Top Rides at Disneyland Paris for 2011

2011 marks the nineteenth birthday of Disneyland Paris, which originally opened to much fanfare as Eurodisney in 1992. After a rebranding, the theme park has gone from strength to strength and remains one of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions as well as the only Disney resort in Europe. Big things are expected for the twentieth anniversary event, expected to take place in April 2012 with rumours that a new ride may be revealed. In the meantime though, existing favourites and a host of very competitive family offers mean that 2011 is set to be one of the best years ever for Disneyland Paris.



Two main parks make up Disneyland Paris, the original Disneyland Park and the newer Walt Disney Studios which opened in 2002. The former contains some of the most iconic Disney sights, including the famous castle which was inspired by similar buildings in early Disney films such as Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Disneyland Park is divided into five main areas, each of which is themed around a style common to one or several Disney movies.

Main Street USA recalls an idealised city street in America at the turn of the twentieth century and is based on the world which inspired many of Walt Disney’s early creations. Frontierland owes its origins to the Wild West and the constantly shifting frontier in nineteenth century America. Adventureland, meanwhile, draws its inspiration from further afield such as the Arabian Desert seen in Aladdin and the faded colonial grandeur of Pirates of the Caribbean. Fantasyland invokes the spirit of Disney’s golden years up until the early 1960s, with particular focus on iconic imagery from Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio and Sleeping Beauty. Discoveryland, meanwhile, is a futuristic area inspired by everything from Star Wars to Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.



Discoveryland is home to perhaps the most famous ride in Disneyland Park, the terrifying Space Mountain. This roller coaster, which is mostly enclosed, blasts passengers around the track at high speeds and turns them upside down no less than three times. Space Mountain is far from the only roller coaster in the park though. The Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ride in Adventureland is a little more gentle but recreates the high speed mine cart scene from the movies for high octane thrills.



Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris has its share of thrilling rides too. The Tower of Terror, based on cult TV classic The Twilight Zone, sees visitors plunge nearly 60 metres in a ride meant to recreate the sensation of a falling lift. Less of a ride and more of a performance, the Lights, Motors, Action: Extreme Stunt Show has drivers recreate death defying vehicle stunts from the movies that will have you on the edge of your seat.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.