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Once upon a time there was a journalist with all the early Christmas spirit of Scrooge.

He hated the sight of festive decorations in shops before December had even started.

And as for high street lights being switched on in November… bah humbug!

Until one day he was whisked away by Mickey Mouse and two Disney princesses named Elsa and Anna.

And they melted his Frozen heart.

From that moment forth, he enjoyed a wondrous weekend as Disneyland Paris launched its breathtaking countdown to Christmas.

He watched in awe as the lights wrapped around the giant tree in the Town Square flickered into life.

He posed for photos with Mickey as a sprinkling of snow settled on his shoulders and waved at Santa Claus in his sleigh during the Christmas parade.

The festive fairytale that transformed this Scrooge is less than three hours’ train ride from London’s St Pancras station. Eurostar delivers you right to the park gates and is so much less stressful than flying.

Disney are the masters of magic at any time of year and they pull out all the stops at Christmas, draping every inch of Main Street USA with decorations, dotting around snowmen of favourite Disney ­characters and constantly piping carols through the speakers.

Inevitably, this year’s celebrations centre on the smash hit Frozen, including the chance to meet Elsa and Anna in person which was certainly the highlight for many of the young would-be princesses we met.

They also form the basis for Disney’s unforgettable Dreams of Christmas show, which is beamed directly onto the castle every evening.

It uses the fantasy fortress as a giant canvass for snippets from films such as Toy Story and Bambi, as well as transforming it into a colossal Christmas Tree and Santa’s workshop.

This is guaranteed to enchant children of all ages (my fiancee Verity and I were both utterly spellbound for the duration despite both being the wrong side of 30).

Once you have had your fill of the festivities in the main park, go next door to Walt Disney Studios Park for a taste of Disney’s latest attraction, Ratatouille: the Adventure.

It’s a feast for the senses – a whizzing, whirling carriage ride following Remy through the 4D kitchens of the devious chef Skinner as he collects the ingredients for his feast. And if that mayhem whets your appetite, pop next door to that to visit Bistrot Chez Remy, where you can experience a rat’s-eye view of the world as you eat.

You sit on giant corks and bottle-top chairs while tucking into your French cuisine among huge plates and wine bottles. It’s certainly a hugely entertaining way to dine.

As well as seasonal events and new attractions, there are plenty of old favourites to enjoy too. Younger visitors can explore Fantasyland, where they can take flight with Dumbo or soar with Peter Pan through Never Land, explore Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, sail the Seven Seas with the Pirates of the Caribbean, or brave spooky Phantom Manor.

However, Disney is not just for families. Any adults who arrive without children will find plenty of thrills too. The Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith combines breakneck speed with ear-splitting music from the Boston band to create an adrenaline-dripping joyride.

Meanwhile, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will force you to face your fear of heights as well as the unknown. It even outshines the same ride in Florida by flinging riders back to the top of the tower to plummet for a stomach-churning third time (one more than its American sister). Back in the main park there’s Big Thunder Mountain – a runaway mine train roller coaster that seems to last for ever – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril and Space Mountain: Mission 2.

The Space Mountain ride is still the jewel in the crown of Disney’s French roller coasters, a thrilling ride around the cosmos inspired by Jules Verne. It puts the Orlando version to shame. If you need a breather watch a stunt show or take in CineMagique, an interactive and imaginative trip through film history with a host of famous faces.

Throw in a wide range of shops, restaurants and photo points across the two parks where you can pose with your favourite Disney characters and there is simply too much to do in just one day.

Thankfully Disneyland Paris has its own range of hotels with comfortable, if unspectacular, rooms which are a great way to spend more time on site.

Guests are granted early access to the parks (though not the rides which do not open until 10am), so they can start exploring before the general public.

As this Christmas convert can testify, Disneyland Paris really is the perfect place to kick start your festive season and locate your long-lost Yuletide mojo.

Bah humbug to bah humbug is what I say.

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