Walt Disney Studios Paris

Hello everyone! Say hello to my first stop in France!

From the Brussels Midi train station, I headed to my home at Disneyland Paris for the next 4 days, the L'Elysee Val d'Europe at Disneyland Paris. On arrival, I quickly dropped off my bags at the hotel & headed out to picked up my Run Disney race packet. Then the very next morning, I headed to Hollywood Studios with my friend Colleen!

It was really interesting to be mentally comparing everything to the Disney parks in the U.S. I've been to the Disney parks in California loads of times, but this was all brand new! Check out majestic Buzz.

I was pretty excited to meet Geppetto for the time, as well as Donald & Daisy, since I've never met them both at the same time before. Then there was also the surprising discovery of Crush's Coaster (my new favorite ride). It was like Space Mountain, if your coaster could spin! (Warning: may induce nausea, even in me, but totally worth it!)

I even checked out the Art of Disney Animation and learned to draw Olaf. 

It was also nice to see the Hollywood Tower of Terror again, in all it's glory, since the California one was taken down recently, to be made into a new ride.

Now, looking back (and after the Inaugural Half  Marathon party), the Walt Disney Studios was a lot more magical than my first impression of it. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, but it was just different than the U.S. parks.

But here's my honest truth TO YOU

Coming from the American parks, I was surprised to find an ash tray on top of every garbage can. Then again it is France, so I should have expected nothing less. I also had trouble finding a Churro or many characters to photograph with. I bought a photo pass for Disney half marathon, but was unable to find a single photo pass photographer. Lastly, and this may be the most unfortunate of all, we ran into trouble with rides being either broken down, or breaking while you're waiting for them.

Truthfully, the Paris parks have not been doing great & have been bailed out of bankruptcy a few times by Disney itself. The park's unkept state gave me the feeling that the half marathon was it's last attempt to keep itself above water. From what I hear, it's already been a huge success at bringing in customers. I great hope for these parks & I hope you all get to visit it one day in all it's glory. Now onto the Inaugural Soiree! love, JEN