20 random (yet awesome!) facts about Disneyland Paris
20 random (yet awesome!) facts about Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is the kingdom of magic and the place where childhood dreams come true! But it’s also home to some seriously awesome rides and some even more awesome facts. Here are 20 of my favourite random (yet awesome!) facts about Disneyland Paris, that Disney fans will love!
Looking forward to your next epic trip to Disneyland Paris? Book your trip here.
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1) The official opening date and time of the park was 12th April 1992 at 9.01am
Five years after signing the original agreement, Disneyland Paris opened its glorious doors to visitors all over Europe on 12th April 1992 at 9.01am (to be precise!).
2) The original location of the park wasn’t Paris
That’s right! Disney originally wanted a warmer location in Europe that would correlate with the warm temperatures like in the Florida and California parks.
However, Paris won the bid due to its central location. It’s an estimated four hour drive away from 70 million potential visitors and a two hour flight away from over 300 million potential visitors who live in central Europe.
A sound argument I’d say!
3) €80 Billion has been spent by visitors since its opening
That’s billion with a big ‘ol “B”. One of the many fun facts about Disneyland Paris that I’m sure its shareholders in particular love to re-read!
4) Disneyland Paris welcomed its 250 millionth visitor in November 2011
That’s roughly a third of the entire population of Europe! 😱
5) There’s a secret network of underground tunnels
Ever wondered how Mickey and his pals seem to be in two places at once? I’m afraid this isn’t a sprinkle of Tinker Bell dust, just underground tunnels!
Characters need to dash from one side of the park to the other without the bustle of the crowds slowing them down.
So, a network of underground tunnels were built to solve this and are also used to haul equipment as not to tarnish the ‘magic’ of Disney’s image.
6) Lilly’s Boutique in Main Street is named after Walt’s wife
Walt Disney wanted Main Street to feel just like home, so named the boutique after his beloved wife, Lillian.
If you have a closer look, you’ll also notice some pictures of her and Walt in the shop. Aw!
7) Every castle in each park is different
One of the most interesting facts about Disneyland Paris is about Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, as they are different in every Disney park!
You may assume that the castles in the US would be better as they are in bigger parks. However, the castle in Disneyland Paris is actually more elaborate and dream-like.
It was thought that as castles are already a big part of European history, it would make more sense to create Disneyland Paris’s castle in a way that made it appear more fairytale-like.
8) The park’s original name wasn’t ‘Disneyland Paris’
The park’s original name was going to be ‘Euro Disney’. However, research into low visitor numbers found Europeans associated ‘Euro’ too much with finance and work.
Americans on the other hand, thought ‘Euro Disney’ sounded glamorous! *Shrugs* Can’t please everyone!
9) There are hundreds of ‘hidden mickeys’ all over the park
From the treasure on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride to the fire hydrants on Main Street, no one quite knows how many hidden Mickeys there are but if you keep a look out, you’ll see them quite literally, everywhere!
10) Disneyland Paris has had lots of famous visitors
Disneyland Paris has had some very famous visitors over the years! Some of my personal favourites include: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Bruce Willis, Paris Hilton, Paul Rudd, Whoopi Goldberg, Mariah Carey, Orlando Bloom and Blake Lively. Just to name a few!
Not to mention a fair amount of royalty, including: Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of the UK and King Mohammed V of Morocco!
11) There is a population of rogue cats
The staff are so grateful for the cats keeping the rodent population down (except you Mickey!) they spay and neuter adults, bring kittens to animal shelters and provide food stations to make sure they’re well looked after.
12) Many of the tenants in the Main Street windows are real people
Many of these ‘tenants’ contributed to the concept and development of Disneyland Paris.
Walt Disney and his brother Roy are credited as “Founders and Partners” on one window and Walt’s long-time friend, Imagineering Executive, Martin Sklar is listed as a newspaper Editor.
13) A stained glass expert from England created the windows in Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
In 1992, Paul Chapman (then in his 80s) was asked to design the stained glass windows after he had previously worked on the restoration of Notre Dame.
14) It’s a Small World was only supposed to be temporary
It’s a Small World was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair but because it was so popular it has now been replicated in every Disney Park.
Although some of us wish it hadn’t to be honest – am I right? *Cue annoying music!*
15) Elton John sang at the opening of Space Mountain
During the European leg of his tour Elton “dropped in” to give a special performance to 40,000 visitors to celebrate the opening of Space Mountain (now Hyperspace Mountain) in 1995.
How cool is that?!
16) The oldest person to visit the Park was 106 years old
Proof that Disney isn’t just for kids! If I make it to 107 years old, I’m definitely heading to Disneyland Paris to beat that record – who’s with me? 😉
17) Disneyland Paris is Europe’s leading tourist destination
With two amazing theme parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park), seven Disney themed hotels, shops, a nightclub and a cinema complex, is it any wonder that Disneyland Paris is so popular?
18) Aerosmith re-recorded vocals and guitar riffs especially for the Rock n Roller Coaster
Not only did Aerosmith re-record songs, some including ‘Love on a Roller Coaster’ cannot be heard anywhere else!
The ride has now been rebranded into the ‘Avengers Assemble: Flight Force’ ride as part of Disneyland Paris’s new Avengers Campus. However, it still remains one of the best and fastest rides in the park!
19) Disneyland Paris partnered with beyond meat as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations to bring more vegetarian and vegan options to the park
Disneyland Paris first started increasing the number of vegan options on its menu in March, 2022. Prior to this I can attest to the fact that the only vegan options at Disneyland Paris were chips, salad and bread!
For their 30th anniversary celebrations, Disneyland went one further. Partnering with Beyond Meat, a delicious plant-based, meat alternative company which has exploded in popularity globally in the last few years.
Disney stated: “As more consumers gravitate towards flexitarian diets, we’re looking forward to surprising and delighting Disneyland Paris’ guests with our plant-based meat offerings that taste just as great as conventional meat and can help make a positive impact.”
Let’s go eat vegan and vegetarian friends!
20) Disneyland Paris will never be completed
For our final fact and one of THE best facts about Disneyland Paris is in Walt Disney’s own words, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
And Walt wouldn’t be disappointed! Since opening in 1992, Disneyland Paris has expanded by introducing its Walt Disney Studios in 2022 as well as developing three new lands with all new rides: Toy Story Land, Ratatouille The Adventure and the Avengers Campus!
Book your trip to Disneyland Paris.
OTHER DISNEYLAND PARIS POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE…
- Top 10 things to do in Disneyland Paris 2023!
- Top 10 Most instagrammable spots in Disneyland Paris
- Is Disneyland Paris worth it? Top 10 reasons to visit Euro Disney
- How to eat vegan at Disneyland Paris
- Best (and fastest!) rides at Disneyland Paris for adrenaline junkies
I hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Disneyland Paris! If you know any more interesting facts please share them in the comments below!
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