Disneyland Pairs
Bonjour & Warning: Disneyland Paris is full of thrilling drops, magical stops, and foodie shops.
The Dream of visiting Paris has always been on my family’s bucket list, so with fulfilling that dream we checked off another bucket list item: Disneyland Paris. What’s better than one of the most charming cites overflowing with architectural wonders mixed with the magic of Disney?! Haha, nothing ;)
June 13th, 2024 - First Time to Disneyland Paris!
Like any good day at the Disney parks, we love to wake up early and wonder our way to the front gates. Paris was no exception for us, and we even got to explore the grounds of the hotel on the way in. They were vibrantly green with a variety of brightly colored flowers all sounding a breath-taking pound full of water fountains that sparkled in the morning sunshine.
Disneyland Paris has two parks: 1.) Disneyland Park 2.) Walt Disney Studios Park.
The main one is the Disneyland Park, and it is laid out in a similar fashion to the original Disneyland in California. This made it easy for my family to navigate and it gave me the nostalgic feeling of childhood memories at Disney. The second park, Walt Disney Studios is smaller in scale, but similar in style to California Adventure Park in California and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios Park in Florida.
Between the two parks I loved both for their own reasons and the rides they showcased. To give you a better idea of what both parks are like, I want to run through the magical day we spent there and everything we got to experience! So here we go!
🇫🇷 Designed with France in Mind
Disneyland Paris Park is unique compared to the parks in the states with how the main Disneyland hotel is situated right on the entrance gate. The hotel is an enchantingly pink color, outlined with white decorative story book themed designs and accents of gold. The hotel was constructed in the Victorian style replicating the 19th century railroad hotels you would have found in the United States of America that embodied luxury and wealth during its time.
Everything from the charming, decorative outside to the chandelier lined interior of the hotel shows how Disney has spared no expense at creating an immersive experience from the beauty rooted in the past that Walt Disney loved so fondly - including the beauty found in France. The hotel is only the begging of the nods that Disney Imagineers created as they crafted Disneyland Paris with guests in mind.
They created the park to visually live up to French standards in their manifestant architectural designs found in polished castles, rustic buildings, and charming villages located around the entire country of France. The hotel, the rides, the buildings, and especially the castle showcases it all.
🏰 The Prettiest Disney Castle (Yes, Really!)
When people say that Disneyland Paris has the prettiest castle of all the parks, I have to agree! And no, I’m not just saying that because everyone else does—I truly believe this one earns the award for the most beautiful castle Disney has created so far, thanks to the intricate layers and details crafted into every element of it.
With that overview, we started our day by scanning in our tickets and heading under the railroad bridge, straight to the classic Disney Main Street. The buildings were colorful, crafted in a similar Victorian American small-town style, and sprinkled with European architectural details. That’s one thing I love about Disney—they design their parks in a way that respects the cultural elements of the host country while staying true to their classic park aesthetic.
🥐 A Quick French Pastry Breakfast on Main Street
We, of course, started our Disney day with a selection of French pastries from a cute little shop called the Cookie Kitchen, located on the right-hand side of Main Street as you walk toward the castle. It’s a small to-go food shop filled with baked goods displayed behind glass windows. We picked up a Chocolate Muffin, a Vanilla Muffin with Chocolate Chips, a Croissant, and a Pain au Chocolat. The best part of our delicious breakfast was enjoying it at a table a little further down Main Street, also on the right-hand side, under red umbrellas. This spot was clean, uncrowded during the morning hours, and directly in front of the castle—giving us the perfect view.
We split each pastry and baked good into fourths so everyone could enjoy a little piece of each. After tasting them all and doing a bit of people-watching while we ate, everyone picked a favorite. Drum roll, please… the winner is… the Chocolate Muffin—with its dense, chocolatey texture and gooey, melted chocolate pieces, it tasted more like a luxurious fudgy cake than a simple Disney chocolate breakfast muffin.
The croissant was also fresh and full of perfectly layered pastry, as was the Pain au Chocolat. Both were delicious and surprised us with their quality—especially for theme park pastries priced at only 2.00 euros each! The vanilla muffin was good, but compared to the chocolate version, it wasn’t our favorite.
