Inside the flagship Paris Disneyland Hotel – reimagined with a magical makeover… so the imagination lives on
As a former resident of the French capital, where famously smooth waiters can down your croque monsieur to the accompaniment of an unintelligible grunt, I was intrigued when Disneyland debuted in Paris in 1992.
Within weeks I had taken my daughter, Lili, to the Disneyland Hotel and now, over thirty years later – and after the two-year renovation – here we are again, along with Lili’s children, Bodhi, five, and Cosmo, two.
Arriving at the station, the sight of the palatial pink fairytale hotel sends a shiver of excitement through excited wannabe pirates and princesses.
And Disneyland Hotel is still the flagship place to stay.
While Smarties for breakfast are Lili’s dominant memory, I recall sections of pleated curtains, ruffles and questionable carpets reminiscent of a Cincinnati convention center, conveying an unapologetically American ethos.
Andrew Harris stays at the flagship Paris Disneyland Hotel, pictured, after its two-year renovation
Today, a 12,000 piece Bohemian crystal chandelier dangles from the lobby ceiling (pictured), says Andrew
Andrew is staying at 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 vast multi-height reception room, manufactured by one of the 200 or so French and European companies involved in the revamp.
The swimming pool is crowned with a new conservatory, a children’s club offers childcare and My Royal Dream stylists 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 ultimate opulence for children.
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 of the hotel’s Princely Suite
LEFT: Andrew remembers the ‘rolled curtains’ and ‘ruffles’ in 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 entranced by Mickey and Minnie, just as their mother had been, while La Table de Lumière, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, where Belle and her prince stopped by our table for a chat, told a remarkably high level of cuisine.
Inside the park, which has welcomed 375 million visitors since our first visit, much was recognizable, including the queues, although buying Premier Access to skip them remains an option.
Cosmo’s favorite attraction is It’s A Small World, introduced by Uncle Walt himself in 1964. I’m never sure what he’s telling me, but it could be this way; ‘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’
Much of the park was recognizable, including the queues, says Andrew, although buying Premier Access to skip them remains an option. In the photo: the Frozen Signature Suite of the Parisian Disneyland Hotel
Andrew says Disneyland Paris – and especially the Disneyland Hotel – is a tempting mix of the best that America and France have to offer
In 2002, a completely new park appeared, Walt Disney Studios, within which the Marvel Avengers Campus was launched in 2022, with ultra-modern attractions such as Spider-Man WEB Adventure and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, which required the rearrangement of my internal organs.
Overall, Disneyland Paris – and especially the Disneyland Hotel – is an enticing mix of the best that America and France have to offer.
Live the difference and pass the Smarties.