space travel disneyland paris

8 Awesome Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland Paris (2024)

This post may contain compensated links. Find more info in our disclosure policy

With two huge Star Wars fans in our family, we’ve done everything Star Wars that Disneyland Paris has to offer. From building lightsabers to catapult launches on Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and crossing over to the Dark Side with Darth Vader, Star Wars fans are in for a treat at Disneyland Paris!

Table of Contents

Star Wars at Disneyland Paris

There’s plenty to keep Star Wars fans entertained in Disneyland Paris!

1 | Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain

Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park Minimum Height Requirement: 1.20m

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is one of the best rides at Disneyland Paris. Going from 0 to 44 miles per hour in 1.8 seconds, riders are launched uphill in the distinctive Columbiad cannon which towers over Discoveryland

Riders enlist in the Rebel Alliance and are on a mission to spy on an Imperial Star Destroyer while doing battle with the evil Empire. The ride hurtles through a lightsaber-inspired blaster fire to the backdrop of a Star Wars soundtrack.

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain boasts 3 inversions (Indiana Jones and Avengers Assemble also have inversions at Disneyland Paris).

Star Wars Disneyland Paris tip: Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain was originally Space Mountain and, prior to its Star Wars retheming, it was themed to the Jules Verne book, From the Earth to the Moon.

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is one of the most popular rides at Disneyland Paris. Our favourite time to ride is during Extra Magic Hour (guests of Disneyland Paris Disney hotels are able to access the park one hour in advance of regular opening, it’s one of the best perks of staying in a Disney hotel!) when wait times are minimal.

2 | Meet the Mandalorian and Grogu

Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park (adjacent to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue)

Star Wars Disneyland Paris tip: Meet Mandlorian and Grogu is scheduled to return on March 4 2024 after taking a break in February 2024.

Meeting the Mandalorian and Grogu is one of favourite Disney meet-and-greets ever!

Located in Discoveryland, the Mandalorian has his own meet-and-greet set and the interaction is wonderful. A Photopass Photographer is present to capture the photos or you can take your own.

Star Wars Disneyland Paris tip: the Mandalorian and Grogu are extremely popular. Make sure to check the meet and greet times listed in the app.

3 | Star Tours: The Adventure Continues

Location: Discoveryland, Disneyland Park Minimum Height Requirement: 1.02m

Star Wars: The Adventure Continues is a 3D space flight to outer space. As you board the ship, a few mishaps cause it to launch too soon and C-3PO takes the controls as the First Order intercepts in search of a Rebel Spy.

Depending on your mission, there are appearances by Star Wars favourites including Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Admiral Ackbar.

With over 60 mission combinations, we’ve always had a unique ride through the farthest reaches of the galaxy!

4| Welcome to Starport: A Star Wars Encounter

‘I’ll show you the way to the Dark Side, in time we can rule the Galaxy!’

Starport: a Star Wars Encounter is another magnificent meet and greet at Disneyland Paris. Darth Vader greets guests in the Starport and, prepare yourself, he is terrifying!

A Photopass Photographer is present to capture the photos or you can take your own.

Star Wars at Disneyland Paris tip: Darth Vader has long been the sole host of this meet and greet but, before Christmas 2023, more Star Wars characters were added to the line up including Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, Boba Fett and Rey. It seems to have resumed to Darth Vader in 2024 but time will tell.

5 | Star Traders Boutique

Star Traders is a merchandise store dedicated entirely to Star Wars. It is located at the exit to Star Tours: The Adventure Continues (you can also enter directly from the park).

The store sells everything from lightsabers (including special editions) to clothing and character figures and costumes.

6| Build a Lightsaber and Build a Droid

Location: Star Traders, Discoveryland, Disneyland Park Cost: €35 for a single lightsaber, €55 for a double, €15 for a mini Droid Figure

Two of our favourite Star Wars activities at Disneyland Paris are in the Star Traders store – they are Build a Lightsaber and Build a Droid.

Guests can Build a Lightsaber in an 8-step process and you can choose between a single or double lightsaber. First up, you choose an emitter, a blade and a handle and then customise with switches, rings and a hilt sleeve. Then choose a cap and assemble the lightsaber.

You can also opt to build a miniature droid – each droid has a body, a head, two legs, a stand leg and a cap. There are a variety of each available to choose from and there are Disney options like Mickey or Goofy ears for the cap!

We love both activities and they’re a fun way to purchase souvenirs from the parks.

Star Wars Disneyland Paris tip: if you’ve been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland California, then be aware, the Disneyland Paris build a lightsaber is a much more low key experience. It’s an aisle within the Star Tours Store and the light sabers are plastic. It’s awesome for younger kids – our 4 and 6 year old love the experience and the lightsabers hold up well to their extensive play fighting!

7 | Star Wars Snacks

There are some fun Star Wars-themed snacks available in Disneyland Paris:

Rocket Cafe

Located in Discoveryland (close to Star Tours: The Adventures Continue/opposite the Mandalorian and Grogu Meet and Greet), Rocket Cafe is a small food kiosk with a Star Wars-themed snack menu.

There are delicious Stormtroopers and Darth Vader Waffles served with Nutella or Sugar and a tasty chocolate hazelnut and pistachio Boba Fett shortbread.

Cool Station

Another Discoveryland Kiosk, Cool Station is located opposite Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. It sells a fantastic chocolate hazelnut-filled pistachio Grogu Biscuit. It’s one of the cutest snacks in Disneyland Paris.

Cafe Hyperion

The distinctive Cafe Hyperion in Discoverland offers a BB-8 burger-stamped burger.

Disneyland Paris do like to change up the snacks periodically but Star Wars has featured on the menu consistently in recent times .

8 | Stormtroopers

Location: Discoveryland outside Welcome to Starport: A Star Wars Encounter, Disneyland Park

In recent weeks, Stormtroopers have been spotted patrolling in Discoveryland outside the line for Welcome to Starport: A Star Wars Encounter, Disneyland Park (the Darth Vader Meet and Greet).

Everything Star Wars at Disneyland Paris

Here’s everything else you need to know about Star Wars at Disneyland Paris:

Which Star Wars Character can I meet at Disneyland Paris?

At the moment, you can meet Darth Vader, the Mandalorian and Grogu.

If the Stormtroopers are patrolling you might be in luck with an interaction and a photo but they do choose who they stop with – there’s no line or structured meet and greet.

At times there are other Star Wars characters in the mix: as recent as December 2023, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, Boba Fett and Rey met with guests in the Starport.

Is a Star Wars Land coming to Disneyland Paris?

Unfortunately, despite an announcement by Disney in 2018, it doesn’t seem as though a Star Wars Land is on the horizon at Disneyland Paris. There has been no mention of it in recent years, much to the disappointment of Star Wars fans. We love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in California and Florida and Rise of the Resistance is one of our all-time favourite rides – we would have loved to see even a small part of this Star Wars Magic coming to Paris!

The current focus is on a Frozen-inspired Land, a new extension to the Walt Disney Studios Park which should open in the next year or two.

Is there anything Star Wars themed in Walt Disney Studios or the Disneyland Paris hotels?

Star Wars currently only features in Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris.

4 thoughts on “8 Awesome Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland Paris (2024)”

I remember waiting just shy of 4 hours to met Mando and Grogu when they first came to Disneyland Paris. And it was still worth it! They are truly amazing. Do you know what the current wait times are?

I’ve never seen Stormtroopers in Disneyland Paris, when did you experience that? Was it for a special event? How exciting!

Totally worth it! I think the lines are still pretty long but the Cast Members cut the line when it’s full and tell guests to return at the next time listed in the app so no one is waiting around for hours at least!

The Stromtroopers have been out on random days so hopefully it becomes a regular thing like the US parks!

Are the Star Wars characters every day, or only on certain days?

Darth Vader is usually there every day but the Stormtroopers only make ad hoc appearances. The Mandalorian and Grogu are scheduled to meet guests everyday but they’ve taken a few extended breaks in recent months – you can see if they’re out on the Disneyland Paris App.

From the Snow to the Stars

The story of Disneyland Paris’ one-of-a-kind Space Mountain begins decades before Disney even considered a European park, and an ocean away. And strangely, the tale begins in a place familiar to many of our Lost Legends’ origins: Tomorrowland, 1955. Walt was infamously displeased with the corporate showcase that Tomorrowland had become (by necessity) upon the park’s opening, and made it a priority to expand and redress the land.

In 1959 – just four years after the park opened – an unprecedented all-at-once growth spurt expanded Tomorrowland to include three new headlining attractions, each earning the newly-invented E-Ticket designation: Submarine Voyage, the Disneyland-ALWEG Monorail, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

The third is of particular interest, given that it was the first continous, modern steel roller coaster ever built. Manufactured by Arrow Dynamics of Utah, the complex ride system not only provided a smoother experience than traditional wooden roller coasters, but also came with a cutting-edge, first-of-its-kind electronic dispatch system allowing more than one train on the track at a time.

In 1964, Walt approached Imagineer and Disney Legend John Hench and tasked him with designing a new thrill ride that could serve as the focal point for an upcoming “New Tomorrowland” – a leap forward for the steel coaster concept, Walt and John developed the concept of an indoor roller coaster expanding upon the lessons learned from Matterhorn. The ride quickly gained the name Space Port.

Plans continued to move forward for this New Tomorrowland, and the indoor, outer-space themed ride would’ve been more than just the headlining E-Ticket… its graceful curves, Googie towers, and sleek white spires would set the visual style for the entire land-wide renovation.

Before any ground would be broken on Disneyland's Space Port, though, development in the mid-1960s shifted to the new “Disney World” to be built in Florida. Then, Walt’s unexpected death in 1966 seemed to sideline any hope of Disneyland getting a Space Port coaster at all.

But upon Disney World’s opening in 1971, Magic Kingdom proved unexpectedly popular for pre-teens and young adults, spurring Imagineers to reconsider the forgotten coaster plans as an added thrill. The Tomorrowland in Florida offered the right amount of space, and technology had advanced sufficiently to imagine that this complex coaster could actually exist in a refined, conical peak just outside of the park's railroad tracks.

Space Mountain opened first in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, on January 15, 1975. The dual mirror-imaged roller coaster tracks inside were actually faithfully modeled off of the two tracks on Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds! So when the attraction proved wildly popular at Disney World, the opportunity to bring the concept back West was too much to pass up. But in California, the ride would be entirely redesigned (since a duplicate of the Matterhorn wouldn’t do) with a single roller coaster track.

Icons of the close of the Space Age, the two geometric, white peaks in Florida and California gave guests the chance to become astronauts on a futuristic trip into the starry reaches of the universe.

The Man Behind the Magic

So by the late 1970s, both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland were launching guests to the stars. But as for Paris’ stellar take on the concept? That story was just beginning.

Like so many beloved-and-lost Disney Parks masterpieces, the creation of this Lost Legend revolves primarily around fan-favorite Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter.

The true story of Baxter’s rise is more fantastic than any invented biography could be – working part-time as a ride operator on Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage, one of Baxter's college design projects was spotted by Imagineers, earning him a tour of their facilities. Inspired by the visit, Baxter changed his major and was hired on right out of school as the production designer on a little ride under development for the new Walt Disney World being built in Florida: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

That’s right – Baxter went from operating Disneyland’s Submarine Voyage to designing the enhanced version that would call Magic Kingdom home.

Given that, by the 1970s, submarines were no longer the stuff of the future, Disney World’s version of the ride would need moved out of Tomorrowland. Instead, Baxter oversaw an evolution of the concept, retooling the ride into the universe of renowned 19th century author Jules Verne's novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Disney's 1954 movie adaptation of it. Under Baxter’s leadership, the fantastic Floridian submarine ride became an instant fan-favorite. You can catch up on that full, in-depth story in its own standalone Lost Legends: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – Submarine Voyage feature.

In short, Baxter proved himself right out the gate as a leading mind at Imagineering, and a figurehead for an up-and-coming second generation of designers – individuals who, unlike Walt’s first generation, had actually seen Disneyland as guests first .

Still, it was Baxter’s next project that would shape his portfolio for the rest of his career… and set the stage for Space Mountain in Paris.

The Ole’ West

Shortly after work was finished on Magic Kingdom – just as one group of Imagineers got to work creating Space Mountain for the park – another set of Imagineers returned home to Burbank, California where a roster of new ideas for Disneyland awaited.

The next major project for Baxter would be a difficult task. In the nearly two decades since Disneyland had opened, pop culture had changed dramatically. Frontierland was living proof. In Walt’s era, the Old West was a place and time defined by adventure, drama, and intrigue. Shows like The Lone Ranger and Davy Crockett captivated a generation, and it seemed that the exploits of cowboys and Indians would forever remain a staple of American fascination.

Trouble is, it didn’t.

By the 1970s, Americans’ obsession with the West had waned (and, arguably, has never returned, despite some earnest efforts). The idling past was no longer a place of romance and nostalgia in the collective consciousness. Frontierland’s solitary draw was the Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland – a 1960 ride that had been around a few years too long, only adding to the feeling that Frontierland was particularly rusty.

Baxter’s goal was simple: reinvigorate the past by giving Frontierland something to appeal to modern audiences who couldn't care less about the American frontier.

His answer was a brilliant one. In part, Frontierland would lose one Mine Train and gain another. A brand-new E-Ticket thrill ride would replace the aging Nature’s Wonderland. A runaway train would careen through canyons and fanciful hoodoos modeled on Utah’s Bryce Canyon on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

But this new steel coaster would be only the start of a reborn Frontierland.

The Story Continues

Think of it this way – Frontierland is set in the mid-1800s. We can identify the land as representing a sleepy forested mining town built around the mysterious peaks of Thunder Mountain, with intrepid miners excavating its supposedly cursed caverns in search of riches beyond their wildest dreams!

Baxter’s plan to reboot the land for more modern audiences depended not just on Big Thunder Mountain, but on the one question that the ride would inspire: Once those prospectors braved Big Thunder Mountain and found the gold inside, what would they do with it? Would they simply settle down in the sleepy, dusty mining town? Of course not! They’d continue their "Westward Ho" journey, arriving at the Pacific coast!

Which is why, at the intersection of Frontierland and Fantasyland, a path from Big Thunder Mountain would lead to a brand-new land built along the northern edge of the Rivers of America. Discovery Bay would’ve been a living, breathing port city; a San Francisco that never was; a fantastic realm of inventors, tinkerers, and thinkers; a steampunk metropolis of Victorian homes, crystal towers, submarines, lighthouses, zephyrs, and wharfs.

