Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin was added to the Disneyland Paris menu of attractions in 1993, as part of the park's efforts to boost capacity. Tucked into a corner of the marketplace, just inside the entrance to Adventureland, Le Passage is a modest but beautifully crafted walk-through attraction in the spirit of the Sleeping Beauty Castle tour at Disneyland.
Step inside Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin, where Genie invites you (en Français) to "say the magic words" and come along with him on a storytelling adventure. Here, you'll discover a maze of narrow streets and corridors, adorned with elaborate painted murals, metal work, stained glass and even a hidden fountain.
Along the way, windows offer views of miniature scenes staged to reenact key moments from Disney's 1992 animated classic, Aladdin. Similar to the Emporium-style windows seen on Main Street, these tableaux combine limited animation and simple effects to create a charming experience. We follow Aladdin and trusty sidekick Abu from "street rat" to "diamond in the rough" and his encounter with the magical Genie, who presents him to the princess in a grand procession through town.
Scrolls in each window help tell the story, in both French and English, and there are plenty of little details to be appreciated by those willing to take the time to look. One of my favorites is the inclusion of the merchant from the opening of the film in the parade scene. He's offering his combination hookah and coffee maker (which also makes julienne fries!). Looks like he sold the Dead Sea Tupperware, though.
The story of Aladdin continues through the climactic battle scenes with Jafar and Aladdin and Jasmine's "happily ever after."
Before you know it, the passage has come to an end, and you find yourself back out in the bazaar. You're welcome to return any time, though, whenever you're looking for a respite from the weather or the crowds... or just a moment of classic Disney magic.