As a former resident of the French capital, where famously tight-lipped waiters could slam down your croque-monsieur accompanied by an unintelligible grunt, I was fascinated when Disneyland debuted in Paris in 1992.
Within weeks I had taken my daughter, Lili, to the Disneyland Hotel, and now, more than 30 years later – and after its two-year renovation – here we are again, joined by Lili’s children, Bodhi, five, and Cosmo. , thaw.
Arriving at the station, the sight of the palatial pink fairy hotel injects a frisson of excitement into excited wannabe pirates and princesses.
And the Disneyland Hotel is still the flagship place to stay.
While Smarties for breakfast is Lili’s predominant memory, I recall pieces of draped curtains, wrinkled blinds and questionable carpets reminiscent of a Cincinnati convention center, rejecting an unabashedly American ethos.
Andrew Harris lives at the flagship Paris Disneyland Hotel, pictured, after its two-year renovation
Today, a 12,000-piece Bohemian crystal chandelier dangles from the ceiling in the lobby (pictured), says Andrew
Andrew lives in the hotel with his daughter and her two children. Pictured: The Princely Suite Beauty and the Beast bedroom
Today, a 12,000-piece Bohemian crystal chandelier dangles above the massive multi-height reception room, made by one of around 200 French and European companies involved in the redevelopment.
The pool is crowned with a new conservatory, a kids’ club offers nursery services and stylists at My Royal Dream transform children into Disney characters.
Princesses are everywhere.
The upper floors are dedicated to the Castle Club, where 41 rooms and 18 themed suites offer the ultimate in children’s luxury.
The upper floors are dedicated to the Castle Club, pictured above overlooking the park’s Sleeping Beauty Castle
The upper floors include 41 rooms and 18 themed suites. Pictured: The lounge in the hotel’s Princely Suite
LEFT: Andrew remembers the “swagged curtains” and “ruched blinds” of the hotel from his previous visit. These features are nowhere to be seen in this photo of the new lobby. RIGHT: A glass slipper on display in the Cinderella Signature Suite
At the Royal Buffet, Bodhi and Cosmo are mesmerized by Mickey and Minnie, just as their mother had been, while La Table de Lumière, inspired by Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, where Belle and her prince stopped by our table for a chat, conveyed a remarkably high standard for the kitchen.
Inside the park, which since our first visit has welcomed 375 million visitors, was very recognizable, including the queues, although it is still an option to purchase Premier Access to skip them.
Cosmo’s favorite ride is It’s A Small World, introduced by Uncle Walt himself in 1964. I’m never sure what he tells me, but it could have been; ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’.
At La Table de Lumiere restaurant (above), Andrew is greeted by Princess Belle and her prince, who ‘stop by his table for a chat’
Inside the park was very recognisable, including the queues, says Andrew, although it’s still an option to buy Premier Access to skip them. Pictured: Paris Disneyland Hotel’s Frozen Signature Suite
Andrew says Disneyland Paris – and the Disneyland Hotel in particular – is a seductive blend of the best America and France have to offer
A brand new park, Walt Disney Studios, appeared in 2002, within which the Marvel Avengers Campus was launched in 2022, with advanced rides such as Spider-Man WEB Adventure and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force that require the rearrangement of my internal organs.
All in all, Disneyland Paris – and especially the Disneyland Hotel – is a seductive blend of the best America and France have to offer.
Vive la the difference and go past Smarties.