This brand new land would be the continuation of Frontierland’s story… an integral element of the Rivers of America. Among its highlighted attractions could’ve been the Fireworks Factory (a dark ride through the land’s Chinatown), the Voyage Thru Time (a Jungle-Cruise style adventure into the prehistoric past), the Island at the Top of the World (a suspended dark ride), and Captain Nemo’s Adventure (an unprecedented “simulator” ride that later inspired another Baxter creation and fellow Lost Legend: Star Tours .)

And in the mid-1970s, Discovery Bay was officially announced. It would become Disneyland’s seventh land when it opened in 1976 – America’s bicentennial.

Of course, as we well know, Discovery Bay never came to pass. Perhaps the most lauded and loved never-built project ever to hit Imagineering’s cutting room floor, the full story of the land Disney almost had is chronicled in our Possibilityland : Discovery Bay feature that’s a must-read for Imagineering fans.

But what does any of this have to do with the stunning Space Mountain that opened two decades later and a continent away? Read on…

Just your friendly neighborhood fan of tropical hideaways, Victorian boardwalks, mid-century tomorrows, ancient temples, and cursed forests! In between dreaming of Dole Whips, I'm a museum experience developer. I'm also the researcher behind Theme Park Tourist's Legend Library – filled with stories of Lost Legends , Modern Marvels , Declassified Disasters , and more.

Excellent article! I was among those who had hoped for a return to the original theming and was utterly disappointed when Hyperspace Mountain was announced. I consider myself lucky that I managed to ride Space Mountain in all its grandeur back in 1998 and I will keep hoping that someday De la Terre à la Lune will make a glorious comeback!

Great post! Even though I rode SM million times and already knew a lot I could learn some new stuff here. :)

I have a little golden nugget for you that either you did not know or were not mentioning intentionally. But anyway, there's a really great 3D modelled reincarnation of Space Mountain (or Discovery Mountain as even the then built ride should have been named, as far as I know?!): https://youtu.be/ttgSaGR5s90 Also check out his website http://www.noacco.net/immersarium/ where you can get a live 3D version of Space/Discovery Mountain where you can even move. I just love it. :)

The same guy did also 3D model Star Tours, check out his channel.

Thanks, Max

This guy is so frustrating. He writes great in-depth articles and then completely ruins it by shoehorning his tired opinion that everything new is awful at the end. This quote for example.....

"It’s the most recent in what’s become Disney’s new calling card: hastily and thoughtlessly stuffing hot intellectual properties into the parks, even at the expense of cannibalizing classics and decimating themed lands."

Wah wah wah

I rode both De La Terre a la Lune and Mission 2 countless times, and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that Mission 2 blows De la terre out of the water on every level. Hyperspace Mountain will no doubt be incredible, by this guy wants to dump all over it before it has even begun because in his mind everything should stay the same as it always was - nothing should ever change or evolve. How boring.

It's annoying because he's clearly a good writer and his articles are informative and entertaining, but he feels he HAS to drive in his bored, polarising opinion at the end.

While I think you're right about the articles being too negative about anything new, saying that Mission 2 was better or even close to as good and consistent as De La Terre a la Lune is something I can not follow at all.

As the article states, it still was one of the best themed coasters ever, but it was completely lacking the soul and uniqueness of the original while also forming an odd contrast to it's exterior and the whole of discoveryland. I still hope it will return some day as the new trains still have that look to them. For me, the original Space Mountain Paris will always be the greatest roller coaster overall experience ever.

It's often inspiring and heartbreaking to see what has "could've been." I've often daydreamed of an additional to Animal Kingdom (perhaps replacing Rafiki's Planet Watch) that would adapt the Thunder Mesa concept as a trip to the arctic. Rather than a giant mesa to explore we are brought to a glacier face, inside could be a Journey to the Center of the Earth inspired ride! Or how about a reimagined Edison Square edition just off Main Street where we have a Mystic Manor style visit to Menlo Park?!

Add new comment

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...

Skip to right header navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to primary sidebar

Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

image of the Disneyland Hotel; how you will enter Disneyland Park when spending one day in Disneyland Paris

The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Itinerary (Without Lines!)

May 20, 2020 // by Zahra Leggatt // Leave a Comment

image of the Disneyland Paris castle; definitely a feature of your Disneyland Paris itinerary

Best Time Of Year To Visit Disneyland Paris

image from the Its a small world ride, beautiful colors, a must during your one day in Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Park Hours

Generally, Disneyland Park opens at 10am. When starting to plan your Disneyland Paris itinerary, you need to check the schedule for your chosen day, because – depending on the time of year you’ll be visiting – the park closure time varies from 6.30pm – 11pm.

Walt Disney Studios Hours

image of Fantasia Mickey outside Walt Disney Studios in Disneyland Paris

How To Use Fastpass At Disneyland Paris

You walk up to the ride that you want the fastpass for and check what the ‘return time’ is. If that time suits you, then you go to the machine, scan your park tickets (you need to scan the ticket of everyone in your party who wants to ride) and grab your Fastpass ticket.

Don’t leave either your park ticket or your Fastpass ticket behind! That will most definitely NOT help your Disneyland Paris itinerary!

Once you have your Fastpass you can do other things while you wait for your time slot. You’ll have plenty of time to grab some good food at the Disneyland Paris restaurants – we have a great guide about which ones are the best here !

When it’s your time, return to the ride and go to the designated Fastpass line.

Don’t forget to grab another Fastpass ticket as soon as you can, afterwards!

Read our complete article on Fastpass at Disneyland Paris.

image of the iconic hat with Peter and Wendy flying around it - don't miss the details when visiting Disneyland Paris in a day

Best And Worst Disneyland Paris Fastpass Options

image of the Hollywood Tower hotel; a definite must on your Disneyland Paris itinerary

Arrival And Rope Drop At Disneyland Paris

image of the gates that will welcome you upon arrival for your Disneyland Paris itinerary

One Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary Morning Plan

image of the Walt Disney Studios tower; look out for it when visiting Disneyland Paris in a day

Start: Walt Disney Studios at park opening

Stop 1: Crush’s Coaster This is a great fun coaster, for all ages. It does have a single rider line, if the lines are long and you could use these, but if you’ve been in the park from opening, the line should be short. You cannot get a FastPass for this ride.

image of the beautiful Sleeping Beauty castle; do not miss the details when visiting Disneyland Paris in a day

One Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary Afternoon Plan

Disneyland paris park 2-8pm.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril – an exhilarating ride full of twists, turns and unexpected elements
Big Thunder Mountain – one of our favorites and has an in ride photo, unlike the one in WDW
Phantom Manor – a similar version of the Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean – similar to the Magic Kingdom version but with some unique differences, making it worthwhile and possibly better – don’t forget to shout Bon Appetit to the diners!
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain – formerly just Space Mountain and streets ahead of the Magic Kingdom ride, in our opinion. It is a lot more intense and includes inversions, but is a smoother ride.

image of the Phantom Manor; will this be a must on your Disneyland Paris itinerary?

It’s a Small World – with a celebration of diverse languages. The parade route starts close to this ride, so you may want to be here to catch the start of the parade and then to ride It’s a Small World!
Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains (traditional dark ride, which may be too dark for really young guests)
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
Casey Jr – le Petit Train du Cirque (we took our 2 year old on this and she LOVED it – it’s such a catchy tune and joyful ride, but with a very slow moving line. Now they’re older, I’d want this to be a walk on to prioritise this over other rides)

Disney favorites:

Mickey’s Philharmagic
Dumbo the flying elephant (slow loading and repetitive – if you have children, do NOT let them persuade you to queue for this early in the afternoon – this is an end of the day ride!)
Peter Pan’s Flight – beautiful and with typically shorter wait times than the US Disney parks
Mad Hatter Tea Cups – particularly beautiful at night
Le Carrousel de Lancelot – another particularly slow loading ride

image of the parade floats in front of the castle; Disneyland Paris itinerary

We think it’s really worth your time to dedicate some exploration time, as mentioned at the top of this section.

Alice’s Curious Labyrinth is great fun and you can climb up the Queen’s castle.
The rope bridge in Adventure Isle is fun for all ages
The castle interior ( La Galerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant ) has been executed with amazing detail and you can get one member of your party to go down and take a photo of you on the balcony!
The sleeping dragon is a fabulous touch, although my toddler found the snoring a little sinister!
Les Mysteres du Nautilus – takes me back to when there was a Nautilus in Magic Kingdom

image of the train station within Disneyland Paris park; take a trip around the park on the train when spending one day in Disneyland Paris

Dinner

You will need a break for dinner – to sit down and rest your legs.

Whilst there are good table service options in Disneyland Paris (we recommend Captain Jack’s Restaurant des Pirates for a great experience and atmosphere!) and you can read more about them here you will probably find the prices quite expensive and the quality not quite as good as you’re expecting.

Given France’s culinary reputation, I have rarely been particularly impressed with the quality or value for money of meals in the Table Service restaurants in either of the parks.

Aside from this, with your one day in Disneyland Paris, you may find that you want to go back to the Studios to catch a show or want to explore more attractions or repeat some of your favourite rides. If doing Disneyland Paris in a day, I’d be tempted to eat again at a Quick Service location and have more time to explore the parks.

IF both parks close early on your one day in Disneyland Paris and you can cope with a snack to keep you going, then we would recommend eating dinner in Disney Village after the parks are closed.

image of entrance to Walt Disney Studios, if walked to from the Disneyland Park - easily done when visiting Disneyland Paris in a day

After dinner

Once you’re happy you’ve done your essentials (particularly before Studios closes), then we recommend you mentally list your ‘top wishes’, based on the time you have left and what you’ve not achieved during the day (or things you’d like to see/experience again!).

We recommend you make time to watch Illuminations, which is a 20 minute nightly show that takes place at park closing. You may wish to eat hot dogs while staking out your spot, or prefer to ride Hyperspace Mountain one more time and walk up minutes before it starts – the benefit of this Disneyland Paris itinerary is that you make the choices that suit your group!

After Illuminations, if you didn’t eat beforehand, make your way to Disney Village and choose where you want to eat. If it’s a nice evening, you may wish to take out and stroll around the lake and take in the illuminated hotels and balloon.

If you did eat beforehand, and you have the energy, then shopping might be your preferred activity! Remember, Disney Village is generally open late, so you shouldn’t need to rush!

Disney California Adventure World of Color

Reader Interactions

8 Things a First-Time Disneyland Paris Visitor Should Know

disneyland Paris Feature_nicola-ricca-723596-unsplash

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

If you're taking the family to France, you might consider a visit to Disneyland Paris. As a Disney World guidebook writer and all-around Disney fanatic, a trip to Chez Mickey was high on my bucket list. Now that I'm back, I'm happy to share what a first-time visitor to Disneyland Paris needs to know.

Disneyland Paris Is Cheaper Than US Disney, But...

How much cheaper varies by when you go. Depending on the day you visit, one day/one park tickets can go as low as $63/day. Even peak tickets will run you $101. By comparison, tickets at Disney World start at $109 and go up to $129 on peak days.

And for anything more than a two-day visit, annual passes for Disneyland Paris look like a good deal. Annual passes for Disneyland Paris are as low as 149 euros ($170) and even the super-deluxe model is only 399 euros ($450). When buying your tickets in France, make sure to use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees .

Here's the big "but": Disneyland's FastPass system can be outrageously expensive. Disneyland Paris follows the Universal Studios model where you buy a separate FastPass that allows you a varying number of entries based on how much you pay. The bare-bones, one-time-per-ride (and not every ride) model runs $58 and it goes all the way up to $192 for just a single day.

All is not lost, though. Disneyland Paris also has the old-school, paper FastPass system. As long as you are on your game and get those FastPasses early, you can still ride everything you want to ride without spending a lot of extra money to cut the lines.

Unlike US Disney tickets, Disneyland Paris tickets are actually available through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal with transportation from Paris. However, it is not always a good value if you're only doing one park and it's offseason. I see prices at $123 (8,200 UR if you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve points). The train ride is normally less than $10 and park tickets are as low as $63. However, if you're doing a Park Hopper and peak season, it isn't a bad deal as the Chase portal charges the same price year-round. Like in the US, the park tickets coded as entertainment, not travel, for category bonus purposes.

It's Well Loved by Locals

In this way, Disneyland Paris reminds me of Disneyland in California . This means you're well served to schedule your visit for a weekday to avoid crowds. The difference between our Saturday visit and our Tuesday visit was stark. Granted, weather was partly to blame, but it's still a solid strategy to visit Disneyland Paris on Monday–Friday, if you have the option. While the park may draw lots of locals, English is spoken everywhere and much of the staff during our visit was actually British.

This was on a Saturday in winter. I can only imagine the lines peak season weekends.

It's Really Easy to Get to from Paris, But Takes an Hour

Transportation to and from Disneyland Paris is top-notch, with the RER/TGV train station stopping right at the park gates. However, if you're paying (or hoping to avoid) Paris hotel prices, it might be worth it for you to stay closer to Disneyland Paris for a night. Not only could it be cheaper, you'll be grateful not to have the long train ride back to the city after a full Disney day. If you stay at one of the six Disneyland Paris hotels, you can get into the parks an hour earlier than the general public.

Disneyland Paris Has Two Parks ... Kinda

Just as California has Disneyland and California Adventure Park, Disneyland Paris has two parks directly across from each other: Parc Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. And just as Hollywood Studios in Florida is only worth a half day ( at least until Star Wars Land opens ), a casual Disney fan could probably skip Walt Disney Studios in France. If you've only got one day, save it for Parc Disneyland.

As at Hollywood Studios in Florida, Walt Disney Studios has the Tower of Terror (officially called the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror), Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and even a version of the old "Lights, Camera, Action" stunt show.

Walt Disney Studios also has a Toy Story Playland, but the attractions pale in comparison to those at Disney World. In fact, it feels like Disney bought the Toy Story Playland rides from a roadside carnival and put on a colorful coat of paint.

There are two attractions that are distinctive for stateside visitors: Crush's Coaster, which is an indoor roller coaster based on "Finding Nemo," and Ratatouille: The Adventure, which is a trackless 3D journey through Remy's kitchen. "Ratatouille" is on its way to Epcot, so it was fun to get a preview. For that reason, more passionate Disney fans might want to plan a visit to Walt Disney Studios. However, I'd go with a Park Hopper because I don't see spending all day there.

