Disneyland Resort Paris

Disneyland Resort Paris, originally known as Euro Disney, is a theme park run by Euro Disney SCA, 39% of which is owned by The Walt Disney Company, in Marne-la-Vallée near Paris. Construction began in 1988 and the theme park complex officially opened on April 12, 1992, but attendances were low and there were protests by those who thought a Disney park in France would harm French culture.

In October 1994, the former Euro Disney changed its name to Disneyland Paris, and now to Disneyland Resort Paris. By 1995, Disneyland Paris started to attract more visitors and what began as a near failure for the Walt Disney Company has become more successful.

Disneyland Resort Paris is between the original Disneyland and the larger Walt Disney World in size. Disneyland Paris has five major sections: its version of the Disneyland theme park (Magic Kingdom, essentially); the Walt Disney Studios Park, a theme park similar to Walt Disney World's Disney/MGM Studios; its version of the Disney Village; the Disney Hotels area; and Golf Disneyland.

The park is easily reached by car. When coming near Paris, large billboards with Mickey Mouse on them will point the way. The park also has its own train station where the TGV (named Thalys when coming from Brussels) stops and its own RER (commuter train) station, so when visiting Paris you can hop on the RER and stop right in the park. Be aware though that the park lies outside of the central Paris metrozones and that you need to buy a (slightly) more expensive ticket to avoid a fine (and to be able to go through the exit turnstiles at the station).