Disney but make it Paris! ~ an August 2025 adventure. updated 09/21 x 2

[suse66]

I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. I would have picked the Sequoia, too.

That is interesting about their version of Haunted Mansion. I've heard that they love the Western themes. But I am surprised that they threw it into the HM.

Do you speak French?

Hi Sue! So happy you are here! I didn't think the whole western thing went with HM at all. The Phantom Manor is in Frontierland and the back story would have worked really well if they hadn't gone off the rails. It really was deliciously creepy in the first half of the ride.

I’m here and excited to read all about it. I’ll be back later to read

Hi Moira!! So happy you are here .

Such a shame staff and accommodation were lacking. Hopefully Walt’s doesn’t disappoint

We definitely had a mix of good, bad and indifferent CMs. While our room was dated, it was clean. Walt's was really lovely....we had such a good experience there. I should have that post up this weekend.

 

[pkondz]

Hi! Thank goodness you posted a link!

my first foray overseas in 29 years!

Overdue!

river cruise from Paris through Normandy.

Niiiice.

one is sort of like Beach Club and it’s called Newport Bay. The other one is very similar to my beloved Wilderness Lodge and it’s called Sequoia Lodge. When I presented both options to Bill he wasn’t as keen on Newport and really liked the look of Sequoia

Yeah... no question which one I'd pick.

yes, I checked that there are Mickey waffles

#priorities

You only clear security once for both parks.

That's nice. Makes park hopping a whole lot easier.

Disney Village is small with an assortment of shops although it feels as though pretty much the same merchandise is sold in each one.

So some things don't change, no matter that it's on another continent.

You enter the park directly under the Disneyland Hotel!

I wondered about that.

Of course I had to have a photo rocking my new ears near the park entrance.

And you look great!

We loved the dancing and singing with Mickey at the park entrance.

I will say the Disneyland Paris castle is stunning.

Interesting...
So.......... how are you ranking the castles now?

I'd heard so much about it online with many people declaring it to be the best iteration of Haunted Mansion across all the parks.

I'd heard that as well.

The queues are not themed so it's rather boring waiting.

Opportunity lost, there.

However the entrance and stretching room were perfectly spooky with the twist that the pictures were of all the potential grooms of Constance.

Huh!

all of a sudden we were in a wild west saloon populated by skeletons. It was so disjointed and odd to me.

Um... okay...

Maybe I missed something but I was very disappointed and would give it a 1/10.

Whoa. Not what I was expecting!

This was themed to Mr Toad and the food was surprisingly good.

Nice that they keep him around in some capacity.

all the serving dishes and cutlery were reusable

Another "huh!"

Pirates was next on our list and it was completely different from our Pirates with two big drops. It almost felt as though the story was backwards to me though. It was well done and we enjoyed it.

Okay, that's a plus, then... yes?

the song was not nearly as annoying when it was half in French and half in English.

We were happy to see Canada represented too!

Yay!

Can you see Malificent to the left?

And here's Ursula! How awesome are these??

Pretty cool.

The CM at the desk was SO rude....she said it's not ready and maybe it'll be ready at 4:00, 5:00 or 6:00, I don't know!

I'd heard that. Being a Disney CM isn't a dream over there like it is over on this side of the pond. There it's just a job.

Really the expectation is that you're going to be in the parks all day.

That works for me.

I will say it was clean even though the decor was in a 90's time warp.

I'll take clean and dated over dirty and... anything.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I’m here and really enjoying hearing about a park I have never been to!
What a surprise the HM was not to your liking,it did sound like it changed drastically from one theme to another.
Your room does look a tad outdated but nice and close to everything,

 

[suse66]

Do you speak French?

Une petite peu...aka very little! I can greet people, ask for basic directions and order in a restaurant but my accent leaves a lot to be desired!

Yeah... no question which one I'd pick.

Sequoia too?

Hi! Thank goodness you posted a link!

Glad you're here!

Niiiice.

It was spectacular!! I'll add on a bit about it at the end of this TR.

That's nice. Makes park hopping a whole lot easier.

It really does. Add in the fact the two parks are five minutes from each other and it's easier still. But Studios is TINY. It desperately needs the enhancements that are coming.

So some things don't change, no matter that it's on another continent.

Exactly!

And you look great!

Thank you!

Whoa. Not what I was expecting!

I was very disappointed. Haunted Mansion is my favourite attraction in WDW so I really hoped I would love Phantom Manor. Nope, not at all.

Okay, that's a plus, then... yes?

It's the only ride we rode twice so definitely a plus.

Pretty cool.

It was.

I'd heard that. Being a Disney CM isn't a dream over there like it is over on this side of the pond. There it's just a job.

Surly doesn't begin to describe it.

That works for me.

I'm a midday break girl so I want more of a resort feel.

I'll take clean and dated over dirty and... anything.

True!

I’m here and really enjoying hearing about a park I have never been to!
What a surprise the HM was not to your liking,it did sound like it changed drastically from one theme to another.
Your room does look a tad outdated but nice and close to everything,

Hi Caroline! It was a good experience but nothing I'd rush back to. Phantom Manor didn't live up to the hype for me at all. I did really love how walkable DLP was. That was a really great feature.