(Entrance of the Walt Disney Studios park at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee. Photo by AFP PHOTO / Bertrand Guay)

It's Not Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom

Parc Disneyland is more like someone turned the Magic Kingdom up to 11. For instance, Phantom Manor, which looks a little like the Haunted Mansion, is more intense and darker than the hitchhiking ghosts you might be used to in Florida. Sleeping Beauty Castle can not only be toured, you can visit Maleficent locked up in the basement. Big Thunder Mountain is almost twice as long as in the US and even "It's a Small World" has a North American section that charmed all ages. And wait until I tell you about Space Mountain. (There's a reason it is on TPG 's list of best Disney rides around the world. )

The Food is Not Magical

This one surprised me, as French food usually equates to great food. Disney food ( if you know where to look) is also great . Therefore, I thought Disneyland Paris food would be great. Not so much. The snacks and meals we tried over four days ranged from "meh" to downright inedible, and they were expensive both for Paris and for a theme park.

The theme at most Disneyland Paris restaurants is "American." However, their interpretation of American is school cafeteria-level hamburgers, soggy fries and ketchup-tinged barbecue. It was sad to see the USA's varied cuisine showcased in such a sorry state. We only found one outlet in each park worth visiting again.

In Parc Disneyland I'd suggest (using the term loosely) Au Chalet de la Marionnette, a Pinocchio-themed quick service outlet. For 20 euros ($22) my daughter and I shared a fatty ham hock (pork knuckle), three mozzarella sticks, a fruit cup, a green salad and a bottle of water. The standouts were the fresh fruits and veggies.

In Walt Disney Studios, I'd head for the red food carts near the "Ratatouille" ride. There, we found a selection of basic, but reasonably tasty, French fast food: crepes, cheeses, soups, etc. At 7 euros ($10) my buckwheat crepe with ham, Brie, honey, arugula and walnuts wasn't a bargain, but it didn't feel like a rip-off, either.

"Rip-off" is the word that comes to mind when I review our experience at Bistrot Chez Rémy, the signature restaurant in Walt Disney Studios. While the theming — giant everything as if you're shrunk to rat size — is adorable, the only options are a set menu starting at 33 euros ($40) for adults and 19 euros ($21) for kids ages 3 to 11. While my daughter did enjoy her cod fillet and mashed potatoes, most of my tough and stringy skirt steak was left on the plate. With wine, our check was over 70 euros ($80), which cost more than every meal that we actually enjoyed in downtown Paris .

(Bistrot Chez Remy restaurant at The Walt Disney Studios park at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee. Photo by Bertrand Guary/AFP/Getty Images)

Disney lovers are passionate about their Disney treats, be they churros or Dole Whip . Everywhere you look, there's an adorable Mickey-adorned snack at the USA parks. However, at Disneyland Paris we had to look far and wide to find anything that wasn't packaged and shipped from Florida. We finally found a stale Mickey-shaped meringue, half of which ended up in the trash can. There were adorable Yoda pistachio cookies at Walt Disney Studios, but they were there only for the park's "Legends of the Force" festival.

Finding Star Wars

In Disneyland Paris, the Force is split between the two parks, unlike other Disney Parks where Star Wars attractions are centralized. Parc Disneyland holds the Star Tours attraction and a character meet and greet, while Walt Disney Studios hosts both the live action shows and the evening "Galactic Spectacular." In other words, if you have a Star Wars fan in your midst, you can get away with only visiting Parc Disneyland without them feeling deprived.

I almost forgot to mention the best part: Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. Let me rephrase for emphasis: upside-down Star Wars Space Mountain. One-of-a-kind in the world, the Parc Disneyland version of Disney's iconic roller coaster shoots you straight into a battle where you corkscrew-dodge TIE fighters and laser beams. It simply must be experienced to be believed. All other Space Mountains will seem vanilla to me from now on.

Offseason Means Offseason

Park hours are significantly shorter in winter, with most days running from 10am to 6:30pm. Even within those limited hours, a number of attractions close early. We tried to ride Tower of Terror at Walt Disney Studios at 5pm and were turned away. Adding to the negatives: refurbishments. During our visit, Phantom Manor and Crush's Coaster, two A-list attractions, were closed. Plan around a month or so in advance by checking the refurbishment calendar .

The upside, of course, is that on a snowy January day we could walk onto attractions including Big Thunder Mountain, which operates even in snow. I'm telling you now that riding Big Thunder Mountain in snow was on my bucket list and I didn't even know it until it happened.

Bottom Line

Even a casual Disney fan will enjoy Disneyland Paris, but you shouldn't expect an exact copy of any other Disney park. The rides are more thrilling, the castle is more colorful and the experience is all-around fantastic ... as long as you don't expect gourmet cuisine or adorably Instagrammable Disney treats.

Looking for more Disneyland Paris advice? Here are a few more related stories:

5 of the Best-Value Points Hotels in Paris
10 of the Most Instagrammable Places in Paris
Visiting Paris in Winter With a Family
What No One Tells You About Paris
Free Things to do in Paris With Kids
8 Mistakes First Time Visitors to Paris Make
Best Way to Cross Atlantic on Miles
Visiting Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris to Host First Magical Pride Event

Browse shopDisney
Buy Park Tickets
Find Package Prices
Book Tickets & Hotels
Disneyland Park
Walt Disney Studios Park
Disney Village
Map of Disneyland Paris
List of Attractions
Practicalities
Park Tickets
Extra Magic Time
Ride Restrictions
Discoveryland

Ad: Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary Offers and Deals

Welcome to Discoveryland

Attractions.

Retired (Closed)

Main Street, U.S.A.
Frontierland
Adventureland
Fantasyland
BUY TICKETS NOW, SAVE TIME Just Tickets? Save time and money: buy your Disneyland Paris park tickets before you go! BUY TICKETS
BOOK YOUR RETURN Fully Flexible Change or cancel your booking easily (terms apply) • Book your return to the magic now! FIND PRICES
BOOK NOW AT DISNEYLANDPARIS.COM Ready to go? Get a quote and book online now at the official Disneyland® Paris website. BOOK NOW
Map of Disneyland® Paris
Toon Studio
Production Courtyard
Disney® Village
Annual Passports
Driving Directions
Restaurant Menus
Disney's FASTPASS
Extra Magic Hours

28 Disneyland Paris Tips for First Timers!

Last Updated on June 20, 2023

Disneyland Paris for First Timers; What is scarier than booking a vacation to the happiest place on earth - not knowing what you're doing. Check out these Tips for First Timers and get a real sense of what is to come.

Disneyland Paris for First-Timers it can be hard going, with children even more so, looking after young children can be stressful at the best of times. If it is your first time in France experiencing French culture is another new experience to be had.

We love Disneyland Paris and have had the opportunity to visit many times. That said Mouse Travel Matter presents 28 Disneyland Paris Tips for First Timers! These are our first-hand tips from our days exploring Disneyland Paris as Disneyland Paris First Timers.

Disneyland Paris: Travel Planner - Vacation Planning, Disneyland ParisPlanning, Printable PDF

28 Tips to Make Your Day Brighter

If you haven’t booked yet and can afford it, book at least 3 days as you can’t get much done in a day, it takes time to get your bearings, and it doesn’t give you room for a rainy day .
Plan plan plan your day! You will do so much walking and the wait times for things can be extremely long so know where you’re going and what you’re doing, otherwise, you’ll spend ages just walking about doing nothing.
Take comfortable shoes or several pairs to alternate as you will walk a lot. After tracking our steps we were covering over 12 Km a day pushing a buggy.
Take water bottles and concentrated juice and fill up at the fountains around the park. You’ll save a fortune.

For great photos and inspiration, follow us on Instagram.

Make your reservations for dinner early as otherwise, you’ll end up just eating burgers and fries.
Book advanced dinner reservations for character dinners if you can, it’s fantastic. We saved this for our last night and our kids met so many characters in such a short space of time included Mickey whom we refused to queue for the day before (just too long and too hot to even try)
If you have a non-walking baby or even just a small child, take a baby sling or carrier. You can’t take strollers into the queue and when you’re waiting over an hour for a ride, your arms will start to hurt holding them the entire time.
Take some snacks from home. We didn’t need as much as I packed as we were so full from breakfast, but it was handy to have them if needed (especially when trying to keep little ones happy in queues)
Ensure you get to see Mickey and the Magician, the Disney Stars on Parade and the Disney Illuminations Fireworks show. Find your spot about an hour before these events start as many guests start waiting quite early! These definitely helped make our holiday and I’d highly recommend not missing them.
Take layers and waterproofs.

Download the free Disneyland Paris Mobile App , which can show you your current location in the park and is handy to see quickly where things. It also displays current wait times for rides!
We recommend dining at Bistrot Chez Rémy . This sit down restaurants decor is fantastic and the food is lovely. Ratatouille: The Adventure next door is brilliant! You shrink down to the size of Remy and duck, dive, dodge and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a gigantic kitchen.
Allow lots of time for meals in restaurants. 1.5 hrs for a 2-course meal minimum.
For those travelling to Disneyland Paris with Kids , be sure to tie something unique such as a ribbon to your buggy if taking one. You wouldn’t want to walk off with someone else’s after a ride or lose yours in a sea of strollers.
As Disneyland Paris First Timers we planned to spend all day in the park, as it can be a good 20 min walk back to the hotel so we avoid the trek back until evening. Little ones can sleep in the stroller and parents can use Rider Swap.
If riding the Magical Shuttle between Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport and Disneyland Paris. It’s really not obvious at all where to catch the bus. Follow the signs for generic buses from Terminal 2E and then look out the window for yellow coaches. There is no Disney sign.
Be prepared for bag checks and x-ray machines when entering Disney Parks and Hotels.
Seasoned Disney Fans use ID holders around their necks to hold their tickets, fast passes, photo pass etc. It will save you the bag shuffling.
Prepare yourself for lots of queues. Even when visiting off-peak it can be very busy and quite warm waiting in the queues without shade or covers. Hats and water are a must to prevent dehydration .
If staying on-site at a Disney Hotel, every morning at breakfast there is a character outside the restaurant (you don’t need to be having breakfast for this) with an official photographer for the meet and greet, in some of the hotels. Call to see if your hotel has this option. The wait is never long and you are only competing with fellow hotel guests, not the whole park
If you aren’t watching the parade, use that time to explore Walt Disney Studios Park around 4 pm. It’s much quieter for rides at that time.
If renting a stroller, it is best to rent on the day you want to catch Illuminations, as it’s not till 11 pm in the summer months. T his way your kids can sit back and chill out whilst you wait.

If you have purchased your Disneyland Paris package with Free Half Board Plus like us on occasion, and it is a good thing it was free because paying for it wouldn’t have been worth it. Princess lunch at Auberge de Cendrillon took 2 vouchers and we only had 1 left so we still ended up paying for half the meal. Bistrot Chez Rémy required the extra addition of dessert and drinks, and Plaza Gardens was only half off since the breakfast voucher doesn’t cover the whole cost, just a lunch voucher – to be used during actual lunchtime. Full Board Premium or nothing for us.
During Extra Magic Time, there are meet and greets for Minnie, Donald and Chip & Dale.
If you plan on taking any Photopass+ pictures, it is worth buying in advance since it is cheaper and a lot more trouble to buy it after you arrive.

Yes! There’s is a Dragon under the castle; “La Tanière du Dragon”. For Disneyland Paris First Timers, it is not to be missed.
Don’t worry if you don’t speak French, the majority of the Continent doesn’t either. You will be fine.
European attitudes are a bit different from North America. They’re Not Rude, They’re Just French. They may appear rude or indifferent, that’s not it – they just do it differently. Walt Disney World has different magic all its own. You may find that Europeans don’t have much tolerance for “personal problems” or “do you know how much I paid for this vacation?” type attitudes. It’s part of the Disney experience worldwide to explore cultures.

Bring a portable charger . Taking all those pictures are going to kill your battery and you can’t rely on public outlets when you are on the proverbial clock.
Take advantage of FastPasses. You may not be able to book in advance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think about it strategically. Plan which attractions you want to FP and in which order.
Never pay for water. All quick service locations, plus the water fountains at all restrooms, have free drinking water.
Take a picture of your parking spot. Cause let’s be honest, when you are that tired, you will not remember where you parked.
Buy your tickets online. It’s cheaper!
Get a special occasion button. Considering it’s your first time, you will want to celebrate with a fancy new Disney pin. And they are free!
Have your shopping sent to your hotel room. No need to carry anything around with you, just have the store send everything to your hotel gift shop, and collect it tomorrow.
Use the single rider line. If you have zero intention of riding those scary attractions with your partner, send them through the single rider line and watch as they sore to the front of the line and fill in those empty seats.
Or the Rider switch system. If your little ones can’t or won’t ride a certain attraction, no one has to choose to stay away. The rider switch system allows everyone a chance to ride while the other parent watches the children.
Eat at weird times. Most people like to eat at noon and 5 pm. If you can muster the strength to eat well before or after these times, you will have much better success in securing a table, and the kitchen staff won’t be as busy.
Use a Stroller . You may not think your littles ones require a stroller anymore but this is Disneyland Paris! The number of Miles you and your family will walk in a single day is incredible. Add that to the heat, less of sleep and overwhelming nature of Disney, and you have a recipe for disaster. Even if you park it in the morning and only grab it after lunch, you will thank yourself for it later.

Are you ready for a European adventure including Disneyland Paris? We hope this gives Disneyland Paris First Timers the info needed for a great time at DLP.

Your Thoughts...

Please share your thoughts in the comments or reach out on social media...We would love to hear from you.

Follow Mouse Travel Matters for Disney Parks news, the latest info and park insights, follow MTM on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram .

Eurostar to Disneyland ® Paris

Young guest travelling on the Eurostar with Mickey Mouse balloons

In just 3 hours you can be whisked from the heart of London to the magic of Disneyland ® Paris on Eurostar ™ .

Travelling to disneyland ® paris via eurostar ™.

Hop on board at London St Pancras International and arrive at the heart of the magic, just 2 minutes walk from the Disney Parks . You'll arrive in no time with a quick and easy change at Lille!

Simply take the Eurostar train from London St Pancras International to Lille Europe station and change for a connecting French high-speed train (TGV).
This TGV train will then take you to Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy station, which is opposite the Disneyland® Paris park gates.
The whole journey should take just 3 hours , depending on your connection.
Lille Europe station is easy to navigate and stress-free! It's a small train station with just 4 platforms.

Search for your Disneyland Paris package with Eurostar

Please note, children under 4 do not get a seat and sit on their parent's lap. To add a seat for any child under 4 please call freephone on 0800 085 0655 * to book.

With Disney Express Enjoy the Magic as Soon as You Step off the Train!

To ensure you don't miss a second of the magic, you can choose to add the Disney Express luggage service when travelling on the Eurostar ™ train via Lille, or if you've booked your Eurostar ™ travel independently. This can be added to your booking for £18 per person .

When you arrive at Disneyland Paris Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, go straight to the Disney Express counter on the first floor to drop off your luggage and receive your advance Hotel check-in documents (including your Park tickets). You can then head straight to the Parks, while your luggage is taken safely to your Hotel, or you to collect at check-in.

