After nearly four years of closure, the Disneyland Hotel has finally reopened.
85. Unexpected Disneyland Hotel Surprises – AirMagique – Unofficial Disneyland Paris & European Theme Park Podcast
Guests staying at the newly refreshed hotel can anticipate discovering various cool details and hidden secrets. Tune into the AirMagique podcast, where we discuss all the rooms, restaurants, and other offerings. Several details were only revealed after the hotel opened to the public. Here are our favorite Disneyland Hotel secrets and surprises:
Hidden Fiber Optic Portraits
One surprising feature in the deluxe rooms is the hidden fiber optic portraits. When the ambient lighting is turned on, the portraits come to life, though not in a full Harry Potter style. Instead, subtle fiber optic lighting within the portraits creates a charming effect.
In one frame, Cinderella dances with her prince, and the lighting adds animated sparkles to her dress. In another frame, depicting the three fairies, their wands emit animated sparkles. This unexpected detail adds a touch of dynamic energy to the space.
Rotating Statue at La Table de Lumière
Let’s head over to La Table de Lumière. Although the statue of Beauty and the Beast was seen in the previously released concept art, it was a delightful surprise to discover that the statue rotates slowly, almost as if they are dancing, just like in the animated film.
The restaurant looks gorgeous and exudes Versailles golden elegance. However, the high price point is a notable downside, which seems to be a recurring theme at the Disneyland Hotel.
Tiara Sofa at Royal Banquet
Another fun little surprise was found in the Royal Banquet buffet restaurant: the wonderfully camp tiara-shaped sofa. This design element is delightfully over the top and quintessentially Disney. There have been complaints from fans that much of Disney’s refreshed contemporary design looks bland and uninspired. However, these custom, extravagantly themed pieces give hope that there are still many talented designers in the company who understand what fans want and what sets a Disney-designed space apart from any generic contemporary hotel found around the globe. The Fleur de Lys Bar could certainly take note.
Aladdin’s Abu Immortalized
In the Royal Banquet buffet restaurant, there are several neat “royal” portraits. One particularly humorous portrait stands out: an equestrian portrait of Abu, the monkey from Aladdin. This deep-cut reference is a delightful touch, and it’s impressive that an Imagineer thought to include it. In the 1992 animated film, when Aladdin asks Genie to turn him into a prince, Genie not only provides fabulous clothes but also brainstorms how to include Abu. Among the various transformations, Abu briefly becomes a horse—a blink-and-you-miss-it moment. This equestrian form of Abu has now been immortalized in a fabulous, large-format painting in the Disneyland Hotel.
Cast Members’ Day-to-Night Costume Switch
Cast Members transition from day to night costumes with a simple addition of a bow tie. The stunning costumes, partially made of jacquard fabric, have an interesting history. The fabric is created by the Jacquard machine, patented by Joseph Marie Jacquard in 1804, which simplified the production of complex patterns like brocade and damask. This innovation enabled the mass production of intricate fabrics at lower costs.
The Interactive Library for Kids
The interactive library for kids, inspired by the libraries of world-famous French castles, is an impressive addition to the already iconic library. Guests have shared film snippets of children enjoying the activity section, which features tablets in special Disneyland hotel covers. These tablets can scan books in the library, highlighting certain books on screen and activating app features like storytelling or related games. This clever use of QR code-like technology seamlessly blends on-screen entertainment with the physical environment. While many decorative fake book sections exist, there is also a specific section with physical Disney kids’ books.
New Interior Fragrance Unveiled for Disneyland Hotel
A new interior fragrance has been created for the Disneyland Hotel, continuing the tradition of each premium Disneyland Paris hotel having its own unique scent, like Newport Bay Club and Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. This fragrance is available for purchase exclusively in the hotel boutique, accessible only to hotel guests, both as a bottle and a scented candle. Priced at approximately 40 euros for the candle and double that for the bottle, it’s a wonderful way to bring magical memories home. Early guests have shared positive reactions on social media.
Royal Entertainment in Disneyland Hotel Lobby
Special royal entertainment has been announced for the Disneyland Hotel lobby, and recent videos and photos have given us a glimpse. Guests are welcomed into their red carpet experience by a Royal Greeter, who invites them to become part of a royal story, enhancing the hotel’s theme. The entertainment includes La Troupe Royale, a duo of comedians who unexpectedly appear to tell royal stories with props and involve the audience. They are often accompanied by a Princess, such as Cinderella, Belle, Rapunzel, or Jasmine, and they also do little sing-alongs. This unique, interactive entertainment is exclusive to the hotel and a key reason for restricting lobby access to hotel guests in the evening. There is hope that Disneyland Paris can sustain these experiences long-term, though there is also a desire for opportunities to visit the hotel without staying overnight.
Variety of Themes in Disneyland Hotel’s Superior Rooms
It has come to light that the Disneyland Hotel’s Superior Rooms, essentially the standard rooms, boast an impressive array of themes, surpassing those of any other hotel at Disneyland Paris. While the basic design remains consistent, each room features exclusive artworks from one of 11 Disney films.
Guests may find themselves in rooms adorned with art from classics like The Little Mermaid, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Sleeping Beauty, as well as more recent favorites like Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Frozen, Moana, and even the lesser-known Raya and the Last Dragon. It seems that guests will not have the opportunity to choose their theme, making each stay at the hotel a delightful surprise.
Exclusive Disney Experience
An upsell option at Disney is the Castle Club rooms, and for those willing to spend even more, there are suites available. While such offerings are typical in luxury hotels, what sets the Disneyland Hotel apart is that guests in these accommodations also gain access to the Castle Club Lounge.
Here, they can enjoy a private breakfast experience with Disney Princesses—an opportunity that’s undeniably cool. While there’s always a disclaimer that characters may not be present, guests typically encounter multiple characters while indulging in their royal breakfast treats.
What do you think about the Disneyland Hotel refurbishment? Let us know in the comments below.
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