Theme Park Insider - Park Review

Disneyland Paris draws more visitors each year than any other theme park in Europe. You won't find as many attractions here as the two Magic Kingdom parks in the United States - at Walt Disney World and the original Disneyland in California. But Disneyland Paris features what might be the world's most impressive Disney castle, Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty's Castle, in French), and the park has won praise from Theme Park Insider readers for its impressive design and decor.

Disneyland Paris opened April 12, 1992 as EuroDisneyland and made more news for its lousy financial management than for the theme park itself. But fans loved the park, and they continue to queue for its top attractions, including Space Mountain: Mission 2, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. Grab a Fastpass ride reservation for one of these attractions when you enter, then visit another while you wait for your return time.

A new version of Star Tours, premiering in the United States this year, is rumored for the Disneyland Paris in 2013. Beyond that, no major new attractions appear on the horizon.

This being France, food should be an important part of your visit, and Walt's on Main Street wins good reviews from many readers for its impressive cuisine at relatively reasonable prices.

Buy your tickets in advance, to save time at the gate. Most visitors select a park-hopper ticket, which allows them to go to both Disneyland Paris and the Walt Disney Studios Park next door. Check the park's operating hours before you arrive, too, so you can arrive at opening and avoid queues that build later in the day.

Disney fans from America might not be aware, but this is one Disney theme park that sees a fair amount of snow in the winter. So come prepared for the Parisian climate. To get to Disneyland Paris by car, take exit 14 from the A4 and follow the signs. By train, take the RER line A to the Marne la Valle / Chessy station. If coming by Eurostar, there is a direct stop in the resort. If flying to Paris' Charles De Gaulle airport, the TGV stops at Disneyland Paris' station, making it the fastest way to the resort (about 10 minutes from the airport).

In July 2012, Theme Park Insider editor Robert Niles visited Disneyland Paris and filed a land-by-land report on the park:

• Main Street USA
• Where to eat? Lunch at Walt's
• Frontierland
• Adventureland
• A inside look at Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant
• Fantasyland
• Discoveryland
• Tips for planning a trip to Disneyland Paris

Scroll down to links for Theme Park Insider readers' reviews of Disneyland Paris attractions and restaurants. Or search our archives for more news about Disneyland Paris.