Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary Trip Report – Part 2
Let’s move on to the stage shows, which are Mickey Presents ‘Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris!’ and Starlit Princess Waltz. Neither of these were anything special–they certainly were not lavish productions–but I found both of them endearing in their own ways.
My guess is that these are going to be under-appreciated by guests because they are not grand productions. However, just like theme parks need those D & C-Ticket attractions to round out their offerings, entertainment needs smaller productions like these.
You have to look at smaller stage shows like this in the appropriate context. While they are not as grandiose as the parade or Disney Illuminations, there’s also virtually no commitment to seeing them. You can grab a spot right as both shows start and still have a good view–they’re quick and easy experiences…
Mickey Presents ‘Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris!’ marches to the beat of its own drum. That’s really the best way to put it, and that’s not a knock.
The premise here is simple: that Mickey and friends are going around the park, paying tribute to each of its lands in musical numbers. It’s a solid idea, and perfectly geared towards an anniversary celebration.
As an added bonus, it has some totally bizarre moments. For some reason, during most songs, one character comes around to pass out ‘on-theme’ hats to the rest of the group. You know, to get in the spirit of the celebration and all. It’s marginally awkward, but it’s fun and funny.
The highlight of this all is when human performers do a high energy number in honor of Discoveryland wearing Little Green Men hats. This wouldn’t have been my first choice of ways to represent Discoveryland, but it’s a hoot.
My enjoyment of Mickey Presents ‘Happy Birthday Disneyland Paris!’ is probably a lot like my enjoyment of A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas. I realize it’s not objectively good, but it makes me laugh and it’s fun.
This show has a similar sense of irony to it, and I think in 20 years, hipster kids will be watching holographic videos of it wishing they could’ve seen it.
Starlit Princess Waltz is a similarly low-key show, but it’s still the total opposite of the Mickey one. This show is meant to feel regal and proper, with a sense of elegance.
There’s also humor in the form of confusion, which feels right in context.
It mostly succeeds at that. I’m definitely not the target demographic here, but I enjoyed Starlit Princess Waltz for what it was.
The costuming is strong, the waltzing (and probably other types of dancing, I really have no clue) seemed well-choreographed, and the music worked well.
The storyline was a bit hokey, but it was only a device used to get the princesses dancing, mingling with one another, and have their princes appear.
I did find one song a bit regressive, particularly the line, “every girl’s dream is to wake up and be somebody special.”
Other lines in the song spoke to beauty not just being skin deep (albeit not in those exact words), so perhaps I’m reading too much into this.
All things considered, I think both of these stage shows are nice entertainment offerings to flesh out the Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary entertainment lineup.
Given that I’ve never visited Disneyland Paris when that stage is in use, it’s especially nice to see at least two stage shows playing daily for the next year.
The final piece of 25th Anniversary entertainment is what should be the pièce de résistance. Disney Illuminations had the tough task of following up Disney Dreams, which was the groundbreaking castle projection show that set the stage for successors at every other castle park.
The debut of Disney Dreams was a big deal, not just because it pioneered a new breed of nighttime spectacular, but because it did so incredibly well, and proved a bona fide hit for Disneyland Paris at a time when it really needed it.
Dream Dreams is still the gold standard. Unfortunately, the new show does not live up to that standard, or even the standard of other nighttime spectaculars since.
Actually, Illuminations has more in common with Ignite the Dream at Shanghai Disneyland than it does Disney Dreams. It is really, and I mean really, similar to Ignite the Dreams.
Others have called it a clone, but I wouldn’t quite go that far. There’s a lot of overlap, but there are enough differences for clone to be inapt. Still, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen both.
Oddly enough, I enjoyed Ignite the Dream a fair amount. My initial reaction to Disney Illuminations was not nearly as positive–mostly during the second half of the show.
I think that comes down to three things: 1) the second half of Illuminations is a jarring, showcase of the hot-at-the-moment IPs, and the addition of live action Beauty and the Beast here is the straw that breaks the camel’s back; 2) the beautiful Grand Opening tag at Shanghai Disneyland really elevated the whole show; and, 3) I’m developing fatigue for this type of show.
