travel guide disneyland paris

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?

1-Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary

This 1-day Disneyland Paris itinerary features step-by-step strategy for maximizing rides plus restaurant recommendations, shows we’d see, and more. Our single day park plan is our perfect day in Disneyland Paris, balancing efficiently doing attractions with opportunities to slow down and enjoy the ‘Disney Details.’ ( Updated February 26, 2024 .)

Note that this is not a “commando style” touring plan or strategy guide for racing from attraction to attraction to do as many as possible at the expense of everything else. Getting a lot done is important, but this itinerary balances quantity with quality. Efficiency is important, but Disneyland Paris is the most ornate and detailed Disneyland-style park in the world, and it is imperative that you stop and smell the proverbial roses if you really want to really appreciate all this Disney park has to offer.

There are a few assumptions with this guide, such as you visiting on a moderately crowded day, arriving at park opening and staying to close. Touring Disneyland Paris efficiently is really simple because this is one of the few parks where the paid Disney Premier Access line-skipping is not that popular, meaning that standby lines usually move fairly quickly and posted wait times are reasonable as a result. Obviously, there are exceptions to this around holiday peaks and school breaks. We do not recommend purchasing Premier Access unless you’re visiting on a very busy day–standby lines and savvy strategy should be sufficient.

Also note that this Disneyland Paris 1-day plan does not specifically list every attraction. Instead, we make value judgments about the best attractions to form a touring plan that can be accomplished in a single day. If you have more time or want an overview of all rides in the park, read our Disneyland Paris Attraction Ratings & Ride Guide post.

Let’s take a look at how you should approach this ideal day…

Rise and Shine – I am a big proponent of staying on-site for a first-visit to any of the Disney resorts, and Paris is no different. My recommendation here is staying at Sequoia Lodge , but if you have the funds, Disneyland Hotel can’t be beat with its views overlooking the park.

Staying at one of the Disney hotels also entitles you to Extra Magic Hour (EMH), and the ability to experience select attractions for an hour before the park opens to the public. The exact ride roster for EMH changes, but it  usually  revolves around Fantasyland, Discoveryland, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

The easiest approach to EMH is simply knocking out Fantasyland. There’s always going to be enough open there that you can knock out several rides, and the duration of each is relatively short–meaning that you can easily do a half-dozen rides in that hour. Objectively speaking, you’ll save more time at Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain in Discoveryland or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, though. What we like to do is start in Fantasyland, and race over to Frontierland at the tail-end of Extra Magic Hour to hit that right before rope drop.

Westward Ho! – Start your day by rope dropping Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is the most popular attraction at Disneyland Paris. You could always do this later, but arriving first thing in the morning is the safe bet. From there, it’s not a bad idea to knock out Phantom Manor.

After that, consider looping back into Fantasyland if you weren’t eligible for Extra Magic Hour or if you missed attractions (not everything is open for EMH), or opted to do Discoveryland during EMH.

Fantastical Morning – I think you really can’t go wrong by starting the day in any castle park in Fantasyland, and Disneyland Paris is no exception. Like the rest, a big part of the reason to start here is because there are numerous attractions nearby one another, each of which can develop a moderate wait time–and those waits add up.

If you didn’t do it during Extra Magic Hour, start by doing Peter Pan’s Flight, and then move to the other dark rides. (Note that Casey Jr. and Storybook Land Canal Boats may open later than the rest of the park.) End with a walk through Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, and make sure to head all the way to the top of the Queen’s Castle, which overs excellent views of Fantasyland.

Adventure is Out There! – If you go by the park map, you might think this is a land you can quickly knock out by doing Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril. That is not even remotely true. First of all, the Indiana Jones coaster is atrocious. Utterly devoid of theming and short, it’s a waste of time. If you’re going to Disneyland Paris for this , I’m betting you won’t appreciate the painstaking details and beauty of the park.

By contrast, this Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the best Disney attractions in the world. Do not skip that. Most importantly, make sure to spend some time on Adventure Isle, where you can see Skull Rock and explore the Swiss Family Treehouse. Another overlooked gem is Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin, an enchanting little walk-through exhibit.

DRAGON! – Disneyland Paris is a divisive park, with a love-it-or-hate-it reaction among Disney fans. I have never witnessed this type of response to any other Disney park in the world, and in my very scientific research, I have reached the following conclusion: people who dislike Disneyland Paris did the park without any dragon time.

Thus, make a quick stop to see the dragon under the castle sometime in the morning as a nice mood boost. (If you make additional stops throughout the day, your chances of liking the park will further increase.) If you stop to see the dragon, I guarantee you will feel like this , supercharged and amped for the exploration that awaits. As the jingle goes, ‘the best part of waking up is seeing a F@#$**&# DRAGON!’

Eat at Walt’s Place – I highly recommend Walt’s – An American Restaurant for lunch , if it’s open (try for reservations first thing in the morning–before any attractions, if it is). If it’s not open, a table service alternative that likely will be open is Blue Lagoon Restaurant. I’m not a fan of the cuisine at either restaurant, but both offer amazing ambiance, and are worth a visit.

Counter service alternatives are the light-hearted Toad Hall (a must visit for Mr. Toad fans…when it’s actually open) or Cowboy Cookout BBQ. All of these restaurants make our Top 10 Themed Restaurants at Disneyland Paris , and are some of the best themed Disney theme park restaurants in the world.

Must-See Shows & Entertainment – Disneyland Paris has a world-class entertainment program, with better productions than just about any other Disney them park in the world. Some of this is seasonal, with special offerings for holidays (e.g. Halloween and Christmas) that are all well worth seeing. Right now, for example, there’s “A Million Splashes of Color, a new all-singing, all-dancing, all- colourful daytime show bursting with beloved songs and stories performed by Mickey, Timon, Joy, Mirabel, and more characters.

There’s also the Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands stage show, which is a lavish production in Frontierland Theater. We recommend one of the earlier performances and arriving 20 minutes before the scheduled showtime (potentially more on busier days), unless you’re going to purchase guaranteed seating.

Afternoon Exploration – Before and following the afternoon parade, you should have time to slow down and explore (e.g., see the dragon like 17 more times). I cannot sufficiently stress the importance of exploration at Disneyland Paris. It truly is a treasure trove of details, and a park that is meant to be sipped like a fine wine.

For all that Disneyland Paris lacks, it does not lack a wonderful sense of romanticism and design that simultaneously achieves (otherwise contradictory) feelings of grandiosity and quaintness. It’s a park for wandering around, taking photos, and just generally soaking up the essence of great thematic design. Like Tokyo DisneySea, it feels like the Imagineers were given a blank check for the overall design of the park.

You might construe my comments above about the Indiana Jones ride as sarcasm, but I truly suspect there’s an inverse correlation between guest reaction to that ride and reaction to the park as a whole. Disneyland Paris is not a park for thrill or ride junkies. It’s for the type of guest who could wander World Showcase for hours.

Cable Car Bake Shop – I’ve previously espoused the virtues of this little shop on Main Street, so it should be no surprise that this is where I recommend stopping for a post-lunch coffee (so skip dessert and coffee if you eat at Walt’s).

When visiting France, one of our favorite things is stopping in little boulangeries in the morning (or really, any time of day) to start our day. I guess there’s some irony in the fact that this charming and intimate bakery in Disneyland Paris is actually American (it still feels European), but that takes nothing away from it.

Disney Stars on Parade – The daytime parade at Disneyland Paris is well worth seeing. Gorgeous costumes, well-designed floats, and a catchy soundtrack makes it worth the time. Oh, and just like underneath the castle, there’s a fire-breathing dragon, so that’s a big plus!

If you’re not a parade person, you could probably safely skip this, but it’s typically fairly easy to get a good spot only 15 minutes in advance, so it’s not like you’re sacrificing much to see it. Depending upon the time of year you visit, you’re also likely to find seasonal stage shows, and this is also a good time to take in one of those. Check your daily times guide for more info.

Thunder Mesa – “Disneyland Paris is the most beautiful park, but…” is a pretty common refrain, with that “but” being followed by concerns over maintenance, attraction quality, and Cast Members (all of which can be valid to some degree). None of these concerns apply in Frontierland, known as Thunder Mesa. This is Disneyland Paris firing on all cylinders.

The goal in placing it here is that you will experience Thunder Mesa under the glow of late afternoon leading into sunset, which is a pretty sublime experience for a Disney theme park fan. Do Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Phantom Manor (again), eat dinner at Lucky Nugget Saloon (be mindful of their closing hours so you don’t get stuck eating “food” at the abysmal Cafe Hyperion ), and time things so you take a sunset cruise on the Thunder Mesa Riverboats.

Nighttime Discovery – Disneyland Paris wisely chose to punt on the Tomorrowland concept and instead went to a Jules Verne-inspired Discoveryland. It’s basically Tomorrowland, but with a different name and some tweaks in story and details. Like the other Tomorrowlands, it is best experienced at night (who knew neon lighting was so prominent in Verne’s day!). Many guests dismiss it because it’s “only” a walkthrough, but Les Mystères du Nautilus is a must-do attraction.