 

[pkondz]

Sequoia too?

Definitely.

Glad you're here!

I was very disappointed. Haunted Mansion is my favourite attraction in WDW so I really hoped I would love Phantom Manor. Nope, not at all.

Thats really a shame. It’d be the one thing that I’d really look forward to seeing.

Surly doesn't begin to describe it.

Welcome to Paris!

I'm a midday break girl so I want more of a resort feel.

Ah. So that was a negative then.

 

[suse66]

Thats really a shame. It’d be the one thing that I’d really look forward to seeing.

It was a shame. I would still check it out if you go to DLP.

Welcome to Paris!

Actually the vast majority of people we dealt with at shops, restaurants and our hotel were polite, welcoming and helpful. Just not at Disney. Plus the level of service on our river cruise was beyond compare. I don't think I've ever been so spoiled and catered to.

Ah. So that was a negative then.

I'd just like a quick serve and some more common areas. Plus having the bar area open before 4 pm would have been nice.

 

[pkondz]

It was a shame. I would still check it out if you go to DLP.

Yes ma'am.

Actually the vast majority of people we dealt with at shops, restaurants and our hotel were polite, welcoming and helpful.

And actually... I've found the same.

Plus the level of service on our river cruise was beyond compare. I don't think I've ever been so spoiled and catered to.

 

[suse66]

Walt's ~ whimsical and wonderful!

Before heading back to the park for our dinner reservation, we headed down to the Redwood Lounge for drinks. This is a large space but very cozy with a huge fireplace. You could see how warm and welcoming it would be in the colder months.

We had the pleasure of having Chris as our server. He was wearing a blue name tag and I immediately congratulated him on being singled out for his excellent customer service. "Blue tag" CMs are the cream of the crop and Chris was no exception. He was personable and attentive and we really enjoyed chatting with him about the past, present and future of Disneyland Paris. Chris recommended a Belgian ale for Bill while I went for my beloved Aperol Spritz.

As we walked up Main Street, we came across a large group of people listening to "Minnie's Marching Band". They were great and so much fun!

You may or may not know that "Walt's ~an American Restaurant" has the second largest collection of Walt Disney memorabilia in the world. So you can imagine that I was very interested in checking everything out.













Dinner is up next!



​

 

[suse66]

The menu at Walt's is all of the favourite dishes of Walt Disney himself.
https://media.disneylandparis.com/d4th/en-usd/images/P1MR10_walts-american-restaurant.pdf

We were on the half board plus plan (buffet breakfast and 3 course dinner) which was good value overall. Although the buffet breakfast at DLP doesn't hold a candle to the buffet breakfast at WDW but that's a story for another day. We also chose to go for the wine pairings and champagne with dessert.

We were both really pleased with our starters. I went for the Waldorf salad without walnuts and Bill had the chicken pot pie. We opted for the Gerard Bertrand Chardonnay to accompany this course. Our waitress was amazing if a bit of a drill sergeant. She was very proper but I would say her level of service would not have been out of place at Victoria and Albert's!




Oops, forgot to get a picture of Bill's chicken pot pie. He loved it and declared it was the best chicken pot pie he'd had. Good thing too as he was not as thrilled with his order of Chili Con Carne for his main. It was presented in a deconstructed fashion that he was not really a fan of. On the other hand, I was thrilled with my Arctic Char. It was perfectly cooked and coiled like a rose with shaved fennel and pea shoots for enhancement.



Bill had the AOC Saint Emilion - Fortin Plaisance with his meal while I enjoyed the USA : Diamond Collection - Francis Coppola - Sauvignon blanc.

For dessert we both enjoyed the Edition Spéciale Disneyland® Paris - Champagne Pierre Mignon Grande Réserve - brut. Bill chose the lemon meringue pie while I had the pineapple upside down cake. Both were delicious.

The cutest lemon meringue pie ever!


Our waitress brought over the Walt's commemorative pins which were really beautiful. I chose the summer themed one since it was green (my favourite colour) and our visit took place in the summer. They were pricey at 30 Euros but made a nice memento of a lovely evening.



A DLP evening is up next!​

 

[Wood Nymph]

You may or may not know that "Walt's ~an American Restaurant" has the second largest collection of Walt Disney memorabilia in the world. So you can imagine that I was very interested in checking everything out.

That is surprising! Did Walt spend a lot of time in Paris?

We were both really pleased with our starters. I went for the Waldorf salad without walnuts and Bill had the chicken pot pie.

Both of those starters would be my favorites, too. Your cocktails at the lounge and dinner at the restaurant look very relaxing.

 

[pkondz]

You could see how warm and welcoming it would be in the colder months.

Definitely... provided they actually light a fire and it's not just for show.

"Blue tag" CMs are the cream of the crop

I had no idea! I'll have to keep an eye out in the future.
(If I remember. )

Chris recommended a Belgian ale for Bill while I went for my beloved Aperol Spritz.

Nope. Pass on both of those.

You may or may not know that "Walt's ~an American Restaurant" has the second largest collection of Walt Disney memorabilia in the world.

