Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin
Disneyland Park Paris · Fantasyland
Overview
Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin was a small, gentle Ferris wheel in Fantasyland themed after the windmill from Disney's 1937 Silly Symphony short The Old Mill. Riders climbed into bucket-shaped gondolas that slowly rotated around the mill's sails, offering sweeping, unhurried views over the surrounding Fantasyland rooftops — a low-key counterpoint to the land's more elaborate dark rides and set pieces.
ParksLog Verdict
A charming, unassuming ride that most guests probably don't rank among Disneyland Paris's iconic attractions — but it's exactly the kind of gentle, low-intensity experience families with young kids miss most when it's gone. A nice piece of trivia for anyone who wants to understand how much quieter Fantasyland used to be before later expansions.
About this experience
A gentle windmill-themed Ferris wheel offering slow, sweeping views over Fantasyland from bucket-shaped gondolas inspired by the classic Disney short The Old Mill.
Best For
- Guests with fond memories of quieter Fantasyland attractions
- Fans of classic Disney Silly Symphony shorts
- Parents recalling gentle rides from visits with young children
Tips
- The Old Mill, the 1937 short that inspired the ride's theming, is worth watching to appreciate the connection
- Fantasyland has been reshaped multiple times since this ride's era — comparing old park maps shows how much the land has evolved
- Look for windmill imagery elsewhere in Fantasyland as a nod to this attraction's former presence
Details
History
The attraction opened in 1994, two years after the park's debut, and closed in 2014 after two decades of operation. Modest, lower-capacity attractions like this one have periodically been retired at Disney parks worldwide to make room for higher-throughput experiences or refreshed theming.
Fun Facts
- The ride's theming was based on The Old Mill, a 1937 Academy Award-winning Silly Symphony short film
- It ran for exactly 20 years, from 1994 to 2014
- Small Ferris wheel-style attractions like this one were common at Disney parks in the 1990s but have become increasingly rare since
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin take?
- The experience runs about 3 minutes. Budget extra time for the queue, any pre-show, and boarding — on busy days the full process can take considerably longer.
- Is Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin good for young children?
- Yes — Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin is listed as kid-friendly on ParksLog. The experience is gentle enough for most young guests, though always consider a child's individual comfort with the ride type before queuing.
- How intense is Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin?
- ParksLog rates this as very gentle — minimal motion, no significant speed or drops. Suitable for nearly all guests. Use your own judgement based on personal comfort and any health advisories posted at the entrance.
- When did Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin open?
- Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin opened at Disneyland Park Paris in 1994.
- Is Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin still operating?
- ParksLog marks this attraction as retired or no longer operating. Check Disneyland Park Paris's official site for the current lineup.