Hyperspace Mountain (a Star Wars variation of Space Mountain) is a rough ride, to the point that it literally hurt my head. Nonetheless, it’s fun and worth doing at least once. (Plus, I’m an old-timer, and I’ve seen younger people get off the attraction grinning ear to ear, so maybe it’s just me.)

Disney Dreams & Drones – Disneyland Paris debuted the concept of a mixed-media nighttime castle show with Disney Dreams, and that excellent show has returned! According to Disneyland Paris, the Disney Dreams nighttime spectacular was brought back because it had received one of the highest satisfaction rates since the park opened in 1992.

I believe it. Disney Dreams is incredible. It features fire, fireworks, water fountains, lasers, castle projections, and more. Peter Pan is the thread that ties together a montage show that emphasizes French and other European Disney stories. This show has heart and is technically breathtaking, making it something you absolutely cannot miss. We have this Disney Dreams viewing guide for those interested in finding the best spot and taking photos.

But wait, there’s more!  There’s also a nightly drone show at Disneyland Paris. Right now, that’s Disney Electrical Sky Parade, a nighttime drone parade in the sky. Disney Electrical Sky Parade combines 500+ synchronized drones forming the parade floats plus, lasers, video projections, lights and fountains across Sleeping Beauty Castle .

Close Down Main Street – You may notice that we spent very little time on Main Street prior to this, despite it representing the high water mark of Main Street designs. This is because after Disney Dreams, it’s impossible to get to other lands, but Main Street remains open for shopping/lingering for another 30 minutes or so. Make sure to pay a visit to each of Arcades, explore the shops, and generally marvel at the meticulous level of design present in this incarnation of Main Street, USA.

All of this should be pretty easy to accomplish in a single day at Disneyland Paris, no matter what time of year you visit. Despite this, I personally could spend days and days at Disneyland Paris, just drinking it all in.

For the basics of planning a visit to Disneyland Paris, check out our  Disneyland Paris Trip Planning Guide . Find the best place to stay in Disneyland Paris Hotel Reviews . Check out 101 Disneyland Paris Tips for some (101, to be exact) of our best random tips for doing DLP like a pro. See Disney Park Tickets Tips & Tricks for ways to save on tickets. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews . For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney . Finally, for advice beyond Disney , check out our Ultimate Travel Guide to Paris, France .

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you like to do most at Disneyland Paris? Any tips of your own for exploring the park? If you’ve never been to Disneyland Paris, what interests you most about the park? Anything else to add? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your questions and thoughts in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Does anyone know whether this itinerary will still work in December 2023? Thanks!!

it generally works but note that staying onsite only gives you an hour early entry into the parks not 2. I would also suggest either hitting BTM, Peter Pan’s flight or Hyperspace mountain during this extra hour and then knocking out other rides with low wait times depending on which land you end up in. this also doesn’t mention the Lion Ling show in Frontierland which is amazing and I highly recommend seeing! definitely download the official app before you go so you can get an idea of waittimes and can plan easier when you’re in the park.

Thanks so much!! Argh I just found out the day I am going the park is closing earlier (6:15pm rather than 9pm)! Any tips on what to potentially cut out or is the above still achievable? We don’t have the early morning hour included. I agree – would still want to see lion king.

I was there on a Monday just before the 30th anniversary started. We arrived just after rope drop, taking the RER train from Opera (very easy and cheap), and the wait for BTM was about 45 minutes. Getting into the park was a bit of a pain – guest had to scan their own passes, and most people had printouts that didn’t scan well, so the line was very slow. They actually dropped masking requirements in the Park on that day, but not all the cast members were aware of it, so it was a little random to have some saying ‘you can take of your masks’ and others telling us we needed to put them back on.

We initially followed this itinerary and went directly to BTM and waited 45 minutes, but TBH I wish instead we’d hit Fantasyland instead – many of the waits there were in the 5-minute range when we arrived, and we could have knocked a lot of them out very quickly. Later in the day, BTM was still 45-50 minutes, but those 5-minute waits had now become 30-minute waits. We wound up just making our own way through the park after BTM and not worrying about a plan.

Late in the day, to make up some time, we did wind up buying a fastpass late in the day for Peter Pan’s flight (at a ruinous $36 for two people). We were relatively leisurely in our approach, and the park is pretty spread out, so weren’t able to hit everything in the Park in one day, and I think it would be very hard to do everything without the extra morning hour for guests staying on property. Our priorities were maybe a little different though – EG I was happy to do the two kids’ storybook rides that are unique to the Park (and really sweet), instead of Buzz Lightyear or Autopia (we also skipped Dumbo, Orbitron, Star Tours, and Teacups). Small World and Nautilus were closed. We skipped the Lion King show as well. We actually did enjoy the Indiana Jones coaster (which only opened in the afternoon).

The park is lovely, and Adventure Island in particular was a standout – I’ve always loved Tom Sawyer’s island at WDW and this is that X100. It was disappointing that the dragon wasn’t open after all the buildup here! Discoveryland at night is really pretty spectacular. I thought the Star Wars theming on Hyperspace Mountain would bother me, but it’s done with a light touch, and the ride itself is terrific – though the sudden stop at the end did almost give me a concussion from slamming my head against the headrest (I was seriously seeing stars). There’s a lot to discover everywhere – the little Aladdin walkthrough is very cute, the Alice labyrinth is a nice experience – the rides do feel a little secondary to just exploring, and it’s nice that the Park has a slower pace than WDW.

The Disney Stars parade was fun, but Illuminations felt pretty bland compared to Happily Ever After (the last fireworks show I saw at WDW). I was also underwhelmed by Phantom Manner – there’s almost nothing outside that captures the tongue-in-cheek ‘spooooookiness’ of the ride in other parks – I suspect some of the humour doesn’t really translate – and the shoe-horning in of Frontierland elements, plus the half-baked ‘sad bride’ narrative, just felt odd and without context.

It seemed that over half of the dining options were closed, including almost all of the better restaurants. Our lunch at Captain Jack’s was fine. We had an ADR, but the place was only half-full – I think we’d have been seated as walk-ins. Dinner after closing at the Bavarian restaurant in Disney Village was surprisingly good (but the bathroom was filthy). Breakfast at Cable Car was underwhelming, and it was a little disappointing that there weren’t many ‘unique treats’ in the park.

I was happy to visit the Park for a day during a 2-week+ stay in Paris – but with Paris itself feeling like the most expensive and elaborate theme park in the world, I’m not sure it’s essential, if you’re there on a shorter stay. I thought about going back for a second day, to see Studios Park, and catch the things I’d missed at Disneyland, but in the end was very happy that I spent more time in Paris instead. Still, it was a very nice day at Disneyland!

Greetings from the UK! Thank you so much for this and for the one-day plan of Walt Disney Studios – there is very little information out on the internet so it’s much appreciated! I also wondered if you’d heard about the MasterCard perk? I’m told by others that you can show your MasterCard and ID and potentially get VIP seating for Mickey and the Magician or other seasonal shows. Have you tried this? And do you have any tips about where to stand for the Disney Illuminations? (trying to avoid the inevitable children on shoulders…)

Just did DL Paris (July 2019). We’ve been to Anaheim and Orlando a lot, so we thought a 1 day train trip from Paris would suffice. It did, especially if you’ve been to an American Disney park before. I was surprised at the gate to see an option for an upgraded fastpasses. I wasted $$$ on these. You do not need them. There are only 4 fastpass rides and you can get all the traditional FP paper tickets easily in 1 day (Peter Pan, Indiana Jones, Thunder, Space Mt.) The biggest and hardest ticket to get is Peter Pan, so get that first if you want to do this. It’s VERY similar to the ride in America. Enjoy all the “walkthrough” areas of the park, they’re unique. Alice and the Dragon were great! FORGET about Hollywood Studios unless you’re going to spend more than 1 day there. I wasted more $$ on this hopper ticket. Rock n’ Roll coaster was fair, and Ratatouille was a 3-D screen ride that made me sick.

One of the best thing about Disneyland Paris is the price : for about 100$ (taxes included), you get a 1-day access to both parks (Disneyland + Walt Disney Studios). I’ve never been to other Disney parks in the World, but I’m currently planning a trip to Magic Kingdom in Florida. What surprised me the most was that I would need to take a park-hopping ticket, which is crazy expensive, to do all my favourite rides (now I get that the theme parks are probably much bigger than the 2 french theme parks, but still).

