disneyland paris travel tips

28 Disneyland Paris Tips for First Timers!

Last Updated on June 20, 2023

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.

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.

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• 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.

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First Timer’s Guide to Disneyland Paris: Tips for American Visitors

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: November 28, 2022

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Like a lot of American families, our family has spent a fair amount of vacation time at Disney World and Disneyland. But we like to spread our wings and travel to a lot more than just Disney destinations. This summer, we spent two weeks in the United Kingdom and France on the kids’ first trip to Europe. While the bulk of our trip was focused on exploring cultural and historical sites, we knew we all needed some fun mixed in with the museums and churches. Naturally, we had to make a stop at Disneyland Paris part of our travel plans.

As a frequent visitor to the United States Disney parks, I suspected our experience and knowledge would translate into success at Disneyland Paris as well. But I also knew we had a lot to learn. Disney has very different rules and systems in place in its international parks. We discovered that we needed to do our research when we visited Hong Kong Disneyland years ago with our oldest, and the same was true for Disneyland Paris.

With tourism to China still essentially impossible for the foreseeable future and Japan only starting to open up, Disneyland Paris has been the only international Disney resort that many travelers have been able to visit easily in recent months. As a result (and also because of the resort’s ongoing 30th anniversary in 2022-2023), there has been a lot of recent interest in Disneyland Paris among Americans and Canadians. There will likely be even more as the 2024 Summer Olympics head to Paris.

If you are a visitor familiar with the United States parks considering a trip to Disneyland Paris, here is everything you need to know about and plan for – from hotels to line cutting strategies to transportation tips.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Disneyland Paris Resort Overview

Many Americans, even those who are Disney fans, know very little about Disneyland Paris. So let’s start with the most basic of details. Disneyland Paris opened as the Euro Disney Resort in 1992. It is located in Chessy France, about 20 miles from the Paris city center.

The resort is made up of two parks – Disneyland Park (Parc Disneyland) and Walt Disney Studios Park (Parc Walt Disney Studios). The two parks are just a couple of minutes walk apart from one another, much like the layout found at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

Adjacent to the two parks is Disney Village, a shopping, dining, and entertainment district similar to Downtown Disney in Anaheim or Disney Springs in Orlando.

There are 7 on-property Disney-owned hotels in the area as well. All but two of these hotels are located just beyond Disney Village within about a 15-25 minute walk from the gates of Disneyland park (more on hotels below). The resort offers shuttles that go to these hotels just outside the esplanade between the parks.

Also adjacent to the esplanade near the entrance to the two parks is the Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy train station. This station provides commuter train service to downtown Paris via the RER, high speed train service on the TGV to Charles de Gaulle Airport, and high speed rail service to a number of other destinations in France and Europe (via TGV and Eurostar).

How to Get to Disneyland Paris from Paris

For guests coming from or going to the Paris city center, the best way to get to the parks is via train. The RER (Regional Express Network) line A goes out to the Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy station adjacent to the parks. Look for the red colored line on maps. Be aware that line A splits so you have to make sure that you are boarding the correct train on the correct platform. Thankfully, the station signs are well marked with cute Mickey heads making it easy to navigate. (See more Paris travel tips .)

We happened to be staying in Paris right by the Châtelet Les Halles station which is on line A. This starting point made for a very easy journey to Disneyland Paris. The ride is about 40 minutes and costs just €5 for adults (children under 4 travel free and children 4-10 pay half fare). Be sure to hang onto your ticket as you will need it to exit the station upon arrival.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber from the city center, but they are far more expensive and can take longer with traffic.

Which Airports are Best for Disneyland Paris

For travelers coming in or leaving by air, Disneyland Paris is closest to Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) . We went straight from the parks to catch a flight there onward to our next European destination in Scotland (see more about our experience flying easyJet out of CDG). We just took Uber from our hotel to CDG, since we had several larger bags to carry. We ordered a larger van and paid €77 total for the ride, which took about 35-40 minutes.

Other ways to travel to Charles de Gaulle:

• TGV Train : Mousehacking has this excellent guide with more details. The high speed train is only a 10 minute ride to CDG, but runs infrequently and can be confusing and pricey.
• Magical Shuttle : Disneyland Paris offers motorcoach transport for an additional fee (can be booked as part of your vacation package). Transfers can take about 60 minutes, but this is an easy option for guests who don’t want to figure it out all on their own.

The other major airport guests might use to fly to Disneyland Paris is Paris-Orly (ORY) . ORY is about a 45 minute drive to the parks. The Magical Shuttle is available there as well, but taking a train from Orly to Disneyland Paris requires traveling through the Paris city center.

How Best to Book a Disneyland Paris Vacation

Americans planning a visit to Disneyland Paris have a number of options for booking a vacation. We found them pretty confusing and hard to do a true cost comparison. Roughly speaking, here are the options:

• Booking a hotel + ticket package through Disneyland Paris’s website for US visitors
• Booking a hotel + ticket package through Disneyland Paris’s website for other country visitors
• Booking a hotel + ticket package through a traditional travel agency
• Booking a hotel + ticket package through an online travel agency (OTA) website (like Expedia)
• Booking an off-property hotel on your own and purchasing tickets only through Disneyland Paris’s website

Booking a Hotel + Tickets Package

We ultimately booked our vacation through Trips with Tykes travel agency partner Get Away Today, whom I also use for much of our Disneyland and Walt Disney World travel too. While I usually am pretty DIY when it comes to booking my own travel (and we booked everything else on our Europe vacation ourselves!), I really valued using a travel agency for this booking. I had some hard questions about minor details like bed and room types in the on-property hotels. My travel agent was able to get on the phone with representatives at Disneyland Paris and get those questions answered for me. ( Request a Disneyland Paris vacation quote from Get Away Today here !)

And best of all, booking a package meant that we didn’t have to worry with park reservations. Disneyland Paris doesn’t require park reservations like Disney World and Disneyland if you have an on-property hotel booked with a package. Your tickets are simply valid for any and all of the days of your hotel booking, including on both your arrival and departure days!

One Disneyland Paris idiosyncrasy to be aware of is that package bookings aren’t quite as customizable as you’ll find in the US parks. If you plan to book a package that includes 2 nights of hotel, it automatically is bundled with a 3 day ticket (and 3 nights = 4 day ticket, etc.). This is true regardless of whether you are booking through the Disneyland Paris website, a brick and mortar travel agency, or an OTA.

This makes split stays (where you stay at more than one hotel) tricky. It also means that an on-property hotel may not be the best place to establish as your home base if you plan to go into the city of Paris some days as well. We ultimately decided to stay 2 nights at Disneyland Paris and one night in Paris city center as a result of this package structure. This way, we didn’t overbuy ticket days and also could find cheaper accommodations for one night in Paris.

Ticket Only Purchases

If you plan to stay off-site or maybe just take the train from the city center for a single day in the parks, you’ll want to make a ticket only purchase. Disneyland Paris sells dated tickets with a length of 1-4 days. Single day tickets are available for just a single park or for both parks. All tickets of 2 days or longer, however, automatically include the park hopper option. Note that Disneyland Paris has child discounts for kids ages 3-11 – two years longer than the US parks.

Disneyland Paris also sells one day undated tickets (both single park and park hopper). These tickets are more expensive and ultimately still also require guests to make a theme park reservation. As a result, they really don’t make sense unless your plans are very volatile.

Ticket prices at Disneyland Paris are pretty reasonable compared to the US parks. There are single park one day tickets as low as $67 on non-peak days. A 3 day adult park hopper during the most expensive dates of the holiday 2022 season is just $375 (compare that to $420 at Disneyland in Anaheim and $552 at Walt Disney World in Orlando).

Disneyland Paris Hotel Options

On-property disneyland paris hotels.

There are seven Disney-owned hotel properties that are part of the Disneyland Paris Resort. Those include (in rough order of most expensive to least expensive):

• The Disneyland Paris Hotel
• Hotel New York – Art of Marvel
• Newport Bay Club
• Sequoia Lodge
• Hotel Santa Fe
• Hotel Cheyenne
• Davy Crockett Ranch (campground)

No matter where you choose to stay, American families are probably going to need to adjust their Disney hotel expectations, both in terms of price and in terms of service/amenities. We are accustomed to what Disneyland and Disney World offer, and we thought the hotel situation was definitely the weakest link of our Disneyland Paris vacation experience.

The Disneyland Paris Hotel is the flagship hotel in the similar style of the Grand Floridian or Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel . It’s situated right above the gates to Disneyland Park so it has by far the best location of the bunch. It’s unfortunately closed for renovations in 2022. Its reopening date – some time in 2024 -was just announced. This closure is putting a squeeze on the other hotels in the meantime. This is likely where we would have stayed regardless of price had it been open. It’s a gorgeous property with a substantial location advantage over all the alternatives.

The Art of Marvel reimagining of Hotel New York was just finished in 2021. I’ve heard from sources I trust that it is quite well-themed and sleek. But it still can be as much as $800-900 a night for a smallish room that ultimately has two double (not queen!) beds. That was a no go for our family. And it’s still a 15-ish minute walk from this hotel all the way through Disney Village to the parks (farther than the Disneyland Hotel is from the Anaheim theme parks).

Our family seriously considered both Newport Bay Club and Sequoia Lodge for our stay – both of which are just a couple of minutes walking distance beyond Hotel New York. Newport Bay Club is quite similar to the pre-renovation Yacht and Beach Club in Orlando which we stay in often so we decided to save a little bit more and stay in Sequoia Lodge. (We decided that the additional savings of Hotel Santa Fe or Hotel Cheyenne weren’t worth it though due to the longer walk to the parks.)

Sequoia Lodge is themed to look like a historic national park lodge, similar to Wilderness Lodge in Orlando or the Grand Californian in Anaheim. But it is very much not a deluxe property like those hotels. Price-wise, it is a moderate hotel at Disneyland Paris. We, however, found the rooms to be very dated and tired and certainly not even as nice as many of the recently-renovated value resorts at Walt Disney World. Again, standard rooms have only two double beds, so we decided we needed to book two rooms for our family of four to be able to sleep comfortably. The common areas of the hotel were somewhat nicer, but overall Sequoia Lodge was pretty disappointing for the price.

Off-Property Hotels Near Disneyland Paris

If these Disney hotels don’t sound like your cup of tea given their limitations, there are plenty of off-property hotel options. Many are located in surrounding Marne-la-Vallée.

Some of these are centered around the Val d’ Europe shopping center and others are not much farther. Disney partners with some of these hotels with packages available for booking on the Disneyland Paris website.

For more luxury accommodations at a less expensive price, either the Radisson Blu Hotel Paris, Marne-la-Vallée or Marriott’s Village d’ile-de-France are excellent options as well.

If you stay off-site, however, be aware that you’ll miss out on the major perk of on-property stays which is early entry (more on that below). But you’ll probably save a fair amount of money and have nicer accommodations and/or more space.

Lines & Touring Strategies for Disneyland Paris

If you have read my other Disney parks content on Trips With Tykes, you likely already know about my aversion to theme park lines. Probably my favorite part about visiting Disney destinations is finding all the tricks and loopholes available. My aim is to skip the long lines that everyone else seems to get stuck in and devise the perfect touring plan. Naturally, I approached Disneyland Paris with this same goal in mind.

Since we were first timers at Disneyland Paris, we certainly made some mistakes along the way. Overall, however, we did quite well in our three day visit, even though we were visiting during peak summer season when United Kingdom schools were on an August holiday break. And other first timers certainly can too! Here are the hacks that worked for us for dealing with lines:

1. Early Entry (“Extra Magic Time”)

At all Disney destinations, starting early is the key to shorter lines. Not everyone can get up and out the door to a theme park at the crack of dawn. So if you can get up early (for one morning of your trip at the very least), you can beat the crowds.

Like the US Disney parks, Disneyland Paris offers early entry to on-property hotel guests – Extra Magic Time . Ordinarily, both parks open a full hour before regular park opening time (although when we visited, Disney temporarily suspended this benefit for the Walt Disney Studios park due to the recent opening of Avengers Campus. It has since brought it back.).

It’s definitely possible to squeeze in at least a handful of rides during this hour before lines get long. That said, we didn’t find Extra Magic Time to be as robust as it is in Disneyland and Disney World, so adjust expectations accordingly. Only a very limited number of rides are open at this hour. At least on the day we used it, a number of the rides that were supposed to be open were down for technical troubles.

Additionally, park gates don’t open until exactly an hour before park opening time. We found the ticket scanning process to pretty pretty inefficient, wasting a quarter of an hour before we could even enter the park and start moving towards rides. If you don’t arrive super early to be the first at the scanners, you’ll lose a fair chunk of the hour to this bottleneck.

Nevertheless, if you are staying on-property, use this benefit. And if not, be sure to at least be at the very front of the regular rope drop crowds.

2. Single Rider Lines

Like the US Disney parks, Disneyland Paris has single rider lines to fill in extra empty seats on popular rides. If you have older kids who are okay riding alone, this is a great way to skip long lines for coasters.

The rides offering Single Rider can and do change, but here are the currently-available attractions at Disneyland Paris offering it:

• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
• Crush’s Coaster
• Ratatouille: The Adventure
• Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
• Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop

At Disneyland Paris, most attractions actually have a sign at the Single Rider line entrance where the wait time is posted along with the regular standby wait time. No need to ask cast member for their estimate to gauge whether the time savings will be worth it.

Generally, more guests use Single Rider during the busiest parts of the day, so the lines will be longer in the afternoon and may not have significant time savings over the standby line. Using Single Rider lines mid-morning or later in the evening is often a better strategy.

3. Premier Access Ultimate & Premier Access One

Disneyland Paris has two fairly new paid offerings to help guests shortcut long standby lines. So whether you are familiar with Fastpass of old in US parks or the newer Genie+ and Lightning Lane, you’ll need to learn something different at Disneyland Paris. If you are serious about avoiding lines, these are the way to do it. But of course, these options come at a cost.

Related : Disneyland Genie+ and Lightning Lane Questions Answered

Related : Tips for Maximizing Genie+ at Walt Disney World

Premier Access Ultimate

The first and most expensive is Premier Access Ultimate . It starts at €90 per person per day. On the days of our visit, the cost was €140! Premier Access Ultimate permits guests to access a fast lane for up to 14 attractions (limited to one ride on each attraction per day). No ride reservations or time slots are required. If you are familiar with Express Pass at Universal Orlando or Universal Hollywood, Premier Access Ultimate is a close cousin.

Rides included are:

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
• Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
• Phantom Manor
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• CARS: Road Trip

Obviously, Premier Access Ultimate is pretty cost prohibitive for most visitors. And it really isn’t necessary given that Disneyland Paris’s standby lines tend to be shorter than at the US parks. But if you only have a single day in the parks, a very generous budget, and a desire to ride everything, it could be worth the cost.

Premier Access One

More accessible price-wise is Premier Access One . It’s most akin to paid Lightning Lane at the US parks. Guests pay a price and are given the next available 1 hour time slot to return to a specific ride via a fast lane. The per attraction cost ranges from €9-18 per person per ride. Guests are limited to 3 Premier Access One purchases per day. Guests can only make a reservation for their next ride once the time slot for a ride previously booked has at least started. The list of rides available is the same 14 available with Premier Access Ultimate, but also includes one additional attraction – Orbitron.

Our family ultimately purchased just three of the Premier Access One passes during our three day visit. The three we purchased were: Crush’s Coaster which historically has the longest line at Disneyland Paris, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure which is my son’s favorite ride after experiencing it in Orlando earlier in the year, and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast – a last minute selection when we had limited time to squeeze in one last ride before heading to the airport. The total cost for our family of 4 for these 3 attractions was €176. Certainly not cheap but far cheaper than 4 of us purchasing Premier Access Ultimate for a single day.

If you are serious about shortcutting a few longer waits, I highly recommend budgeting to purchase a couple of these passes. The one ride I absolutely recommend paying for is Crush’s Coaster. This is the best ride in Disneyland Paris, and it has the long lines to back that up.

As with paid Lightning Lane, just don’t pay to cut the line at times when standby lines for the attraction are short (like first thing in the morning or late at night). To maximize overall time savings, save Premier Access One purchases for mid-day when nearly every attraction in the park has its longest lines.

4. Rider Switch

Like its US counterparts, Disneyland Paris has a program that allows adults to trade off caring for young kids too short or too scared to ride thrill rides. Rider Switch allows the second group of riding guests to skip the line via a fast lane so they aren’t penalized by requiring their party to wait twice.

While we don’t use Rider Switch much in the US parks anymore now that our kids are older, we found it especially helpful at Disneyland Paris. Its more intense coasters and thrill rides included a few my 9 year old wasn’t quite ready to brave.

Rider Switch is a more potent time-saving offering at Disneyland Paris than it is at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. So if you are traveling with younger kids who won’t do all the thrill rides, you absolutely should use it!

How is Rider Switch better than at the US parks? It’s much more like the offering used to be at Disneyland and Disney World a decade ago. The two most valuable features are:

• It’s not time limited: guests are given a paper pass they can use to return any time later in the day. Save it for use when lines are longest! Or use it when part of your party goes back to the hotel for a mid-day nap or calls it a night early.
• You request it from a cast member after riding the attraction (not before getting in line): this means you can get a Rider Switch pass even if you’ve ridden the attraction via Premier Access or via the single rider line for more time savings overall for your group (Note: on very popular rides like Crush’s Coaster, the non-riding child may need to be present by the exit to prove eligibility).

As with Rider Switch at Walt Disney World, the adult riding second with the Rider Switch pass can take one additional rider along, so big siblings get to ride twice (Disneyland in Anaheim allows two additional riders).

5. Late Night

Last but certainly not least, another way to save time in line at Disneyland Paris is to stay late. Because the parks are a day trip for a lot of locals and there are a lot of families with little ones who can’t stay out too late, the parks empty out substantially by the dinner hour. You’ll find much shorter waits for most rides the longer you can stay until park closing.

Our first night in the park, we hit a lot of rides between 9-10:30pm. We found the following rides to be a walk on: Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Pinocchio, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Phantom Manor. We waited maybe 15 minutes for Snow White.

Note however that some rides at Disneyland Paris close before park closing time. So you need to check ride descriptions carefully for operating hours so you don’t miss out. We found that quite a few attractions in Fantasyland closed early (Snow White closed at 9:30pm on the days we were there when the park was open until 11pm). Most thrill rides, however, stay open until closing.

Disneyland Paris also has shorter park hours in winter months, so this late night strategy works best in the summer when the parks are open later.

Best Disneyland Paris Rides

If you have limited ride time during your Disneyland Paris vacation, what attractions should you prioritize? Disneyland Paris has a few unique rides of its own, but most of its attractions may seem at first glance to be carbon copies of ones in the United States parks. Don’t be fooled – Disneyland Paris does these rides differently and they are absolutely worth prioritizing. Here are our family’s five favorite attractions at Disneyland Paris.

• Crush’s Coaster : This Finding Nemo themed coaster seats guests in a turtle shell that pivots as the vehicle goes along the track to position riders to view movie scenes. It’s a smooth ride with no inversions, but it’s in the dark so can be pretty intense. Definitely some worthy comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World to be seen here.
• Big Thunder Mountain : Big Thunder Mountain is a step up in terms of both intensity and ambiance from the versions of this attraction in Disneyland and Disney World.
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain : Space Mountain on steroids, complete with inversions (this is a real coaster, baby!) and a Star Wars theme.
• Phantom Manor : This is a French take on the Haunted Mansion that has a completely different story line. Much creepier and more macabre.
• Pirates of the Caribbean : Pirates at Disneyland Paris is an epic attraction with an immersive queue and several new scenes. We couldn’t decide if we liked this version a little better than Disneyland’s original – it was too close to call. But it’s definitely several steps up from the pared down version of Pirates at Walt Disney World.

Food and Dining at Disneyland Paris

Disney parks usually have some pretty amazing food offerings and the entire country of France is filled with culinary delights. So a lot of visitors to Disneyland Paris expect the combination of those two to yield some amazing food results. Alas, Disneyland Paris completely fails to deliver on the food front. American visitors need to be prepared so that food is not be a focus of your time, energy, or money!

The word is out – at least in the Disney fan community – that the food in Disneyland Paris is just not great. So our family was warned, and we planned accordingly in how we approached dining.

We were pleasantly surprised though to find that counter service meals were entirely adequate. The food wasn’t really substantially any better or worse than at counter service restaurants in Disneyland or Walt Disney World. We had some solid sausages and fries at Au Chalet de la Marionnette, some decent pizza and pasta at Stark Factory in Avengers Campus, and were actually fairly pleased with the lunch buffet at Plaza Gardens.

Table service meals were where the reputation for bad food held most true. Just to test for ourselves, my husband and daughter ate at Captain Jack’s – a restaurant overlooking Pirates of the Caribbean that seemed similar to Blue Bayou at Disneyland. It was very expensive and they both said the food was darn near inedible – overcooked and flavorless. We were glad we didn’t spring for all four of us to eat there!

American guests should also be prepared to find only pretty limited snack options at Disneyland Paris. The trend of churning out new Instagrammable treats every other week apparently hasn’t hit there. Instead, you’ll likely find a few pretty pedestrian ice cream bars and basic snacks like popcorn and chips.

Key Dining Takeaways & Tips

Here are some more essential tips American visitors need to know to navigate food and dining:

• Make plans 60 days in advance : If you must do a table service meal or two (including character dining), reservations open 60 days in advance at Disneyland Paris. Set a calendar reminder for yourself (and watch out for time zone changes), as these do book up quickly.
• Try walkups : If you don’t have a reservation for a table service or buffet restaurant, arrive several minutes before the restaurant opens for the day and see if they can accommodate you as a walkup. This worked for us both times we tried.
• Check restaurant hours : Strangely, a lot of counter service restaurants close even before the dinner hour at Disneyland Paris! Check hours carefully so you don’t miss a chance to eat where you’d most prefer.
• Head outside the parks to dine : Disney Village has more dining options than the parks – especially for dinner. So when all else fails, dine there (ideally early or late as lines can be long).

How Many Days Should You Plan to Visit Disneyland Paris?

If Disneyland Paris piques your interest, how much time do you need to plan to spend there? Our family visited the parks for three days, but the first and third days were only half days because of our other travel plans.

Here’s one rule of thumb to help decide. I consider Disneyland Paris to be roughly equivalent to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California in size and scope. It has fewer rides (and a weaker second park) but it has a pretty equivalent Downtown Disney space in Disney Village and more on-property hotels than Disneyland has. So if you are the kind of guest who would take a three day vacation to Disneyland, three days is probably also what you need to do Disneyland Paris justice.

That said, if you aren’t a Disney super-fan and just want to get a taste of the resort while you are on a European vacation focused more on non-theme park sights, a single day is absolutely doable. In that case, I’d probably skip Walt Disney Studios Park entirely (or hop over just to do Crush’s Coaster with Premier Access and hop back). If you already visit other Disney parks in the United States or elsewhere, focus on just what’s unique to Disneyland Paris with the time you have. I’d certainly plan to make it a very full day, starting at park opening and lasting as late as you and your kids can.

Ultimately, I felt like I was able to accomplish about 90% of what I had hoped to see and do in three days. We visited during a very hot time of the year, which made us have to slow down a bit more than we would have if the weather had been milder. And we did Disneyland Paris during the middle of a pretty ambitious and jam-packed European tour.

Additional Tips & Tricks for Disneyland Paris

Not overwhelmed by all the advice yet? I have more! A few additional parting thoughts and tips for Americans visiting Disneyland Paris:

• Get the Disneyland Paris app before your trip. Study the map (it’s just different enough that I promise you’ll get lost a few times!) and check out the app’s features so you can save time in the parks.
• If you are purchasing dated tickets, they are fully refundable up until 3 days before their valid dates.
• There are no time restrictions on park hopping at Disneyland Paris like the US parks currently have.
• If you visit Disneyland regularly, you can skip Avengers Campus in Walt Disney Studios park. The land is pretty similar to Avengers Campus in Anaheim . The re-themed Rock N Roller Coaster (now an Iron Man and Captain Marvel attraction called Flight Force) is pretty “meh” as far as coasters go and not a must-do.
• If you visit Disney World in Orlando regularly, you can skip Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. It’s a lovely ride (and it’s the original in Paris of course), but it’s exactly the same.
• Even if you’ve ridden Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain in Orlando or Anaheim a dozen times, don’t miss these versions of the ride in Disneyland Paris. They are very different in Paris and absolutely worth your time (or even a paid Premier Access One purchase for shorter lines).
• Make time for non-ride attractions including play areas like Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, the Swiss Family Treehouse and Skull Rock on Adventure Isle, and various shows. Disneyland Paris doesn’t have quite the ride density of Disneyland in California but it makes up for it in ambiance and other offerings.
• Speaking of shows, Disneyland Paris has several stage shows. You may see that you can purchase “guaranteed access” to these shows in the app in advance of your visit but there’s no need to – they are free once you get to the park!
• But also don’t expect to show up minutes before a stage show and get in. The shows at Disneyland Paris regularly fill up – especially Mickey and the Magician. Arrive about a half hour early to maximize your chances.
• Don’t miss the arcades that pass behind the shops on Main Street USA on either side. They are beautifully detailed as well as a great shortcut with shade to escape the crowds entering or exiting the parks.
• Go beneath the castle! This was the one essential thing we wanted to do that we missed and I’ve been regretting it for months. There’s an awesome Audioanimatronic dragon who resides there worth seeing.
• Disneyland Paris is currently running a drone show as precursor to its evening fireworks for the 30th anniversary. It’s amazing and worth staying up late for if at all possible.

Where to Book Your Disneyland Paris Vacation

Considering a trip to Disneyland Paris? Fill out this quote request form to get a detailed quote from Trips with Tykes partner Get Away Today.

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Monday 4th of March 2024

Thanks Leslie, this is so helpful! I can't find lots of good DLP content, and I've been searching for a podcast to listen to! Disney Deciphered helped me so much planning and strategizing for WDW! Your article helps a lot to get a sense of DLP! =)

Monday 14th of August 2023

Thank you for the information! There is not much information on DLP. I'm finding it hard to schedule meals because I don't know when the fireworks/night time shows will happen. Do you know when fireworks will show in November?

Essential Disneyland Paris Tips and Tricks 2024

By: Author Wandermust Mummy

Are you looking for the ULTIMATE Disneyland Paris tips and tricks to help you plan the perfect trip? Well no look further! In this guide we will talk you through everything you need to know from getting the best price, where to stay, the best itinerary and more. 

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Table of Contents

Disneyland Paris Booking Tips

Ultimate Disneyland Paris Tips and Tricks for a PERFECT trip

Perhaps the first challenge when looking at taking a Disneyland Paris vacation is the booking process.

Booking Disneyland Paris can seem quite a daunting thing, especially if it is your first time as there is so much choice in terms of where to stay, whether to buy meal plans and more. In this section of the guide we round up everything you should be doing before you go including all our Disneyland Paris booking tips.

Check different country websites for booking Disneyland Paris

When you are looking at booking Disneyland Paris, our first Disneyland Paris hack to help save you money is to check all the different Disneyland Paris country specific website. 

Many people don’t know that Disneyland Paris has country specific sites i.e. a UK site, an Irish Site a Dutch site etc. And here’s the hack – these websites all have different pricing. 

Therefore it is worth checking the German, US, UK etc websites before booking to make sure you get the best price for your trip. 

Want to book direct with Disneyland Paris? Click here for our affiliate link! We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you that helps with the overheads of  running this site

Should I book a separately or book a package trip to Disneyland Paris?

The next question people have in relation to Disneyland Paris is whether or not they should book a package or separately. 

And I have to say this really depends on you and your comfort level in booking travel. One of the advantages of booking a package is that if there is an issue or cancellation all parts of your travel are connected and can be easier to reorganise etc.

There are companies that specialise in booking Disneyland Paris breaks but be sure that any companies you use have all appropriate levels of cover should anything happen to the company etc. 

I have always found better deals by booking my accommodation and travel separately. However it is worth reminding people that if you book accommodation separately you will need to also book Disneyland Paris tickets with date specific tickets to avoid disappointment at the gate. 

To book a package we recommend booking tickets and hotels with Disneyland Paris   Or using a company like Magic Breaks which can arrange transport, accommodation and tickets. Click here for our affiliate link.  If you only require tickets we often find attractiontix to have some of the best value ticket s: 

What is the Best Time to Visit Disneyland Paris 

I always say there is never a bad time to visit Disney whether you are travelling to Disney in Hong Kong , Disneyland in Tokyo or Paris. However there are probably better times the others.

There are a few things to consider when looking at the best time to travel which include:

• Public Holidays and School Vacations (both UK and European School Holidays) – as crowds and queue times swell during these times. 
• Operational Hours – Usually the Disneyland Paris operational hours in Winter are shorter than summer. This can affect how much you can get done in a day. 
• Weekend Vs Weekdays – Weekdays are usually much quieter than weekends at Disneyland Paris. 
• Weather – you could travel off-peak in Winter however you could get more rain at Disneyland Paris at these times. In heavy rain they can shut attractions so it is worth considering.
• Special Events – Disneyland Paris runs special events at Christmas, Halloween,Pride and New Year (note: there are no parties for Halloween or New Years Eve in 2023). These days can be exceptionally busy in the park. 
• Decorations and Seasons – Disneyland Paris has some amazing seasonal events such as Christmas and Halloween . For these periods the park has special decorations and special character meet and greets which include rare characters and characters dressed in seasonal attire. This is very popular and will make the park very busy.

