30 Happy Places

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Well, November's here...

everything's grey, the last leaves are falling to the ground, it's wet and it's cold. And it's not even Christmas yet. So no cookies, mulled wine or carols to make you forget that soddy weather. So who needs November anyway?

So I decided to make myself some warm thoughts to forget about this month. And because this is a family board  :wink:  I'm just going to list my favourite Disney spots to forget the world - one each day throught this month.

So, here we go:

1. Gare Chessy
It might seem odd to list the train station as one of my favourite spots at Disney. Because frankly, it's not that nice looking.
But did you ever go to Disneyland Paris by RER from downtown Paris? You know, this long ride along those sad Parisian suburbs? Yes?
So you might remember this very moment: you're standing on that escalator getting you up from the platform. You look around - and there it is! The gigantic entrance to Disney Village! The Disneyland Hotel! The Gaumont Cinema with its huge Buffalo Bill's marquee! And the magnificent Disney Studio 1 and the Earful Tower! It's all there! Yes! And you finally arrived...

Tune in for tomorrow!

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2. The TV, Disneyland Hotel Lobby

You're tired? It's cold and wet outside? Are you maybe waiting for a date? So why don't you put your lazy rear end in front of a tv???
The one I'm thinking of is at the Disneyland Hotel. You walk into the hotel's beautiful lobby, walk up the stairs that are fit for an old-time Hollywood musical and right there between the ground floor and the first floor is this little spot with this very comfortable couch and the tv.
Here you can just relax. Watch the Disney Channel for a while. Or the Resort Channel. Enjoy the sounds of the happy people walking by.
Have some time off - and then return to the Magic Kingdom...

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3. The Lighthouse, Disney's Newport Bay Club

Have you have ever wandered out to that little lighthouse on the shore of Lake Disney? Well, you should!
It's one of the most peaceful spots in all of Disneyland Paris. There are some benches right there around the the lighthouse. And let me tell you: this is the perfect spot to relax. Especially late in the afternoon, with the last warm rays of the sun on your skin - and then watch it set behind Disney Village and the Studios. Wonderful... can't say how often I fell asleep just lying there.  :wink:

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4. Market House Deli, Main Street U.S.A.

No doubt about it, the shops and eateries on Main Street, U.S.A. are filled with amazing little details and stories. There's no way telling which place is the best: is it Town Square Photography with its little office? The Boardwalk Candy Palace? Or the charming Victoria's?
But there's a time, when one spot can't be beaten in my book: breakfast at the Market House Deli.
Not that the breakfast is anything to write home about. No, just the regular muffins, brownies, cakes etc. (however, one has to note that all of these treats just taste amazing.) But having breakfast at one of the tables right at the window of the Market House Deli is something special. Sitting there, taking a look through the window and do some people watching - and you will notice: there is hardly anyone heading towards Town Square. No, all of these happy people are heading towards the castle and from there to a day full of fantasy, adventure and memories. If that isn't a wonderful thought while haveing breakfast...

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5. Le Chaumière des Sept Nains

Yes, it's just a shop - but I love the laughing turtle just outside the cottage in the little pool with all the other critters. So don't judge me!

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6. Videopolis

Europe's largest fast food restaurant is not really known for being a quite place. Add to that several shows throughout the day and you've got quite a mad house.
But what happens when the last curtain has fallen for the day? And when the crowds at the Café Hyperion slow down?
Well, then you've got a great place to watch cartoons, of cours!
Just sit back, take a break and watch Mickey & Co. on those really big screens - and I promise, you'll get a very good laugh out of it.

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7. The Salon aboard the Molly Brown

You probably know these days at DLP: it's cold, rainy and quite miserable to be outside. So why don't take a cruise on the Rivers of the Far West?
Now, some prefer the Mark Twain, others - like me - prefer the Molly Brown. No matter what, they are both fine riverboats.
Now there's a little something special: the salons. Both boats do feature these very small salons. Here you can sit, relax, watch the "wildlife" go by - and also the many guests who have no clue about these little gems and are wondering if you are a VIP of sorts to be allowed to sit there.

