On this week’s podcast, we recap our recent visit to Disneyland Paris – what we LOVED and what we wish we had known before we went. Welcome to Season 8!
Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform or at these links:
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All music for this episode is available through a creative commons license. The background music for the News segment was created by Kevin Macleod: Fuzzball Parade by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5044-fuzzball-parade
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Show Notes:
Kelli and Chris discuss their opinions on Disney merchandise, controversies surrounding Disney, and their experiences at Disneyland Paris and Disney World. They express support for fair pay for actors and writers, question the reasons behind policy changes, and share their thoughts on the design of Figment. They also discuss their love for the parks, planning tips, and unique features of Disneyland Paris. Overall, the conversation highlights their passion for Disney and their desire for fairness and improvement in the company’s practices.
Outline
Disney podcast with humor and references.
- Chris and Kelli discuss Chippendale merchandise at Disneyland Paris, including their ears and Claire ace’s appearance on a float.
- Kelli finds the idea of Chippendale having a girlfriend uncomfortable, questioning why she has to like both of them.
- Kelli and Chris discuss their podcast’s popularity in various locations, including Surrey, UK and Midwest US.
Disney-related topics, including executive pay, Florida politics, and theme park changes.
- Kelli and Chris discuss the recent strike by actors and writers against Disney, with Kelli agreeing that people should be paid what they’re worth.
- Chris shares a story about Reedy Creek employees losing their Disney theme park passes, with Erin Clark speaking about the generational benefits of these passes.
- Figment, a beloved Disney character, has a new meet and greet location in Epcot.
Disney theme park updates and new attractions.
- Chris and Kelli discuss the new Country Bears show and its name change to “Luminous: A Symphony of Us.”
- Chris and Kelli also discuss the rebranding and expansion of D23 Expo.
- Chris and Kelli discuss the upcoming Disney fan event, including the venue change and new attractions.
- They also share their thoughts on the potential replacement of “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” with a Zootopia attraction.
Disneyland Paris attractions and changes.
- Kelli and Chris discuss Figment’s design, including his large turtleneck and lack of facial expression.
- Kelli suggests that Figment’s mouth should be open and his neck should be shorter to better resemble the popcorn bucket version.
- Kelli and Chris discuss Disneyland Paris attractions and improvements.
Disneyland Paris, including unique features and improvements.
- Kelli and Chris have differing opinions on Disneyland Paris, with Kelli viewing it as a European interpretation of Disney and Chris praising its authenticity.
- Kelli and Chris praise Disneyland Paris for its unique features, including arcades behind stores on Main Street and creative metal art statues in the Gardens of Wonder.
- They particularly enjoy Phantom Manor, which has a different backstory and a creepy atmosphere, setting it apart from other Disney parks.
Disneyland Paris rides and shows, including Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
- Chris and Kelli discuss their favorite rides at Disneyland Paris, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Phantom Manor.
- They praise the immersive storytelling and detailed theming of the park’s attractions.
- Chris and Kelli enjoyed the rides and shows at Disneyland, particularly the Lion King Rhythm of the Pride Lands and the Avengers Assemble flight force thing with Iron Man and Captain Marvel.
- They also enjoyed a special app game for the 30th anniversary of Disneyland, which involved solving puzzles and collecting clues throughout the park.
Disneyland Paris tips, including popular merchandise, train station, and dining recommendations.
- Kelli and Chris wish they had known about the popularity of Disneyland Paris merchandise, especially the 30th anniversary items, and taken advantage of it by doing research ahead of time.
- They also wish they had planned ahead and taken advantage of the train station at Disneyland Paris, which is located in the middle of Disney village and is very walkable to the parks.
- Chris and Kelli discuss the pros and cons of staying at the Disneyland Hotel during a trip to Disneyland Paris, with Chris preferring the anticipation and build-up of walking through the courtyard before entering the hotel.
- They also emphasize the importance of planning meals in advance, especially table service meals, as they had limited memorable experiences with sit-down meals during their trip.
Disney World trip with tips for future visits.
- Kelli and Chris discuss their dining experiences at Disney World, including difficulty making reservations and different dining culture in France compared to the US.
- They reflect on how their expectations of quick service and reservations were challenged, and how this affected their overall experience.
- Kelli and Chris discuss challenges with Disney’s PhotoPass service in Paris, including difficulty finding photographers and losing cards.
- The dragon on the castle was in hibernation during their visit, which Kelli was disappointed about.
- Kelli and Chris discuss Disney and leave positive reviews for their podcast.
- Main Street
- General
- Disney General
- We side with the actors and writers currently on strike – which pits us against Disney in this case.
- Pay people what they are worth – especially if we are going to pay executives 1000x more than the average.
- Not everyone in the entertainment business is a A-list star. The vast majority are people you’ve never heard of just trying to make a living.
- Pay people what they are worth – especially if we are going to pay executives 1000x more than the average.
- Lots legal wrangling back and forth as parts of the various lawsuits, and countersuits, have entered the discovery phase.
- But I think one tidbit from back in August that really speaks to who these people are:
- Back in August the new Reedy Creek Board of DeSantis Sycophants decided to remove Disney Theme Park passes from Reedy Creek Employees. Think Fire Fighters, First Responders Etc.
- So Some of those employees attended a meeting to ask that this policy change be reconsidered.
- Aaron Clark, a firefighter with the Reedy Creek Fire Department, spoke about the generational benefits and memories that he made with his dad in the theme parks and the dream to work as a firefighter to make memories with his children in the theme parks.
- We side with the actors and writers currently on strike – which pits us against Disney in this case.
- Disney General
- D23 Expo
- https://blogmickey.com/tag/destination-d23-2023/
- So much news, and things are still happening but just some big announcements that are exciting:
- First, and absolutely MOST IMPORTANTLY: The country Bears are getting a new show with new songs!! It’s gonna be great and I know we are all just as excited as I am!! So let’s take a small break to bring our emotions back down to normal levels.
- The MOST important announcement is that the new EPCOT nighttime spectacular is launching Dec. 5 and is called Luminous: The Symphony of US.