Visiting Disneyland Paris is December – what to wear to Disneyland Paris in December

Before you are travelling to Disneyland Paris I would check the crowd calendar online and choosing your dates based on predicted crowd levels if you can. One of the best ways to assess the pros and cons of your dates is to check out our month specific guides for your intended travel dates to decide whether or not it is a good time for you. 

• Visiting Disneyland Paris in January Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in February Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in March Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in April Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in May Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in June Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in July Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in August Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in September Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in October Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in November Tips
• Visiting Disneyland Paris in December Tips

Note : if you do look at the above and see you are traveling at peak times and this is the only time you can go, don’t be put off. I have traveled over the Christmas period and summer holidays which are some of the busiest times to visit and still had an amazing time.

Best Way to Get to Disneyland Paris

My personal favorite way to get to Disneyland Paris from the UK, and when we were visiting from our old home town of Amsterdam was in a car. 

Driving to Disneyland Paris Tips

We like having our own vehicle so we could go to the supermarket if needed and it means we are never restricted on luggage. For info on supermarkets near Disneyland Paris check out this post.

We like to get the Eurotunnel instead of the ferry – you can read why here. 

For more tips about driving to Disneyland Paris check out this post. 

However if you don’t want to drive and are coming from London then the Eurostar is convenient, even though direct trains from London to Disneyland Paris no longer exist. 

If you are arriving into Gare du Nord be sure to check out our post on the best ways to get from Gare Du Nord to Disneyland Paris . 

And finally, if you decide to fly then then check out our post on how to get from Charles De Gaulle to Disneyland Paris here. 

Where to stay for Disneyland Paris – On Site VS Off Site Hotels 

On-SIte Vs Off Site Hotels at Disneyland Paris

There are a huge range of hotels that you can stay at both on site and off site at Disneyland Paris. When considering whether you should stay On Site or Off Site at Disneyland Paris I would say the main factors to consider are:

• How much is in your budget for accommodation as staying off site is a cheaper option.
• How much time you plan on spending in your room.
• Whether you will be using your room during the day time .
• Whether having Early Magic Hours will be required. 

Personally I always advocate staying on site where your budget can allow it. The reason for this for me is Early Magic Hours. 

Early Magic Hours or Extra Magic hours as some other people call them at Disneyland Paris basically grants on-site guests earlier access to the Disney parks i.e. before guests staying off-site. 

For me this benefit is worth the extra cost as we get so much done during this time as it really reduces the queue times on some of Disneyland Paris’ most popular rides such as Peter Pan’s Flight and Crush’s Coaster. 

 This can make a huge difference especially if you are travelling in peak season but you will need to decide whether or not the additional cost is worth it. I think staying on site can actually reduce the number of days you need at Disneyland Paris. 

Other perks of staying on-site include: 

Character meet and greets in the hotels 

Disneyland Paris Sequoia Lodge Review

You don’t know who you will meet (it’s usually one of the classic and favorite Disney characters i.e. Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto or Max – u but the queues for these meet and greets are much shorter than those in the park. 

Note: the two hotels with different meet and greets are Cheyenne and New York Art of Marvel which have Toy Story and Marvel meet and greets respectively. 

Being walking distance to the parks

Although there are shuttle buses to the park, the walk to the entrance from the on-site hotels is very easy through the Disney Village. 

If you do decide to stay on site there are 6 hotels on site at Disneyland Paris. These range in price, stars (2-5*) and distance from the park. But which one should you stay at? 

What is the best Disneyland Paris Hotel?

There are 6 Disneyland Paris hotels and they all are aimed at a difference price point and with a different theme. Below is a brief overview of each Disney hotel:

Disneyland Paris Hotel 

Where to Stay in Disneyland Paris with toddlers – the Disneyland Paris hotel

This is literally at the park entrance which makes it very easy to access your room during the day and is the only 5* Disneyland Paris hotel. 

This hotel has many amenities including Inventions Cafe, Cafe Fantastic, Minnie Mouse Playroom, Mad Hatters Arcade, a spa and an indoor pool.

Please note : the Disneyland hotel is currently closed for refurbishment with expected reopening being in 2024. The hotel will have a complete facelift including a royal retheme. 

Once we have more details about the reopening, theming and amenities I will update this section. But staying here is certainly on my Disneyland Paris bucket list .

Hotel New York – Art of Marvel 

This hotel is newly reopened to coincide with the opening of the Disneyland Paris Marvel Avenger’s Campus  and is an absolute must stay for Marvel fans. 

This is a 4* star hotel and currently is the most expensive Disneyland Paris hotel to stay at (until the Disneyland hotel reopens in 2024. 

This hotel has some amazing amenities for Marvel fans such as the Bar where superheroes will fly past the windows aka digital screen and one of the most sought after Disneyland Paris dining experiences in the Downtown restaurant. 

Also this hotel offers Marvel meet and greets that are exclusively for hotel guests – unlike other hotels where you can walk between them to meet characters you have to be staying at this hotel and make a reservation 7 days in advance for these hotel meet and greets.

This hotel is also one of the Disneyland Paris hotels with a pool 

For prices and availability click here! 

Disney’s Newport Bay Club 

 THis is another 4* hotel at Disneyland Paris but is themed on New England seaside properties and has a nautical feel. The character meet and greets here usually dress in their nautical / sailor attire. It also has a pool and is one of the more grown up places to stay at Disneyland Paris is is less overtly Disney themed. 

To check prices and availability click here.

Sequoia Lodge

Goofy and Girl – Disneyland Paris Sequoia Lodge Vs Cheyenne Hotel Meet and Greets

Sequoia Lodge is a 3* hotel at Disneyland Paris but has amenities such as a pool, restaurants, bar and a kids play here. The characters you meet have a national park theme while the rooms have Bambi decorations. 

We love staying at Sequoia for the combination of slightly better amenities such as the pool but the cheaper price tag than the hotels above. 

To check prices and availability click here. 

Disneyland Paris Sequoia Lodge Vs Cheyenne Hotel

Hotel Cheyenne was the hotel we stayed at when my daughter was going through her Toy Story phase as this is the theme of the hotel and has meet and greets with Jessie and Woody.

! The theming of this hotel is Toy Story / Old West and is set in a frontierland village. On site is the Chuck Wagon Cafe, Saloon, and indoor and outdoor play areas. But my favorite thing about this hotel is it has a Starbucks in the lobby. The hotel is a twenty minute walk from the park or 8 minute shuttle.

To check reviews and compare prices CLICK HERE! 

Santa Fe  

The final on site hotel is the 2* hotel Santa Fe and is the one we are on staying at during our next visit. And the reason for this is the theming.

The theming in this hotel is all Cars which my son absolutely adores! The hotel boasts a tex-mex restaurant, bar, games room and is also a 20 minute walk or 8 minute shuttle.

• For more information on the best Disneyland Paris Hotel with toddlers or small children click here. 
• And for hotel comparison guides check out these posts – Sequoia Lodge Vs Cheyenne .

Where to Stay Near Disneyland Paris

However if you decide to stay off site there are plenty of places to Stay Near Disneyland Paris. The main areas to stay near Disneyland Paris are

• Disney Self Catering Accommodation
• Val D’Europe 
• Central Paris 

The two self catering Disney accommodation options are 

• Davy Crockett’s Ranch –  it is worth noting there is no shuttle to and from this hotel so it is essential that you are traveling to Disneyland Paris in car if you want to stay here. 
• Les Villages Natures Paris – this is more akin to Centre Parcs and is great for those looking for a hotel where they can have rest days not in the park. 

The differences between these and the on site hotels is that you can have self catered options however you don’t get all the added bonuses that you get on a traditional on site hotel. 

When we were staying off site at Disneyland Paris we decided to stay at Val D’Europe. The reason for this was largely budgetary. We were travelling in peak season and last minute so staying on site was super expensive. 

Val D’Europe is a great option for those on a budget as the hotels are a lot cheaper than on site, there is a supermarket next door to you where you can buy plenty of snacks and foods to keep the costs down and you are are only one stop on the train to the park making it very easy to get into the park. For more information on cheap places to eat at Disneyland Paris check out this post.

We stayed at the Ibis Budget which I am not going to lie was very basic but was well under 100 Euros a night during peak season and we only used it to sleep and shower. You can see other people’s reviews and prices of the Ibis Budget here.  

For more tips on visiting Disneyland Paris on a budget check out our post. 

However there are some higher end options in Val D’Europe and some apart hotels which might appeal to you if you are staying longer in Paris. To see the variety of options for accommodation at Val D’Europe click here. 

If you do decide to stay in central Paris and just do a day trip to Disneyland Paris be sure to check out our guide on how to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris.

How Long Do I need at Disneyland Paris

How many days at Disneyland Paris do you need?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get about Disneyland Paris has to be “How Long Do I Need at Disneyland Paris?” and the truth is that the answer is how long is a piece of string?

There are so many factors that go into deciding this – what budget do you have, are you travelling to go to Paris or to Disneyland Paris specifically, who you are traveling with, what time you are traveling etc. 

There are actually 2 parks at Disneyland Paris: the Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park. Now you can do 2 parks in 1 day however we recommend longer if possible. 

For more information on what you can achieve with different times in the park check out our how long do I need at Disneyland Paris post ! Spoiler alert we usually go for 3 – 4 days. 

But if you have less time to spend in the park be sure to check out our  Disneyland Paris one day itinerary and our guide on how to spend 2 days in the park. 

Buying Tickets For Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris park full sign

Disneyland Paris now has two parks – Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Paris.

Depending on how long you decide to spend in the park depends on how if you want tickets to one or both parks. If you only have one day then I personally would recommend only doing one park however any longer than a day I would definitely recommend buying passes to both parks either in the form of one day one park tickets or getting a  park hopper ticket. 

Remember if you are staying off site you need to organise tickets and your reservations separately. 

For more information and to check availability on park tickets click here.

Disneyland Paris Hack : One of my top tips for saving money is that if you are staying for 4 days, and maybe even 3 days if you plan to spend money on food and gifts on site, is to buy an annual pass as this can often work out cheaper than buying day tickets and will get you discounts in the gift shop and restaurants. 

Decide whether you want a dining package

If you are visiting Disneyland Paris one of the options you have is to decide whether or not you want to an include a dining package. This is a fixed price and means you can eat at allocated Disneyland Paris restaurants for each of your meals during your stay (or half if you choose half board). 

Whether or not this is worth it for you depends on how much of a foodie you are and how often you are happy to sit down for meals. 

I personally never get the dining package as we don’t find it worthwhile or cost saving for us a family. We always eat breakfast on the go as we use Early Magic Hours and only do one sit down meal a day. 

It is worth doing the math however and deciding whether or not it is good for your family.

Book Your Character Dining Early 

Although we do not use the dining packages we like to book one character dining experience at Disneyland Paris. 

Meeting Princesses at Disneyland Paris Auberge De Cendrillon

There are currently only two character dining options at Disneyland Paris:

• Auberge de Cendrillon – the dining with the princesses experience and 
• Plaza Gardens – a buffet restaurant with classic Disney characters

These experience are exceptionally popular and therefore advance booking is essential – however if you are unsuccessful it is worth asking when you arrive in the park if there has been a cancellation. 

If you are staying at an  on site hotel at Disneyland Paris (which we recommend) the bookings open early – one year in advance actually. However if you are staying off site you can only book 60 days in advance. Be sure you check and book your date early to avoid disappointment.

If you want some ideas for better Disney character interactions check out our post on questions to ask Disney Princesses and questions to ask Disney characters. 

And if you are vegan at Disneyland Paris then check out this guide which includes seasonal offerings. 

But don’t worry if your budget doesn’t stretch to the premium character dining fear not, we have a guide on cheap eats at Disneyland Paris too!

Decide if you want a photo pass 

Photo passes basically give you access to all the photos the Disney photographers take of you at Disneyland Paris character meetings and from rides.

Unless this comes as part of package however I delay making this decision until you have seen how many of the photos you want.

We usually opt not to get the Photo Pass on our last visit simply because my husband isn’t a fan of being in photos and is happy to capture the meetings with our little girl. However if you all want to as a family be in the photos or aren’t very good at photography you might want to consider getting the photo pass.  

Note : At character meetings the assistant with the photographer will take photos of your whole family with your phone or camera however the angles are never going to be as good as the ones the professional photographer takes. 

Getting Ready to Travel to Disneyland Paris

Now you have all of our Disneyland Paris tips and tricks for booking your trip, we will look at the weeks leading up to your vacation and what you should do in the run up.

Download Relevant Disneyland Paris Apps

There are loads of apps that are really useful for when you are at Disneyland Paris and there are a few which are pretty much essential for instance the Disneyland Paris App itself.

For information about the essential Disneyland Paris apps you need to have downloaded for your trip click here. 

What to Pack for Disneyland Paris & What to Buy Before you Go 

Packing for Disneyland Paris is a bit tricky because the weather in Paris is so temperamental. We recommend checking our monthly guides for weather information but my biggest tip for general Paris packing is make sure you have plenty of layers.

However on top of the regular packing there are some things we recommends taking whatever time of year you are travelling. They are: 

Food in Disneyland Paris is expensive and I guarantee if you are travelling to Disneyland Paris with toddlers and young children  they will get hungry as you are in the longest line you have been in.  

Be sure to save yourself from a Hangry kid by having plenty of imperishable snacks with you. This is also one of my top tips for travelling to Disneyland Paris on a budget as snacks and food in the park adds up quickly. 

Collapsible refillable water bottles 

Water in the park is expensive. Therefore we recommend taking a collapsible refillable water bottle with you (there are plenty of Disney themed ones too on Amazon). There are plenty of water fountains in the park to refill in (though many shut in the park during Winter) as this is a cost saver and better for the environment as you won’t be using single use plastic in the park.

If you or your kids don’t like water then take up some squeeze concentrate squash to add a bit more flavour. 

Visiting Disneyland Paris in June / Disneyland Paris with toddlers

I found that whenever my daughter was in costume she had better character interactions with that character. Be sure to travel with your child’s favourite character costume as costumes are expensive on site.

Please note : Adults are not permitted to wear costume into Disney (in some parks exceptions are made around Halloween). However if you would like  you can pay homage to your favourite Disney character through Disneybounding (outfits inspired by the costumes of Disney characters). Click here for some amazing Disneybounding inspiration ! 

Disney Ears are my favourite accessory for photos in the park. They are much pricier in the park  and there are loads of great ears available on amazon. 

However if you want something more original why not check out our guide to the best alternatives to Disney autograph books here. 

Lanyards are a great way to keep hold of your tickets. There are some lovely Disney ones out there.

Don’t Forget Your Medical Notes 

If you have a disability or are pregnant be sure to take your medication notes with you as Disneyland Paris has special procedures in place that enable fast pass access for those with disabilities. 

And if you want some more information on how to apply for a Disability or Easy Access Pass at Disneyland Paris check out this post.

Disneyland Paris Tips for in the Parks

Plan your day .

Disneyland Paris 1 day 2 parks itinerary

My number one tip for being at Disneyland Paris is to plan your day. It is a good idea to know the most important rides for you and where they are in the park so you know where you are heading. 

Disneyland Paris Premier Access

Disneyland Paris doesn’t have fast passes or Genie Plus so you can’t use those to skip queues. There are single ride premier access tickets but these cost around 16 Euros per ticket so can be costly which is another reason why it is important to plan your Disneyland Paris itinerary.

Use Your Early Magic Hours Effectively

If you are staying on-site my biggest tip is be sure to use your magic hours effectively. This early access is one of the best perks about staying on site at Disney and you can achieve a lot in them.

I recommend doing things that will undoubtedly have big queues later in the day like Crush’s Coaster, Peter Pan’s Flight or even lining up for the Princess Pavillon which opens after Early Magic Hours.. 

Know what gets the longest ride times

Scariest rides at Disneyland Paris

I recommend researching the rides you most want to ride and also noting what are the most popular Disneyland Paris rides as these will often have long lines. 

If you are traveling with a toddler you will want to concentrate on Fantasyland rides and Disneyland Paris rides with no height restriction while adults may want to know which of the scariest rides at Disneyland Paris has the longest queue and get these done early in the day. 

Utilise Single Riders or Baby Swap at Popular Rides 

Visiting Disneyland Paris with a baby

If you are travelling to Disneyland Paris with a baby then you can use the baby swap at some of the bigger rides. Basically one of you queues while the other waits at the exit and you swap once the one is finished. 

The other option if you don’t mind not being seated next to your group on a ride is to use the single rider line. This queue is often much shorter so you can get on the popular rides quicker by filling any gaps on the ride. 

Plan for Shows and the Parade 

One of my favourite things to do at Disneyland Paris is the shows and parades but the truth is they get busy.

Be sure to get to shows and parade routes 3o minutes before it starts, maybe even easier during peak season to be sure you get a good position. 

FAQS About Disneyland Paris

How many days do you need in disneyland paris.

How many day you need at Disneyland Paris is a difficult answer. I would say you should allocate one day to each park (don’t try and do them in the same day). Therefore I would say a minimum of two days to do both parks but if you want to do character meetings and most of the rides you will need longer. 

However if you only have one day don’t think it isn’t enough but only try and attempt to visit one park.

Do you tip at Disneyland Paris?

No – you don’t need to worry about tipping at Disneyland Paris 

Do they speak English at Disneyland Paris?

Yes in most places you will find cast members speak English and French. For more information on where they speak English at disneyland Paris check out this post. 

Is one day enough for Disneyland Paris?

One day is not enough to do both parks well but one day at Disneyland Paris is certainly enough to see some highlights at one of the parks. 

Can you bring food into Eurodisney?

Yes it is a myth you can’t bring food into Eurodisney however you aren’t allowed to bring large coolers into the park but snacks, sandwiches etc is absolutely fine. 

What are the best day trips from Disneyland Paris? 

Are you looking for a complete guide to the best day trips from Disneyland Paris ? Check out our guide for more information. 

Carrie-Anne Hall

Tuesday 26th of March 2024

Great comprehensive post! I wondered if you had tried the character meals at the Disneyland Hotel. I am dying to know what Royal Banquet is like, it sounds amazing!

Katherine Smith

Thursday 21st of July 2022

Where can I get your itinerary please? I’m going with a 2.5 year old and 10 month old so need to plan!

Wandermust Daddy

Thursday 25th of August 2022

Hi Katherine, when are you going I am still in the process of drafting this but happy to answer a specific questions before then.

But I would def say hit Fantasyland first as these rides don't have fast-passes etc and will be the area where your kids will be able to get on most rides.

Cynthia Dunlap

Friday 15th of October 2021

These are some fantastic suggestions. We have yet to visit and have always wondered if it could be done in a day - it appears that at the very least a couple of days are required.

Wednesday 20th of October 2021

You could do one day one park certainly but I think to get the most out of it having a least two would be optimal

Cath - Passports and Adventures

Friday 25th of October 2019

Great tips for those going to DLP. One day is enough per park but not enough to do both parks. My hubby and I visited twice before kids just for a day and split our time between the two parks and seriously got nothing done! So definitely allocate one day per park. #fearlessfamtrav

Monday 14th of October 2019

These are great tips. I just got back a few weeks ago from one day at Disneyland Paris. It was so fun. We did do both parks but there were only adults in our group so we skipped all the character greetings, ate on the go and didn't take any breaks except for waiting for the parade and fireworks. It was epic and awesome but I would never attempt to do only one day with my kids with me ;) #fearlessfamtrav

101 Disneyland Paris Tips

For many people, a trip to Disneyland Paris is their first exposure to an international park. For others, their first exposure to a Disney park. Either way, there are a lot of things that can save you time and money, or improve the quality of your vacation. Here are 101 random tips based upon our experiences in visiting Disneyland Paris.

With Disneyland Paris, it’s almost as important to know what not to do as it is what to do. Our goal with these Disneyland Paris tips is making sure everyone has a good time. You get hungry at 7 p.m. and expect to find a convenient place to eat? You’re gonna have a bad time. You expect bubbly ‘have a magical day’ encounters with Cast Members? You’re gonna have a bad time. You head to Walt Disney Studios Park after visiting Parc Disneyland expecting a similarly-themed masterpiece? You’re gonna have a bad time.

This list could go on and on. While this may seem like it’s in jest, it really is not. We think that one of the main reasons Disneyland Paris is so divisive is because a lot of guests go in with expectations created via experiences at Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Paris is totally different than that. In our estimation, it’s not different in a worse way, rather different in a way that requires adjusting expectations…

By the way, if you have some good tips–particularly from a French, British, or other European perspective–be sure to add them to the comments. We’re approaching this as Americans, so our experiences might very well differ from other Disneyland Paris regulars.

