Overcoming the DisneyLand obstacles we then went by train to visit Parc Asterix where there were theme areas, water rides, white-knuckle attractions and lots of other things for the children that combined the "Asterix the Gaul" theme.
News of US warplanes accidentally killing over 20 allied soldiers in a so-called "friendly-fire" incident over Iraq.
I was awake very early this morning and, after rolling over to see Diana for a few minutes whilst the girls were still asleep, I lay there and thought that we had already spent enough time in EuroDisney to see the place and it would have been better to go somewhere else for the day.
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I discussed this with Diana and soon we had got Debbie up and through her bathroom routine early to give us a chance. We followed and the family were in for breakfast when it opened for 7.30am. More currency from reception and a chat with whoever we could find but we had difficulty in getting confirmation that Parc Asterix was open or directions of how to get there and had no luck in telephoning them or the tourist offices who did not open until 9.00am.
It seems that a conspiracy exists in the Disney resort to avoid guests getting information on alternative attractions and trips which is silly and counter-productive. In America, Disneyland coexists with Knotts Berry Farm and Six-Flags Magic Mountain and the choice and variety makes the stay even more enjoyable. At EuroDisney, not only is the resort smaller but there are less attractions and rides. Car hire is expensive and no excursions are publicised. Eventually, we worked it all out and set off with the family with train day tickets. We changed at Chatelet Les Halles again and on to Charles de Gaulle where we caught the coach to Parc Asterix.
This traditional French theme park has now been opened some five years but is in complete sympathy with French chauvinism. "Gauls" (representing the French with a comical moustached character "Asterisx" as their leader) duff over Romans with humour and aplomb. There are theme areas, water rides, white-knuckle attractions and lots of other things for the children that combine the "Asterix the Gaul" theme with the fairground-type rides that Disney lacks. The visitors are almost exclusively French and English translations are hard to come but the humour is very good and the overall package cheaper and more relaxed and friendly than Disney.
One of the water rides captures the essence as Gauls in the shape of Asterix or his grossly fat friend are seen pummelling the long-nosed, sandal-footed Romans dressed in breast-plates and helmets in all sorts of different ways. As we entered the park, we saw a real-life Gaul sitting on top of a Roman as staff were dressed up in the costumes and adding to the atmosphere and the whole idea is to make the legionnaires look stupid and ineffective which hardly accords with the historic perspective but nobody cares.
There were tableaux depicting similar scenes elsewhere in the park and then, as the highlight, we saw an indoor magic show and an outdoor dolphin display which was the kindest and gentlest dolphin display you could ever have wished to see. I captured it on video and will enjoy looking at it later. Again the weather was cold and windy and then torrential hail and rain brought proceedings to an end and we made our way back via a McDonalds at Chatelet les Halles.
Even the weather did not dampen the gaulist spirit of Asterix. Once back in the hotel, we heard news on the TV of similar weather back home and with more of the same to come. News of US warplanes accidentally killing over 20 allied soldiers in a so-called "friendly-fire" incident over Iraq. Two allied helicopters were shot down, being believed to be Iraqi in an appalling demonstration of ineptitude.