I’d recommend all of them for a fun treat and a quick breakfast, in this order:
1.) Chocolate Muffin
2.) Croissant
3.) Pain au Chocolat
4.) Vanilla Muffin
🌳 Storybook Details That Come to Life
After our delicious Disney breakfast, we walked by the castle that truly feels like it came straight out of a storybook. The Disneyland Paris castle is called Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, which translates to The Castle of Sleeping Beauty in English. You can see Sleeping Beauty’s influence in many aspects of the castle: the gold-lined spiral towers inspired by famous French landmarks, the soft pastel colors that create a whimsical, fairytale-like atmosphere, and the boxy square trees—taken directly from the 1959 original film.
I loved the entire castle, but my favorite part was the unique trees of varying sizes, planted along the sloped hillsides surrounding the castle. They added a magical touch that brought the animated film to life for me.
🐎 Frontierland: The Wild West Awaits
After our magical castle moment and family selfie, we turned left off Main Street into Frontierland, where the Wild West was on full display. We, of course, headed straight to the Phantom Manor—my family loves the Haunted Mansion in any park, and this version instantly became a favorite. I loved it because it was a romantic, frightful mansion with a story deeply rooted in the creation of Frontierland itself.
The story of the ride begins with the owner of the mansion, Henry Ravenswood. He was a wealthy gold miner who founded the Big Thunder Mining Company in the small frontier town of Thunder Mesa. I hope that company name sounds familiar—because yes, he owned Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which, as we know, has been taken over by the spirits of dead miners and has become the “wildest ride in the wilderness.”
When Henry Ravenswood started his company in Thunder Mesa, he built the mansion for his wife and daughter, Melanie Ravenswood. As Melanie grew up, she fell in love with a young suitor, and they made plans to get married. Henry, afraid of losing his only daughter, strongly disapproved of the match. But shortly before the wedding, a mysterious earthquake struck Thunder Mesa, destroying much of the town and killing both Henry and his wife.
After this horrific event, the mansion began to experience recurring visits from a mysterious phantom that gradually took over the home. Not long after these peculiar events, Melanie’s wedding day arrived—but her fiancé never showed up to the ceremony. Instead, he was murdered and hung in the attic of the mansion (which is what you see in the elevator portrait room—the first room of the ride as you're being transported to the Doom Buggies).
Heartbroken and confused about what truly happened, Melanie Ravenswood remains in her wedding dress, wandering the mansion endlessly, searching for her lost fiancé. Throughout the ride, there are a total of four portraits implying that Melanie had four suitors—each of whom tragically died before the wedding could take place. Many believe the Phantom is actually Henry Ravenswood, returning from the grave to ensure his daughter never leaves Thunder Mesa. This theory suggests that he killed each of her suitors and filled the mansion with mocking spirits who laugh at Melanie’s eternal sorrow, trapping her in Thunder Mesa forever.
Each part of this tragic tale is beautifully showcased in the ride as you pass through the bride’s haunting and melancholic story. The ride is thoughtfully designed and presents a remarkably cohesive and immersive narrative.
The exterior of Phantom Manor is equally stunning, with an exquisite queue that I honestly wished we could have lingered in a bit longer. But with the park being relatively uncrowded and the line taking less than five minutes to get through, we didn’t get the chance to fully appreciate all the exotic plants and flowers that complement the mansion’s Second Empire architectural style so beautifully. The home also features touches of Gothic Victorian design, which can be seen in many buildings across Disneyland Paris.
The Manor was the perfect quick sit-down ride—one that allowed us to immerse ourselves in a darker, more romantic version of the Haunted Mansion story.
🧭 Detour in the Wild West - Off to Adventureland!
After experiencing some haunts, we headed to our next ride: Big Thunder Mountain. Unfortunately, while we were waiting in line, the ride shut down due to technical difficulties. So, we made our way over to Adventureland and jumped in line for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril.
This ride is smaller and shorter, but packed with its own thrilling loops and turns.
The attraction is designed to look like an abandoned archaeological dig site at an ancient temple dedicated to a mysterious higher being, hidden deep within the jungles of India. With the jungle slowly reclaiming the site and a deserted mine cart left behind, it perfectly sets the scene for a wild ride through ancient curses and unexpected traps.
At first, I expected the ride to be rough and rickety—but I was pleasantly surprised. It was smooth and fast! The ride includes two smaller drops, a longer curved descent, and even one full 360-degree inversion. The track winds tightly around the temple, and the entire experience lasts about 60 seconds.
This makes it a perfect thrill ride for roller coaster fans of all levels. It’s quick, smooth, and highly enjoyable! If you're visiting, definitely make time to squeeze this one in. We only waited about 30 minutes, and the line moved quickly—it was absolutely worth it!
