Happy Halloween!

Today is the one day of the year that we can all act like kids, even if we're not at the Disney Parks.

So from DF'82 to you - have a very, scary, happy Halloween!

Beware When Visiting Pinocchio

One ride I really enjoy at Disneyland Paris, even though it scares me a little, is The Adventures of Pinocchio - or Les Voyage de Pinocchio (let's face it, the title in French is much more exotic!). Possibly one of the reasons I enjoy it so much is because it is not an attraction that you can experience at Walt Disney World.

The ride is very similar to its sister attraction at Disneyland, California, but once again it is the theming of the area that I really love. Just after you exit the ride there is a lovely Disney Detail, which is more than often overlooked.

Of course, this isn't just theming...Stromboli is really in the area, looking out for Pinocchio! So if you are wandering around, keep a watchful eye out for any Stromboli-like characters lurking...

Although, I didn't realise that Stromboli also sold pretzels - interesting!

Getting Dressed Up For Halloween

Halloween is a great time to get dressed up and do some trick-or-treating. This Princess will be dressing up like Lilo for this Halloween! However, it is not just the people that get to dress up...the parks get to dress up too!

Let's have a look at how they were disguised last year:

Helping To Make Your Trip More Magical

We at DF'82 want to help people with their trips to Disneyland Paris - we understand that when you visit the Paris parks, especially from overseas, your time is limited and you want to make the most of your visit. It's easy to waste time on rides and attractions, when you could have easily visited them at another point and walked right on! It's also easily to completely overlook something that really should not be missed...

I previously had Chris from the fantastic Yet Another Disney Blog contact me with a few questions about his family's upcoming Disneyland Paris, and Europe, trip:

My wife and I are planning to spend a couple of days at Disneyland Paris next April, and we could use some advice on hotel options and travel logistics.

We will fly to/from Paris CDG airport. Our plan is to spend our first two nights near the Parc, then relocate to a hotel in Paris for the remainder of our stay.

So let us see what tips I can give them to help make their trip as magical as possible!

Flying Into Paris CDG Airport

This is the best airport to fly in to if you wish to get to the Disneyland Paris Resort area. There is actually a bus that runs direct to the hotels (both the Disney owned and the Neighbour hotels) from the airport terminals. VEA shuttle (http://www.vea-shuttle.co.uk/roissy-orly-disneyland.asp) is quick and convenient, and leaves every 20 minutes. The shuttle used to depart direct from each terminal, but now there is a shuttle bus that takes you to the actual VEA bus, so everyone is boarding the bus at the one stop. A good point to note is that a lot of European nationalities do not enjoy queuing - you will really need to watch your place in line and do not let anyone else push you about!

If there are only two of you, you're probably cheaper getting the shuttle. A one-way trip on the shuttle for an adult is €17, and €13 for children ages 3-11. You can buy your tickets on the shuttle (using credit cards is acceptable) or online (only for adult tickets). But a taxi is much more convenient, and better at busy times - on our last trip, the Royal Family (three of us) got a taxi and it was only about €10 more. But I think the shuttle is the best bet - it drops you right at the hotels!

Staying In And Around The Resort

With regards to staying near the Resort, there are Disney hotels and there are non-Disney hotels, all within close distance. The non-Disney hotels all provide shuttles to the Parks, as do the Disney ones. The four main Disney hotels are within walking distance. The Santa Fe, one of the cheaper Disney ones, also is within walking distance but a shuttle is slightly easier. I think the distance is about a 20 minute walk - and on early mornings, it can be very pleasant and refreshing. The Disney website is great and you can have a look at different resorts, including those which are in the area but not Disney owned: http://hotels.disneylandparis.co.uk/.

If you have any questions about your trip - or a possible trip - to Disneyland Paris, please email me!

Monday Memories...Photopass

As I am currently enjoying myself in Walt Disney World (I know, way to rub-it-in!), one of the things I have really liked and utilised is the Disney PhotoPass.