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8. Frontlot

A couple of weeks before the opening of the Walt Disney Studios, I suddenly heard this music while passing by the then still walled of theme park. It was wonderful. And I started to recognize the tunes from some of my favourite movies. Even back then, I loved that place.
Now, I enjoy spending a sunny day on one of the park benches right in front of Disney Studio 1, watching the beautiful Sorcerer Mickey fountain, the various Disney characters that come to play and listening to the wonderful music... and it's amazing how much I remember the movies and the emotions that I had while I was watching them. There's "Casablanca", "The Cider House Rules", "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones", "Goldfinger", "The Rocketeer", "The Mask of Zorro", "Shakespear in Love", "Star Trek" and so many other movies.
If that isn't just one perfect spot to enjoy the day, then I don't know...

[Kinou]

great topic! Can't wait to read your next happy places!

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Thanks Kinou! I guess every one of us has his or her special place(s) at DLP... anyway, let's continue...

9. Captain's Quarters, Newport Bay Club

Yes, I know this is a family board. But sorry folks, I have to admit it, I do like alcohol. A nice cocktail, a good glass of wine or a nice pint of "Weißbier" is a little sin I commit myself to every once in a while.
And one of my favourite spots for this indulgence is Newport Bay Club's quiet little bar, overlooking Lake Disney with this great view of Hotel New York.
The ambiance is absolutely charming, the seats are very deep, the music very relaxing (and 80's-ish) and the cocktails ... well, I don't mind them  :wink:

Captain's Quarters is probably my favourite bar and I highly recommend you all to check it out if you are in need for a relaxing evening - or some good old fashioned booze.  :wink:

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9. The Garden, Disneyland Hotel

Hidden in the back of Disneyland Hotel is the very small but very charming garden of the hotel.
You can find some very nice flower beds as well as a beautiful sundial - which I would just love to take home.

It's really one of those little places that hardly anyone knows about - but is a real beauty.

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11. Mahjong Parlor, Market Street

Wandering through Market Street is a real pleasure. There's the Ice Cream Parlour, then there's Disney Clothiers, the Market House Deli and the home of the lady that gives Piano lessons... but what's that? A Chinese laundry?!? And what's that noise coming from the window on the upper floor? Well! It's a Chinese Mahjong Parlor! Right here on Main Streetm, U.S.A.!
Listening to the Chinese chattering reminds you why Disneyland Paris is just so plain wonderful: there is so much to be discovered...

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12. Annette's Diner

No such list of mine would be complete without the greatest restaurant at Disneyland Resort Paris: the place of the 50's, the place of big burgers, big sundaes and girls with big... hairdo's...  :wink:
Annette's Diner is just pure fun, with waiters dancing on the tables, great food - and the very cool "radio station" playing in the background.
The only sour point I have with Annette's: everything is so great and tasty that I'm usually so full after my main course that I don't get to try the very delicious deserts!

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13. Adventure Isle

Tropical trees, waterfalls running down into the lagoon, caves, treasures and strange sounds coming from a lost temple in the distance.
Adventure Isle certainly does a great job getting you away to a far and mysterious place.
That's why I've included it into my list - and, on a hot day, the shade under all these trees is more than welcome

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14. Val d'Europe, "The Piano"

Shopping is fun. (Sometimes too much fun, looking at my visa bill...) And Val d'Europe certainly offers some good boutiques, a great outlet village and some other nice amenities.
One of them is taking a few minutes off of a busy day shopping. And right there next to H&M (which is really one of the nicest ones I've been to, by the way...) there's this piano. Right in the middle. Surrounded by comfortable seats.
Now, sometimes you're lucky, you can put your shopping bags right next to you, take some time to relax and enjoy the piano player playing some swing standards, some jazzy version of modern day music or every once in a while even a song from a Disney movie.
It's a lounge atmosphere at a shopping mall - no wonder my visa bill is that long...