With that said, let’s dig into our 101 best Disneyland Paris tips…

• If you’re booking a vacation package, comparison shop pricing on the U.S., U.K., German, and other European versions of the Disneyland Paris sites. Disney (controversially) offers different pricing and promos to different regions, so you could get a better deal by booking through a different version of the site.
• While all counter service restaurants offer set menus including an entree, side(s), and drink, you can save money by purchasing entrees alone. Although only listed on some menu boards, a la carte entrees are available at nearly all restaurants (and are more frequently listed on the printed menus distributed to guests).
• Two things you absolutely need to pack for a trip to France are ponchos (rain is not an uncommon thing) and external battery chargers for your phone . These are just two of the unorthodox things on our Unique Disney Packing List post.
• Our favorite on-site Disneyland Paris hotel is Sequoia Lodge . Think of it as the Parisian version of Wilderness Lodge. We cover the other hotels in our Disneyland Paris Hotel Comparison post.
• The Half and Full Board Meal Packages can offer savings on dining at Disneyland Paris if you choose pricier restaurants (such as Auberge de Cendrillon, Bistrot Chez Remy, and California Grill). Here’s a good run-down on what’s included with the various packages.
• Due to a relatively new French law, restaurants cannot offer refills on sugary drinks. Even prior to this law, few restaurants at Disneyland Paris offered refills, but now even the Coke Freestyle machines being added at places like Five Guys will only fill one cup.
• Staying on-site at a Disneyland Paris hotel adds to the experience, but the hotels are inexplicably expensive for their quality. We recommend staying off-site in nearby Val d’Europe (the RER train stop before Disneyland Paris).
• Our top pick for off-site hotels in Val d’Europe is Hipark Serris, a budget apartment-style hotel, which is actually within walking distance (~15 minutes) of the parks.
• Many restaurants in Disneyland Paris close at or around 5 p.m., making dinner lines for popular locations very long. Waits of 30-45 minutes just to order are not uncommon. If you’re not a senior, we recommend holding off on dinner until after the park closes in Disney Village (Earl of Sandwich, Five Guys, and even McDonald’s are suitable options).
• If you’re caffeine addicts like us, we recommend bringing your own “fix” in light of the above law. We’ve used packets from Starbucks and Trader Joe’s in the past, and liked both. Sarah ordered these Mount Hagen Organic Instant Regular Coffee sticks before our last trip and we found them to be a cost-effective and strong option. Highly recommended!
• Do a split stay: one hotel near Disneyland Paris for that portion of your trip, and one hotel in downtown Paris for that portion of your trip. It will take almost an hour to get to Disneyland Paris from the city center (and vice-a-versa) by the RER line; commuting back and forth is not practical.
• Purchase a Disneyland Paris Annual Pass. If you’re visiting for 4 days, it makes sense from a cost perspective. Even on a 3 day trip, it can make sense due to the discounts and perks.
• There’s no positive way to put this: Walt Disney Studios Park is not very good . While the park has a few strong attractions , we rarely spend more than a half-day here.
• Buy your child a character dress in the park, not before your visit. I know this is contra our advice in other posts, but that applies to the U.S. parks where princess dresses are pricey but cheaply made. The ones in Disneyland Paris are similarly expensive, but beautiful. Sarah would love to buy one of these dresses “for safekeeping” until we have kids. I’m not even kidding.
• You’ll need to pack a voltage converter no matter where you stay in France. We recommend something simple and cheap like this grounded 2 in 1 plug adapter . Consider pairing that with this compact 6-port USB charging station ; if you’re like us, most of your devices charge via USB these days.
• Most attractions are not open for morning Extra Magic Hours, and the ones that are can develop long waits by the second hour of EMH. We recommend starting with Peter Pan’s Flight and doing that a couple of times.
• Download the official Disneyland Paris app before your trip. It’s useful not only for wait times, but also restaurant hours, which can be unpredictable at times.
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris is my favorite time to visit . The decorations are beautiful, and it’s excellent Christmas ambiance.
• Valuable perks of Disneyland Paris Annual Passes are access to Extra Magic Hours, which is huge if you’re staying off-site. The Infinity Annual Pass also includes VIP reserved seating for Disney Illuminations and the parade, which can be a huge time-saver.
• Pack your patience. Disneyland Paris is a melting pot of different European cultures, and due to that plus myriad other factors, “guests behaving badly” seems to be a more pronounced issue at Disneyland Paris than the U.S. parks. Smoking is also much more common in Europe, and you’ll encounter smokers outside of smoking areas with regularity.
• Speaking of which, Disneyland Paris is located in France. Obviously. As such, it is an extension of French and European culture, not American culture. If you’re American, go in expecting a culture that’s different from your own. This should be patently obvious, but the most common complaints about Disneyland Paris stem from its underlying culture.
• There are plenty of drinking fountains around the parks and restaurants will provide free tap water (upon request); we recommend bringing your own bottle and filling up. (Also great for DIY coffee.)
• From Charles de Gaulle airport, take the TGV train instead of the RER or shuttles. The TGV is a 10 minute ride, whereas the RER will require going to downtown Paris and transferring (for a total transit time of over an hour). TGV is more expensive and less frequent, but worth it in terms of convenience.
• It can get cold (and even snow!) at Disneyland Paris. If you’re visiting from October through March, be sure to consult our What to Pack for Winter at Disney post.
• For a guaranteed clear view of Disney Illuminations, the nighttime spectacular, we highly recommend staking out a spot on the backside of a flower planter in the Central Plaza (hub). This will ensure that no one is standing in front of you, which is important because ‘shoulder kids’ are especially prevalent at Disneyland Paris. Nothing like having your otherwise perfect view ruined at the last minute!
• Weekends are the busiest days of the week at Disneyland Paris; in addition to out of town tourists, you have Parisian locals who flock to the parks on their off days.
• Pin trading is less popular at Disneyland Paris (or at least that’s our impression), but it’s still a thing there. Read our Disney Pin Trading 101 post for money-saving tips on getting started in this hobby–and how to have fun with it in the parks.
• Disneyland Paris has some amazing themed restaurants . We actually recommend planning some of your dining choices around restaurant theme.
• Luggage storage outside of the parks is free for Annual Passholders. This is a great convenience on arrival and departure day (or, if you bring a tripod and don’t want to carry it around all day).
• Phantom Manor is the Disneyland Paris twist on Haunted Mansion, and it’s a mix of bizarre and brilliant. Read our Phantom Manor Info & Review post after your first ride on the attraction but before your second for greater appreciation of the attraction.
• If you’d prefer to take the RER train to Disneyland Paris (rather than walk), the two off-site hotels we recommend are Relais Spa and Hotel L’Elysée Val d’Europe. With that said, as Val d’Europe is a very new development, you’re unlikely to find a bad or dated hotel in the area. You might also use Airbnb, which often has several properties in this area. Read our Tips for Using Airbnb post for our recommendations for booking an Airbnb for a Disney trip.
• If you are celebrating a special occasion, make sure to pick up a button reflecting the celebration at your resort hotel or in the parks from Guest Services.
• Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, or Sleeping Beauty Castle, in Disneyland Paris is the most beautiful Disney castle in the world. Read our photo tips post about Paris’ Sleeping Beauty Castle for capturing this stunning castle in its full glory.
• Walt Disney Studios Park is expanding dramatically between 2021 and 2024. The park will be reimagined, and 3 new lands added. Avengers Campus will be first to debut, followed by the Frozen Land, and finally, a version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
• If you’re doing breakfast without vouchers, our first recommendation would be to pack protein bars or grab groceries and make something yourself. If that doesn’t sound appealing, grab something at McDonald’s or Starbucks in Disney Village on your way into the park. In-park restaurants such as Cafe Hyperion and Cable Car Bake Shop can be very busy with guests redeeming vouchers, and the food is nothing special–better to focus that valuable early morning time on doing attractions before the waits get long!
• During summer and other school holidays, Disneyland Paris can be busy. No matter when you visit, consulting our 1-Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary for an efficient strategy is recommended.
• While we do not have a 1-Day Itinerary for Walt Disney Studios Park, we recommend rope dropping Crush’s Coaster, and then doing Ratatouille: The Adventure via Single Rider. We typically only spend 2-3 hours in the Walt Disney Studios Park per trip (and usually 3 days at Disneyland Paris total).
• Near the Val d’Europe RER station, there is a Auchan Supermarket Val d’Europe, with every food you could possibly need. Since many of the hotels in Val d’Europe have kitchens and due to the food quality at Disneyland Paris, this can be a savvy, money-saving spot.
• The Disney Gallery in Disney Village has a variety of beautiful art, including attraction posters on demand. We have purchased a set of 12 posters here (like the calendar sold in the U.S., but without the calendar component) and a matted print of the Phantom Manor poster.
• Be sure to pay your respects to the dragon who sleeps under the castle… every single day of your trip!
• Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel recently finished a top-to-bottom refurbishment that resulted in it receiving an additional star in its rating. The hotel has improved dramatically, and it would currently be our higher-end pick for an on-site hotel. (We love Sequoia Lodge, but Newport’s updated rooms look nicer.)
• During Mickey’s Kiss Goodnight, Mickey Mouse appears on the Main Street U.S.A. Train Station and waves guests goodnight and recites a few lines. This occurs approximately 10 minutes after Disney Illuminations finishes, and recurs sporadically thereafter in about 10-15 minute intervals.
• If using Eurostar to/from Disneyland Paris, comparison shop prices out of both the Marne-la-Vallee station (at Disneyland Paris) and Gare du Nord (downtown Paris). When we went from Paris to London, we found prices were better out of Gare du Nord.
• Dress nicely. This applies far less to Disneyland Paris than it does the rest of Paris, but is something to note here since you’ll presumably be visiting both. We recommend avoiding athletic wear and skimpy clothing, neither of which are common in France. Even if you “don’t care” how you look, there are two compelling reasons for dressing nicely: you’ll receive better service and won’t be an easy mark for pickpockets. Consult Sarah’s What to Wear to Disney post for ideas of practical and nice-looking options.
• Due to the nighttime spectacular, Fantasyland attractions often close early. We recommend doing these early in the morning, ideally during Extra Magic Hours (particularly for Peter Pan’s Flight).
• For a good “secret” Disney Illuminations viewing spot, head to the rockwork at the entrance to Discoveryland and choose a spot along the handrail with a clear view of Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant.
• Disneyland Paris is known for its rare characters, and meet & greets in these parks are incredibly popular, in general. If characters are a priority, making them a first stop during Extra Magic Hours is a good idea.
• Bars and lounges in the Disneyland Paris hotels are typically open late, and many offer exceptional ambiance for a nightcap after the park closes. Consult our Guide to Drinking at Disneyland Paris for specific recommendations.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad breaks down a lot. On our recent trip, it did not open with the park on multiple locations, leading to gridlock and confusion from rope drop crowds. Due to this, we recommend rope dropping Big Thunder, and doing so via Adventureland (to bypass the potential gridlock).
• Five Guys, located on the “back” side of Disney Village, serves the best counter service burger at Disneyland Paris. Don’t feel too badly about ordering a distinctly American meal in France–counter service food in the parks leaves much to be desired.
• I ran the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon and Disneyland Paris 5K , and found it to be the best runDisney event offered. It also coincides with Halloween at Disneyland Paris, which is a great time to visit!
• Earl of Sandwich in Disney Village is a great dining value, and it serves many more options (like BBQ ribs!) than their U.S. locations. As an added bonus, you can get free WiFi here.
• Fantasia Gelati serves excellent Italian ice cream. Our order hack for 2: order a cup with 3 scoops plus 2 crepes. Take two of the scoops out of the cup and put them on top of the crepes, eating the third scoop individually. The Fantasia flavor tastes like a cross between birthday cake and cotton candy, and is exceptional (but not so good on a crepe!).
• Walt Disney Studios Park will celebrate ‘Legends of the Force’, a Star Wars event. Some of entertainment for Season of the Force is now available year-round, but some components (like the flagship Star Wars: A Galactic Celebration nighttime spectacular) will only be offered during the limited time celebration.
• Walt’s – An American Restaurant is our pick for the must-do table service restaurant if you’re a Disney fan. The food is significantly better since the menu was overhauled, and the interior design (themed to Walt Disney and the lands of Disneyland Paris) is incredible. This setting is now better than Club 33.
• Single Rider is available at Hyperspace Mountain, Crush’s Coaster, Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toqué de Rémy, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, and RC Racer.
• If you do get stuck eating dinner at Disneyland Paris, our recommendation is Cowboy Cookout BBQ . It’s one of the counter service restaurants that is usually open later, and with much shorter lines (and better food) than other locations.
• Queue up for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ~5 minutes before park closing for a perfect ending to the day. Not only will you experience Disneyland Paris’ best attraction with minimal wait, but you’ll do so with the fireworks from Disney Illuminations exploding overhead.
• If you’re into characters, book the Sunday Brunch at Inventions in Disneyland Hotel. The food is good, the setting and view are delightful, and random (and sometimes rare) characters appear at the meal.
• Agrabah Cafe Restaurant is an excellent buffet, and exquisitely-themed. In terms of value, it is the best dining option at Disneyland Paris.
• Guided tours of both parks are available in French, English, and Spanish. These delve into the history, details, hidden secrets, architecture, etc., of the parks. There is an additional charge for these tours and they do not include priority access to attractions. Visit City Hall in Disneyland Paris or Studio Services in Walt Disney Studios Park for tour times and availability during your visit.
• Shops on Main Street are open up to an hour after the park closes. Do your shopping once you can’t do rides.
• Dole Whips have a reputation that precedes them, and are now available at Disneyland Paris. We think the hype level has gotten a tad too high for this snack, but people seem to love them, so…
• The Fantasyland Disneyland Railroad Station tends to have the shortest wait times; oddly, this is an attraction that can see pretty lengthy waits on even moderately busy days.
• Disneyland Hotel is closed completely for a year-plus refurbishment–and for good reason! It is currently scheduled to reopen in 2024, following a top-to-bottom reimagining. In the meantime, Disney’s Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel is the “newest” and freshest hotel at Disneyland Paris.
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril is nothing like the Disneyland Indiana Jones attraction; the Paris Indiana Jones attraction is a bare-bones coaster that is very forgettable
• Unless you hate yourself, avoid Cafe Hyperion at all costs . Even if it’s the only restaurant open at night, skip it. Starving is a preferable option.
• Figaro is a Cat. (But unfortunately, there’s no sign indicating as much at Disneyland Paris. Big “fail,” Imagineers.)
• We’re hard on the Walt Disney Studios Park, but Mickey and the Magician is one of the best Disney stage shows anywhere. Save this for when the weather isn’t so good–you might even end up doing it more than once!
• Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost used to be the Explorer’s Club, and there are a lot of cool remnants of this past incarnation of the restaurant throughout the seating area.
• The best viewing location for Disney Stars on Parade is along the curve of the sidewalk in the Central Plaza just outside of Frontierland. This will give you a direct view of the floats coming towards you with the castle in the background (perfect for photos!).
• There’s a volcano at Hotel Santa Fe. It’s not nearly as cool as it might sound, but it’s the kind of thing that is worth the walk from one of the nearby resorts to see/photograph.
• Bistro Chez Remy is by far the best restaurant in Walt Disney Studios Park , and the steak on the higher tier of the set menus is fantastic. (The cheaper steak, not so much.)
• Hyperspace Mountain is much more intense in Paris and includes inversions.
• A variety of restaurants at Disneyland Paris serve foie gras, which is a common (and controversial) French delicacy.
• July 14 is Bastille Day in France, and Disneyland Paris offers a special fireworks show at park closing each year on this date in celebration. Crowds are heavy, but if videos are any indication, it’s worth it.
• Alice’s Curious Labyrinth is worth doing for the view alone from the top of Queen of Hearts Castle alone, which offers a stunning view of Fantasyland and Sleeping Beauty Castle, particularly at sunset. On days that aren’t busy, you can enter the maze through the exit for direct access to the castle lookout.
• You will need a chipped credit card at Disneyland Paris. Chip and pin credit cards are the standard in Europe, but chip and signature cards (the new standard in the United States) also work.
• Don’t miss the Nautilus, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant Walk-through, Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin, Adventure Isle, or the Swiss Family Treehouse. These are all walkthroughs, but all are excellent.
• Take some time to explore both Main Street Arcades; these exist for practical purposes (shielding guests from rain or snow), but they have beautiful details that make them worth exploring.
• While Cast Members at Disneyland Paris are pretty forgiving of guests who do not speak French, a good practice ( throughout France!) is to begin any conversation in French by saying, “ Je ne parle pas français . Parlez – vous anglais ?” (“I do not speak French. Do you speak English?”) You will typically receive a warmer reception simply by using these easy-to-memorize lines.
• Hotel Cheyenne has an outdoor fire pit near the Red Garter Saloon and Sequoia Lodge has a fireplace in Redwood Bar & Lounge; both perfect for cooler evenings.
• Villages Nature is a new, sustainable tourism endeavor being co-developed by Disney (including involvement from high profile Imagineers, such as Joe Rohde). While we’ve yet to stay there, it looks like a fascinating and unique place to stay during a Disneyland Paris vacation.
• Disneyland Paris has the best, working barber shop of any Disney park. The elaborate theming inside is sourced from a barbershop in Chicago.
• A variety of unique vehicles run on Main Street, but our pick for the coolest/most unique is the Paddy Wagon. Look for its stop on the right side of Town Square.
• The potato wedges at Cowboy Cookout BBQ are the perfect afternoon snack. We highly recommend going at an off-hour, grabbing a side of these, and sitting by the fire pit.
• Character breakfast is now held at Plaza Gardens Restaurant; reservations for this should be booked in advance.
• Club level at the Disney hotel provides access to an exclusive lounge with refreshments throughout the day, plus a buffet breakfast in the hotel.
• Don’t stand in the grass for parades or Disney Illuminations. It doesn’t matter if other guests are doing it–just don’t.
• Disneyland Paris has a number of sound effects and conversations among its “inhabitants” throughout the park. Many of these, including a dentist drilling and piano lessons can be heard on Main Street. During the day, crowd sounds can drown them out, but they are easy to hear at night.
• Chewing gum is not sold in Disneyland Paris or the Walt Disney Studios Park.
• Disneyland Paris is the only castle park that sells beer and wine at counter service restaurants. This was a change made shortly after the park opened to bring it into line with French cultural norms. Public drunkenness is not an issue at Disneyland Paris.
• Boot Hill Cemetery outside Phantom Manor contains a number of Easter Eggs and references to Imagineers who worked on the project.
• If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, inquire about the character meet & greet schedule in your hotel. These are exclusive experiences for hotel guests, and have shorter lines than the in-park meet & greets.
• Hotel Cheyenne now has a Starbucks location. If you need your morning fix and are staying at Hotel Cheyenne or Hotel Santa Fe, this Starbucks location will be more convenient (read: shorter lines) than the Disney Village Starbucks.
• Disneyland Paris currently does not have a night parade. Its last night parade was Fantillusion .
• For Disney’s Halloween Festival, dozens of friendly ghosts and “pumpkin people” invade Main Street and Frontierland. In addition to these fun photo-op decorations, there is a Halloween parade and a Villains-centric stage show.
• The background story of Thunder Mesa is one of my favorites for any land, anywhere. Reading it will help you enjoy the details of Frontierland more.
• A greater understanding of the detail and history of Disneyland Paris will give you a greater appreciation for the park. For this, there’s no better book than Disneyland Paris: Sketch to Reality. Unfortunately, that out of print title is seriously expensive. A good alternative is Disneyland Paris: A to Z . This guided tour with Imagineer Tony Baxter is a great video to watch, too.
• Policies change…but so do Cast Member interpretations of them. If told something by a Cast Member that does not seem right, be polite, but consider inquiring with a second Cast Member for accuracy.
• Disneyland Paris celebrates Frozen Celebration in winter/spring and Lion King Jungle Festival in summer. See our What’s New & Next at Disneyland Paris in 2023 to see all seasonal events and everything else coming soon.

Okay, so I have to admit that I ran out of steam here towards the end, and had to flesh out the list with a few fun facts and secrets about Disneyland Paris that I find interesting. I’d love to replace some of these with actual tips (a separate “Disneyland Paris Secrets” post would probably be a good idea, since there are way more interesting details I didn’t include here). If you have any useful tips about Disneyland Paris that I’ve missed, please share in the comments and I’ll revise this list with some of them!

For the basics of planning a visit to Disneyland Paris, check out our Disneyland Paris Trip Planning Guide . Want to see more photos or read about Disneyland Paris in agonizing detail? Check out our Disneyland Paris 20th Anniversary Trip Report or our Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary Trip Recap !

YOUR THOUGHTS…

What do you think of the tips we’ve shared for best-experiencing Disneyland Paris? Anything with which you disagree? Any of your own tips to add to improve others’ experience in France’s Disney parks? Any questions about these Disneyland Paris tips? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your questions and thoughts in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Great tips! One thing that is also worth knowing is when queuing for Big Thunder Mountain there are 2 separate lines, and sometimes one is much longer due to operational reasons so people don’t realise. Choose the queue with nobody in it and you’ll save some time and feel like you’re using FastPass!

A tip that we have/love, is that when things are getting stressed in a busy park, go into Disneyland hotel (since it is so close to park entrance/exit), for some relaxing fragrances, and a chillout. Upstairs in cafe fantasia (including amazing theming) is a beautiful serence calm amongst the storm. In the evenings from about 5pm? I think, there is a piano player, who plays disnsey classics in a swing theme. Cafe Fantasia, offers some free headspace, for a quite drink before going back into the parks again.

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Disneyland Paris: The Ultimate Guide To The Happiest Place In France

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: October 27, 2021  - Last updated: July 13, 2023

Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, a Paris suburb.

It is about 45 minutes by train from the city center–and much closer to Charles De Gaulle Airport .

The area consists of seven official Disney-themed hotels, as well as several partner hotels, the Disney Village entertainment and shopping center , and two parks: Parc Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park.

Disneyland Paris is larger than Disneyland Resort in California and smaller than Walt Disney World in Florida.

In itself, the entire place makes for a great holiday destination especially if you’re traveling to Paris with kids .

RELATED READ: Tips For Visiting Disneyland Paris

Paris Parc Disneyland is a fantastic theme park that is also very similar to the original Disneyland but with significantly fewer rides.

However, the place is known for its lovely details, seasonal entertainment, and much more.

Things you'll find in this article

Best time to go to Disneyland Paris

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If you’re going to Paris Disneyland soon, here’s a handy guide to help you plan and enjoy your trip to the happiest place in France.

The best time for visiting Disneyland Paris would be in the spring, fall, or winter, especially outside of France’s prime tourist seasons .

It’s also advised to avoid June through August , due to crowds and previous heat waves that have swept Europe in recent summers.

April and May , as well as late September through November, are the ideal months to visit Disneyland Paris. Even though it may snow in the winter, it is usually not too cold in mid-November.

Christmas is a fantastic time to visit Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park for a flurry of additional seasonal activities if you wish to spend a beautiful winter holiday.

You’ll also be able to see the stunning decorations that are placed throughout the park. Plus, during the holiday season, nothing beats the magical atmosphere of Paris.

Traveling to Disneyland Paris from the city center

You can go to Disneyland Paris in a variety of ways.

Here are your alternatives, whether you’re a budget traveler or a family with small children looking for the most comfortable way to go to Disneyland Paris.

A shuttle service from the city center is available for Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris Express is the name of the Paris-Disney shuttle, and you get to pick between the two stations:

• Shuttle 1 – picks up and drops off at the Gare du Nord (8:20 a.m., Opéra (8:30 a.m.), and Châtelet (departs at 8:40 a.m.) stations (departs at 8:45 am)
• Shuttle 2 – departs at 8:10 a.m. and picks up and drops off near the Eiffel Tower .

By 10 a.m., both Paris-Disney buses arrive at the theme parks. Depending on the season, the shuttles leave the park at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

Take note that you can add the Disneyland Paris Shuttle to your Disneyland Paris tickets, but you cannot purchase it alone.

Roundtrip fare to be added to your Disney ticket starts at 40 euros.

The railway that runs from Paris to Disneyland Paris is the RER A (red line).

It takes 45 minutes to go from the Paris center to Disneyland Paris by direct/nonstop train.

RER A (Rapid Express Rail) is a public train to Disneyland Paris that has five different stations, giving you a variety of alternatives based on where you are staying in the city or which metro line you are closest to:

• Auber in Paris 9 is connected to metro lines 3, 7, 8, and 9. 
• Charles de Gaulle – Etoile in Paris 8 is connected to metro lines 1, 2 and 6.
• Chatelet – Les Halles in Paris 1 – linked to metro lines 1, 4, 7, 11 
• Gare de Lyon in Paris 12 – linked to metro lines 1 and 14
• Nation in Paris 12 – linked to metro lines 1, 2, 6, 9

Fare for the trip from Paris City Center to Disneyland Paris is 15 euros. 

Welcome pickups can assist you and your family if you are seeking for a comfortable door-to-door service.

These car services provide comfortable transportation with high-quality vehicles and the greatest English-speaking drivers in Paris.

When the kids are exhausted after an exciting day with Mickey and his friends, this service is quite helpful.

Private transfer in an economy class car costs 60 euros. A minivan for 7 passengers would set you back 72 euros. Individual transfers should be scheduled ahead of time, either by phone or online.

If you wish to drive yourself to Disneyland Paris, the travel time is about 40 minutes without traffic from Paris to Disneyland Paris.

Car parks occupy a significant portion of Disneyland Paris so parking nearby won’t be a problem.

Car rental starts at 27 euros for one day. The price includes both insurance and VAT. Some automobiles have a limited range of mileage. A €100 deposit is required.

If you have the time, three days seems like the optimal amount of time to enjoy the parks and get to experience everything you wanted to do.

A day trip or two at the park is also doable, but you must plan gour trip to make the most of the attractions.

What to see and do at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris has two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

Disneyland Park is a classic park with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Frozen, whereas Walt Disney Studios Park has a more general movie theme, but it’s still very Disney.

Here are some of the best and most popular Disneyland Paris attractions:

• Adventure Isle – Discover the secrets of Skull Rock by exploring this mysterious land! This is a fantastic attraction for your little treasure hunters!
• Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Peril – This is an Adventureland roller coaster themed on the Indiana Jones movies.
• La Tanière Du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair) – A family walk-through excursion to visit the once-ruler-of-the-sky dragon that now resides beneath the castle of Sleeping Beauty!
• Peter Pan’s Flight – Here, you’ll set sail on a flying ship to battle Captain Hook in one of the fantasy kingdom’s most popular experiences.
• Phantom Manor – This is the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland Paris, which has been reimagined with a darker theme than those at the other Disneyland parks.
• Pirates Of The Caribbean – This is one attraction you must see, from the amazing outside design with the battleship and adventure isle to the ride itself. In Disney Paris, it is unquestionably a must-see attraction.
• Space Mountain: Mission 2 –  This Space Mountain is a one-of-a-kind excursion that’s ideal for thrill-seekers and Star Wars fans alike!

• Crush’s Coaster – Climb aboard Crush, the enormous sea turtle, and dip, dive, and spin through many of the film’s greatest scenes!
• Rc Racer – Take a Giant Toy Story RC Car on a giant Hot Wheels track. This is a ton of family fun.
• Ratatouille: The Adventure – This ride magically reduces you to the size of everyone’s favorite chef rat.
• Rock N Roll Roller Coaster – Get on board this thrilling looping roller coaster set to Aerosmith music.
• Tower Of Terror – Face your fears and enter the haunted elevator to take the 13-floor plunge into the twilight zone on a tour of the famed Hollywood Tower Hotel. 
• Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin – Take a loopy journey with Slinky Dog as he tries to catch his tail.
• Toy Story Parachute Drop – This cute attraction brings you up to the top of the parachute and then drops you below, inspired by the movie Toy Story.
• For A Magical View, Climb Up The Castle – In Disneyland Paris, you can climb the castle and look out over the park. It’s a fascinating scenery that’s a must experience.
• Watch the Disney Illuminations show . – This is a must-see evening performance that’s just pure magic. 
• See the Parade of Disney Stars – Onboard magnificent new floats, Mickey and his friends pass past, including a fire-breathing dragon (and it’s pretty awesome!).

The main holiday celebrations at Disneyland Paris include:

• Disney’s Halloween Festival – Runs from September to October 31st.
• Christmas at Disneyland Paris – Runs from Early November to January
• Festivals of Pirate and Princesses
• Legends of the Force
• Lion King Festival of the Seasons
• Marvel Season of Super Heroes

Whether you’re playing to enjoy dome sitdown meal or try some truly Disney snacks, here are some of the best places to eat in the park:

• Market House Deli – They offer amazing baguette sandwiches, wraps and Croque-Monsieur, which are great alternatives to burgers. Their Mickey cupcake is also a must-try. 
• Bistrot Chez Rémy – Fantastic place for dinner and if you’re in the mood for a hearty soup, fresh salads and juicy grilled steak. Their cakes and desserts are also highly recommended. 
• Boardwalk Candy Palace – This is the best place for uniquely Disney snacks like Chocolate Marshmallow Mickey, Chocolate Chip Mickey and Fudge Citron Meringue. 
• Victoria’s Home-Style Restaurant – Indulge in their Assorted Mini Pastries and the famous Victoria’s Milkshakes. 
• Crepes Cart – The perfect place to go for the Nutella Crepe, said to be among the best in Paris. 

Where to stay when in Disneyland Paris

Hotels within disney.

This yacht club-themed hotel is the largest at Disneyland Paris, and it’s just a short walk from both Parc Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park.

The Newport Bay Club is one of the greatest places to stay if you’re visiting Disneyland Paris and want a more luxurious experience.

This is a modest motel with a ‘guest house’ style design, located in the woods. This hotel is warm and inviting, with an indoor and outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a bar. ​

8.0 Very Good

This hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to Disneyland® Paris, which is only a 10-minute drive away. A Disney store, a merry-go-round, and a video game area are among the features of this hotel. Free WiFi and a private bathroom are available in each air-conditioned and well-equipped room.

9.1 Wonderful 

Disneyland Paris is only about 1.6 kilometers away. It includes comfortable guest rooms and a restaurant with a balcony that serves French and international cuisine. A little garden beneath a boardwalk separates the hotel bar from the restaurant.

• Backpack – a convenient way to carry all your stuff. You can bring this bag with you on all the rides, too.
• Comfortable shoes – you will do a lot of walking. It’s best to wear shoes that won’t strain your feet. 
• Extra battery or power bank – for your cameras and cellphones so you would be able to capture every Paris Disney moment nonstop. 
• Camera – for taking photos and videos of your time in Disneyland Paris. 
• Plastic or stainless steel water bottle – glass items are prohibited at the park so bring plastic or stainless steel water bottle to stay hydrated. 
• Snacks – a simple sandwich or a pack of cookies will do so you have something to fill you up while exploring the park.
• Face towel or tissue, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer – stay clean and healthy at all times. 
• Lip balm and sunscreen – you’ll be exposed to elements while in the park and these two will help prevent irritation and dryness. 
• Travel Insurance – It’s important to have insurance whenever you travel. You never know what might happen while traveling, and it would be dreadful to be in an accident and then be saddled with a hefty medical cost you can’t afford.

1. If you’re visiting Disney Paris for the first time, here’s a great tip: Download the Disneyland Paris app for your mobile device.

This app, which is free to download on the AppStore and Google Play, contains maps of the parks as well as parades and other showtimes.

The app also displays live waiting times for rides, so you won’t have to walk to the locations to check them out.

2. Be on the lookout for a FastPass. Fastpasses are tickets that allow you to skip the line and avoid the crowds.

This offer is only valid for a few rides, but they are all free and available where they are.

3. If you can’t get a fastpass (or if the ride you want to ride doesn’t offer it), try going during the times of the shows or other parades, especially just before the Sleeping Beauty Castle’s nighttime show.

The majority of people congregate around the castle, sometimes more than an hour before it begins, to secure the best viewing position. This means that there is a lot of open space on the rides.

4. Take advantage of online deals to help you save money. Before you book your trip to Disneyland Paris, take a look at the various deals available on the internet.

You will almost certainly find discounts, including some that are quite a steal.

5. Take the OUIgo train. If your lodging is close to an OUIgo train station, take it instead of a traditional high-speed train or even a car.

These are low-cost trains that cost as little as €10 to take you to Disneyland Paris. To save time, you can book an OUIgo online.

6. You might want to pack a sandwich for your meals. In the parks, restaurants and fast food are all very expensive and always packed.

You are not permitted to picnic in the parks, but you can bring a simple sandwich and eat it while strolling.

If you can’t make your sandwich, go to a restaurant or fast-food joint outside of rush hour to avoid wasting time in long lines.

Disneyland Paris Tours

Travel Insurance: I never leave home without travel insurance. My personal opinion is if you can afford to travel, you can afford to buy a travel insurance. All things can happen while on the road and you can never be too sure. And it's something that you'll be glad to have when you need it. For my preferred travel insurance, I use Safety Wing .

What To Wear: If you want some ideas on what to pack for France, check out this packing list guide for France .

Where To Stay: I personally use Booking.com for all my accommodations. Check out for their latest deals here .

Reading Resources: Check out our best reading resources here .

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

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11 essential Disneyland Paris tips

Get the most out of your family day out with our top Disneyland Paris tips, from when’s best to go to the attractions you shouldn’t miss

Made it on to the RER A, heading straight for Marne-La-Vallée? Good start. And if you’re still nervous about your family day out at Disneyland Paris , don’t panic. From character meet-and-greets to stomach-churning rollercoasters to the slower-paced likes of It’s A Small World, there’s all manner of fun to be had here. Read on for some simple pieces of advice to help you get the most out of your day trip out east.

Want to book now? Get a one-day ticket or multi-day ticket to Disneyland Paris

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Essential Disneyland Paris tips

Disney’s Hotel New York

Visit the legendary theme park over several days to prolong your escapist minibreak. In addition to the impressive Disneyland Paris Hotel overlooking the park, you’ll find Disney’s Hotel New York, the most charming place to stay in the leisure complex.

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17 Clever Disneyland Paris Tips For First-Timers (Number 11 Will Surprise You!)

I’m a crier. I admit it. When I first saw that pale-pink Victorian hotel towering over the park entrance, I got a lump in my throat. This is it, I thought. We’re in Disneyland Paris.

I grew up in America, not far from Disneyland in California. I moved to London over 20 years ago. And although Disney has always been an intoxicating cocktail of nostalgia and fantasy for me, Disneyland Paris holds an even more special mystique. So be warned. Glimpsing the castle for the first time casts a spell that will last a lifetime ! Here are my best Disneyland Paris tips for first-timers, including several that might surprise you.  

*Crepes and Castles is supported by lovely readers like you. Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission when you click and purchase that helps this free website at no cost to you.  Learn more

TIP #1: Disneyland Paris is More Like ‘Plan a Little Bit, Then Wing It’

Are you used to military-style planning for your Walt Disney World Florida holiday? Making extensive park plans, losing out on restaurants 6 months before your trip, and watching Genie+ tutorials like you’re back in school again?

You won’t be doing that for Disneyland Paris.

3 Surprising Things First-Timers Learn Are Different in Disneyland Paris

1. genie+ and fastpass.

Like Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland Paris replaced their free paper FastPass system with paid options.

In Disneyland Paris, you can buy a Premier Pass One for an individual ride OR a Premier Access Ultimate which allows you into the fast lane for almost all the rides.

However, unlike Genie+, it is uncommon for Disney park guests to buy a Premier Access Ultimate. It can cost around £130 per person, per day, which makes it almost prohibitively expensive. On the plus side, you can use your Premier Ultimate Pass to ride the 16 most popular attractions anytime you want to, in any order (but only once per day). Whereas Genie+ is more complicated and confusing with available time slots which can sell out.

The less expensive Premier Pass One allows you to ride an individual ride, one time. Priced £8-13 it is similar to the Lightning Lane at Walt Disney World.

Learn more or buy a Premier Pass One or Premier Access Ultimate here

?! FAQ Is it worth it to buy a Premier Pass or Premier Access Ultimate?

I like to think of Premier Access Ultimate as a luxury more than a necessity . Unless you are visting in peak season for only one day (and have the money to spend), you won’t need it to do the main attractions.

On the other hand, if you strongly dislike queuing, and the weather is bad, you might see it as a good investment for an action-packed day.

Premier Pass One is worth it if you are short on time and only want to do a few popular rides. Crush’s Coaster or Peter Pan are good attractions to consider buying a Premier Pass One, as waits rarely go below 90 minutes.

2. Booking Character Meets

Marvel characters such as Spider-Man in Walt Disney Studios operate with a virtual queue. Log in to the Disneyland Paris app once you are inside Walt Disney Studios and it will be indicated what time you can try for the next superhero.

But, for everyone else, you just need to queue up! Mickey Mouse and the Disney Princesses are permanent meet-and-greet attractions in designated buildings. Other characters like Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, and Western Minnie Mouse and Friends are mainly dotted around Disneyland Park.

✏️ PRO TIP Check the Disneyland Paris App for character location and wait times, and turn up about 30 minutes before .

If you don’t want to wait in a queue to meet characters, consider booking a meal at Plaza Gardens or Cendrillon de Auberge – Cinderella’s Inn.

3. Making Restaurant Reservations

Remember when we had to reserve tables up to 180 days before our Florida trips? Disneyland Paris works a bit differently.

If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can book a restaurant up to 12 months in advance using the Disneyland Paris app. Staying offsite means you can book a table 60 days in advance.

Are all the tables sold out? Try asking at your preferred restaurant for a booking on the day. They often have cancellations. I also recommend using DLP Tables to get Disneyland Paris dining alerts .

9 foolproof ways to get your next Disneyland Paris Restaurant booking (even when the dining reservations are sold out!)

In general, for Disneyland Paris, you will not be tied to your computer making loads of reservations and detailed plans before your trip.

It is much smaller than Walt Disney World and easier to get around. Better yet, you won’t be frantically checking your phone all day long to find your next activity. In France, you can live in the moment – let your feet take you to whatever you fancy next!

TIP #2: You Won’t Need a 2-Week Itinerary

Along the same lines as not having to extensively plan restaurants and rides before your trip, you won’t need a 2-week park itinerary when you’re here. You can experience all the magic of the Disneyland Paris parks in 2-3 days. Or you can have an exciting taster in just one day .

There is so much to compare and contrast between Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris. But one of the main advantages for first-timers going to Disneyland Paris is that it’s a much smaller investment of time and money.

