Top 5 Things to do in Discoveryland
Discoveryland in Disneyland Paris is a land of adventure and discovery, where the future meets the past. With attractions inspired by the imagination of Jules Verne and the visions of Leonardo da Vinci, this area of the park is perfect for those who love to explore and learn while having fun. Here are some of the must-do activities in Discoveryland:
Buzz Lightyear - Laser Blast
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast is a super popular attraction in Discoveryland. Inspired by my favourite character from the Toy Story franchise, this interactive ride allows you to become a space ranger and help Buzz Lightyear defeat the evil Emperor Zurg. The ride starts with a briefing from Buzz Lightyear himself, who explains the mission and how to use the laser guns on board the ride vehicles. Each rider has their own laser gun, and the goal is to shoot as many targets as possible throughout the ride. The more targets you hit, the higher your score.
As you travel through the ride, you encounter different scenes from the Toy Story movies, such as Andy's bedroom and the Pizza Planet restaurant. The scenes are filled with targets to shoot, including aliens, robots, and even Zurg himself. The best part of Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast is the ability to compete with your friends and family for the highest score. The ride keeps track of your score, and at the end of the ride, you can see who came out on top. It's a fun and competitive experience that encourages riders to try their best and improve their scores.
The theming of the ride is fantastic, with bright colors, playful music, and familiar characters from the Toy Story movies. The ride vehicles are designed to look like spaceships, and the laser guns add to the immersive experience. The ride is fully accessible with wheelchairs able to fully enter an adaptable version of the ride vehicle. Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast is a fun and exciting attraction that is suitable for all ages. It combines “a nice sit down” with the challenge of an interactive game, making it a must-do for anyone visiting Disneyland Paris.
Tip: Strike a pose when shooting at Zurg, you can see your photo in the small Photopass store when you exit the ride.
HyperSpace Mountain
Hyperspace Mountain is an exhilarating roller coaster ride located in Disneyland Paris. It is a must-do attraction for many. The ride takes you on a thrilling journey through the Star Wars Universe, where you will experience a range of twists, turns, and drops as you hurtle through the darkness.
As you board your spacecraft, you will be transported to a galaxy far, far away. The excitement begins as you ascend a steep incline, preparing you for what's to come. Suddenly, you are launched (literally - because the exterior of the ride is a cannon) into hyperspace, hurtling through the stars at warp speed. As you travel through the darkened space, you will see stars and galaxies whizzing past you, and feel the sensation of weightlessness as you navigate through sharp twists and turns.
The coaster features high-tech special effects that add to the immersive experience. You will see laser blasts and exploding spaceships as you dodge and weave through the galaxy. The ride also features a thrilling drop that sends you hurtling down at breakneck speeds.
Hyperspace Mountain is a must-visit attraction for any Star Wars fan or thrill-seeker. The ride is not for the faint of heart, as it reaches speeds of up to 44 mph and features sharp drops and turns. However, it is an unforgettable experience that will leave you breathless and exhilarated.
Tip: Single rider! Unless you have to have your photo taken with your group, save time by opting for the single rider lane! The over-the-shoulder harnesses don’t make for the most social 60 seconds of your life!
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Star Tours is an exciting 3D motion simulator ride located towards the back of Discoveryland that takes you on a thrilling journey through the Star Wars universe. Even before the ride begins, you are immersed in one of the best queue experiences at Disneyland Paris. The queue weaves through a “departures terminal” featuring R2-D2, C3PO and Admiral Ackbar! Then you can have fun with heat vision cameras in the queue.
There’s about 5 rows deep in every simulator vehicle and you are secured in place with a belt. Luggage must go under the seat. Those suffering from mild motion sickness or those who are simply a bit squeamish should ride in the front of the vehicle towards the middle. Once you board your StarSpeeder 1000 spacecraft, you embark on an epic adventure that will leave you breathless! When the ride begins, you will be greeted by the iconic droid C-3PO, who will guide you on your journey. The 3D glasses that you wear during the ride combined with the simulated G-Force and movements of the vehicle make it feel like you are truly flying through space, as you soar past stars and planets.
One of the unique features of Star Tours is the randomized storylines, which means that each ride experience is different. This adds to the excitement and unpredictability of the ride, as you never know what adventure you will embark on next. The ride also features appearances from some of the most beloved characters from the Star Wars universe, such as Darth Vader, Yoda, and Chewbacca.
Once you’ve “landed” back to safety, you’ll deposit your 3D glasses in the buckets and exit into the Star Traders merchandise store where you will find exclusive Star Wars merchandise including the basic “build your own light-sabre” experience starting at €35.
Videopolis Complex
An absolute hidden gem and something most people completely miss is the Videopolis complex in Discoveryland. Located just to the left of Hyperspace Mountain, it houses Cafe Hyperion, the Videopolis Theatre, a quiet arcade and toilets.
Cafe Hyperion is a quick service burger restaurant that use the entire theatre building as its seating area. On the menu you’ll find basic burger options as well as the much sought after chicken nuggets! When I say basic burger options, it actually covers a decent spectrum - such as fish burger, vegan burger, chicken burger, kids burger (both breaded and grilled chicken) as well as the popular double gourmet burger and BB-8 burgers. Salads are also available as well as a good selection of quick desserts.
The Videopolis theatre itself goes un-used as a theatre for most of the year. There are seasonal shows for Christmas, dance academy performances from schools and clubs across Europe and annual pass parties may use the stage during their special ticketed events. The vast seating capacity makes it a great space to chill out or cool down in the middle of a busy day at Disneyland Park. You’ll be able to take up as many tables as you want and the kids will love watching Disney short cartoons on the screens while they eat. You can also bring your own snacks to the seating area to save a few bob. During the summer months, the complex is often much cooler than outdoors in the heat!
Tip 1: Mobile order your Cafe Hyperion order and it will be waiting for you when you arrive! Perfect for beating long queues during peak lunch times or when you are reaching the top of a ride-queue and are planning to eat right after!
Tip 2: Arcade Alpha serves as a quiet-zone which multiple sockets to charge your phone in an emergency, or just somewhere to lie down indoors and recharge (both you and your device!).
Autopia
Autopia is a classic attraction located on the right as you enter Discoveryland that allows visitors to experience the thrill of driving a car! The ride features a fleet of small, gas-powered vehicles that visitors can drive around a winding track that weaves through a colourful landscape.
The track is designed to resemble a futuristic city, complete with tunnels, curves, and hills. As you navigate your car around the track, you'll experience the thrill of driving (quite the sensation for those who don’t drive regularly in the real world!), while also taking in the sights and sounds of the surroundings. Autopia is a great ride for families with young children, as it provides a safe and controlled environment for kids to experience the thrill of driving a car - don’t worry, the cars on on a track so you can’t go too far off course.
If you want to drive your own car, you must be 132cm. Little ones who are 81cm can get behind the steering wheel and drive, as long as their passengers is 132cm and willing to take over should things go a bit pear-shaped!