When it's time to say goodbye, simply drop-off your luggage at your Hotel's Concierge Desk before 11:00 AM and it will be transferred directly to the station, so you can spend the whole day exploring Disneyland Paris. You will need to pick your luggage up from the Disney Express counter in the station at least 40 minutes prior to your train's departure.

To add Disney Express to your booking or as a standalone add-on, please contact our Disney Experts on 0800 169 0737 .

Your luggage will be taken straight to your hotel to collect when you check in!

About Your Eurostar ™ Ticket

You can book your Eurostar ™ tickets as part of your Disneyland Paris package which includes:

Accommodation at a Disney ® Hotel
Tickets to both Parks for the duration of your stay - Disneyland ® Park and Walt Disney Studios ® Park
Return Eurostar ™ tickets in Standard Class

Book your Disneyland Paris package with Eurostar ™ travel

Eurostar ™ Travel Classes

Standard Class gives you all the comfort you'd expect from Eurostar ™ .

Generous luggage allowance, so there's no need to travel light
A convenient onboard bar buffet for you to purchase a range of snacks, meals and drinks
Free onboard wifi which even works in the Channel Tunnel (subject to connectivity)

Choosing to upgrade to Standard Premier Class means you'll also receive:

A delicious light meal and drinks at your seat, with a choice of dishes to suit the time of day
Dedicated coaches with extra spacious seats and power sockets

Please note, children without paid seats will not qualify for the light meal, but don't worry! You can find lots of child-friendly options available for purchase at Café Métropole, Eurostar's onboard bar buffet.

Bookings are subject to availability and our booking conditions . For the sale of Disneyland Paris hotel and ticket packages, Walt Disney Travel Company acts as agent for Euro Disney Vacances S.A.S. Prices do not include insurance.

1 Disney Hotel benefits are not available at Partner Hotels. 2 Extra Magic Time: conditions are subject to those at the time of publishing. Extra Magic Time is subject to availability and may vary across Disney ® Parks. Please visit www.disneylandparis.co.uk or call 0800 169 0737 for more information. 3 Excludes Disney Davy Crockett Ranch which is a 15 minute drive away.

† Disney Express is available at all Disney Hotels and Partner Hotels (except Disney Davy Crockett Ranch and Les Villages Nature Paris). The Disney Express counter is open from 08:00am to 09:30pm, 7 days a week and is located at the top floor of Marne-la-Vallée station. Note: For safety reasons, some items such as jewelry, laptops, cameras, strollers, golf clubs, etc ... cannot be accepted in deposit at the counter of the Disney Express service.

§ Free P&O Ferries Crossing is valid for new Disneyland Paris package bookings made between 2nd May 2024 - 30th May 2024 (inclusive) for arrivals between 9th May 2024 - 30th September 2024 (inclusive). Offer valid for all P&O Ferries crossings displayed on www.disneyholidays.co.uk/disneyland-paris within the offer booking period. Offer is limited to one car carrying up to 6 occupants per booking. Offer is combinable with other offers subject to respective terms and conditions.

Close Window

Disney Halloween Festival

A season full of wickedly wonderful surprises:

Spine-chilling Atmosphere: Get ready to feel the spooky Halloween chills in the air.
Eeerie Entertainment: Discover Mickey's Magnificent Halloween Parade.
Marvellous Meets & Greets: Experience encounters with Disney Villains and Disney Characters.
Ghoulish Treats: Enjoy exclusive seasonal snacks and ghoulish gifts

Explore the Celebrations

Disney Enchanted Christmas

A season full of magical celebrations and fairy-tale moments:

Festive Atmosphere: Feel the wonder and joy of Christmas all around.
Dazzling Entertainment: Discover a sparkling parade and a festive musical show.
Merry Meets & Greets: Encounters with Disney Characters and Santa Claus.
Holly Jolly Treats: Enjoy Christmas themed dishes and glorious gifts.

Explore the Festivities

Disneyland Paris

Exhilarating adventures.

Play your part in exhilarating adventures Become a hero, an explorer, a princess and a pirate. From the super epic Avengers Assemble: Flight Force to the happy little thrills of Peter Pan’s Flight, there’s an exhilarating adventure for everyone.

Mind-bending wonders

Dive into mind-bending wonders Become immersed in the magic like never before with mind-bending stage shows and nighttime spectaculars – from TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure to Disney Dreams®!*. *Until 30th September 2024.

Ageless fantasy

Live moments of ageless fantasy Become part of something you’ll never ever forget. This is the place where ageless fantasy touches everyone, from kids making magical memories for the first time to grown-ups reliving their childhood dreams.

Boundless dreams

Stay amid boundless dreams Become enchanted by the boundless dreams coming true all around you in wonderfully themed Disney® Hotels, such as the newly reimagined, 5-star Disneyland® Hotel, where you can celebrate the most magical of royal Disney stories – and write your very own, too.

• Disneyland Paris

Disney's Hotel Cheyenne

Includes park tickets

£469 pp

Disneyland Hotel

£719 pp

Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel

£539 pp

Disney's Hotel Santa Fe

£379 pp

Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch

£399 pp

Book with confidence

We're with you every step of the way

Interest Free Monthly Payments Available

Travel with confidence

Always ATOL Protected

UK's largest selection of worldwide holidays

4.9/5 Customer Rating

Which? recommended

Peace of Mind Guarantee

The Brothers Brick

World's no. 1 source for lego news, reviews, and fan creations., le voyage dans hyperspace mountain.

You don’t have to travel to Billund for LEGO-themed thrill rides. Skip the queues and visit Gregory Coquelz ‘s Disney park mini-builds instead! Space Mountain was the second of Disney’s E-ticket mountains and unique among roller coasters for its fully enclosed light-and-sound experience. Four of the Disney parks followed the original 1975 design of a retro-futuristic white cone, but for Disneyland Paris, the Imagineers took a different approach, taking inspiration from Jules Verne and remaking the ride with a steampunk veneer. Gregory pays tribute to this incarnation, with a tan and azure roof and the signiture barrel of the space gun up the side (true to the Jules Verne roots, this ride launched visitors into space via good old-fashioned ballistics). I love the use of interlocked domes in dark red for the loading shute. The Verne theme extends to a micro Nautilus moored next to the “Mountain.” Should you visit Disneyland Paris today, you’ll find the shell of the mountain largely the same, but inside your coaster is accompanied by projected X-Wing fighters and TIE Fighters as part of a Star Wars retheming.

To see more Disney Parks mini builds, check out Gregory’s Tower of Terror and Big Smol Thunder Mountain .

Last Minute Disneyland Paris Holidays

Make the most magical memories with our last minute holidays to Disneyland Paris, a haven for family fun and new adventures! Packed with plenty to keep little ones occupied, Disneyland Paris is always bustling with excitement.

Prepare to be dazzled by Disneyland Paris as you spend long days exploring, and stumbling upon shows and parades featuring all of Walt Disney’s famous characters. Of course, the centrepiece of the park is the unmissable Magic Kingdom, and it’s just as stunning by nightfall — be sure to stay around late enough to catch the nightly fireworks!

You’ll wander from one adventure to the next, with five lands to navigate: Adventureland, Discoveryland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Main Street USA. There’s something for people of all ages to enjoy, so everyone can join in on the fun.

When it comes to choosing a place to unwind after a jam-packed day of fun, we’ve got some of the best options all within reach of the park. Whether you choose to stay in one of the Disney hotels, or if you prefer a relaxing space a little further from the park, we’ve got lots to choose from.

For some true last minute magic, Disneyland Paris is the ideal holiday destination. Book an unforgettable trip with Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent agent. Contact our expert team on hand to help you arrange the holiday of a lifetime.

Dear guests,

We would like to inform you that the swimming pool / jacuzzi and its outdoor solarium will not open until the end of June 2024.

We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

The Ki Space Hotel & Spa team.

Your hotel close to Disneyland® Paris

The ki space hotel & spa, a lifestyle hotel.

Located close to Disneyland® Paris , in the heart of Val d'Europe, the Ki Space Hotel & Spa is your new lifestyle meeting place.

Starting in early 2024, our 4-star hotel will open its doors to guests seeking an innovative, astonishing refuge. The Ki Space aims to take hospitality to new heights by offering a closely curated personal experience.

As a lifestyle hotel, Ki Space guests will find an avant-garde sense of wonder and curiosity at every turn.

Surprising, innovative, and welcoming, the Ki Space Hotel & Spa radiates a dynamic energy to inspire and refresh all of our guests.

The ultimate in hospitality

With its 274 spacious rooms and suites , the Ki Space Hotel & Spa close to Disneyland® Paris is a home from home.

Whether you’re planning an overnight stay, a longer stop, a business trip, or a sightseeing adventure, our rooms and suites with fully-equipped kitchens are the perfect base for a delightful stay in Val d'Europe for families, couples, and individuals alike.

International Cuisine

Nomad restaurant in Val d'Europe invites the world to its table.

A stopover in Asia, a trip to the Mediterranean, a one-way ticket to the United States... Choose your destination with our menu offering mouthwatering specialities and traditions from all over the globe.

Wellbeing at your fingertips

The wellness suite at the Ki Space Hotel & Spa close to Disneyland® Paris spans roughly 1,000m², where you can relax, unwind, and recharge.

At our wellness suite, you will find a fully-equipped gym, swimming pool with jacuzzi and sundeck (opening scheduled for end June 2024), and a fully-stocked spa by Eden des Sens boasting seven treatment rooms (including a hydromassage room), a sauna with salt wall, a steam room, a sensory trail, and a cold therapy cabin.

And, at Ki Space, we offer innovative beauty regiments. Here, skincare enters a new, bespoke dimension, with our personalised cosmetic offering akin to a made-to-measure formula, just for you.

Events & co-working

Nestled in Val d'Europe, the heart of a major economic and tourist hub, Ki Space Hotel & Spa, close to Disneyland® Paris , offers guests a new place for both work and play.

With its flexible spaces for business events or private receptions, co-working rooms and boardroom for collaborative undertakings, expansive dining facilities, and central location, our 4-star hotel has everything required for all your needs.

People, at the heart of the Ki Space Hotel & Spa

The Ki Space Hotel & Spa is, above all, a human endeavour, spearheaded by a visionary man, armed with a strong will and the enduring genius of a pioneer.

Our commitments to eco-responsibility

Located in Val d'Europe, close to Disneyland® Paris , the Ki Space Hotel & Spa has become an integral part of this area, where nature and urbanity go hand-in-hand, making it a great place to live, work, stay and play.

In this exceptional setting, where everything has been designed to pave the way for controlled social and environmental development, we are making our own contribution by supporting concrete commitments to eco-responsibility.

"Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it" A. SCHWEITZER

Big Changes at Disneyland Paris: Walt Disney Studios Park Transformation

E xciting news for Disney enthusiasts! Disneyland Paris is set to transform one of its iconic parks into a thrilling new adventure.

Walt Disney Studios Park is being rebranded as Disney Adventure World , marking a significant evolution in the park’s history and setting the stage for a future filled with immersive storytelling and interactive experiences.

A New Chapter Begins

The announcement came as part of the celebrations marking the 32nd anniversary of Disneyland Paris. This change is not just a new name but a whole new concept that reflects a shift from the park’s original cinematic focus to a broader, adventure-themed offering.

The park’s transformation is designed to create a more engaging visitor experience that complements the classic Disneyland Park, aiming to captivate guests with the magic of Disney storytelling in entirely new ways.

What’s Changing?

Disney Adventure World will feature new themed areas like the “World of Frozen,” which will be one of the first new experiences to debut under the park’s new identity.

This transition is not merely cosmetic. The park is undergoing an extensive overhaul of its facilities and attractions.

This includes expanding the park’s footprint and introducing a variety of new experiences that promise to blend the enchantment of Disney characters and stories with groundbreaking, immersive design.

A Focus on Immersive Worlds

The reimagined park will invite guests to explore these worlds, diving deeper into their favorite stories and engaging with them in ways previously unimagined at Walt Disney Studios Park.

Each area within Disney Adventure World is being designed as a realm of its own, offering unique adventures and experiences that showcase the creativity and innovation Disney parks are known for.

Vision and Inspiration

The transformation reflects Disney’s commitment to innovation and the desire to make every visit to their parks a memorable adventure.

“Today, we are changing the story of Walt Disney Studios Park, evolving from ‘how it’s done’ soundstages to celebratory theaters and adventures that come to life in immersive worlds,” said Tom Fitzgerald, Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Storytelling Executive.

This change aims to offer guests a dynamic and interactive park experience that highlights the magic and emotion of Disney storytelling.

Looking Ahead

The name change and new thematic focus are expected to enhance the park’s appeal and draw even more visitors to Disneyland Paris. With more than 90% of the park being revamped, Disney Adventure World is poised to set a new standard for theme park experiences worldwide .

Natacha Rafalski, the president of Disneyland Paris, expressed excitement about the park’s future, emphasizing that these enhancements will “resonate more than ever with our guests.”

As Disney Adventure World prepares to open its doors with new lands and experiences, the excitement among Disney fans is palpable. This transformation is not just a renewal of a park but a redefinition of what a Disney park can be, promising to bring new adventures and cherished memories to all who visit.

Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into the enchanting Disney Adventure World, a place where every visit is an adventure and every story is brought to life with the magic of Disney.

The post Big Changes at Disneyland Paris: Walt Disney Studios Park Transformation appeared first on Treasured Family Travels .

Exciting news for Disney enthusiasts! Disneyland Paris is set to transform one of its iconic parks into a thrilling new adventure. Walt Disney Studios Park is being rebranded as Disney Adventure World, marking a significant evolution in the park’s history and setting the stage for a future filled with immersive storytelling and interactive experiences. A...

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Commercial & industrial PV
Grids & integration
Residential PV
Utility Scale PV
Energy storage
Balance of systems
Modules & upstream manufacturing
Opinion & analysis
Press releases
Sustainability
Technology and R&D
pv magazine UP initiative
pv magazine Hydrogen Hub
Guggenheim Solar Index
Market overview: Large-scale storage systems
Market overview: Microgrid control systems
Module Price Index
PV Project Exchange
Archived: Solar Superheroes
pv magazine Roundtables
SunRise Arabia
Solar+Storage España
pv magazine Webinars
pv magazine Webinars: German
pv magazine Spotlights
Event calendar
External Events
pv magazine live
Special editions
Clean Power Research: Solar data solutions to maximize PV project performance
BayWa r.e. 2019 grid parity white paper
Partner news
pv magazine test results
Issues before 2023
pv magazine team
Newsletter subscription
Magazine subscription
Community standards

Disneyland Paris completes 36 MW solar carport

Urbasolar has commissioned the last section of a 36.1 MW solar carport at Disneyland Paris. The facility, which covers 20 hectares of parking space, will sell all of the electricity, with no self-consumption.