🏴☠️ Pirate Playground: Adventure Isle + Galleon
We then wandered through the rest of Adventureland, exploring Adventure Isle, Pirate’s Beach, and the Pirate Galleon. This area is perfect for little kids and anyone looking for a fun, adventurous walk-through experience. The winding cavern tunnels lead to shiny treasures, long wooden rope bridges, and scenic pirate lookouts with views of the surrounding park.
We really wanted to explore all the hidden nooks and crannies Disneyland Paris had to offer, so this was a lot of fun for me and my family.
Unfortunately too, Pirates of the Caribbean was closed for refurbishments during our visit, so we only got to admire the area from the outside and dream about riding it next time we return to Disneyland Paris.
🗺️ Our Park Strategy: All Around
Honestly, our strategy for conquering the park was pretty simple—we started on one side and worked our way around, stopping at every ride we could to get the fullest experience. And it worked really well! We also discovered little walkways and hidden areas in between lands that turned out to be the true gems.
With our “around the park” plan in mind, our next stop was Peter Pan’s Flight as we entered Fantasyland. This is a classic ride that always seems to have a long wait, no matter which park you're visiting. Our wait was about 60 minutes, but luckily the sun had come out by then and warmed us up enough to take off our jackets.
The ride itself was absolutely charming. I loved the tiny lights the best, that created a magical, starry night sky—just like your flying over Neverland for real.
Comparing the versions of Peter Pan’s Flight in California, Florida, and Paris, my favorite still holds strong with the original California version. The tiny star lights that rise from the ground below your boat as you “fly” really create a magical and realistic illusion, capturing the beauty of a beloved children’s fairytale.
🌀 Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
Our next stop was Alice’s Curios Labyrinth —a charming walk-through maze attraction. It recreates whimsical elements from Alice’s journey through Wonderland, including parts of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, giving everything a quirky twist. The lookout tower at the center of the winding maze offers a great view of Fantasyland and gives you a picture-perfect look at the backside of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
We took our time walking through the maze, choosing different paths through the twisting hedges. It was a fun and interactive experience, and quite busy when we explored it. I think it’s the perfect activity for younger kids, offering a lighthearted adventure filled with classic characters like the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter.
🌍 Snack Time at The Old Mill & It’s a Small World
With the 8-hour time difference from home, our eating schedule was completely thrown off. But by 1:30 p.m., after the maze, we were ready for a snack. So, we headed right next door to The Old Mill and grabbed some sweet crepe bites covered in a thick blanket of Nutella. It was a hard snack to share and definitely a messy one, but my sister and dad—who are huge chocolate lovers—didn’t mind one bit. It hit the sweet spot perfectly for them 😊
I would absolutely recommend this for a quick snack, but just be prepared for a little mess on yourself (and others!) by the end. Use napkins!
After using a ton of napkins and hand sanitizer to clean up, we headed to our next ride: It’s a Small World. This version is visually stunning, full of soft pinks, blues, purples, whites, and golds. It’s more colorful than the white-and-gold exterior of the original in Disneyland California, and it incorporates a variety of European landmarks into the intricate cut-out designs decorating the building itself.
I especially loved the green characters trimmed into the vibrant bushes surrounding the ride—they really stood out against the colorful backdrop. It’s a Small World in Paris is playful, vibrant, and absolutely joyful—both inside and out.
As someone who loves traveling, learning about new cultures and cuisines, and exploring the wonders of the world, this ride is one of my favorites. It beautifully celebrates the diversity of people, cultures, and traditions from across the globe in the most cheerful, heartwarming way.
I have to be honest—I still love the classic, clean look of the white-and-gold It’s a Small World exterior at Disneyland California the best. But I now have a new favorite when it comes to the inside of the ride: It’s a Small World at Disneyland Paris.
This version focuses more specifically on the countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. I loved how the destinations featured here were different from the other park versions. It really showcased Europe’s beauty, culture, and people in a way I found fascinating.
🚀 Out of This World Thrills: Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
It’s a Small World was amazing, but our next ride was truly “out of this world.” (Sorry for the pun!) Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, located in Discoveryland, quickly became one of my favorite rides in all of the Disney parks.