📒 PLANNING TIP If you want some help planning your itinerary, check out my one-day touring guide of Disneyland Paris and my printable one-day perfect plan for both parks.

TIP #3: Of Course They Speak French! But You Don’t Have To

Cast members won’t always be completely fluent in English, but they know enough to tell you where attractions are or where to go if you have a problem.

Language Tips for Disneyland Paris First-Timers

• The Disneyland Paris app is in English and at your fingertips to guide you around the park
• All the signage is in English
• Food menus are printed in English and French
• The narrative on the attractions is generally understandable. Even if some of the dialogue is French, you can easily follow the visuals
• The shows and parades have a pleasant mix of French and English. I thoroughly enjoy Elsa singing ‘Let It Go’ in French. Let’s face it, we all know the words to that song!

TIP #4: There Are More Smokers in Europe

One of the things that surprised me as a first-time visitor to Disneyland Paris was the number of smokers. While the park doesn’t allow smoking except in designated areas, some people sneak cheeky cigarettes throughout the park.

Thankfully, I have noticed this problem less and less over the years, but it’s one to be aware of.

TIP #5: Cast Members Are… Different

English and American tourists are sometimes disappointed that cast members are, well, more French?

Perhaps it’s that the French are a bit more cool. You won’t hear the slightly cringey ‘Have a Magical Day, Princess!’ But don’t be put off. The cast members are genuinely passionate about Disney, and I’ve met loads of very friendly people there, too.

If they seem a little abrupt, just remember that English is not their first language and there are cultural differences. In France, they value more genuine interaction, while in America, they value extreme customer service because their jobs depend on it.

✏️ PRO TIP Your smile and even a badly pronounced ‘Bonjour’ will go a long way to connecting with cast members and making your first-time experience of the parks even more wonderful.  

?! FAQ What if I Have a Complaint?

With all that said, Disney is not 100% perfect all of the time. If you are unhappy with the way you were treated by a cast member, if a restaurant falls below your expectations, or if more than one or two rides break down during your day, you have a right to be disappointed.

At the first instance, when things go wrong, be sure to speak to the nearest cast member . For example, if your character meal does not go as well as you would expect, then ask to speak to a manager or go to the front desk. If multiple rides break down, causing you to miss out on a big portion of your park day, go to City Hall and let them know. If your hotel room is not as tidy as it should be or if anything goes missing, be sure to speak to the hotel front desk right away.

If things are still not put right or you are not offered a suitable replacement or a token of appropriate compensation, then the next thing to do is to make a formal complaint. Send an email to [email protected] . In some cases, they can offer things like park tickets to use for a future visit. It’s always worth sending them an email if you are really unhappy about your visit because they want you to come back and you deserve to be treated fairly.

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TIP #6: Disneyland Paris Isn’t in Paris

Say what? That’s right. Disneyland is not in Paris. It is located just outside the city centre. The good news is, if you arrive by Eurostar or RER (local) train to Marne-la-Vallee/Chessy station, Disneyland Paris is just a few steps outside!

🚗➡️ If you are planning a last-minute trip to Disneyland Paris by car, check out my tips for using the Eurotunnel .

🚄➡️ Using the Eurostar for the first time? Check out these best tips on taking the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris .

First-timer’s guide for taking the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris – everything you need to know door-to-door (so you can relax!)

TIP #7: France Is Romantic. Disneyland Paris Is No Different

Disneyland in Paris has style, beauty and an enchanting story to discover in every land.

Of course, you might have visited the France Pavilion in Epcot, but it is not the same as actually being in Europe . Plus! You can drink champagne by the castle! (And it’s delicious.)

15 Attractions Unique to Disneyland Paris

• Hyperspace Mountain is a Star Wars-themed high-speed roller coaster with inversions.
• Pirate Galleon, Davy Jones Locker and Skull Rock extend the Pirates of the Caribbean area beautifully in Adventure Isle, which was created exclusively for Disneyland Paris. Perfect for little and big pirates alike! Check out all these Secrets of Adventureland .
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril is a roller coaster that goes upside down.
• Phantom Manor has a story completely different to the Haunted Mansion and includes a haunted Frontierland section. Don’t miss the graveyard at the back.
• Big Thunder Mountain has a track that tunnels under the water to the island across. It’s arguably the best version of this ride in the world, and you must try it in the day and night.
• Crush’s Coaster in Walt Disney Studios is a thrilling, high-speed unique spin on Finding Nemo.
• Frozen: A Musical Invitation is a unique story for our favourite Frozen characters that centres on Elsa’s birthday. You will travel through 3 separate theatre scenes in this very popular musical, hearing songs not only from Anna and Elsa, but Kristoff, Sven and Olaf, too.
• Avengers Assemble Flight Force is another inversion roller coaster only in Paris.
• Alice’s Curious Labyrinth is made up of 2,500 cypress trees. Inside, you can visit the Queen of Hearts castle and take pictures with her playing card guards.
• Les Mystères du Nautilus , based on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is a walk-through experience of Capt Nemo’s steampunk submarine.
• One of my personal favourites: La Tanière du Dragon . Check out Sleeping Beauty Castle’s dragon, La Tanière du Dragon, in the dungeon.
• Then, go upstairs for the stunning Sleeping Beauty walk-through you won’t see in any other park. (Listen out for the snoring guard!)
• The show everyone raves about: Mickey and the Magician . Exclusively in Walt Disney Studios, this is an enchanting tale of Mickey who calls on some familiar friends to harness the power of magic.
• Disney Dreams! and Disney Electrical Sky Parade . The drone show is spectacular – the first of its kind and is expected to eventually be modelled in the other Disney parks. Disney Dreams! is a fan-favourite nighttime projection extravaganza which draws hoards of crowds by the castle every night.

✏️ PRO TIP A stroll through Adventureland is particularly picturesque at night.

TIP #8: Your Feet Will Fall Off

Do not be deceived when I tell you that Disneyland Paris is much smaller than Walt Disney World. There is STILL a lot of walking to do. You will probably do 20,000 steps in a day.

But not between the parks! Walt Disney Studios sits right next to Disneyland Park. This is a wonderful advantage that Disneyland Paris has over Disney World in Florida.

🤓 GOOD TO KNOW You will need a park hopper ticket to visit both parks on the same day.

TIP #9: One of the Parks Is Better Than the Other

I’m looking at you Walt Disney Studios. (I still love you, though!) A lot of exciting things are on the horizon for Walt Disney Studios, including a spectacular Frozen Land, Tangled attraction and Alice in Wonderland show (coming in 2025).

But for now, dipping in and out of Walt Disney Studios or spending no more than ¾ of a day here is plenty. Budget the rest of your time for Disneyland Park as there is much more to do there.

And while it might not take an entire day, Walt Disney Studios is full of exceptional shows and a few must-do attractions. To make the most of your time, check out my perfect 1-day plan for Walt Disney Studios .

✏️ PRO TIP Starting your day at Walt Disney Studios is smart because it closes earlier than the main park.

TIP #10: The On-Site Hotels Are Really On-Site

First-timers might be surprised that you do not need a car to get from your hotel to the parks.

The Disney hotels are only about a 10-minute walk. In fact, one of the hotels sits above the entrance to the main park! The Disneyland Hotel was completely refurbished and reopened in 2024 with majestic rooms themed around the Princesses (and Queen!) in Cinderella, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen.

As you would expect for such convenience, the Disneyland Paris hotels are on the pricey side.

✏️ PRO TIP One of the best Disneyland Paris tips for first-timers is that several off-site hotels are also walkable or within one stop on the RER (commuter rail train). Check out Residhome Val d’Europe for mini suites on a budget.

➡️ I cover potential savings for booking an off-site hotel in my guide to estimating your budget for Disneyland Paris .

➡️ And I compare the two cheapest Disneyland Paris hotels in Cheyenne vs Santa Fe – which is better? .

TIP #11: You Can’t Meet More Than One Royal at a Time

Something that really surprises first-time visitors to Disneyland Paris is that you can only meet one princess in the Princess Pavilion (unless you join the queue again). The wait at Disneyland Paris is longer than you would expect, too, averaging about 2 hours.

To the disappointment of many fans, you cannot choose who you will meet in the Princess Pavilion – it’s random whether you are seen by Princess Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora or Belle.

On the plus side, the inside part of the queue is beautifully done with interesting displays for all the princesses, and it has interactive elements that are fun to play with.

Not keen on waiting that long to meet only one Princess? Consider making a reservation at Auberge de Cendrillon , where you will meet Cinderella, her two mice friends and two other Disney Princesses.

TIP #12: Europeans Aren’t Big on Snacking

At least, not in the American sense. You won’t find cupcakes piled high with icing, obscenely-sized turkey legs, or refreshment carts every 50 feet.

But don’t get me wrong. Disneyland Paris still has plenty of wonderful treats.

My Favourite (and Unique) Snacks at Disneyland Paris

• The Mickey waffles and chocolate at Cool Post, Adventureland
• Up, Simba and Minnie Mouse-themed Magnums in Walt Disney Studios (pictured below)
• Nutella crepes (obviously, given the name of my blog!)
• Enormous Wonderland ice creams from March Hare
• Champagne by the glass in front of the castle
• Minnie or Mickey Cake bars from Boardwalk Candy Palace on Main Street

For savoury lovers, the Gourmand food carts by Ratatouille are unmissable (I love the goat cheese honey crepes paired with a glass of wine). Also check out the mini food festival area near Tower of Terror, usually in the summertime.

Got kids? The pic and mix sweets are pricey but always a big hit with my boys. You can find a large selection at Boardwalk Candy Palace in Disneyland Park or Chez Marianne Souvenirs of Paris near Ratatouille in Walt Disney Studios.

TIP #13: The Selection of Merchandise Leaves Much To Be Desired

I am constantly surprised that Disney’s European shops don’t have the same diversity as their global counterparts.

However, if you keep your eyes peeled, there are still some unique and memorable souvenirs to be had. Just don’t expect to return home with another suitcase full of trinkets (that might be a good thing for some people 🙋🏼‍♀️).

6 Best Tips for the Most Exclusive Disneyland Paris Souvenirs

• There is a small selection of exclusive Disneyland Paris Pandora charms (try Hollywood Jewel Box in Walt Disney Studios)
• Dotted throughout the two parks, you’ll find a few variations of the classic Disney Spirit Jersey printed with Disneyland Paris on the back.
• Food carts typically have special souvenir drink cups. Some carts, like March Hare Refreshments, will offer a popcorn bucket. Unique to Disneyland Paris is a pretty Cinderella carriage popcorn bucket .
• Unsurprisingly, you’ll find a modest selection of Disneyland Paris fridge magnets, pins, pens and t-shirts. But the best place to find stationary and rare books is in The Storybook Store (to the left before you get to Main Street in Disneyland Park). They even have a poster-sized vintage Disneyland Paris map.
• By far my favourite souvenir is in Merlin l’Enchanteur, inside the castle. Here you can get a custom wand made by a skilled glass-maker.
• Two restaurants, Auberge de Cendrillon and Bistrot Chez Rémy offer limited edition spoons you can purchase with your meal.
• If you have time for Disney Village, check out The Disney Gallery’s Art on Demand where you can create a unique Disney print and even have it shipped home.

TIP #14: Not Everyone Is on Board With British-Style Queuing

There’s always that one annoying guest who squeezes nine people in front of you (after you’ve been waiting an hour in line). But for the most part, ride queues at Disneyland Paris are pretty civilised.

It descends into mayhem at the fireworks and when boarding hotel shuttles at the end of the night. I’ve seen grown men push small children out of the way. I have been shoved quite hard by a woman on a mission on Main Street. And I’ve even been rammed by a buggy from behind (and not by accident).

A top Disneyland Paris tip for first-timers is to try to leave the park before the fireworks (if you’re not planning on seeing them). Or hang back for at least 15 minutes afterwards. Take the arcade exits and avoid Main Street. Shops will stay open for about an hour after closing, so you don’t need to rush out.

At the parade, people may try to shove in if you at the front. The best you can do is look after your children and either hold your ground or just let them get on with it. As unsettling as it is, try not to let a stranger’s bad manners spoil your Disney experience.

TIP #15: Look Out Where You Put Your Rubbish!

Disneyland Paris is striving to be greener. In France, disposable plates and cutlery are being phased out.

Expect to find eco-friendly washable bamboo bowls, forks, spoons, knives and cups. Cold drinks don’t have lids, and the straws are made of paper.

When you are finished, you will see separate bins for normal waste and reusable items.

TIP #16: Restaurants Close Earlier Than You’d Expect

I’ll never forget visiting in February and wanting dinner for our hungry family at 6 pm. It was a mission impossible! All the quick service restaurants bar Colonel Hathi’s Pizza in Adventureland were closed.

If this happens to you, try Casey’s Corner on Main Street for hotdogs (they have vegan and meat options). Or consider getting a meal in Disney Village or at the Disneyland Paris hotels.

I have a full guide to Disneyland Paris Dining including the best hacks for their table reservation system.

TIP #17: The Paper Maps Are Hidden

For quite a long time, Disneyland Paris stopped printing paper maps.

Fortunately, printed maps are back – but they are difficult to find, unless you know how!

After you come through the entrance, go to the Stroller and Wheelchair Rental shop on the right. If you ask there, they will give you a paper Disneyland Paris map in your preferred language. Be prepared: these maps are not as nice as the ones in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. They are smaller, simpler and a bit harder to use in my opinion.

If you want a more beautiful map to take home, there is a wall-sized retro paper map available to purchase from The Storybook Store in the main park. Ask at the till if you don’t see it.

💫 Bonus Disneyland Paris Tip for First-Timers: If You Do Nothing Else, Do This

Lastly, my best tip for Disneyland Paris first-timers is try not to stress .

Even the experts have trips that go a bit haywire, kids that go rogue, and the thing you wanted more than anything else is sold out. It is important to appreciate Disneyland Paris as a new experience and a temporary time in your life.

Embrace the cultural differences, let your kids eat ice cream for dinner, really listen to the music, and cheer for your favourite characters in the parade. Remember what it was like to be a kid again.

That is the best magic of all. 

If You Enjoyed Disneyland Paris Tips for First-timers, You Will Love These, Too

🩷 Don’t be overwhelmed by making your Disneyland Paris Itinerary. Here’s your FREE Custom Printable Itinerary

💛 Start making a list. This is EXACTLY what to take for Your Kid’s First Time to Disneyland Paris

🧡 Save money on absolutely everything. This is how to do Disneyland Paris On a Strict Budget  

❤️ Is there anything you’ve forgotten to do? Check with this full guide to Planning Disneyland Paris (with FREE checklist)

Your FREE Custom Disneyland Paris Itinerary Template (for ANY number of days)

📌 Pin and save Disneyland Paris Tips for First-Timers to read later

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20+ Disneyland Paris Tips for First-Timers to Save Money, Time & Sanity!

Last Updated: April 26, 2021

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I’ve made it no secret that I’m low-key obsessed with Disneyland Paris .

After all, as the only Disney park in Europe, it’s the one I’ve trampled through most… and continue to frequent for super fun events like the Marvel Season of Heroes , and “Christina needs a break”.

Now, I’ve already written all about Disneyland Paris secrets , the Disneyland Paris castle , and how to plan the perfect day trip from Paris to Disneyland …

But today, I’m spilling the beans on all my top Disneyland Paris tips & secrets to ensure your dream trip is the fairytale you always imagined…. rather than a sweaty, sticky, and crowded nightmare.

So, no fluff – here are some must-knows before you visit Disneyland Paris!

Save these Disneyland Paris tips for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

Get your Disneyland Paris tickets in advance

This is one of THE most important Disneyland Paris tips offered by any guide, so we’ll get it out of the way first.

To make the most of your Disneyland Paris day trip, you should ensure you have tickets booked before your trip so that you don’t waste time waiting in line at the box office.

You can get them here on GetYourGuide in just a few minutes.

Stay overnight nearby if you can

Disneyland Paris is very commonly done as a day trip from Paris.

BUT, if you have the option, I’d highly recommend staying close to the park. Browse options here .

While it’s not too tough to navigate from Paris to Disneyland (read my full Paris to Disneyland day trip guide for details), being able to roll out of bed to arrive at opening time is priceless, and getting to stay late without worrying about getting back is well worth the extra money.

And while Disneyland Paris park hotels are notoriously expensive, there are quite a few budget-friendly options close by. I’ve stayed at the Hôtel Mercure Marne la Vallée , which was only 10 minutes from the park by train (door to door), and it was great!

Not really anything fancy, but comfortable and most importantly – half the cost of on-site properties.

Avoid weekends

Weekends and school holidays are (of course) a really busy time to be at Disneyland Paris. If you can at all avoid them, do it!

I’ve visited Disneyland Paris once on a weekend and twice on a weekday and the difference was huge.

Especially on a gloomy off-season day, I was able to hop onto most major rides in less than ten minutes.

This can save a LOT of time and make the overall experience more enjoyable.

Consider Christmas at Disneyland Paris

I once visited Disneyland Paris in early-December (for my birthday actually) and LOVED it.

The Christmas decor at this park is just impossibly charming, plus if you coordinate your Christmas visit to be in an off-peakish time (e.g. weekdays, earlier in the month before school holidays), then there’s the added bonus of thinner crowds as well.

PS: Another perk of visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas time is you can also venture into the city to experience Christmas in Paris , which is absolutely incredible too.

Fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport rather than Orly

If you need to choose which airport to fly into, 100% pick Charles de Gaulle.

This is because you can actually take the TGV directly from Charles to Gaulle to Disneyland Paris, which is a quick 10 minute ride.

In contrast, if you arrive at Orly, then you’ll have to either book a private transfer or take the RER, which goes through the city of Paris and takes longer.

Coming from abroad? Check out my guide to finding the cheapest flights to Europe.

Coming from within Europe? Check out my guide to the cheapest ways to travel around Europe.

Keep an eye out for all the cool hidden gems and secrets scattered around Disneyland Paris

Disney parks tend to be a treasure trove of hidden gems and easter eggs for eager superfans… and I’m happy to report that Disneyland Paris is no exception.

From a variety of hidden mickeys to tiny details you wouldn’t usually notice, Disneyland Paris is full of hidden secrets, so read my full guide to Disneyland Paris hidden gems & secrets for more.

Download the Disneyland Paris app in advance

Yes, it’s Disney, so of course there’s an app, and it’s actually really wonderful.

This app is a total lifesaver because it has all the attractions, maps, showtimes, wait times, etc. all in one place, and can help you stay organized throughout your day trip. Click here to download it.

Consider buying your return ticket in advance, or get a day ticket

If you are day tripping or staying somewhere off-site, then I highly encourage you to buy your return train ticket in advance so you don’t get stuck in the “end of the day” mob.

The train ticket machines get really long line-ups after the evening shows and waiting is a huge bummer.

The good thing about the RER train tickets is you can get them in advance and they’re not valid until you stamp them.

Buying your return trip at the same time as your first ticket would be smart – just make sure you don’t get them mixed up!

Keep your transport ticket

Again, here is another very important Disneyland Paris tip if you are getting to the park by train.

The #1 rookie mistake I’ve seen at Disneyland Paris is misplacing your transport ticket before you’ve left the train station gates.

It’s very very very very very important that you don’t do this because you need to insert your ticket in the machine for the gates to open, and also you need to keep that ticket as proof of payment in case transport police ask you for it (which I have seen).

In any case, make sure you keep your ticket on you somewhere handy so that when you’re leaving the station, you can find it quickly and not hold up the huge mob of people behind you (which I have also seen).

Create a rough plan of attack for the day, including jotting down “must dos”

Disneyland Paris is smaller than other Disney parks, but it’s still a lot to pack into a single day (which is often all that visitors have).

To ensure you make the most time out of your limited time, you 100% need to make a strategy for the day.

I would recommend getting a map of the park(s) you plan to visit and starring all the things that are a must for you, whether this be a ride, a show, a character meet or whatever else.

Get these down on your schedule first, then plan around them with more activities and attractions based on park location.

There is no way you’ll be able to visit every attraction, ride every ride, etc. so be sure to create a plan or else you’ll become a puddle of overwhelmed mess.

Bring your own water bottle and snacks

One often overlooked fact for first-timers is that you are 100% allowed to bring your own food and drink into Disneyland Paris.

The one thing they do discourage however is picnics. So long as you don’t bring a big picnic full of food, you’ll be fine.

Food at the park is both expensive and generally speaking, unhealthy, so having some little sandwiches, energy bars, water, etc. will go a long way.

It goes without saying though that you can’t bring any alcohol in.

Dress in layers because the weather is a little crazy

Unlike its counterparts in warmer climates like Anaheim and Orlando, Disneyland Paris has some wildly unpredictable weather.

I’ve been to the park now twice in May and once in December – during all these visits, the weather changed very unexpectedly.

This is why I would recommend dressing in layers so that you can adjust accordingly.

I would even recommend bringing an umbrella, poncho, or at least a hooded jacket because the rain can come swiftly and unexpectedly. It also gets very chilly at night.

Get your FASTPASS strategy down pat

One of the best time savers at Disneyland Paris is the FASTPASS which allows you to skip lengthy line-ups for the parks’ biggest rides.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually need to pay extra for access to Fastpasses, which means any park visitor can take advantage.

According to the official DLP site, here are the rides that have a FASTPASS option.

Disneyland Park:

• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, Adventureland 
• Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, Discoveryland
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast*, Discoveryland
• Big Thunder Mountain, Frontierland 
• Peter Pan’s Flight, Fantasyland 
• Star Tours, Discoveryland

Walt Disney Studios Park :

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror**, Production Courtyard
• Ratatouille: The Adventure, Toon Studio

Click here to learn more .

Take Advantage of the Single Riders’ Lineups

Not all rides will have these, but if you don’t mind being separated from your group, choosing the Single Rider lineup will allow you to breeze through rides a lot quicker.

At Disneyland Paris, the following rides have a single rider option:

• Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, Discoveryland (Disneyland Park)
• RC Racer, Toon Studio (Walt Disney Studios Park)
• Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, Toon Studio (Walt Disney Studios Park)
• Crush’s Coaster, Toon Studio (Walt Disney Studios Park)
• Ratatouille: The Adventure, Toon Studio (Walt Disney Studios Park)

Reservations are a good idea if you want to eat at a buffet or table service restaurant

While having sit-down meals can be a huge time-suck for Disneyland Paris day trippers or those on a time crunch, for some, having a great meal is an important priority.

If that’s the case for you, then I would highly recommend making a reservation so that you don’t need to be kept waiting or bouncing around looking for sustenance, which is another huge time waster.

Reservations can be made at City Hall, at the restaurant itself or by phone.

Plan your meals because many restaurants close early

Another important Disneyland Paris food tip is that many restaurants at these parks tend to close early so be sure to double check hours if you have a specific place you have your eye on.

A good resource for this is the Disneyland Paris app, as they have up-to-date hours for each day, and yes, they do change day by day.

The last time I visited Disneyland Paris, I was so excited I forgot to eat.

You should have seen me post-parade, hungrily lurking around, tugging on locked doors, sobbing at the sight of vendors cleaning up.

It was my own fault for not properly planning, but the excitement got to me! That definitely wasn’t fun, and my options were woefully limited so make sure you don’t make the same mistake as me.

Pay Special attention to the Disneyland Paris Castle

This is a Disneyland Paris tip that many guides leave out, but I personally want to write it out ten times and then underline it in scary red pen.

Any visitor will see that the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris is the focal point of the park, but it’s worth much more than just a quick glance or photo opp!

Not only is this castle considered to be the prettiest out of all the Disney castles in the world, but there are a ton of wonderful hidden gems and secrets related to it that most visitors miss.

Let’s just say the Imagineers who masterminded this castle really had an eye for details.

From tiny golden escargots on the castle facade, to the only under-castle dragon of any Disney park, there is loads to discover about this castle, so be sure to spend some time there during your visit.

Read my full guide to the Disneyland Paris Castle for the full scoop.

Don’t miss Disney Illuminations!

I know, it’s a long day, but the Disney Illuminations show is a truly magical experience that low-key makes me cry every time.

I highly recommend you stay for it if possible and then catch one of the last trains back to Paris. Skipping it would be a big mistake!

Be mindful of park times

Don’t make the rookie mistake of assuming all the parks close at the same time – Walt Disney Studios closes earlier than Disneyland Park, and Disney Village is open late after the park itself closes.

Keep this in mind when organizing your schedule!

The parade is the best time to go on rides

Lastly, if you’re not too bothered about seeing the parade (honestly, I love parades, but I’m kind of a dork) so if you want to see Disneyland Paris’ top attractions with the least amount of crowds, then skip the parade and instead go on some rides during that time!

Crunched for Time? Think carefully about whether you need a two park pass

If you only have one day or less to spend at Disneyland Paris, you might want to consider just picking one park. This will help you save money on tickets, and make your trip less stressful overall.

Now – I know what you’re thinking: “how could she possibly recommend skipping a park?!” While I’m typically the most FOMO-laden person on Earth with a “see it all” mentality, the secondary park at Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios, is really not my favourite place.

While there are grand plans for renovation and improvement, my honest opinion is that the current park is pretty outdated and mediocre.

The only reason I went on my last visit was to enjoy all the stuff from the Marvel Season of Heroes , which was great.

Without any of those special events though, there’s not a ton of amazing attractions at that park apart from the Ratatouille stuff, so if there is nothing at the Walt Disney Studios that you’re personally dying to see, I would recommend just spending time at Disneyland Park for the day.

Prepare Yourself for Different Customer Service Than What You Might be Used to

Last but not least, I have a final Disneyland Paris tip/warning – don’t expect service to be as enthusiastic as the US parks.

The most common complaint I hear about Disneyland Paris is that the staff there aren’t as bubbly or energetic as staff at other Disney parks.

This is a 100% valid criticism and I will warn you right now that you’ll be hard pressed to find a cast member that is scary-cheerful to the same level of North American parks.

Don’t let that ruin your experience though!

I would peg this mainly to be a cultural thing. Over the top North American customer service just isn’t common here in Europe, at Disneyland Paris or otherwise, so prepare yourself for that.

I Hope These Disneyland Paris Tips were Helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions about your visit. I’d be happy to help!

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15 Quick Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris

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Are you planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? Have a look at these 15 Paris Disneyland Tips for a truly magical experience!

It can seem like a daunting task for first-timers planning a trip to Disneyland Paris.  But I got you covered with this guide to the best Paris Disneyland. As a Parisian Mom of two, I have been to Disnelyland Paris more often than I can count.

Read on to get my 15 best tips to help you maximize your visit and have the best experience for your Disneyland Paris Visit.

You might also be interested in these articles:

• How to get from CDG to Disneyland Paris? (5 Airport Transfers)

Orly Airport to Disneyland Paris: How to get there best

• The 5 Best Camping sites near Disneyland Paris

Salut, I am Lena – travel planning expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

15 Best for Visiting Disneyland Paris

So here is for you without further ado my list with the best 15 tips for Disneyland Paris.

#1 Download the Disneyland Paris App

The Disneyland Paris App is an essential first step to planning your trip itinerary. The app can provide you with show schedules, park open and close times, restaurant bookings, and also informs you about waiting times for all the park attractions. In addition to the park times, you can easily view maps to ensure you can navigate the park without losing precious time figuring out where you are.

#2 Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid queuing

→ Buy your tickets for Disneyland Paris here

Whether you take a day trip from Paris to Disneyland Paris or are keen on spending a couple of days in the parks, get your ticket beforehand! This saves you from stress and hassle once you are there, and most important: you skip the huge ticket queues and have more time at the park!

#3 Know about Disney Premier Access

In Disneyland Paris, you can purchase Disney Premier Access, which allows you to have speedy access to some of the most popular attractions. You only can purchase this pass once you are in Disneyland.

The pass gives you a dedicated lane that moves faster than the standard queue. Be sure to have the Disneyland Paris app downloaded , book your spot in line, and head to the attraction when it is your time. You get to choose your time and avoid the general queue, giving you more time back for more Disneyland Paris fun.

#4 Plan out your Disneyland attraction itinerary ahead of time

When you visit the park, it spreads out through winding trails that loop through the many attractions. To make sure you make the most of your day, plan your attraction itinerary ahead of time.

Before you go, view a map that lists the attractions and plan out where you want to start and what path you would like to take.  This ensures you get a chance to visit every attraction on your wish list. Write down a schedule with good estimates of how long it would take to make it through the entire park.

If you are keen on exploring everything, be sure to add on Premier Access to make reservations for rides and skip the long queues. It’s a huge time saver.

#5 Make it a day trip from Paris

Disneyland Paris is only a short 40 km away from Paris and can easily be squeezed into a day trip from your vacation in Paris . The park is well worth the day trip from Paris by train . and can provide an element of fun and magic away from the city that is fun for the whole family. Read our article about how to get from Paris to Disneyland to get additional information about possible transfers.

#6 Visit the Disneyland Park during the week

Disneyland Paris can get very crowded, especially during the weekends, holidays, and during French school vacation times. If you visit the park, you should attempt to plan your trip on a weekday or during the off-season. Furthermore, avoid bank holidays. This involves a little research before you plan your trip, but it is well worth it to avoid large crowds and long wait times. Also check our Paris by Month guides , to know what’s going on in Paris.

#7 Wear layers to prepare for unpredictable weather

A little bad weather can spoil a great day if you’re not prepared. Disneyland Paris is known for unpredictable weather that can change unexpectedly. Dress in layers and bring rain gear just in case, so you can continue to enjoy the park, rain, or shine. You’ll want to be certain you are wearing comfortable walking shoes because you will be walking the majority of the day.