I generally start the day with the Walt Disney Studios park, because there are less attractions there that interest me and some of them have long wait-time. Plus, most tourists rush to the Disneyland Park so early mornings in Walt Disney Studios are fairly quiet. I seize the early hour to do the most sought-after attractions of the WDS park : Ratatouille, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock n’ Roll Coaster with Aerosmith (which won’t remain Aerosmith themed for long, the attraction should be turned into an Iron Man / Avengers theme I believe), the Crush’ Coaster and the Toy Story Playland. The waiting line is so scarce some mornings that you can actually ride the attraction twice in a row. I skip the other attractions in this park, that are mostly dispensable in my humble opinion, and then head for the main Disneyland park.

There I always begin with Fantasyland, because this section of the park closes earlier than the rest in order to prepare the evening Disney Dream firework show. The dragon is indeed a must see! I would definitely recommand using a fastpass for Peter Pan’s Flight since the queue is often quite long (especially since the ride lasts only 1 minute or 2). I don’t often waste my time with the Snow White or Pinocchio dark rides, they are not mindblowing, but if the waiting line is short (less than 20 minutes), do consider giving it a try 🙂 The Alice in Wonderland section is one of my favorite of the whole park, the decors are gorgeous, the labyrinth is lots of fun and the view from the castle is great (there is actually a shortcut in the labyrinth to reach the castle quickly, but hush), plus the waiting line for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups is always rather short. It’s a small world is best done during lunch time if you ask me, when most kids are elsewhere filling their bellies.

I then head to Adventureland, for the Indiana Jones ride (which is not worth waiting for hours for I agree, especially given the lack of animation in the queue, but is actually fun to do if you use your fastpass), a walk in the Adventure Isles, Cabane des Robinsons and Aladin’s Enchanted Passage which are nice for a small reprieve between sensation rides. I always have a look at the estimated waiting time for Pirates of the Carribean : if it’s less than 20 minutes, I go for it (I love this attraction!), otherwise I wait for later in the day to give it a try, for instance during the parade (I’ve never cared much for parades) or later in the evening.

Then I head to Frontierland, where I put my last remaining fastpass to good use in the Big Thunder Mountain. And by now (late afternoon / early evening) the waiting line shouldn’t be that long for the Phantom Manor so that’s usually what I go for next. I don’t care much for the Thunder Mesa Riverboat but it’s nice to give it a try at least once, it’s a rather soothing ride (though it can definitely become very windy or cold depending on the weather, dress accordingly!).

I end the day with Discoveryland because it’s the section of the main park that interests me the less. I only do the Space Mountain (definitely one of my favorite attractions of both parks!) and the Nautilus (love the decor), but I skip the rest of the attractions (especially the Star Tours, that I find dreadful and that always make me nauseous).

If some time remains (the main park closes at 9PM), I usually use it to have another go at my favourite attractions (Pirates of the Carribean, Phantom Manor, Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain).

The evening show is really great to watch, before park closure.

I never waste time during the day to do shopping, because most of the products (and even more!) can be found in the Disney Village’s shops (with the exception of the shop near Phantom Manor), which are open up to midnight for most of them. Same goes for food : I only have a quick snack for lunch and head to the Disney Village for diner in a proper restaurant.

We are planning a trip there next year. My question is if you wanted to see and do absolutely everything in the Disney Paris area (besides restaurants), how many days should I allow for that? I want the visit to be leisurely paced so there is plenty of time to explore.

Thank you so much for this blog! I took notes and brought them with me to help guide our day there. From starting off with the dragon, to where and when to get Fast Passes, this was incredibly helpful so we didn’t wander aimlessly. We had an amazing day, and you played a big part of that.

We will be visiting Paris this summer and are thinking of incorporating a day in Disneyland. My question is, I know lots of things are closed in Germany on Sundays, does that apply to Paris too? Should we plan on visiting the park on Sunday if everything will be closed in the city?

Check and see which museums are closed for Paris, if those are on your list, and don’t plan on every grocery store or many pharmacies being open, but most of the touristy stuff runs all the time, if that’s your main concern. However, if you’re coming in August, you aren’t truly experiencing Paris, because most Parisians are off on vacation. Lots of kids are in camps or centres de loisir in the summer, so weekdays are still less crowded at Disney than the weekends. Aim for a weekday if you can. On Tuesdays they do a special mini-parade (called a cavalcade) with rarely seen characters (everyone from Kuzco, Kronk and Yzma to Oswald to Mickey in the gang in rarely seen outfits–Jane and Turk from Tarzan were featured the last time I was there) to draw in more guests because it’s a particularly quiet day. For the parade, stop somewhere near the gates near It’s A Small World to watch it. That’s where it starts, so you can see it early and enjoy shorter wait times on Fantasyland attractions while the parade is winding through the rest of the park. The arcades (or covered passages) in the Main Street area stay mostly open during the parade, so if you do decide to move while it’s still running, use those. Also, if you’re doing the other park, hit it as early as you can to try to get Crush’s Coaster with a shorter wait time. It’s a fantastic ride, but there’s no fastpass option and the wait times are always crazy.

Can you get Fast Passes from the Disneyland Paris app or can you only get them from the park? We live in the states. Thanks!

Hey Michelle! When we went last July, it was still paper FastPasses (I haven’t heard them switching yet). The line for Big Thunder FP was huge first thing in the morning! But it’s better than WDW’s, in our opinion, and we used our freebie Club Lounge passes on that for 2 days 🙂

Is there a limit to the number of Fast Passes you can get? I seem to recall a 2-3 per day per ticket limit in WDW but that was years ago and my memory might be off! Thanks!

This might be a dumb question, but is this itinerary for both parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park) at Disneyland Paris, or just one of them?

Just Disneyland Park. We just got back from DLP and we did the Studios park in 6 hours tops. And that was with a lot of just walking in circles waiting for fireworks.

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Guide to Disneyland Paris: Tips and tricks to know before you go

Paris has something for everyone—from history buffs and culture vultures to families and couples seeking out the magic of the City of Lights. And it doesn’t get more magical than Disneyland Paris, Europe’s only Disney theme park .

With two full theme parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park), seven themed hotels, a Disney Village and a treasure trove of hidden secrets, where do you even begin? Here’s all you need to know about visiting Disneyland Paris, from where to stay and ticket bundles, to the best rides and restaurants to visit. It doesn’t matter how old you are, magic awaits in the wondrous world of Disneyland Paris.

Where to stay when visiting Disneyland Paris?

While Disneyland Paris can be explored within a day, you need at least two days to fully experience everything that Disneyland Paris has to offer. Not sure whether to stay within or outside the Disney compounds? Here’s what you need to know.

Hotels in Disneyland Paris

You’ll find seven themed Disney hotels within the park: The Disneyland Hotel , Disney’s Hotel New York , Disney’s Newport Bay Club , Disney’s Sequoia Lodge , Hotel Cheyenne , Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe and Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch . A majority of them are situated around Lake Disney near the shopping and entertainment district—Disney Village—and most offer free shuttle services between the park and hotels. While staying within Disneyland Paris can be more pricey (with nightly rates ranging from $100 to $500 and up), staying within the themed hotels in the Disney “bubble” adds to the magical Disney experience.

Apart from the convenience of staying 5 minutes away from the park, a big perk of staying within Disneyland is Extra Magic Time , where you can enter the park up to 90 mins before public guests. Zip to the front of the lines for attractions, meet your favorite characters—they even pop by the hotels—and maximize photo ops all around.

Hotels around Disneyland Paris

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly accommodation options, suss out hotels and vacation rentals off-site. That’s great savings that you can use to snag some limited edition Disney merch. Here are our recommendations:

1) Adagio Marne la Vallée Val d'Europe

The urban apartments of Adagio Marne la Vallée Val d'Europe are comfortable and spacious, great for those traveling with family and larger groups. It’s also located next to one of Europe's largest shopping centers, Val d'Europe .

2) Holiday Inn Marne la Vallée

Holiday Inn Marne la Vallée is a great family-friendly hotel near Disneyland Paris. With plush and contemporary rooms, rest comfortably before you embark on a whirlwind of fun with the kiddos.

3) Radisson Blu Hotel Paris, Marne-La-Vallee

Tucked within an oasis of lush nature, the four-star Radisson Blu Hotel Paris is just a 7-minute ride away from Disneyland Paris. It’s located on the grounds of Golf Disneyland® so the adults can tee off while the kids explore.

Best rides in Disneyland Paris

Best rides in Disneyland Park

At Disneyland Park, there are five "lands": Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland and Discoveryland. It’s the larger park of the two, so you might not be able to cover all of its 50 over different attractions.

Make the most of your time there and sign up for Disneyland Premier Access , the new program that has replaced the Disneyland Paris FastPass. This magic ticket (from USD5.60) allows you to skip lines at some of the most popular rides.

Here are some of the not-to-be-missed rides in Disneyland Park:

• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain* (Discoveryland)
• Star Tours* (Discoveryland)
• Big Thunder Mountain* (Frontierland)
• Phantom Manor* (Frontierland)
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril* (Adventureland)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Adventureland)
• It’s A Small World (Fantasyland, family-friendly)
• Mad Hatter’s Teacups (Fantasyland, family-friendly)
• The Carousel (Fantasyland, family-friendly)

*Eligible for Disney Premier Access.

