On our visit to Disneyland Park Paris we were left enchanted for the beauty and magic of the place. The Park is a triumph to craftsmanship, and an outstanding achievement to mankind. As you walk through the Park you experience a real-life fairytale and adventure town; and unlike watching a film where the magic is on the screen, in Disneyland Park you are actually inside the magic, or as the French say, C’Magic.

The Park is one part of Disneyland Resort, which also consists Walt Disney Studios and the nearby Disney hotels. In our 3-day holiday we have visited only a small portion of the attractions – probably about 10%; and the following photographs document only a small part of what we have seen.

Once you pass the security gates, you will see the magnificent Disneyland Hotel, situated next to the Park. Through the hotel is the entrance ticket hall to the Park. If you can afford this hotel, you will receive a VIP pass which means you will not have to wait in the long queues for the attractions and rides.

Disneyland Hotel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (83)

Disneyland Hotel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (95)

This hotel and the area in front are so beautiful, that in first glance I thought that this was the Park itself… It took me a moment to realise that there were no attractions there, and that it must be the entrance to the Park.

Disneyland Hotel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (87)

Disneyland Hotel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (84)

DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (91)

The ticket entrance, which is right below Disneyland Hotel. Usually there are long queues there. This photo was taken between 8-10am where the Park was open only to visitors who stayed in one of the hotels in the Resort. In the package we bought, included the early 8-10am entry, as well as a fast-pass entry though the ticket gates when it was busy.

Entrance Ticket Hall DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (92)

Inside the Park, attention to details was remarkable.

Inside DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (21)

Lamp 1 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (23)

A shop, DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (39)

Inside DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (17)

The first ‘street’ is MainStreet USA.

Main Street1 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (96)

In the distance of MainStreet USA is Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Main Street2 DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (10)

Sleeping Beauty Caste. Exterior.

Castle1 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (68)

Castle2 Disney Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (32)

Castle3 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (67)

Castle4 Disney Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (28)

Castle5 DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (12)

Castle6 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (47)

Castle7 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (6)

Sleeping Beauty Castle8 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (7)

Interior of the castle.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Interior1 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (57)

Sleeping Beauty Castle Interior2 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (46)

Sleeping Beauty Castle Interior3 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (48)

Sleeping Beauty Castle Interior4 Castle DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (55)

Below the castle is the dungeon, where a real-life size dragon lives in a dark cave. We took a photo of the cave only…

Sleeping Beauty Castle Interior5 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (66)

From one of the castle’s shops.

Shop1 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (64)

Display Shop2 in DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (61)

Stones on the doors of the shop.

Shop Door stones1, DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (58)

Shop Door stones2, DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (59)

Something to see, all around.

At the Train Stop DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (124)

A Post Lamp DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (13)

DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (43)

Street Lamps in DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (20)

DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (16)

We waited 40 minutes for a photo and a signature from Minnie Mouse. And it was worth the wait… Minnie was very professional, giving full attention to every single child.

Minnie Mouse DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (64)

Minnie Mouse DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (65)

Minnie DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (66)

Initially I did not have a paper to hand to Minnie (you can buy a special notebook or use any piece of paper you have) – so I pulled out a £5 note. Minnie took my note politely and handed it to a staff member who stood by, and who said she cannot sign notes… Then someone gave me a piece of card, which you can see here.

Minnie Disney Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (8)

I asked Minnie ‘Vous parlez français?’ and she nodded to indicate she did… However she did not speak at all, rather was silent all the time… In the excitement, Minnie misspelled Yael’s name, but we concluded that this must be the French version of writing Yael’s name…

Minnie DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (72)

The Park can be overcrowded most of the time. However, between 8-10am, and some hours at the evening, the Park is open to Disney Resort hotels’ visitors only, which makes a massive difference.

Overcrowded DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel)

DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (46)

Waiting…

DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (32)

The carousel (merry-go-round). Here you can see Yael in three glorious stages: Anticipation, Acceptance, and a Graceful Triumph…

Anticipation:

Carousel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (10)

Acceptance:

Carousel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (11)

Graceful Triumph:

Carousel DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (13)

A rare view with no queue (at 8.30am).

Carousel  DisneyLand-Park-19-Aug-2011 (photo by Gil Dekel)

A beautiful horse top (I think this was not part of the carousel).

Horse Top DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (19)

Sparkly-diamond-like leaves, shining in the hot French sun.

DisneyLand Park Leves, 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (82)

And the shimmering light dancing on water from a fountain at the bottom of Dumbo ride.

Dumbo DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (33)

The little office where Dumbo-ride operator sits.

Dumbo DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (34)

A Dumbo-ride operator.