It’s not fair to penalize Illuminations for #3. The vast majority (I’m talking 99.5% or more) are not going to visit both Shanghai Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. While I’d love to see less overlap among the parks for selfish reasons, expecting no clones is absurd. Shared costs for entertainment and attractions makes perfect sense.
The biggest problem I have is the second half of the show, which features Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Frozen, and live action Beauty and the Beast. Four franchises with nothing in common aside from them all making serious bank for Disney, and four movies that are adjacent to one another with zero transition or narrative thread to explain away this placement.
In its second half, Disney Illuminations is awkward and disjointed, and makes it very apparent to the audience that this is a montage show, and a poorly-edited one at that.
In fairness, without a framing device, I’m not sure how each of these scenes could transition into one another given their dissimilarities.
The thing is, this is my reaction as a Disney fan who expects a certain production quality of their nighttime spectaculars, and I’m guessing it’s totally at odds with the general public, which often views the parks as places to see their favorite movies.
The general public loves these films, and by extension, their placement in the show. Most people probably aren’t drawing a mental distinction between the film and its presence in the show. Liking one means liking the other. Or something like that.
The problem I see is that this type of synergy is a one-way street. Disney Illuminations helps fandom for the films percolate among viewers, but what about for the park itself? The utilization of these films in Disney Illuminations creates no secondary meaning or an emotional bond for the show or park itself.
This is to say, I guess, that the show (and others like it) is totally forgettable. A few days later, beyond some fire and laser effects, I’d be hard-pressed to provide its memorable moments. I could recall song lyrics–but based on seeing the source material films, not the show itself.
For me, this stands in sharp contrast to a show like Wishes! I’ve never been much of a fan of Wishes!, but recently, I’ve come to appreciate just how effective it is at tugging at your heartstrings. This is because it has substance unto itself, and there’s an emotional and nostalgic bond with aspects of it that are unique to the show itself.
Walt Disney World fans are going to miss it because it’s their last chance to see Wishes!, a unique fireworks show, not because they’ll never see a particular song from a particular movie again. (They will.)
By contrast, I have a hard time imagining that many people will shed a tear when Disney Illuminations is retired. It’s not bringing anything unique to the table; it’s interchangeable with any montage nighttime spectacular.
Eventually, I think this strategy will catch up to Disney. This is a company fueled by nostalgia, and nostalgia for the films alone is not sufficient. They need long-term park fans (as much of a hassle as we might be) for growth and brand evangelism. The best way to keep making those long-term park fans is producing entertainment and attractions to which they develop bonds. No one is developing nostalgia for the parks when watching a series of 4D (or whatever) trailers for movies.
That wraps up this installment of our Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary trip recap. In the final installment, we’ll share a bunch of photos and thoughts from the actual anniversary (April 12) itself, which was basically one crazy character extravaganza!
If you’re thinking about visiting during the 25th Anniversary (or beyond!), check out our Disneyland Paris Vacation Planning Guide. Want to see more photos or read about Disneyland Paris in agonizing detail? Check out our “Impressions de Bricker” Disneyland Paris Report, which covers our visit during the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon, or our Disneyland Paris 20th Anniversary Trip Report, which covers our first visit to Disneyland Paris!
Your Thoughts
Are you planning on visiting Disneyland Paris during the 25th Anniversary festivities? Any thoughts on the special entertainment, park decorations, or refurbishments Disneyland Paris has done for the 25th Anniversary? If you’ve seen them, do you think I’m being too hard on Disney Stars on Parade or Disney Illuminations? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts or questions in the comments section below!
Thanks for the wonderful reports on Disneyland Paris. We are going to visit for the first time in June (as well as visiting London and Paris). My family would love to dine at Bistro Chez Remy. Do we need to make our dining reservation in advance or can we just reserve at the front desk of our hotel when we arrive?
Thanks for the “non-sequitur” about the MIFI rental. That is useful information to know. I was being cheap and wanted to get a better-priced SIM card from the grocery store instead of the places in the airport, but we didn’t find the right grocery store until day 5 of our trip and so we lived without.