Really! That's a bit (a lot) surprising.

The menu at Walt's is all of the favourite dishes of Walt Disney himself.

No way! I like that.

the buffet breakfast at DLP doesn't hold a candle to the buffet breakfast at WDW but that's a story for another day.

I went for the Waldorf salad without walnuts

I looked at the menu and chose everything I would've had... my first thought was "I would order the Waldorf salad... but they probably wouldn't do it without the walnuts."

Our waitress was amazing if a bit of a drill sergeant.

Yes, sir!... er... ma'am!

Oops, forgot to get a picture of Bill's chicken pot pie.

WHAT KIND OF A TR IS THIS?!?!?

He loved it and declared it was the best chicken pot pie he'd had.

High praise indeed! I think I might've chosen the pea soup.

Good thing too as he was not as thrilled with his order of Chili Con Carne for his main.

That intrigued me and I might have ordered that.

On the other hand, I was thrilled with my Arctic Char. It was perfectly cooked and coiled like a rose with shaved fennel and pea shoots for enhancement.

This was last on my list as I've lived up North and had fresh-caught Char.
It's delicious... just I didn't think it'd live up to what I've had in the past.
Maybe I'm wrong.

That is a very odd looking bowl of chili.

Bill chose the lemon meringue pie

Bill is smart.

I had the pineapple upside down cake.

Last on my list. My mom used to make one and I was never a fan.

Our waitress brought over the Walt's commemorative pins which were really beautiful.

Nice. I presume they were unique to the restaurant? (i.e. you couldn't get them elsewhere?)

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Walt’s sounds and looks fabulous though I have to admit Bill’s chilli looks odd. Sounds like a great meal altogether and you both look very happy to be there.
It really is a large collection of memorabilia. Fun to zoom in on your photos for a closer look

 

[suse66]

​

That is surprising! Did Walt spend a lot of time in Paris?

I know Walt and Lilian traveled a lot through Europe. I'm not sure about Paris specifically. I think it was more the Imagineers deciding if they were designing a restaurant dedicated to Walt, they should showcase him.

https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/driving-disneyland-paris-walt-and-europe

Both of those starters would be my favorites, too. Your cocktails at the lounge and dinner at the restaurant look very relaxing.

The starters were definitely yummy! We really enjoyed our beverages too.

Definitely... provided they actually light a fire and it's not just for show.

Here's what I found on Disney Ireland.com

"Immerse yourself in the charm of a woodland retreat at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge, a 3-star Bambi-themed hotel. Here, you can meet Mickey and friends dressed in their forest outfits before indulging in a hearty meal at the Hunter’s Grill or unwinding with a drink at the cozy Redwood Bar, where guests often rave about the inviting wood-burning fireplace in the lobby."

Nope. Pass on both of those.

I knew you weren't a beer guy but no to Aperol? It's so delicious!

on Really! That's a bit (a lot) surprising.

I posted this above but here's a little blurb on Walt in Europe.

https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/driving-disneyland-paris-walt-and-europe

I looked at the menu and chose everything I would've had... my first thought was "I would order the Waldorf salad... but they probably wouldn't do it without the walnuts."

I couldn't eat it without the walnuts as I'm allergic to tree nuts.

High praise indeed! I think I might've chosen the pea soup.

The pea soup looked good too.

This was last on my list as I've lived up North and had fresh-caught Char.
It's delicious... just I didn't think it'd live up to what I've had in the past.
Maybe I'm wrong.

Well it's never going to be fresh caught Canadian Arctic Char but it was very tasty.

That iue to the restaurant. a very odd looking bowl of chili.

Definitely strange. The crock on the right had the beans and tomatoes which you were supposed to add the other ingredients to.

Bill is smart.

Of course he is ....he married me!

Nice. I presume they were unique to the restaurant? (i.e. you couldn't get them elsewhere?)

Yes, totally unique to the restaurant.

Walt’s sounds and looks fabulous though I have to admit Bill’s chilli looks odd. Sounds like a great meal altogether and you both look very happy to be there.
It really is a large collection of memorabilia. Fun to zoom in on your photos for a closer look

Walt's was a really lovely meal (minus Bill's chili). I was nervous about the food quality at DLP after hearing horror stories but we were pleased with pretty much everything we had.

 

[buzzrelly]

That whole dinner looks lovely and I love the pin you chose!

 

[pkondz]

Here's what I found on Disney Ireland.com

"Immerse yourself in the charm of a woodland retreat at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge, a 3-star Bambi-themed hotel. Here, you can meet Mickey and friends dressed in their forest outfits before indulging in a hearty meal at the Hunter’s Grill or unwinding with a drink at the cozy Redwood Bar, where guests often rave about the inviting wood-burning fireplace in the lobby."

Well there ya go.

I knew you weren't a beer guy but no to Aperol? It's so delicious!

Nope! Not a fan.

I couldn't eat it without the walnuts as I'm allergic to tree nuts.

I have a sensitivity to them. Especially walnuts.

Well it's never going to be fresh caught Canadian Arctic Char but it was very tasty.

I’d try it.

Of course he is ....he married me!

Of course!!