Best rides in Walt Disney Studios Park

Walt Disney Studios Park has 15 immersive attractions, centered around the world of cinema, animation and television.

Don’t know where to begin? Here are the best rides to try in Walt Disney Studios Park:

• Ratatouille: The Adventure*
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror*
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
• Crush’s Coaster
• Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic

Best restaurants in Disneyland Paris

There are over 70 restaurants and bars within Disneyland Paris, serving up different Disney themes and international cuisines. Here are some of the best restaurants in each zone at Disneyland Paris:

Restaurants in Adventureland

The ambiance at Captain Jack's - Restaurant des Pirates is one-of-a-kind. Built inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, this cozy restaurant in its tropical lagoon setting offers great seafood dishes and French Creole-style favorites.

Restaurants along Main Street USA

A restaurant steeped in Disney history, Walt’s is a lovely nod to both Disneyland’s past and present. Relish good ol’ American cuisine with their classic three-course meal.

The intimate Cable Car Bake Shop is great for those with a sweet tooth, concocting delicious treats ranging from muffins and donuts, to cookies and buttery croissants.

Restaurants in Fantasyland

Pizzeria Bella Notte serves up hearty Italian fare like pizzas, lasagna, pasta and comforting sides to go along. The meatballs are a definite hit with the kids.

Restaurants in Frontierland

Located in a spacious barn, treat yourself to Tex-Mex specialties at Cowboy Cookout Barbecue . Chow down on their lip-smacking ribs to the tunes of live Country music.

Restaurants in Disney Village

If you need a break from the burgers and fries, fuel up on warm made-to-order subs, salads and wraps at Earl of Sandwich .

Tips for viewing the Disneyland Paris Castle

With its pastel pink façade, gorgeous glasswork and regal blue spires, the Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant or Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is a sight to behold.

Situated at the end of Main Street USA, the Gothic-inspired castle at Disneyland Paris is the glorious gateway to Fantasyworld. Walk around the circumference of the castle and capture unique perspectives from different vantage points. But the best way to experience the castle is at the Disney Illuminations night-time extravaganza, where the castle is lit up with projections of your favorite Disney characters, to the tunes of Disney soundtracks and explosive fireworks.

Pro-tip: Stay on after the show, when most guests are trying to make a beeline for the park’s exit. Once the crowds have dissipated, you can snap the perfect shot with the Disneyland Paris castle to immortalize a magical and memorable trip.

Other Disneyland Paris tips and tricks

• Ditch the paper maps and download the Disneyland Paris app —over the park’s free WiFi, of course. Get live waiting times, dining locations and menus, and the schedule of parades and fireworks in the palm of your hand.
• Pack a jacket. Even when you’re visiting in summer, it can get chilly in the mornings and evenings. There may be sporadic rain, especially between September to May, so it doesn't hurt to pack a waterproof parka, poncho or umbrella.
• Take advantage of the Disneyland Paris single rider lines , especially if you don’t mind sitting alone. Cut to the front of the line, much to the envy of fellow park goers.
• The peak dining hours are between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. While most of the crowds are grabbing lunch or dinner, whizz to the attractions to score a few extra rides.

Getting from Paris to Disneyland

Getting to disneyland paris from the airport.

If you’re going directly from Charles De Gaulle Airport , it’s a 10-minute journey to Disneyland Paris by high-speed TGV train from Terminal 2. Tickets are about €17.50 (USD19.70) per person, depending on the time and date of your departure.

Staying at one of the hotels in Disneyland Paris? Hop on the Magical Shuttle and arrive in Disneyland Paris in about 50 minutes. The bus will stop at every on-site Disney hotel and other partner hotels.

Getting to Disneyland Paris from central Paris

The train journey from central Paris to Disneyland Paris is about 35 minutes. Buy a ticket and hop on the RER A train from Paris-Gare de Lyon. Alight at the final stop, Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy—it’s a two-minute stroll to the entrance.

Coming from someplace else in Europe? The Eurostar train is your best. If you’re in London, there’s a 3-hour Eurostar train direct to Disneyland Paris from St. Pancras Station.

How much are the tickets to Disneyland Paris?

Disneyland Paris tickets can be purchased at their official website or other trusted booking platforms.

If you know your dates, the 1-day dated tickets are the cheapest:

• One park from €56 (USD63)/adult and €52 (USD58)/child*
• Two parks from €77 (USD87)/adult and €73 (USD82)/child*

The 1-day undated tickets are more expensive but are valid for one year from purchase:

• One park from €103 (USD116)/adult and €95 (USD107)/child*
• Two parks from €124 (USD140)/adult and €116 (USD131)/child*

*Children under 3 enjoy free admission.

If you’re staying within the park grounds, there are also hotel and ticket packages that can be bundled with meal plans, shuttles and luggage drops.

Add a Disneyland Paris trip to your Paris travel itinerary with value-for-money packages that include Disneyland Paris admission tickets and round-trip trains from central Paris, or Disneyland Paris Express Shuttle pick-ups from major spots in Paris including the Eiffel Tower.

Recommended tours and activities

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Itinerary (Without Lines!)

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

Best Time Of Year To Visit Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Park Hours

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

Walt Disney Studios Hours

How To Use Fastpass At Disneyland Paris

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

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

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

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

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

Read our complete article on Fastpass at Disneyland Paris.

Best And Worst Disneyland Paris Fastpass Options

Arrival And Rope Drop At Disneyland Paris

One Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary Morning Plan

Start: Walt Disney Studios at park opening

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

One Day Disneyland Paris Itinerary Afternoon Plan

Disneyland paris park 2-8pm.

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

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

Disney favorites:

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

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

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

Dinner 

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

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

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

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

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

After dinner

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

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

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

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

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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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28 Disneyland Paris Tips for First Timers!

Last Updated on May 15, 2024

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.

For great photos and inspiration, follow us on   Instagram.

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

• Download the free   Disneyland Paris Mobile App , which can show you your current location in the park and is handy to see quickly where things.  It also displays current wait times for rides!
• We recommend dining at  Bistrot Chez Rémy . This sit down restaurants decor is fantastic and the food is lovely. Ratatouille: The Adventure  next door is brilliant! You shrink down to the size of Remy and duck, dive, dodge and scurry to safety in a dazzling chase across a gigantic kitchen.
• Allow lots of time for meals in restaurants. 1.5 hrs for a 2-course meal minimum.
• For those travelling to Disneyland Paris with Kids , be sure to tie something unique such as a ribbon to your buggy if taking one. You wouldn’t want to walk off with someone else’s after a ride or lose yours in a sea of strollers.
• As Disneyland Paris First Timers we planned to spend all day in the park, as it can be a good 20 min walk back to the hotel so we avoid the trek back until evening. Little ones can sleep in the stroller and parents can use Rider Swap.
• If riding the Magical Shuttle between Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport and Disneyland Paris. It’s really not obvious at all where to catch the bus. Follow the signs for generic buses from Terminal 2E and then look out the window for yellow coaches. There is no Disney sign.
• Be prepared for bag checks and x-ray machines when entering Disney Parks and Hotels.
• Seasoned Disney Fans use ID holders around their necks to hold their tickets, fast passes, photo pass etc. It will save you the bag shuffling.
• Prepare yourself for lots of queues. Even when visiting off-peak it can be very busy and quite warm waiting in the queues without shade or covers. Hats and water are a must to prevent dehydration .

Colour Your Own Star Wars

O2COOL Deluxe Handheld Battery Powered Water Misting Fan

• 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 little 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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Home > Disneyland Paris > Disneyland Paris Guide

Disneyland Paris Guide

Disneyland paris trip planning.

Disneyland Paris is a popular destination in Europe, thanks to its magical atmosphere, fun rides and shows, and excellent location near Paris . Whether you are planning an extensive trip to Disneyland Paris or a day trip from Paris or London, there are a few things to consider, like how to travel, where to sleep, or what to do in the parks.

There are many ways to visit Disneyland Paris, and this quick Disneyland Paris guide will tell you the best tips to plan a trip to Disneyland Paris. After reading this Disneyland Paris guide, you will see that it is very easy to travel to Disneyland Paris!

Basic Tips for Disneyland Paris

Parks: There are two parks in Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park .

Location: Disneyland Paris is located in  Marne- la-Vallée , a town 40 km east of Paris. Marne-la-Vallée is home to the two Disneyland Paris parks, all the Disneyland Paris hotels, and a shopping mall.

Language:  French is the primary language spoken in Paris and France. However, Disneyland Paris is one of the top tourist attractions in Europe, and all the Disney staff speak English. The Disneyland Paris shows and parades are in different languages, English included.

Currency:  The currency in France is the euro, also known as EUR (€).

