After
leaving Adventureland last time, we arrive at Fantasyland. This land is where
you'd expect it to be compared to the US parks, although again the size and
scale is surprising.
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| Castle |
Entering
from Pirates of the Caribbean we pass under an ornate canopy to define and
separate the theming between the lands. Each side is decorated to fit the land
so as a themed buffer it works very well. The first thing that hits is the
size. The land is huge, with main walkways linked by meandering pathways
between lovely flower beds, trees, landscaping and a canal. Yes, the land is so
big it has a waterway running around the base of dumbo, then dividing the land
in half as it meanders towards Adventureland before ending in a waterfall
in front of Skull Rock. Soooo pretty. The Carousel is where you'd expect
it to be, dumbo is next to that and the Teacups (with glass petal roof) beyond
that. Again, the detailing and design surpasses the US parks. Its a small world
is where you'd find it in Anaheim, Peter Pans Flight where small world is in
Orlando. Pinnochios Daring Journey is next to Snow Whites Scary Adventures and
both are west of the castle in a show building comparable to Orlando in
position and
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| Dumbo |
size, with a level of detail like Anaheim's. These two dark rides
are the same as the Disneyland versions, with visual effects somewhere better
than Orlando's old Scary Adventures but not as hi tech as Anaheim. Peter Pans
Flight though is wonderful, comparable to Disneyland in visuals, layout similar
to Orlando, but with suspended ride vehicles that have articulated bogies to
accommodate twice as many guests as the original rides. Also as elsewhere, the
ride is very popular for no apparent reason and commands long lines and early
Fast Pass emptying in peak season.
At
the rear left of the land is the Fantasyland train station, in a popcorn
light-lined building that'd be at home on Main Street. The majority of the
building was originally for a theatre show, and was reworked last year to be a
controlled meet n greet for Mickey Mouse similar to Orlando.
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| Storybook Canal |
Next
to the station is a 1993 addition, Storybook land. Accessed under the railroad
similar to Toontown in Disneyland, two rides wind around a large, themed,
shared landscape. The canal cruise is very similar to Anaheim's, slow moving
boats travel a canal with miniature displays from popular animated movies
complete with audio. Looping around the land is Casey Jr, a family coaster
that's notable for being the first coaster ride with onboard music synced to
the ride, a precursor to the Soundtracker systems of Space Mountain.
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| It's a Small World |
The
final major attraction is It's a Small World. This is one of the E tickets that
was completely redesigned for Paris during the money is no object period, and
it shows. The exterior is similar to Anaheim, with outside canals and multi
level facades that the railroad passes through. Load and unload is outside too,
though under ornate canopies which also cover the queue and the exterior ride
sections. Inside the ride is a joy. Bigger, grander, prettier. Using Orlando's
flooded rooms as opposed to Anaheim's Flumes the ride is truly a wish list of
what you'd do to improve the earlier versions.
The
land is also home to Alice's Curious Labyrinth, a well themed and fun way to
loose yourself for a half hour with plenty of animated show effects and visual
gags from moving figures to jumping fountains. Climbing the castle spire at the
finale offers great views of the land and beyond, and of the second castle in
the land.
Sleeping Beauty Castle, or Le
Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, is just gorgeous. Crossing the winding
bridge from the hub reveals the interior breezeway and so much more. A galleried
upper level circles the interior roof space, below sculptured white trees and
branches that appear to hold the roof up. Guests can walk up and around the
balcony, following the story of Sleeping Beauty, and even exit onto the
exterior balcony overlooking Fantasyland. Attached to the castle is a series of
shops, with interior courts appearing to be outside, all themed and detailed to
DLP standards. One court has
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| Balcony View |
a semi hidden staircase down to the castle
dungeon, also accessible via a second bridge from the hub. Both entrances lead
to the cave like dungeon, with a spectacular animatronic dragon sleeping in a
lake. The dragon breathes, flicks its tail, and occasionally wakes, its huge
head watching the guests from a safe distance as smoke bellows from its roaring
mouth. A great show that can be watched for ten minutes or more, and a great
example of details of original DLP.
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| Castle Interior |
Back upstairs, Fantasyland offers plenty of
places to eat. The most expensive is Auberge de Cendrillon, the parks signature restaurant.