#8 Buy Disneyland Tickets for a fixed date to save money

→ Book your fixed date ticket to Disneyland Paris here

While you can purchase your tickets at the gate when you arrive at Disneyland Paris, you can buy them in advance online.

You get to choose the dates and how many days you want to visit, which allows you to save money on each day the more days you choose to visit. You could book an Annual Pass depending on your duration, and it could save you money on parking and provide discounts at Disney restaurants and shops.

Traveling on a Budget to Paris? Don’t miss this guide!

#9 Avoid going to Disneyland Paris by car

See this article to know what’s the best way to visit Disneyland from Paris

Although the drive to Disneyland Paris is quick from many hotspots in France, arriving by car may end up costing more money than if you were to take some of the many public transportation options. Public transportation drops off close to the park entrance, allowing for a quick walk to get in.

Parking costs €30 , and you have to account for gas plus time looking for parking. When you take public transportation, you also do not have to stress worrying about where you parked your car in the massive parking garage.

Unless you have your car in Paris, it is not worth it to rent one to drive out to Disney. If you’re arriving by camper, don’t miss our post about the best camping sites near Disney .

#10 Bring your own snacks, water, and food

It may be surprising to hear, but the food quality at Disneyland Paris is notorious for not being the best. Although there are many options through the various food stalls across the park, you will be paying a lot of money for a low-quality meal or snack. It’s mainly (not good) burgers, pizza, or pasta. Thankfully, the park allows you to bring in your own food.

Bringing your own food is more cost-effective, yummier, and you can ensure everyone is eating healthy. Don’t forget to bring lots of water or a refillable water bottle, as walking in the park takes a lot of energy.

#11 Make sure to make dinner reservations in advance

There are a few sit-down restaurants at Disneyland Paris, and they are better than the snack options you find throughout the park.  If you want to sit down at one of the restaurants or enjoy a character dinner , you need to be sure to make your reservations well in advance.

Sitting down to eat a meal may be a good buffer between walking the long distances through the park and serving as a great break before the evening festivities. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance by calling the park or even booking through the Disneyland Paris app.

#12 Know the difference between the two Disneyland Parks & Tickets

There are two parks to choose from when you visit Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park, and Disneyland Park. You always want to make sure you select the correct ticket for the park you intend to visit that day.

The two parks are right next to each other, but they differ in many ways. Disneyland Paris Park is the larger of the two parks where you can enjoy attractions, the fairy tale castle, and characters. Walt Disney Studio Par k is much smaller and more dedicated to behind-the-scenes inspired by iconic Disney stories. It hosts the Worlds of Pixar and Toon Studio . Both parks are definitely worth a visit, and you can visit both in one day by purchasing a hopper park ticket or dedicating a full day to each park.

#13 Eat at off-peak times

If you don’t plan to eat at a sit-down restaurant or a character dinner, set out to arrange your meals to eat a late lunch or dinner. When you eat during off-peak times, you can avoid long waits for food and maximize the amount of time you get to spend enjoying the park.

#14 Know the best way to get to Disneyland Paris

Read more:  How to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris

Before you head to the park, whether you decide if you are driving, book a private transfer with welcome pickups , or take public transportation, be sure to do your research to find the most efficient way there. ( I did the research for you here )

If you are taking public transportation, know where the drop-off and pick-up spots are as well as the times for the shuttles/buses/trams to make sure you know where to go and at what time. If you are driving, take a look at your maps and driving directions before and ensure you leave before hitting traffic. Google Maps allows you to see an estimate of what traffic will be like at what times.

You might also be interested in this article:

#15 Plan your stay at the park

If you intend to do the park for more than one day or visit both parks during your trip, it may be a good idea to think about booking a hotel . There is a wide selection of places to choose to stay near or onsite at Disneyland Paris. The onsite hotel, Disneyland Paris Hotel, will definitely be the more costly choice. But staying onsite also allows you more perks, such as Early Magic Hours or early access, to beat the crowds and enjoy a resort-like stay. Staying offsite may be more beneficial if you want to save money, and it is great if you will only be at the hotel for bedtime.

One Paris Disneyland Tip be sure to pack a portable battery to make sure your phone has the battery life to sustain taking 1,000 pictures while creating memories and to make sure you have enough battery life to utilize the app. Using these top Disneyland Paris tips can help to ensure you make the most out of your magical trip.

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PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris

• 20 Arrondissements in Paris (Quick Guide + Map)
• Paris hidden gems: 80+ well kept secrets you shouldn’t miss
• What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
• 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
• Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
• 5 ways to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris – THE complete guide!
• Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons

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10 Disneyland Paris Tips and Tricks

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Disneyland Paris is the only Disney theme park in Europe, and it can be a bit intimidating for someone who has never been to an international Disney park. You’ve never been to Disneyland Paris, so you don’t have the insider tips, tricks, and knowledge to plan the perfect trip.

Disneyland Paris features two parks: Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios. Disneyland Paris is the main park with the castle and Walt Disney Studios is a smaller park that has a similar vibe to Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

It also has a Downtown Disney-eqsue area called Disney Village. It is full of restaurants, shops, and a dinner show. The majority of the Disneyland Paris hotels are also located near Disney Village.

The Disneyland Paris tips provided in this post will help you navigate all Disneyland Paris has to offer. They are extremely practical tips that will help you make the most out of your Disneyland Paris trip!

PS- Be sure to check out my ultimate Disneyland Paris packing list, so you’ll have everything you need to enjoy the parks!

Table of Contents

1. Research the Rides Before You Get to the Parks

Disneyland Paris has a number of unique attractions you won’t find anywhere else. It is important you take the time to research what attractions Disneyland Paris has to offer and what you want to ride.

The most popular attractions in Disneyland Paris include:

• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain (a more intense version of Space Mountain)
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Phantom Manner
• Indiana Jones Temple of Peril

The most popular attractions in Walt Disney Studios include:

• Crush’s Coaster
• Tower of Terror
• Ratatouille: The Adventure
• Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster

You’ll want to have a plan about what park you want to visit first, what attractions you must ride, what attractions you want to ride, and have a Fastpass strategy.

You will waste a lot of time in the parks trying to figure out what you want to do if you don’t have a plan before you get there.

It would be a shame to not make the most out of your time at Disneyland Paris so be sure to have a plan.

Your plan will most likely change throughout the day as you discover what attractions you love and want to ride again, but it is important to have a general idea of what you want to do before you get to the parks.

This is one of the most important Disneyland Paris tips on this list. You’ll regret it if you won’t put a little effort in before your trip and research the different attractions.

2. It is Incredibly Easy to get to Disneyland Paris

It is incredibly easy to get to Disneyland Paris no matter where in Paris you’re staying.

There is a metro station at the entrance of Disneyland Paris, and trains run continuously throughout the day.

It takes about 30-45 minutes to get from central Paris to Disneyland Paris. You need to take the RER A train. Once you get on the RER A, you ride it all the way to the last stop: Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy.

You will be steps from Disneyland Paris once you get off the train.

If you’re visiting Disneyland Paris from somewhere else in France, there is a TGV station at Marne-la-Vallée. You can take a train directly to Marne-la-Vallée if it is available, or you can take a train to central Paris and take the metro to Disneyland Paris.

I have an entire post dedicated to helping you navigate the Paris Metro system. Be sure to check it out before you arrive in Paris!

You can even get from some international destinations to Disneyland Paris quite easily.

There is a Eurostar train from Brussels to central Paris, and you would just have to take the metro to Disneyland Paris. There is even a direct Eurostar train from London to Disneyland Paris !

It is impressive how easy they’ve made it to get to Disneyland Paris.

It is definitely one of the selling features of going to Disneyland Paris. You can easily visit Disneyland Paris as a day trip from Paris without spending too much time getting to and from the parks.

3. Understand the Different Ticket Options

There are a number of different ticket options at Disneyland Paris. It is important to understand the different ticket types, so you can choose the ticket that best suits your needs.

If you’re only at Disneyland Paris for one day, it is easy to decide what ticket option is best for you. You just have to choose between a single park ticket and a park hopper ticket.

A park hopper ticket allows you to visit both theme parks in a single day, and I always recommend buying the park hopper ticket if you only have one day at Disneyland Paris. There are attractions you won’t want to miss in each park, and you can easily walk between the parks in a matter of minutes.

It becomes more difficult to pick a ticket when you’re visiting for more than one day. You essentially have to choose between a muti-day ticket and an annual pass.

In some instances it is more affordable to purchase the Discovery annual pass than it is to purchase a two-day park hopper ticket.

The Discovery annual pass is only valid certain days of the year, so the first step is to visit the Disneyland Paris website and figure out if the Discovery annual pass is valid when you plan on visiting the parks.

If the Discovery annual pass is valid when you’re visiting the parks, it is the best bang for your buck. You don’t get any special food or merchandise discounts, but you save on ticket prices.

There is one small catch with the Discovery annual pass though.

There is an automatic blackout date for the two days following the purchase of it. If you purchase the annual pass on a Monday, the Tuesday and Wednesday are blacked out, so you won’t be able to visit the parks those days.

This is a bit troublesome for people wanting to visiting Disneyland Paris multiple days in a row. Luckily there is a workaround for this problem though!

You can purchase your Discovery annual pass in advance of your trip and have it mailed to your house.

You’ll have to do the math on whether the shipping fee negates the ticket price savings, but it is often still a better deal to have your annual pass shipped to your house. This is especially true if you’re ordering annual passes for a group because you only pay the shipping once.

Disneyland Paris is one of those parks where you need to be strategic about what tickets you buy, or you could waste a lot of money.

It is easy to overpay for tickets if you don’t understand the ticketing system.

4. Make Dining Reservations in Advance

This is one of the most important Disneyland Paris tips on the list! There aren’t too many table service restaurants in the parks, and reservations are limited.

You’ll want to make a dining reservation well in advance of your trip if you want to eat at a particular restaurant.

You can making dining reservations up to 6 months in advance of your trip, and for popular dining spots like Bistro Chez Remy, you’ll want to make them as far in advance as possible.

If you book your Disneyland Paris trip less than six months in advance, book your dining as soon as you have a date. If you’re a planner and book your trip more than six months in advance, figure out the earliest day you can make reservations, put it in your calendar, and make the reservation the first day you can.

You have to call Disneyland Paris to make a dining reservation. The phone number to book dining is +33 1 60 30 40 5 . International rates do, unfortunately, apply if you’re calling from outside of France.

You’ll be able to speak with an English-speaking person when you call the dining reservation number, and I’ve never been on hold for more than a few minutes.

It is definitely worth taking the effort and booking dining reservations in advance.

5. You Don’t Need to Speak French

Language isn’t a barrier at all at Disneyland Paris! You don’t need to worry about not speaking French.

All of the cast members speak English and there are English menus, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to communicate.

There are English parks maps, and all the signs are in English as well as French.

A lot of the rides with narration even have portions of it in English! It is a great way to allow everybody to get the full experience of the attraction. The safety instructions are also in English, so you don’t have to worry about not knowing the safety procedures of each ride.

It, of course, takes a little time to get used to English not being the main and only language, but it won’t impede or restrict your Disneyland Paris trip in any way!

6. Download the Official Disneyland Paris App

It is essential that you download the Disneyland Paris app onto your phone. The app will make your Disneyland Paris trip run so much smoother.

The app has everything you need to know about Disneyland Paris. It includes:

• A map of both parks and Disney Village
• Live wait times for attractions
• A list of dining locations and their menus
• Schedule of events including parade, show, and firework times

There is free WiFi in the parks, so you’re easily able to access and use the app without having to use your cellular data.

PSA: If you’re using the public wifi at Disneyland Paris, be sure to protect yourself from prying eyes with a virtual private network. You don’t want to have your data hacked while enjoying the magic of Disney!

I personally swear by Nord VPN .

You can connect up to six users with one account, so you can keep the whole family safe with one click!

The highlight of the app is undoubtably the live wait times. It is so easy to plan your next attraction when you can easily see how long the queue is without having to walk all the way to the attraction.

I highly recommend the Disneyland Paris app to anybody visiting the parks.

You may want to download it a few weeks before your trip, so you get used to using it and get a sense of what attractions have the longest wait at various points during the day.

7. Eat at Off-Peak Times

The shortage of table service restaurants inside the parks means that the quick service restaurants can get painfully busy. The best way to avoid heavy crowds at quick service restaurants is to eat at off-peak times.

Peak dining times are between 11:30am and 1:30pm and 5pm and 7pm. You want to avoid dining at these times as much as possible.

Plan to have a late lunch or early dinner.

You will waste a lot of valuable park time waiting in a long, seemingly never ending queue if you dine during peak hours. I once spent 45 minutes in a queue for pizza at a quick service restaurant, and it was not worth it.

The wait times for rides are also slightly shorter during peak dining hours because a lot of guests are at restaurants. This is a great opportunity to get on a few extra rides while the lines are shorter!

8. Take the Time to Visit Disney Village

You’ll be very busy at Disneyland Paris, and it is easy to focus all your time and attention on the parks. You’re paying a lot of money, and you want to get your money’s worth and ride everything you can.

While I understand that mentality, I also think it is a mistake.

Disney Village is well worth a visit. There are a number of shops with unique items you might not easily find inside the parks. This includes a really cool art shop that collectors will love.

Disney Village also has a lot of different dining options, and that is the biggest draw of the area. It has quite a few table service restaurants that you don’t need a reservation to eat at.

The restaurants at Disney Village are a great option for people who weren’t able to get reservations inside the parks.

Even if you’re not interested in the shopping or restaurants, it is still worthwhile to wander through Disney Village. It is a beautiful area with a scenic lake, and you’re able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the parks for a little while.

You don’t have to spend much time in Disney Village. Even just 30 to 45 minutes will be enough time to wander through the area and get a sense of the atmosphere and if you want to spend more time there.

I didn’t take the time to explore Disney Village the first time I went to Disneyland Paris and regretted it! Learn from my mistakes and be sure to visit Disney Village on your trip.

9. Take Advantage of Single Rider Queues

A few select attractions at Disneyland Paris have a single rider queue. Single rider queues are one of the best ways to make the most out of your time at Disneyland Paris.

People from the single rider queue are used to fill empty seats that aren’t filled with people from the regular queues.

For example, if the attraction seats two guests per row and there is a group of three, a person from the single rider queue will be seated next to third person in the party.

Attractions that offer a single rider queue are:

• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
• Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop

You can easily save upwards of an hour by using the single rider queues.

I’ve had multiple instances where I only waited 5 minutes in a single rider queue when the regular standby queue was over an hour.

The downside to single rider queues is, of course, that you won’t be able to ride the attraction with your family. You don’t get to choose who you ride with or where you sit, so you have to be prepared to go wherever and whenever you’re told.

Of all the Disneyland Paris tips on this list, using the single rider queue will save you the most time and allow you to ride the most attractions.

You just have to decide whether it is important for you to ride with your group or not.

10. Bring Snacks to Save Money

Disney food is expensive, and you may not want to eat every single meal and snack in the parks. You’re able to bring your own snacks into the parks as a method to save a little bit of money.

There are some restrictions on what you can bring in like no coolers or alcohol, but most food is acceptable.

Packing a few muffins for breakfast or granola bars to stop that midday hunger is a great way to save some money. Snacks are small and easy to pack, so you don’t have to worry about them taking up too much room in your Disney bag.

With they money you’ve saved by bringing your own snacks rather than paying nearly $10 for popcorn, you’ll be able to splurge and have a nice lunch or dinner at a restaurant.

Disneyland Paris is one of the most beautiful and special Disney parks in the world. It has a fantastic mixture of thrill rides, nostalgia, and unique touches you won’t find anywhere in the world.

These Disneyland Paris tips are designed to help you get the most out of your Disneyland Paris trip.

They save you time, money, and some of the stress of planning a Disney trip to a park you’ve never been to before.

Disneyland Paris is on nearly every Disney fan’s bucket list and for good reason! I highly recommend a trip to Disneyland Paris next time you’re in France.

You won’t regret it- especially if you take advantage of these Disneyland Paris tips!

Related Posts

• 5 Reasons to Visit Disneyland Paris
• The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Packing List
• How to Get from London to Disneyland Paris

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Top 20 Disneyland Paris tips you should know

Things to do in Paris Paris Attractions Theme Parks in Paris Disneyland Paris Disneyland Paris tips

Disneyland® Paris is an amazing place for people of all ages. With two beautiful parks, over 50 attractions and thrilling rides, iconic Disney® characters, and a perfect atmosphere, the French resort will definitely make your dreams come true!

It's like stepping into your own fairytale, blanketed with magic everywhere you look. Everything comes together to form a stunning spectacle from the lovely songs to the impeccably clothed characters, gorgeous exhibits, and not forgetting Mickey!

For many of you, this may either be your first time in Paris, your first experience of a theme park, or your first time in Disneyland Paris. Or maybe you're a serial theme park visitor and a huge Disney fan! Whatever the situation may be, we're here to give you a handy list of Disneyland Paris tips that you must follow for your perfect trip!

Disneyland Paris Ticket Options

Top 20 disneyland paris tips, #1. understand the various types of disneyland paris tickets.

Disneyland Paris offers a variety of ticket types so you can choose what best fits your needs.

• 1 Day ticket: The option to access both the Disney® themed parks in a single day. Visit any one or both Disney® themed parks (Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park), enjoy attractions, shows, selfie spots with Disney Characters, and much more!
• Multiday Tickets: Choose between spending 2 to 4 days at Disneyland Paris, with entry into both parks. These tickets give you the time to explore Disneyland Paris at your own pace and tick off all the attractions you want to visit.

#2. Purchase Tickets with Transfers

Plan your travel to Disneyland Paris in advance by booking a seat in the Disneyland Paris Shuttle or getting a return train ticket along with your Disneyland Paris entrance ticket.

• Shuttle ticket with 1 park entrance: Take the Disneyland® Express Shuttle bus to any one of the Disney-themed parks and experience all that it has to offer.
• Shuttle ticket with 2 parks entrance: Ride the Disneyland Express Shuttle bus to visit all of the rides and attractions in Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park!
• Disneyland Paris Express by Train: You'll get to visit either one or both Disney-themed parks, as well as return train tickets to Disneyland Paris with these tickets.

#3. Visit both Parks

If you're making the journey to Disneyland Paris, you absolutely have to visit both the Disney Themed Parks. Both of them have their own magical charm!

Disneyland® Park - 30 Years of magic in the making With the majestic Sleeping Beauty Castle at its heart, Disneyland® Park is the fantastical home to five incredible Lands. For 30 magical years it’s been the place where extraordinary stories come to life before your very eyes. Now that’s something worth celebrating!

Walt Disney Studios® Park - BE PART OF THE STORY Since opening in 2002, Walt Disney Studios® Park has become a destination that celebrates the world’s most famous stories. Get ready for lights, camera and a whole lot of action! Slip behind the silver screen and bask in the spotlight, as blockbuster attractions, star-studded shows and memorable encounters add some movie magic to your family’s story. Visiting both Disney Parks will bring you the full magical Disneyland Paris experience!

#4. Check out the new Marvel Avengers Campus

In order to make their 30th anniversary truly spectacular, Disneyland Paris created the Avengers Campus at their Walt Disney Studios Park as an immersive experience. Not only will you discover new juicy details about the Avengers universe, friends, and foes, but you'll be able to team up with the Avengers on their own turf! Disneyland Paris also integrated "F.R.I.D.A.Y," an Artificial Intelligence created by Tony Stark, into its programming in order to provide a more interactive experience for all guests.

The Avengers Campus has also introduced two new attractions, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force , which is exclusive to Disneyland Paris, and Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure . But that's not just it! This epic area also consists of two new restaurants, Stark Factory , which is exclusive to Disneyland Paris, and Pym Kitchen !

#5. Download the Disneyland Paris App

The Disneyland Paris App is super helpful when you're planning your visit to the parks. Find out when the next show is and check opening times, so you can plan your visit around that. You can also find information about accessibility to make sure everyone in your group can enjoy the park.

But that's not it. You can reserve tables at restaurants one year in advance, and browse the menu to see what's to come. It also helps you check into hotels, navigate the two Disney parks, check for wait timings at your favorite attractions, and purchase the Disney Premier Access .

#6. Make use of the Disney Premier Access

If you're someone who likes to be first in line for everything and dislikes waiting, then Disney Premier Access is definitely worth it. It gives you early access to some of the most popular attractions, Character Experiences and entertainment shows. Keep in mind that you will still have to wait for a short period at the attractions, but you will be able to bypass the majority of the regular queues.

You can purchase the Disney Premier Access on the Disneyland Paris App on the day of your visit as well. Disney Premier Access Ultimate can be used one time for each of the available attractions. While Disney Premier Access One can be used one time for only one attraction.

The two new popular attraction at the Avengers Campus; Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure are included in the Disney Premier Access. Other attractions included are Crush's Coaster, Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan's Flight, Ratatouille: The Adventure, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and many more!

#7. Try out the lip-smacking food at the Avengers Campus

The Avengers Campus have opened some amazing restaurants and food trucks for guests, sticking beautifully to the whole Marvel theme! Pym Kitchen , a personal favourite, is where you'll find enormous sized pretzel sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, cakes, to super-tiny versions of these dishes! Stark Factory has some delicious homemade pizzas cooked in the pizzaiolo oven and even a signature dessert that pays homage to Thor. The WEB – Worldwide Eating Brigade , is a food truck operated by the WEB workshop's creators that offer an eclectic selection of Asian noodles and coconut balls. The FAN-tastic Food Truck sells authentic New York-style hot dogs. And the Super Diner is home to the epic Ruben Sandwiches!

#8. Stay the night to enjoy Extra Magic Hours

Why not enjoy a little extra magic on your next vacation by checking into one of the Disney® hotels? You'll be able to take advantage of exclusive early access to parts of the parks, and you might even get to meet some of your favorite characters! You can even enjoy the attractions before the official opening times of Disneyland Park. Once you check into any one the Disney® hotels, you'll be given a MagicPass, a card that allows you to explore the park much before the rest of the guests arrive.

#9. Make restaurant reservations in advance

One of the best parts about Disneyland Paris is the food! There are so many great restaurants to choose from, whether you're looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal. If you're looking for a particular dining experience, you can make a reservation upto one year in advance. So skip those waiting lines, and reserve your seat via the Disneyland Paris App.

Auberge de Cendrillon is where you can get a Fairytale Dining experience at a Royal Table where you can eat with their favourite Disney Princesses. With soaring stone archways, house flags and spectacular stained-glass windows providing a royal backdrop, celebrate the taste of the finest in French cuisine. Another wonderful dining experience can be found at Bistrot Chez Rémy . You actually feel like you've shrunk down to the size of Remy from Ratatouille! Pull up a giant champagne cork and take your seat at your jam jar lid! With oversized cocktail umbrellas, cookbooks and cutlery, you geta unique rat's eye view of the world while you indulge in some Ratatouille!

#10. Visit the park during season time (Halloween & Christmas)

During holiday season, the festive spirit of Disneyland Paris makes it all the more magical!

• Disney Halloween Festival: From 1st October to 6th November 2022, Disneyland Paris will host the Disney Halloween Festival . The park will be transformed into a wonderfully frightening place filled with gleaming pumpkins and sinister surprises by donning your Halloween costume and joining Captain Hook, Maleficent, The Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, and the rest of the ghoulish crew.
• Disney Enchanted Christmas: The Disneyland Paris Christmas extravaganza begins on November 12, 2022 to January 8, 2023. This Christmas, Disneyland Paris is even more magical with beautiful winter decorations, special holiday season entertainment, an unmissable Christmas parade, and a gastronomical delight of seasonal delicacies.

#11. Try out all the Roller Coasters

Big Thunder Mountain or Crush’s Coaster are suitable for the ones who aren't big fans of loops and inversions. Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and Star Wars™ Hyperspace Mountain are for the ones who love going over the top and love speed. Indiana Jones™ and the Temple of Peril is for the ones who love a wild ride with loops. And if you have a little one with you, take them to Casey Jr. for an introduction to the world of roller coasters!

#12. Head to these 4 attractions if you're visiting with your Kids

There are plenty of attractions for kids at Disneyland Paris. Some of our personal favourites are:

• Peter Pan's Flight
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Slinky® Dog Zigzag Spin
• Les Tapis Volants - Flying Carpets Over Agrabah®

#13. These attractions are great for the full family to enjoy

What's the fun in going to a theme park when you can't get onto rides with your little ones? Here are some of our favourite family friendly attractions:

• Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
• Cars ROAD TRIP
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Phantom Manor
• Ratatouille : L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy

#14. January to April sees the least crowd

If you want to visit Disneyland Paris when there are few visitors, keep in mind that mid-January through mid-March and mid-April through mid-May are best. When the number of Guests are low, waiting times are much shorter. However, there may be fewer scheduled shows and events during these periods.

If you're planning on visiting the park on any of the other months, choose some time between Tuesday and Thursday and make sure you reach the park early in the morning during opening hours to see a smaller crowd.

#15. Create an itinerary for yourself

Disneyland Paris boasts two full fledged parks and more than 50 attractions. Exploring this in one day is close to impossible! The best way to go around and visit your favourite attractions is to make an itinerary for yourself with two days worth plans.

This will give you enough time to explore the park with ease. Make sure you include a night at one of the Disney® hotels for a wholesome experience.

The Disneyland Paris App also helps you keep track of the attractions you want to visit and the fastest way to reach them.

#16. Wear comfortable casual clothes and shoes

Walking along the promenade at Disneyland Paris is an adventure in itself, whether you're going from one attraction to the next, from one park to the next, or simply walking toward your favorite Disney characters for a glimpse at the parade. To make this experience much easier for you, we recommend that you wear your most comfortable pair of shoes and clothes, and roam the park with ease!

#17. Carry a reusable water bottle

Stop by one of the many water fountains whenever you're thirsty—and stay hydrated! Water fountains are found throughout Disneyland Paris. You can refill your own bottles at the water-filling stations. The Disneyland Paris App has a map that will show you where the nearest water fountain is; simply search for it there.

#18. Use the luggage storage facilities if you're traveling on the same day

If you arrive at Disneyland Paris early and need somewhere to store your luggage, or if you'd want to make the most of every last minute after checking out of your hotel on the final day, several Luggage Storage alternatives are available outside the park. These luggage storage facilities usually stay open for 45 minutes after the park shuts.

If you've stayed at one of the Disney® hotels, you can leave your luggage there after checking out as well (except Disney Davy Crockett Ranch). This service is absolutely free of cost.

#19. Visit the Souvenir stores towards the end of the day

If you aren't a big fan of holding bags throughout the day, visit the souvenir stores and gift shops towards the end of your visit at Disneyland Paris. This way you can go to all your favourite attractions and walk around Disneyland Paris without that extra luggage! On the other hand, you can also leave your bags at the luggage storage facility outside the park.

#20. Pack these items in your backpack

If you're carrying a bag to Disneyland Paris, make sure it doesnt exceed 55cm x 40cm x 25cm. And if you are carrying a bag to Disneyland Paris, make sure it's a backpack. Here are a few things that you should pack:

• Portable Charger
• Reusable water bottle
• Autograph book and pen
• Identity proof or travel document
• Hats for the summer
• Warm hats, gloves and scarfs for winters

Best time to visit Disneyland Paris

The best part about visiting Disneyland Paris is that no matter when you visit, you'll be sure of having the most magical time of your life here! When it comes to the best time to visit Disneyland Paris, people's can be very subjective. While some guests prefer going during the non crowded months, other perfer going while it's nice and sunny, or when it's season time. Let's break it down for you.

From January to March the climate is quite cold and wet. These months see a smaller crowd at Disneyland Paris. So if you're someone who doesn't like a lot of crowd, these months are perfect for you!

From May to October the climate is extremely favourable. The sun comes out, rain spells decrease, and the weather gets warmer. A lot of people absolutely love this weather and love heading out as well. Due to this, Disneyland Paris sees a lot of visitors during these months. The summer months also see a lot more entertainment and shows at Disneyland Paris.

October to January is Season time at Disneyland Paris. The celebrations, decorations and the theme of the parks changes from Halloween (Octover-November) to Christmas (December-January). Though the weather during these months are cooler, the park's festive spirits are at an all time high!

Tips to save money at Disneyland Paris

• Get your Disneyland Paris tickets in advance. They're usualy much more affordable.
• Weekday tickets are cheaper compared to weekend tickets.
• Travel to Disneyland paris by Train or Shuttle. It's more affordable than hiring a cab.
• Carry your own snacks if you're on a budget. Disneyland Paris allows its guests to carry their own food inside the parks.
• Buy an Annual Pass for discounts on restaurants, hotels, parking and entry tickets.
• Stay at Disney Hotel Santa Fe for a budget friendly hotel option.

Dev Ramkumar

Born and brought up in Mumbai, I am a content creator by day and a musician by night. My love for travel peaked when my music career took me to various parts of the country. Now, my dream is to explore the world, attend all kinds of music festivals, and experience the culture of each city I visit. My journey has just begun and I've already covered parts of France, Spain, and Thailand.

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Planning a Trip to Disneyland Paris: Tips & Advice

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 4th March 2023

Categories France

Last Updated on 4th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris then this is the guide for you. Whether you’re wondering the best time of the year to go, what to wear, or indeed some of the best-kept secrets of the Disneyland Park in France, then we have you covered.

I recently visited Disneyland Paris for the first time as a twenty-something year old with two of my good friends. Despite grey clouds overhead, we had an amazing time and I highly recommend a visit to families, couples, and friend groups alike as a trip to Disney is easily one of the best day trips from Paris.

