Disneyland Paris, originally Euro Disney, is the most visited attraction in not only France but the whole of Europe with around 12 million visitors annually.
Based in Marne-la-Vallée, 32km east of central Paris, it is made up of two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, as well as several hotels, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, and a golf course. The resort enjoys a temperate climate with mild, pleasant weather all year round.
There's never a dull moment in Disneyland, with an array of rollercoasters, rides and shows across five magical lands in Disneyland Park, as well as four studio lots in the showbiz-themed Walt Disney Studios Park. Nowhere else in Europe can you fly with Peter Pan, climb Sleeping Beauty's Castle, or meet the mouse himself, Mickey. The fun continues in Disney Village with a cinema complex, spectacular shows and a hot air balloon ride over the lake.
Thrill rides
If you're after white-knuckle rollercoasters and rides, Disneyland Paris has its fair share.
Face your fears on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride in the Production Courtyard of Walt Disney Studios Park. Find out what happened to the guests in the Hollywood Tower Hotel on that fateful night back in 1939 when lightening stuck. Enter if you dare and prepare for an exhilarating adrenaline rush as you plunge 13 floors in an elevator shaft and are transported into a mysterious dimension.
Over in Disneyland Park's Adventureland is the tummy-turning Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ride. Get ready for a whip-cracking adventure enter the Temple of Peril and find yourself in a runaway wagon speeding through the ancient ruins.
And if you liked Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, you'll definitely enjoy Frontierland's Big Thunder Mountain. On this top Disneyland attraction you'll twist and turn through caves and rivers as you ride a runaway mine train across the wind-swept sierras of Big Thunder Mountain.
From Thunder mountain to Space Mountain: Mission 2, another one of the top five attractions. Head to this Discoveryland ride and a supercharged canon will blast you on a warp-speed journey into the unknown. Feel the g-force as you dodge meteorites and black holes, then get ready for round 2!
Fasten your seatbelts for a rock 'n' roll road trip when you ride the Rock 'n' Rollercoaster located in the Back Lot. It's the ultimate rock music video, starring Aerosmithand you! As the music rocks, you'll roll from 0 to 100km/h in less than three seconds and hit the road for a full-throttle journey through lightning fast hairpin turns and over-the-top flips with 120 onboard speakers to provide the soundtrack. Rock on!
Family adventure rides
If that all sounds a bit too much for you and you'd rather go on an adventure for the whole family, try these rides.
Another of the top five attractions is the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Adventureland where you'll embark on a swashbuckling voyage through the world of Captain Jack Sparrow.
For a truly chilling experience, head to Phantom Manor in Frontierland. Set cautious foot inside this haunted mansion and unravel the mystery of the bride who waited for her groom in vain.
If that's too spooky for you, why not go on the Studio Tram Tour in the Production Courtyard for a gentle tram ride around the studios to see how movies are made. Discover the secrets of how special effects are created and see costumes and props from your favourite Disney cinema classics. But wait, you suddenly take a detour into disaster through Catastrophe Canyon the most earth-shattering real-life movie you'll ever experience!
If you enjoyed the Studio Tram Tour, make you way to the nearby Armageddon Special Effects. Start with a tour of some of the most spectacular special effects ever filmed and discover the secrets of movie production. Then you'll become part of the action as you step inside the world of mega-thriller Armageddon. Enter a space craft control room as you are bombarded by rocks from an asteroid! Will you make it back to earth?
Over in the Toon Studio, brace yourself for Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. Enter the world of Toy Storyyou're your mission is to join Andy's troops for a high-flying adventure. When Sarge yells "Go! Go! Go!", hold on tight as you fall from up high in a simulated parachute drop.
For the little ones
Take your younger Disney fans to one of these classic rides and attractions, mostly found in Fantasyland.
Another of the top five attractions is the classic It's A Small World ride. Take the family on this joyful musical tour of the world and marvel as dolls from all nations sing and dance to that famous tune.
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning. Off to Neverland! On Peter Pan's Flight you'll follow Peter on a fantastic journey as you sail in a flying ship over London. Float past mermaids and Indians and watch Captain Hook try to escape the crocodile's jaws. No one grows up on this ride!
For more high-flying fun, head to the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. Have you ever seen an elephant fly? Now you will when you swoop and soar with Dumbo and enjoy great views over Disneyland Park.
Climb the stone steps inside Sleeping Beauty's Castle and discover the beauty of this timeless fairytale castle in the heart of the park. Read the princess' enchanting tale in lavishly illustrated books, rich tapestries and stained glass windows.