It would have been well worth whatever cost just to have navigation on our phones during the trip.
Have enjoyed reading the report, but more so viewing the pics. I’m headed over shortly. Not a whole lot to add, except I’m sorta glad they did a ‘lift and add’ job of Ignite the Dream, so I don’t have to make a huge deal out of seeing in Shanghai this summer.
I knew they were doing a lot of ‘borrowing’ for the 25th as the vast majority of funds were going into fixing up the park and bringing the hotels into the 21st century. Things like adding Vapiano and Five Guys to Disney Village and Starbucks units to the resorts is another positive. … But, basically, the money they had left was what went into entertainment and decor packages and ‘new’ attractions if you call the six-year-old, and already tired, Star Tours and the Hyperspace Mountain overlay truly new attractions. I don’t.
I still love the resort. Still advise Americans to visit this first (unless they have a month to live and can only visit one resort, then it’s TDR) when trying the international resorts. Because they didn’t have the money, the neglect basically allowed the park to keep most of its amazing detail and charm. The only outight thing that scars DLP’s beauty is throwing Buzz Lightyear into Discoveryland (I was actually there for the opening of that one!)
This is a park with wonderful attractions, but not all about ride count. I know we disagree, but I also think the Studios has a great attraction roster even compared to the Disney-MGM of a decade ago.
BTW, do you have an AP for DLP? Any of the other foreign resorts?
It’s funny, you touch on a few things here about which I’ve already written for a post titled “Is Disneyland Paris Right for You?” It won’t be posted for a couple of weeks, but here’s a relevant passage:
While other parks were also no doubt designed by Disney fans within Imagineering, there are a couple of critical differences with Disneyland Paris. First, most of the original design remains. In a sense, other parks are victims of their own success: as the parks became more popular, new ideas were injected that strayed from their “pure” ambition.
Elsewhere, these additions were made with the goal of appealing to a more mainstream audience. Attractions like Soarin’ and Frozen Ever After are crowd-pleasers that play well with casual guests, but when viewed through the prism of the park’s objective and core thematic principles, they make less sense.
Ironically enough, the same financial struggles that have hampered the growth of Disneyland Paris over the years have also ensured that it has (largely) remained pure in theme. Outside of Discoveryland, there are few additions to Disneyland Paris that have hampered its design and thematic integrity.
Yes, I do have a Disneyland Paris Annual Pass. Going last year in September plus this year in April made that a no-brainer. If I were doing it now and going during a busier time, I’d probably buy the Infinity one if only for the VIP parade and fireworks seating. Both are a real hassle to watch from regular seating areas.
Great minds and all, Tom!
But, yeah, you did nail it. DLP is basically the product of the early to mid 1990s (even most of the original Space Mountain will come back when the Hyperspace Mountain overlay leaves likely next year!) Much how I rant about my love for DAK as the only park at WDW to remain true to its mission statement (even with Pandora), the castle-park at DLP is a masterpiece of Imagineering. As opposed to the MK, which if you had last visited in 1987 and returned today would be so beyond different (and just wait another 3-10 years and see how different things will be).
Those EPCOT examples you give are exactly the kind of things that casual fans and visitors and once in a decade or lifetime people would be clueless about.
I still hope DLP replaces Buzz with something more appropriate. The fact they intend to do so in HKDL shows it isn’t a sacred cow, despite John Lasseter.
Yeah, I have had APs there about 5-6 times before. Just bought one in March before they raised prices and changed the system, so got the cheapest pass that was only about $120. Just an amazing value that I will use twice and my significant other will use three times!
Loving the trip report as usual!
Question… Does this Illuminations show cause you to worry more about exactly what type of show Happily Ever After will be at Magic Kingdom?
I’m in the camp that while I love Wishes, it was definitely due for replacement. However, if its just going to be replaced with a light on pyro clip show, then I will be none too happy.
“Does this Illuminations show cause you to worry more about exactly what type of show Happily Ever After will be at Magic Kingdom?”
Yes.
