By DAN FRANCIS

Christmas cheer: Dan and Maisie get ready to hunt down their favourite Disney characters


At the risk of sounding like Ebenezer Scrooge, I must admit I wasn’t filled with tidings of joy at the prospect of heading to Disneyland Paris for the launch of their Christmas spectacular.

As someone who breaks out in a cold sweat at the thought of spending a couple of hours in my local shopping centre during the festive period, and enjoys thrilling theme park rides as much as Gillian McKeith enjoys bushtucker trials, I feared I might have bitten off more than I could chew with a three-day visit to the House of Mouse.

Perhaps it was also because, as my heavily-pregnant wife was unable to make the trip, I would be ‘flying solo’ in the parenting stakes - accompanying our three-year-old daughter Maisie who, like most little girls her age, is already obsessed with all things Disney and is currently at the stage where the mere mention of the word ‘Christmas’ has her bordering on hysteria.

Nonetheless, with an open mind and a heart full of hope, I took the plunge and even began to warm to the idea as an excited Maisie dragged her Minnie Mouse pull-along case on our way to central London for a first experience of Eurostar’s high-speed service from St Pancras.


Festive fairytale: Maisie prepares to explore the park's main attraction - Sleeping Beauty's castle


Free Disney goodie bags and colouring books were handed out to keep the youngsters occupied during the journey and there were more pleasant surprises to come with Eurostar's overall service.

For speed, efficiency and comfort, it’s the perfect choice of travel if you’re keen to keep stress levels at a minimum, and little more than two hours after setting off from London we were at Disneyland’s Marne La Vallee station, with me feeling remarkably relaxed and by now a touch excited about what lay in store.

I was completely unprepared for the Disney magic that greeted us. The look on Maisie’s face as she stared open-mouthed in awestruck wonder at the sheer scale of it all was enough to melt my cynicism immediately, and it wasn't long before we were joining in the madness, chasing after Tigger, Pinocchio and Baloo with camera at the ready and autograph book in hand.

As you'd expect, Christmas at Disneyland is no ordinary affair. For a start, it lasts for two months and, despite it being early November when we arrived, the seasonal celebrations were already well underway.

It snows several times a day on Main Street USA, where an 80ft Christmas tree is the main attraction, while the park’s centrepiece - Sleeping Beauty’s castle - is transformed at night into a sparkling crystal palace.

Children have the opportunity to drop off their letters and wish-lists to Santa at his post office, and every evening the tree-lighting ceremony takes place with the help of one lucky youngster plucked from the crowd.


For those really wishing to get into the yuletide spirit, a small corner of the park has been transformed into a traditional Christmas market, selling festive wares and goodies, while Mickey's Winter Wonderland On Ice show is a delight not to be missed.


Disneyland Park is split into four themed quarters and, with a three-year-old not too interested in the stomach-churning thrill of Space Mountain or The Temple of Peril, we spent most of our time in the Fantasyland area where all the magic of the great Disney classics is on offer.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups and the Mary Poppin's carousel all received the thumbs up from Maisie, although we were somewhat caught out by Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

What appeared at first glance to be a gentle fairytale tour around an idyllic cottage actually turned into a ghost train through the haunted forest, with witches lurking on every dark corner and blood-curdling screams crying out at regular intervals - mainly from the little ones.

There was no such drama when we hopped aboard a pink riverboat at the start of 'It's a Small World’ - billed as the ’happiest cruise that ever sailed around the world'.

Having enjoyed a maiden voyage, I'd have to agree.


Disneyland Paris by Maisie (aged three years and four months)
Dan may have been won over by the magic of Disney but when it comes to first-hand experience, daughter Maisie is the real expert. Here she reveals her favourite rides and characters and what it was like to meet Father Christmas...


The daytime fun reaches its peak at 5pm every afternoon with Disney's Once Upon a Dream parade, an extravagant procession of floats carrying all the Disney characters makes its way along the park's Main Street as the crowds line the pavements either side.

And throughout the Christmas period, Santa rides in on his giant sleigh at the end of the parade, supported by his elves and several extremely well-drilled toy soldiers.


New kids on the block: The Toy Story float is a big hit in the Once Upon a Dream parade


Day two of our visit was to be spent 'on set' at the Walt Disney studios, the second main park at the resort, where the Disney movies and their characters come to life.

Sadly, we drew back the curtains in the morning to discover that the wet weather had followed us across the channel but it takes more than a few drops of rain to dampen the mood at Disneyland.

The majority of rides and attractions take place under cover, while there are numerous communal areas providing shelter and of course the lure of the warm, dry restaurants and souvenir stores.


My new best friends: Maisie hangs out with Minnie Mouse and Pluto


We managed to escape the downpour by booking our seats at the delightful Disney Playhouse puppet show, before heading next door for the Lilo and Stitch live adventure, a fully interactive 3D masterpiece that the adults enjoy just as much as the youngsters.

This year has also seen the launch of the Toy Story Playland attraction, where a giant Buzz Lightyear greets visitors and rides such as the Slinky Dog roller-coaster and toy soldier parachutes provide thrills and spills for youngsters of all ages.

With so much to see and do, however, it’s easy to lose track of time and then suddenly realise that your energy levels need a boost.

When hunger does finally strike, it doesn’t take long to find a place to eat - there are 74 restaurants to choose from in the resort, ranging from the standard fast-food burger bars to high-class buffet-style establishments, offering cuisine to suit every taste and budget.

We enjoyed a delicious Arabian-themed lunch at Cafe Agrabah, but Maisie was more taken by dinner at Annette’s Diner where the menu folded into a vintage pink chevrolet and her chicken nuggets and fries came on a plate that doubled as a Frisbee.

Our third and final day at the resort was spent enjoying one last go on our favourite rides and attractions, and searching for the elusive princesses that Maisie had been so desperate to meet and compare dresses with.

Her wish was eventually granted at the picturesque castle stage, when first Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, and then Rapunzel - Disney's latest heroine, who will let down her hair in UK cinemas in January - were on hand to pose for pictures.


Top Five Tips for Disneyland Paris
If you're daunted by the thought of visiting the theme park at the busiest time of year, Dan has some top tips for keeping your cool at Disneyland this Christmas, from investing in a Fastpass to remembering to stay 'hands-free'...


There was a palpable sense of sadness as our visit came to an end, and it dawned on me that my initial fears and concerns had been unfounded.

Yes, it's expensive, but Disney certainly offers good value for money and the whole experience is well worth it when you see the magical effect it has on the little ones.

Above all, it’s the staggering attention to detail that sets Disney apart as the world leaders in family entertainment. While it might sound corny, you can't fail to be mesmerised by the fantasy and charm of the place. He may have celebrated his 82nd birthday this month, but Mickey Mouse still knows how to do it in style.


Picture perfect: Maisie gets her photograph taken with Disney characters Rapunzel and Flynn Rider


Travel facts
Prices for a two-night, three-day package including return travel with Eurostar in December start from £412 per adult, £178 per child aged 7-11, and £65 per child aged 4-6 (travel only - children under 7 stay and play for free).

The price includes two nights' accommodation with continental breakfast at Disney's Hotel New York and three-day hopper tickets to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Alternatively, the same package staying at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe stars from £287 per adult, £178 per child aged 7-11 and £65 per child aged 4-6.

For more information, call 08448 008 111 or visit www.disneylandparis.com


source: dailymail