Hi Guys!
With 2018 over it's easy to look back over what has happened in the last 12 months, the trips we've made, the things we've experienced and the people we've shared all of it with. But it's not just a time for looking back, as the new year begins I, like many others no doubt, find myself looking forward to 2019 and all the new adventures it will bring.
In particular, I am of course talking about Disney adventures, I have my big trip across the pond in November, but before that there's so much I'm looking forward to that are a little closer to home. Disneyland Paris has announced their main seasons and some of their key events for 2019 already, so take a seat as I sift through all the news to pick out the bits I am most excited for.
In no particular order ...
The return of the festival of pirates and princesses.
This gem of a season was the unexpected people's favourite of 2018, replacing the much-loved swing into spring celebration. Pirates and princesses exploded on to the scene in a flash mob of bright colours and dance-offs. It truly caught the heart of guests who picked their side last spring, so much so that in June at Fandaze Catherine Powell promised fans it would return for 2019. This year the season has a much earlier time slot of January - March, and I'm looking forward to banishing the January blues with the catchy soundtrack and some of my favourite Neverland friends.
Magical Pride.
This is being held on Saturday June first in the Walt Disney Studios park and will be a hard ticketed event. I imagine this is going to be similar to things like the annual pass holder nights and will include access to attractions, character meet and greets as well as entertainment throughout the evening. A special parade is also being put on for the event as well as things like photo locations. Tickets are already on sale with a standard ticket for an adult coming in at £78.28 and a plus ticket selling for £95.87 on DLP's official website.
Annual Pass holder nights.
Kicking off in March 2018 Disneyland Paris offered its annual pass holders a new way to enjoy the parks with the introduction of AP nights. These themed events were available exclusively to varying tiers of pass holders and were sold as hard ticket events. In total 2018 saw 4 AP nights, each with its own theme, that allowed guests access to a quieter park with special character meets, shows and parades. These proved so popular that they have been renewed for 2019 with 1 event planned per quarter. During 2018 I only managed to attend 1 AP night which was the Marvel night, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope that I am able to make it to at least 1 event this year. The first has already been announced as Pirates and Princesses and will take place on March 22nd!
Run Disney.
Or magical run weekend or whatever other name they've given it this year! Yes it's not new for 2019, and yes it's something I've done before, but I'm still really excited about it. This year will be the 4th annual run weekend at Disneyland Paris, from humble beginnings of just kids race a 5km and a half marathon, the event has since grown to include a 10 km race and 31 & 36 km challenges too. This is probably one of my favourite weekends of the year, sure it's tough both physically and mentally, it's exhausting and can be just a little bit stressful. But when its all over I just feel an immense amount of pride that I've managed to do it. I love running through the parks and the surrounding countryside, I love seeing everyone's' super creative costumes and most of all I love meeting all the rare and unusual characters! This year more than ever I'm determined to be the best I can be in time for the half marathon, so this definitely won't be the last you hear about it from me!
The Walt Disney Studios Expansion.
I know what you're about to say, there won't be much, if anything, physical to see from the expansion in 2019. Well, probably not. But that said I am so excited for everything about this expansion and if nothing else, I'm willing to bet 2019 is going to be full of news, rumours, concept art and planning permission docs for us to pour over in an unhealthy amount of detail. I'm looking forward to seeing galaxy's Edge open in both Florida and California, giving us a glimpse of what we might expect in our version, finding out more about planned attractions and shows for Arrendelle. Basically, the expansion is one to watch in 2019.
The re-opening of Phantom Manor.
Ok, this is a tough one because as it stands, we don't actually know when the manor will open its doors again. It closed in January 2018 for a full refurbishment and since then its reopening date has been pushed back a few times. We don't know a huge amount of detail about the refurbishment, but with the main gardens outside having now re-opened, we can hope the official opening day isn't too far away. We know so far that the Vincent Price audio for the stretching room is due to return, we have been given some teaser images from DLP, which you can see below, that show the bride has a bigger presence in the re-imagined ride, and we can see from the gardens some sort of Fast pass functionality has been added. Hopefully, the manor will be welcoming guests again soon and I for one, can't wait for more happy haunts in the town of Thunder Mesa.
My First stay at Davy Crockett Ranch.
So yes, this one is a bit self-serving, but hey - it's my list! Starting the year off the right way my first DLP trip is all booked up for the end of January, and as well as welcoming in the new year with a dose of both the festival of pirates and princesses in the main park and the legend of the force in the studios, this trip also marks my first stay at the Davy Crockett Ranch. This is my 6th Disneyland Paris hotel that I've stayed in and leaves only the Disneyland Hotel itself on my list to try. DCR is self-drive accommodation and is made up of individual forest bungalows and has a wood cabin feel to it, it's a hotel I've wanted to try for ages, but being self-drive makes it slightly less accessible perhaps than the other hotels. Having conquered my fears of driving in France, it seemed inevitable that a stay here was on the cards and I'm so glad it is finally happening.
So that's my list, what about you? Is there something you're looking forward to that's on my list, or something you're excited for I haven't included? Drop me a comment below!
Hoodsie xx
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