Day 152: 75th Anniv of D-Day at “The Happiest Place on Earth” aka Disneyland Paris
Today is the 75th anniversary of D-Day. I lived in Normandy for two years (2001-2003) and have some regrets now about not hitting it on this trip, but I think it needs to wait until the kids are older.
I can’t wait to take them one day.
Instead we’re at Disneyland.
Somehow I’m sick again. We went all through South America and Africa without a single sniffle, now here we are three weeks into Europe and at least one of of us has had had a cold the entire time. I’m on my second one!
We waited 10 minutes in line for the restaurant buffet in our hotel this morning — which was basically an enormous cattle call with stations of pre-packaged Nutella, jam and honey, a coffee dispenser machine, hard croissants and yogurts. Packed with families.
The hotel is low-budge, which is fine. Good for us. No need for fancy at Disney.
Caught the shuttle bus to the park and the “fun” began!
The days we’re here — today and tomorrow — are lower-priced tickets because they’re weekdays during the school year (and the weather is overcast and chilly).
And yet — it was still completely packed. If this is the light crowd, I shudder to think of the high season. Everywhere we went was shoulder-to-shoulder people.
Here’s what we did:
– The Pinocchio ride
– Peter Pan’s flight
– Teacups
– Adventureland “cave” exploring
– Swiss Family Robinson treehouse
– It’s a Small World
– Phantom Manor
– Thunder Mountain
– Orbitron
– Parade at 5:30
Here are some pics:
Overall impressions at the end of the first day:
We don’t get it.
How are so many people coming from all over the world to do this when the rides are old-timey and hokey, the pop culture references are super outdated, the food is bad, the lines are so, so long and the prices are insanely high?
Help us understand!
Willa and James might know the princesses, but most of the main Disneyland Park is stuff like Snow White, Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, etc. — pop culture references our kids have no idea about.
Add to that blank-stare reaction the fact that there aren’t many rides (and lines for the rides they do have are long) — and you kind of lost Willa and James.
But we seemed to be the only ones who were down on Disney.
Hoards of families were fully bedecked in Disney merch head-to-toe, arriving at gate-opening and staying through the firework show at 11 pm, loving it. What am I missing?
(We’d be happier at Coney Island, we remarked at one point…)
One funny/memorable thing, though, was riding Thunder Mountain. We saw it from across the park and when I asked James if he wanted to ride, he got wide-eyed and started nodding his head excitedly. Wasn’t expecting that reaction.
He was giddy right up until the ride started — and then it only got better — had an enormous goofy grin on his face through the whole experience.
I mean look at that hair. And that face.
When it was over, he asked if we could go again. Who *are* you?
Meanwhile I was hanging in there with the help of Dayquil and cough drops. Felt pretty miserable (which probably explains the added layer of “meh” about this whole experience).
We finished the day at a medieval-themed German restaurant outside the park, and got in bed by about 8:30.
As we were getting ready for bed, Willa sweetly said, “I just have something to say to you: THANK. YOU. FOR. DISNEYLAND.”
Gah. That melted my icy cold heart and made the whole day worth it. More tomorrow!!