Purchase your Disneyland Paris tickets in advance with GetYourGuide.

Disneyland Park

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Disneyland is a huge sprawling site that comprises of a series of different areas. It is easily walkable over the course of around half an hour and so this section will breakdown the different parts of the park, as well as what there is to do in each section.

Disneyland Park, or Parc Disneyland as it is so-called in French is the larger of the two theme park areas of Disneyland Paris. This is the oldest part of the park and is where iconic attractions such as the ‘pink castle’ can be found.

The pink castle is, of co urse, the Sleeping Beauty Castle (Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant) and is a must-see while in the park. Under renovation, and therefore covered by scaffolding, for part of 2021, as of mid-November 2021, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is once more available to see.

Disneyland Park is also gorgeous to visit as it is home to Main Street USA. This is the first place you visit once you enter Disneyland Park and is meant to resemble US towns of the early 20th-century. This part of the park is home to restaurants and boutiques.

The entirety of the Disneyland park is centred around the Sleeping Beauty Castle, with lands to the North, East, South, and West.

Main Street USA is where the Parade takes place. The four themed lands are Fantasyland (mainly rides geared towards young children), Frontierland, Discoveryland (named Tomorrowland in California), and Adventureland.

The smaller and newer of the two theme park areas at Disneyland is the Walt Disney Studios Park. This part of the park includes rides related to Walt Disney Studios movies and so it’s here where you’ll find the Toy Stories Rides, Cars rides etc.

Walt Disney Studios Park feels a bit older than the other parts of Disneyland Paris and doesn’t really have the same kind of ‘magical’ feel as the rest of the lands. Of note, there is a Marvel rides section of the park which opened in 2022 and is a new fan favourite.

Outside of the two parks, there is a small shopping area that includes merchandise shops, eateries, and other entertainment venues. This is similar to Disney Springs and Downtown Disney in the USA parks.

If you’re travelling from further away and are in France to see Disneyland as opposed to the city of Paris, then there is a hotel area of the park comprising of six hotels. There are also two newer hotels, though they’re located a little further away from the rest of the Disneyland Park.

Disneyland Paris tips

If it’s your first trip to Disneyland Paris, then there are a number of things to know before visiting. Having recently enjoyed the park for the first time, there were some things that I wish I had known sooner!

If you’re planning a visit to Disneyland, then you should know that my number one travel tip would be to reserve your tickets in advance. This will save you from wasting time waiting in line to purchase tickets. Purchase your Disneyland Paris tickets in advance with GetYourGuide.

If there’s one thing that I had no idea about prior to visiting Disneyland Paris, it’s that you should be prepared for a day of waiting.

Unless you purchase Premier Access (which is on a per ride basis and can easily add up to a small fortune), then you should be prepared to wait between 5 minutes to over 2 hours between rides.

If available and you don’t mind splitting up from your friends and sitting alone on a ride, then Single Rider access to rides can have a much shorter waiting time.

For example, to access the Ratatouille ride it would have taken us 60 minutes as a group. Going as single riders meant that we only had to wait for 25 minutes.

As I just mentioned, you can often be waiting for a long time in order to access certain rides. As such, I would recommend wearing your comfiest trainers and avoid wearing any shoes that might cause discomfort during the day. I also managed to walk over 20,000 steps during my time by simply walking around the site.

One of the most invaluable tips for visiting Disneyland Paris that I received was to download the Disneyland Paris app prior to my visit.

The app gives you a list of all the rides that are currently in operation (rides can often close at short notice throughout the day) and how long the wait times are.

The map available will also show you which rides are currently allowing Single riders (though it unfortunately doesn’t give you the single rider waiting times) and will tell you how long the queue for each ride will take.

Guests over the age of 12 aren’t allowed to wear costumes to visit the park. Luckily, if you’re creative, you can still wear outfits ‘in the vein of’ your favourite characters. This is called ‘Disney Bounding’ and you can read more about it here.

You can also purchase Disney ears at most of the shops throughout the parks (though you might be allowed to take them off for certain rides). People of all ages wear Disney ears.

As well as the classic Minnie ears, there are special releases of Disney ears and I personally love my purple sparkly ones. If you’re looking to purchase a souvenir from your time at Disneyland Paris, I highly suggest making it a pair of ears that you can wear on your next Disney trip, wherever that may be.

If you’re planning on visiting both attraction parks in one day, visit Disneyland Park after visiting Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park closes much later and has more to see/ do.

If you’re only visiting Disneyland Paris for a day (and especially if you’re planning on visiting both parks over the course of a day) , then you won’t be able to go on all of the rides. This can be disappointing to hear, but of course gives you the excuse to go back to Disneyland Paris in the future!

Get each person in your group to decide which rides they would most like to go on and focus on visiting those ones first so as to ensure that you have time to queue and go on them.

I would also recommend trying to go on the most popular rides (such as Ratatouille and Space Mountain) earlier in the day as these rides tend to have the longest lines.

If you want to visit Disneyland Paris and have the best chance at avoiding long queues to go on each attraction, then I would recommend avoiding French holidays. Since Disneyland Paris is so easy to reach from the UK, then I would also recommend avoiding UK bank holidays too. Avoid weekends too if you can help it!

Parking at Disneyland Paris costs €30 and motorbikes cost €20. As such, if you’re able to visit the park by public transportation, then this is likely a much easier and stress-free option.

The closest train station to Disneyland Paris is Marne-la-Valée-Chessy which is around a two-minute walk away from the entrance to the park. The station is on the RER A and provides a direct connection to central Paris in around 45 minutes.

I won’t be the first to say that the quality of the food at Disneyland Paris is not the best! There are two options when it comes to eating at DLP. The first is that you can sit in a restaurant (book in advance as space can fill up fast) , though this will set you back at least €30 per person.

The other option is to get food to go from one of the many vans/ stalls/ fast food joints from across the park. However, the vast majority of these options are unhealthy and pricey, with a hot dog costing €10. There is at least one vegetarian option at every restaurant.

One of the most overlooked Disneyland travel tips by first timers is that you can bring your own food and drink into the park (alcohol is not allowed) . While picnics are not looked on fondly, you could still bring snacks and sandwiches into the park with you, which is what we opted to do.

As Disneyland is such an international destination, you don’t need to have any knowledge of French. All signs and attractions throughout both parks are bilingual (the information is available in both French and English) . All staff members also speak good English.

Suggested packing/ what to wear at Disneyland Paris

Whether you want to bring an extra sweater in case of cold or if you’re looking to bring snacks, then be sure to bring a backpack. Bring a backpack that’s small enough to fit in the seat at your feet to go on the rides.

One of the most random facts about Disneyland Paris is that the original idea for the Europe site would be that it would be in a warmer climate to match the sites in the USA. However, Paris ultimately won the bid due to its proximity to so many millions of people.

As such, if you visit Paris in the late autumn/ winter/ early spring, then you should be prepared for all seasons. At these times of the year, the weather can change rapidly and you can easily experience rain and blue skies within the space of a single hour.

As such, I highly recommend wearing layers so that you can dress up against the elements as required. Other essentials include an umbrella (a small one to fit in your backpack), a hat, and gloves.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Disneyland Paris

Yes. It is possible to visit both Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park in one day. They are right next to one another and so just a few minutes walk apart. Both have their own separate entrances that you’ll have to go through in order to access the parks.

With this being said, if I only had the time/ money to visit one park, then I would choose to visit Disneyland Park.

This is the larger of the two parks and also the more traditional as it has a classic ‘Disney’ feel. You could easily spend an entire day exploring just one park, watching all of the shows, and enjoying all of the smaller rides on offer.

Due to ongoing world events, the single rider option for rides at Disneyland Paris was closed. However, as of November 2021, single rider is once again available. When you’re on site, use the app to check whether or not single rider is in operation on the day.

For example, when I visited Disneyland with friends, we didn’t have the option to go into a single rider queue for rides such as Crush’s Coaster in the Walt Disney Studios Park or the Big Thunder Mountain ride in Disneyland Park.

FastPass has been retired and so you can no longer acquire it to reduce your wait times for rides. There is now the option to buy Disney Premier Access. Access can be purchased on a per ride basis and is typically priced from €5- €15 per ride. Find out more information here.

There is currently no mandatory mask wearing in the park, though it remains recommended. As of autumn 2021, parades are once more taking place.

As of April 1st, 2022, character meet and greets are once more happening, meaning that a trip to Disneyland Paris is once more quite similar as to what it was like prior to 2020.

Yes! There’s something for everyone when it comes to Disneyland Paris. From relaxing riverboat rides to rollercoasters with loops, and everything in-between. I am personally got a greatly big fan of scary/ intense rollercoasters and still had an amazing time!

Disneyland Paris is a short walk (or train/ bus ride) away from La Vallée Village , the most successful designer outlet in France. La Vallée Village is a shopping outlet that comprises of over 110 stores, including plenty of designer French brands.

As well as ‘accessible’ designers such as Sandro, Maje, Levi’s, and Guess, there are also high-end designers such as Gucci, Balenciaga, Prada, and Burberry. La Vallée Village is part of The Bicester Village Shopping Collection Villages.

Enjoyed reading this Disneyland Paris planning guide? Pin this article now, read it again later:

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Tuesday 10th of January 2023

Wow! Great article! Very comprehensive and spot on! I'm a big French fan and especially a Disneyland Paris specialist, holding an annual pass for over 6 years!

Corinne Stevenson

Thursday 28th of April 2022

Do you happen to know if there's a COVID testing site in the Disney Village or at any of the on-site hotels for travelers who need a negative test to return the their home country?

Sophie Nadeau

Thursday 12th of May 2022

There was one in the Village but I did a quick Google search and when I went on the testing service website (through the link), it said it had been closed down: https://disneylandparis-news.com/en/how-do-i-get-a-pcr-test-during-your-visit-to-disneyland-paris/

Sunday 6th of February 2022

Thank you for this. This will help me and my family to plan our trip hopefully in Paris Disney. Well done

Saturday 19th of February 2022

Thank you! :)

Top 20 tips for visiting Disneyland Paris in 2024

If you’re looking for top tips for visiting Disneyland Paris from a bonafide Disneyland Paris expert – you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been visiting Disneyland Paris for over 15 years and have learned all the secret tips and tricks that will make your trip to Disneyland memorable and magical. Let’s go!

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1) visit out of season to get the best deals.

It’s unsurprising that the best deals to be had at Disneyland Paris are out of season.

But! What many people don’t know before visiting is that Disneyland Paris always have some sort of celebration on anyway so it never feels out of season!

For example, I visited two weeks after Halloween had ended and Disneyland were still celebrating with a daily villain character parade, baddie meet and greets and a special bewitched light show on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle every night.

Plus Mickey pumpkins and Halloween decorations were everywhere! It didn’t feel like I had missed the Halloween season at all!

If you plan your visit in the week, during the colder months as well, you’ll also find better deals, fewer crowds and reduced wait time on rides – bonus!

If you don’t have kids, you’ll also find better deals when the kids go back to school, so it’s well-worth holding off!

Check out Disneyland Paris deals here .

2) Book your trip as a package

Booking your trip as a package comes with soooo many advantages. One of the main ones being that you’ll have all your bookings for transport, hotel and park entry all in one place.

But also, booking a Disneyland Paris package holiday is usually a lot cheaper than paying for everything separately!

3) Visit for a minimum of two days

I would recommend booking a minimum of two days in Disneyland Paris with three days being the optimal amount of time.

If you’re staying in the park for two days you’ll be able to spend one day in the studios and one day in the main park. However, by having a third buffer day, you’ll have time to revisit your favourite attractions and go back to rides you couldn’t get on because the queue times were too long.

Three days is the perfect amount of time to conquer Disneyland Paris!

4) Book accommodation in the park

If you’re booking a Disneyland Paris package deal then you’ll automatically be offered a choice of hotels to stay at in the park.

However, if you’ve booked your park tickets and are now looking for hotels, I would still recommend booking a hotel in the park. It’s hassle-free and will save you money on transport getting to and from the park each day.

If you book a hotel within the park, you’ll get access to character meet and greets at your hotel and free shuttle bus service to and from the park (if you don’t fancy the walk that is!).

As well as being more convenient, staying in the hotels within the park are so much more fun!

Every hotel has its own theme and you get to continue soaking up all the Disney atmosphere after leaving the park for the day.

5) Embrace your inner kid!

First stop when arriving at Disneyland Paris should be getting on theme with some Mickey Mouse ears or a Disney hat!

Albeit not a prerequisite (of course!), you’ll find that as soon as you put on those mouse ears you’ll immediately feel part of the experience.

You’re officially on holiday in the happiest place on Earth and transported right back to childhood again!

6) Download the Disneyland App

The official Disneyland app is great for planning your trip to Disneyland Paris as well as a useful tool whilst you’re there.

Through the app you’re able to browse through attractions, restaurants and boutiques before you arrive, get personalised recommendations and create a wish list to tick off your favourites one-by-one during your visit.

You’ll also be able to book restaurant tables, buy fast access to shows and attractions and check into your hotel.

But most importantly, you’ll get in-time updates on what rides are open and what the wait times are so you can ensure you get on all your favourite rollercoasters!

7) Prioritise the most popular rides first

Speaking of rides…when visiting Disneyland Paris I would recommend prioritising the most popular rides first when you arrive in the morning.

These rides will only get busier as the day goes on and you don’t want to miss out!

Crush’s Coaster in the studios is a prime example of this! It’s a firm favourite with thrill-seeking families so no matter what time of year it is you’ll always queue.

I’ve been to Disneyland Paris at the beginning of February and managed to get on all the rides within 20 minutes or less – except this one!

I waited around 45 minutes to an hour to get on it. The reason being, it’s designed perfectly for the whole family.

It’s fast and twisty enough for older children and adults to enjoy but not too fast and twisty that younger children will get scared on it.

Starting with these rides first also means it’ll give you more time to return to rides you love later in the day.

8) Conquer each land one at a time

When you arrive at Disneyland Paris, it’s tempting to jump from land to land to go on all your favourite rides first – but resist!

Conquer each land one at a time to ensure you get to experience everything that each land has to offer as well as avoid wasting precious rollercoaster time jumping between attractions.

You can use your third day in the park to cover any favourite rides in the various lands.

9) Queue up as a single rider to get on rides faster

Going on rollercoasters as a single rider is a game-changer. Not only does it save you time queuing up but it’ll ensure you can get on all your favourite rides multiple times!

It’s not always practical, especially if you’re visiting Disneyland Paris in a group. But if you’re visiting the park as a couple or with a friend, queueing up as single riders can save you a tonne of time!

You’ll still queue up with your companion and chat as you wait your turn but you’ll just go on the ride separately.

Keep an eye on the time boards outside each ride and if the single rider queue time is way shorter – get in that queue!

10) get in position for the daily parade and Disney Illuminations Night Show early

The daily Disney parade is a series of awesome themed floats that feature a range of Disney stars, dancers and performers.

It’s about 20 minutes long and usually occurs a couple of times a day (depending on the time of year you go). But you can double check timings on the Disney app when you arrive.

Getting into position at the front early is essential as there are limited places to stand. You don’t want to get stuck behind a parent holding their kid on their shoulders – you won’t see a thing!

The parade makes its way from Fantasy Land, past Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and down Main Street USA.

Try to get a spot on an outer curve down Main Street. You’ll get a better view without people leaning out and blocking you as the floats arrive.

The same goes for the Disney Illuminations Night Show which takes place every evening on the front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle as the park closes.

Make sure to be in position ahead of time so you can get close to the front to ensure your view isn’t blocked by the crowds. As a short person, seeing past the crowds is always a problem for me!

11) Prepare for all weather

It’s important to remember that the weather in Paris is just as unpredictable as it is here in the UK.

So with this in mind you need to prepare for all weather, no matter what time of year you visit Disneyland Paris!

In the colder months I recommend packing layers with a hat, gloves and scarf as well as a warm, waterproof coat with a hood.

Remember it gets colder within inland Europe during winter so it’s always safer to pack layers just in case.

In the warmer months I would pack an extra layer just in case the weather turns and always take a lightweight, waterproof jacket . I pack one that rolls up tight into my backpack so I can quickly get it out when it rains.

But whatever the weather, always pack comfortable walking shoes! I recommend waterproof boots in the winter and breathable, comfy trainers for the summer.

Either way – you’ll be walking A LOT so you need to be wearing shoes you can walk up to nine hours a day in!

12) Get to the park each morning before it opens

The early bird gets the worm as they say but in this case the early bird will be first in line to enter the park!

Even if you’re staying at a hotel nearby and think you have plenty of time to get to the park entrance, always leave a little earlier so you can get to the front of the queue for when the park opens.

This way you’ll beat the crowds and be at the front of the queue for your favourite rides before anyone else!

13) Don’t forget to see the free shows

For their 30th anniversary festivities, Disneyland Paris are celebrating the grand return of Mickey and the Magician.

The Animagique Theatre at Disney Studios runs a few shows a day but best of all – it’s totally free!

Follow Mickey Mouse as he learns his ‘tricks’ of the trade from a colourful cast of magical characters. These include: Elsa from Frozen, Genie from Aladdin, Lumière from Beauty and the Beast, Rafiki from The Lion King and more.

The show features awesome illusions and special effects that bring some of your favourite Disney songs to life and the talented performers are an absolute knock out!

I’ve been going to Disneyland Paris since I was eighteen and this is honestly the best show Animagique has put on.

It’s one of THE best things to do in Disneyland Paris right now!

14) buy gifts at the end of the day

To avoid having to carry extra things around all day, browse Disney’s shops as you go along but only buy at the end of the day when leaving the park.

There is great shopping to be had at Disney Village which is also a great place to hang out after hours at Disneyland Paris. Especially if you fancy a little tipple at the end of a long day of roller coaster-ing!

You’ll also find a wide range of Disney shops down Main Street USA.

Fun fact: many of the shop ‘tenants’ down Main Street USA contributed to the concept and development of Disneyland Paris.

Walt Disney and his brother Roy are credited as “Founders and Partners” on one window and Walt’s long-time friend, Imagineering Executive, Martin Sklar is listed as a newspaper Editor.

Read more fun facts about Disneyland Paris .

15) Book your restaurant tables ahead of time

As to be expected, especially during high season, restaurants at Disneyland Paris get booked up FAST!

Where possible, make your evening meal restaurant bookings as far ahead as possible.

You can make restaurant bookings through the Disneyland Paris app before you even arrive at the park or pop into restaurants in the morning before you start your day to check availability for the evening.

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, I highly recommend Annette’s Diner. They do THE best vegan burger in all of Disneyland Paris.

They also do all your favourite American diner classics for non-vegans like hotdogs, sundaes and milkshakes. You may even get a server on roller skates, just like in the 50s!

For more on vegan food at the park  check out my vegan guide to Disneyland Paris .

16) Take a reusable bottle to save money on water

Take my word for it, refilling a reusable water bottle whilst you’re visiting Disneyland Paris will save you a fortune!

Water retails at around €3 for a 500ml bottle at Disneyland Paris and it’s very easy to get dehydrated when you’re running around the park – even in winter! But in the hot summer months you could end up spending €15 a day just on water.

Luckily, Disney provides water fountains for you to refill your water bottles for free – you just need to know where to look! Water fountains are located down Main Street and most toilet areas in each land within the park.

I love travelling with this leak-proof reusable bottle , it’s BPA-free and has markers on it so you know how much you should be drinking by certain times of the day.

17) Bring a portable phone charger

With the amount of photos and videos you’ll be taking during your visit, it’s well-worth taking a portable charger in your bag as your battery will be soaked by lunchtime!

I have this mini portable charger which is perfect for travelling as it’s compact and super lightweight.

18) Plan a time to meet your Disney heroes!

It’s surprising how little you see characters in Disneyland Paris.

Outside the parade, meet and greets with characters are brief and only happen at specific times and locations. Sadly, you’ll never seen them just wandering around the park.

The best way to meet characters is to use the Disneyland Paris app to see when and where they’ll be appearing.

Alternatively, you can book a dining experience with characters where you’ll be guaranteed some one-on-one time.

19) Eat from food stands for lunch to save money on food

For lunch I recommend eating at one of the many food stands that are dotted all around the parks.

It’s far cheaper and doesn’t cut into your rollercoaster time as much as a sit-down meal at a restaurant.

The Gourmet Vegan food stand in Ratatouille Land in particular is the perfect pit stop for vegan and vegetarian visitors.

It offers light lunches and snacks including: falafel, sandwiches, poke bowls, fruit salad and even chocolate sponge cake.

Check out my reel on the Gourmet Vegan food stand for more info!

20) Factor in a day trip to Paris

And for the final tip on my “top 20 tips for visiting Disneyland Paris” post – make time to visit Paris!

It would be a shame to travel all the way to Disneyland Paris and not get to spend any time in actual Paris!

The park has a train station right outside which will take you into the city in just over an hour.

If you only have time to do Paris for a day, check out my guide to seeing the best of Paris in less than 24 hours .

Still not booked your trip to Disneyland Paris? Check out deals here .

What tips for visiting Disneyland Paris are you going to use for your trip? Or do you have some of your own? Let me know in the comments below! 😊

Quick FYI guys – this post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

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Disneyland Paris Top 50 Planning Tips!

Paris, France is known for its beauty, the Eiffel Tower, and, of course, its food. However, for Disney fans like us, we think of Disneyland Paris! So, if you're looking to enjoy all that Disneyland Paris has to offer, you've come to the right place. We're going to break down the top 50 Disneyland Paris tips so that you can plan the perfect Disneyland Paris visit!

Planning a Disney visit in another country can be intimidating. That's where we can help! We've come up with a list of tips and tricks that will help you in your planning process. We're going to cover all aspects of a visit here from the planning all the way to the fireworks at the end of the night. So, if you're ready to say  oui, oui  then keep reading to learn more about the top 50 Disneyland Paris tips!

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

Disneyland Paris Tips: About Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is located about 20 miles outside the center of Paris in a city called Chessy and is accessible by various modes of efficient and comfortable public transportation. Originally named Eurodisney, it opened in 1992 and has since become one of the most visited attractions in all of France. The park is currently wrapping up its 30th anniversary and has special decor and experiences to commemorate the occasion.

The Disneyland Paris resort consists of two parks: Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios . They are located right in front of each other within a handful of steps. For those familiar with the Disney resort in California, it's a similar concept where the parks are within walking distance of each other. There are eight resort hotels on property of all tiers and a handful of associated hotels that are similar to good neighbor hotels. The resort is also home to a Disney Springs area called the Disney Village . Here, you'll find dining, shopping, and entertainment locations.

The two theme parks are similar to parks found in Walt Disney World in Florida. Disneyland Paris is going to be your Magic Kingdom type of park with a stunning castle and your familiar rides and lands such as the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. However, you'll notice that all rides and lands have just enough of a change in style to make them unique. It's a lot of fun to compare the parks and see some interesting differences! Walt Disney Studios is going to feel similar to Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. It has the same Hollywood concept and feel. This park is currently undergoing a massive expansion so pretty soon it will have lots to offer on top of what it already has.

With that said, let's jump into our top 50 Disneyland Paris tips!

Disneyland Paris Tips: Pre-trip Tips

Tip #1: get to know the park.

The first thing to do when thinking about visiting the Disneyland Paris resort is to explore the official website and get to know the resort! It sounds pretty straightforward, but it is often a great first start when you're looking to understand more about the resort and the best place to begin for Disneyland Paris tips. Not a French speaker? No worries! The site is translated perfectly into English so you'll be able to scroll through it just like you would at home.

Tip #2: Decide How Long Your Visit Will Be

The Disneyland Paris resort is large, but not massive. It is easily an experience that can be done in one day, but also large enough that if you wanted to spend a few nights there you could. So, we recommend thinking about what you want to get out of this trip. If you want to make it super relaxing and enjoy the resorts, then definitely book a hotel and enjoy the amenities. However, like most, if you're looking to include a visit as part of your overall Paris vacation then rest assured that you can make this a one-day visit.

Tip #3: Decide When to Visit

Europe in general is a very popular tourist destination so the time of year you visit can impact your visit. Most people travel to France in the summer as that is when most vacations take place. However, unsurprisingly, summer is the busiest time of year to visit and may mean longer lines. If you're able to travel in the fall or before Spring Break, you may benefit from less crowds and typically comfortable weather. The exception here could be in spring as the weather can sometimes still be cold and/or rainy.

Tip #4: Disney During the Holidays

Similar to the States, the holidays are a special time to visit the Disneyland Paris resort. You'll find tons of theming around the end of the year so if you're a fan of this type of experience, consider visiting during the latter months of the year so you can enjoy the special celebrations!

Tip #5: Download the Disneyland Paris App

Similar to the theme parks in the United States, the Disneyland Paris resort offers a powerful app where you'll be able to access park tickets, resort information, hours, locations, and much more. It is available on the American version of the App Store and even links to your official Disneyland account! You'll want to have the app handy when you visit, so it's not a bad idea to do it as soon as you can so you can familiarize yourself with it.

Tip #6: Purchase Your Tickets

You're going to love this one. Single-day dated tickets to the parks start at just 66 dollars! That's right, you read that correctly. So, if you know the exact days of your visit, you won't have to worry about paying those ultra-high American park prices! Otherwise, you can buy an undated ticket good for one year from purchase and those are still only around $120/per day. Tickets can be purchased and linked directly from the app!

Tip #7: Consider if You Want Fast Passes

Disneyland Paris has a handful of fast passes that are a bit different than the ones you see in the American parks. These are completely optional and an added cost, but if you're not into lines or simply want to make the most of a one-day experience, be sure you look into the many options that exist. We tried out the premier pass and were able to get through both parks in one day with plenty of time to spare! So, we felt that it was totally worth it.

Tip #8: Make Those Dining Reservations

The Disneyland Paris resort is home to lots of wonderful restaurants. You'll find all types of food and experiences that are sure to please everyone in your party. However, you'll want to make sure you book your reservations early! If you're not staying in a Disneyland Resort hotel, you can make your reservations up to two months before your visit. If you are lucky enough to stay in one of the Disney resorts you can make reservations up to a whopping YEAR in advance!

Tip #9: Learn Some French!

Disneyland Paris is English-friendly. You will not have a problem finding English all around you. However, cast members are French for the most part so it doesn't hurt to brush up on your high school French and learn some commonly used expressions such as bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît, and où sont les toilettes!

Tip #10: Thing Will Be Different

While you can expect the French Disney experience to be similar to the ones here back home, you're also going to find differences that may not make sense. That's part of the joys of traveling! Simply go into it all with an open mind and we promise you'll still feel the magic you're looking for!

Disneyland Paris Tips: Packing Tips

Tip #11: pack the right shoes.

One of the most important things to consider when packing for a Disney trip is to make sure you have the right shoes! We seriously can't stress this enough. The Disneyland Paris resort is large so you can anticipate doing a lot of walking. Therefore, we recommend you find shoes that you feel will be comfortable for the entire length of your visit. We have a great guide on the best walking shoes for Disney parks.

Tip #12: Pack Layers

The weather can be tricky no matter where in the world you are. For that reason, be sure you pack layers that you can easily take on and off. Don't forget to think about the rain! Rain can sometimes be heavy in France so you'll want to think about clothing that can dry easily and quickly.

Tip #13: Bring a Battery Pack

Since you'll be doing a lot on your phone, we recommend packing a portable charger that you can bring with you to the parks.  The Disney apps are great for helping you make the most of your day, but they can be a battery drainer. So, be prepared and pack that extra juice!

Tip #14: Don't Forget Your Voltage Converters!

France runs on a different voltage level for electric plugs so you want to be sure you purchase a voltage converter and adapter before heading there. This will enable you to plug in your American electric items and not worry about them being dead after their first use! These can easily be found online or in most stores like Target and Walmart.

Tip #15: Summer Heat

If you're traveling during the summer, be prepared for some very hot days. You'll want to make sure you pack summer essentials such as sunscreen, hats, fans, etc. If you're a seasoned visitor to the American parks, it will be no different from that. Don't forget a water bottle! Disneyland Paris has lots of water stations where you can fill up your reusable water bottle.

Tip #16: Disney Pin Trading

If you're a fan of trading Disney pins, bring them with you! While you aren't going to find the same amount of collectors and traders as you would back home, it's still a thing in Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris Tips: Day Before and Transportation Tips

Tip #17: map out your transportation.

Now that you're finally in France and ready for your visit, you'll want to think about your transportation options. If you're coming from the center of Paris, you'll luckily have lots of options! We won't go into much detail here, but you can get to Disneyland Paris from Paris by car, taxi, bus, or our favorite, train. It's super easy to get around in Paris so don't let this part of the trip worry you. The train will even have a Mickey head next to the route so you'll be sure to catch the right one! Again, everything is readily available in English so navigating won't be a problem.

Tip #18: Check the Park Hours

This one seems silly, but it's definitely a must! In order to plan your trip to the resort, you'll want to make sure you've checked out the park hours so that you can know how much time you'll need to get there. Park hours vary by season, so you'll want to be sure you're not disappointed when it comes to the amount of time you'll be able to spend in the parks.

Disneyland Paris Tips: Walt Disney Studios Park Tips

Tip #19: take it all in.

Once you're finally there, be sure you take some time to take it all in! You've traveled a long way to get there so make sure you take that photo you want and that you spend the time you want at each location. While you'll feel pressured to get it all done, you might regret it later if you feel that your entire day felt rushed so be sure you give yourself the time to enjoy the things that make you happy!