- Figment started doing meet/greets at Epcot this weekend.
- D23 Expo is rebranding and expanding.
- D23 The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
- Next Aug. 9-11 at Anaheim Convention Center but the biggest events will be held at the Honda Center
- Soaring Over California returning to EPCOT
- Animal Kingdon:
- A zootopia attraction will replace It’s Tough To Be A Bug – so it sounds like they decided against a full Zootopia land at AK
- Instead will turn Dinoland into a ‘Tropical Americas Land’ that will feature an Encanto attraction, and Indiana Jones themed attraction: Artists renderings absolutely feature Casita.
- I expect the Dinosaur ride will be reskinned to be similar to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland in California – basically the same ride system.
- Please do not bring the IJ ride from Disneyland Paris.
- Test track to be reimagined – WDI working with Chevrolet to look at the future but also pay homage to the original World of Motion ride.
- Journey of Water opening officially Oct. 16
- World celebration officially opening in Dec.
- Hatbox Ghost is finally coming to the Haunted Mansion in MK – late November debut
- New Pirates of the Caribbean themed Tavern coming to MK
- Ahsoka is coming to Star Tours: maybe the most underrated attraction in any Disney park
- Need an entire segment for the new Ahsoka series on D+
- So much news, and things are still happening but just some big announcements that are exciting:
- Tomorrowland
- What We Loved About Disneyland Paris
- Gardens of Wonder
- I couldn’t believe how much I loved these metal art statues scattered around the hub. So creative and beautiful. I have to put these well ahead of the Golden Statues at WDW.
- Merida I think was my favorite but they were all so creative and wonderful.
- Main Street
- The Walkways behind the Shops on Main Street USA
- Town Square feels bigger the streets feel wider, and entering through the Disneyland Hotel jiust feels right. So much anticipation as you approach the gates, and it all pays off.
- The Thrill Rides
- Big Thunder Mountain
- I saw a few rankings online that put this version at #1. I haven’t been on them all, but it certainly is the best I’ve ridden.
- The dark sections (which happen as you travel under the water on your way to and from the island that most of the ride takes place on) are truly phenomenal. Truly feels like a runaway train.
- Generally feels longer.
- Phantom Manor
- Super creepy – especially the loading area. Also – why are brides so creepy in general?
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Feels longer, and the beginning, that goes through the restaurant feels like travelling through Tia Dalma’s swamp in the movies
- Hyperspace Mountain
- Frankly – Pumping awesome music directly into my ears on a dark rollercoaster ride is a winning idea. Making me feel like Im in the middle of a Star Wars space battle while pumping John Williams soundtrack into my ears – OVER THE TOP.
- Tower of Terror
- Again… creepier… and bouncier.
- Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
- We NEED this at a US park. So much fun helping IRON MAN and Capt. Marvel save the galaxy, or the world, or whatever… and she needs no help knowing how to blow things up.
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Sleeping Beauty Castle
- So beautiful, and like a storybook.
- The World of Pixar Area at WD Studios
- Specifically the area around Remy’s Adventure – it was sort of the last thing we did there. Had I known about it earlier that’s where we would have eaten
- The Shows!
- Mickey and the Magician
- So dang cute and the special effects are incredible.
- Lion King: Rhythm of the Pride Lands – including Shadowlands from the Stage Play
- The location was weird, but honestly put that show anywhere you can. It’s glorious.
- Mickey and the Magician
- Bottom Line: We loved it so much and it felt SO DISNEY that we changed out Paris plans altogether to spend another day in Disneyland
- World Showcase ©
- What We Would Do Differently
- The Dragon under the castle was in hibernation.
- I’d go for a longer stretch so that I increased my chances to see the drone shows.
- Disney Delight, and the Incredible Avengers Power the Night
- Be intentional and proactive about planning meals – but don’t expect things that are going to blow your mind.
- The table service meals we got were good, but there really aren’t a lot that you can make that claim about.
- Getting into the hotel restaurants is hard if you aren’t prepared.
- Really have to WANT IT if you plan to di Disney Paris and Paris Proper in the same trip.
- Generally it’s convenient. But I’d recommend splitting your stay between Disney and Paris proper and have accommodations specific to each.
- You will kill a lot of time and energy going back and forth – not to mention cash if you choose UBER
- I’d buy more 30th Anniversary Magnets to sell on Ebay. 🙂
Episode Transcript:
NOTE: This transcript was produced by AI and may have many inaccuracies. Please excuse any transcription issues.
Welcome aboard Disney fam. Hello out there Disney fam. And welcome back. My name is Chris Kelly. You know, I have no idea how this one’s gonna go because people are in a weird mood today. We’re bad. But yes. I’m not gonna put up with any abuse podcast was the last thing I said before we started the podcast so who knows where this is gonna go for me. You’re wearing your Chippendale Disneyland Paris 30th anniversary ears
Kelli 1:01
which I loved. They are so adorable. They
Chris 1:04
are adorable.
Kelli 1:06
And this all this merch was really cute. All the Chippendale merch very cute. I feel like Chippendale is really having their moment with the with the Disneyland Paris March and then also the 100th anniversary. Yeah, their little silver tuxes are very prominent placement for for the chipmunk.
Chris 1:22
They did. They really did. Right. Yeah. And the Emporium, big 100 sign there. And
Kelli 1:27
their girlfriend which is you know, questionable that they both have the same girlfriend. I’m not sure how I feel about her. But her name is Claire ace, and she was on the float at Disneyland Paris, which I’ve never actually seen her taking it down. I thought it was a little risque suggestive skirt was a little short
Chris 1:45
and slipped right up there. Pretty high, pretty high slit. Short Cut to prepare me.
Kelli 1:51
She was sort of playing both chipmunks. Yeah. And that was, you know, I made
Chris 1:57
you uncomfortable. If I remember correctly, made you uncomfortable. And we had to run over to adventure like,
Kelli 2:03
it made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure how I felt a about them having a girlfriend and be about that
Chris 2:10
particular girlfriend being
Kelli 2:11
a two timer. Just I can’t they each have their own girlfriend. All right. Why does Clarys have to like them both? Why did they have to both like clerys? Like, maybe she has a twin sister? I don’t know. I just feel like there are other options we could have gone with other than a two time in, you know, a little bit of a study chip.