Best Time to Visit Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris welcomes travelers all year, but the best times to visit can be spring or late fall for mild weather and lesser crowds.

Disneyland Paris at Christmas (November – December) and Halloween are also great times to visit as the parks get very festive and offer special shows.

If the crowds are your main concern, check out this Disneyland Paris Crowd Calendar with the best periods and top tips to avoid the biggest crowds in Disneyland Paris.

TIP: If you or a loved one live with a chronic or invisible illness, disability, or reduced mobility, check out our post about Disneyland Paris’ Priority Card to visit Disneyland Paris safely and without giving up on fun!

How Many Days Do You Need in Disneyland Paris?

Is two days enough for Disneyland Paris?

Yes. We recommend spending at least one day in each Disneyland Paris park. Both parks are very extensive, with many fun rides and shows, and they all deserve at least one full day.

Can you see all of Disneyland Paris in one day?

With one day in Disneyland Paris, you can enjoy both parks’ top rides but not all of Disneyland Paris.

So How Many Days Do You Need in Disneyland Paris?

Three days is a good amount of time to get the most out of Disneyland Paris, with two days for Disneyland Park and one day for Walt Disney Studios Park. Allow an extra day to enjoy the facilities in your Disney hotel – swimming pool, grounds, golf course, and more.

Where to Stay

DISNEY GETAWAY OR DISNEY HOLIDAYS

If you plan a holiday to Disneyland Paris, book at one of the Disney hotels for a complete Disney experience.

All the Disneyland Paris hotels are within walking distance (or offer a free shuttle) to the parks, and they come with great facilities for all the family.

Besides, all the Disney hotels propose the Extra Magic Time , a whole extra hour before regular park opening to enjoy some of your favorite attractions without the crowds.

Book your stay in one of the Disneyland Paris hotels

DAY TRIP FROM PARIS

If you plan to visit one of the parks on a day trip from Paris, book a hotel in Paris instead. Click here to learn what are the best districts to stay in Paris.

Click here to book your hotel in Paris

Getting There

TRIP TO DISNEYLAND PARIS FROM ABROAD

Most international visitors travel to Disneyland Paris by plane, flying to nearby airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY).

• Book your flight tickets to Paris Charles de Gaulle – Disneyland Paris
• Book your flight tickets to Paris Orly – Disneyland Paris

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the closest airport to Disneyland Paris, only 35km away from the parks. Click here for all the ways to get from CDG Airport to Disneyland Paris .

Orly Airport (ORY) is located 45km from Disneyland Paris. Click here for all the ways to get from Orly to Disneyland Paris

DISNEYLAND PARIS TRIP FROM LONDON

There are many ways to travel from London to Disneyland Paris, but the  Eurostar to Disneyland Paris  is our favorite option. The Eurostar train from London St Pancras to Disneyland Paris is fast and straightforward, plus it is more eco-friendly than flying.

This quick  London to Disneyland Paris guide  is focused on train travel to Disneyland Paris, and it will tell you everything you need to know to travel from London to Disneyland Paris by train.

Click here to buy your train tickets to Disneyland Paris

DISNEYLAND PARIS TRIP FROM PARIS

There are many ways to travel to Disneyland Paris from the French capital, and this quick Paris to Disneyland transportation guide will tell you everything you need to know to choose how to get to Disneyland Paris.

Top Disneyland Paris Rides

There are two parks at Disneyland Paris:  Disneyland Park  &  Walt Disney Studios Park .  Disneyland Park  is the classic park with the Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, or Frozen whilst  Walt Disney Studios Park  has a more general moviemaking theme – but it’s still very Disney.

This Disneyland Paris guide also helps with your to-do list. Click on the pictures below for the list of best rides in Disneyland Paris.

Click here to buy your tickets to Disneyland Paris

TIP: check out the Disneyland Paris wait times to avoid the longest lines!

Where to Eat in Disneyland Paris

There are more than 50 restaurants in Disneyland Paris offering different types of cuisine and dining experiences to suit all budgets. In both parks, you will also find food trucks offering snacks, coffee, and other drinks.

It is also possible to bring your own food, and you will find some nice corners for a quick picnic in the parks. If you require specific equipment (cool box, containers, tables..), there is a dedicated picnic area between the parking lot and the park entrance.

Remember to bring your refillable water bottle; it is possible to drink tap water in Disneyland Paris.

Day Trip to Disneyland Paris from Paris

Disneyland Paris is one of the most popular day trips out of Paris . Leave the French capital’s hustle and bustle for a day and enjoy the fairytale world of Disneyland.

If you visit Disneyland Paris on a day trip, we recommend focusing on one park only. Check out our best tips for a perfect day in Disneyland Paris .

Day Trips from Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is an incredible place with many fun things to see and do. But if you have any more than three days in Disneyland Paris, take the opportunity to get out of the parks and see more of France on a day trip.

THE EIFFEL TOWER

You are not interested in Paris, but you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see its most iconic site? Then, book your Eiffel Tower tickets and head straight to Champs de Mars.

How to travel to the Eiffel Tower from Disneyland Paris

Check out our best tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower . If you have some extra time, consider one of these fun things to do around the Eiffel Tower .

One day in Paris is not very long for a city that has so much to offer. With a little advance planning, though, you’ll be surprised at just how many Paris’ highlights and top monuments you can cover with just one day in Paris.

Check out this Paris in one day itinerary , which goes through well-known sights like Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower to some of our favorite places in Paris.

Provins is a lovely medieval town located 53km southeast of Disneyland Paris. The old town is listed as UNESCO World Heritage, and it is a great place to explore on a day trip.

Direct buses (#50) leave for Provins from Chessy Bus station, located 5 min walk from the parks. The ride takes 1 hr 10 min (one way), and it costs 2€).

Check out what to do in Provins for one day

PARC ASTÉRIX

The exciting Parc Astérix is at only 55 kilometers from Disneyland Paris. You have come so far to see Mickey Mouse; it would be a shame to miss Astérix, Obélix, and their gang!

Parc Astérix recreates Astérix and Obélix’s village in Gaul, and it is filled with its own unique set of fun rides and shows.

Click here to buy your tickets to Parc Astérix

To visit Parc Astérix from Disneyland Paris, take the train to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (10 min ride, hourly). From there, take bus #N702 to Parc Astérix (15 min, every 7 hours). The total journey takes 1 hr 10 min (one way), including transportation times, transfers, and waiting times.

A faster and more comfortable alternative is to book a private transfer Disneyland Paris – Parc Astérix. The drive in a private car only takes 42 min.

Click here to book your transfer to Parc Astérix

So there you have it, the Disneyland Paris guide with everything you need to know for your Disneyland Paris trip planning.

Click here for more Disneyland Paris posts

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About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorer with a preference for lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about me ., i am elisa, the travel blogger behind world in paris. quirky explorer with a preference for the local side of my city and its lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & my best tips learn more.

8 Things a First-Time Disneyland Paris Visitor Should Know

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's Well Loved by Locals

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

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

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

Disneyland Paris Has Two Parks ... Kinda

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

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

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

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

It's Not Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom

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

The Food is Not Magical

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding Star Wars

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

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

Offseason Means Offseason

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

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

Bottom Line

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

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

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

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! :)

Disneyland Paris

• 1.1 When to visit
• 1.2 Visitor information
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2.1 Coming from the United Kingdom
• 2.3.1 From Paris
• 2.3.2 From elsewhere
• 4.1 Accessibility
• 5.1.1 Main Street U.S.A.
• 5.1.2 Fantasyland
• 5.1.3 Adventureland
• 5.1.4 Frontierland
• 5.1.5 Discoveryland
• 5.2.1 Front Lot
• 5.2.2 Production Courtyard
• 5.2.3 World of Pixar
• 5.2.4 Toon Studio
• 5.2.5 Avengers Campus
• 6.1 Pin-trading
• 8.1 Other hotels
• 10.2 Internet

Disneyland Paris , in the Paris suburb of Marne-la-Vallée , has the Disney Empire's European variant of their archetypal "Magic Kingdom" theme park. It was the second Disney theme park resort to open outside the United States, after Tokyo Disney Resort .

Understand [ edit ]

The Disneyland Paris Resort opened on April 12, 1992. It was the first Disney resort in Europe and the second international park after Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. The resort consists of two theme parks and a shopping/entertainment complex.

• Disneyland Park is the main draw of the resort and the first theme park to open in 1992. It is considered to be the most beautiful Disney park in the world and had 10 million visitors in 2022, being the most visited tourist attraction in Europe. The park draws guests from all over France and the continent. If you have only one available day to visit the resort it is recommended to visit Disneyland Park.
• Walt Disney Studios is the second theme park to open in the resort on 16 March 2002. Despite being quite underwhelming at first, it has turned the corner since then, capturing much of the magic of its sister park. It is still considered the "secondary" destination in the resort but is undergoing a multi-year refurbishment and expansion set to complete in phases from late 2024 to 2026. Set to be renamed to Disney Adventure World in 2025.
• Disney Village is a themed shopping and entertainment complex a few steps from the parks featuring restaurants, bars, shows, and a cinema.

