The
Disney Village doesn't work. Disney obviously realise this to some
extent because they have tried numerous re-shufflings, and have even
recently changed it's name (from " Festival Disney" to " The
Disney Village" ). The shops, bars, clubs and restaurants are
franchised from Disney and so don't appear to be at all sprinkled
with pixie dust. Things are generally overpriced and quality
customer service is very rare indeed (with the notable exception of
the Disney Store, of course). However, if you're staying at a resort
hotel, there's not much to do after the park closes (quite early in
the Winter months), so The Village has a somewhat captive audience.
This is where you'll find the dinner show " Buffalo Bill's Wild
West Show" which, although overpriced, is worth a visit as is
the Gaumont Cinema (if there's anything showing that you fancy).
The 18,000 sq. metre area is marked by enormous aluminium and
copper vertical columns, from which strings of lights run Some of
the colums have kiosks at their base selling pizza or souvenirs.
Recently, there has been the useful addition of a large car park
between the Newport Bay Hotel and Village for those just visiting
Disney Village and not going into the park.
You can rent various water vehicles for use on Lake Disney from the
Marina Del Ray (it's not open too often during the winter):
Toobie FFr 50 (30 mins)
Pedalo FFr 30 (30 mins)
Hydromer FFr 80 (30 mins)
Jet Ski (1 person) FFr 80 (15 mins)
Jet Ski (2 people) FFr 120 (15 mins)
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SHOPS
etc.
- The Disney Store - A huge
Disney Store Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 68.
- Buffalo Bill's Trading Company
General Store -Cowboy hats, boots, shirts, Native American
themed gifts, etc. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 47.
- Team Mickey - Sports
merchandise and clothing. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 94.
- Hollywood Pictures - Movie
memorabilia, posters, etc. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 90.
- The World of Toys - Mattel
sponsored toy store - currently sells mainly Barbie and some 101
Dalmatians merchandise. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 46.
- Post Office - Open 12:30 -
19:00 (later in the summer)
- Seine and Marne Tourist
Information - Also contains a display of models of the
surrounding chateaux and other sights. Borrow free infra-red
headphones to hear the commentary in your own language. Various
local excursions can be booked from here via the office on the
first floor (open from 9am to 6pm daily). They can also arrange
local hotel bookings.
- Disney Village Video Games Arcade
- Unlike inside the Park, an Arcade doesn't seem at out of place
here.....(oops!).
- Rock and Roll Trading - This
is the collective trading name for all the little stalls and
kiosks in Disney Village (e.g. the ones located inside the giant
pillars, and the kiosk in the parking lot near the Pet Kennels).
These tend to be seasonal, only opening at busier times.
- Gaumont Cinema
- An eight-screen cinema complex (including one giant screen) is
located near the entrance to Disney Village. Tel (+33 01) 40 30
20 10 # 121
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PLACES
TO EAT
- Planet
Hollywood - A Huge neon globe featuring the usual
assortment of star exhibits and expensive food. Reservations are
advised at busy times. The gift shop is on the ground floor. Tel
(+33 1) 60 43 78 27. Fax (+33 1) 60 43 71 30.
- Annette's Diner - Traditional
but expensive burger bar with roller-skating waitresses and
1950's cars parked outside. Time it right and all the staff will
jump up onto the counter and do their routine to the " Happy
Days" theme, or " Greased Lightnin' " there's no
way of knowing when they'll do it, but ya never know! Tel (+33
1) 60 45 70 37.
- Key West Seafood Restaurant -
Quite a good seafood restaurant, nicely designed. Tel (+33 1) 60
45 70 60.
- Los Angeles Bar and Grill -
Californian style restaurant that includes on its' menu that
well-known Californian classic, the pizza. Character breakfasts
from 7:30am-10:30am. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 14.
- The Steakhouse - Designed in
a Chicago theme. Nice steaks, but make sure somebody else is
paying. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 70 45.
- Sandwiches New York Style -
If you've never been to a Manhattan deli before, you'll be
convinced! Nice place for a late breakfast. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 70
57.
- Buffalo Bills
Wild West Show - Meal and Wild-West entertainment.
Shows at 6.30pm & 9.30pm. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 00. You must
book in advance.
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BARS
& NIGHTCLUBS
- Champion Sports Bar - Busy,
crowded, fun atmosphere with sports theme 15 TV screens
outdoor seating area. Includes tobacconist. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 70
17.
- Rock'n'Roll America Café
- Live '50s rock'n'roll music, as well as contemporary music,
dancing & karaoke. Great cocktails. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 71 28.
- Billy Bob's Country Western
Saloon - Elaborate three-level bar with a Texas
country-and-western theme & pool tables. Tex-Mex buffet
available early evening at FFr 110 for adults, FFr 55 for
children. Tel (+33 1) 60 45 70 81.
- Hurricanes Nightclub
Late-opening discotheque/night-club (dress code: no tennis
shoes, sneakers, hiking boots). There is an entrance charge (FFr
50 weekdays, FFr 80 Fri/Sat) but it's free for resort hotel
residents and Annual Plus passholders and their guest. Customer
service lacks big-time here, boys, if you're wearing a jacket of
any description, you'll be forced to check it and part with 10
Francs, whether you like it or not. Otherwise they won't let you
in and won't give you a refund if you've paid. The place has
themed nights (listed below), but every night seems to be " Cast-Member
Night" they're lovely guys with nowhere else to go
(there's no other nightlife for 20 or so miles!). The captive
audience are fleeced a Budweiser and an orange juice comes to
£13.50/$21.60¢. Enjoy!! Tel (+33 1) 60 45 70 70.
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Here are the
themes:
Monday: Renaissance
Tuesday: Ladies Night (free for ladies)
Wednesday: Student Night
Thursday: Tropical Heat Wave
Friday: Talent Time
Saturday: Party All Night
Sunday: Singles Night |
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