, known as ''Parc Disneyland'' in
France , is the jewel in the crown of the
Disneyland Resort Paris . Owned by
Euro Disney SCA , it is one of two theme parks in the resort just outside of
Paris , in
Marne-la-Vallée .
Built using the template already proven successful in the
Disneyland in
California , the
Magic Kingdom in
Florida and the
Tokyo Disneyland in
Japan , the park opened as on
12 April 1992 , changing to '''Disneyland Paris''' on
1 October 1994 , and eventually the current Disneyland Park when the
Walt Disney Studios opened on
16 March 2002.
The fourth Disneyland has slight differences to the original Disneyland. The biggest change was the swap from Tomorrowland to
Discoveryland , which takes a more nostalgic look at the way people in the past viewed the future instead of a modern look at the future. The
Haunted Mansion sits in
Frontierland instead of Disneyland's
New Orleans Square and is instead known as the
Phantom Manor .
Many view Disneyland Paris's versions of
Space Mountain and
Sleeping Beauty Castle as far superior to the American equivalents, both aesthetically and physically. The Parisian take on the classic Disney castle, although one of the smallest, is viewed by Disney fans across the world as the prettiest.
Disneyland Paris is seen as a good place, as it increases Paris' tourism.
Since its opening, the park has not met financial expectations. Some critics have pointed to cultural differences as part of the problem. For example, for the first few years the park refused to serve wine—a standard practice in all the other Disney parks, but completely contrary to French culture. (Eventually, Disney gave in.)
''"To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Once upon a time... a master storyteller, Walt Disney, inspired by Europe's best loved tales, used his own special gifts to share them with the world. He envisioned a Magic Kingdom where these stories would come to life, and called it Disneyland.''
''Now his dream returns to the land that inspired it. Euro Disneyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world."'' -
Michael Eisner , April 1, 1992
- Phantom Manor
- Thundermountain Railroad
Disneyland Park is host to several seasonal changes. During the summer, the
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular fireworks from the
Magic Kingdom are performed nightly instead of the usual ''
Fantasy In The Sky '' fireworks, and from
October "it's A Small World" received a
Christmas -themed overlay, an idea cloned from Disneyland in California.
