Disneyland Paris weaves virtual magic with Google Earth tours

If you have ever dreamed of meeting Mickey Mouse and touring Sleeping Beauty's Castle you can now enjoy the best of the Disney experience without even leaving home.

From this month Disney fans will be able to get a three-dimensional view of the magical destination as Disneyland Paris becomes the first European theme park to use Google Earth.

However the kids might start to complain if you try to exchange a trip to Disneyland Paris for the virtual experience at home.

In fact, Disney is confident that the 3D experience will lead to more people booking to visit the park. Future visitors will be able to immerse themselves in all the resort has to offer, exploring and planning their trip before they book.

In true magical Disney style, visitors will be able to start their adventure with a virtual skydive taking them past the French countryside to a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle at the heart of the Disneyland Park.

Guests can then 'fly' through the streets of The Walt Disney Studios, the entertainment offerings of Disney Village and around each of the seven hotels before heading to Main Street, U.S.A.

In order to bring the theme park to life on the screen, two photographers worked for 20 days to shoot all the visible surfaces of Disneyland Paris, including every building facade.

A total of 85,000 photos were taken in all which became the start for some 1,587 3D models that populate the virtual tour.

'I have seen many amazing 3D models in Google Earth, but when I saw the new Disneyland Paris, I was blown away by how realistic it is. Disney's artists have outdone themselves,' said Brian McClendon, Engineering Director of Google Maps and Google Earth.

This partnership marks the first of many technology initiatives that will enable our guests to plan for and maximize their time while vacationing at Disneyland Paris,' said Philippe Gas, President of Disneyland Paris.

'Guests and travel planners can now explore our world with just a few clicks of a mouse, and they can book vacations while being immersed in what the destination has to offer.'