Disneyland Paris recently premiered a new Pixar show. Tracey Davies and her teenage daughter jumped at the chance to see it
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“Is it me or does Sulley’s French accent give him a certain je ne sais quoi?” I whisper to my teenage daughter, Nancy. Judging by her look of horror, I gather it’s not cool to have a crush on the French-speaking Monsters Inc character we’ve just encountered. We’re at the premiere of Together: A Pixar Musical Adventure, the new live-action show that officially opened on July 15 at Walt Disney Studios Park.
Exclusive to Disneyland Paris, the 30-minute immersive experience takes place five times a day at the Studio Theater in Production Courtyard, combining Pixar movie characters with musical theatre and a live orchestra. And it’s an absolute joy from start to finish… sexy monsters included.
Pixar comes to life
As soon as the orchestra strikes up a familiar chord, I’m entranced as we’re taken on a journey through the wonderful world of Pixar. It tells the story of Charlie, a passionate young conductor who loses the score for an upcoming school concert. Chaos ensues as our favourite characters attempt to save the sheets of music and a 30-strong cast takes us from the bedroom in Toy Story, flying through clouds with Russell and Carl in Up and down to the factory floor with Mike and Sulley in Monsters Inc.
It then dips under the sea of the Indian Ocean to meet Nemo, Marlin and Dory in Finding Nemo and finally onto the rooftops of Mexico, where Miguel from Coco plays his guitar. Experiencing it, it’s clear that Arnaud Feredj and Matthieu Robin, the Disneyland Paris show directors who developed Together, have created a surprising and heartfelt show, one they’ve called their most immersive yet.
It’s beautifully done and combines vast LED screens with a live cast and multisensory effects such as droplets of water, floating bubbles and colourful streamers falling from the roof. I particularly loved the accompanying orchestra, who were dancing and playing along with the larger-than-life characters and seemed to be having as much fun as us.
New themed merch
For the dedicated Disney collector, there’s some new Worlds of Pixar merchandise on offer, including T-shirts, water bottles and baseball hats. While Nancy declined my offer to buy her a Worlds of Pixar backpack, which featured Mike Wazowski, Buzz Lightyear and Mei Lee, the red panda, she was tempted by the navy and white Pixar hoodie, which features the silhouettes of various characters.
Although Europe’s first Disney Park opened 30 years ago in 1992, it was our first visit and we were both completely enamoured by it. I particularly liked the Gallic vibe that threads through the park, especially the bilingual Disney characters. Wandering down Main Street USA, which had a distinctly Floridian vibe thanks to the blistering 30-degree temperatures, we caught our first glimpse of Sleeping Beauty Castle, or as it’s called here, Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant.
Nancy steered me towards Frontierland to ride Big Thunder Mountain, followed by Phantom Manor, the Paris version of the Haunted Mansion. She then hauled me over to Discoveryland and Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, a super-fast dark rollercoaster.
Fast and furious
As much as Nancy loved Disneyland Park, it was the big-thrill rides at Walt Disney Studios Park that were the highlight of her Disney debut. Despite my protests, she dragged me on to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a simply terrifying drop-tower dark ride. I felt more comfortable in the Worlds of Pixar, which included Toy Story Playland, where I bravely rode the Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop with barely a whimper.
Nancy’s favourite ride was the Finding Nemo-themed Crush’s Coaster, a spinning indoor rollercoaster that had me screaming like a seal. She also loved Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, the park’s newest rollercoaster. It may have been a thrilling fast-paced adventure for the teenager, but for her ageing mother, it was another attack on my delicate constitution.
However, we both adored Ratatouille: A Recipe for Adventure, a fun 4D ride that sets Chef Rémy off on a “daring culinary caper” around the floor of Gusteau’s restaurant.
Disney dreams!
I’d worried that the magic of Disneyland might be lost on 17-year-old Nancy. But watching her delight in the Disney D-Light, a spectacular drone light show over Sleeping Beauty Castle, followed by Disney Dreams!, Disneyland Park’s popular night-time display, she’s enchanted, proving that even for teenagers – and 50-year-olds – Disneyland is still the most magical place on Earth.
Dine out Pixar style
Bistrot Chez Rémy: A table-service restaurant reminiscent of Gusteau’s, where clients can dine on delights such as roast cod, crushed potatoes and ratatouille. Advanced booking essential.
Pizzeria Bella Notte: Located in Fantasyland, Disneyland Park, the Luca-themed dining area pays homage to fictional town Portorosso from the Pixar film.
Ice Cream Creations: The ice cream truck in Production Courtyard serves two new Pixar-themed ice creams – Cars’ Race Track Treat and Toy Story’s Cowboy Crunch.
Laugh ‘n’ Go!: The food truck in Worlds of Pixar serves colourful cupcakes and the Cars-themed Croque McQueen.
Zig Zag Corn Dog Stand: The food truck next to the Buzz Lightyear statue in Worlds of Pixar knocks out Slinky Corn Dogs with ketchup and mustard.
Book it
Walt Disney Travel Company offers a two-night stay at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe, with access to the Disney Parks for three days, from £321 per person, based on two adults and two children (aged three to nine) sharing. Price includes return flights with easyJet from Luton, departing on November 14.
disneytravelagents.co.uk
PICTURE: Sylvain Cambon Photographe
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