When to visit [ edit ]

Disneyland Paris is an excellent destination year-round with many festivals and seasonal offerings like Disney's Halloween Festival and Disney's Enchanted Christmas. Factors to consider however when visiting are prices and crowds.

The parks can get quite crowded on weekends (mostly Saturdays), July and August, French school holidays and Christmas week which is the busiest time of the year. High crowds mean longer lines to enter the park and for rides, shows and restaurants, as well as higher ticket and hotel prices. It is generally recommended to visit during the off seasons (January - March and most of autumn) but keep in mind that during these times the parks usually have shorter opening hours, some rides may be under refurbishment and many of the seasonal offerings will not be available. Ticket and hotel prices are variable : they fluctuate in accordance to demand and crowds. 1 Day - 1 Park tickets usually start from around €75 but it is always best to check the Disneyland Paris website for up-to-date prices and information on the day of your visit.

Visitor information [ edit ]

• Disneyland Paris website

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Disneyland Resort Paris is connected to both international airports in Paris .

• Availability: The TGV has limited seats, so book the ticket in advance. You can do it online, in the ticket machines or in an SNCF office. Sometimes tickets may be terminated both online and in the ticket machines but you can still buy them in the SNCF ticket office.
• Ticket machines: Most of them accept only credit card payments. Few of them accept cash, but only using small cut banknotes ( €5 / €10 / €20 ).
• Online payment: After buying a TGV ticket online, you will have to validate it in a ticket machine at the station. The validation requires your credit card used for that transaction, and its PIN. This is crucial, because of technical reasons the confirmation must be done automatically in a ticket machine and can't be done manually by TGV office operators, so e.g. don't forget your credit card and its PIN.
• From Orly Airport ( ORY  IATA ), you will need to take three trains: Orlyval (from Orly Airport to Antony), RER B (from Antony to Chatelet-Les Halles), and finally RER A (from Chatelet-Les Halles to Marne-la-Vallee Chessy).

Alternatively, Magical Shuttle operates buses to Disneyland from both airports, costing €20 for adults and kids 7 and over, and €16 for children aged 3–6 one way. Under 3s travel free. The trip takes about 50 minutes.

By car [ edit ]

One choice if you live in France or in a nearby region (Central Germany, southern regions of the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) is to drive. The highway system of France is extensive and often quiet. Disneyland is located just off junction 14 of the A4 (E50) , about 35 km east of Paris (Porte de Bercy). You should keep a supply of cash and/or credit cards ready, however, as the motorway ( autoroute ) system is tolled and quite expensive. For example, a trip from Frankfurt to Disneyland can cost approximately €30 in toll fees.

Coming from the United Kingdom [ edit ]

If you are driving from the United Kingdom, note that France drives on the right.

Travel times to Disneyland Paris can vary depending on how you enter the country, but on average from Calais you can expect a journey time of 4 hours.

By train [ edit ]

The best way to reach Disneyland Paris, which has its own railway station, is by train: they are reliable and run frequently. Note that when booking tickets the official name of the station is Marne-la-Vallée Chessy (that information is more useful for ticket machines as employees all know the station for Disneyland).

From Paris [ edit ]

RER A runs from central Paris to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, with frequent trains taking 35 min for the journey. Be aware that a Paris Metro ticket is valid on RER only for travel within Zone 1 (Disneyland Resort Paris is in Zone 5). If you use a Paris Visite, Mobilis or Navigo pass, make sure that it reads Zones 1-5 and not Zones 1-3 . In either case, using an invalid ticket will result in a €25 fine.

The seven main rail terminals in central Paris, the trains that serve them, and directions from them to RER A are explained in the chart below. All of them are served by the Metro and/or RER.

From elsewhere [ edit ]

Marne-la-Vallée Chessy is served by several TGV (high-speed train) lines from destinations across France such as Lyon , Marseille , Bordeaux , Nantes , Lille and Strasbourg . The station is also the hub for the Ouigo network of low-cost TGVs.

You can still travel by train from the UK , changing from Eurostar onto the domestic network in either Lille or Paris.

Most international railways linking Paris with other countries arrive in central Paris: see the chart above.

Tickets [ edit ]

Visiting Disneyland Resort Paris is about as expensive as visiting any of the other Disney parks around the world. There are four types of tickets sold. The 1 Day 1 Park Ticket allows you to visit only one of the two parks for a full day. In addition, there are three Park Hopper tickets, which allow you to visit both parks on the same day, available in 1-, 2- and 3-day increments. The 3-Day Park Hopper ticket represents the most economical deal; the ticket price per day is lowest.

There are day tickets with a specified date and day tickets with a flexible date (valid for a year) obviously the former are cheaper. The cheapest fixed date day tickets are €59 (12 and above) and €52 (3-11). In this list only the price for the latter will be listed. These are the prices for summer 2024:

Children under age 3 are admitted free.

Also worth investigating hotel+ticket packages available. A hotel+ticket package offers a somewhat reduced price if you plan on staying in the resort than purchasing them separately and unlimited access to any of the two parks all the days of your visit. Staying at a hotel also includes perks like the Extra Magic Hours which are more thoroughly discussed in the Sleep and See & Do sections.

Disneyland Paris has multiple websites following the same format but with different ticket prices. For example the German version of the website might have lower prices than the English or French versions. It is always recommeded to do a research if you're planning on visiting the resort as cheaply as possible.

Get around [ edit ]

Once you get inside the resort the main mode of transportation will be walking. The parks' entrances are approximately 5 minutes from each other and most of the hotels are within a 15-minute walking distance with only Hotel Santa Fe being 20 minutes away.

Other modes of transportation are the Disneyland Railroad and free shuttles that carry guests from the hotels to the entrance of the Disney Village and the Marne-la-Vallée Chessy train station. The Disney Village is also a 5 minute walk from the parks. The Disneyland Railroad circles Disneyland Park with stops in Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. The railroad is not available for guests without a park ticket.

Accessibility [ edit ]

Wheelchair accessibility is very good, and there are very few areas that have the usual obstacles, such as confined stairs, that make access impossible. A very good system of disabled access for most rides is in place, but for safety and evacuation reasons, some rides still require that the rider be able to walk or climb a ladder. It is a good idea to get a disability pass from the Information Center on arrival at the park; doing so makes it easier for staff to identify and assist disabled visitors. The pass will not grant a disabled person the right to jump the queue, but it does allow assisted access to rides via the exit gates rather than the more restrictive entrance gates.

See and do [ edit ]

Before diving into what each theme park has to offer there are several things that may affect guest experiences:

• The Extra Magic Hours allow guests staying in on-site hotels to enter the parks and select rides one hour before the official opening. Notable rides that are open during this time are Hyperspace and Big Thunder Mountains, Peter Pan's Flight, Crush's Coaster and Ratatouille Adventure.
• Disney Premier Access is paid skip-the-line option that allows visitors to bypass the regular standby line in 16 rides and is categorised into to two options. The ultimate option is paid for once and allows premier access to all 16 rides only once, while the one option is paid for once per ride. The more popular rides have a higher price.
• Single Rider is a separate queue for some rides, mostly rollercoasters, where the people waiting fill empty seats on the vehicles. It usually has much lower wait times than the regular queue but keep in mind your party will be separated.
• Baby Switch is a system for parents whose children do not meet the height requirements of certain rides. Both parents can enter the queue and then one can sit with the child while the other one goes on the ride. When the first one returns the second parent goes directly into the ride without having to queue all over again

Disney characters are scattered throughout the parks. Except for those with their exclusive meet and greets like Mickey Mouse and the Princesses in Fantasyland, all the other characters do not have a set schedule of appearing and are either found near their respective rides and lands or wandering about the park. Some characters may only appear on special occasions and not everyone appears in the park every day. Also keep in mind that many characters can be found both at Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios. The lines for meet n' greets may close quickly once the characters appear and except Mickey Mouse and the Princesses no other characters have set times of appearance. In general however, all of them will usually appear at any time between 10:00 and 15:00 before the main parade.

The wait times and advice given for some rides may not always be accurate and are highly dependent on crowd levels when you visit.

Disneyland Park [ edit ]

The main draw of the resort, Disneyland Paris opened on 12 April 1992 and is considered to be the most beautiful disneyland in the world. With 21 rides, multiple stage shows, a parade and a nighttime fireworks display, the park has enough to keep someone occupied for a full day. What places it above other theme parks however is its very rich and elegant theming of every aspect of the park from buildings and rides to pathways and shops. It has a circular shape and consists of five thematic lands that are connected to the central plaza, where the Sleeping Beauty Castle is located.

Main Street U.S.A. [ edit ]

The first land guests encounter, Main Street U.S.A. is a cobblestoned street that connects the entry plaza, called Town Square , to the central hub and Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is themed after an early 20th-century American town, inspired by Walt Disney's hometown, and its main draw are its multiple restaurants and shops.