Dumbo DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (31)

This was in the square next to our hotel (the Sequoia Lodge hotel), and was not part of the Park itself. 10 euros for 12 minutes in these giant balls (zorb balls). Parents were allowed to walk in and push these bouncy balls.

DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (77)

DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (76)

DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (74)

Bouncy Balls. DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (87)

A 20 minutes ride on this pedal car around the square (with its beautiful pond) costs 10 euros. Children can sit only at the front chair (with the small stirring wheels) but for the purpose of this photo Yael sat at the driver’s seat.

pedal car DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (55)

The square itself is surrounded by 4 hotels, all a 10minute walk from the Park’s entrance. Here in the distance is New York hotel. Our hotel is to the right (not seen).

Hotel Square and pond, DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (51)

Another attraction in the square is this balloon which was attached to a rope. The ride was about 10 euros. Below the balloon, in the distance, is a food quarter (‘food street’ as I call it). If you walk pass it you will reach the Park’s entrance.

Balloon DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (48)

Jumping from one bed to the other, in the hotel room.

Yael Hotel DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel)

Some breakfast.

DisneyLand Park Breakfast 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (4)

The regular shuttle buses from all Disney Resort hotels stop at the entrance to the Park and the Studio, just opposite Eurostar train station. In the background of this photo is the train station, where there is a small shop that sells still-water at standard price. Prices inside the Park are usually very high, so it is best to buy water before you enter the Park, specially in the hot Paris weather. There are plenty of good restaurants inside the Park, as well as a ‘food street’ (as I call it) outside next to the Park. We paid some 35 euros for 3 slices of pizza there, only to learn later that at the end of that ‘street’ is a MacDonald’s with standard prices.

Shuttle Bus Stop DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (75)

The long shuttle bus had a swirling middle – an attraction in itself…

Bus DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (62). Shuttle Bus.

The security check gate at the main entrance. This photo was taken at 1.30pm. The long queues would be earlier.

Entrance Security Check. DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (80)

Names of visitors on the floor.

Names. DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (85)

The Park is very long, and there was a lot of walking. Little children may prefer on dady’s shoulders…

on shoulders. Disney Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (15)

Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups in the Park.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups1 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (18)

Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups2. DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (21)

Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups3 - DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (19)

The only photo I managed to capture at the end of the magnificent Peter Pan’s Flight ride. We sat at a ship-like car and flew through to Neverland.

Peter Pan DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (32)

Alice Curious Labyrinth, a hedge maze with the Queen of Hearts’ maze and castle.

Alice Wonderland 1 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (28)

Alice Wonderland2  DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (102)

Alice Wonderland3  DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (39)

Alice Wonderland4 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (24)

Alice Wonderland5 - DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (25)

Alice Wonderland6 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (105)

Alice Wonderland7 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (106)

Alice Wonderland Disney Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (5)

Alice Wonderland9 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (30)

Alice Wonderland10 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (40)

Alice Wonderland11 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (43)

Alice Wonderland12 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (42)

Alice Wonderland13 DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (37)

Alice Wonderland 14 DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (100)

Alice’s tea party.

Alice Tea Party1 DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (39)

Alice Tea Party2 Disney Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel)

Alice TeaParty3 DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (41)

So much to see… We probably covered only 10% of the Park and Studios.

Running , DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (20)

Entrance to the ‘Small World’ cruise (‘sail’ really) which we did not take at the end.

'Small World’ cruise DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (10)

Roof tops of some shops.

DisneyLand Park 17 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (13)

DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (28)

The All Mighty Aladdin’s Genie…

Aladdin’s Genie Disney Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (21)

The enchanted Aladdin section. Next to it is the magnificent Adventure Isle (we did not take photos there).

Aladdin  DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (72)

Aladdin Disney Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (23)

Aladdin. DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (69)

Alladin Disney Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (17)

The train (Railroad) goes around some quarter of the Park, and is a great way to sit, relax, and see some of the Park. On the way, we were lucky to see actors waving to us from the road outside, dressed up as early 20th century Americans. These photos are from the Frontierland Depot (Station).

Train DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (133)

Train DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (128)

Train DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (120)

Train DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (126)

Train view - DisneyLand Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (122)

The breathtaking Frontierland, with its riverboat and mountains.

FrontierLand Disney Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (26)

FrontierLand Disney Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (18)

FrontierLand Disney Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (19)

FrontierLand Disney Park 18 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gideon Dekel) (3)

Walt Disney Studios.

Studio DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (85)

Studio DisneyLand Park 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (73)

There were many hands-on art activities in the Studios. Here Yael is drawing an animation line.

Studio Animation Workshop - DisneyLand Studios 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel) (84)

We captured this sunset at Paris Orly Airport, on our way back.

Sunset Orley Airport 19 Aug 2011 (Photo by Gil Dekel)

25 Aug 2011. © Gil Dekel.