Stepping through the doors of the revamped Disneyland Hotel on the weekend of its official reopening in Disneyland Paris was like watching a fairy tale come to life.
Nobody anywhere else in the world can capture and distil the magic of the legendary fables the way Disney does, and for the grand unveiling of its landmark five-star just outside the French capital after a two-year “reimagination”, they really laid out the royal red carpet.
For anybody who has ever been to Disneyland Paris and for those who are first-time visitors (such as myself and my 13-year-old daughter, Molly) it truly is worth a visit to see and experience just how the place can magically whisk you away on a whirlwind of fantasy and fun.
Disney are all about the “immersive” experience for their guests, be they jaded dads (like me) or cynical pre-teens (like Molly) and everyone in between, and that begins as soon as you walk in through the ornately crafted entrance.
Just a two-hour flight from Dublin to Charles De Gaulle airport and a 40-minute Uber ride from there, you really get the feeling of leaving the “real” world behind as royal greeters in suits and top hats welcome guests on their arrival.
We could feel the place cast its spell over us as soon as we checked in for our two-night stay. Guided through the lobby, which would not look out of place at the palace of Versailles, to a private check-in by a concierge in cape and hat, we watched as actors in fantastic costumes brought Disney characters to life, with the princess waltzing down the grand staircase to be with her prince.
Fans of all ages, some with Minnie Mouse headbands, stared spell bound as they gazed at the paintings of Disney scenes in the lobby, designed to resemble a chateau library, with a fireplace and glittering chandeliers to represent Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Familiar Disney tunes played in the background as we waited to check in and while our bags were brought up to our room we were invited to pop into the Fleur de Lys Bar.
This was our first taste of the opulence on show, with exquisitely-attired staff serving up afternoon tea and a bewildering array of co*cktails, mocktails and enough hot chocolate and coffees to make any spirit soar.
As we settled in to relax in the comfortable seats by the window with its majestic views over Fantasia Gardens we could see the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle in the distance and, below us, the fun-loving thrill seekers making their way in through the entrance.
The hotel is ideally located between both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park which offer all the rides and attractions for a jam-packed weekend of fun.
It was difficult to contain our excitement as we walked out of the hotel through the turnstiles right outside and straight into the heart of the action.
Disneyland Park is the larger of the two fun parks and has an array of entertainment, from fast roller-coasters, to more chilled out fun rides. And with boat trips, haunted castles and a variety of themed restaurants it can keep you occupied for hours.
Some of most popular attractions can have significant wait queues so it is worth considering investing in a Disney Premier Access pass which will get you on more rides in less time.
It is also well worth downloading the Disney app that features a map of both parks and the locations of each ride and facilities as well as estimated wait times so you can plan for day ahead.
The white-knuckle ride on the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril roller coaster is definitely one for the braver souls while the Pirates of the Caribbean, a boat trip through an underground labyrinth featuring scenes and characters from the classic movies is more sedate and leisurely but great fun.
In a whirlwind of an afternoon we managed to tick off a few of the big hitters in the park before we got the notification that our room was ready and we headed straight back to the hotel to leave some of the rest of the rides for the following day.
The hotel boasts some 487 rooms and suites and our Deluxe Room had doors opening out onto a ground floor patio where we could gaze up at the hotel’s glowing pink exterior while around us, we could hear the theme songs from Disney classics from the park next door.
We were entranced by the decor featuring an illuminated animated canopy over the beds and playful lighting and a feature I have to say I’ve never seen before, a pillow menu with several different types of pillow. Extraordinary stuff. It was a tempting prospect to lie down and go for quick nap but soon it was time for dinner at the La Table de Lumière Restaurant.
Here, fine dining is taken to a whole new level with an all-you-eat royal buffet spread of lobster, local catches like sole fished off the coast of France and an open rotisserie. Molly and I were gob-smacked. It was almost like a grown-up version of Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory with a dazzling array of delights on display.
Inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles Castle, the seating area recreates the iconic ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast and as Minnie and Goofy entertained the younger guests we watched as fireworks lit up the night sky outside.
As if we hadn’t packed in enough fun for one day, Molly was determined to relax in the heated waters of the Crystal Pool in the hotel’s spa while I was happy to soak in the hot tub.
There is also a health club here and yoga and mindfulness practices for frazzled adults but we didn’t have time to explore further as it was time for well-earned rest after all the excitement.
Our second day send day was spent, after a sumptuous breakfast buffet, in the adjoining Walt Disney Studios Park which takes you back though the lots of yesteryear’s Hollywood. Here, we bounced around from some of the faster roller-coasters including the one in the new Marvel Avengers Campus and family favourite Crush’s Coaster, while the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was definitely one of the highlights.
There are other, more laid back attractions such as the Spider-Man WEB Adventure, an interactive, family-friendly ride where you wear 3D glasses and sling virtual webs to capture Spider-Bots.
It’s all great fun and with the hotel so conveniently located mere minutes’ walk away, it was ideal for nipping back to take a rest and recharge.
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Disneyland Hotel has been the jewel in the crown of Disneyland Paris' seven hotels since 1992 when the resort was first established and to mark the occasion of its grand reopening a delightful light show was played out on the exterior that night.
The event marked what Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris said was “a new milestone in the transformation of Disneyland Paris”.
And that transformation was celebrated later that night in an utterly spectacular fireworks and drone light display over the Cinderella Castle where lasers and special effects lit up the night to the score of various Disney songs as scenes played over the castle walls.
It was a fitting end to what was a truly unforgettable weekend.
Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris Example Package Price (without travel)
Enjoy a one-night stay at Disneyland Paris from €270 per person, including accommodation at Disneyland Hotel with access to the Disney Parks for two days.
To book: www.abbeytravel.ie, call Abbey Travel 01 8047185. Terms and conditions: Price is based on two adults and two children (aged 3-9) sharing a Superior Room at Disneyland Hotel. Price is based on a departure date of November 3. 2024. All prices and itinerary are subject to availability and change. Prices are subject to change depending on time of booking.
FACTFILE: DISNEYLAND PARIS
■ Enjoy a one-night stay at Disneyland Paris from €270 per person, including accommodation at Disneyland Hotel with access to the Disney Parks for two days.
■ To book, see abbeytravel.ie or call Abbey Travel on (01) 8047185. Terms and conditions: Price is based on two adults and two children (aged 3-9) sharing a Superior Room at Disneyland Hotel. Sample price is based on a departure date of November 3. 2024.
■ All prices and itinerary are subject to availability and change. Prices are subject to change depending on time of booking.