• Disneyland Railroad — The Disneyland Railroad is a relaxing ride aboard four steampunk trains that start from Main Street do a 20-minute circle of the park with stops at every land except Adventureland. It is mainly a mode of transportation but also has some very good scenery and offers unique views on some rides like Pirates of the Caribbean. There is also a diorama between the Main Street and Frontierland stations where riders can see into the Grand Canyon! The station is directly above the park entrance.
• Main Street Vehicles — These unique vehicles go up and down Main Street and guests are able to hop on to any of them. They include a turn-of-the century fire truck, a double decker omnibus, a Cadilac limousine and a Mercer.
• Horse-Drawn Streetcars — Horse-drawn streetcars with same function as the Main Street vehicles.
• Shops — There are 12 shops on Main Street that sell all kinds of Disney-themed merchandise. The most popular and largest one is Emporium an early 20th-century department store that sells things like costumes, toys, accessories and pins. Other well-known shops are Flora's Unique Boutique (a Parisian-themed photography store), Plaza East & West Boutiques (sells a lot of Disneyland Paris souvenirs), Lilly's Boutique (with tablewear and decorative products) and the Boardwalk Candy Palace (with, you guessed it, lots of candy). You can even get a haircut at Dapper Dan's Haircuts !
• Liberty and Discovery Arcades — Two covered walkways running parallel to the east and west of Main Street. They are themed to the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Arcade) and the inventors of the 19th century (Discovery Arcade).

Fantasyland [ edit ]

Probably the most recognizable place in the park, Fantasyland is located directly behind the Sleeping Beauty Castle and is the largest land in the park with the most rides. It is themed after a European village with a lot of fairytale elements and is dedicated to the iconic disney characters and stories such as Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland. All of the Disney princesses can also be found here either roaming the land or in their exclusive meet n' greets. It is also home to many of the classic rides that the park is known for.

Fantasyland may close earlier than the rest of the park for the firework show.

• Sleeping Beauty Castle — The undeniable icon of Disneyland Paris, the pink-painted castle with its blue spires and beautiful gardens towers at over 50 m (167 feet) tall and is the tallest structure in the park. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, taking inspiration from the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and was constructed in a way that it could be seen from almost anywhere in the resort. Everyone can enter the castle and visit La Gallerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty Gallery), a walkthrough attraction that retells the story of princess Aurora through illustrated books, tapestries and stained glass windows. There is also La Taniere du Dragon (Dragon Cave), an atmospheric cave with an impressive animatronic dragon. It is accessible to from a pathway to the left of the castle (to the right from Fantasyland).
• Peter Pan's Flight (Premier Access) — One of the most iconic and famous disney rides anywhere has been enchanting people since opening day. In Peter Pan's Flight you board small pirate ships and fly with Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell above the nighttime sky and glittering lights of London to Neverland where you will see indians, mermaids and of course Captain Hook and his crew. The feeling of flying is achieved by holding the ships from the ceiling so that they never touch the ground. It is a truly beautiful and unmissable ride that will surely evoke nostalgia not only on children but probably on adults too. Due to its popularity however it usually averages wait times of 45-90 minutes most of the day. Better visited very early in the morning, at night or with Premier Access.
• It's A Small World — Jokingly called "happiest cruise on earth<", this ride is another classic where this time you board boats and set sail through colorful, sometimes cliche, displays celebrating different countries and cultures from around the world. It has pacifist, anti-racism message and there is a large number of animatronic dolls in every scene, meant to symbolize the children of the world, that also sing the ride's song. Rarely has a wait above 30 minutes due to its large capacity.
• Princess Pavillion — The Princess Pavillion small meet n' greet building next to It's A Small World, that hosts meet-and-greets with the disney princesses. The princess cast is not always the same but the most common princesses are Cinderella, Aurora, Belle and Ariel. The Pavillion has the longest lines in the park and the wait to meet the princesses can sometimes exceed two hours . If it's a priority better visit at opening (opens at 10:00) or before closing (it's usually closed by mid-afternoon).
• Meet Mickey Mouse — Another small building themed as a theater next to Peter Pan's Flight that houses a meet-and-greet, this time with Mickey Mouse. Guests head ackstage to meet and chat with famous mouse. Also a very popular and very crowded meet-and-greet. Better visited early (opens at 10:00) or at closing (closed by mid-afternoon).
• Blanche Neige et Les Sept Nains — A standard dark ride through the story of Snow White and how she defeated the evil witch with the help of the seven dwarves. While it has no height requirement, the ride has some scary scenes (a dungeon with hanging skeletons, a haunted forest, appearences from the evil witch) that may frighten younger children. Almost never has a long line.
• Les Voyages de Pinocchio — Another old-school dark ride located next to Snow White, this one goes through the story of Pinocchio and how he escaped the circus and returned back to this father Geppeto. Also has some scarier scenes (appearence from the whale Monstro and Pinocchio in a cage) that may frighten young children. Wait times usually below 30 minutes.
• Casey Jr Circus Train — A charming experience on a board a small train (called Casey Jr. hence the ride's name) that goes on a tour around miniature scenes from fairytales like Rapunzel's Tower from Tangled, Prince Eric's Castle from the Little Mermaid and Arendelle from Frozen. Lines above 30-40 minutes are rare. Opens later and closes earlier than the rest of Fantasyland.
• Le Pays des Contes Fees — The ride follows the same layout as Casey Jr, though this time guests are on boats with narrators and can get closer to the miniatures. Songs from the movies will be played on the boat when it is close. Less popular than Casey Jr always has short waits. Also opens later and closes earlier than the rest of Fantasyland.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant — The iconic spinner ride (and the only ride to be in every disneyland park in the world) where you can board small elephants and spin above Fantasyland. You can also control how high your elephant is going through a lever on the vehicle. The ride can be skippable if you don't have small children. If you intend to ride it visit early or late as it can build a fairly long line (30-60 minutes) from mid-morning to the afternoon.
• Mad Hatter's Teacups — Another classic spinning ride this time on board teacups that spin around themselves, themed after Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. For people prone to motion sickness, the spinning of the teacups is controllable by the riders but some spinning is unavoidable. The ride can be skippable if you don't have small children. Always has short waits.
• Alice's Curious Labyrinth — An enjoyable labyrinth themed after Alice in Wonderland. It features appearences from 21 characters from the film including Alice herself and, sometimes, a meet-and-greet with the Red Queen. Be sure to head up the queen's castle for some amazing views.

Adventureland [ edit ]

In the north-west corner of the park resides Adventureland. A tropical-themed area with heavy Arabian and Asian influences and a small island in the middle, the land is dedicated to the more adventurous characters such as Jack Sparrow, Indiana Jones and Aladdin and their many stories.

• Pirates of the Caribbean (Premier Access) — Located within a stone castle is another iconic Disney ride. In Pirates of the Caribbean guests board boats and go on a adventurous journey through the beautifully crafted, 17th-century world of Captain Jack Sparrow, visiting iconic locations like Dead Man's Cove and Isla de la Muerta. The ride also features appearences from the famous characters of the movie series (which was inspired by this ride) like Jack Sparrow, Captain Barbossa and Davy Jones. It is an unmissable experience that is fun for all ages. Despite it's popularity, Pirates of the Caribbean rarely has wait times above 45 minutes due to its high capacity (and has a very detailed queue). If it's still a lot ride it early, at night or with Premier Access.
• Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril (1.40 m height requirement, Premier Access) — The other ride in Adventureland, an outdoor rollercoaster in an ancient jungle temple (the Temple of Peril ) that is, vaguely, themed to Indiana Jones. It is a hit or miss but nevertheless a fun experience. The coaster has a full inversion and can be rough on some parts. The ride is popular so expect 30- to 45-minute waits in the afternoon. Ride it earlier or later in the day, with Premier Access or via Single Rider.
• Adventure Isle — The small island in the middle of Adventureland is fun to explore and has 3 attractions: La Cabane des Robinson (a large treehouse themed to the Robinson Family), the Pirate Galleon (a small pirate ship with interactive exhibits surrounded by a beach) and Skull Rock (inspired by the one in Peter Pan). It is one of the best places to let kids play in the park.
• Le Passage Enchante d'Aladdin — A walkthrough exhibit with miniature scenes retelling the story of Aladdin.

Frontierland [ edit ]

Situated on the southwest corner of the park, Frontierland is themed after the wild west. It is based on the fictional city of ''Thunder Mesa'', an American mining town of the late 19th century around Big Thunder Mountain.

