It is the moment of truth! Who won this competition? Was it the most famous mouse in the entire planet, he the heir of the empire that carries his name? Or was it the most reknown Gaul, who fights among Obelix against Cesar's army in order to impede Rome's siege over Gallia (Gaul)?
Let us then get into the two journeys (or visits) that will allow us to finally determine which Atraction Park was better. I believe the right thing to do is to go cronologically, for it will ease my thoughts.
I'll start then with Disney: the Land of Magic.
For those of us born in the west side of the Atlantic Ocean (= America ..... the continent), Disney stories have a special place in our childhood memories. Mickey, Donald, Pluto, Gouffey, Minnie, and Daisy. Their stories, the drama, love and hate, their fight against evil and proving that "if you fight for it, its yours". At the same time, we need to include the infinite amount of characters from the Disney Classics: Alladin, Hercules, the Little Mermaid, the Lion King, the Lady and the Tramp, Mulan. Their stories, their achievements, the always proof that good overcomes evil, knowing that our mistakes have a solution, that we can avenge Mufasa and claim our kingdom crying "Hakuna Matata", that Jasmine will forgive our lies about being a prince because we live in a "Whole New World", that we can save China for "A Girl is Worth Fighting For", that "Under the Sea" we are always happy.... etc..... etc.....etc.
And that my friends, is what Disney stands for. The thrill and the memories that emerge when we read the precedent lines, and while reading them we know in which movie, which character and what context they refer to.
It is for this reason that, whenever we (kids that grew up in the 90's) hear we are going to Disney Land Park, we strart having an undiscribeable feeling in us. Our childhood resurfaces and the magic of Fantasia (Fantasia 2000 for the younger generations) is reborn. Now, we are entering the land that tought us about ethics and morality (besides our parents, of coure). This is why, entering Disney is like going back "home".
As expected from this hiper billionaire of the children entertainment bussiness (all ages actually): Disney has more than one park in Paris. Currently we've got:
B) Disneyland Studios. Opposite to the other one, this park is all age appropiate, and is focused in the wild entertainment given by Roaller Coasters (except for those who are scared of hights or get dizzy quite easily).
In my case, I was lucky enough to go to both parks already. But just to level the game's fairness, I will only talk about my last visit: Disneyland Studios.
This day was exceptionally good for varios reasons: it didn't rained, Edgar and Carlos came from Nantes to visit, and it was an entirely Latino day (Go Spanish!). This was due to the fact that we were 5 venezuelans (Cristina, Eduardo, Edgar, Carlos, and myself) and 1 mexican (Ricky). The cool thing about this last thing was that everytime we got up in a Roaller Coaster, we were able to curse or scream in our mother language, which in my opinion sounds cooler and less fake as if we tried to do it in english (no descrimination against Team Asterix! sorry guys!)
Details in Disney is a mayor thing! From Toy Story world, where you become a toy; to the Terror Tower, a mansion that has never seen another holliday besides Halloween. You can definitively see that the owners spent a lot of money in making it believable. But some wierd reason which I do not full understand, for me it was still kind of fake. I think that my expectations were extremely high, particularly knowing that Disney has the best designers ever. I was expecting that my childhood fantasy was a reality in Paris, but it just fell flat.
And of course, I must also say that my companions made this journey way much more pleasant and enjoyfull. Eduardo's excitment and discussions about line mass production, Carlos's hangover and level 2 of energy, laughing with Ricky as we saw Carlos fighting not to vomit, the memories and discussion of old times with Edgar, and Cristina's sparkling personality and wild "loved it" screams. It was simply great!
Unfortunately, things in Disney were not at shinny and bright! As I previously said, there is a huge amounts of things to see. Things that remind you of the magic of Disney. But contrary to that, there is not much to do. There are only 4 "adrenaline attractions", those that we teens and young adults love to ride. Simultaneously, the waiting lines for these were infinite and neverending. We had to wait around 80 minutes per each. Luckly, we were able to use FASTPASSES, which allowed us to gain some time and enter at a fixed time. But yet still, waiting lines keep coming.
Eventhough this "small" delay (actually hours) was a pain in the ass, I do recognize that the attractions were amaizing. The adrenaline, the fear, the dizzyness, the never knowing when you are going to fall, and the danger. Mix all that together and the feeling of defying death make you feels alive as you've never felt before (how ironical!). If u disagree, the following pictures might make it clearer.