I was waiting for this to post for the first time! We are relative Disneyland Paris regulars, and the more I read on the change of parade and nightshow the less I liked it… I’ve avoided watching anything to do with Illuminations, but I’ve seen plenty on the parade and I think I really don’t like it!!! I mean, bear in mind it might be different once I see it in person, but I liked the classic feel of the other parade and the fact that I could clearly follow the story! This parade just looks to me like a bunch of cool floats jumbled all together! Looking forward to our trip in a couple of weeks but dreading confirming the new entertainment isn’t good enough..
We just returned from a 4 day trip to Paris. One ( unfortunately) included an very much anticipated day at Disney Paris.
We knew before hand that its kinda their “off season,”but having been to Disney many times in the states at their ” off seasons”, we thought. Why not, can’t be that bad” ITS THEIR 25th ANERVERSARRY YEAR…
Yikes….. first we hit Walt Disney studio Parc. As soon as we walk in, the first thing we notice is the lack of ” sellers” no balloons, food, souvenirs, nothing. Ok, that’s really not so bad. BUT, what we really found odd, was not Disney picture takers?? Nobody?? No employees to ask.
So we then go to our anticipated wIt times through the Disney appt. YIKES…. almost ever ride is either temporarily closed or under renovation? The splash coaster is the only ride presently running with a 45 min line. So we enter and wait. 1.5 hrs later and several shut downs into it. We board, fun ride. Two hrs into our day and one ride down. ( no it makes sense as to why the park seems empty) so with very few options available. We head to ” Mickey the Magician” live stage show.
Now this is what you’d expect from the Walt Disney Company.
Great show, great theatrics. Released that there may be a glimmer of hope with this day yet. We head to the 3-d Ratattuille ride. Only to be told again, ” Sorry folks, ride is temporarily closed” … frustrated with our time wasted…oops spent. We head over for a bite to eat. Why this surprised us at this point, I’m not sure. But 1/2 the food concetion was closed. So with only 6 people ( that I counted) working. Getting a bite to eat was an whole new adventure.
Finally after our meal, we heard that Ratattuille was finally open. So we headed over. 180 min wait. NOPE, NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!!
So we decide to split up and go as single riders. Only a 1/2 HR wait. So off we go, quickly we are in and almost there. Then another quick stoppage ( about 15) then on and out. GREAT RIDE, up to Disney standards. Don’t know if I would have waited the 180 mins. But good.
So 4.5 hours into it . Two rides and one show for an half filled park with 1/4 the employees.
In a last ditch effort to get what we can before going next door. We enter the 45 min Tower of Terror… we’ll as you guessed it.. 1.5 hrs later, the Terri was on us. We realized the Terror of 6+ hrs and we still have another park to hit.
So we head out to Disneyland Paris, hopping that it has to get better……
We go through the gates and arrive at Main Street. Look rather familiar, except the different casel.
Once again, no up sellers, no picture folks??? Nothin. So we check our spot and set a course for what is open and available. We hit Star Tours and meet Lord Vader.
Their “Magic mountain” is closed for renovations. So we move on. Next we head over to meet and greet with MICKEY… YOU KNOW, the mouse. He’s on almost everything Disney sells.
TO OUR COMPLETE AMAZMENT AND BEWILDERMENT ….. He’s closed!!!!!
He leaves at 7 pm, while the park stays open to 10pm????
Completely disgusted, we, at this point decide to just find and ride what is open ( once again, a lot is closed or temporarily closed) We ride what we don’t have in the states. Trying to salvage something of the day that is wasting away. We hit the Indie Jones ride, because Pirates is closed, refurbishment. The Snow White, Pinocchio, Haunted Mansion.
Then some coffee on Main Street and a cookie to reflect on the day. As in the other park. I would guess that 70% of this park was closed. Consessions
and rides.
So at this point, my Plus-1 decides that we should just go. No fireworks. No end of day ceremony.. NOTHIN!!!
Now only I would know this, but for her to say ” Let’s go”!!!! (Houston, we have a problem!!!!!) She has been to both Disney properties in the states over 25 times. Between us both, over 40 times.
So that is our day at Disneyland Paris in a nut shell.