Chris 2:33
All of this, all of this folks, we stood there and watched the show for about 30 seconds. And this Eau Claire race super her mind went, Hey, you want to know where we had downloads from during this time where we were replaying our all time greatest episodes, which by the way, huge response huge response
Kelli 2:52
from that. Yes, absolutely. And some of the locations and so I’m just kind of hoping that you say, oh, no, what I saw.
Chris 3:00
I’m sure not I’m sure. Okay, well, there’s so many locations. I just started why you will. What’s that name one name one. I’ll take one about out that you loved Surrey.
Kelli 3:08
Like in our last 30 days. We have had as many downloads from Surrey as we’ve had. Okay. Yes. Yeah. That were huge in the UK. We’re huge in Surrey. We’ve had as many downloads from Surrey as we had here in the States. Wow. It was like an even number like we really went big and Surrey were big and
Chris 3:30
I did have a UK place on my list but it wasn’t Surrey one sorry. Okay. All right. What do you got? Honey? I got also got Bellevue Nebraska right down the street here. The Nebraskans are loving us. Yep. Burnsville, Minnesota. Okay. Yeah. Burnsville find folks that Burnsville, Minnesota, okay. Yep. And ADA Michigan, or odd. I
Kelli 3:53
spell that Ada, Ada Michigan
Chris 3:56
went very Midwest.
Kelli 3:58
You did take a very Midwestern, bent, maybe we’ve just gotten huge in the Midwest, maybe so maybe we’re massive in the Midwest. I think we are okay, totally.
Chris 4:06
We just are so appreciative. Had some are like three big months in a row here. Just supporting the podcast and we’re just so appreciative. Very grateful for this. Yeah, we’re grateful for it. Okay. Let’s do one talk about Main Street stuff.
Kelli 4:21
Yes. Let’s do it. Hey, my understanding is there’s been tons Yeah,
Chris 4:26
I mean, we haven’t done these in a while so there was naturally going to be tons but but like this week? Yeah, well, it’s literally 23 Expo is currently going on right now. Right so a lot of stuff has just flooded okay. Is Twitter’s and social medias and all that. All right, but first things first, what do we haven’t recorded since the actor strike and the writer strike really began and we just want to go on record saying that we are absolutely In the camp of the of the writers and the actors that pits us squarely against Disney in this particular case, but people should get paid what they’re worth. And they’re not getting paid what they’re worth in the new day of streaming and whatnot. But, you know, executives aren’t having to worry about the new day of streaming in terms of their paychecks. So right. We need to need to make sure people are paid what they’re worth. And these folks are worth a lot. They bring us a lot of joy and happiness.
Kelli 5:27
100%. Yeah.
Chris 5:30
With the just a quick hitter here on the the Ron DeSantis, garbage in Florida. Lots of legal wrangling back and forth as parts of all the various lawsuits, counter suits, and they’ve entered some of them have entered the discovery phase, which is kind of interesting. But the one tidbit from back in August, I think really speaks to who these people are. The new recruit board of DeSantis sycophants decided to remove Disney theme park passes from Reedy Creek employee. So think like firefighters and first responders and people like this. One of the perks of that job was getting Disney park passes.
Kelli 6:11
Oh, my gosh.
Chris 6:16
Lots of super contrived reasons for why this, this policy only helps one company they weren’t allowed to use these passes at other restaurants and things like it’s, you know, it’s Disney that’s giving them the passes so
Kelli 6:32
well, and now again, you’re just hurting the citizens of Florida. Right, the point of this? Yes.
Chris 6:39
So at a meeting in late August, some folks that work in the Reedy Creek district for like Reedy Creek services, met with the board to try to persuade them to reconsider this policy, which my understanding is that they did not. Erin Clark, specifically a firefighter with the Reedy Creek Fire Department spoke about the generational benefits and the memories that he made with his dad in the theme parks and the dream to work as a firefighter there to make memories with his own children in the theme parks. Right? Because it’s been around forever. Right?
Kelli 7:12
And so again, why are you taking this you’re if you want to hurt Disney, this isn’t the way to do it the
Chris 7:18
way to do it. Yeah, they they listed three main reasons but they were all. Like I said they were all contrived. So. Oh, my goodness. So we’ll move on to happier news. Yes, please. First and foremost, figment made his debut at Epcot.
Kelli 7:35
Like Massey smart. He’s
Chris 7:36
like, he’s like 100 feet tall. He is so tall.
Kelli 7:41
I don’t know how I feel about that. I’m trying to like remember his legs.
Chris 7:45
You’ve really been stuck on his legs.
Kelli 7:49
I’ve tried to remember his legs because I don’t think they’re big enough to hold up a six foot tall.
Chris 7:54
He didn’t have chicken legs. No, no, no. It has real legs. His legs look fine. Did trust me here. He’s tall. And that that’s that’s unnerving for me personally, right but it’s not his legs.
Kelli 8:04
Like T Rex arm. Just a little wings or just a little wings.
Chris 8:09
I think just a little way.
Kelli 8:10
I think he has arms. I think figment has arms and wings.
Chris 8:14
He does. He does have arms and wings. T Rex that he’s got. He’s got good arms, his arms and legs. All of his appendages are fine
Unknown Speaker 8:27
his arms and legs are cool, though. He’s
Kelli 8:29
gonna be like top man.
Chris 8:30
He’s he’s not he’s opposite. He is bottom end. He’s. And the top is not heavy enough. It seems like I don’t know. He’s fine. He’s fine. He’s just tall. I liked him. I liked him better when he was when he wouldn’t. It was the dream finder who was walking around in future world with figment.
Kelli 8:51
I know who moved your cheese. You hate it when they change. But you know what, though?
