Page 258 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

256  P ARIS AREA B Y AREA

v Disneyland® Paris

Disneyland® Paris is built on a massive scale – the 2,230-ha
(5,510-acre) site encompasses two theme parks; seven hotels
(several with swimming pools); a shopping, dining and
entertainment village; an ice skating rink; a lake; two
convention centres; and a golf course. One stop down the
line from its very own train station lies Val d’Europe, a
huge shopping mall with more than 180 shopping outlets,
including 60 discount stores, and a SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Unbeatable for complete escapism, combined with vibrant The Queen of Hearts’ Castle, in Alice’s
excitement and sheer energy, the parks offer extreme rides and Curious Labyrinth
gentle experiences accompanied by phenomenal visual effects.
Parking
The Parks
A4 east-bound from Paris There is space for over 12,000
Disneyland®Paris consists of and the A4 west-bound, from vehicles, and an efficient
Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Strasbourg. Follow the signs to moving sidewalk conveys you
Studios® Park. Disneyland® Park Marne la Vallée (Val d’Europe) to the exit. Parking costs €15
is based on the Magic Kingdom until you see the Disneyland per day for cars, and €20 for
of Cali fornia and has more than signs. (Disney’s Davy Crockett campers and coaches. Parking at
60 rides or attractions. The most Ranch is exit 13.) Disneyland® Paris hotels is free
recent is Walt Disney Studios® to guests, and the Disneyland®
Park, where interactive exhibits By Air Hotel and Disney’s Hotel New
and live shows bring alive the Both Orly and Charles de Gaulle York® offer valet parking.
wizardry of the movie and Airports have a shuttle bus
television industry. Find out more (VEA) which runs every 30 Opening Hours
at: www.disneylandparis.com or minutes (45 in low season). No
call 0844 800 8898 (UK), 0825 30 booking is necessary. The fare is The Parks tend to open at 10am
60 30 or 30 05 00 (France). about €13–17 per person. all year round. Disney land® Park
closes at 11pm in high season
Getting There By Train and earlier in low season. The Walt
The Paris RER A runs directly to Disney Studios® Park closes at
By Car the parks at Marne la Vallée, as 9pm in high season, earlier in
Disneyland® Paris lies 32 km does the TGV with connections low season. Special events, such
(20 miles) east of Paris, and has throughout Europe, including as Hallowe’en and New Year’s
its own link (exit 14) from the with the Eurostar. Eve, can mean extended hours;
check the website for details.
Eating and Drinking
When to Visit
There’s no need to leave the park to eat during the day. Au Chalet
de la Marionnette (Fantasyland®) is excellent for kids (and almost The busiest times are Christmas
deserted at 3pm), as is the Cowboy Cook-out Barbecue and New Year, mid-February to
(Frontierland®), which tends to be rather more crowded. Colonel early April and July to early
Hathi’s Pizza Outpost (Adventureland®) is worth a visit just to see September, and mid-October.
the authentic colonial gear, while Café Hyperion – Videopolis Busiest days are Saturday–
(Discoveryland) offers good food plus excellent entertainment, Monday; Tuesday and
but service is very slow. Wednesday are quietest.
You pay a premium for full-service restaurants but the experience
of eating in Blue Lagoon Restaurant (Adventureland®) is one you
will remember. You dine on the “shore” of a Caribbean Pirate hideaway Length of Visit
while the boats from Pirates of the Caribbean glide past. Walt’s, on
Main Street, USA®, is also a good but pricey restaurant offering To experience everything
American fare. If you’re lucky, they’ll seat you so that you can watch Disneyland® Paris has to offer,
the afternoon Main Street parade in comfort from an upstairs window. you really need to spend three
In Disney Village® Annette’s Diner is staffed by roller-skating or four days at the resort.
waitresses against a background of 1950s music. Planet Although it is possible to tour
Hollywood® is another good option, and the Rainforest Café® the Parks in one day each, to
provides an interestingly animated meal. Bavarian specialities are enjoy them at less than break-
on the menu in King Ludwig’s Castle, while a giant McDonald’s® neck pace you need at least two
serves the usual fare. The hotel restaurants are more expensive the days for Disneyland® Park alone,
nearer they are located to the park. and if you want to include
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show or

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