It’s not just kids who love Disney magic
DISNEYLAND Paris is not just for children, I kept telling myself as I was checked through security at the gates.
I was worried that without any little darlings in tow, I’d feel as welcome as the evil queen in Snow White.
Not a bit of it. All the staff were full of smiles, as were almost all of the costumed characters milling around, making everyone’s day.
Still, it was hard to shake off an adult’s sense of scepticism. I wasn’t fooled by the giant Minnie Mouse so I didn’t want to queue to have my photo taken with her.
Yet, as I passed Gaston from Beauty And The Beast, using his charm on a teenage girl in a wheelchair, I couldn’t help but share the feelgood factor.
The actor was as handsome as the character he played, and posing for photos with him was a moment this girl will probably treasure for ever.
There are two parks on the site – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios. Thinking the latter might be a little more grown-up, I headed for the Studio’s Tram Tour.
The action among full-scale film sets was explosive. When a tanker blew up in Catastrophe Canyon, I could feel the heat of the flames, and as a river burst its banks, I thought we’d get washed away. Wow!
Yet the new Disneyland Ratatouille ride was just as thrilling. Feeling as small as Remy the rat, I enjoyed it so much that I succumbed to my inner child and queued again.
There is only one incredible Disney Dreams show every evening, which is a shame because I would have liked to experience that all over again, too. The audio-visual treat of special effects, lasers, holograms and fireworks left the audience of all ages spellbound.
We stayed at the nearby Vienna House Magic Circus Hotel, where even the check-in staff added to the sense of theatre by dressing as ringmasters.
So, yes, Disneyland Paris is not just for children. Indeed, grown-ups have even more fun…
Tickets to Disneyland Paris (disneylandparis.co.uk) cost from £30 per child, £36 per adult. Vienna House Magic Circus Hotel Paris (viennahouse.com/ en/magic-circus-paris) has rooms from £104 a night.