Chris 8:56
I like that. We have a figment Meet and Greet at all. I would rather this than not have him meetable in the park. So here we are. Yay. For us. You can now meet figment.
Unknown Speaker 9:10
Figgy is huge.
Chris 9:11
He’s big. And he’s literally huge now. Everybody, everybody literally he used to match his his enormity and popularity now. Okay. D 23. Expo. There’s a lot here. So probably should have its own segment, frankly, in the future. Okay. First, obviously the most important announcement that has come out of D 23. All weekend. Everybody already knows what I’m talking about. The Country Bears are getting a new show with new songs.
Kelli 9:43
Oh, yeah. No, we were all it’s, we’ve been we’ve been celebrating that one. Yes.
Chris 9:49
Okay. Yeah, that’s what I thought it’s gonna be so great. I know everybody’s just as excited. I can give everybody a minute to pause and get bring your emotions back down to earth.
Kelli 9:59
I think we’re good. I think I’m there. Okay. All right. Are in check new show for the Country Bears.
Chris 10:04
Yes, we are. We’re beside ourselves. All right. Actually another big huge announcement. At cuts my time spectacular is launching December the fifth
Kelli 10:19
I saw the name of it. How do you feel?
Chris 10:20
I feel okay about it. I don’t know if I like the color aspect of it luminous the symphony of us but I like luminous. We’re
Kelli 10:28
just renaming harmonious. I think it is.
Chris 10:31
I think it’s a I think it’s a combination of illuminations and harmonious is
Kelli 10:34
what? Yeah, I think it is. Yeah. You
Chris 10:38
know, what, just you I don’t care if they said, we’re just going to move the barges and have the same soundtrack as the harmonious show, they could do that. And I’d be, you know, even a little bit did harmonious and I have a colon? I don’t think so. I think it was just me
Kelli 10:53
to call and really speaks to an academic audience. We
Chris 10:56
love you. You certainly.
Kelli 10:59
So I mean, I’m surprised that other other shows haven’t had cold.
Chris 11:03
I mean, I don’t think it lives literally has a colon. I think though it’s
Kelli 11:07
you’ve given it a colon in order to
Chris 11:10
luminous a symphony of us symphony of us, I think, is what it’s called, but
Kelli 11:14
there’s no actual colon. Okay? But you said you were against the colon,
Chris 11:20
it was it was luminous. In big can big letters. Okay. And then underneath the word luminous in smaller letters and says, The Story The symphony of us. So I’ve, I’ve added the colon in my notes here, just
Unknown Speaker 11:33
to be against it. I just said you weren’t getting. I
Chris 11:37
think they could have just stuck the luminess we would have got there. We would have we would have listened to the music and thought, oh, that’s like a symphony but of us. You know, so anyway, that was good.
Kelli 11:51
I think it’s gonna be very similar, harmonious without the barges.
Chris 11:55
It’s gonna be great. I think I think it’s always great what they do there and yes, I know. So I’m open to it. And I can’t wait to see it. Probably on Disney plus or YouTube. I don’t know when we’ll get back there. Okay. D 23. Expo itself is rebranding and expanding. Okay. D 23. I’m gonna go ahead and add a colon here. The ultimate fan, the ultimate fan of the ultimate Disney fan event. So it’s not Expo anymore? Nope. Not Expo de 23 The ultimate Disney fan event it’ll be next August 9 through 11th I think at the Anaheim Convention Center, but the big events the big reveals and whatnot will be actually held at the Honda Center which I think is where pro sports team place interesting Yep. So in that’ll be mean that’s pretty big for a convention space to hold.
Kelli 12:49
It is but when you’ve got a title that long you’re going to need a building that big just to put it on the outside. I mean, that’s a massively long title. The
Chris 12:57
ultimate Disney fan event Yes,
Kelli 12:59
that’s
Chris 13:00
as opposed to Expo I guess it is supposed to Expo
Kelli 13:05
Yeah, I feel like they they tried too hard with that one. I think it’s wonderful. People shouldn’t call it d3 Expo
Chris 13:12
for a minute probably people like you. Just
Unknown Speaker 13:15
like for those of us that still. Like what about stuff this is what it sounded
Chris 13:19
like right before the podcast started to. soaring over California will return to Epcot for a limited time as part of the Disney 100 celebration. Okay. Everybody just loves to smell the oranges. You know love the orange would love to smell those oranges. And from time to time they’d like to give it to those of us not actually in California. Yeah,
Kelli 13:39
I’m for it. 100%
Chris 13:40
I thought this was an interesting, it’s tough to be a bug is going to go away and replaced with a Zootopia attraction in that same theater, or in that same venue, real tree of life.
Kelli 13:50
Potentially, I hope they keep the bug thing that we’re punching in the butt. Thank you back because I like that you
Chris 13:57
like that part of the attraction
Kelli 13:59
but But recently, that part hasn’t worked for everybody and so sometimes you don’t get bitten the butt.
Chris 14:08
Land honestly. Test tracks gonna be reimagined they’re working with Chevrolet to look at a look into the future but also pay homage to the original World of Motion. love that idea. Journey of water officially opens October the 16th world celebration officially opens in December. Hatbox Ghost is coming to the magic key and that’s pretty exciting. New Pirates of the Caribbean themed tavern coming in Magic Kingdom,
Unknown Speaker 14:35
okay,
Chris 14:36
and we’re adding a Soca to Star Tours. I was so excited. Star Tours is very I look my notes here says access colon. Maybe
maybe the most underrated attraction in any Disney part. I
Kelli 14:58
love Star Wars. I think it’s Yeah, really good. Yeah, I love Star Wars
Chris 15:03
underrated and they’re adding Ahsoka. So that actually may not be underrated anymore because she is super popular. Yeah, she’s also because she’s awesome. Just super popular. But before
Kelli 15:14
we push the next button, I just want to say like I’ve Googled now the Figgy the mascot Figgy. And here’s what I want to say a his legs are too big as a mascot. Those are not the real size of Figgis legs. I do like that he has both arms and wings. His tail is too tight with me. I would I don’t I don’t think most dragons have arms and wings.
