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Halloweenland at Disneyland Paris!


© Heather Stimmler-Hall

I've noticed an increase in traffic on the Halloween in Paris article from two years ago, so I know y'all are looking for some great Halloween haunts in Paris this year, too. The good news is that the French version of Halloween just keeps getting better and better each year! Back in the mid-1990s, you had to tour the expat bars to find anyone dressed in costume and pumpkins were only sold for eating. Now the Halloween bug has taken France by storm, and nowhere is free from ghoulish decorations and good ol' spooky entertainment. So with so many places competing for your attention, where should you head this October 31st? Why, Disneyland Paris, of course!

I first visited the Disneyland Halloween Village three years ago with Mr. Hall (back when I was still a 'mademoiselle'). It was a cold and wet October day, typical Parisian weather. This year was no different on the particular day I attended. But if you've ever lived in a desert or tropical climate (I'm from Arizona), you know how hard it is to enjoy Halloween in warm and sunny weather -- there are no fall leaves, no howling winds, no spooky fog, and you practically die of heat exhaustion in any costume. Bad weather is perfect Halloween weather, and it makes it just that much easier to get on the fast rides without the hour-long lines. The only thing I wonder: how DO they keep the palm trees in Adventureland alive in Paris?! (I checked, they're real.)

So what's it all about?

It's about fun, that's what. From the moment you step off the RER (just 72ff/11€ round-trip from Paris center) you'll hear the Disneyland theme music. Please leave your cynicism at the gate, GenXers, I saw more of YOU there than any other age group! And why? Because it's a great escape from the real world (and Paris can get a bit too real at times, too). You'll see the Disney Village before Disneyland, but don't go there just yet, that's for later, when your feet are about to fall off. That reminds me, please dress appropriately: comfy shoes and layered clothes (a jacket you can tie around your waist or shoulders is a good idea). There are lockers you can rent, but a good backpack is just as handy so you can keep your hands free. Don't bother with an umbrella. Anytime you're in line you'll be under a shelter, and if you're a real wuss you can buy a cool Disney rain poncho. Disneyland Paris is considerably less than the CA or FL versions (probably because it's smaller) at just 256ff/38.5€. If you need money while there you'll find a few cash machines inside. Now in you go!

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

1.   Oct 14, 2001 3:44 PM
Heather, this is a great article on Disneyland in Paris. I didn't know that Disneyland had a Hallowe'en theme at this time of year. I have been to Disney World in Florida several times but never in ...

-- posted by Red





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