I returned to Disneyland Paris after 30yrs – it’s not lost sparkle & new features will leave you squealing with delight

WHEN I was six years old, nothing could compare to the giddy excitement of a trip to Disneyland Paris.

Sparkling-pink Sleeping Beauty’s castle, towering over colourful boutiques and sticky sweet shops, was a sight I knew, even then, I would never forget.

VALENTIN DESJARDINS

I first visited in 1992, the year the park opened, and the whole of Europe was excited.

Fast-forward three decades and the resort is in the final few months of celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Festivities have included the opening of an Avengers-themed campus, and a drone-filled light show which launched last weekend.

So I simply could not resist returning, to join in the fun.

Walking through the park as an adult — and now with two kids of my own — it was clear the place has not lost its sparkle.

If there is one resort that knows how to harness nostalgia and pump it into every ride, parade and character meet, it is Disney.

The turrets of Sleeping Beauty’s castle looked even brighter than before — partly thanks to a fresh lick of paint the castle received just over a year ago.

And with the help of new technologies, the wow factor at Disneyland Paris has been ramped up to such a level that, whether you are six or 36, you will squeal with exhilaration.

I made a beeline for haunted house Phantom Manor, where the dark windows, creeping staircases and familiar musty smell transported me back to 1992.

Even though some of the trickery such as the singing stone heads and dancing ghosts was no longer a mystery to me, the attraction was every bit as thrilling.

This was the same for all the original attractions, from Peter Pan’s Flight to Pinocchio’s Voyage and, especially, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Although, on the latter, the carriages did seem to rip round the rickety tracks at an even greater speed than 30 years ago — or maybe that was just my queasier stomach.

And my original autograph book, full of signatures, still apparently holds its value.

You can grab one of these books from the many souvenir shops dotted around the park, although most visitors prefer a selfie these days.

One thing is noticeably different about the resort, though. And that’s Marvel.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse have had to move over to share the limelight with a wealth of superheroes, not just on the rides but also in the hotels and shows.

Mind-boggling colour

One of the original digs, Disney’s Hotel New York, has had a very chic Marvel-themed makeover and now features comics on the walls, a skyline bar with space-themed cocktails and a Super Hero Station with augmented-reality photo experiences that transform youngsters into their favourite characters.

Plus, there is the new campus in the Walt Disney Studios park where you’ll spot the likes of Spider-Man and Black Panther prowling the roofs of buildings and waving down at visitors.

And another thrill is the Ant-Man PYM Kitchen which brings the film to life with a buffet of jumbo burgers, ten times the size of a normal portion, served alongside miniature versions.

But it is the newest Marvel attraction that will have both old and young fans truly mesmerised.

Improving on the fireworks display I had experienced all those years ago, Avengers: Power The Night is a mind-boggling display of colour that includes the audience in a magical superhero adventure.

Music from the movies blared out around us as the Hollywood Tower Of Terror came to marvellous life, lit up in brilliantly vibrant colours.

A computerised voice told us that we were there to join in with a superhero training programme.

Sophie Swietochowski

Then flashes of colour suddenly spurted up from the ground and a circle of drones spun into action, magically morphing into Thor’s famous hammer and Captain America’s star shield.

An explosive end left the delighted crowd cheering in unison, their faces lit up by the sparkling sky.

The new show certainly made for a magical return to the park. It is only on until May 8 this year, so be quick to snap up a ticket if you are a mega fan.

But for me, nothing compares to the rides I visited as a six-year-old, even if some of the animated figures do look a little stiffer today — much like my back after riding Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain.