Paris 2025

24th August 2025

Paris Revisited – A Day Before Disney Magic

24th August – Paris, France

The day began in Bruges, long before sunrise. At 6:50 a.m., our FlixBus was scheduled to Paris, and the walk to the station was no small feat—45 minutes across cobbled streets with suitcases and heavy shoulder bags. I grumbled at Harshit for not booking a cab, but the empty streets of Bruges had their own quiet charm.

Paris this time was special. It wasn’t just another city on our itinerary—it was the gateway to my childhood dream: Disneyland. For the first time, we were revisiting a European city. Harshit was already in love with Paris, and I had mapped out bakeries and even made a shopping list. Last time, we stayed near the Eiffel Tower; this time, our apartment was in Bussy-Saint-Georges, one station away from Disneyland.

We arrived at Bercy Seine station around noon, later than planned. The journey to our apartment took an hour, and returning to central Paris would take another hour. At the transport counter, we tried buying a three-day pass but got duped by a uniformed woman selling fake tickets. Hungry and irritated, we recharged our cards again and even reported the scam to the police—but their response was classic Paris: no English, no CCTV, no solution.

Determined not to let frustration ruin the day, we reset with pizza and Coke near the Eiffel Tower. And once again, the Iron Lady worked her magic. No matter how many times you see her, she mesmerizes you. We clicked photos at our chosen spots, soaked in the vibe at Trocadéro, and felt the city’s charm return.

By evening, we rushed to City Pharma, the legendary Parisian pharmacy. It was like a carnival of beauty brands—crowds everywhere, shelves stacked with La Roche-Posay, So Skin, and more. Overwhelmed, we asked a local for recommendations and left with serums, moisturizers, and lip balms worth 18k INR. Shopping bags in hand, we headed to Stohrer, Paris’s oldest patisserie, for macarons. Sweet, delicate, and perfect.

Our final stop was Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre. On a Sunday evening, the atmosphere was magical—locals singing, dancing, and drinking as the sun set over Paris. From the hilltop, the city stretched out in golden light. We wandered through the artists’ square, had dinner in Montmartre, and ended the night reflecting on how Paris is never just one city. The Eiffel Tower area, Montmartre, and Bussy-Saint-Georges each have their own personality, their own rhythm.

We returned to our apartment late, tired but smiling. Tomorrow, Disneyland awaited.

25th August – Marvel Park & First Day of Disney Magic

Finally, the day I had been waiting for since childhood arrived. We woke up early, buzzing with anticipation. Our two-day, two-park tickets were ready—the plan was to explore Marvel Park today and save the main Disneyland Park for tomorrow, when Harshit’s cousin would join us.

The metro ride itself felt like a journey into another world. As soon as we stepped out at the Disneyland station, the atmosphere changed. Bright banners, cheerful music, and excited families surrounded us. It was as if we had entered a fairytale—the world of Disney, the world of Mickey. To make it even more magical, the Disney Music Festival was happening, filling the air with live performances and festive energy.

We passed through security and headed straight to Marvel Park. Though entry for hotel guests began earlier, I proudly stood first in line for non-residents. Waiting there, we studied the map, planned our rides, and watched the crowd grow. When the gates finally opened, it was chaos—an ocean of people running toward attractions. I laughed at myself for joining the rush, but in that moment, I was just as eager as the kids around me.

Thrills & Adventures

• Hollywood Tower of Terror: This ride was unforgettable. The eerie hotel story, the haunted lift, and the sudden drops made my heart race. At one point, the window opened to reveal the park from dizzying heights—pure adrenaline!
• Avengers Campus: Though the Avengers ride wasn’t available, we had a meet-and-greet with Ant-Man, watched Spider-Man perform stunts, and even witnessed a staged Avengers battle that felt straight out of a movie.
• Live Music: Performances throughout the park added to the atmosphere, blending Marvel’s energy with Disney’s magic.

Food & Atmosphere

By lunchtime, we settled at Avengers Station Café. Themed décor surrounded us—superhero posters, props, and staff dressed like SHIELD agents. Eating burgers and fries here felt like being part of the Marvel universe.

Crossing Into Disneyland Park

In the afternoon, we moved to Disneyland Park itself. The transition was magical—suddenly, the fairytale world of Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy unfolded. We enjoyed rides, watched orchestral performances, and soaked in the whimsical atmosphere.

The Night Show

As evening fell, anticipation built for the grand finale. The drone and light show at Sleeping Beauty Castle was beyond words. Hundreds of drones danced in the sky, forming Disney characters, while fireworks and music filled the air. Every minute of waiting was worth it. I tried capturing videos, but no recording could ever match the feeling of being there.

On the way back, we saw Mickey himself addressing the crowd, waving goodbye. My heart swelled with joy—I had the biggest smile on my face. Back at the apartment, I fell asleep knowing tomorrow would bring even more magic.

When I booked two days at Disneyland, I worried it might be too much, or that Harshit wouldn’t enjoy it. But I was wrong. He loved it. Mission accomplished—he’s now a Disney fan. On our flight back to India, he even watched three Disney movies. The world I once saw only on Doordarshan, I lived today. Thank you, Universe, for making it happen.

On the 26th of August

we had promised ourselves that this day would be more relaxed—we would enjoy the rides, shows, and parades, and then leave by early evening to pack for our train to Stuttgart. But once you step into Disneyland, all practical plans vanish. The magic pulls you in, and leaving early feels impossible. We met Harshit’s cousin at the park, and together we let ourselves be swept away by the fairytale. The morning began with the iconic 11 a.m. parade, a dazzling procession of floats carrying Mickey, Minnie, and the Disney princesses, dancers twirling in glittering costumes, and music that filled the streets with joy. Children waved, parents smiled, and for a moment, everyone around us seemed to share the same childlike wonder. Later in the day, the 4 p.m. orchestra parade brought another wave of excitement, with Goofy himself conducting the band, his playful energy making the crowd laugh and cheer.

Between the parades, we managed to catch a live performance of The Jungle Book. The stage came alive with vibrant colors, rhythmic drumming, and characters that felt like they had stepped straight out of the movie. Watching it, I was reminded of childhood evenings spent glued to the TV, humming along to Disney songs. We also hopped on rides throughout the day—roller coasters that made our hearts race, gentle storybook rides that carried us through magical scenes, and everything in between. Each ride felt worth the wait, each one adding another layer to the day’s magic.

Food was part of the fun too. Near the castle, we treated ourselves to a waffle topped with Mickey-shaped ice cream, a simple dessert that felt extraordinary in that setting. We snacked on churros dusted with cinnamon and munched on popcorn from collectible Disney buckets, each bite tasting better because it was part of the experience. The Disney castle itself stood tall and majestic, glowing in the afternoon light, a constant reminder that we were living inside a dream.

The highlight of the day, though, was something I never thought would happen—I met Mickey Mouse. Wearing my Mickey T-shirt, I stood in line, the only grown-up grinning ear to ear like a child. When Mickey hugged me, I forgot he wasn’t real and I wasn’t a kid anymore. In that moment, I was reliving my favorite childhood memories, the ones that had shaped my imagination. We clicked many pictures, though ironically not one with Mickey himself, but it didn’t matter. That hug was enough. The memory lives in my heart, and I can relive it anytime without needing proof.

At one point, we accidentally wandered into a backstage area and glimpsed the “real world” behind the magic, but staff quickly escorted us back. It was a reminder that Disneyland is carefully constructed, yet the illusion is so powerful that you forget the mechanics behind it. Goofy became my favorite that day, especially as the orchestra master in the parade—his energy and humor made the music feel alive.

As evening approached, we told ourselves we wouldn’t stay late, but the pull of the night show was too strong. We waited two hours for the drone and light spectacle again, and this time, we didn’t bother with cameras. We had already captured it once; now we wanted to experience it purely for memory’s sake. The sky lit up with fireworks, drones formed Disney characters, and the castle glowed in colors that seemed to come straight from a dream. It was breathtaking, and watching it without distraction made it even more powerful.

We finally said goodbye to Harshit’s cousin and her family, returned to our apartment, and packed our bags. Sleep came late, around 1 a.m., and only for a few hours—we had to wake at 4:30 a.m. for our train to Stuttgart. Exhausted but glowing, we left Disneyland knowing we had lived two days of pure magic, days that fulfilled childhood dreams and created new memories we would carry forever.

Must-Do

Rides & Attractions

• Sleeping Beauty Castle (Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant) – The centerpiece of Disneyland Paris, with stunning stained glass and dragon animatronic in the dungeon.
• Big Thunder Mountain – A thrilling rollercoaster set on an island in Frontierland, unique to Paris.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – Classic Disney storytelling with animatronics and immersive sets.
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain – A high-speed indoor rollercoaster with Star Wars theming.
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – A haunted hotel ride with sudden drops and eerie storytelling.
• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force – A Marvel-themed rollercoaster featuring Iron Man and Captain Marvel.
• Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure – Interactive ride where you sling webs alongside Spider-Man.

Shows & Parades

• Disney Stars on Parade (11 a.m.) – Floats featuring Mickey, Minnie, Disney princesses, and beloved characters.
• Disney Illuminations Night Show – Fireworks, drones, and projections at Sleeping Beauty Castle—an unforgettable finale.
• Seasonal Shows – Jungle Book Jive, Lion King performances, and special music festivals depending on the time of year.