A quick heads-up: this version of Space Mountain is faster and more intense than the others. Like the originals, it’s an indoor roller coaster—but what sets this one apart are its three inversions:
A sidewinder (a half loop followed by a half corkscrew)
A corkscrew (a horizontal twisting motion)
And a high-speed roll (a tighter, faster corkscrew)
The ride launches you right away at 44 mph (77 km/h), throwing you into high-speed thrills with sharp twists, turns, and flips. The entire ride takes place in a dark galactic setting, speckled with stars, Star Wars ships, and constant space battle sounds that make you feel like you're flying through a warzone in the galaxy. Add in the rush of wind in your face, and it’s truly an immersive experience.
Though it’s a quick ride, it’s absolutely thrilling. It takes all the classic Space Mountain elements and cranks them up for a next-level coaster experience. This one is definitely geared toward coaster lovers who enjoy being flipped, turned, and rocketed through space at high speeds. That being said, I think it’s still worth trying even if you're not a huge coaster fan.
My mom, who usually avoids rides that make her sick, gave it a shot—and she actually liked it more than some of the other intense rides she’s ever been on. So give it a try and see what you think!
Tip: The restraints on Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain are tight—and they get even tighter after the first inversion. I recommend placing your hand between your body and the restraint when you first pull it down over your head, or at least leave a little space when positioning it. Otherwise, it may feel uncomfortably tight during the ride, and you’ll be counting down the seconds until you can remove it. Don’t be uncomfortable—plan ahead!
🌯 A Tasty Break at Casa de Coco
Once we’d conquered space and fought alongside the Resistance, we returned to Earth—hungry! We made our way across the park to Casa de Coco – Restaurante de Familia in Frontierland. Yes, I know we were in Disneyland Paris and ended up eating at the Mexican restaurant, but honestly, it was a great choice. It’s something my whole family enjoys, it was more affordable than the other sit-down restaurants, and sometimes, when you’re traveling, a little comfort “home” food really adds to the experience.
At the restaurant, my mom, dad, and little sister all ordered the Chicken Burrito. It came filled with chicken, rice, grated cheese, guacamole, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. While they typically come pre-made, my mom asked if they could leave out the tomatoes and onions—and the staff was super kind and accommodating -they did. They prepared the burritos fresh without the requested ingredients, no problem. So, if you want a slight variation from the menu, just ask! You never know what’s possible unless you do.
I went with the Vegetarian Salad, and it was delicious. It had red beans, chickpeas, avocado, pineapple, red onions, black olives, corn, peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro. It was refreshing, nutrient-packed, and super flavorful. I especially loved the tangy sweetness of the pineapple paired with the savory crunch of the veggies and the creamy texture of the beans. I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for a lighter, healthier option for a meal at the park.
My family loved the burritos and thought they were high-quality for typical “park food.” The chicken wasn’t rubbery—it was juicy and tender. The tortillas had a nice soft chew, and the rice, cheese, guacamole, and cilantro were all fresh and flavorful. We’d absolutely recommend this spot for a quick lunch and would definitely eat here again the next time we’re at Disneyland Paris.
🏜️ Thunder Mesa Riverboat & Disneyland Railroad
With jet lag starting to set in a bit, we decided to take a relaxing break on the Thunder Mesa Riverboat, which cruises the waters of Frontierland surrounding Big Thunder Mountain. The ride was peaceful, and the sun had come out, giving us postcard-worthy views of Big Thunder Mountain. It was the perfect chance to slow down and enjoy the scenery of Frontierland.
Afterward, we hopped on the Disneyland Railroad at the Frontierland Depot for an even more laid-back experience.
One thing my family always enjoys is riding the Disney park railroads in the middle of the day. It gives our feet a well-earned rest and lets us discover some of the quieter, hidden gems around the park. Wait times for the train vary depending on the park, but we’ve found that they’re usually shortest in the mid-afternoon—especially around 3–4 p.m. when the parades are happening. Most parks have 3–4 stops around the perimeter, and you can board or exit at any of them. I definitely recommend checking the official Disney Parks app to make sure the railroad is operating when you’re there, as it can sometimes be closed for renovations.
In Paris, we didn’t have to wait at all—we walked right on the train. The guided tour was relaxing and scenic. I didn’t fall asleep, but a couple of my family members took a quick nap on the train benches 😄. Honestly, it was perfect—power naps really do boost the energy!
With a couple family members having their power nap energy restored, we made our way over to Walt Disney Studios Park. We walked back under the Disneyland Hotel, across the green-planted plaza, and scanned in our tickets. Unfortunately, a lot of rides were undergoing renovations and enhancements during our visit, so we didn’t get to experience everything the park had to offer—but we still had a fantastic time.
