Disneyland Hotel Paris | An American’s Review

Perhaps you see some Victorian resemblance to a certain Orlando resort we all know and love?  The flagship of Disneyland Paris’s seven themed resorts, the Disneyland Hotel, grandly sits at the entrance of Magic Kingdom.  No, make that IN Magic Kingdom.  If you’ve ever had a dream of waking up in a Disney Park, this resort will fulfill that wish! Here’s an American’s Disneyland Hotel Paris review.

Disneyland Hotel Paris | An American’s Review

It’s impossible not to conjure up mental images of Narccoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The floral displays trump anything I’ve ever seen in Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort.

 

The view from Disneyland Hotel‘s window.

With its pastel hues and early 1900s appointments, this hotel is in every way an extension of Main Street, U.S.A..

Again, look familiar?

And no wonder.  The architectural firm that co-designed Disney’s Grand Floridian was commissioned to create the Disneyland Hotel Paris.  If you’ve explored the other six hotels at Disneyland Paris, it will come as no surprise that this is the only property that Disney Imagineers had a hand in.  It feels oh-so-familiar.

 

Rooms

Each of the nearly 500 Guest rooms features those subtle Disney touches that Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacationers expect; headboards carved with images of Sleeping Beauty Castle (Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant, fairies on the bedspreads and television that plays the Disney Channel.  Even more delightful are the bathroom features, with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs beautifully carved into each vanity mirror.

A standard room comes with single or double beds and are offered with or without terraces.  These Guests earn one additional FASTPASS per day per person and can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours.  The concierge level Castle Club (includes suites) comes with the added perk of a VIP FASTPASS for each Guest and a private breakfast room complete with Disney Characters.

Dining

Disneyland Hotel Paris has two dining choices; California Grill and Inventions.  As with its Orlando cousin, California Grill’s highlight is the view- a full view of a Disney castle and other parts of the Magic Kingdom.  This is where the similarities end.  Though billed as a”fine dining” establishment, it has a casual vibe.  In fact, the daily breakfast (which, as in most of Europe is included in the price of your room) is served here.  The wine list is impressive, though the food is good at best and astronomical in price.  In 2011, the Kobe California Burger and Fries cost 36 Euros, or $56 with the exchange rate at that time!

Inventions is an international buffet restaurant with basic fare; Disney Characters appear on a changeable schedule.  Cafe Fantasia is a piano bar; a Fantasia-inspired lounge and perfect spot for adults to relax after a day in the parks.  While mom and dad play, the kiddies will be happily occupied in the adult-supervised Minnie Club Playroom.

Pool

On the hotel’s lower level, a small indoor pool, a fitness room, and the small Celestial Spa are open for Guests looking for additional recreation.

Pros:
–   Talk about waking up surrounded by the magic!  You can literally roll out of bed and into the turnstiles.  Seriously.
–   Compared to the other six hotels on property, this is the only one that feels like “home.”

Cons:
–   Unfortunately, this hotel feels worn and older than its years.
–   The price tag; Presently, the most inexpensive room, including daily park ticket and breakfast, costs anywhere from $800 to $1200 depending on the season!  And that’s with an exchange rate that’s better than its ever been for those of us in America.  At the present rates, I am so glad we stayed here when we did.

I realize runDisney FANatics may have a special interest in this park and its hotels.  Have no fear.  In the short survey that I completed last year, runDisney indicated that specially-priced packages would be offered to runners and their families.  Who knows?  Maybe we’ll get to brush our teeth under the watchful gaze of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs again!!