Tip #20: Know Before You Go

As mentioned earlier, Walt Disney Studios is currently undergoing a massive expansion. As such, you're going to notice the constructions upon entering the park, but don't worry. Despite the construction, you will still have access to lots of fun and entertainment so don't let this steer you away. Construction is set to be completed in 2025 and we're excited to see it come to life and see the new lands on our next visit!

Tip #21: Half-Day Park

One of the reasons that this park is expanding is because it has historically been a small park. Since that's still true today, you can anticipate being able to do the entire park in one-half day. Some families might enjoy spending more time there, but it's largely considered to be a shorter experience than most Disney parks. For this reason, we like to get this park out of the way first and have it checked off our list by the early afternoon.

Tip #22: Get To The Back First

If you arrive early, we recommend rope-dropping this park to knock out a good number of the attractions. Our suggestion would be to head to the back of the park where you'll find Ratatouille – The Adventure. Similar to the Ratatouille-themed attraction in EPCOT, this is one of the stars of this park and if you get there early, you won't have much of a line to worry about.

Tip #23: Mickey and the Magician

While at Walt Disney Studios, you definitely want to make sure you grab a seat at the Mickey and the Magician show. This Broadway-style show is full of characters, music, beautiful sets, and fun costumes. This show is incredibly popular and will fill up fast so you'll want to be sure you arrive early and plan your day around it. Trust us, you won't regret it!

Tip #24: Show Languages

Speaking of shows, don't worry about not understanding! While you'll definitely hear Mickey and his pals speaking French throughout the shows, Disney does a great job of including just the right amount of English into their scripts so you'll know exactly what's going on the entire time. This is also true for parades, though we know that's usually not as much of a concern as sit-down shows.

Tip #25: Avengers Campus

The other main attraction to not miss at Walt Disney Studios is the brand-new Avengers Campus. Similar to the one in Disney's California Adventure Park in California, this immersive land is the place to be to see all of your favorite Marvel characters and experiences. The area includes new restaurants, rides, and shops all themed to the Marvel hero movies. We recommend spending some time here so plan for this to be a good portion of your day.

Tip #26: Shopping and Dining

We of course can't forget about shopping and dining! Upon entering the park, you'll enter what can be considered to be an indoor main street. Inside the large hangar-type building, you'll find several restaurant options and shops with classic Disney merchandise. It's a great place to be when you're trying to avoid the rain, but be warned that many will have the same idea! Still, we like this part of the park as you feel like you can literally do a lot under one roof!

Tip #27: Alcohol 

One thing you'll definitely notice is that beer and wine are readily available at most counter-service restaurants. If this is something you're interested in, we recommend using the app to check out the menus beforehand so that you can be sure what you're looking for is available.  

Tip #28: What About Nighttime Shows?

While we think this will certainly change in the future, currently this park does not have any nighttime spectaculars. Therefore, don't worry about having to stay until the very end! You'll still find daytime shows and activities for all ages but don't wait up for those fireworks. To see those types of shows, you'll want to hop over to Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris Tips

Tip #29: get a lay of the land.

Upon entering Disneyland Paris, it'll be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the layout of the park. As you'll see, it's similar to other castle parks, but you'll want to be sure you spot the differences so you don't go around looking for your favorites in vain!

Tip #30: VIP Tours

If you're looking for a memorable experience, be sure to explore the guided tours that Disney offers. These VIP tours are a great way to learn more about the park and can be booked in English. They are a bit pricy and can take a big chunk of your day so we only recommend this if you have time to spare.

Tip #31: Main Street USA

The iconic main street that you'll find at Disneyland Paris is very similar to the one in Florida. It is larger than the one in California and will have many of the familiar stores that you're used to, including the famous emporium! We still suggest carving out some time to check out the shops and grab some merchandise.

Tip #32: Main Street Corridor

We LOVE this addition to the French Main Street USA! Behind the shops and restaurants of Main Street is a beautiful indoor corridor that allows you to walk the length of Main Street without having to be exposed to the outdoors! It does get crowded, but it's sometimes faster to take if you're trying to avoid parade or fireworks rushes.

Tip #33: Strollers and Wheelchairs

Just like home, you'll be able to rent strollers and wheelchairs as soon as you enter the park. Located at the start of Main Street just beyond the turnstiles, you'll see the building and can't miss it.

Tip #34: Luggage Storage

If you've planned your Disneyland Paris trip on a travel day and have luggage, know that you can leave your luggage in storage at the park entrance! This is incredibly convenient as it will be one last thing to worry about since luggage is not allowed inside the parks. 

Tip #35: Unique Merchandise

Speaking of merchandise, don't forget that Disneyland Paris will be home to unique merchandise that you won't find in the United States. To that end, if you fall in love with something while there, your best bet will be to purchase it there! We wish the American parks would sell international-branded merchandise, but unfortunately, that's not the case. So, make sure you save some room in your luggage when packing because there will be lots of Mickey and Minnie souvenirs with the famous Eiffel Tower!

Tip #36: Main Street Dining

Main Street is also home to several restaurants. We dined at Walt's Restaurant located on the second floor of a Main Street building. The restaurant was large and was themed to Walt's legacy with most of the dishes being Walt's favorites. The food was decent, but we loved sitting by the window and having a view of Main Street below us! We recommend it for that reason alone, but the champagne with dinner certainly didn't hurt!

Tip #37: Dapper Dan's Hair Cuts

Alright, this tip might not be for everyone, but if you're looking to get a haircut while at Disney, they have a full barber shop that will do just that! Located at the end of the emporium, it's certainly a unique experience and perfect for those first haircuts. The barber shop is gorgeous and reminds you of a turn-of-the-century spot where you can even get a clean shave! Space is very limited so you'll want to make a reservation if your heart is set on this experience.

Tip #38: Characters

If you're a fan of meeting Disney characters, then be sure you plan this out accordingly. Disneyland Paris often provides meet and greets with characters you won't find in the United States. While this can sometimes feel like a hit or a miss, it's still worth considering if you want to snag a photo or an autograph from your favorite Disney pal!

Tip #39: Sleeping Beauty Castle

The Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris is considered to be one of the prettiest ones among the Disney parks. While it's not the biggest one around, it has a beautiful surrounding park that draws inspiration from the original illustrations of the Sleeping Beauty film. Plus, be sure you don't miss the dragon that sleeps beneath the castle! This sleepy giant is available to see year-round and adds the right touch of magic to this iconic favorite.

Tip #40: Single Rider Lines

As you go about the park and enjoy the rides, remember that single-rider lines do exist on many of the major attractions. However, we noticed that these lines are not always as obvious as the ones in the United States so be sure to check the app if you're interested in taking advantage of this time-saving hack!

Tip #41: Rider Switch 

Similarly, a handful of rides also offer rider switch options so that if something is too intense for the little ones, the adults can still enjoy it! You can ask any cast member for assistance or be sure to check the Disneyland Paris app as you'll find the information there as well.

Tip #42: Hyperspace Mountain 

When you enter Disneyland Paris' Tomorrowland, you'll immediately notice that it's very different than the one you might be used to. Here, the theme is actually backward-looking and draws inspiration from Jules Verne's novels such as Journey to the Center of the Earth.  So, it technically is still future-based, but it's the imagined future from the past. Their version of Space Mountain is going to be way more intense than what you're used to. Be warned that this version has loops and inversions so it's definitely more of a robust roller coaster. 

Tip #43: Dole Whip

Yes, you can enjoy Dole Whip in Disneyland Paris! We can't imagine a Disney experience without this yummy favorite so be sure to add it to your list if you love this classic treat. It can be found throughout the park so you're likely never too far from one!

Tip #44: Starbucks 

On a similar note, if you're looking to get your morning Starbucks, you won't have as much luck. While there are Starbucks cafés on property, they are only located in the Disney Village shopping area and inside the Cheyenne Hotel. So, unless it's on your way, you'll want to come prepared with some packets from home or, better yet, enjoy some French coffee! 

Tip #45: Bring Snacks! 

Just like back home, you're going to find a ton of snack options throughout the parks. However, these are going to be pricey and that'll add up! We recommend packing snacks before you fly our stop by a grocery store in Paris and bring your snacks before visiting the park. This will allow for cheaper options while still getting to try some French snacks! 

Tip #46: Indiana Jones

If you're a fan of the Indiana Jones ride in California, you'll be disappointed with the French version. While it's themed very beautifully, it's a painful rollercoaster that in our opinion is simply not worth it. We would much rather recommend their version of Big Thunder Mountain as that one is longer and very thrilling!

Tip #47: Disney Stars on Parade

View of parade from the Pizzeria Bella Notte dining patio!

The parade in Disneyland Paris is not to be missed! It is a fun-filled mix of all your favorite Disney Characters that travels from the rear of the park down Main Street USA. There are plenty of viewing areas along the parade route so feel confident that you'll find a good spot. If you want to grab a bite to eat while watching the parade, then we recommend eating at Pizzeria Bella Notte and grabbing a table on the patio. It's located steps away from the parade route so you'll be able to eat and enjoy the show at the same time!

Tip #48: Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands 

If you're a fan of the Lion King show in Animal Kingdom then you don't want to miss this one! It's a stunning live show with music, singing, dancing, and colorful sets. You'll enjoy hearing the music from the film and watching the story come to life! It's a huge auditorium so there's usually plenty of seating but you'll want to arrive on time as they do close the doors once the show starts! 

Tip #49: Disney Dream!

We all love a good nighttime spectacular but Disney Dreams is not to be missed which is why it's one of our top Disneyland Paris tips! This nighttime spectacular is unique in that it actually doesn't include any fireworks. Instead, you'll enjoy beautiful projections on the castle that are accompanied by some incredible light-up drones in the sky! No American park features this so you don't want to miss out on this unique experience. Remember, Fantasyland will close early for this show so be sure to get those attractions in early. We recommend viewing the show from anywhere along Main Street as that will give you the best view of the show.

Tip #50: Saying Bye to Mickey 

On your way out, be sure to catch Mickey and his pals wishing you a good night on the Main Street train station. They will wish you a good night as you exit the gates and say  au revoir which means until next time! 

Bonus Tip #51: Getting Back to Paris

If you're not staying in a Disney Resort then you'll want to make sure you check your train schedule ahead of time so you know when to catch the trains that go back to Paris. However, know that all trains leaving the Disney resort go to Paris so you don't have to worry about catching the right one. All you have to make sure is that you don't miss the last one! The station is conveniently located just outside the Disneyland Paris gates so you won't have to walk a lot after a long day.

FAQ's Disneyland Paris Tips

To get the most out of Disneyland Paris, be sure to do your homework ahead of time and plan for the experience you want to have. Don't assume it's just like visiting the American parks!

A 15% service charge is added to all bills in bars and restaurants so you don't have to worry about tipping if you don't feel the need to do so.

While this can vary, the general rule of thumb is that three full days are recommended for Disneyland Paris.

Yes, Disneyland Paris has a nighttime spectacular every night at park closing, weather permitting. While real fireworks ended in 2012, you can still see them on special days such as Bastille Day.

Yes, you can do both Disneyland Paris parks in one day. Be sure to purchase a hopper to do so!

Plan your next Disney Vacation! 

If you're interested in trying out an American Disney vacation first, we can help! Our team of experts is standing by to help you plan your most magical vacation! Plus, we guarantee to find all of the discounts available so you will never pay more than you need to! Subscribe to our FREE newsletter for tips and when you're ready, let us prepare a FREE and no-obligation quote for you! It's super easy and all you'll have to worry about is making sure you don't forget to pack those Mickey ears! If you want to learn more, be sure to check out our other guides:

• 2023 Disneyland Christmas Guide: Dates, Tips, Decorations, and More!
• Walt Disney World Halloween Food Guide 2023
• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2023 – Dates, Guide, Tips
• La Crêperie de Paris Dining Review- Newest EPCOT Restaurant Near Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure 2023

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Eduardo Silva

Eduardo is High School Vice Principal who loves to share all things Disney and is also an experienced translator with voiceover work in Spanish and French. Originally from Southern California, he grew up visiting the Disneyland Resort and it's there that his passion for Disney was born. Today, Eduardo is a Disney Vacation Club member and enjoys sharing his experiences as a member writing for Mickey Visit and Disney Dose.

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15 Essential Disneyland Paris Tips

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Headed to Disneyland Paris soon? Make sure you read these 15 essential Disneyland Paris tips before you go! I LOVE Disneyland Paris and I’ve been quite a few times. Here are some of the best tips and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way:

1. Make it a day trip

Many people don’t realize that Disneyland Paris is totally doable as a day trip from Paris! In fact, this is how I have always gone. It’s less than an hour away from central Paris on the RER C train.

If you get there early in the morning and stay until the last train leaves, you will have more than enough time to do everything. This is the perfect option if you only have a short time in Paris, but still want to experience a trip to Disneyland Paris.

For planning a day trip, make sure to read this post:  Disneyland Paris Day Trip: The Complete Guide

2. Stay at an on-site hotel

If you do decide to spend more than one day at Disneyland Paris, I recommend staying at one of the on-site hotels! The most beautiful is Disneyland Hotel , which is located right at the entrance to the parks. One of the benefits to staying on-site is that you get extra hours at the parks on certain days.

If Disneyland Hotel is out of your budget (and trust me, it’s quite a splurge!) then Sequoia Lodge or Hotel Cheyenne are some more affordable on-site hotel options.

3. Book weekday tickets

There are three classes of tickets at Disneyland Paris: Mini, Magic, and Super Magic. Mini tickets are the cheapest and are usually offered for weekday visits. Magic and Super Magic tickets are more expensive and tend to be offered for weekends and holidays.

Here are all the current ticket options for Disneyland Paris.

If you can, get a Mini ticket and visit on a weekday to save some extra money!

4. Price-check the different versions of the website

Before booking your tickets online , check the English (US and UK), French, German, and Italian versions of the Disneyland Paris website. Sometimes there are different prices and promotions going on based on which country you select, and you can save some money on tickets this way.

5. Get a two-park ticket

If you are visiting Disneyland Paris in just one day, make sure to get the two-park ticket! This will allow you to visit both parks (Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland Park) in the same day.

I recommend spending the morning at Walt Disney Studios because it’s smaller, and then heading to Disneyland Park around lunchtime and staying there for the rest of the day.

6. Bring a portable charger

One of the worst things that can happen is having your phone die in the midst of taking the perfect photo of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle! You can prevent this from happening by bringing a portable charger with you. I use this portable charger every time I travel and it has been a total lifesaver.

7. Take advantage of FastPasses

At Disneyland Paris you get unlimited access to FastPasses, which are free tickets that let you skip the line for a ride. Unlike other Disney parks, Disneyland Paris still uses paper FastPasses that cannot be reserved in advance. To reserve a FastPass, you simply go up to the FastPass kiosk at the ride you want to do and get a FastPass ticket. You can choose a time to come back and then you’ll be able to get on the ride without waiting in the general line!

8. Reserve the earliest slots for FastPasses

You can only have one FastPass at a time, so in order to maximize your use of them, I recommend choosing the earliest time slot available to come back for the ride. This way you’ll be able to immediately reserve another FastPass afterwards, and so on throughout the day.

9. Use the single rider line

Another good way to avoid waiting in line for rides is by using the single rider line. Many of the more popular rollercoasters at Disneyland Paris have one, and it’s usually a lot shorter than the general line. If you’re riding alone or you don’t mind not being able to sit with your friends/family on the ride, this is a great way to cut down on wait time.

Here are all the rides that offer a single rider line:

• Hyperspace Mountain (Disneyland Park)
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (Disneyland Park)
• RC Racer (Walt Disney Studios)
• Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (Walt Disney Studios)
• Crush’s Coaster (Walt Disney Studios)
• Ratatouille (Walt Disney Studios)

10. Download the Disneyland Paris app

The Disneyland Paris app lets you check current wait times for the rides and other important info like park hours and parade times. Super useful to have on your phone.

11. Bring your own snacks

Some of the food at Disneyland Paris is decent, but in my opinion it’s nowhere near as good as the food at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in the U.S. (sorry!) There are also pretty limited dining options at the parks, and what they do have is extremely overpriced. I recommend bringing some of your own snacks and possibly even packing a lunch when you come to Disneyland Paris.

If you want to do a meal at Disneyland Paris, check out this list of the best restaurants.

12. Eat at weird times

As I mentioned there are somewhat limited dining options at the parks, so lines for restaurants can get long on crowded days around lunch and dinnertime. Eating at non-peak times (like having a late lunch/early dinner at 3 PM) will help you avoid a wait for food.

13. Plan to spend more time at Disneyland Park

There are two parks at Disneyland Paris: Walt Disney Studios and Disneyland Park. Many people will say that Walt Disney Studios is not that good. I do like it, but it’s a lot smaller and has fewer rides and attractions than Disneyland Park. Walt Disney Studios can really be “done” in a half-day or less.

If you only have one day at the parks, I recommend starting at Walt Disney Studios in the morning, then heading over to Disneyland Park around lunchtime and spending the rest of the day there.

If you have two days at Disneyland Paris, I would do morning and afternoon at Walt Disney Studios, then evening and the full next day at Disneyland Pari.

14. Visit in the off season

Disneyland Paris can apparently get VERY crowded during the holiday season and in the summer, but I wouldn’t know because I’ve only ever gone on weekdays in the off season. If you can, I  really  recommend visiting in the off season because the parks can be practically empty! The only downside is that some of the rides/attractions/restaurants close during the off season.

Check out the Disneyland Paris crowd calendar to see the busiest and least busiest days at the park to help in planning your trip. Typically summer (especially July and August) and the holidays around Christmas and Easter are the most crowded times to visit Disneyland Paris.

15. Walk through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

Many people don’t realize this, but you can actually go inside the beautiful Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Park! There is a walkthrough attraction inside the castle, along with a dragon’s lair underneath the castle which you can also visit.

And those are my 15 essential Disneyland Paris tips! Have a magical trip! 🙂

For more Disney tips, be sure to read the following:

• Disneyland Paris Day Trip: The Complete Guide
• How to Save Money at Disney World
• Disney Packing List: Don’t Forget These Items!

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About Denise Cruz

Denise is a marketing executive who escaped corporate to travel the world… twice. A Brazilian native living in the U.S., she’s lived in 4 countries and visited 35+ others. After side-hustling her way to financial independence, she curates solo destination guides, slow travel tips, and travel blogging advice on Wander Her Way. When she’s not on the road, you can find her in Miami with her dog Finnegan.

Disneyland Paris to transform second park into new Disney Adventure World

Disneyland Paris is marking its 32nd anniversary with a major transformation of its second park, Walt Disney Studios Park.

Walt Disney Studios Park originally opened in 2002 as a park that gave guests a behind-the-scenes look at movie-making magic. In recent years, however, Disney has leaned into more immersive lands and experiences that transport guests into their favorite Disney stories. Walt Disney Studios Park's transformation will reflect that vision with a new name, new attractions, new shows and more.

Soon, Walt Disney Studios Park will become Disney Adventure World. The rebranded park will open alongside its newest land, World of Frozen. Like its counterpart at Hong Kong Disneyland , World of Frozen will transport guests to the Kingdom of Arendelle.

World of Frozen will border the all-new Adventure Bay — a majestic body of water that will act as a gateway to the park's new themed lands that will surround it. Adventure Bay will also serve as an entertainment stage with 360-degree viewing, so everyone can have a front-row seat for new water-based shows with fountains, music, lights, special effects and more.

Though Disney revealed World of Frozen will be one of the lands Adventure Bay leads to, the theme for a second immersive world has yet to be announced. Disney has only shared that the concept and design of the land are currently being finalized. The two new lands will join Marvel Avengers Campus and Worlds of Pixar, roughly doubling the park's footprint.

As part of the revamp, Disney Adventure World will also get a new entrance in the spring of 2025, dropping guests into an open-air movie studio the moment they enter the park. Dubbed World Premiere, the reimagined entrance will incorporate decor that pays homage to Hollywood 's historic movie theaters.

As guests continue into the park, they will encounter World Premiere Plaza, with theaters celebrating Disney Animation and Pixar stories. This area will lead to Adventure Way, a landscaped promenade that leads to the park's other lands.

The area will also feature a new attraction of its own called Raiponce Tangled Spin. Based on the film "Tangled," this new take on a classic spinning ride will take guests through the movie's iconic floating lantern scene.

The new Regal View Restaurant and Lounge will also be in this region, with views of Adventure Bay. Guests can also meet their favorite Disney princesses at this table-service restaurant.

These new lands and attractions won't be the only additions to Disneyland Paris as part of this transformation.

Disneyland Paris' second park will debut a new stage show called "Alice & the Queen of Hearts: Back to Wonderland" this spring; there's also a show coming to Marvel Avengers Campus running between the end of 2024 and the spring of 2025. The Disney Village shopping, dining and entertainment complex and the Disney Davy Crockett Ranch bungalows will be undergoing major refurbishments.

Related: TPG goes behind the scenes as Disney unveils $60 billion toward future of theme parks

These projects fulfill Disney's promise to accelerate and expand investment in its theme parks, cruise line and other vacation experiences over the next 10 years. Earlier this year, Disneyland Paris saw the reopening of its iconic Disneyland Hotel after extensive renovations.

A specific opening date for Disney Adventure World will be released at a later date.

Related reading:

• The best credit cards for your Disney vacation
• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• 13 new rides, attractions and experiences coming to Disney World in 2024
• Is Disney Genie+ worth it?

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Destination Daydreamer

15 Essential Tips for Disneyland Paris Planning

We just got back from our first trip to Disneyland Paris with kids and are still on a little bit of a high. My husband is totally obsessed with Disney and grew up visiting the original Disneyland in California. I, on the other hand, had only gone to Disneyland one time before knowing him and was not nearly so jazzed about the experience.

Flash forward to getting married and I (jokingly) told him that we could go to Disneyland just three times during our marriage so to use those times wisely. Well, we went to Disneyland alone three times in the first three years of marriage plus Disneyworld once 🙈.

Needless to say, his love of Disneyland won me over and once we moved to Denmark, I found myself Disneyland Paris planning 😅.

Is a Disneyland Paris trip worth it?

This one is easy- YES. Disneyland Paris is definitely worth it. And this is coming from someone (me) who was still not 100% convinced before we got there. I thought it would feel ‘pretty much’ like Disneyland and be ‘pretty’ fun but that it maybe wasn’t going to feel like the authentic Disney experience.

And I’m so glad I was wrong! After being in Parc Disneyland for just a couple of hours, I turned to my husband and said, “I think this is as good or better than Disneyland in California’. And shockingly, he agreed ( I didn’t expect that since he loves the original Disney so much).

First of all, the castle at Disneyland Paris is absolutely epic- it’s often thought of as one of the best and prettiest Disneyland castles.

Secondly, Disneyland in Paris has most of the iconic Disneyland attractions you’d be hoping to see if you are familiar with Disneyland in California or Disneyworld (except for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.)

For example, you’ll find Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion. Plus The Teacups, Dumbo and It’s a Small World in Fantasyland.

And besides all of this, everything just is so cute and well done. The theming really is topnotch and even without the rides, it’s a very impressive place to walk around and feel a little of that Disney magic ✨.

15 Tips to Help Plan Disneyland Paris

1. spend 2-3 days in disneyland paris .

Disneyland Paris is made up of two different parks: Disneyland Park (Parc Disneyland) and Walt Disney Studios. Disneyland Park is the iconic Disney that you are used to and expect while Walt Disney Studios is trying to be Paris’ answer to California Adventure (but it’s really not that great).

We bought 2-Day Park Hopper tickets and spent the entire first day in Disneyland Park plus half of the second day in Disneyland Park and only half a day in Walt Disney Studios.

Even though Walt Disney Studios isn’t that great (it’s just wayyyy less cute and not as nicely themed as Disneyland) we did get to ride The Tower of Terror and Ratatouille. Plus, one of our favorite experiences as a family ended up being the ‘Mickey and the Magician Live Show’. It’s an awesome show of singing and dancing with many of the top Disney characters (including Frozen!).

However, next time we plan a holiday to Disneyland in Paris we will probably just spend two full days in Disneyland Park and skip Walt Disney Studios. I know some people can 3-5 days at Disneyland, but if you want to make sure you have enough time to get everything done once, I’d suggest 2-3 days.

If you’re a quick traveler with no kids, you could squeeze it all into one day if you really wanted to. If you get there right at opening and leave at the close you could even make it a day trip from Paris .

2. Choose the best way to get to Disneyland Paris for you

There are quite a few options on how to get to Disneyland Paris. Here’s a quick rundown of each option:

• High-Speed TGV Train from Charles de Gaulle Airport
• Taxi/Transfer Service ( Baby Cabs is a taxi service in Paris with car seats and we absolutely loved them)
• Disneyland Magical Shuttle from the airports
• Disneyland Paris Express Shuttle from Downtown Paris

For a more detailed description of all of these options, check out my guide to a day trip to Disneyland Paris – I have loads of information in there on the pros and cons of each way to get to Disneyland Paris.

3. Book a vacation rental rather than a Disney Resort Hotel

One of my best tips on Disneyland Paris would be to book a vacation rental (aka Airbnb, VRBO, etc) rather than booking a Disney Resort hotel. In short, you’ll get way more space (and oftentimes, much nicer accommodations) at a fraction of the price.

This was our first time at any Disney park with kids and so I thought I’d look into the Disney hotels to see if there was something I was missing that would make our trip with kiddos easier. And to be honest, The Disneyland Paris hotels (from my research) are nothing to write home about.

I know, I know, some people are 100% committed to booking a Disney hotel… and that’s fine. But to me, most of the hotels seemed pretty outdated and pricey for what you get. Plus they are all (except for The Disney Hotel) a 10-20 minute walk from the park entrance anyway and none offer apartment-style accommodations which I am a huge advocate of.

That being said, Disney did recently (re)open the Hotel New York: The Art of Marvel which looks really nice and could be fun if you are a big Marvel fan, but it does cost a pretty penny. They are also currently renovating the main Disney Hotel which is a 5-star hotel right at the entrance to Disney.

I’m sure once the renovation is complete, it will be beautiful on the inside to match how pretty it is on the outside… but I’m guessing The Disney Hotel will never be in our price range 😅.

We booked an amazing, one-bedroom Airbnb in Serris just a 20-minute walk from the entrance to Disney. The separate bedroom, pullout couch, and full kitchen were lifesavers. When we travel (both with and without kids) we absolutely love having a full apartment rather than a small hotel room. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to not having a kitchen while on vacation.

We were able to buy groceries, eat breakfast at the Airbnb, pack a small lunch and come home for dinner which was a lifesaver traveling with two young kids. Having a large space to unwind and relax in after a long day at Disney was prime ( just say no to cramped hotel rooms).

4. Buy dated tickets ahead of time

In this day and age, I’m not sure who ISN’T reserving tickets online ahead of time for… really, everything. But just be sure that you do buy your Disneyland Paris tix ahead of time. There are a couple of reasons for this:

Reason #1: A limited number of tickets are available for the park and if you don’t purchase your ticket ahead of time (plus choose the specific date) you run the risk of not being able to enter.

Reason #2: I saw the line to buy tickets at the entrance of Disney and it was crazyyy long. I don’t know who these people are risking it the day of, but there were a lot of them and I really don’t recommend going that route.

When you buy your tickets, be sure to pay close attention to whether you are purchasing ‘dated’ or ‘non-dated’ tickets. If you buy ‘non-dated’ tickets you will need to reserve online the specific date you will be visiting the park, otherwise, your ticket will be invalid.

I’ve read loads of reviews that say they purchased their Disneyland Paris entrance tickets from Viator that were actually less expensive than anywhere else (including the official Disneyland Paris website). The Disneyland Paris entrance tickets from Viator are dated entrance tickets that work just like the tickets purchased directly from Disney.

If you do happen to be purchasing tickets last minute, I’ve heard day-of park tickets are when they are most likely to be less expensive on Viator than on other platforms (however, I do still recommend purchasing in advance to not risk them selling out).

You can check out the ticket prices for Disneyland Paris on Viator here .

5. Pack an easy lunch to eat in the park

If you do much research on Disneyland Paris, you’ll quickly learn that the food in the park really isn’t that great. After scouring the different menus, seeing the prices, and checking out photos we decided to opt out of buying lunch in the park.

That being said, we still thought we’d stay in the park for dinner, but, in the end, we felt it was better for our kids if we ended our day right around dinner time and headed back to the Airbnb for food and some quiet time.

Instead, we packed some sandwiches, fruit, and chips and it was such a great decision. We were able to eat lunch immediately as soon as we noticed our kiddo needing a lunch break plus it was food that we knew she would eat. Plus after seeing some of the lines forming at restaurants during lunch or dinner I was so glad we didn’t have to wait in those as we all slowly got more and more hangry.

We did buy plenty of popcorn from the cute popcorn carts (they are seriously everywhere) plus a couple of other treats each day. Our 3.5-year-old loved snacking on popcorn while taking a break in her stroller.

You aren’t allowed to bring big coolers or large picnic baskets into Parc Disneyland (who would want to anyway?). But a small lunch that fits into your backpack is totally okay.

6. Use the Disney Paris app 

Using the Disneyland Paris app seems like it should be obvious, but it hadn’t even crossed my mind until we had already arrived and my husband was using it. The app had a great map which is helpful (especially if you are unfamiliar with Disneyland parks) and you can even allow it to know your location so that you can see right where you are in the park.

Plus you can see all of the current wait times, which attractions are closed, a schedule of events for the day (like parades, shows, character meet & greets), and much more! We definitely whipped out our phones loads of times throughout the day to help us plan where we were headed next.