Commercial & Industrial PV

Image: Disneyland Paris

From pv magazine France

Urbasolar has commissioned the last section of a 36.1 MW solar carport at Disneyland Paris. The plant covers 11,200 parking spaces across 20 hectares, making it the largest photovoltaic carport in Europe, according to the French solar developer.

An Urbasolar spokesperson told pv magazine France that the installation will operate for 30 years. All of the electricity will be sold to unspecified entities, without any self-consumption.

Marie Beyer

Catalonia sets guidelines for agrivoltaics

Gstar working on 3 gw silicon wafer factory in indonesia, related content, elsewhere on pv magazine..., leave a reply cancel reply.

Please be mindful of our community standards .

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.

Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.

You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.

Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy .

By subscribing to our newsletter you’ll be eligible for a 10% discount on magazine subscriptions!

Select Edition(s) * Hold Ctrl or Cmd to select multiple editions. Tap to select multiple editions. Global (English, daily) Germany (German, daily) U.S. (English, daily) Australia (English, daily) China (Chinese, weekly) India (English, daily) Latin America (Spanish, daily) Brazil (Portuguese, daily) Mexico (Spanish, daily) Spain (Spanish, daily) France (French, daily) Italy (Italian, daily)
Read our Data Protection Policy .

Subscribe to our global magazine

Our events and webinars

Pv magazine print, keep up to date.

Disneyland® Paris Vacation Packages

Let’s book your personalized disneyland® paris vacation.

Experience an unforgettable Disney destination in the beautiful city of Paris! At Key to the World Travel®, we take care of all the tedious travel planning details so you can focus on enjoying your trip – no stress and no responsibilities.

Your visit to Disneyland® Paris is guaranteed to be a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience catered specifically to you and your family!

Don’t Miss a Thing!

Located just 25 miles outside of Paris, Disneyland® Paris is the perfect destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. With two incredible parks, Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park, there’s so much to see and do – well help you plan the perfect itinerary!

Walt Disney Studios® Park

Step behind the scenes and discover the secrets of the silver screen. Experience the thrilling rides and attractions inspired by classic Disney movies like Aladdin, Ratatouille and Toy Story. And don’t miss out on the incredible shows and performances that bring the world of cinema to life!

Disneyland® Park

This is where the magic truly begins! Explore the five enchanting lands, from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty castle to the thrilling attractions in the Wild West. Meet your favorite Disney characters, watch spectacular shows, and enjoy delicious cuisine at the park’s many restaurants and cafes.

Let Us Plan the Disneyland® Paris Vacation Package of Your Dreams!

Don’t be discouraged by all the logistics of travel – at Key to the World Travel®, we offer complimentary travel planning services to create a magical Disneyland ® Paris vacation package so you won’t get bogged down by fussy details.

From hotels to dining reservations to fully-planned travel itineraries, our Travel Advisors know Disneyland® Paris inside and out. We’ll book your dream vacation while finding the best deals!

Here’s what we help you organize and schedule for your trip:

Disneyland® Paris Tickets

We help you grab the best deals for your family.

Airline Reservations

Skip the hassle of finding the best plane tickets.

Special Offers

We monitor prices to make sure you get the best available deals for your vacation.

Travel Insurance

Make sure your trip is covered for cancellations, emergencies, & more.

On-Site Hotel Bookings

Disney resorts near Epcot, nearby hotels, & more

Ground Transportation

We can also help with:.

All Disneyland vacations
Walt Disney World® wedding & honeymoon planning
Character dining & dining plans
Stroller rentals
Theme park tours
Spa appointments
Golf tee times
Flowers and gift basket deliveries
Grocery deliveries to your room, suite or villa

Key to the World® is an Authorized Disney Travel Planner

Key to the World travel planning services are 100% complimentary – we help you plan a magical, stress-free Walt Disney World vacation at no extra cost.

Your Key to the World Travel Planner will work with you one-on-one to customize your Epcot® vacation package to the unique needs of you and your family.
Our services are 100% complimentary, with no hidden fees to raise the price of your vacation.
Key to the World travel planners are all graduates of the College of Disney Knowledge.
No need to worry about missing a special promotion – we’ll monitor your reservations from the moment they’re booked to make sure you have the best available price.
We’ll be your own personal concierge and help you with everything from dining reservations to tips and tricks to make the most of your wedding or honeymoon.

Let us be your key to a magical Disneyland ® Paris vacation!

" * " indicates required fields

Complimentary Travel Planning Services

As long as you haven’t already booked your vacation, our services are completely free !

Our expert travel advisors take the most confusing and stressful parts of vacation planning off your shoulders at no cost to you.

Visit Disneyland® Paris with Adventures by Disney®!

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or heading out on your first trip, Adventures by Disney® offers a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the magic of Disney with the thrill of exploring new places.

If you’d like to visit Disneyland® Paris as part of an extended trip in Europe, check out our Adventures by Disney® vacation packages !

Don’t Miss These Disneyland® Paris Experiences!

Pirates of the caribbean.

Join Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew on a swashbuckling adventure through a Caribbean pirate haven. This classic attraction features impressive animatronics and special effects.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain

Join the Rebel Alliance and take on the Empire on this high-speed rollercoaster through space. The attraction features iconic Star Wars characters and thrilling special effects.

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast

Become a Space Ranger and help Buzz Lightyear defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg in this interactive shooting game. Aim your laser gun and score points as you battle your way through the attraction.

Big Thunder Mountain

Take a thrilling ride through an abandoned gold mine on a runaway train. This iconic rollercoaster is a must-ride for any adrenaline junkie.

Privacy Overview

Essential Items You Need to Pack in Your Disneyland Paris Park Bag – Day Bag

Planning a trip to Disneyland Paris with kids can be a daunting task, overwhelming in fact. Not only do you need to decide what to pack in your suitcase, but you will also need to consider everything you need to take into the parks with you every day. When it came to decide what to bring with us, it seemed a backpack was the best idea in terms of a Disney Day Bag. With my Disneyland Paris Park Bag packing list , you’ll find all the items you will need to bring if visiting the Disney parks with kids.

*This post contains affiliate links. To find out more about affiliate links and how they work, visit my Disclosure Page .

Disney Backpacks for Kids

Things to have in your day bag for disneyland paris in winter, covid-19: disneyland paris phased reopening and important information.

Disneyland Paris are pleased to announce that Disneyland Paris will reopen on 17 June 2021 with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club and Disney Village. Their reopening will follow enhanced health and safety measures . The long-awaited Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel will open on 21 June 2021. If you have already booked for an arrival prior to 17 June 2021? Click here to consult our latest commercial policy.

Full details of all the protective measures, social distancing, and other safety conditions can be found HERE .

Last updated (24/05/2021; 02:00 PM)

Disneyland Paris Backpack – What to pack in your Disney Day Bag

With my packing list for what to pack in your Disney Day Bag, you’ll find a guide to the items you will need to ensure you have everything both you and the kids will need.

Now, if you think you can spend the day in the parks with just a handbag, you are sorely mistaken. While this may mean you aren’t carrying a lot, it will mean you may have hangry kids on your hands, no autograph books for getting character signatures and what happens if one of your children gets wet, or even worse, sick.

Therefore, I highly recommend you find the best backpack that you can, and that you also make a Disneyland backpack list to ensure you are covered for all eventualities.

You don’t have to go for a character-themed one either. Any small, sturdy one will do, so long as it is big enough for everything you need.

For some great recommendations on Disney backpacks, check out this post from Follow Me Away. While these are recommendations for Walt Disney World, they will work equally well for Disneyland Paris or at least give you an idea of the type of small Disney backpack that would work as bag for your days in the park.

The best bag to use as your Disney Day Bag

In my opinion, the best type of bag to use is a backpack. By having two shoulder straps, you have support for everything you are carrying and still have two free hands. A must as a parent.

As mentioned, you don’t have to go for a specific Disney-themed backpack but there are plenty to choose from if that’s what you want (see my section below for just a few ideas). Just make sure to choose one that is big enough for everything you plan to carry and that can withstand some rain should the heavens open. If it doesn’t come with a rain-cover, you can buy a cheap one on Amazon .

We brought our Cabin Zero backpack into the parks every day and it had more than enough room for everything we needed. In fact, I would go so far as to say it was a little too big. But it had come as our cabin bag, so meant we didn’t need to bring an additional bag.

If you are still in two minds about the type of bag to bring, here are a few ideas.

Disney Backpacks for Adults

In this section you’ll find a few ideas for backpacks for adults. Some are Disney-themed, and some are just regular backpacks. For those visiting Disneyland Paris and arriving by plane, these can double-up as your cabin bags as long as you are not travelling hand-luggage only.

Best Disney-themed Backpacks for Adults

If you are going to Disney, then you may want to have a Disney backpack. I’ve found three which would work well as your Disney day bag for the parks and should have enough room in them for everything you need to bring.

Disney Mickey Mouse Backpack, Black – Amazon

Firstly, I love this Disney Mickey Mouse Backpack. It’s fun, versatile and has two mesh drinks bottle holders on either side. It has a large main compartment for costumes, clothing, snacks and entertainment, and it has a front pocket for smaller items too. It may be marketed for boys but I think this would work well for adults too.

Buy this Mickey Mouse bag HERE .

Vintage Mickey Mouse Patterned Backpack – Amazon

Why not go vintage with this Vintage Disney Backpack. There is a large main zipped compartment, three exterior and three interior pockets, mouse lining inside and it has a mesh back on the backpack. This backpack is well made and a great backpack for a day at Disney.

Buy this Disney-themed backpack HERE .

Minnie Mouse Duffel Bag – Amazon

This Minnie Mouse satchel duffel backpack has a gorgeous repeated Minnie Mouse design with faux leather straps and trim. There is a large main compartment secured by a drawstring opening and the button down flap. There are also two side pockets. This would make the perfect Disneyland backpack for meeting Minnie Mouse.

Buy this Minnie Mouse Duffel bag HERE .

Best Regular Backpacks for Adults visiting Disneyland Paris

If you don’t want to bring a Disney-themed backpack, then a regular backpack will certainly do the job. This is what we opted for as our backpack doubled up as our cabin bag and Disneyland Paris day bag. Here are just three ideas of backpacks that could be used for your day at Disney.

PacSafe Venturesafe 25L Anti Theft Backpack – Amazon

In my opinion, this would be the best backpack to use as your Disneyland Paris parks bag. PacSafe bags are designed to be anti-theft with secure zippers and cut-proof materials used. They also contain RFID blocking pockets to keep your credit and debit cards safe. This backpack comes in 3 colours and 25 litres of storage. There are 2 exterior zippered storage pockets, 2 side pockets for water bottles, a large interior pockets, chest strap for comfort and waist straps too. This is a great all-round backpack.

Buy this PacSafe backpack HERE .

Osprey Packs Daylite Plus Daypack – Amazon

This Ospreys daypack would work perfectly well as a Disneyland Paris backpack. It is available in 14 colours, has a large main compartment and two stretch mesh side pockets which could be used for water bottles and has a mesh covered back panel for ventilation and comfort. There is also a front pocket with mesh organiser. This is a great backpack to use as a Disney parks bag.

Buy the Ospreys Daylite Daypack HERE .

CabinZero Classic Backpack – Amazon

CabinZero bags are a great option to use as a Disney backpack. With a large internal compartment, with two internal zippered storage compartments and another exterior compartment at the front, there is plenty of storage here for everything you need to bring with you for a day at Disneyland Paris. I used my Classic 28L CabinZero bag and it worked well. The only thing lacking with this option is the side pockets for water bottles.

Browse the range of CabinZero backpacks HERE .

Of course, you could make your kids carry their own costumes, autograph books, snacks and drinks into the parks, especially if they are older kids. Younger kids might find it too much carrying a backpack around for the day and you’ll end up being the one carrying their bags plus your own. You know your kids best, so decide yourself. That said, there are some great ideas for kids Disney backpacks on Amazon. I’d recommending sticking with Disney-themed ones as kids are more likely to agree to carry their own bags if it is one of their favourite characters.

Check out the range of Disney-themed kids backpacks HERE on Amazon.

What to pack in your Disneyland Paris Backpack

Now that you’ve decided what type of bag to bring into the parks, let’s talk about what you need to bring with you for a day at Disneyland Paris. Some of these we brought ourselves, and some are things people suggested we bring but didn’t.

Essential things you need in your Disneyland Paris Day Bag

Camera, spare battery and spare memory cards – You’ll need a good camera to capture all those special moments. If you are not going to use your phone, then make sure you have a good camera with plenty of capabilities. I use the Canon G7X Mark ii . Don’t forget a spare battery and memory cards.

Portable phone charger – If you are using your phone to capture pictures and videos of your day in Disneyland Paris, make sure you don’t run out of power with a portable phone charger. Make sure to have a good quality one that can charge your phone a couple of times in one day.

Disney costumes for the kids – Costumes and outfits are expensive to buy in the shops at Disneyland Paris. To save yourself some money, buy your kids Disney outfits before you go and bring them in your backpack if they don’t want to wear them. Our son had a change of outfits for one day and wore his others in the morning. If he got tired of it, it was easy to take it off and pop inside our backpack.

Mouse Ears – You mustn’t forget your mouse ears if you plan on wearing some. You can, of course, buy them in the parks too.

Spare clothes for the kids – You never know when they might get wet or sick, so it’s best to have a spare change of clothes for the kids in your Disney day bag.

Autograph books and pens – Again, these can work out expensive if you buy them in the parks, so purchase them at home and bring them with you. If the one you choose to buy doesn’t come with a pen, make sure to have your own pen or, even better, a Sharpie marker with you to give to the characters to use.

First aid kit and medicines – It is a good idea to bring a small first aid kit with you in your Disney day bag. There are no general shops within the parks selling first aid supplies or medicines, so bring your own. There are First Aid Rooms beside the baby care centres in both parks where you will find trained staff with some supplies but this won’t be of any use if you are the other end of the park and need a plaster or cold compress. Make sure to have essential medicines with you including Calpol and Nurofen for adults and kids alike.

Snacks – Because no-one wants hangry kids in between meals. Either bring some of their favourite snacks with you from home or visit the shopping centre at Val D’Europe to stock up. Silicone sandwich bags make great snack bags that are reusable and so more environmentally friendly than plastic disposable version.