I don’t want to say a day wasted. But when you go to France, and plan a Disney day. When there is SO MUCH MORE to do in Paris. But you go and then leave without buying EARS…. that’s a big sign..
NO A MAGICAL DAY!!!!!!
I really agree with your assessment. We spent 2 full days at DLP and were really disappointed in how lacking the park was in terms of the basics….rides and food. It turned into a nice down time for us in our 15 day European trip (week in Paris, week in London, last weekend in Dublin) so that was nice at least. But yes, we left sorely disappointed in DLP, not helped by our pretty lack-luster accommodations at Sequoia Lodge.
Sorry you had such a dissapointing day in Disneyland Paris. I just wanted to mention that there are never any photographers from the park on the streets here, not even when you meet a character. The only place you get to have your picture taken is at meet Micky Mouse, the princess pavilion and in attractions.
We made the mistake buying the photo pass for a year (toghether with our yearpasses) to realise only afterwards that we would only get one or two pics with Micky from it (two small children that don’t ride attractions where your pictrure gets taken). it is dissapointing
James, this might give you a rueful laugh: to my recollection, they don’t sell ears at DLP, at least not the kind where you can get your name embroidered on them. I wanted to get some for my girls and was so disappointed!
I definitely agree with the Starlit Princess Waltz. “Every girls dream is to be a princess” part of me was thinking that hey, some might want to be scientists!
Good points on Illuminations. That said, Dreams! really had outlived its sell-by date (speaking as someone who had seen it 20+ times). I think it’s better to have something new (even if it can’t hit the same high bar), than to carry on with the same shows that have been running for several years.
My personal feeling is that the threads (I.e. Peter Pan) never make that much sense – and I feel similarly about Jiminy Cricket in Wishes!. I know that’s verging on sacrelige, but they come across to me as being a bit cheesy. I think it’s better to let the shows get their “heart” in other ways – via clever projection mapping, orchestral rearrangements of songs (Illuminations does this), etc. The material choice is good too (e.g. Pirates will clearly link into the reimagined attraction).
I agree that it’s more flash and less artistry though, and I’ll certainly miss Dreams.
Just a comment about Fireworks at Disney parks in general: They seem to cancel them a lot at Disneyland and I’m wondering if other parks experience these cancellations too?
I’m referring to Disneyland CA
I saw Disney Dreams on a solo trip in September of 2014 and was absolutely blown away. Seeing Disneyland Forever and Once Upon A Time (Tokyo’s version) in the time since only made me appreciate Dreams more. Without having been to Shanghai or seen Ignite the Dream, I knew just from the initial official description of Illuminations that it would be a near clone of ItD. Such a shame to replace one of the greatest nighttime spectaculars (second only to Disneyland’s Fantasmic! in my book) with something less inspired.
As a fan of the Disney Princes, I’m always jealous to see Paris feature them as much as they do. I suppose it’s appropriate given Parc Disneyland is the most fairytale of all the Parks, but I still grumble nonetheless.
Given how often you travel to Disney destinations, have you ever considered the Around the World trip, visiting all six resorts in one go? It’s on my “If I Win the Lottery” list, even though the airfare isn’t as much as you’d think.
Love seeing more trip reports! Will have to consider buying a Mifi on my next trip; the one I rented for Japan (at your Tokyo guide’s recommendation) was indispensable.
Completely agree on Illuminations. I was lucky enough (as someone that does not usually visit all that regularly) to see Disney Dreams! in March and Illuminations a month later in April, so I could really feel the contrast. Whilst Dreams was a montage show it felt like it had a lot more heart, and it tied together better with the ~story of Peter’s shadow. I just didn’t feel that same emotional connection to Illuminations. I liked elements of it individually but as a whole show it sort felt flat to me.
I’ll still watch it again if I return whilst it’s still showing, but it won’t be with the same excitiment I felt returning to watch Dreams.
Great report. Now for my usual ignorant question. What makes your iPhone a “World Phone”?
Unlocked?
Nothing special – they just come that way (carrier unlocking is now a US law.)
Thanks, Tom! Loving your trip reports, thanks for taking the time to write them 🙂
Looking forward to more on Disneyland Paris!