| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 24/04/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 65 |
| Copyright: Other |
Disney rides update by flora ioannou
Embarking on an emotional rollercoaster
Seeing the world upside down
IT’S Saturday morning and the countdown has begun. There are just 5hrs 30mins left until I experience the stomach-churning event of being turned 180 degrees upside down and 360 degrees round and round.I am about to try out Disneyland Paris’ relaunch of its Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ride – this time with the added twist of it travelling backwards. Not one for scaring myself witless too often, I plan to wait until I see the ride before deciding whether to risk life and limb on it.
To occupy myself, and attempt to quell my excitement, I draw up an itinerary for the day, including which rides I dare to go on and which rides the six-year-olds will just have to experience without me.
Whatever happens, I plan to let my hair down and act like a child – just for one day – because I believe that’s what Disney’s all about.
Hours later after queuing for 90mins to go on the Peter Pan ride, I begin to appreciate the recent Disney innovation that is its virtual queuing system, Fastpass. Alas, I am too early for the April 1 launch date.
Making my way to Discoveryland, I graduate to one of the faster rides, Space Mountain, and congratulate myself for being brave enough just to stand in the queue listening to the screams and seeing glimpses of the terrified thrill seekers whooshing past. Once on the ride, I grip the safety rail so tightly that l leave nail prints in the palm of my hand. I know I have made a big mistake when the car is cranked up to a launchpad and shot out with such force that my stomach is left behind.
With eyes closed tight, head firmly pinned back and my cheeks vibrating in the G Force, I just pray for the ride to finish. Once I disembark, my knees give way completely. And I haven’t even been on the much scarier Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: Backwards ride. I spend the next half an hour safely ensconced in a coffee shop waiting for my head to stop spinning.
Coming back down to earth, I feel a spot of shopping therapy is much needed.
The 44 boutiques that Disneyland Paris provides for shopaholics calm me down nicelyand I start darting from shop to shop buying gifts for everyone back home, my training for the London marathon coming in handy.
Mission accomplished I grab a bite to eat at the Videopolis in Discoveryland and watched Mulan, The Legend – a great live show, performed by traditional Chinese acrobats.
The copious amount of shopping bags I end up with compels me to return to the park’s Disneyland hotel, my home for the night, to unload and freshen up before the big ride.
One shower later and I bravely march off towards Adventureland where Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: Backwards awaits me.
As you approach the ride, you can’t actually see the 360 degree loop. But the many screams and howls of sheer terror are a pretty good indication of its whereabouts.
As my mind instinctively reverts to my awful experience on Space Mountain, I feel slightly faint and light headed.
My emotions run wild. Can I physically place myself in such danger?
My bodily functions get the better of me and I am obliged to run off in search of the nearest loos feeling bitterly defeated.
Reader, I failed. Perhaps if I had kept off Space Mountain, I might have plucked up courage to face the ride.
But I won’t let Indiana Jones (and all those kids who happily skipped onto the ride) beat me. As another adventurous movie star Arnold Schwarznegger once said, “I’ll be back”.
Feel the fear: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: Backwards is Disneyland Paris’ latest ride
Factfile
handy tips:n The park is busier on a Saturday so if you’re on a weekend package, make the most of the time you have on Friday. Use the afternoon to experience the most popular rides and attractions in the park.
n Go to the park early on Saturday morning and head straight for the attraction you most want to see. Space Mountain queues are usually short early in the morning.
n Alternatively, go at the end of the day. Many visitors leave the park in the early evening resulting in shorter queues.
n To avoid crowds on arrival, turn right through the entrance towards Discoveryland. Most go left towards Frontierland.
Disneyland Paris