Reusable drinks bottles – Make sure you have your kids drinks bottles and your own reusable water bottles. There are drinking fountains located around the parks, often near the toilets, and you can fill bottles there.

Check out some Disney-themed drinks bottles for kids HERE .

Small, concentrated squash – Make sure to have one or two of the small, squeezy concentrated squash bottles to dilute in the kids drinks bottles, especially if they don’t like drinking plain water.

Identity bracelet for the kids – We used an IDme bracelet with our son while visiting Disneyland Paris. There is a small card to insert into the band on which you write your contact details in case you get separated. It’s always a good idea to make sure your kids have some of your contact information on them should they need it.

Nappies, wipes, formula, bottles and baby food (no glass) – For families travelling with babies, ensure you have enough nappies, bottles/formula and baby food to last you the whole day. Make sure to bring plastic containers or pouches for baby food.

Stroller/bike lock – Although you are NOT allowed to lock strollers/buggies to railings in any Disney park, you could lock the wheels if your stroller/buggy wheels allow it. Or, if you are travelling with another family, lock the two strollers together.

Small cross body bag – If you are going to leave your main Disney backpack with your stroller/buggy when going on rides, then make sure to bring a small cross body bag with you to put all your valuables, tickets, camera, money, cards and phone inside and bring it with you on the rides. Both my husband and I have PacSafe anti-theft bags which we use for everyday use, whether we are at home or abroad. And they would work equally well in Disneyland.

Other useful things to have in your Disneyland Paris Bag

Activities for queues – Disneyland Paris is a popular place and is busy most of the year. But at more popular times such as during summer, school holidays and at Christmas, expect long queues for rides. To save you hearing “I’m bored” bring some small toys, hand-held games consoles or other activities to keep the kids entertained while they wait.

Neck Lanyard – While not essential, I found a neck lanyard very handy for keeping tickets, meal vouchers, our hotel charge card and my ID all in one easy-to-reach place, rather than having to dig around in my bag for it.

Stainless Steel Straws – As a family we are trying to become more environmentally friendly, especially when we travel and we now travel with some stainless steel straws so we can avoid the plastic ones given out at restaurants and cafes. Something like these will cover a family of four.

Earplugs or Ear Defenders – If your kids ears are quite sensitive and you are planning on watching the fireworks, then some ear defenders would be handy to have in your Disney backpack.

Hand gel, tissues and wet wipes – Useful in a variety of situations and it’s better to have them with you than wish you did if you’ve forgotten them.

Feminine hygiene products – For the ladies, it is a good idea to ensure you have sanitary products with you such as tampons and sanitary towels with you, if you are not a moon cup user. There are some for sale at the shop near the stroller/buggy hire, but they can run out. Some hotel shops may stock them, but it’s better to bring them with you so you don’t get caught out.

Ponchos – If you have waterproof gear with you for winter time, these won’t be necessary, but you may find it handy to bring your own with you for summer as they are expensive to buy in the parks.

Things to bring in your Disneyland Paris backpack for summer

Sun cream and sun hats – If you are visiting in summer, remember your factor 50 and sun hats, especially for the kids.

Sunglasses – Always a good idea if the sun is shining strongly.

Large muslin – This can be used to cover up sleeping kids in strollers to protect them from the sun. Something like this one in the picture would be ideal. It comes in 4 different designs and is breathable.

Lip balm and hand cream – While this is useful year-round, winter at Disneyland Paris can be very cold and with cold air come dry hands and lips. So, remember to at least bring lip balm with you ladies.

Thermals – If you or your children are likely to feel the cold, especially in the evenings watching parades or the fireworks, then remember a set of thin thermals to pop on under their clothes to keep them warm. If you are staying in the Disneyland Hotel then you can probably pop back to your room to put them on, but if you are staying further away from the parks, having them with you (if you don’t want to wear them all day) is better than a long trek back to your hotel.

Raincoats – Ensure you have raincoats for everyone in your backpack for Disneyland Paris as you never know when the heavens might open. If you have a waterproof winter coat, then you won’t need an additional raincoat.

Waterproofs – Winter is not only cold at Disney Paris, it can also be wet. To save getting wet bums on outdoor rides, have waterproof over-trousers for adults and waterproof rain suits for kids in your bag to pop on if the heavens open.

Hats, gloves and scarves – For reasons I’ve already discussed.

Thin fleece blanket – If you are travelling with little ones who still use a buggy or stroller, then a thin fleece blanket will be very useful for colder winter days or when you are watching a parade or the fireworks.

Check out the range of Disney-themed children’s fleece blankets on Amazon .

Hand warmers – Handy if you are someone who really feels the cold.

Glow Sticks – Great for entertaining kids before and during the fireworks display at the end of the day in Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Backpack Rules – FAQ

If you are wondering does Disneyland allow backpacks, the answer is yes. You can bring backpacks into Disneyland Paris, provided they do not measure more than 55cm x 40cm x 25cm as per the Disneyland Paris Park Rules.

You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks in your backpack to Disneyland Paris. What you are not allowed to bring are large family picnic hampers.

You are not allowed to bring any illicit or hazardous substance into the parks including alcoholic beverages, glass containers, dangerous or offensive weapons or anything that may endanger other visitors. You are also not allowed to bring items that may disturb other visitors such as vuvuzelas, horns, loudspeakers. You are also not allowed drones or selfie sticks of any kind, or monopod-type tripods. NOTE: you will be required to pass through bag security checks on your way into the parks.

Yes, you can take backpacks onto Disneyland rides. The only rides at Disneyland Paris with bag storage are RC Racer and Parachute Drop. On all other rides, you are required to keep your bag with you and store it at your feet.

I hope you’ve found this guide to what to pack in your Disneyland Paris backpack useful. I hope it will also help you easily prepare your backpack for your Disney trip. This list is by no means exhaustive and can be changed according to your family’s needs. But it is meant as a starting point to help you plan your Disneyland Paris day bag.

Is there anything I’ve missed off the list that you would add? Do tell me in the comments.

Need help with other aspects of planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? I have a complete guide with tips for Disneyland Paris including how to get there, where to stay, and tips for inside the parks.

If you are wondering whether to get a Meal Plan and where to eat in Disney Paris, check out my post about the best restaurants in Disneyland Paris .

And if you are travelling with younger children, then you might want to check out this post about the best rides for young kids at Disneyland Paris .

Passports and Adventures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Sharing is caring!

9 thoughts on “Essential Items You Need to Pack in Your Disneyland Paris Park Bag – Day Bag”

We’ve not done Disneyland Paris yet. It’s great to know what I might need in order to be prepared. I do hope to go eventually with all my children. It would be an unforgetable experience I’m sure.

This was such a useful read. We are thinking about going next year and I would never have thought about the costumes – going to pin this so I can come back to it when we visit! x

Oh if you go to Disneyland you have to get a Disney backpack don’t you. I never thought that I would actually wear backpacks but they are just so handy as you can cram so much of your stuff in there and not worry about it.

Thanks for all of the great tips, I wouldn’t know where to start. I am also loving the range of backpacks!

I love my Cabin Zero backpack and we used it on our last day in Disney to carry all the stuff the kids bought – for us it was too large for daily use though

Yeah, I have to agree. It was handy but a little too big for daily use.

So useful. We hope to visit Disney land paris within the next couple of years.

There are some fab backpacks here and very useful tips for sure. The Portable charger is an absolute must x

Lots of helpful suggestions here, bringing your own snacks always saves a fortune too! x

Will Disneyland get an Avatar land? It’s likely. Here’s what else may be in store

Show more sharing options
Copy Link URL Copied!

With the city of Anaheim unanimously voting to pass DisneylandForward , the Disneyland Resort will be forever changed.

Twice in the last 69 years, Disneyland has been significantly transformed. Four years after the park opened in 1959, Disneyland added its monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and a submarine ride and expanded Autopia. It was a message that would begin to fulfill Walt Disney’s promise that Disneyland would never be completed.

Anaheim, CA - March 11: Visitors walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Monday, March 11, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Huge Disneyland expansion to add new rides, restaurants and hotels wins OK

Anaheim City Council approves a plan to amend zoning rules to allow Disneyland to build new rides, hotels and stores within its existing footprint.

April 17, 2024

More than that, however, it revealed that Disneyland would continue to look to the future. Disneyland in 1959 showed its guests possibilities — a transportation system in the monorail that could remake urban communities, a tease of the freeway system that would reshape travel and a glimpse at the sort of deep-sea excursions only a lucky few could witness. The Matterhorn, while inspired by the film “Third Man on the Mountain,” also was meant to be a transportive experience, to not only bring to Disneyland a new kind of thrill ride but give visitors a taste of international adventure.

Disneyland’s second reimagining came much later. In 2001 the Walt Disney Co. would open Disney California Adventure, the Grand Californian hotel and the Downtown Disney District. These additions would attempt to make Disneyland, the company’s original park, one that could, in theory, rival Florida’s Walt Disney World by becoming a resort that could demand multiday stays.

This expansion succeeded as well, but not overnight.

A map illustrates the area around Disneyland in Anaheim

The original vision of Disney California Adventure proved to be lackluster, relying heavily on on-the-shelf rides and lacking emotion-driven experiences that take visitors out of their daily life. While the Grand Californian is a Craftsman-inspired triumph, Downtown Disney is in the midst of a transformation and is still attempting to outgrow its reputation as a home for chains and midtier eateries.

And now we’re entering a new era of possibilities, one that likely will look much different from the prior two. Modern Disney is centered on intellectual property — or IP, in corporate speak — rather than Walt-era idealism, and the most tantalizing prospects of DisneylandForward center on building around existing structures rather than erecting a new park.

With DisneylandForward, the company won the flexibility to redesign the resort. Zoning rules will be amended so that Disney can add new attractions alongside hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive. These will, if they come to fruition, likely be extensions of Disneyland or Disney California Adventure rather than a third park. Additionally, a new shopping, dining and entertainment district can be created to the southeast on what is currently the Toy Story parking lot at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.

Company brass and the DisneylandForward materials have offered teases of what could be built. Most of these have centered on recent expansions at Disney’s international parks, such as the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland or Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort. There’s been little ideological talk about the future of Disneyland, as the focus has centered squarely on popular properties and franchises rather than the resort’s status as a cultural hub and gathering space.

But DisneylandForward came with a pledge. The Walt Disney Co. has promised to spend a minimum of $1.9 billion on Disneyland attractions, lodging, entertainment, shopping and dining in the next 10 years. That money can go quickly, with modern attractions costing sometimes in the high six figures, but the Walt Disney Co. also is in the midst of doubling down on its theme parks. Disney has guaranteed to spend $60 billion over the next 10 years in its experiences division, with at least half of that total dedicated to parks and resorts, according to a recent SEC filing .

It’s safe to say that the next 10 years will shape Disneyland for decades to come. While there’s much to be revealed, there are, perhaps, some safe bets. Here are a few educated guesses as to what to expect with an expanded Disneyland in the near term.

Get ready for Pandora

DisneylandForward materials reference everything from “Tangled” to “Peter Pan” to “Tron” as possible experiences that could come to Anaheim. One word, however, is missing, and it’s one that’s been regularly referenced by Disney brass in recent weeks: “Avatar.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger mentioned it at a recent shareholder meeting, even sharing the “Avatar” concept art, which was referred to as “inspirational artwork.” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, wrote in a blog post after the shareholder event that further news on Disneyland-related attractions such as the “Avatar” experience was tied to the approval of DisneylandForward.

“We are excited about the stories our guests could experience at Walt’s original theme park destination after approval of DisneylandForward — including the chance to experience all-new Avatar adventures with a visit to Pandora,” D’Amaro wrote . And last night in Anaheim, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock again teased “Avatar” at the DisneylandForward hearing and vote. Finally, one of Disney’s most respected theme park creatives even posted the “Avatar” concept art on Instagram , expressing the hope of sharing more on the project in the future.

Princess Tiana, in a green explorers outfit, is one of Disney's most lifelike robotics.

Travel & Experiences

Want to see Disneyland’s most advanced animatronics? Visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

With new droids at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and some of the most lifelike characters ever created at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney is looking to wow guests.

April 4, 2024

Consider a large-scale “Avatar”-inspired land all but a done deal, and the art shared for Disneyland isn’t an exact replica of Florida’s Pandora — The World of Avatar, which resides in that coast’s Animal Kingdom park. Now where to put it? Expect Pandora to be bound for Disney California Adventure. There’s been speculation that it could replace the area currently served by water ride Grizzly River Run or move into a largely vacant slot of Hollywood Land, but neither is ideal. The latter requires a rerouting of the monorail, and Grizzly River Run remains a popular attraction.

Here’s betting it’s positioned in one of the DCA expansion areas near the Pixar Place Hotel, as that would allow the company to give the James Cameron property a plethora of space, especially if Disney must hide a large show building behind an illusion of floating mountains.

Colorful renderings of potential hotel and dining space.

Expect more hotel options

With Disneyland lacking the acreage of Florida’s Walt Disney World, hotel prices in Anaheim are at a premium. Rooms for the recently revamped Pixar Place Hotel — Anaheim’s “budget” option — can routinely top $500 per night. More hotel space is needed, and if Disneyland goes all-in on “Avatar,” expect lodging and more entertainment options to follow close behind. Disney has long touted development of the Toy Story Lot as prime space for hotel, dining and entertainment modeled after Florida’s Disney Springs district.

The DisneylandForward materials mention the land as “the perfect location to cater to locals, conventioneers, hotel and Disneyland Resort guests with restaurants, hotels, live music, shopping, ticketed shows and theme park experiences.” A new proposed parking structure to the north would solve the parking issue, and Disney has done extensive research on this already, as it was part of an earlier, pre-pandemic planned development known as the “Eastern Gateway.”

Walkways to and from the new parking structure would connect the current resort to the new entertainment area. And while fans may want Disney to rapidly fill the available space with theme park attractions, if the resort is planning to increase capacity it’s first going to need a spot for those guests to park. Additionally, Iger at a recent media event said the company likely would hold back some of its theme park funds so the organization could move on the popularity of new films or franchises.

“We actually have a fairly good idea in the near term of what’s being built, but we’re purposefully not going to allocate it all,” Iger said. “Because who knows? In five years we can end up with a giant hit movie — think ‘Frozen’ — that we may want to mine essentially as an attraction, or a hotel or restaurant in our parks. So you want to maintain some flexibility.”

Arendelle, the fictional kingdom in "Frozen," at twilight.

What about ‘Frozen’s’ Arendelle? Or a ‘Coco’-themed experience?

Beyond “Avatar,” which seems a sure thing as it’s been mentioned by Iger on multiple occasions, any future aspects of DisneylandForward become pure speculation. But a couple of franchises may have higher priority than others.

