Halloween at Eurodisney

Saturday, March 30, 2013 Eva 0 Comments




Leaving behind the serious adult world, we decided to let loose and indulge our "inner child" at Disneyland Paris for four days before returning our lease car to the Charles de Gaulle airport outside of Paris.  It's an easy drive to the Disneyland complex from Epernay in the Champagne region from where we were departing. From the resort it was then a 30-45 minute drive to reach the airport.  Simple with the help of a GPS! 

MONTEVRAIN IS AN EXCELLENT BASE 

We chose to stay at the Ibis Hotel in Montevrain, a great value and cheerful choice and close to the train station that links this small town to Eurodisney, rather than the more expensive option of staying within the resort.  One train stop away and two or three minutes later we were there - how easy!  Trains came and went between both destinations frequently.

A shopping centre with many eating options and a supermarket is walking distance from the hotel.  This is also where I got a much-needed great hair cut and colour, despite the young hairdressers in the salon speaking very limited English and my French limited to a few words and basic phrases.  A small designer outlet centre that resembles a little village is close by for those keen on splashing out on brands such as Armani, Burberry and the likes.

HALLOWEEN - DISNEY STYLE

Pumpkins were in abundance around the resort as a big nod towards the American celebration of Halloween.  The theme also tied in beautifully with the autumn palette of colours. Golden tones on foliage and in gardens visually gave the place much needed warmth as outdoor temperatures were on the brisk side of the thermometer.


Shades of orange light up Snow White's castle and performing stage


There were two weeks to go before our departure back home to Australia after being on the road for almost six months and Max had come down with a terrible cold.  Two weeks into our travels, almost six months prior, when we had begun our travels the same thing happened.  What can I say, the man's consistent!  Just like bookends.


Max's 'Cheshire Cat' impersonation in front of Disney-style Halloween gardens


FUN FOR ALL AGES

Despite the cringe-worthy factor for adults, it was kind of fun and playful experiencing the theme parks and its many stories and characters, if we overlooked the price tag associated with being there.  There was so much to see, do and cram in. Whilst chilly and overcast for most of the time, it did not deter the crowds who were a mix of French and international visitors.  British families seemed to be overrepresented - most likely due to school holidays.  

So, we'd been to Disneyland in Florida years before, and this was not quite on the same scale.  But in saying that, being big little kids at heart didn't deter us from enjoying the experience a la French-American style. Against a bilingual backdrop, everything from signs to announcements are given in both languages. There was Adventureland, Discoveryland, Frontierland and my favourite - Fantasyland which is towered over by Sleeping Beauty's castle.  Main Street USA is where you arrive after coming through the turnstiles and this area resembled a small 1800's Western-style town.  It is also where we viewed the colourful street parades with their gorgeous costumes and elaborate floats. When we wanted to relax and rest our feet we boarded the cute Disney steam train with its old-fashioned whistle which took us on a railroad journey around the whole complex, passing overhead at times.


Snow White mobbed for autographs



Walt Disney Studios and the famous man himself


By the time the four day mark neared of indulging in park tours and rides and feasting on expensive rubbish takeaway, visual overload and theme park weariness kicked in.  We were well and truly ready to re-emerge into the land of reality.


Letting the inner child loose with a sugar high!

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