Chris 15:39
Hey, dragons aren’t real. And yes, they do. Yeah, I
Kelli 15:43
don’t know. But in any case, here’s the issue with Figgy a his head and B is shirt.
Chris 15:52
Then come down long enough thought lost.
Kelli 15:56
Winnie the Pooh look
Chris 15:56
going does have very Winnie the Pooh
Kelli 15:58
with a massive turtleneck. Like, why is his turtleneck so long? Yeah, but he could just be wearing a regular turtleneck. And where you could still see the rest of his neck. The turtleneck doesn’t need to cover the entire Mike. My turtlenecks don’t cover my whole neck. I mean, you know, I’m saying like, I feel like somebody was like a big he doesn’t want to show his neck. They gave this massive turtleneck to him.
Chris 16:26
And they had to they had to elongate his neck. I think too, because his base end is pretty human. He’s Yeah,
Kelli 16:35
I’m not a key figure. Yeah, no, I think I think we should have worked a little bit harder a on his outfit and beat on his face.
Chris 16:43
There’s something about that right about something about rice is a little bit like that bear we saw at the Lancaster high school football game that time. Yeah, he’s stuck in that one position. Yeah, it’s it’s I don’t know what I expected. I’m not. I’m not an Imagineer. And I don’t design costumes. Yeah, I’m happy to be able to meet Well,
Kelli 17:00
I think his mouth should be open. First of all figments mouth is normally open. And if you look back at fakies popcorn bucket, his mouth is open and he’s got this huge smile. He also has like no neck on the popcorn bucket. Well, it’s
Chris 17:12
a pipe corn bucket.
Kelli 17:13
I know. But now he’s got like this over exaggerated neck with the turtleneck thing I mean, well,
Chris 17:18
since we’ve blown right through the end of this just to touch on a couple more little things here. They’re gonna get rid of Dinah land, which we knew was gonna happen to replace it with tropical America’s land think like the northern part of South America up into Central America, that sort of area, right? Okay. It will feature in Kanto attraction. I was gonna say and an Indiana Jones themed attraction, okay. And can artists so a jungle esque area? Yeah, and the artist’s rendering of this land. Absolutely has a casita.
Unknown Speaker 17:53
Okay,
Chris 17:53
so for this time grew that up, also, but please do not put the Disney the Indiana Jones rollercoaster from Disneyland Paris in this ride. Put the one from California in this ride. The dinosaur riders currently an animal kingdom already uses the same ride system that the Disneyland Indiana Jones uses. Do that. The roller coaster from Paris is just a little bit better than the matter horn in terms of putting people in traction. Yeah. So okay,
Kelli 18:23
so we’re gonna do something a little bit different on this episode. Er, so for Tomorrowland. Yeah, we’re gonna talk about things that we loved about Disneyland Paris
Chris 18:33
for a second that I didn’t know if we’d gotten straight on which was going in which spa?
Kelli 18:37
Sure we did. I think I just sort of made a call. And then in World Showcase, it’ll be things that we wish we’d known before we went or you know, things to consider things to consider. Yep, yes.
Chris 18:49
All right. So okay, and I’m pretty sure that I did this right. And you did not but that’s okay. We’ll work through it.
Kelli 18:55
I’ll just say I followed your instructions and then you completely changed them when you started.
Chris 19:01
Sorry mean to play that over you? They did. So first
Kelli 19:04
of all, I would I want to start by saying an overall view of Disneyland Paris. Okay. So my impression of Disneyland Paris you tell me if this is different for you was that this feels like a place where Europeans go to see what America is like live like that. Don’t go expecting it to feel like what Disney World or Disneyland. This is not the OG situation. This is a place that’s made to be like the OG if can’t get to the OG. That’s That’s my opinion.
Chris 19:41
I partially agree
Kelli 19:44
from a park perspective. I partially agree some of the rides are better, but from a park perspective,
Chris 19:49
I think. Yes. For Walt Disney Studios. Park. Yes. For the Downtown Disney area, the Disney village area. Yep. I absolutely disagree when it comes to Disney Land. Okay, the Disney Land Park is 1,000% stellar Disney stuff. It’s rockin love it again. In fact, I feel like they saw they took they took mistakes or things they wish they had done better at the other parks and built them into this.
Kelli 20:21
I didn’t say it wasn’t good. Fantastic. I didn’t say it wasn’t sort of hated it say any of that didn’t seem that way when we said it’s meant to be a place where Europeans can go and see what America is like. Nothing. That doesn’t make it bad. Okay, my god choice right now tomorrow to go to Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Paris. Which one are you gonna go to? Probably
Chris 20:45
gonna go to Disneyland Paris.
Kelli 20:47
Oh, hush your face. That is not true.
Chris 20:50
It was my bottom bar i liar. sit on the throne of lies. So the bottom line, I had cheese. I had a bottom line. Colin, we loved it so much. And it felt so Disney that we changed our Paris plans altogether to spend another full day at Disneyland. That’s That’s what I said,
Kelli 21:11
right? I’ve got a little bit of a different take on why we spent two days there. But it’s fine. It’s fine. You were much more specific. And so let’s just start with the things that we loved since you’re clearly going to be argumentative throughout the second. Okay, so the first thing that I did not expect that we haven’t seen in any other Disney parks that I thought was a stroke of genius is the arcades behind the stores on Main Street totally had that. Like you we kept seeing the signs that would like point to the arcade go the arcade, you see it in you know the thing and I’m like an arcade I’m expecting like video games, it’s not what it’s talking about. So on both sides of Main Street behind the stores, there is an enclosed building like that you can walk through so it’s essentially off of Main Street. Another beautiful walkway where you can get covered covered walkway, where you can get into the stores from the rear of the stores like you could come into them from the back. So what makes this so great is a there’s plenty of seating back there. There was some cool things to see in the little arcade. But also you can walk down Main Street and not be in the blazing sun. If a kid needs to take a nap and a stroller you can pull into the arcade. It’s it’s quieter. I wouldn’t say it was air conditioned but it was definitely cooler back there. I mean, I just thought it’s gonna be an easier exit during parades. Firework shows. I mean, just oh, it’s people up a little bit just seemed like such a brilliant thing. I think every Disney park needs to build those
Chris 22:48
islands. And as a result their their town square area was bigger. Yes, their streets are wider already. Yes. And like you said those arcades allow for a win win. It’s Win Win weather hits today and one of the American parts. The stores just get so congested with people. Yeah, here. There’s the RK huge areas, you can go into the store. Yeah. Or just hanging out in these
Kelli 23:14
walk. It was amazing. When we walked back there not knowing what to expect. And when I saw it, I thought, brilliant. This is genius. How is it not at every Disney park?
