Le Pays des Contes de Fées is the Disneyland Paris version of the Storybook Land Canal Boats at Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom in California. Just like the original version in California, guests board boats and go on a cruise through a variety of stories that come to life in miniature form. This version is not the same as Disneyland’s in one fundamental way, however. There is no guide to narrate the attraction, as guests are guided by these miniature worlds representing their favorite stories. Instead, books showcase the story that is coming to life in the scene behind them.
The attraction debuted in 1994. Guests would enter by walking past a giant book representing Happy Valley from Fun & Fancy Free (1947), and its plants evoking a patchwork quilt (much like that seen in California). The canal boats all represent female Disney characters. There have been updates through the years, including modifying Rapunzel’s tower to be consistent with what is seen in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled. Some scenes have also been replaced in recent years with more current and well-known stories. What remains the same, though, is that as guests cruise past these scenes, they will hear music and some dialogue from these stories. It really is a magical experience.
There are also some other differences between Le Pays des Contes de Fées and the Storybook Land Canal Boats. For one, the direct translation of Le Pays des Contes de Fées from French is “The Land of Fairy Tales” in English. The boats for the French version can accommodate 15 people, instead of the 12-person boats at Disneyland. There are also some different stories that are represented. Some of these stories have been added over the years, or replaced. Below is a look at what guests currently experience when they go on each version of this attraction.
| Storybook Land Canal Boats | Le Pays des Contes de Fées |
|---|---|
| The village of Arendelle and Elsa’s ice palace from Frozen | The dwarfs’ mine and house from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs |
| The straw, stick, and brick houses from Three Little Pigs | Winnie the Pooh’s Treehouse from Winnie the Pooh |
| The manicured London park from Peter Pan | Rapunzel’s high tower with a braid hanging out of the window, from Tangled |
| The Alpine village from Pinocchio | The Old Mill |
| The English village from Alice in Wonderland | Prince Eric’s seaside castle from The Little Mermaid |
| The royal city of Agrabah and Cave of Wonders from Aladdin | The Greek temple and Mount Olympus from Fantasia |
| Prince Eric’s palace and King Triton’s underwater castle from The Little Mermaid | Snow-covered landscapes from Frozen |
| The Cottage of the Dwarfs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | The “Night on Bald Mountain” scene from Fantasia |
| The French countryside village and mountaintop castle from Cinderella | The Cave of Wonders from Aladdin, which swallows the boats |
| The Giant’s patchwork quilt from Lullaby Land | A scene from The Sword in the Stone |
| Toad Hall from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad | Belle’s village and the Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast |
| Rapunzel’s Tower from Tangled | Paradise Falls from Pixar’s UP |
This last summer, the following video of Le Pays des Contes de Fées was taken by a friend of Daps Magic, Spencer. The attraction at Disneyland Paris was updated for its 30th anniversary and saw some stories replaced. Specifically, Babes in the Woods was replaced by Winnie the Pooh, Peter and the Wolf was replaced by Frozen, and the Return to Oz scene was replaced by UP. Take a look at this charming attraction here:
Here is a look at the attraction as it was experienced in 2018:
What do you think of this charming attraction at Disneyland Paris? What is your favorite story in it? What is your favorite version of it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