Then it's off to Discoveryland for an adventure into outer space in Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, another top attraction. Buzz needs your help to save the universe from the evil clutches of Emperor Zurg in this ride inspired by Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 2. Spin 360° degrees in your Star Cruiser as you zap enemy targets and gain points to become a Space Ranger.
Want to Meet and Greet Disney Characters? There are plenty of places to find your favourite Disney characters for hugs, autographs and photos. Guests staying at the Disneyland Hotel will have the pleasure of meeting Disney characters each morning of their stay, or you can have a delicious breakfast with them in a Disney Village restaurant. Join the Disney Princesses at the Auberge de Cendrillon for a fairytale lunch or dinner. Or you can have lunch or dinner at Café Mickey with the mouse himself, or meet Mickey everyday from 10:30am to 5pm in Fantasyland.
Fireworks, parades and shows
Disneyland Paris knows how to put on a good show, and there are plenty to see around the resort.
Be sure to catch the Disney Dreams night time spectacular show at the end of your day in Disneyland Park. Watch in amazement as an impressive display of lasers, fountains and fireworks fills the sky, with the illuminated Sleeping Beauty Castle as its centrepiece. You'll be taken a colourful, musical journey through much-loved Disney stories as Peter Pan goes in search of his shadow.
Every day from 5pm there's Disney Magic on Parade where Disney characters fly out from their magical stories trailing light and colour in a vibrant carnival parade. Look out for Mickey and friends in the spectacular finale.
Head to the Production Courtyard for a big screen adventure into the movies in Cinemagique. Soar from one great film scene to the next as you come face to face with some of the biggest stars in history.
In the same area there's Stitch Live, perfect for the younger ones. They'll enjoy interaction with the animated master of mischief himself that will leave them in stitches! You won't believe your eyes or your ears when you start talking and laughing with the trickiest dude in the galaxy in this show inspired by Lilo & Stitch.
Car fans will love Moteurs...Action! Stunt Show Spectacular. Watch amazing car and motorcycle stunts being filmed on an authentic village set, as the bad guys battle it out with the good guys. Don't blink or you'll miss a thrilling, high-octane car chase as the hero battles to escape from near to impossible predicaments.
Entertainment
There's plenty to get involved with over in Disney Village.
If it's a clear day, head off on the The PanoraMagique Balloon and glide across Lake Disney. One of the world's largest hot air balloons, it carries up to 30 passengers 100 meters above the ground.
In the evening, why not head to one of the Concerts at Billy Bob's? This three-level saloon-style bar is host to live music, tribute acts and DJ parties and well as dancing lessons. Why not learn to salsa on Tuesday, do some Rock 'n' Roll dancing on Wednesday or get into the country spirit and have a line-dancing lesson on Thursday!
Want some food with your entertainment? Then head to Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show to take part in Disney's biggest interactive dinner show and relive the taming of the Wild West alongside Mickey and his friends. The spectacular show runs twice daily at 6:30pm and 9:30pm.
If you'd prefer to see the latest blockbuster, make your way to Gaumont Multiplex. You'll be spoilt for movie magic with 15 screens and an IMAX theatre showing all the latest films one of the screens is the largest in France!
Gamers shouldn't miss the massive Nex Game Arcade. Downstairs you can race in cars and motorcycles as well as try out the latest flight simulators, target shooting, basketball shoot-outs and dancing. The fun continues upstairs with online games, pool tables, foosball and a bowling alley.
Shopping
There is a range of places to buy Disney souvenirs in the parks but there are also two shopping centres.
V d'Europe has over 120 shops selling everything fashion, sport, new technologies, culture, interior design, fine food and French wine. If you fancy a break from shopping, stop for a bite to eat in one of the 20 restaurants, or discover the wonders of the underwater world in the giant aquarium, Sea Life.
Meanwhile, La Vallée Village offers the pick of all things chic. It boasts 95 French and international fashion and home ware boutiques and fabulous savings to be enjoyed.
Sports and outdoor fun
If you fancy getting active, there are a few ways to do so during your stay.
There's Davy Crockett's Adventure, a treetop trail based at Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch. Climb, swing and jump like Tarzan on this exhilarating adventure. With five different levels to explore there are enough swings, trapezes, rope bridges and ladders to entertain all abilities and all ages.
Golf Disneyland is just a few minutes away by car and offers a superb 27-hole golf course. Open all year round, you can bring your own clubs and shoes, or hire them. There's also a club house, bar and restaurant and Goofy's Pro Shop.
Little ones will love the Pony Rides on offer which can be found at the farm at Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch and at Disney's Hotel Cheyenne. Yeehaw!