For our last few days in France, we booked a place near Disney Paris. While in Tokyo, we went to Disney Sea, but this was our first time in the original Disneyland.

Z and I planned the day, and after arriving on the train, we split up and, respectively, went to rides Autopia and Big Thunder Mountain. Autopia ended up being a self-driving loop in a small car, behind a painfully slow kid and their parent.

However, Big Thunder Mountain was much better, and in between other rides, Z and I went on there several times. After a couple other ones, our group divided in half for I (and a reluctant N) to ride the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, one of the scariest rides in either park. Inspired by a broken elevator at an actual hotel, you sit in a lift and experience many short drops – like a lift breaking and unable to hold itself up – that are faster than gravity.

It’s safe to say I and N didn’t ride it again. (Esti was also not keen!)

We had a baguette and cheese, our go-to lunch in France, before going to a smaller park next to Disney Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park. We go on a few more rides, including a Spider-Man Web Adventure interactive ride N and M enjoyed the most.

Overall, we loved our experience at Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park, and just because of the range, preferred it over Disney Sea. While most of the shows are aimed at younger kids, the rides are suitable for all ages and abilities.