In the end, the experience was amaizing. Disney will always be Disney, no matter what. Beside, where else could one take a ride on a magic carpet over Agrabah?
Where else can Buzz Lightyear be bigger and taller than any of us?
Where else is it actually cool to act as a 10 year old?
ONLY IN DISNEY! And that is the real magic in Fantasia. That's the magic of Studios. That is the magic of growing up and while taking a look back you know that Mickey taught you so much, along with some giggles and smiles. Thanks Mickey! Thanks!
...
I know what you might be thinking. Not that unbiased, am I? Well, Asterix deserves his chance! We might like him better?!
So now lets talk about Asterix: An Adventure throught History.
Contrary to Mickey Mouse, not everyone knows about Asterix the Gaul. Therefore, I believe that some friends of mine will deeply apreciate a brief explanation. Gallia (Gaul) is the name for the French territory during the times of the Roman Empire, more or less around 50 B.C.
The story about Asterix and his partner, Obelix, takes place in the last independent town of Gallia. During their journeys, Asterix and Obelix engage against Julius Cesar's army, while making various friends in the road.
In modern times, Asterix the Gaul is one the main cartoon character representants of the francophone regions, besides the Adventures of Tintin. For that reason and with the purpose of honoring France, its history and French (the language), they decided to construct an amusement park.
Opposite to Disney, Asterix consists on only one main park. This main park, simultaneously, is subdivided in diverent regions, each representing a place that both Asterix and Obelix have visited during their journeys: Gallia, the Roman Empire, Greece and Scandinavia (Viking's land).
The day we went to Asterix was awesome: some nice sun, not a cold weather (even though we are in mid Fall/Autumn) and zero traces of a rainy day. The only thing that I must say might have been a downer was the fact that we had to take various trains and buses to get to the place. This was due to some reparations on the metro lines. But this was not a detriment factor against the park. I actually think it was totally worth it.
Also opposite to Disney, Asterix was more an "international" experience. Not that much for traveling "through countries", but rather for the good companions I got.
In this trip we were (from left to right): Frida Douglass Hylin (Norway), Saara Souminen (Finland), Nikki Mead (Australia), Jonas Ullrich (Germany), me, Emmelie Puchinger (Germany), Veronika Mayer (Germany) y Ricky Gutierrez (México).
One of the things that I seriously loved about this park, and which I've already cricitized about Disney, is the that here details are everywhere! From the wainting line areas, to the trash cans; from the old wooden and creaky stairs to the signs and posters with Gaulic people (wearing a typical Asterix hat). Detail was the main focus!
For me, this was a determinating factor! The fact that once in the Greek area you actually fealt you were in Greece. The constructions, the selling kiosks, the wooden roller coasters. Who would have thought that that which I was looking and expecting at Disney would be found in Asterix?
On the other hand, it is also importanto to clearify that in Asterix there where far more "Adrenaline attractions" than in Disney (at least 3 or 4 more). For me this is also important to take into considerantion during this battle, as it is one of the main reason we go to these kind of parks.
And of course, my companions were great: Saara's tenderness, Emmi's kindness, Frida's fears, Nikki's laughter during our personal and rather intimal ride, Veronika's sweetness (for even though she does not speak entirely french nor english, she has an extremely awesome way to make poeple understand her, which sorprises me and makes me laugh), Jonas's excitement (for Asterix was his childhood idol), and Ricky's enthusiasm and great company, which brought up varios "Latin moments". All that made this one of the best days so far here in Paris.
Another negative aspect of Asterix, and maybe the last one, was the fact that once we had to wait a 1h and 15 minutos to get into a ride of around 1m and 15 seconds. But even with that, being with all my friends made the time fly fastly (and the use of some guys Iphones!)
But then, who won the battle? Asterix or Mickey? Disney or Gallia?
The answer is quite simple!
THERE IS NO COMPARISON! Each park has their own things that make them special. Its like trying to compare two people and decide who's better (if you have done this, shame on you!). It's like trying to make your mother decide who she prefers the most, you or your brother (I've tried this, shame on me!)
Disney has the magic. Asterix has the hisotory and the details.
If you are looking to revive your childhood and remember that "its a small world after all", Disney is your thing.
If you'lll rather live the adventure found in history, love action and adrenaline, and do not care to get a little wet; then go to Asterix.
For me, the best parts was hanging with my "parisien" frienfs. Company was the best in both trips!
Thank you guys! To you, I dedicate this post.
Nacho.
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