Ooh La La Disney [Adventureland]

As the thrilling sensation from Big Thunder Mountain settles within me I continue onto the next part of the park. Unfortunately, due to the time of season I was visiting, I was unable to go on the Phantom Manor ride, so I moved on to Adventureland.

Entering Adventureland the first buildings I notice can easily be identified as something straight out of Aladdin, with the rounded, decorated domes and small caravans selling food and souvenirs scattered around. I walk underneath the lighted pathway and am greeted to the entrance of Le Passage Enchante Aladdin. I am intrigued by the entrance, which is decorated with the Magic Carpet and colorful awning, but before I dare enter I stop and take a quick picture with Abu, a rare character I have never seen in any park before.

Le Passage Enchante Aladdin is actually a simple, walk through attraction. You are greeted with a painting of The Genie as you enter and as you make your way through you come across animated scenes from the beloved movie. Though the moving objects are not making any grand gestures, the colors are delightful, and if you know French then you have the added bonus of reading the story as you move through the story.

Once I finish walking through Le Passage Enchante Aladdin I head straight to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, because of course, what's a trip to Disney without going on that ride? As I make my way toward the ride I pass a large pirate ship adorned with a golden mermaid and settled right next to Skull Rock. Now, I'm sure the Skull Rock in Neverland is a bit bigger than this one, but it does give off an eerie, yet adventurous feel that makes me more than ready to face some pirates.

A large ship mast boasting the attraction's name marks the entrance, and as you walk under it you are surrounded by luscious plants and a run down looking tower where the ride resides. Staying true to the storytelling theme, as you enter the building you come upon a dimly lit dock where your boat awaits. Once you are settled into your boat the ride begins, but instead of passing skeletons and drunk pirates you first sail past what looks to be a restaurant seating area. You then come across a shipwrecked ship, and your boat sails through it, finally giving you a glimpse of your first skeleton. The rest of the ride plays out similarly to The Pirates of the Caribbean ride found in Disney World. The same scenes, though some with slight changes, play out in front of you as Jack Sparrow hides from his enemies and the French pirates' voices echo around you. What makes this ride unique though, are the multiple rises and falls throughout, as sailing with pirates is never a smooth ride.

Exiting the ride, I am once again amazed at the quality of the ride, but am still puzzled by the chairs and tables the boat passed by at the beginning. It's not until I am a few feet out into the park again when I pass Captain Jack's Restaurant des Pirates that it all makes sense. How fun to have an eating experience in the middle of a ride! As much as I would have loved to have gone back and eaten there I did not get the chance to do so.

Ready for my next adventure I walk through Adventure Isle, a cleverly crafted play area for kids that is intriguing even for adults. There are large rocks with hidden passages to roam through, a pirates beach to relax on, and of course, La Cabane de Robinson. I pass up on this exploration though and instead head straight for a new ride I have never encountered before: Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril. Just walking up to this ride makes you feel like you're reading to jump into a temple with Indiana Jones himself for a wondrous adventure. Large, lion-like statues watch over you as you pass by and the screams of those circling through the temple can be heard in the background. Thankfully, there is no line and I breeze through, though this wouldn't be a line I mind waiting in. There is plenty for guests to look at, from Indiana Jones' camp and jeep to the evil, stone vipers marking the entrance of the temple.

Not knowing what to expect from this ride I'm a bit thrown off when I sit down in my seat and have to pull the safety bars down from over my head. The only Disney ride I've ever been on that has this set up is Rockin' Roller Coaster, and obviously that ride is intense. Once the seats have been checked the ride begins, and while it feels like no more than a minute the ride has loops, twists, dips and speed that makes it feel more than just a simple Disney ride. I get off the ride, again, smiling like crazy due to my sheer wonder at how fantastic these rides have been so far. Disneyland Paris has yet to fail me.

Having officially done just about everything in Adventureland, minus exploring the majority of Adventure Isle, I move on to my favorite part of any Disney park, Fantasyland.

Magical Thought: What's your favorite part about Adventureland? Would you eat at a restaurant that was in the middle of an attraction? Share your comments below!

Want to backtrack and visit Main Street U.S.A. and Frontierland? Check out my previous blog post here.