst issue. Why is international shipping so expensive??

There is a lovely waiting plaza outside Auberge de Cendrillon

Wow all those details are amazing! There is seriously so much to look at in this park. Even all the stores seem incredibly themed.

Everything was too generic and could have been purchased at any Disney store, not exclusive to Disneyland Paris. This fall though I was able to find some more special ones on the Shop Disney UK site (which just started selling some of the DLP items), so had them shipped over from the UK! I’ll include photos at the end of the report!

Huh, do you think that's because it was summer? We're going in September and I hoped to grab an ornament but I guess I won't get my hopes up.

 

[missangelalexis]

I would have gone crazy over the stuffed animals! haha

The Cinderella window display is so pretty! And the Sleeping Beauty stained glass windows are stunning!

 

[Lesley Wake]

The worst issue. Why is international shipping so expensive??


Wow all those details are amazing! There is seriously so much to look at in this park. Even all the stores seem incredibly themed.


Huh, do you think that's because it was summer? We're going in September and I hoped to grab an ornament but I guess I won't get my hopes up.

Yeah at least for Asia, I'm already planning on packing a suitcase inside another one for all the souvenirs I'll end up buying!

I think I saw posts later in the summer about better ornaments. It was just in that early June where they had run low on last year's stock and hadn't gotten the next ones. But I do love the ones I ended up buying online and then I didn't need to worry about transporting something super breakable!

I would have gone crazy over the stuffed animals! haha

The Cinderella window display is so pretty! And the Sleeping Beauty stained glass windows are stunning!

Yes, they are gorgeous!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

If you haven't, I recommend you look up at the Sir Mickey's in MK. There might be a giant lurking somewhere there...

I never even realized they had a castle walkthrough in Paris. I thought that was just there as part of the castle, not a separate attraction like the dragon. The stained glass is so pretty but it's a shame they hadn't fixed Aurora and Philip's window. Hopefully they have since.

Ok I'm obsessed with the fact that Dumbo is placed atop a waterfall. That is so picturesque, WOW.

DLP is just so so pretty. I'm in love.

 

[buzzrelly]

And the plushies were in the Seven Dwarves beds! It took me a moment to realize that! Simplet, Atchoum, Joyeux, Prof, Grincheux, Timide, Dormeur.

They think of everything!

I'm off to read your PTR

 

[disneyAndi14]

I really did feel like I was walking through the Fantasy Land in Paris! Thanks for the picturesque tour!

 

[buteraa]

Hey Leslie, I hope you decide to do a trip report for your recent cruise!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Oh, I adore The Rescuers!!!!

This is just beautiful.

Fantasyland at DLP is so perfectly "fairytale." I enjoyed every one of your pictures and love the small details you shared, as well, like Lucifer beneath the Cinderella fountain and all the stuffed animals in the 7 dwarfs beds.

 

[Lesley Wake]

If you haven't, I recommend you look up at the Sir Mickey's in MK. There might be a giant lurking somewhere there...

I never even realized they had a castle walkthrough in Paris. I thought that was just there as part of the castle, not a separate attraction like the dragon. The stained glass is so pretty but it's a shame they hadn't fixed Aurora and Philip's window. Hopefully they have since.

Ok I'm obsessed with the fact that Dumbo is placed atop a waterfall. That is so picturesque, WOW.

DLP is just so so pretty. I'm in love.

I have seen that! I think someone pointed it out on a TR I was reading!

I really did feel like I was walking through the Fantasy Land in Paris! Thanks for the picturesque tour!

Of course! It brings back fond memories!

Hey Leslie, I hope you decide to do a trip report for your recent cruise!

I do plan to! I have pre-written up my notes but still need to finish this one, and December, and then the other trip in May. But yes, it will be posted eventually (goal is to finish EVERYTHING before Asia).

Oh, I adore The Rescuers!!!!


This is just beautiful.

Fantasyland at DLP is so perfectly "fairytale." I enjoyed every one of your pictures and love the small details you shared, as well, like Lucifer beneath the Cinderella fountain and all the stuffed animals in the 7 dwarfs beds.

I love them too! They were the ones hardest to put back! I think sometimes they meet at Tokyo, so fingers crossed!

It really is gorgeous. I think they say the Imagineers really blew the budget on DLP, but it shows!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Part 13 Adventuring around Adventure Isle

Then, because I hadn’t done enough wandering, I made my way over to Adventure Isle. I probably spent 1.5 hrs just exploring, deliberately getting lost and finding new paths – that was my favorite area of the parks!

So be prepared for a bucketload of photos!

The caves were so cool because you would sometimes see something in the distance but try to find your way to get closer and unless you look in the exact right spot, you won’t find it. I saw this area from above first, then I walked by it 3 times before I finally got a close-up view!

(1 hr later I finally found it):

You can walk around the roots of the Swiss Family Treehouse

Looks like a dead-end, but that is an optical illusion!

The floating bridge, which actually took some effort to walk on because it was bouncy!

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[Lesley Wake]

Part 14 More caves

The signs sort of help point the way, but they aren’t everywhere so it’s still easy to get turned around!

Unfortunately the pirate ship and pirate playground was still closed

On my way to Skull Rock

Back into the caves!

This skeleton was so well hidden you could only really see it in a gap in the stones!

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