Before becoming a company that created theme Parks, Disney was best known for its major family films. These films are now brought to life in the Parks, and Disneyland Paris is no exception.
Which films should you watch before going to Disneyland Paris (or just to keep the magic going once you get home)? A short overview of each Park and the films brought to life there.
Main Street, U.S.A.
1. Walt Disney: An excellent documentary about Walt Disney’s life. Understand the man in order to better understand his work.
Dine: Walt’s – An American Restaurant.
2. Pollyanna: Young orphan Pollyanna arrives in the small village of Harrington where she is going to live with her aunt.
Shop: Harrington’s Fine China & Porcelains.
More movies: Saving Mr. Banks, So Dear to My Heart.
Frontierland
3. The Haunted Mansion: The Evers family discovers a very peculiar cursed mansion, where the master of the house has some strange plans for Mrs Evers. This film is based on the original attraction The Haunted Mansion.
Ride: Phantom Manor.
4. Coco: For generations, music has been banned in Miguel’s family, a young boy whose dream is to become a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Determined to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself thrust into the Land of the Dead following a series of bizarre events…
Dine: Fuente del Oro Restaurante.
More movies: Davy Crockett and the River Pirates, Pocahontas.
Adventureland
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: Captain Jack’s idyllic life gets turned upside down when Barbossa, his second in command, steals his ship and attacks the city of Port Royal, kidnapping Elizabeth, the governor’s daughter, in the process. Jack joins forces with the young and valiant Will Turner to track down his deceitful deputy, but he didn’t count on a terrible curse striking Barbossa and his crew, a curse that would make them live forever…as the living dead!
Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean.
Dine: Captain Jack’s – Restaurant des Pirates.
6. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: Intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones is in pursuit of a terrifying cult that has stolen a sacred jewel with legendary powers. A cabaret singer and a smart young kid find themselves by his side, helping him through the many dangers he faces along the way.
Ride: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril.
More movies: Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, Aladdin, The Lion King.
STAY | Vienna House Dream Castle Paris | Vienna House Magic Circus Paris
Discoveryland
7. Toy Story 2: Unfriendly toy collector Al manages to steal Woody in order to bring together all the toys he needs to complete his collection. Woody finds himself held captive alongside Jessie the cowgirl, Stinky Pete the gold miner and Bullseye the horse.
Ride: Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast.
8. Star Wars: A New Hope: In a galaxy far, far away, Darth Vader, commander of the evil galactic Empire, accuses Princess Leia of stealing plans for the Death Star, a space station with the power to destroy a planet. On planet Tatooine, young farmer Luke Skywalker comes into possession of two droids: C-3PO and R2-D2. These droids are the key to putting him on the path to his destiny and a mystical power known as The Force.
Ride: Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
More movies: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Island at the Top of the World, Tomorrowland.
Fantasyland
9. Sleeping Beauty: In the kingdom of King Stephan, Princess Aurora has just been born, and with her comes hope for the neighbouring chateau owner, King Hubert, that she will one day marry his son, Prince Phillip. But Maleficent the fairy is not about to allow such a beautiful story to unfold, and places a terrible curse on Aurora. Visit: Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant.
10. Alice in Wonderland: Alice lets herself drift off into a daydream. She follows a white rabbit down his burrow and finds herself in a world filled with unusual creatures, meeting small animals, a set of twins, singing flowers, a confusing caterpillar, a strange cat, a hatter and a hare, among others. She even pays a visit to the Queen of Hearts, and faces her army of playing cards.
Visit: Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.
Ride: Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups.
More movies: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Cinderella, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Dumbo, The Sword in the Stone.
To be continued…