After such an amazing first day (if you have not read our first day you can catch up here) it was time to experience what else Disneyland Paris had to offer for their 20th Anniversary. We woke up bright and early for our complimentary breakfast. At Disney’s Santa Fe (I’m unsure about the other hotels) you have to choose a time you wish to have breakfast when you check in. We selected 07:00 for all three days of breakfast. It is the earliest you can go and you beat most of the crowd.

Walking from Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe

Breakfast was buffet style and consisted of the traditional French breakfast. Don’t expect anything you’re used to. Select from deli meats, cheese, yogurt, dry cereal, and of course various types of bread (mainly croissants and pain au chocolat). For beverages there is coffee, juice, milk, and water. Make sure to fill up before heading to the parks, it is all you can eat!

Being resort guests we had access to the Extra Magic Hours in Disneyland Park. We were allowed in at 08:00, a full two hours before other guests. The selection of attractions is minimal but pleasant. Being inside the park right at 08:00 made for rare shots of Main Street with next to no one there! It’s a rare sight and we soaked it all in.

Empty Main Street USA in Disneyland Paris Park

Good Morning Disneyland Paris!

Once finished with the 100+ photos of an empty Main Street and of a beautiful castle it was time to experience all the Early Magic Hour attractions! First on the list was Peter Pan’s Flight. Middle of the day you can see upwards to 70+ mins but this morning it was a walk on. Who could visit any Disney Park and not experience the only elephant in the world that can fly? Dumbo was an obvious choice. Got some great shots while riding our favourite elephant.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant & Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

On the way to Discoveryland we noticed that no one was trying their hand at pulling the sword out of the stone, I felt pretty lucky so I gave it a go.

My attempt at the sword.

Johns attempt at the sword

Similar to my many other attempts, this ended in the same result. A sword still stuck in the stone. If I had been able to take it out it would have helped when we ventured into the dungeons of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

Not something you’d want to run into

It’s trying to get us!?

Maybe we should go, she does not look pleased to see us this early

Quite literally jumped upon first entering the dungeon and my eyes were not quite adjusted to the darkness from the morning sun. The dragon moves and sounds extremely real (what I’d imagine a real dragon would sound and look like). Would not want to meet a real dragon that is for sure.

Once we escaped the dungeon and made it to Discoveryland it was time to help Buzz in his laser blast adventure! We all know the name. No visit to Discoveryland is complete without visiting Space Mountain: Mission 2. It gets the blood flowing for the day.

Discoveryland

Around 09:45 it was time to head on over to Walt Disney Studios and queue up for Crush’s Coaster. It’s a quick walk from Disneyland Paris Park and you are greeted with a huge studio. The interior of this huge studio is set up similar to what, I’d imagine, a movie set would look like. The theming was spot on and being inside is nice for those many rainy days in Paris.

Walt Disney Studios Park

Inside Disney Studio 1

Crush’s Coaster is one of the most popular attractions in the resort and the tips and advice we read were not wrong! When the park opened at 10:00 (we queued up around 09:50) the wait time was already 85 minutes long. This would be the shortest the queue would be all day so we braved the long wait. Theming for the queue is not the most interesting but definitely not the worst.

Crush’s Coaster

After a long 60+ minutes in queue we finally made it to the front! You sit inside a turtle shell, two people on each side with their backs to each other. Once the shell makes it to the Australian Current there’s no telling which way you are going to twist and turn. The attraction is a bit more intense than I thought it would be but it is hand down the best attraction in the Disneyland Paris Resort, in my opinion. It was fast, smooth, and thrilling without being too extreme.

Crush’s Coaster Decor

Tip: The lesson learned here is to get in queue well before 10:00 and since there are no Fast Passes make this your first attraction of the day in Walt Disney Studios.

Being on the go for over 2 hours it was time for some drinks, thankfully there was a drink station just outside Toy Story Playland. There was a deal when buying your drink. Come back after 17:00 and receive a fountain drink for free. Cannot complain about that!

Before heading into Toy Story Playland (where none of the attractions have Fast Pass) we grabbed Fast Passes for the Tower of Terror. Then headed over to RC Racer and got into the 50+ minute queue. The theming of the queue was interesting. The first part of the winding queue was made out of the black tracks you would snap together for your toy cars as kids. On the inside the walls were covered with the plastic grids that held all the pieces of your toy car that you had to twist off. We all remember how much fun those were.