The favourite of Michael Eisner and with its own private courtyard, this is
DLPs Cinderella's Royal Table but at the side of the castle and not inside it.
Toad Hall looks identical outside to Disneylands, but is counter service food.
The huge Au Chalet De La Marionnette offers burgers, dogs, chicken and salad as
a counter serve with a nod to the Disneyland versions error around the edit
sign. Past Small World is Pizzeria Bella Notte, a large counter service pizza
restaurant. Like the other eateries, the detail and theming both inside and out
is spectacular.
And so we reach the final land, Discoveryland. Accessed from the hub or
a landscaped pathway near small world during peak season, the land was the
first to be designed as a future past area. Taking hints from Jules Verne and
HG Wells, it is a curious mix of 90s future, retro theming with a Steampunk
touch, and 50s retro. Another land that looks as good at night as in the
daytime, covered in creative lighting touches and neon.
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| Orbitron |
Entering
from the hub, the pathways meander around rock work sticking out of the ground
and pools of water that would appear later in the US parks. Right in front is
Orbitron, at ground level, and the spinning ride inspiration for Disneyland's
makeover. To its left is the original home of Timekeeper, now Buzz Lightyears
Astroblasters. Similar to the Disneyland version and with upgraded effects,
this ride is very popular. And yes, the guns are removable! Crossing the land
is Autopia, a multi level raceway through a nicely landscaped land of the
Future with plenty of single lane roads, bridges and racing straights. The
multi level circular station design is stunning.
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| Autopia |
Back
across the land is the Hyperion restaurant, offering fast food burgers and
fries with tiered seating for hundreds overlooking a huge stage area. Currently
this stage just shows cartoons on screens, hopefully in the future it will
feature a return to the lavish live productions of the past. This is the
building whose main entrance has the full sized airship moored above it.
At
the rear, traversing the berm, is an original Star Tours, featuring a near
identical queue and ride layout as the first DHS version, with dialogue in
French. Next door is the Magic Eye Theatre, currently closed after EO closed,
and slated to become an extension of a Star Wars mini land. Next door, and
under the berm, is
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| Buzz Lightyear |
a peak season Pizzeria that may also be rethemed to a Lucas
IP.
Acting
as an anchor for a certain mountain is a lagoon with a full sized Nautilus
Submarine docked in it. A spiral staircase takes guests down to a lower level
for a large, elaborate Captain Nemo walk through complete with a giant squid
attack. Another great walk through attraction layered in detail.
Finally,
right in the middle of Discoveryland, is Space Mountain. Yes, in the middle.
You can walk around the huge show building and
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| Mission Two: Supernova |
attached station. No surprises
this is one popular attraction, and very different from the other 4 of the same
name. Stood outside, the partly exposed launch track is clearly visible as the
show canon fires trains into the mountain every minute or so. Standby line
takes a walkway though the mountain itself, sadly with the original viewing
windows mostly covered over apart from one that still offers an impressive,
themed ride view. Fast Pass and standby merge in the mountain, and continue to
wind around, over, and under the ride path. The ride was rethemed Mission Two:
Supernova in 2005, the mission now travelling far further than Mission Ones
moon but with nods in the queue line to the 1995 version.
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| 3-2-1! |
The
queue ends in an attached split track load / unload station and the fun begins.
Over shoulder harnesses hint this is no family coaster. Trains depart the
station, make a U turn and dive under the exit walkway to come to a halt at the
base of the worlds first inclined launch. With a countdown and LED lighting, a
burst of smoke and light sees the trains launch up and into the top of the
mountain, where the onboard audio also kicks in. The audio and train seating
are due an upgrade soon to address a known reliability and comfort issue. This
ride can be a headbanger but is so worth it, and is so full of visual effects
you have to keep your eyes open. Star fields, animated comets, physical
rotating asteroids, physical and projected planets and an exploding supernova
are just some of the effects to see. A second lift hill offers some respite
between the three inversions. For Americans, this is a Space Mountain like no
other, and more akin to Rock n Rollercoaster.
And
so, that's Disneyland Parc. In the daytime. Next I'll look at entertainment,
parades, and Disney Dreams!
Guest Blogger - Martin Smith
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| Pizzeria |
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| Pizzeria |
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| Hyperion Theatre |
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| Star Tours |
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