When visiting the World the past couple of trips - including this one - we have done the pre-purchase Disney PhotoPass CD. This way you can get a CD of PhotoPass shots (all yours, ALL copyright too!) for $99.95 instead of the usual price. And another great benefit is if you purchase it in advance, International Shipping is free!



This way all our memories are easily kept and reviewed any time I want to see them...and it also means that I have photos of all our group, and not with me missing out (as I am usually the photo taker!).

Run From The Terror!

Today is the last ever Tower of Terror 13k in Walt Disney World, Florida. This Princess will be running in it - although I will have to make sure that my bodyguards don't get in the way too much...

Let's have a little look at this race and what it entails...

(Taken from the Disney website)

What lies beyond the fifth dimension, beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination, can be found at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K & 5K. We invite you to run into the next dimension, if you dare, on October 24 at Disney's Hollywood Studios™. A night race like no other you have experienced is awaiting your arrival, but beware, you may not return from your race quite the same . . .

The race starts in Walt Disney Studios and takes us out into the main roadways of the Walt Disney World Resort, around Wide World of Sports, and finally finishes up in the Studios at the Tower of Terror. We also get to run around the infamous Resort entry gates - that should be fun! And one of the most exciting things - the race all takes place at night time! That's right, the 13k starts around 10.30pm! Hopefully it'll be cool enough for a Scottish girl like myself.

Of course, there is also a 5k, which starts a little before the race, and runs throughout the Studios themselves. I think the evening will be terror-full for all! *Insert evil laugh, here*

What Do You Celebrate?

Since I started DF'82, I have been very lucky to meet and/or become friends with some fantastic people throughout the Disney Community. And as I get to know these people and their love for all things Disney, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce you to some of these people too!

From time to time, here at DF'82, we will get to know these Disney Fans a little bit better. I don't know about you, but I love to hear why people love the Disney parks!

Our first interviewee this week is the lovely Ryan from the Main Street Gazette. I have no doubt that you'll have visited his blog, as it is one of the most informative (and regular!) of all the blogs out there. Welcome to DF'82, Ryan!

How did you become a Disney fan?
I was born in central Florida and my first trip to Walt Disney World was when I was two months old, with that kind of a start, is it any wonder that I ended up having this passion for Disney? My father was the driving force behind my love for the theme parks, while my mom was the enthusiast for Disney animated features. So, in the end, Disney has always been a family affair, and I am my parents’ child.

What is your favourite Disney Theme Park? (This can be in any of the Resorts worldwide)
Having only ventured into the parks found in the United States my knowledge of parks worldwide is limited, although there are plenty of fantastic parks that I will find my way to in the coming years. Of the parks I have visited, I must stick with the first Florida park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, for sheer intrigue and voluminous storytelling, is making up ground, but the Magic Kingdom has so many memories, so many stories, and so many wonderful attractions, that it is still the first place I think of when I think of a Disney park.

Which is your favourite attraction - past or present - and why?
Hands down, I love Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the Magic Kingdom more than any other attraction. It may not have the best queue or the easiest storyline to grasp from the attraction alone, but for visuals, both of and from the ride, and thrills there are no words more exciting than, “Hang on to them hats and glasses!”

Is there one show or parade, which you feels best embodies the spirit of Disney?
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth may be my favorite spectacular at Walt Disney World, but I cannot help but wipe a tear from my eye whenever I watch Wishes! It is the quintessential Disney experience. With fireworks, the characters who tug on your heartstrings, and just a bit of the fear a proper villain can bring, it is truly a magical experience.

What is your Disney "guilty pleasure"? (for example, here at DF'82 we love floors!)
I must admit, I have taken my share of photographs of floors, walkways, benches, and lampposts, but my favorite guilty pleasure is the restrooms. From the signs on the doors to the lighting fixtures, tile patterns, and other furnishings, the restrooms of Walt Disney World are a never ending supply of entertainment.

How do you bring your love of Disney into your daily life?
Aside from the Main Street Gazette, I tend to read books on Disney history and design, listen to Disney podcasts and theme park audio, especially ambient loops when I am writing, and try to wear a shirt with some type of Disney design once in a while.