🎬 Walt Disney Studios Park & Crush’s Coaster Adventure
After scanning our tickets, we headed for the number one ride we wanted to try: Crush’s Coaster. We headed straight past The Hollywood Tower of Terror, turned right, and walked toward the big blue warehouse covered with ocean rocks and sea turtle murals. We’d watched various videos online and were beyond excited to experience something new.
The only downside? The wait time was posted at 50 minutes, which felt a bit long compared to the wait times we’d seen on the Disneyland Paris App. But, you know how it goes—when you really want to ride something, you push aside the wait time and jump in line!
Well, as luck would have it, the ride shut down due to some technical difficulties while we were in line. So, we passed the time by sharing our packed snacks (fruit snacks, gummy worms, granola bars), people-watching, and chatting about what we liked—and didn’t like—so far about Disneyland Paris. After a while with no movement, the line finally started moving again. It was fun to see how excited everyone around us was to get going again, and how relieved they were when the line started flowing forward.
At least they didn’t empty the line during the downtime, and we eventually made it onto the coaster—resulting in a total wait of around 70 minutes, a little longer than the originally posted 50-minute wait.
I will say this coaster tends to always have a longer wait time posted, mainly due to its uniqueness, occasional ride-functioning complications, and its overall popularity with Disney guests. The wait time can add up, so keep an eye on the times posted on the app to try to catch a shorter wait. But just be prepared for a longer line 😊. While the wait might be longer, the ride is definitely worth it.
Crush’s Coaster is a spinning coaster that takes you through the East Australian Current with Crush and several other Finding Nemo characters. The cart itself spins as you twist, turn, and drop through the ocean current scene. I loved all the neon fluorescent lights that light up the dark as you flow through. Overall, the ride lasts about 2 minutes, but it feels much quicker because you're screaming and laughing the whole time!
My little sister and I were in the two seats facing backward on the first uphill portion of the ride. As soon as we reached the plateau, we twisted as we went down the steep drop. It gave our stomachs a drop right off at the beginning, but wow—the entire ride was so different and fun! It reminded me a bit of Cosmic Rewind at Epcot in Disney World, which my family absolutely loves! We had a blast flowing with the curves of the coaster and enjoying the East Australian Current with the turtles on this one.
Crush’s Coaster was smooth and the perfect ride for families. I would recommend it to anyone. The only height requirement is that you must be over 42 inches tall (1.07 meters). Some younger kids may not be able to ride, but they offer Rider Swap for families to switch off riders. I would have loved to ride it a couple more times, but the line was too long, and our day was slipping away.
🕸️ Slinging Webs at Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
After visiting the East Australian Current, we walked off our sea legs by heading back to the central part of the park to Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure, located right next to The Hollywood Tower of Terror. My family is quite familiar with the California Disneyland version of this ride, and we’ve got a competitive side when it comes to getting the best score of the month, hour, and day.
We decided to try our luck with Paris’s version of Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure and, lucky for us, the line was short, only 25 minutes, so we hopped right in. After wandering through a couple of workshop-themed rooms, we got on the ride in just 10 minutes. I love it when wait times are posted higher than they actually are—it’s so satisfying to fly through the line faster than expected.
Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure was identical to the California version, so we did our thing, slinging webs to help Spider-Man fight the Spider-Bots! And of course, we got a pretty good team score of 1,069,900! With this score, we earned the “Meilleur Score Du Jour,” which in English means “Best Score of the Day.” We even got applauded by the cast members as we exited the ride, which never happens in California Adventure! We love this ride, and I’m planning to do a post later on how to get high scores for yourself and your teams of four so you can experience the excitement of seeing your scores listed on the ride’s leaderboards.
🥪 Dinner Time at Earl of Sandwich
After all the waiting, coaster riding, and web-slinging, we were ready for a warm dinner. The weather had started to get stormy and a bit chilly outside, so we walked toward Disney Village. My family loves a good sandwich—bread, cheese, veggies, and sometimes meat really is a family favorite. So, with that in mind, we headed to Earl of Sandwich, located in the back corner of Disney Village by the air balloon near the long lake area. It sounded delicious, and yes, it was warm inside!