Chris 23:23
Okay, and that’s what I meant when I said I feel like they implemented things that they wish they had another parks. Okay. All right. Okay, so one of the things I had was the gardens of wonder now this was something specific to the 30th anniversary. I could not believe how much I love these but every the more I saw these things, the more I loved them. These are like these metal art statues that are that are they’re not exact replications of Disney characters, but you look at them and you know, oh, that’s Maratha you know who they Oh, that snow with their, like, abstract or abstract. Yeah. Right. And they and they spin slowly, you know, and they’re just, they were so beautiful, so much more creative, and frankly, better than the golden statues that we’ve got around the parks in Walt Disney World. I loved the merit of one that was my favorite, although sisu was really really cool, too. So wonderful representation of what like Paris does. That’s different than the other parks. Yep.
Kelli 24:25
Yeah, speaking of different and better Phantom Manor. Yeah. Oh my gosh, yes. Oh my gosh, first of all, totally different backstory, which we were we were up on when we went in so we knew what to expect but in general,
Chris 24:39
it’s a creepy array baby. Right? So
Kelli 24:43
you get to go into the front door of the house which is great. The entire property like the feel and the experience right when you get into your dune buggy. You’d go past a massive grand staircase with the bride on it love that. The graveyard area was Super creepy. The town of Frontier Mesa which you go through at the end really creeped. tastic and there were like drops, like legit drops, it felt much more like a ride than a ride through. Yeah, right. That makes sense. I loved loved phantom mana
Chris 25:18
the graveyard scene which is really like an old west Ghost Town scene. The legit ghost house. scrapey was fantastic. I love how they incorporate the whole land story Big Thunder Mountain is incorporated right there also. Yep, that’s my next thing. I had throw rocks just in general, were something that were really leveled up here. But of all the thrill rides that were an improvement at this park, I thought Big Thunder Mountain was the most improved over any of the ones that we have here in the States. I saw a few rankings online that put it clearly at number one. I’ve been on them all but it’s definitely the best one. I’ve written. The dark sections of the ride to underneath the water and then the rest of the ride is on an island. It’s It was so good. It felt longer. It felt faster. It felt more creative. It was just so good. So well done. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was my
Kelli 26:17
Yeah, you know what, I think a lot of the rides and we’ve noticed that in Disney Land to Disneyland us are longer. Yeah, than what you get at Walt Disney World. And that breaks my heart of it. But that was the best Phantom Manor was the best haunted mansion that we’ve had so far. Yeah. Also pirates ride. Like I love the pirate triad at Disneyland in the US the pirates right here. Maybe my favorite experience. Again, the whole pirates area is colourful, there’s a beach there’s this stuff that you get to walk through. Which is another thing I love about the park in general is they have these
Chris 26:56
walkthrough or racks attractions that helps them the park out in
Kelli 27:00
the park out but also gives you more of that covered space when it’s raining things like that. So that was a cool really cool walk through where you go into Davy Jones locker. You go from the beach, see the ship your all of that, but the longer ride real drops. And it just it felt much more like the story. And you know I love it when a boat ride goes past the restaurant
Chris 27:23
I know. And that particular note I made was that that particular part of the ride feels just like you’re riding through the scene and to dolmas swamp area when they’re going to meet with to dama that first time in the ride into the swamp. It feels just like that.
Kelli 27:44
Amazing. I’m so glad we got to do
Chris 27:46
Hyperspace Mountain much better music you flying with Star Wars folks Tower of Terror was creepier. And I felt like a little bit bounce here. I thought it was longer. Yep. And then the Avengers Assemble flight force thing with Iron Man and Captain Marvel. Please bring that over here. Yeah, that was really really cool. So the rides were better just in general. I also have the shows a Mickey in the magician. Super cute show.
Kelli 28:16
We’re asleep. So I don’t remember that. You would
Chris 28:21
you would if you saw some clips of it. Super cute. You did fall asleep but that I don’t put that on the show. That’s that’s not unusual for me. Yeah. Lion King rhythm of the Pride Lands.
Kelli 28:32
So good. Oh, that was amazing. Oh, my God loved it. They
Chris 28:36
included music. Also from the stage play like shadow. So
Kelli 28:40
good.
Chris 28:41
Oh my gosh. It was
Kelli 28:42
better. It was a better setup. I
Chris 28:44
thought it was I loved it. Yep. So yeah, weird location. But it’s okay.