7. Make time for parades and shows 

The parades and shows we saw ended up being one of our family’s favorite things we did in Disneyland Paris. I definitely recommend fitting them into your itinerary, especially if you are traveling with your family!

It’s like this wonderful event made up of all of the perfect things for kids to like: upbeat music, colorful costumes, fun dancing, and some of their favorite characters from stories they know.

The shows work the same way as other attractions, where you wait in line to secure a seat (or you can purchase a seat in the Disneyland Paris app if you really don’t want to stand in line). And for parades, you will want to secure a standing spot along the parade route about 30 minutes-1 hour before the parade begins to ensure you get a front-row seat. You can see the parade route in the Disneyland Paris app.

8. Know where to see Frozen characters

One of my first questions when planning our holiday to Disney Paris was, ‘Can you see Frozen characters at Disneyland Paris?’And yes, you can! On our trip to Disneyland Paris, we could do a meet-and-greet with Olaf or see the other characters in parades and/or shows.

The ‘Disney Stars on Parade’ parade that happens in the early evening had a super fun Frozen float with Anna, Else, Olaf, Sven, and Kristoff.

Walt Disney Studios has a live show, ‘Frozen: A Musical Invitation’ which is (as the name implies) a show completely focused on Frozen. It is very popular (as you can imagine) and we were unable to get in.

However, Walt Disney Studios has another live show, ‘Mickey and the Magician’ which is a 30-minute long show full of singing and dancing with Mickey and many favorite Disney characters. It was a lovely surprise that many Frozen characters were included in the show even though they were not in any of the descriptions or advertisements.

We were really looking forward to the Frozen-specific show, but in the end, I think ‘Mickey and the Magician’ was probably better! It was a fun, relaxing experience and our 3-year-old loved it.

9. Bring a stroller if you have young ones

If you’ve taken trips to Disneyland Paris (or any Disneyland for that matter), you know how much walking can be involved. If this is your first time, expect to walk many miles each day. We had a one-mile walk just from our Airbnb to the entrance (2 miles roundtrip) and that’s not counting the walking within the park.

On our most recent trip to Disneyland Paris, our phones said we walked 10+ miles each day. That’s tiring enough as adults, I can’t imagine trying to have young kiddos try and do that.

Not only will a stroller save your little ones from getting totally exhausted, but strollers also serve as a great napping spot. Our 3.5-year-old doesn’t usually take naps, however, she passed out in our double stroller each day in Disneyland Paris.

I don’t know what age of kids can handle Disney without a stroller, but I have multiple friends that have visited Disneyland with 5-year-olds and a stroller in tow.

If you don’t bring a stroller but end up needing one, you can rent a stroller for a fee from the rental shop located at Town Square Terrace, near the park entrance. Keep in mind, they don’t look like super comfy strollers, but it’s a stroller when you need one in a hitch.

Related post: The Best Double Stroller for Travel to Europe From Personal Experience

10. Use single rider lines and rider switch

Single rider lines and ‘rider switch’ (sometimes referred to as baby switch) are two free ways to help beat some of the wait times at Euro Disneyland.

Single Rider Line: Single rider lines are a special line that some attractions have which enable you to skip a large amount of the line but the trade-off is that you will be separated from your group. Obviously, if you are traveling solo it’s almost a no-brainer to always use single rider lines.

However, you can still join the single rider line even as a group, but just know that you will not be sitting by anyone in your group. So, if you are someone who loves to experience things with others, you may not love the single rider line. However, if you don’t mind being on your own, it can be an awesome way to save some time.

Basically, the point of the single rider line is to help cast members fill empty seats on rides to make the queue as efficient as possible.

Rider Switch (aka Baby Switch): Rider switch is basically this amazing, thoughtful service Disney provides for those visiting Disneyland Paris with young kids. When one adult stays behind to be with a child and the other adult rides a ride, the adult on the ride can ask the cast member (upon exiting) for a rider switch card for their partner.

They will then be given a small card that grants access for one adult and one additional rider to skip the line. Then, the adult who was waiting with the child can skip the line for that same ride to quickly ride and not wait in the long queue. Isn’t that so amazing??

So for example, I waited in line for Big Thunder Mountain while my husband played with our two kids at the Frontierland Playground. When I was done, I switched him out, gave him the rider switch card I was given and he was able to skip the line to ride Big Thunder Mountain.

That was absolutely essential because I had about a 60-minute wait to ride Big Thunder Mountain, and it would have been ridiculous to then have my husband wait in the same long queue. We weren’t sure how to use it, so we just asked the cast member at entrance to Thunder Mountain and he let us know how it works.

All of the workers were happy to give us the rider switch pass and to explain where our partner needed to come in order to skip the line.

You can take advantage of Rider Switch whether you wait in the normal line, the single rider line or pay to be in the Premier Access line. Definitely be sure to do it if you are traveling to Disneyland Paris with a toddler or other young kids.

11. Understand how premier access works

What you need to know about Disneyland Paris is that the ‘skip-the-line’ system they use is called Premier Access (the Fast Pass system is no longer). Most of the top attractions have Premier Access such as Big Thunder Mountain, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, and Peter Pan’s Flight.

How it works is you basically are purchasing a ticket to skip the line for a specific ride. You can go to the Disneyland Paris App to the Premier Access section to see all of the attractions which offer Premier Access. You can see which timeslot is available and how much skipping the line will cost and then you purchase it directly from the app.

After your purchase, you will then be able to get in the special Premier Access line which should have next to no wait. Then you will show the special QR code on your phone you received when you purchased the Premier Access ticket and you’ll be on the ride!

Be aware that wait times for rides do vary throughout the day. For the super planners out there, check out this Disney wait-time website to see when certain queues peak throughout the day and try to plan your day in the off-peak times (aka the morning, evening, etc.). After you click on the website, choose which ride you’re interested in in the right-hand column to see a graph of the average wait times throughout the day.

Personally, we didn’t use Premier Access during our time in Euro Disney. However, I can definitely see using it in times of desperation if one of the grown-ups really wants to ride a ride and it’s just not feasible to have them wait in line.

If you are traveling with kids to Paris Disneyland and both parents want to ride the ride that you buy Premier Access for, be sure to ask the cast members (aka employees) at the exit for a ‘rider switch’ card and you’ll be able to switch and have your partner ride with no wait. No need to pay for two Premier Access tickets!

I talk about rider switch in the point above- check it out if you have questions. It’s awesome if you are traveling with young ones.

12. Swing by The Cable Car Bake Shop or Cookie Kitchen for a Sweet Treat

One thing that is noticeably lacking from the Paris Disney experience is the abundance of cute, Disney-themed treats. That being said, you CAN find some! We picked up some yummy, Mickey beignets filled with Nutella from the Cable Car Bake Shop and some great cookies from the Cookie Kitchen (next door to each other on Main Street) 🤤.

I also saw some people with Nutella crepes and so wish we would have had time to snag some. If you’re looking for churro carts around every corner, you won’t find them, but you definitely can find as many popcorn carts as you’d like.

13. Explore inside the castle 

Not only is the outside of the castle in Disney Paris totally epic, but you can explore the inside too! You can visit underneath the caste to see a huge animatronic dragon, up the stairs to see stained glass windows, a balcony with views of Fantasyland and on the main level you’ll find shops selling Disney trinkets and Christmas ornaments.

And the great thing is, there usually isn’t a queue to explore the castle! You can just wander right on through 😀 .

14. Take advantage of the playgrounds within Disney

Obviously, we all know that Disneyland is full of fun rides, but did you know it also has playgrounds? When I visited Disney pre having kids, I 100% did not understand the reason behind there being playgrounds at Disneyland. However, I 100% understand now 😂.

The playgrounds are a great way to let your kids get their wiggles out and a great place to hang out when the parents take some time riding bigger rides.

Our little one played at the Frontierland Playground for probably 1.5 hours while we took turns riding Thunder Mountain (me waiting in line and my husband using ‘Rider Switch’).

You can find two other playgrounds in Adventureland-Pirates’ Beach playground and Adventure Isle.

15. Visit Paris or London while on your holiday to Disney Paris

Paris Disneyland is located in Chessy, France about a 45-minute direct Metro ride to the Paris city center. And so this seems like a no-brainer, but if it’s your first visit to Disneyland Paris, be sure to add on a few days to actually see Paris (or other nearby cities).

On our Disneyland Europe holiday, we spent two full days in Disneyland and four days in Paris (but really like three days of sightseeing). If you travel to Paris with your kiddos, be sure to check out my 10 Fun Playgrounds in Paris Near Top Paris Attractions article- it’s a lifesaver.

This seemed to be the perfect length for our family and enough time to get a pretty good overview of the city. We definitely could have stayed much longer to experience way more, but we honestly wouldn’t have had the energy for much longer than one week.

And besides seeing Paris, did you know you can take a high-speed train from Paris to London that only takes 2.5 hours? That’s way more efficient than flying. By the time you get out of the city to the airport, fly, and then back into the city from the next airport way more than 2.5 hours would pass.

The Perfect Disneyland Paris Plan in a Nutshell

• Spend 2-3 days in Disneyland
• Choose the best way to get to Disneyland Paris that suites you and your situation (personally, we loved our experience with Baby Cabs but have also taken the high-speed TGV train)
• Stay off property in an Airbnb/VRBO or another vacation rental
• Buy tickets ahead of time and reserve your spot
• Pack an easy lunch to eat in the park
• Use the Disney Paris app
• Take advantage of single-rider lines and rider switch
• Understand how premier access works
• Make time for parades and shows
• Know where to see the characters from Frozen
• Swing by the Cable Car Bake Shop or Cookie Kitchen for a sweet treat
• Explore inside the castle
• Take advantage of the playgrounds within Disneyland Paris
• Bring a stroller if you have young ones
• Add Paris or London to your Disneyland Paris itinerary

And those are my 15 Paris Disneyland tips! I hope you visit Disneyland Paris, have a total blast, and that these tips are helpful in your planning for your holiday to Disneyland Paris. Please comment below or reach out to me if you have any questions while you plan, I’m more than happy to help😊.

Check out these other posts, I know you’ll love them:

• How to Plan a Day Trip to Disneyland Paris + 2 Example Itineraries

10 Fun Playgrounds in Paris Near Top Paris Attractions

• The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Paris with a Toddler: Things to do + Top Tips
• The Only Itinerary You Need to Spend Two Days in Paris

27 Essential Paris Travel Tips: Things to Know Before Traveling to Paris

• The Best Double Stroller for Travel to Europe From Personal Experience

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Very helpful !

Carrie-Anne Hall

These are wonderful tips for your first time to Disneyland Paris. I have never considered renting an apartment. One thing that has changed (you’ll be glad to know) is that the Frozen show has seating. It’s a must-do for any Frozen fan!

Great to know! Thank you!

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The Best Double Stroller for Travel to Europe (From Personal Experience)

Guide to Genie+ at Disneyland

Posted on Published: 04/23/2024

Over the years, Disneyland Resort has offered several programs to help you save time in line. The two latest programs (FastPass and MaxPass) were replaced with the new Genie and Genie+ program in late 2021.

Genie+, which allows you to schedule times to arrive at the lightning lanes, can be a little confusing. In addition, this program comes with an additional fee, so you need to seriously consider whether or not it is worth it for your next Disneyland vacation.

If you are traveling to Disneyland, you may want to consider adding on Genie+. This post will help you learn how to use Genie+, how it can help, and whether or not this paid service is worth it.

Any additional questions? Leave us a comment.

Disclosure : We’ve received complimentary tickets as part of our attendance at a conference, but have also paid our own way. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us. All opinions are my own.

If you haven’t yet purchased your Disneyland tickets or booked your vacation, I recommend Get Away Today . I’ve booked four trips through Get Away Today and have always had a great experience. They offer deals on Disneyland tickets and Southern California vacation packages. You can also save $10 on your Southern California vacation of 2 days or more with the code FTM10. 

Is Genie+ Worth It At Disneyland?

The biggest question most people have about Genie+ is whether or not it’s worth it. A Disneyland vacation is expensive, even before you add on Genie+ as an extra cost. So, you’ll need to decide if it’s worth the added expense.

For my family vacations to Disneyland, I purchase Genie+ for our tickets. It does help you save time and allows you to experience more attractions in less time. Since I travel to Disneyland from the East Coast, I always want to maximize my time in the parks, and Genie+ helps me do that.

If you are someone who frequently visits the Disneyland parks or who doesn’t necessarily love rides, it may not be worth it to you. You’ll want to ensure you will take full advantage of it to get value out of the extra fee.

Purchasing Genie+

Unlike at Walt Disney World, Genie+ can be purchased as a ticket add-on when you purchase your park tickets. In addition, it may be available as a single-day purchase on the day of your visit.

However, that is subject to availability, and it can sell out. If you want to guarantee you’ll have Genie+ during your Disneyland vacation, you’ll want to add it on when you buy your tickets.

Currently, Genie+ starts at $30 per person per day. The price can vary based on demand.

Individual Lightning Lane

When you make a Genie+ reservation, you will receive a time window when you can return to go through the Lightning Lane entrance. However, there are also Individual Lightning Lanes, which are different.

Individual Lightning Lanes are offered for the most popular rides. Currently, at Disneyland, this is Radiator Springs Racers at Disney’s California Adventure and Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park .

You don’t need to have Genie+ to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane, and these attractions are not included with a Genie+ purchase. You’ll have to buy it separately if you want it.

Purchases of individual lightning lanes can be made on the Disneyland app. When you buy it, you’ll see the next available time that you’ll be able to book. Unlike at Disney World, you’ll need to choose the next time offered and can’t pick your time.

Using Genie+

Before using Genie+, you’ll want to ensure you’ve linked all of the tickets for your party on the Disneyland app. You can make Genie+ reservations for your entire group if you are all linked.

Once you scan into your first park of the day, you can make your first selection from the Tip Board section of the app. Keep in mind that you are limited to one Lightning Lane per attraction, per day.

Once you have a Genie+ selection booked, you can’t get another one until you’ve either used it, had it expire, or if more than 2 hours have passed since the time of booking. You can optimize your Genie+ by arriving early in the day and getting times as close together as possible.

What if you don’t decide to purchase Genie+? In that case, you can go through the standby line at the attractions.

Just keep in mind that there may be long lines for the most popular attractions. The single rider line is also an option, but your party members will be split up.

Difference Between Disney Genie and Genie +

The Disney Genie and Genie+ are two separate services. While Genie+ comes with an additional fee, the Disney Genie is a free service.

To use the Disney Genie, you’ll want to go onto the Disneyland app. From there, you can select the dining, attractions, and shows that are most important for you to experience.

Once you’ve chosen everything, the Disney Genie algorithm will show you the best times for you to go to these locations. During the day, it will update times as things change in real time.

This isn’t a return window, however. You won’t have a reservation and can choose to wait in the standby line.

Even if I purchase Genie+, I still use the Disney Genie service. It gives a good backup if there are attractions I want to experience more than once, or for attractions and experiences that don’t use Genie+. Since it’s free, there’s no risk and there’s minimal effort required.

Attractions at Disneyland That Use Genie+

Wondering which attractions at Disneyland currently use Genie+? This list may always change, but at publication time, here’s the list:

Disneyland Park:

• The Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Space Mountain
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
• it’s a small world
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Pirates of the Caribbean (temporarily offered)
• The Haunted Mansion
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Indiana Jones TM  Adventure

Disney’s California Adventure Park

• Incredicoaster
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• Goofy’s Sky School
• The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Grizzly River Run
• Soarin’
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

In addition, two attractions utilize Individual Lightning Lanes. These are Radiator Springs Racers at Disney’s California Adventure and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland.

Have you used Genie+ at Disneyland?

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These Water-resistant Cargo Shorts Have 6 Pockets for Hiking Hands-free, and They're Just $23 Now

Snag them ahead of summer travel.

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Travel + Leisure / Madison Woiten

As much as I have come to rely on joggers as my go-to bottoms when traveling, the increasingly warmer weather has me ready to ditch pants and reach for a pair of shorts. In a hunt for a versatile option, I came across these lightweight and breathable cargo shorts from Walmart — and they’re currently on sale for just $23. 

Similarly to joggers or leggings, these shorts act as a catch-all for spring and summer travel. The fabric, which is made from a nylon and spandex blend, features a four-way stretch that makes the shorts a comfortable pick for long car rides and flights, daily wear, and camping trips. Plus the quick-dry, water-resistant fabric wicks away sweat, so you know they’ll last through a vigorous hike, fishing trip, or walk  — whether it’s sizzling hot or pouring down rain.

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While the cargo shorts can be worn for a variety of activities, including golfing, backpacking, and running, they feature a few hiking-specific features. They offer six roomy pockets — four in the front and two in the back — so you can keep all of your essential items with you while remaining hands-free on your hike. They also have a D-ring on the belt, which allows you to easily hook on additional hiking gear, and a stretchy waistband to keep you comfortable while moving and sitting. One reviewer wore these to the Grand Canyon and said the pockets comfortably held a water bottle, wallet, keys, and more. 

If you have outdoor vacations or activities coming up, you’ll be glad you added these water-resistant shorts to your wardrobe ahead of the summer, especially while they’re on sale. They come in eight colors, including shades of khaki, green, brown, blue, and black, and they’re machine-washable for easy care. One shopper even claimed they are the best shorts for the summer, adding that the lightweight material doesn’t stick to you. 

Make sure your travel and hiking wardrobe is ready for warmer weather by grabbing these Yuyangdpb Cargo Hiking Shorts while they’re on sale. For similar styles, keep scrolling through for more affordable options at Walmart.  

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Disneyland Paris For Adults: Travel Tips + Tried & Tested Itinerary

Disneyland Paris for adults. It’s got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? 

Visiting Disneyland Paris without children means there’s no need to push heavy prams and pushchairs around all day. No temper tantrums. You can simply focus on everything Disney and enjoy the magical rides and attractions.

Are you wondering what you need to know about Disneyland Paris if it’s just the two of you or if you’re travelling with friends? Read on for our top tips and example itinerary, which are based on our most recent trip to Disneyland.

Disneyland Paris: Tips For Adults

First things first, what do you need to know about visiting Disneyland Paris as adults? As always, we’ve got you covered.

1. Visit off-peak and on weekdays

Seeing as most visitors to Disneyland Paris travel with children, you should see shorter wait times and fewer crowds on weekdays and during off-peak seasons.

That’s not to say there won’t still be long queues and lots of people. But it’ll be much less extreme than in the school holidays and the warmer months.

Scott and I visited in early October on a Tuesday and Wednesday. Although it was busy, queue times were not too bad. The longest we queued for was 90 minutes for the hugely popular “Crush’s Coaster” ride in Walt Disney Studios Park.

2. Plan your visit for a “special” month

If you visit Disneyland at “special” times of the year such as Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s, then you’ll experience extra treats around the park.

Things like spooky pumpkin decorations and dazzling Christmas trees come to mind.

But visiting during these events will come with a higher price tag and bigger crowds.

Instead, why not visit earlier in the month? You may be lucky enough to see some of their decorations set up ready for the main events but without the same price tag.

When we visited in early October, they had some Halloween decorations ready and waiting. But we didn’t have to pay the same price as people visiting during the official Halloween event .

3. Don’t be surprised if there are still lots of children around

So, you chose to follow our advice and visit on a weekday and in an off-peak season (e.g. outside of school holidays).

You may be expecting to see hardly any children, but this won’t be the case.

We saw LOTS of children during our visit and many came from the UK on the same Eurostar as us. We can only fathom that risking a potential fine for taking children out of school is still cheaper than paying the extra cost to visit during the school holidays. 

4. Travel light to save money

There are lockers inside the parks where you can store your bags, but you can also take backpacks on rides with you.

This is especially nifty because – as adults – you don’t need to worry about pushchairs, nappies or any other child-focused essentials.

As Scott and I were only visiting for a few days, we each took a 20-litre backpack for our clothes and toiletries and took them on all the rides with us. Yep, even the upside-down 360 rollercoasters!

Not only did we save money (and time!) not using the locker storage, but we also didn’t need to stay an extra night at our hotel. We left Disneyland late on a Wednesday (about 4.30 pm) and caught the Eurostar straight back to London from there.

5. Check wait times via the app

If you download the Disneyland Paris app , then you can easily see wait times at-a-glance, so you can try to plan your day around the queues.

Once you see a popular ride hit 45 minutes or less, now’s your time to strike! But be quick – because it’s likely lots of other people have had the same idea as you.

6. Take advantage of the “Single Rider” queues

If you don’t mind getting separated from each other, then you can essentially halve your wait time for some of the most popular rides by making use of the “Single Rider” queues.

You can still queue up together; you’ll just split up for the actual ride. This is helpful to the park because some families travel in odd numbers such as threes and fives, so they fill up the empty spaces with single riders.

And when it means queueing for over an hour versus just 20 minutes? It’s a no-brainer!

7. Enjoy the best Disneyland Paris rides for adults

As Disneyland is a child-friendly theme park, there are lots of rides and attractions you’ll likely want to skip as adults.

Listed below are the most popular and enjoyable rides for adults, which you won’t want to miss:

• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force (Walt Disney Studios Park)
• Big Thunder Mountain (Disneyland Park)
• Crush’s Coaster (Walt Disney Studios Park)
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (Disneyland Park)
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain (Disneyland Park)
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Walt Disney Studios Park)

And if you’re wondering which Disneyland Paris park is better for adults, then I’d say it depends on what you’re most interested in.

If you want to focus solely on big thrill seeker rides, then you’ll probably find slightly more to do at Walt Disney Studios Park . But if you want the full Disney experience, then Disneyland Park is the place to be.

8. Skip the parades

If you don’t mind not seeing your favourite Disney characters during the daily parades, then this is a great time to queue for some of the bigger and most popular rides. 

You’ll usually see wait times cut in half – or more! – on average.

9. Order food to go via the app

There are lots of incredible themed restaurants at Disneyland Paris, such as Restaurant Hakuna Matata (Lion King-themed), the Agrabah Café (Aladdin-themed), Bistrot Chez Rémy (Ratouille-themed) and Captain Jack’s – Restaurant des Pirates (based on the Pirates of the Caribbean).

These particular restaurants get booked up several months in advance and are popular spots for families.

But if you’re not fussed about missing these experiences, then you can save lots of time and money ordering food to go via the Disneyland Paris app. This works for some non-themed eateries such as Café Hyperion and Casey’s Corner .

Simply place your order, collect it and eat! Otherwise, you could queue for over 30 minutes to an hour for the same food and dining options.

10. Bring your own food and drinks

To save time and money, you may want to bring your own food and drinks such as bottles of water, sandwiches, snacks and fruit.

Just as long as what you bring in fits inside your backpack then you’re welcome to take them in with you and sit at any of the many picnic benches dotted around the parks.

11. Don’t try to do both parks in one day

It might be tempting to try and do both Disneyland Paris parks in one day, but you’d end up missing out on so much!

Scott and I spent two full days exploring both parks and even that wasn’t enough time to do everything we wanted to.

So yeah, definitely don’t try and cram everything into one day unless you know exactly what you want to do and you only want to go on a handful of rides or attractions.

12. Save money by staying offsite

Many families heading to Disneyland understandably choose to stay in a themed or official hotel . 

While this is likely a magical experience and grants you early access to the parks before they open to the public, you’ll pay for the privilege.

Scott and I stayed at Residhome Val d’Europe near Montévrain, which was about a 30-minute walk from Disneyland or a quick 5-minute train ride away. The train station just happened to be a stone’s throw away from the hotel as well.

And the best bit? We paid over four times less than if we’d stayed at Disneyland!

13. Take advantage of special promotions when available

Occasionally, you’ll see special promotions linked to Disneyland Paris tickets and hotels.

When we visited, and at the time of writing, Disneyland Paris was offering a free subscription to their streaming service, Disney+ if you book tickets or hotel stays directly via their website. Find out more about this offer now.

Alternatively, you might also consider booking your Disneyland Paris tickets via sites like Get Your Guide as they usually have very good cancellation policies should you need to make changes to your itinerary.

Here are the ticket options you can buy from Get Your Guide:

• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket
• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Flexible Ticket
• Disneyland Paris Multi-Day Entrance Ticket

14. Buy your train tickets in advance where possible

If you’re planning on visiting Disneyland Paris by train, such as on a day trip from Paris or you’re staying offsite, then you should buy your train tickets in advance where possible.

Scott and I didn’t know this at the time. 

So when we rocked up at Val d’Europe train station at 9.30 am on the first day, we spent well over half an hour queueing – and we were one of the first to arrive!

On the second day, Scott went to buy our tickets an hour beforehand (so at about 8-8.30 am) and he didn’t have to queue at all.

15. Make the most of the direct London to Disneyland Eurostar service… while you still can!

Currently, it’s possible to visit Disneyland Paris easily from London using the direct Eurostar service. 

And I mean direct. The train station is right outside the park gates, saving you heaps of time compared to flying.

But this won’t always be an option because – from June 2023 – there won’t be a direct Eurostar service anymore. You’ll need to hop on a connecting train in either Paris or Lille.

16. Enjoy a bonus day trip to Paris

If your itinerary allows, you may be able to add in a cheeky day trip to Paris alongside your time at Disneyland.

As we arrived at our hotel at about 3 pm, we spent the afternoon and evening seeing some highlights in Paris itself, such as the River Seine, Jardin des Tuileries and Eiffel Tower. It was très romantique (very romantic) – and the perfect start to our trip.

Fancy staying in Paris for a little longer? Take a look at our 4-day Paris itinerary for inspiration >>

We then spent two full days exploring both Disneyland parks – as you’ll see from our example itinerary below.

2 Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary For Adults

This Disneyland Paris itinerary for adults is modelled on our own experience when we visited in October last year. We thought we’d include it in case it gives you some idea of what to expect and how to budget your time effectively.

Day 1: Travel & Arrival

The bulk of your first day will be spent travelling to Disneyland Paris . 

Unless your park tickets are included in your hotel price, we wouldn’t recommend paying for an all-day ticket when you’ll likely only have half a day or just an evening to explore.

If you travel early enough in the day and arrive with time to spare, why not catch an RER train into Paris? It only costs a few Euros each and takes about an hour.

You could then be sipping chocolat chauds (hot chocolates) or munching on delicious crêpes by the River Seine together, thus, starting your trip in style.

Our Eurostar from London was scheduled for 10.15 am, but due to delays, it didn’t leave until about 11 am. But we were still checked into our hotel by 3 pm and in Paris by 4.30 pm to enjoy the rest of our afternoon and evening together. We left Paris at about 10 pm.

Day 2: Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park is the larger of the two parks and is the one you’re probably most excited to see as this is where you can see Sleeping Beauty’s beautiful pink castle.

The park usually opens to the public at 9.30 am. To make the most of your two days, head here a little before then to join the queues and you’ll likely be through the gates in about 15-20 minutes or less.

You’re welcome to explore this park until well into the evening ( opening hours vary throughout the year ). 

Either way, it’s a long full day of exploring!

Make sure you use our tips above to make your way around the park. And don’t miss the amazing nighttime display and festivities at Sleeping Beauty’s castle. It’s a magical experience!

Want to see Disneyland Paris’ special 30th-anniversary drone display ? It’s still on (until September 2023!)

Day 3: Walt Disney Studios Park & Departure

If you don’t want to pay for an extra night in a hotel, then you might want to consider leaving Disneyland at the end of your second day.

While you’ll have less time to explore, the Walt Disney Studios Park is much smaller than Disneyland Park , so it makes sense to arrange this one for your second day.

Once again, aim to arrive at the park for the 9.30 am opening. 

When we visited, our Eurostar back to London was at about 6 pm, so we stayed at the park until just after 4.30 pm. 

This was plenty of time to do some of our most sought-after rides – especially when using the “Single Rider” queues.

Where To Stay For Your Disneyland Paris Trip

If you can afford it and don’t mind splashing out, then you’ll probably want to stay at Disneyland in one of the many themed or special hotels onsite .

But if you’re less fussed about this, then you’ll save heaps of money staying in places like Montévrain and Serris, which are just one train stop away from Disneyland Paris (via the Val d’Europe RER station).

We stayed at Residhome Val d’Europe , which was mere moments from the train station and was a pleasant stay for a couple of nights. We could see the station from the hotel lobby, it was that close.

We had a little kitchenette to prepare our breakfast, lunch and snacks, and check-in was simple enough. There was also a Lidl supermarket about a 20-minute walk away, so we could stock up on drinks and snacks to keep us going for the remainder of our trip.

Other hotels close by that come highly recommended by other travellers include:

• Moxy Paris Val d’Europe : A stylish 3-star hotel owned by Marriott, just around the corner from where we were staying | Check reviews & prices >>
• Dream Apartments : Beautiful 3-star apartments suitable for couples and families. This accommodation is a little further away from Disneyland Paris, but you’ll still have a relatively short commute time | Check reviews & prices >>
• L’Elysée Val d’Europe : A stunning 4-star hotel to help you enjoy a bit of luxury during your Disneyland Paris trip | Check reviews & prices >>

Discover more hotels within the Île de France region via Booking.com >>

And there you have it! Our tips and recommendations for making the most of Disneyland Paris for adults! We hope you’ve found what we’ve had to say helpful. But if you want to know anything else then please drop us a line below and we’ll reply asap.

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Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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Remember to enjoy the magic of Disneyland Paris and let yourself be a kid again.

Disneyland Paris has a wide variety of dining options, from quick service restaurants to fine dining experiences. Be sure to try some of the local specialties and Disney-themed treats.