Disney’s dream party

Disneyland Paris was called Euro Disney when it first opened its iron gates, to some controversy, on April 12, 1992, on former beetroot fields east of the French capital, following the great success of resorts in California, Florida and Tokyo.

It’s been a bit of an uphill battle. But while the French have sometimes struggled to match the warm welcomes offered by those other Disney resorts, more than 250 million people have visited the Paris theme park since, and anyone who adds to that number this year will enjoy quite an anniversary.

The park has injected a little birthday fever into its daily parade, and has launched a Celebration Train, and – the cherry on the cake – a spectacular after-dark show projected on to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Called Disney Dreams, the show is a half-hour feast for the ears and eyes featuring lasers, water sprays and firework effects. It took more than 18 months to develop and, as both my three-year-old son and I watched open-mouthed, I could see why.

Characters and scenes from films Peter Pan, Beauty And The Beast, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Rapunzel, Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book came to life on the front of the famous pink, turreted castle. Animated scenes are also projected on to newly-installed 30ft fountains rising from the moats of the castle, which stands at the heart of the park.

The best-known Disney songs have been specially recorded for the nightly production. For us the eye-popping show, in which the castle was transformed into everything from a star-studded sky, Notre Dame’s cathedral with the hunchback on its roof, and the rooftops of London for Mary Poppins’ chimney sweeps, was part of an unforgettable weekend.

The birthday bash had begun with Oscar-nominated actress Hayek helping Mickey Mouse cut the ribbon as gold confetti rained down on a purple carpet on Main Street, Disneyland Paris’s replica of small-town America from when Walt Disney was a boy. That night, the party spirit continued with a lavish dinner at which we munched seafood with celebrities and rubbed shoulders with Disney princesses under glittering chandeliers.

Afterwards, we were guided in the dark through Disney Village, the shopping area just outside Disneyland Park, by figures on stilts carrying lanterns to the gates of Disneyland Park. Here, we got the kind of reception usually reserved for Tom Cruise or Twilight star Robert Pattinson – hundreds of Disney staff clapping and cheering us as we walked down the red carpet.

Dozens of gargantuan creatures including a giant Tigger and a green alien were out in force, all illuminated in the night sky with dozens of tiny light bulbs. After watching video birthday messages from celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Hugh Jackman, we saw the light show, and then danced the night away at a cocktail party on Main Street with Donald and Daffy Duck, Pinocchio and Geppetto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Peter Pan.

That night, after returning to Hotel New York, one of seven Disney establishments in the vicinity and designed to give visitors a taste of the Big Apple with its Art Deco style, it took a while before I finally nodded off.

The fantastic evening, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, had turned me into something of an excited, giddy child. Luckily, the hotel was located just a five-minute walk away from the action, close enough to enjoy a daytime nap or take a break in the indoor pool or sauna.

This was our second trip to Disneyland Paris, so we had the luxury of knowing exactly what we wanted to do this time, a great help as the park is large and can feel overwhelming at first. So when we were not celebrating the birthday, we ventured to some of the rides and attractions which we didn’t have time to squeeze in before.

They included soaring into the sky with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, which – be warned – entails standing in a very long queue, and a car and motorbike stunt show featuring Lightning McQueen. We also returned to the favourite rides of our last visit – driving a 1950s-style car in Autopia, zapping enemy targets with the help of Buzz Lightyear, taking a flight with Peter Pan and a ride with Pinocchio, and exploring the secret coves, wobbly bridge and caves of Adventure Isle.

My toddler was transfixed by the daily Disney Magic On Parade! show, with new music, costumes, choreography and characters to mark the 20th anniversary. While he danced and waved as characters from classics such as Alice In Wonderland, Toy Story, Winnie The Pooh, The Lion King, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and The Jungle Book passed by on giant floats, his young friend, who was wearing a Snow White costume, was over the moon to be blown a kiss from the ‘real’ thing as she glided by.

As well as the parade and the light show, the resort now features a 20th Anniversary Celebration Train, with Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy on board in their party clothes to meet guests in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Other changes include the chance to meet Mickey Mouse in his own private rehearsal room for a one-on-one encounter, and Disney Princesses: A Royal Invitation, where they hold court.

Getting there

Sherna Noah was a guest at the 20th anniversary celebrations of Disneyland Paris and travelled with Eurostar from London St Pancras International.

During the celebrations, two-night, three-day packages, incl return Eurostar travel, from £860 for two adults and two children (aged 4-6). Includes return train travel, two nights’ B&B at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe and three-day hopper tickets with unlimited access for Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Same package with Air France return flights, from £1,080.

Reservations: 0844 800 8111 and www.disneylandparis.com