Kelli 28:49
I’ve got one more thing I want to get in that little game on the app that I kept playing. I know. Yes. Right. Yeah,
Chris 28:55
that’s That’s it was good. I
Kelli 28:57
know. It drove you crazy. But there was like this special app for the 30th anniversary that you could download. And as you were going through the park, there were clues there were like things that you would solve and if you collected a certain number of clues and items, then you would get bonuses and things. I loved that little
Chris 29:15
game. I was like I was like geocaching in the park. Yes. I
Kelli 29:19
mean, I drag us all over the place. And you were like, I don’t think we’re in the right place. Do I really have to get to find this little thing? And I’m like, Yes. Like I’ve committed to this. I’m going to be a completionist like I’ve committed we’re gonna complete. Yeah, and I did you did and I thought it was fun read about it. I thought it was fun, like solving puzzles and stuff. I didn’t see a lot of people doing it. But I loved it. Yeah. So I hope we
Chris 29:48
saw a few people that we saw like we saw we saw a whole family that went and we were leaving the Pride Lands show and they were walking back towards there and mom was in the front with her absolute the mom and the little girl Like on a mission and Derek them, there was Dad and the Son. Just sort of, we just gotta get through this son. That’s the look that he had on his face. We just got to get through this right
Kelli 30:10
mom and girl on a mission and I could feel it. I was like they’re headed for it. They’re going in the right direction. We’ve already found that clue. And the dad was also there. Yeah, yeah, son wasn’t too. I
Chris 30:22
also had Sleeping Beauty Castle because I had that to the hillside that goes up. And then the walk through attraction up there was really, really cool. There’s a statue in there that I am convinced I did this on purpose, where you look at it. Look at that little statue from one side. And it’s Sleeping Beauty lying there. And the apprentices standing over her. And then as you walk around, she’s she’s starting to sit up in the in the bed. It’s kind of amazing. Yeah,
Kelli 30:52
that was really cool. And there are other things that we love. By the way, we got a couple of bonus episodes coming. So don’t think that this was an exhaustive list. Certainly not certainly not. All right. So next is things we wish we’d known before we will start this one often.
Chris 31:06
Yeah. So let’s see which one I want to go with. I wish I had known ahead of time. How popular Disneyland Paris merch is here. Especially 30th anniversary Disneyland merch? Yeah. Yeah, we’ve taken advantage of that a little bit.
Kelli 31:29
A little bit. We bought maybe 20. refrigerator magnets. When I have sold. refrigerator
Chris 31:33
magnets, which we’ve been selling on ebay done pretty well. They’re a few $100 on that. But if we had done the research ahead of time to know, here’s the things that are going to sell, right.
Kelli 31:45
Yeah, sort of stumbled onto the magnet. But yeah, we weren’t
Chris 31:50
the only ones though. Yeah. Based on that last day in the power
Kelli 31:53
fighting for those magnets. They were Yeah, no, I agree. I do wish we had thought about that a little bit. I wish that we had taken more advantage of the train station. There at Disneyland Paris. We weren’t sure exactly where it was going to be in relation to the hotel. That’s right. It puts you right out in the middle of Disney village. Very, very walkable. Especially we were standing art of Marvel, very walkable to any of the parks. So we ended up taking an Uber from Paris proper garden ward to Disneyland Paris, right to art, which was maybe an hour drive, and we were exhausted. And it was well worth that we would have had to take multiple trains. Normally, there is a direct train from the guard Nord station to Disneyland Paris and there wasn’t right. That was down for like the month we were there for some reason. And so we would have had to take a couple of different trains because we just had so many bags, and we just didn’t want to drag all the stuff. But I do wish we had planned ahead and taken advantage of the train.
Chris 32:57
Totally agree when we were walking to the park that first time. Yeah. A we thought wow, these resorts really are very walkable. Yep, the Disney village there is makes it a very pleasant walk. And we pass the train we’re like, is that the train like it is right there. Right there. Right there. So yeah, totally agree with that. Yeah, take advantage of that. And sort of segues well into one of my other points is, you really have to want it if you want to plan to do Disney Paris and Paris proper during your same trip. Oh, yeah. Right. So the train is helpful, for sure. But Disney is generally convenient to Paris. But I’d still recommend like if you’ve got enough time splitting your stay between Paris proper and do what you want to do there stay in a resort there. And then stay out at Disney as
Kelli 33:54
opposed to going to Paris proper from staying going back or the other way around.
Chris 33:58
Frankly, I agree because you’re gonna want your you are going to want I think if you’re if you love Disney, you’re gonna want more than one day out there. Yeah, if that’s the case, then just stay out there I think.
Kelli 34:07
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Along that same line, I wish we could have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It was down for refurb. And so it wasn’t an option for us. But gosh, it looked beautiful,
Chris 34:19
beautiful. It’s it is the entrance of the park
Kelli 34:23
at the entrance of the park, which was really cool. I would describe it as like a pink grand flow.
Chris 34:28
Yes. Smaller. But yeah, a small sort of sort of that same Victorian type of Torian
Kelli 34:34
vibe. Yeah, I really wish we could have stayed there. So that was that was a bit of a bummer. But we did love art of Marvel. Very much redone.
Chris 34:46
If you are asked if you are a Marvel fan. You would love it right in your wheelhouse. Absolutely. But
Kelli 34:52
I do wish we could have at least seen inside the Disneyland Hotel. You know people love to just walk through the grand flow. That’s right. Yeah, we She could have done that.
Chris 35:00
So here’s what I’ll say about that. I had the same thought. But one thing that I loved about coming from the resort that we came from, is, there’s a courtyard, a big massive courtyard out there as you’re walking towards the Disneyland Hotel. It builds this sense of anticipation, because you actually get to the Disneyland Hotel, then you walk underneath the porticoes, and then you’re, then you’re at the gates, and then you walk through that and you’re in, like, builds this building sense of anticipation that absolutely pays off. And it’s beautiful. Out front there. Yeah. And so you don’t you might not get to enjoy that part of it. If you are staying there. And you just go right out
Unknown Speaker 35:41
into the park. That’s true. Yeah.
Chris 35:44
I would say that you really need to be this is really true. Randy’s in the park these days. But you really need to be intentional and proactive about planning meals, especially this the sit down table service meals. And I wouldn’t expect a lot of that that’s going to blow your mind either. Right. Right. We had two real table several table service meals that were memorable. Yep. So what is Walt’s place? And the pirate pirates restaurant? Camp Jax? Yep. So because we did not really do that. And we literally struggled to find something to eat sometimes. Yeah.
Kelli 36:25
I mean, we just lucked out with Captain Jack’s thing.
Chris 36:27
Yeah, that’s right.
Kelli 36:28
I was I was on the app. And by the way, the apps are different. It’s not the apps we use here in the States. So they’re not quite as user friendly. So I was on the app, just really constantly looking for options, you know, for openings for lunches and dinners, because we had not planned ahead enough. And so yeah, we just looked up on Captain Jack’s. I wish that’s my next one. I wish we had eaten it bistro che Remy. I wish we had time to do that. There weren’t any reservations while we were there. Yeah, so it wasn’t an option. But I do wish we had had more like planned ahead, like you said, and had more chances to eat in the parks.
Chris 37:07
Because that night I believe was the night we ended up eating that night that we could have eaten Shea Remy was that we end up eating like room service or something. Yeah. Which was way overpriced way overpriced, and you didn’t you barely ate yours? Yeah, good. But if we had known that, also how hard it was going to be to find something to eat. At that point. We would have eaten to head to all these wonderful little Epcot esque booths there in that part of Walt Disney Studios, right? They’re all like wine booth wine booths. It was like, it was like the French Pavilion at Epcot. Except even bigger because they are with with boots with tons of boots that had wine and waffles and cheeses and all sorts of things that could have eaten that and fine, totally been simply
Kelli 37:52
kept thinking, No, we’ll sit down and eat somewhere. We don’t want to ruin that. And we should have just done it. We should have just gone booth hopping. I don’t know why we did. That’s
Chris 37:59
right. That’s right. Because then we got to our hotel, and we couldn’t get a spot at one of the restaurants there either, right? Because they didn’t have any spaces left in all the reservations. Yeah, so
Kelli 38:07
that was interesting. One thing I will say though, about the food while we’re on that topic is that it is a different experience eating at these restaurants than it is eating at the restaurants in these in the States. Parisians don’t eat fast meals. And that goes with on Disney property as well. So you’re not rushed in and out, which is probably why they didn’t have as many reservations, they probably don’t take as many reservations. But also we would regularly have to find our our waitstaff to tell them we wanted the bill and almost felt like we were hurting their feelings. I
Chris 38:43
know we were to rearrange the restaurant ready
Kelli 38:45
to rush back out. But that’s just how we’re conditioned when we go to Disney you eat and you run to get a lightning lane or Fast Pass or whatever. And that is just not the idea there. And so I think going in I wish we had thought to about that yes and taken a different approach to the meals of this is going to be a sit down to two hours situation. Right and really enjoyed it as opposed to trying to schedule it like we do in the States.
Chris 39:13
That’s right. That’s right. I would say also that I would plan for to to sort of build in more flexibility into a future trip there and it may just be end up spending more days there so that weather is less likely to impede on like nighttime shows. Right?
Kelli 39:36
Yeah, right. We didn’t get to see the drone show. We
Chris 39:37
didn’t get to see the drone show over the castle. They weren’t doing the drone show over Avengers campus at that time. But whether pushed everybody was it weather one night or was it the they were having the riots and the riots in Paris so they closed the park? So one night it was weather and then one night it was they closed the park early. So didn’t get to see we saw the fire I worked over the show once. But I’m convinced also that it was a reduced firework show because of the same weather issues. Yep. So just maybe trying to I mean, that’s stuff that you can’t really plan for any Disney park. But most of the time we’re going to Walt Disney World. We’re we’re there for more days.
Kelli 40:18
They also rarely canceled the nighttime shows in Florida. Fair. It’s rare. Yeah, it’s rare. Yeah, so another thing to think of is PhotoPass. I guess I thought that PhotoPass would work like it does here in the States. It did not. Not really a thing. We struggled to find PhotoPass photographers, they have some they have very, but not a lot. And then they would hand you the little cards with the barcode on it. Like what PhotoPass was in the 90s here in the States, and I lost cards. I mean, I couldn’t keep up with them. It was you know, don’t depend on PhotoPass for all those primaries, like you might hear in the States. It’s not so
Chris 41:00
easy here. It’s not a thing. Yeah, it’s really just not a thing. They’re not
Kelli 41:05
which is a shame, because there were some good pictures from us on rides. But yeah, we had no way to get
Chris 41:12
and this isn’t really anything someone can do something about but the dragon on the castle was in hibernation. No,
Kelli 41:17
I really wanted to see the dragon to see that dragon know, the castle was way better. Way better castle. I loved it. I think beauty really does a good job maintaining her shrubbery, and
Unknown Speaker 41:30
that sounded a bit dirty. And
Kelli 41:31
I didn’t mean for that to sound that way.
Chris 41:33
I didn’t think that way at all until you said something, though. Wow. What’s wrong with you?
Kelli 41:41
There it’s a manicured lawn area.
Chris 41:45
There’s no way there’s no no way to say it. There’s no no it just I get it. Trees look nice.
Unknown Speaker 41:55
I’m sorry, beauty. Is that when she goes by beauty.
Chris 41:58
Sleepy? That’s that’s a dwarf.
Kelli 42:03
What’s the does she have a real
Chris 42:04
day or? Not a rail? Yeah. Laura.
Unknown Speaker 42:08
She went by beauty.
Chris 42:11
That’s Belle. Beauty. Belle is beauty. She
Kelli 42:14
goes by Bell. I’m sorry, Aurora beauty, whatever. I don’t mean to talk about your shrub.
Chris 42:22
And that it’s like you’re like You’re like Aladdin with the James You can’t stop your child, your child music. Just let you keep on going. Well, as you can see, we’re back. And not sure how it’s gonna go from here on but we’re doing it so you know, you’ll just enjoy it. Come with us come along for this journey with us see how our minds work. If you did enjoy it, though. Here’s what you do now. You run out to wherever you get your podcasts and you leave us a five star rating. And if you have a place where you can leave a review do that too. And if it’s positive, we hope it is it’ll send other people to the show. Absolutely.
Kelli 43:08
And if you leave for more things Disney please visit SCF adp.com. That’s s for Super C for Cali F for Fragile iStick eight for awesome, deeper Disney P for podcasts. We do have a couple of bonus episodes planned for this month. So stay tuned for that and I have released some codes on our merch place. So in our merch store, you can get free shipping for the next week and a half and then you can get 20% off at the end of the month. Awesome.
Chris 43:32
So hey, come out. Check us out on Instagram SCF ADP, and we’d love to hear from you. And with that, we will see you real soon.