Here’s what everyone ordered:
Mom & I – Earl’s Cobb Salad (Grilled Chicken, Mature Cheddar Cheese, Field Greens & Romaine Lettuce, Cucumber, Cranberries & Buttermilk Ranch Dressing)
Mom – Kid Sandwich (Ham, Swiss Cheese, Bread Bun)
Me – Kid Pizza (Cheese, Marinara Sauce, Bread Bun)
Dad – Ham & Swiss Sandwich (Roast Ham, Swiss Cheese & Earl’s Mustard Sauce)
My little sister – Kid Sandwich (Ham, Swiss Cheese, Bread Bun)
In my opinion, the Earl’s Cobb Salad was the best. It was fresh, flavorful, and creamy. I loved the tangy bites of cranberries with the creamy ranch dressing, which paired perfectly with the fresh field greens! I also enjoyed my pizza bread along with the salad—the warm, browned, gooey cheese on top was definitely the best part. My mom and little sister loved their kid-sized Ham and Swiss sandwiches, and my dad ate his sandwich so quickly that we all knew he loved it too.
Earl of Sandwich is always a safe bet for grabbing a bite. The flavors are simple but satisfying, and their larger menu provides options for everyone. I recommend it if you're looking for something affordable, outside the park, that’s just good, old-fashioned, tasty food the whole family will enjoy.
✨ Magical Night on Main Street
Feeling nice and full, we headed back to the main Disneyland Park. After scanning our tickets, we walked down Main Street, all outlined with warm, yellow-lit lights. I love Disney at night when it’s all lit up—it creates those magical moments you’ll never forget.
While we were still on Main Street, we had to stop and get my little sister another chocolate muffin from the Cookie Kitchen. She loved the first one so much, she needed another. With her muffin in hand, we made our way to Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, where we only had a 10-minute wait before blasting off into a Star Wars space adventure. The ride was amazing, and yes, I still enjoyed the inversion loops and twists that give you that Disney thrill!
Sadly, after visiting space for the last time in Paris, we walked across the park to Big Thunder Mountain in a light drizzle of rain. We had been lucky all day, managing to avoid the storms, but our luck finally ran out, and the rain began to fall. It wasn’t too bad, though, and on a positive note, it helped clear out some of the visitors in the park for the night.
🌧️ Big Thunder Mountain in the Rain
The last thing on our list was Big Thunder Mountain. We had been waiting all day to ride it, but it had been experiencing complications, with “temporarily closed” posted on the app for a good portion of the day. It originally showed closed when we started heading across the park from Hyperspace Mountain. Hoping it would reopen, we walked over to the ride and waited for a bit. After about 10 minutes, the ride reopened, and we walked right on!
I love Big Thunder Mountain at night. I love riding it through the cool air and seeing the mountain, which creates a western natural wonder scene, all lit up with a warm orange glow. Disneyland Paris’s version provided that same classic Big Thunder Mountain night experience for me.
Even though our ride was accompanied by a rainy mist, we still enjoyed the wild-west coaster with all its twists, turns, and drops. Disneyland Paris’s Big Thunder Mountain is also entirely an island surrounded by water, making it a piece of art at the center of Frontierland. The ride is about four minutes long, making it the longest version in all Disney parks.
The ride starts off with a long, dark, and fast downhill portion that takes you under the water and onto the mountain island itself. You then get to enjoy the classic bat cave, red rock cactus-speckled landscape, and abandoned wooden mine towns as the coaster wildly moves forward at 40 mph (64.4 km/h). The ride lasts a good amount of time, and I loved it because you really get time to embrace the natural beauty of the western-inspired haunted mountain mine! This is probably hands down my favorite version I’ve been on so far, and I would recommend riding it more than once while you visit Disneyland Paris.
👻 Last Ride at Phantom Manor& The End
After our wild ride, we made a last-minute decision to rush toward Phantom Manor with three minutes before the park closed. We wanted to get one more ride in on one of our favorites!
Phantom Manor at night is amazing! It glows an eerie purple, giving off a mysteriously dark haunted house feel. This atmosphere is intensified as you walk up the queue to reach the welcoming doors of the manor. The best part of this ride was how we got it all to ourselves! We had the elevator to ourselves, the buggies to ourselves, and throughout the entire ride, we were the only people—being the last ones to ride Phantom Manor for the day. We’ve never been the only ones on any Disney ride, so this was fun and made it even more special. The ride overall was still awesome, and we ended the night on a great note.
We then quickly rushed out of the park and to the train stop where the bus for our Marriott hotel was picking guests up. Luckily, we made it in time and got back to our hotel, where we all warmed up from the cold, humid night air! Who knew Paris could be so cold in June?
Overall, the park was a whole new experience with all the same classic Disney magical thrills. I loved it, and so did my whole family. We would definitely go back to Disneyland Paris next time we are in France.
