It had been almost two years since I had visited Disneyland Paris, and things had changed. Although the theme park was more or less as I had found it before, a pair of Mickey Mouse ears on top of a giant tower now added to the skyline. Here was the entrance to a whole new world of Disney.

Quite honestly, Disney needed to offer something else because, if you peeled away the parades and shows of the theme park, it could not compete with Alton Towers as a destination for thrills and family rides

The new bit is called the Walt Disney Studios, and it's a scaled-down version of its American cousin in Florida. But don't get the idea that this added ingredient doesn't serve up some big entertainment.

There are five areas to visit and, with good planning, you can see and do it all quite comfortably in less than seven hours, leaving time to pop into the theme park for two or three hours.

The entrance leads you into the boring bit, a collection of eateries and shops paying homage to the movies, with an occasional location shoot providing at least a distraction.

But through the doors at the other end of this hangar-like Production Courtyard, things are much more exciting. Somehow - and I still can't figure out how he did it - my five-year-old, Jack, sneaked through the security that ensures that children below a certain height don't get on the white knuckle rides and took his seat on the Aerosmith Rock 'N' Roller Coaster. This indoor monster takes off at a frightening speed before launching you into a series of twists, turns and loops. The addition of a soundtrack from Aerosmith (ironically, Walk This was playing as we were thrown into a loop at breakneck speed) adds to the experience. Not to be missed, but not for the faint-hearted (or little ones).

Disney also serves up some cracking entertainment in the studio park. Ride on the studio tour bus and be prepared for a stunning experience in catastrophe canyon, where flames shoot into the sky and thousands of gallons of water head your way.

Or sit back and enjoy a magnificent outdoor stunt show featuring cars, motorbikes, a string of top stuntmen and a few rather nervous-looking members of the audience. This is top-notch entertainment set against the backdrop of a Mediterranean village and will entertain every age group.

Animagique is an inventive picture show with puppets, special effects and Disney characters, but for adults, the equally impressive Cinemagique - featuring some classic movie scenes - might just be the pick of the big screen offerings.

All these effects are great fun, but Disney is at its best when it pulls out the stops and leaves you gobsmacked. Like when you step into the Armageddon ride, ooh and aah at the special effects and are left cowering inside a spaceship as a shower of meteors thuds into metal and your face is warmed by licks of flame.

On the down side, the Flying Carpets Over Agrabah turned out to be little more than a themed merry-go-round, and the Television Production Tour was like looking at empty cages in a zoo (although there are times when the cameras are rolling).

The fast-track system for the bigger attractions in both parks enable you to plan your rides without queuing, but you will still face a wait of up to 20 minutes on the smaller attractions without the fast-track system. The studios make it more-or-less essential that you plan for a two-day visit to Disneyland Paris, or you will miss out on the parades and special events. Besides, it should not be a rushed experience.

Fact file

TRAVEL: We travelled with Rail Europe. Take the GNER train to London King's Cross, then transfer to Waterloo for the Eurostar service to Paris. There is a 9.30 service each day straight into the Disneyland rail terminal. Alternatively, the Eurostar service to Paris runs regularly. From the Paris Nord station you will need to travel one stop on the underground before switching to the RER train for a 40-minute journey. Check with Rail Europe for any deals, including whole packages with on-site accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION: We stayed in the mid-priced Sequoia Lodge hotel, which has the benefit of indoor/outdoor swimming pools and is only a five-minute walk to the Disney village at the entrance to the parks. There are five Disney hotels to choose from.

contacts: RailEurope (phone 08705 848 848 for reservations of visit the website, ww.raileurope.co.uk

GNER (phone 08457 225 225 or visit the website, gner.co.uk)

Updated: 09:27 Saturday, October 12, 2002