Remember twisting & pulling plastic pieces to assemble your toys?

RC Racer Track

There is a single rider line but decided against it for the first go of the attraction. Once you’re strapped into your seat you go back and forth on a Hot Wheels track where you end up being 90 degrees at the end. It’s quite a lot of fun! The other two attractions, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop & Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin we decided to skip since they are aimed towards younger guests.

Buzz Lightyear at entrance to Toy Story Playland

Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin

Lunch was Restaurant En Coulisse, in the Front Lot, where the menu is standard burgers and fries. Did have a nice view and it was actually quiet enough to have a quick nap after lunch!
After lunch we grabbed Fast Passes for Rockin’ Roller Coaster and then headed over to the Tower of Terror.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Walt Disney Studios

Starbucks break was in order after falling to our doom. Headed out of the park and into Disney Village to try one of their new Refreshers. Also use the free wi-fi. After downing our Refreshers it was time to head back and ride Rockin’ Roller Coaster! The lighting and theming inside is much more different from the version at Walt Disney World.

NUMERO!

CineMagique was next on the list and began walking towards the theatre. On our way we found Goofy roaming around by himself and was surrounded by guests. Unsure if this is standard but you would rarely, if ever, see that in the US Parks. Either way we got a few photos of Goofy.

Goofy roaming free in Walt Disney Studios

CineMagique takes you through the history of movies and is “hosted” by Martin Short. As per Disney fashion there was a love story intertwined in there. The show was fantastic and I highly recommend it. It’s unique to Paris so you won’t experience it anywhere else.

Now it was time for us to head back to Disneyland Park for our reservation at Walt’s – An American Restaurant which is located right on Main Street. The interior is magnificent and is an excellent representation of a fine dining restaurant in the United States.

Walt’s An American Restaurant

Napkin in the shape of a Sorcerer’s Hat

Seating is up stairs and our table was right beside a window that over looked Main Street. Our waiter was incredibly helpful and accommodating. While we tried to speak French, it was easier for all of us just to use English. Both of us decided on a steak dinner, got adventurous and ordered it medium (just like the French as our waiter put it). Also ordered a nice bottle of Chardonnay that was special for the 20th Anniversary. Normally wine is not a drink I consume during a meal, but we were in Paris how could we not?

Disneyland Paris 20th Anniversary Chardonnay

Walt’s An American Restaurant – Caesar Salad

Walt’s An American Restaurant – Steak

The level of detail is outstanding

The food was delicious and the presentation was outstanding. While eating, Disney Magic on Parade began and we had a bird’s eye view of the parade. It was also lightly raining, so it was nice to stay dry. Nothing like having an amazing dinner and watching a Disney Parade.

View of Main Street from our table

After thanking our waiter for a fantastic meal, and telling him he should visit Canada sometime, we headed on some attractions to help with digestion. Phantom Manor was first up and only had a 5 minute wait time, you cannot ask for anything more. We then headed on Pirates of the Caribbean, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast.

Before turning in for the night we toured through Disneyland Hotel. What a magnificent hotel and the interior is something that everyone should experience. The classic american feel was incredibly beautiful and it is no surprise that rooms are beyond expensive. If you can afford it then Disneyland Hotel is the way to go. Also being located right in front of Disneyland Park, it’s a no brainer if money is no object or you are looking to splurge. The photos speak for themselves.

Disneyland Paris Hotel Welcome Mat

Disneyland Paris Hotel Lobby

Disneyland Paris Hotel Lobby from above

Fireplace

Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket

Pool & Health Club Entrance

Once picking up our jaws off the squeaky clean carpet it was time to give Disneyland Paris more of our hard-earned Euros. Did more shopping in the shops and once again ended up spending more money than anticipated but it was worth it. Before heading back to the hotel it was time for Starbucks (yes I have a problem) and use their wi-fi. It is incredible how much you miss having internet access everywhere you go.

Another magical day at Disneyland Paris is complete! Experiencing Crush’s Coaster to a wonderful meal at Walt’s – An American Restaurant, no magical stone was left unturned. Thankfully there are still one and a half days left! Cannot wait to share more of the magic and Disneyland Paris 20th Anniversary with you all!

Walking back to Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe at night

If you have any questions about anything in this trip report or want more details please let me know in the comments or on Twitter!

Continue Reading – Day Three >>