Disney now has a “Frozen” attraction in Walt Disney World, a land in Hong Kong and experiences in the works for Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea. Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park experiences, clearly has done the work on bringing “Frozen” to life in physical spaces, and it stands to reason that expansions to the original Disneyland Park, with its fairy-tale feel, would go more of a Fantasyland-inspired route.

What’s more, re-creating Arendelle in the expansion plots located near the Disneyland Hotel would give Disney the opportunity to construct a second castle, as any extensive changes to park centerpiece Sleeping Beauty Castle are prohibited due to structural limitations . The enduring popularity of “Frozen” seems relatively assured at this point, so bringing the franchise to Disneyland is far from a risk.

Guests onboard the simulator attraction Star Tours, with droid C-3PO in the captain's seat.

The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

Star Tours has become one of Disneyland’s most versatile attractions, and its latest update nods to series such as ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘Ahsoka’ and ‘Andor.’

April 9, 2024

But if the company opts to create something unique for Southern California rather than importing Hong Kong’s World of Frozen or Shanghai’s Zootopia, one franchise that seems to be routinely brought up by executives is “Coco.” When mentioning blue-sky concepts last year year at an investor event in Florida, D’Amaro teased “Coco” as a key film that has yet to be properly explored in the Disney parks.

Potrock again mentioned “Coco” in an op-ed in the Orange County Register touting the benefits of DisneylandForward, writing that the initiative could pave the way for “the chance to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in a ‘Coco’-themed experience.” Disney California Adventure, of course, is home to a Dia de Los Muertos celebration that does center a short “Coco” show, and the property seems especially ripe for Southern California and our heavily Latino communities. That makes it an opportunity to give Disneyland an unique land not found in other parks while also tapping into the region’s diverse fan base. Walt’s original park deserves no less as it looks ahead to closing out its first century.

Why Disney is doubling down on theme parks with a $60-billion plan

April 24, 2024

Anaheim, CA - March 11: Visitors at Autopia in Tomorrowland at Disneyland. Environmental activists Zan Dubin and Paul Scott, not shown, recently filed a complaint about air pollution and noxious smells from Autopia with Southern California air quality regulators at Disneyland in Anaheim Monday, March 11, 2024. They want Disneyland to convert Autopia to electric vehicles, and to find other ways -in Tomorrowland and across the park - to bring clean energy into its storytelling. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Column: Disneyland just promised electric cars at Autopia. Gas will be gone by 2026

April 19, 2024

ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 18: Disneyland on Saturday, March 18, 2023 in Anaheim, CA. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Disneyland’s $1.9-billion expansion project is latest mega investment in the Anaheim resort

We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Todd Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and covers a mix of interactive entertainment (video games) and pop music. Previously, Martens reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. He has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Inglewood Pumptrack Drone Footage (one-time use)

Zip, zoom and soar in L.A.’s extraordinary new playground for bike riders

May 2, 2024

A mother swan swims with her babies while a mother and son ride a swan boat in the distance

27 very L.A. ways to spend time with Mom — or not — on Mother’s Day

April 30, 2024

circular photo montage of beach scenes, trains, and california weekend destinations

7 epic day trips you can take by train from Union Station

April 29, 2024

Truckee, CA - April 18: Graham Cooper exercises a training mask connected to an altitude generator for low oxygen training to prepare for an ascent of Mt. Everest on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Truckee, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

California climbers train for Mt. Everest from the comfort of their own beds

Socializing is good for your health. You can earn AARP Rewards points while you learn how to get connected. Find out more.

AARP daily Crossword Puzzle

Hotels with AARP discounts

Life Insurance

AARP Dental Insurance Plans

AARP MEMBERSHIP — $12 FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

right_container

Work & Jobs

Social Security

AARP en Español

Membership & Benefits
AARP Rewards
AARP Rewards %{points}%

Conditions & Treatments

Drugs & Supplements

Health Care & Coverage

Health Benefits

Staying Fit

Your Personalized Guide to Fitness

AARP Hearing Center

Ways To Improve Your Hearing

An illustration of a constellation in the shape of a brain in the night sky

Brain Health Resources

Tools and Explainers on Brain Health

A Retreat For Those Struggling

Scams & Fraud

Personal Finance

Money Benefits

zoomed in map of the united states with map locator pins scattered around

View and Report Scams in Your Area

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

Free Tax Preparation Assistance

a man and woman at home looking at a laptop together

AARP Money Map

Get Your Finances Back on Track

thomas ruggie with framed boxing trunks that were worn by muhammad ali

How to Protect What You Collect

Small Business

Age Discrimination

illustration of a woman working at her desk

Flexible Work

Freelance Jobs You Can Do From Home

AARP Skills Builder

Online Courses to Boost Your Career

illustration of person in a star surrounded by designs and other people holding briefcases

31 Great Ways to Boost Your Career

a red and white illustration showing a woman in a monitor flanked by a word bubble and a calendar

ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Tips to Enhance Your Job Search

green arrows pointing up overlaid on a Social Security check and card with two hundred dollar bills

Get More out of Your Benefits

A balanced scale with a clock on one side and a ball of money on the other, is framed by the outline of a Social Security card.

When to Start Taking Social Security

Mature couple smiling and looking at a laptop together

10 Top Social Security FAQs

Social Security Benefits Calculator

arrow shaped signs that say original and advantage pointing in opposite directions

Medicare Made Easy

Original vs. Medicare Advantage

illustration of people building a structure from square blocks with the letters a b c and d

Enrollment Guide

Step-by-Step Tool for First-Timers

the words inflation reduction act of 2022 printed on a piece of paper and a calculator and pen nearby

Prescription Drugs

9 Biggest Changes Under New Rx Law

A doctor helps his patient understand Medicare and explains all his questions and addresses his concerns.

Medicare FAQs

Quick Answers to Your Top Questions

Care at Home

Financial & Legal

Life Balance

LONG-TERM CARE

Understanding Basics of LTC Insurance

illustration of a map with an icon of a person helping another person with a cane navigate towards caregiving

State Guides

Assistance and Services in Your Area

a man holding his fathers arm as they walk together outside

Prepare to Care Guides

How to Develop a Caregiving Plan

Close up of a hospice nurse holding the hands of one of her patients

End of Life

How to Cope With Grief, Loss

Recently Played

Word & Trivia

Atari® & Retro

Members Only

Staying Sharp

Mobile Apps

More About Games

Right Again! Trivia

Right Again! Trivia – Sports

Atari, Centipede, Pong, Breakout, Missile Command Asteroids

Atari® Video Games

Throwback Thursday Crossword

Travel Tips

Vacation Ideas

Destinations

Travel Benefits

a graphic of two surf boards in the sand on a beach in Hawaii.

Beach vacation ideas

Vacations for Sun and Fun

Plan Ahead for Tourist Taxes

Two images of Seattle - Space Needle and a seafood display in the Pike Place Market - each one is framed in Polaroid style

AARP City Guide

Discover Seattle

illustration of an airplane in the sky sounded by clouds in the shape of dollar signs

25 Ways to Save on Your Vacation

Entertainment & Style

Family & Relationships

Personal Tech

Home & Living

Celebrities

Beauty & Style

A collage of stars from reality TV shows such as "The Voice," "The Great British Baking Show," "Survivor" and "American Idol."

TV for Grownups

Best Reality TV Shows for Grownups

actor robert de niro photographed by a a r p in new york city november twenty twenty three

Robert De Niro Reflects on His Life

A collage of people and things that changed the world in 1974, including a Miami Dolphins Football player, Meow Mix, Jaws Cover, People Magazine cover, record, Braves baseball player and old yellow car

Looking Back

50 World Changers Turning 50

Sex & Dating

Spice Up Your Love Life

a woman holding onto a family tree when her branch has been cut off

Navigate All Kinds of Connections

Illustration of a white home surrounded by trees

Life & Home

Couple Creates Their Forever Home

a woman looks at her phone while taking her medication

Store Medical Records on Your Phone?

Close-up of Woman's hands plugging a mobile phone into a power bank in a bar

Maximize the Life of Your Phone Battery

Virtual Community Center

Join Free Tech Help Events

Create a Hygge Haven

from left to right cozy winter soups such as white bean and sausage soup then onion soup then lemon coriander soup

Soups to Comfort Your Soul

Your Ultimate Guide to Mulching

Driver Safety

Maintenance & Safety

Trends & Technology

bottom of car, showing one wheel on road near middle yellow lines

AARP Smart Guide

How to Keep Your Car Running

We Need To Talk

Assess Your Loved One's Driving Skills

AARP Smart Driver Course

A woman using a tablet inside by a window

Building Resilience in Difficult Times

Tips for Finding Your Calm

Weight Loss After 50 Challenge

Cautionary Tales of Today's Biggest Scams

Travel stuff on desktop: map, sun glasses, camera, tickets, passport etc.

7 Top Podcasts for Armchair Travelers

jean chatzky smiling in front of city skyline

Jean Chatzky: ‘Closing the Savings Gap’

a woman at home siting at a desk writing

Quick Digest of Today's Top News

A man and woman looking at a guitar in a store

AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life

two women exercising in their living room with their arms raised

Get Moving With Our Workout Series

You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

Go to Series Main Page

Actors, Authors Share Their Favorite Travel Destinations

Eight american hotspots to inspire your next journey.

David Hochman and Robin Westen,

San Diego's Sunset Cliffs Natural Park with the sun setting over the water

Some vacations are for adventure. Others are for rest. And then there’s the kind of trip that has a deeper meaning, a journey to a precious, even sacred space. A place full of memories, of promise. A place that automatically puts your mind and heart at ease.

These eight Americans were kind enough to share their most treasured places with us. Maybe their stories will inspire you to visit one of these spots. Or maybe you’ll get the urge to return to your own happy place — one you’ve been away from for too long.

AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, San Diego

Gregory porter, 52, grammy award–winning jazz singer.

So few things in life are permanent. The house I grew up in got torn down. People come and go. But Sunset Cliffs is a forever place.

I was recruited to college in San Diego on a football scholarship. Coming from the hot and dry agricultural town of Bakersfield, Sunset Cliffs felt tropical and exotic. Ocean waves crashing on the rocks. A sea cave with a hole open to the sky.

My father died when I was 20 and my mother died when I was 21, and going to Sunset Cliffs brought me solace. It gave me hope that I could be happy again. I had a ’68 Lincoln Continental, and I would drive out to the cliffs and just sit and reflect. I wrote my first songs at Sunset Cliffs. The title of my first album is Water .

After my brother died from COVID in 2020, I went back. At Sunset Cliffs, you can cast your cares upon the water. Just being there makes me feel lighter.

While you’re in San Diego …

• Tour long-retired Old Point Loma Lighthouse for a glimpse of the past and the Pacific Ocean.

• Stroll sandstone cliffs at La Jolla Cove as seals lounge about on the rocks.

• Wander the USS Midway to learn about life on an aircraft carrier; most of the docents are veterans.

A smiling Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson and Will Forte, peek out from the Old Mill in Little Rock, Arkansas

The Old Mill, T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas

Mary steenburgen, 71 , academy award–winning actress, singer and songwriter.

As a child, I was in love with reading and obsessed with books about elves and fairies and gnomes — all those magical worlds. So when my mother would bring me to the Old Mill , a 1930s reproduction of an 1880s water-powered gristmill, it felt like I was entering a storybook. It’s just a magical place, especially in the springtime, because there are lots of flowering plants and trees. It has even been in the movies — you can see it in one of the opening shots of Gone With the Wind .

North Little Rock, where I grew up, is across the river from the state capital of Little Rock. The capital city was always considered the spot where all the important and beautiful things were, but we kids always felt so proud that we had our own special thing in our town, and that was the Old Mill.

I’ve probably been there more than 50 times; I still take friends there. It’s a really special, unusual, beautiful place. It’s like the physical manifestation of all these worlds that I used to love to dream about.

While you’re in North Little Rock …

• Drink an award-winning Victory Pale Ale at Diamond Bear Brewing Co.

• Drive to Emerald Park for scenic views of the Arkansas River.

• Enjoy the pulled pork and brisket at Lindsey’s Hospitality House — but don’t skip the catfish.

Palmer House Hotel, Chicago

David sedaris, 67, humorist.

In college I thought, Oh my God, the Palmer House is just it. The hotel is in that part of downtown where the big department stores were. The lobby would bustle with tourists from other parts of the Midwest. I was broke as a student, but I would go to the coffee shop every Friday and linger over my little cake.

Whenever I’m back in Chicago, I can’t help but think of my younger self and how I’m living the life I dreamed about in those days. I’m delighted the Palmer House is still there. They don’t have that coffee shop anymore, but I love the memories. They used to have those standing ashtrays outside the elevators, and someone would stamp the hotel logo into the sand. I literally wanted, when I died, to have my ashes put in the ashtrays of the Palmer House hotel and have their logo embossed upon my remains. I think the ashtrays are gone now too.

While you’re at the hotel …

• Eat a brownie — legend has it they were invented there — in the ornate, French-style lobby.

• Walk to the Art Institute of Chicago , home to American Gothic and Nighthawks.

• Visit The Ledge , a glass balcony at Willis Tower.

AARP NEWSLETTERS

%{ newsLetterPromoText }%

%{ description }%

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISEMENT

Marina del Rey Harbor, Los Angeles

Gayle king, 69, cohost, cbs mornings.

You know that song “Walking on Sunshine”? That’s me in Marina del Rey . I love strolling along the docks and looking at the sailboats that I’ll never have. You can watch people on kayaks or fishing boats, and parents taking their children on bike rides. And you’ll usually see seals or sea lions soaking up the sun.

Both of my kids live in L.A., so I visit the area often. In Hollywood, it feels like most people are either looking for a job or losing a job. But the marina is a more casual part of the city. Even the seals look happy.

Life is about creating moments when you don’t think you’re creating them. Walking around the marina isn’t a big-deal experience like going to Disneyland. It’s only when you look back that you gain an appreciation for something like that. I’ll remember a conversation. Or I’ll be at my desk in New York City thinking about how good the L.A. sun feels on my face when I’m with people I love.

While you’re at Marina del Rey …

• Head to 10-acre Burton W. Chace Park for summer concerts and water views (especially pretty at sunset).

• Indulge in banana bread French toast at Brizo restaurant .

• Hop aboard the $1 WaterBus , a water taxi that makes eight stops.

The Stanford Dish, Stanford, California

Ellen ochoa, 65, former astronaut.

Getting a Ph.D. is stressful. You’re not sure if you’ll ever get there. Much of my research time was spent in an optics lab at Stanford University where we blocked out the light because we were working with laser beams. Getting outside after spending all day in complete darkness was liberating. As often as possible, I would head to the Dish.

The Stanford Dish is a satellite dish with a big radio antenna in the foothills west of campus, and there’s a three-and-a-half-mile loop around it that is my favorite walk. When you get up near the top, you can see from San Jose to San Francisco. It’s a beautiful place.

In 1981, near the end of my first year at Stanford, the space shuttle flew for the first time. Then two years later, Sally Ride, who also studied at Stanford, became the first American woman in space. My walks around the Dish were when I first started thinking about the astronaut program. As soon as I got my Ph.D., I applied to NASA.

Years later, on my second shuttle mission, we flew over the Bay Area. I had a fairly large camera lens, and I could pick out the campus — the red-tiled roofs, the Dish. I could see where it all started for me. Whenever I go back to Stanford now, I see the Dish and think, This is where my life took wing.

While you’re at Stanford …

• Enjoy views of the Bay Area from Stanford’s Hoover Tower observation deck.

• Explore the open-air Stanford Shopping Center — not just for its 146 stores but also for the lush flower gardens.

• Geek out — and play Pong! — at the Computer History Museum , about 5 miles from Palo Alto.

Politics and Prose Bookstore, Washington, D.C.

Min jin lee, 55, best-selling author of pachinko.

My parents could never take me to bookstores . That was for rich people. It wasn’t until I was in college that I was able to buy books. While at law school in D.C., I would go to Politics and Prose as a treat.

I never thought I’d be a writer. It didn’t feel like a real job to me. But I remember going to a reading at Politics and Prose that the author Ethan Canin gave. I remember thinking, This young guy is a literary genius, but he’s also just a lovely person and real.

When I was a debut author myself, Politics and Prose was one of the first places that invited me to do a book event. At my first reading there, it felt like this sense of arrival. Today when I visit the shop and sit on the floor with a stack of books, I think, There’s both struggle and joy behind every one of these titles.

Other destination bookstores

• Powell’s 1.6 acres of retail space occupies a full city block in Portland, Oregon.

• The Strand in New York City carries a vast inventory of used, new and rare books.

• L.A.’s The Last Bookstore is a literary fun house, with a tunnel of books.

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, Sarasota, Florida

A.j. jacobs, 56, best-selling author of the know-it-all and the year of living biblically.

It’s got waterfalls. Delightfully cheesy mini golf. A pond with a dozen ravenous alligators. What’s not to love about Smugglers Cove ? We’ve been visiting the course on trips to Florida since my three kids were little. Now that they’re bigger, our mini golf battles have become a great equalizer among three generations.

My wife’s stepmom lives nearby. Granny is very good at actual golf, but she doesn’t always beat the kids at mini golf. They kick my butt sometimes, too, and I’m OK with that. To me, it’s a delight when the next generation can outdo you.

I’m a big fan of rituals, and going to Smugglers Cove has that ritual quality for me. Every step of the way is meaningful. The grownups will usually place bets with the kids. For example, if the parents get a hole in one, no one gets ice cream afterwards. Although, to be honest, we always end up eating ice cream anyway. It’s a tradition!

Other renowned miniature golf courses

• Each summer, Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center unveils a 10-hole rooftop course with skyline views.

• Every hole at Philly Mini Golf focuses on a city landmark, such as the Liberty Bell.

• Both courses at Crave Golf Club in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, have candy themes.

The Ko‘olau Range, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

Tia carrere, 57, actress, model, singer and two-time grammy award winner.

My grandmother’s family worked hard on Hawai‘i’s sugarcane and pineapple plantations. There were 11 kids, and they all lived together in a tiny hut. Later, my grandparents bought a house in Kalihi, which is where I grew up. I have always been acutely aware of how fortunate I am to have traveled so far from these humble beginnings.

Maybe it was a premonition, but when I was a kid, I dreamt about soaring like a bird above the Ko‘olau mountain range. These are the towering mountains I saw each morning when I went to school. They look like an open accordion rising from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

Ever since I can remember, these mountains have connected me to the truest part of myself. I’ve hiked for nine hours to reach the top. But if you’re not up for the climb, there’s Pali Lookout. You can just drive there and take in the view. It’s humbling to feel how ancient these mountains are, that there are things much greater than us that we need to respect.

While you’re in O‘ahu …

• Tour the Byodo-In Temple, one of the world’s most beautiful Buddhist temples, per National Geographic .

• Drive to the Kilonani Mauka overlook at the Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden for a nearly 360-degree mountain view.

• Eat authentic Hawaiian food at the Waiahole Poi Factory .

More Members Only Access

Discover AARP Members Only Access

Already a Member? Login

Recommended for You

AARP Value & Member Benefits

chicken parmesan lasagna fettucine alfredo caeser salad bread wine

Carrabba's Italian Grill®

10% off dine-in or curbside carryout orders placed by phone

woman smiling handing man credit card at hotel check in, other man sitting in background

AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia: Hotels & Resorts

Up to 10% off select hotels

man sitting on couch looking at woman sitting on floor in living room during day time

ADT™ Home Security

Savings on monthly home security monitoring

AARP® Staying Sharp®

Activities, recipes, challenges and more with full access to AARP Staying Sharp®

SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS

Change website language
Rides & Attractions
Disneyland Park Attractions

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain

Disneyland park.

Discoveryland

Tweens, Teens, Adults

Accessibility and Other Information

Accessibility.

Transfer from your wheelchair essential
Guide and assistance dogs not accepted

Big Thrills, Not To Be Missed, Disney PhotoPass™, Disney Premier Access , Disney Premier Access One, Disney Premier Access Ultimate, Single Rider Service

Guest Policies

WARNING! For your safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions or disabilities that could be aggravated by this adventure.
Expectant mothers may not ride.

COMMENTS

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain (formerly known as Space Mountain: Mission 2 and Space Mountain: De la terre à la lune) is an indoor/outdoor steel roller coaster in Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris.Originally themed around Jules Verne's classic 1865 novel From the Earth to the Moon, the attraction first opened on June 1, 1995, three years after the park's debut in an attempt to draw more ...
Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain attraction
Guide and assistance dogs not accepted. Big Thrills, Not To Be Missed, Disney PhotoPass™, Disney Premier Access , Disney Premier Access One, Disney Premier Access Ultimate, Single Rider Service. Blast off from the heart of Discoveryland for a thrilling journey through space at light speed, all set to an iconic Star Wars soundtrack.
Discoveryland
Practical information. Step into the retro future world of Discoveryland. The Force is strong in this corner of the Disneyland Park galaxy! Blast off into orbit on Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, battle with the Rebel Alliance against the evil Empire on Star Tours, or fans of Toy Story can join an intrepid crew to defeat Zurg in Buzz Lightyear ...
8 Awesome Star Wars Experiences at Disneyland Paris (2024)
6| Build a Lightsaber and Build a Droid. Location: Star Traders, Discoveryland, Disneyland Park. Cost: €35 for a single lightsaber, €55 for a double, €15 for a mini Droid Figure. Two of our favourite Star Wars activities at Disneyland Paris are in the Star Traders store - they are Build a Lightsaber and Build a Droid.
Disneyland Paris Complete Guide and Tips (2024)
The Basics of Disneyland Paris. Disneyland Paris is a theme park resort just outside Paris, France. It comprises four parts: The castle theme park, Disneyland Park or Parc Disneyland. A second park, Walt Disney Studios Park. Disney Village, a small shopping / restaurant area akin to Downtown Disney or Disney Springs.
From the Earth to the Moon: Launching Disneyland Paris' Legendary Lost
LOST LEGENDS: Space Mountain - De la Terre à la Lune: Prepare for blast-off as we take aim and launch into a fantasy journey from the Earth to the moon! When Imagineers designed Disneyland Paris, they threw out the rulebook and started from scratch to reimagine even classic Disney attractions. The result was the most incredible, inspiring, adventurous Space Mountain on Earth, totally and ...
Space Mountain: Mission 2
A 16-sided polygon, Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris has a diameter of 62 metres and rises 43 metres high as the biggest landmark of Disneyland Park and a unmissable sight on the local skyline. The mighty 22-metre Columbiad cannon, which sits on top of the structure, weights an impressive 15.5 tons.
The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Itinerary (Without Lines!)
Start: Walt Disney Studios at park opening. Stop 1: Crush's Coaster This is a great fun coaster, for all ages. It does have a single rider line, if the lines are long and you could use these, but if you've been in the park from opening, the line should be short. You cannot get a FastPass for this ride.
8 Things a First-Time Disneyland Paris Visitor Should Know
Even peak tickets will run you $101. By comparison, tickets at Disney World start at $109 and go up to $129 on peak days. And for anything more than a two-day visit, annual passes for Disneyland Paris look like a good deal. Annual passes for Disneyland Paris are as low as 149 euros ($170) and even the super-deluxe model is only 399 euros ($450).
Discoveryland, Disneyland Park
Guide to Discoveryland in Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris. Includes all the attractions, rides, restaurants, dining, boutiques, shopping and key locations within the land. Find where Space Mountain: Mission 2, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Star Tours, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Videopolis, Autopia and Orbitron are on the park map.
28 Disneyland Paris Tips for First Timers!
Allow lots of time for meals in restaurants. 1.5 hrs for a 2-course meal minimum. For those travelling to Disneyland Paris with Kids, be sure to tie something unique such as a ribbon to your buggy if taking one. You wouldn't want to walk off with someone else's after a ride or lose yours in a sea of strollers.
Getting There by Eurostar™
Travelling to Disneyland ® Paris via Eurostar ™. Hop on board at London St Pancras International and arrive at the heart of the magic, just 2 minutes walk from the Disney Parks.You'll arrive in no time with a quick and easy change at Lille!. Simply take the Eurostar train from London St Pancras International to Lille Europe station and change for a connecting French high-speed train (TGV).
Disneyland Paris Opens The First Luxury Hotel Dedicated To ...
Disneyland Paris has this week reopened the doors of its landmark hotel following a total transformation of the space. The "royally reimagined" Disneyland Hotel marks the first luxury property ...
Disneyland Paris Holidays
Boundless dreams. Stay amid boundless dreams Become enchanted by the boundless dreams coming true all around you in wonderfully themed Disney® Hotels, such as the newly reimagined, 5-star Disneyland® Hotel, where you can celebrate the most magical of royal Disney stories - and write your very own, too.
Le voyage dans Hyperspace Mountain
Four of the Disney parks followed the original 1975 design of a retro-futuristic white cone, but for Disneyland Paris, the Imagineers took a different approach, taking inspiration from Jules Verne ...
Last Minute Disneyland Paris
Whether you choose to stay in one of the Disney hotels, or if you prefer a relaxing space a little further from the park, we've got lots to choose from. For some true last minute magic, Disneyland Paris is the ideal holiday destination. Book an unforgettable trip with Hays Travel, the UK's largest independent agent.
→ Ki Space · Hotel near Disneyland® Paris
The wellness suite at the Ki Space Hotel & Spa close to Disneyland® Paris spans roughly 1,000m², where you can relax, unwind, and recharge. At our wellness suite, you will find a fully-equipped gym, swimming pool with jacuzzi and sundeck (opening scheduled for end June 2024), and a fully-stocked spa by Eden des Sens boasting seven treatment ...
Big Changes at Disneyland Paris: Walt Disney Studios Park Transformation
Exciting news for Disney enthusiasts! Disneyland Paris is set to transform one of its iconic parks into a thrilling new adventure. Walt Disney Studios Park is being rebranded as Disney Adventure ...
Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain attraction
Guide and assistance dogs not accepted. Big Thrills, Not To Be Missed, Disney PhotoPass™, Disney Premier Access , Disney Premier Access One, Disney Premier Access Ultimate, Single Rider Service. Blast off from the heart of Discoveryland for a thrilling journey through space at light speed, all set to an iconic Star Wars soundtrack.
Disneyland Paris completes 36 MW solar carport
Urbasolar has commissioned the last section of a 36.1 MW solar carport at Disneyland Paris. The facility, which covers 20 hectares of parking space, will sell all of the electricity, with no self ...
Disneyland® Paris Vacation Packages
Don't be discouraged by all the logistics of travel - at Key to the World Travel®, we offer complimentary travel planning services to create a magical Disneyland ® Paris vacation package so you won't get bogged down by fussy details. From hotels to dining reservations to fully-planned travel itineraries, our Travel Advisors know ...
Ki Space Hotel & Spa
Stay at Ki Space Hotel & Spa and enjoy a unique experience in this lifestyle hotel. With its collection of services and its truly innovative spirit, Ki Space Hotel & Spa offers you a 4-star experience where technological innovation, a warm welcome and art come together to make your stay a unique experience. Decor that combines art and modernity.
Essential items you need to pack in your Disneyland Paris Backpack
Here are just three ideas of backpacks that could be used for your day at Disney. PacSafe Venturesafe 25L Anti Theft Backpack - Amazon. In my opinion, this would be the best backpack to use as your Disneyland Paris parks bag. PacSafe bags are designed to be anti-theft with secure zippers and cut-proof materials used.
Disneyland Paris Official Distributor
We are welcoming more than 16 million visits yearly (more than the Eiffel Tower and the Louvres together), making us Europe's top tourist destination. Today, Disneyland Paris is a multi-day resort offering 2 world-class Disney parks, 7 Disney® Hotels and Villages Nature® Paris, and over 50 restaurants - all masterfully themed to create ...
DisneylandForward: What new attractions will come to Disneyland?
Disneyland's second reimagining came much later. In 2001 the Walt Disney Co. would open Disney California Adventure, the Grand Californian hotel and the Downtown Disney District.
Disneyland Paris
Let The Magic Shine at Disneyland Paris. Special offer! Special offer! Enjoy Adult Tickets at child prices! Right now, Adult Tickets are the same price as Child Tickets! Until 4 May, take advantage of our offer on 1 day/1 Park and 1 day/2 Park dated Tickets, for visits from 6 April to 5 May, 2024. Book until 4 May.
Actors, Authors Share Their Favorite Travel Destinations
In 1981, near the end of my first year at Stanford, the space shuttle flew for the first time. Then two years later, Sally Ride, who also studied at Stanford, became the first American woman in space. My walks around the Dish were when I first started thinking about the astronaut program. As soon as I got my Ph.D., I applied to NASA.
Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain attraction
Guide and assistance dogs not accepted. Big Thrills, Not To Be Missed, Disney PhotoPass™, Disney Premier Access , Disney Premier Access One, Disney Premier Access Ultimate, Single Rider Service. Blast off from the heart of Discoveryland for a thrilling journey through space at light speed, all set to an iconic Star Wars soundtrack.