• Big Thunder Mountain (1.02 m height requirement, Premier Access) — The famed orange mountain is situated inside the land's lake and can be seen from across the park. Its ride is a mine cart rollercoaster that dives below the lake, then emerging and zig-zagging around the very detailed and well-themed mountain and then diving again to emerge back in Thunder Mesa (the ride's entrance is not on the mountain itself). The coaster is a must-do as it is thrilling but also smooth and family-friendly. Big Thunder Mountain is the most popular ride in the park frequently posting 1-2 hour waits. Better experienced around park opening, with Premier Access, Single Rider or at night (the ambience of the mountain at night cannot be understated).
• Phantom Manor (Premier Access) — This classic ride is Disneyland Paris' version of the Haunted Mansion found in other Disney parks. Tucked away in a dilapidated brown manor, guests board two-person omnimovers and go for slow tour inside the hallways, rooms and gardens of the house discovering its story and seeing all the ghosts that now call it home. The ride is more fun and wacky than scary but younger children may be frightened by a few scenes. High capacity attraction almost never has a line above 30-40 minutes so good to go all day.
• Thunder Mesa Riverboad Landing — A leisurely experience on board two large, 19th-century paddle-steamer boats, called Mark Twain and Molly Brown, that do a 15-minute circle of the river around Big Thunder Mountain. The cruise is especially beautiful in the afternoon and at sunset.
• Frontierland Playground — A kids playground themed after the indian village from Pocahontas.
• Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery — A shooting arcade with interactive moving targets.

Discoveryland [ edit ]

The equivalent of the Tomorrowland found in other disney parks, Discoveryland is an idealized vision of tomorrow as imagined by European thinkers and explorers like Leonardo da Vinci, H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, with its retro-futuristic buildings and bright blue/brown colors.

• Hyperspace Mountain (1.20 m height requirement, Premier Access) — The highlight of the area and one of the highlights of the park as whole, Hyperspace Mountain is a large circular pyramid building located at the land's center. It houses an indoor rollercoaster that is now themed after the Star Wars franchise, taking the place of the original Space Mountain, where guests are launched on to high speed journey across the galaxy and see the battles between the Empire and the Resistance. An absolute must-do ride, be warned however that the coaster takes place in darkness and has 3 inversions so it may be rough for some people. Very popular ride with frequent wait times in the vicinity of 1 hour, it is better experienced early in the morning, at night and via Premier Access or Single Rider.
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast (Premier Access) — An interactive shooter dark ride themed after Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. Guests shoot lasers from the guns on their vehicles at targets with the Z insignia throughout the ride, competing with each other about who gets the highest score. It's a really fun experience and many visitors ride it more than once trying to beat each other. At the end is the Star Command rank where everyone is given a rank based on their scores. Also a very popular ride same advice applies here as in Hyperspace Mountain.
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (Premier Access) — Another Star Wars ride in the back of the land. This time it's a 3D-motion simulator (meaning that the vehicle also simulates movement seen on the screen) where guests board a spaceship and go on voyage with C-3PO in the world of Star Wars. The ride has more than 60 randomised scenes based on all the Star Wars movies and series so that every experience is completely unique. Not as popular as the previous rides. Its queue is also fun to wait built as an intergalactic space station with interactive talking robots.
• Autopia (Premier Access) — A car-driving attraction where you can board 1950s futuristic cars and go for a 5- to 6-minute drive. Riders can change only the speed of the car not its direction. It's especially fun for young children that can't drive but a skippable ride otherwise. Always has short lines except on the busiest of days.
• Orbitron — A spinner ride similar to Dumbo in Fantasyland but this time you board small spaceships and the height that your vehicle reaches is controllable by the riders. Very slow-loading with long lines, it is generally recommeded to skip this one as it is usually not worth the wait.
• Les Mysteres du Nautilus — A nice walkthrough attraction in the land's lagoon where you go down an actual submarine themed after the Nautilus from the stories of Jules Verne.
• Mickey's Philharmagic — A 12-minute, 4D show where Donald Duck leads a digital orchestra that plays famous songs from disney movies like Be Our Guest , You Can Fly and A Whole New World .

Walt Disney Studios Park [ edit ]

The resort's second theme park opened on March 16, 2002 and is themed after the world of Hollywood, Pixar and Marvel. Originally considered a very subpar theme park, it is now home to some excellent rides and shows. It is also undergoing a multi-phase refurbishment and expansion expected to be completed from late 2024 to 2026. If you are visiting the theme park before this time expect to see a lot of construction and closed-off areas.

Front Lot [ edit ]

The Front Lot functions as the park entrance and is home to Studio 1 , a large soundstage with an indoor boulevard , themed after a Hollywood studio with fake-facade buildings, restaurants and shops. Studio 1 will have have a lengthy refurbishment and retheme starting in April 2024 and will not be open to guests.

Production Courtyard [ edit ]

A small land that acts as the park's main plaza, Production Courtyard has two shows and the iconic Tower of Terror.

• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (1.02 m height requirement, Premier Access) — The park's icon and tallest building, the Tower of Terror is themed after the Hollywood Tower Hotel from the 1960s tv series The Twilight Zone. Guests enter the hotel to see the ride's preshow explaining how the hotel became cursed before boarding an elevator where they are visited by its ghosts. The elevator functions as drop tower launching and dropping riders on board multiple times inside the hotel (with some great views up top). The ride may be intense for some people. Very popular ride that can reach an hour worth of wait, plan to head here in the morning, late afternoon or with Premier Access.
• Disney Junior Dream Factory — A 20-minute live show in a steampunk factory setting where famous disney characters sing and dance.
• Stitch Live — A show where a digital Stitch appears on a screen and, with the help of computers, interacts and talks with guests

World of Pixar [ edit ]

This land is dedicated all-things Pixar. Guests can visit rides and eat at restaurants inspired by famous Pixar characters like Lightning McQueen, Ratatouille, Woody and Nemo.

• Ratatouille: The Adventure (Premier Access) — One of the two headliners of the land, Ratatouille: The Adventure is a 4D-dark ride where riders are "shrunk" to the size of a rat and travel through the world of Remy visiting the sewers, back alleys and Gusteau's Restaurant. It uses a mix of physical sets, projections and screens to give a more wholesome experience for the whole family and is the only one of its kind in the resort. Very popular with all guests the ride is best avoided from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, unless Premier Access is available (may sell out sometimes).
• Crush's Coaster (1.07 m height requirement, Premier Access) — The other major ride of the land, Crush's Coaster is an indoor, wild-mouse rollercoaster named after Crush from Finding Nemo. The 4-person, spinning turtle shells start calmly passing through a coral reef and an abandoned submarine, where guests meet Nemo and Bruce, before they start racing and spinning, simulating the feeling of being in the East Australian Current. Keep in mind that the ride is more intense than it seems and the spinning may affect guests with motion sickness. Crush's Coaster has by far the longest and most persistent lines in the park frequently staying at 60-90 minutes all day. Head there first thing in the morning or right before closing, or use Premier Access and Single Rider.
• RC Racer (1.20 m height requirement) — A flat ride based on RC Racer from Toy Story, it is an orange halfpipe rollercoaster where the vehicle travels up and down the semicircular track. The ride offers some thrills but it's short, around 1 minute. Head here early or otherwise skip it. It is usually not worth the long lines it gets during the day.
• Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (81 cm height requirement) — A small drop ride with green parachutes geared towards children and inspired by the toy soldiers from Toy Story. While it offers some great views it is short and slow and like the RC Racer it may not worth it's wait.
• Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin — A very small rollercoaster geared for younger children, where you board Slinky from Toy Story and go around a tiny circular track. Never has much of a wait.
• Cars Road Trip — A rethemed part of the now-closed Studio Tram Tour, guests are on a tram are wizzed through 3 scenes featuring characters from Pixar's Cars. Generally considered a bad ride and is unpopular with guests.
• Cars Quatre Roues Rallye — Another Cars attraction for young children, this time a flat ride with spinning cars. Never much of a wait.

Toon Studio [ edit ]

Toon Studio is a very small land nestled between Production Courtyard and the World of Pixar. It has two attractions.

• Magic Carpets of Aladdin — A spinning flat ride, like Dumbo and Orbitron at Disneyland Park, but instead of elephants and spaceships this time riders are on magic carpets in front of painted backdrop. Never has much of a wait but, again, it is geared towards younger children.
• Animation Academy — A themed gift shop.

Avengers Campus [ edit ]

The first land to open as part of the ongoing expansion, Avengers Campus is themed after the Marvel Superheroes and took the place of the former Hollywood Backlot. The land has two rides and many character meet-and-greets with the Marvel characters.

• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force (1.20 m height requirement, Premier Access) — Set inside the Avengers Headquarters , this is an indoor rollercoaster where guests ride through space with Iron Man and Captain Marvel as they fight the Kree. The queue is very detailed and has a preshow with an impressive Iron-Man animatronic. Keep in mind that the rollercoaster is fast, takes place mostly in darkness and has multiple inversions. Waits above 40-45 minutes very rare.
• Spiderman W.E.B. Adventure (Premier Access) — W.E.B. Adventure is an interactive shooter ride themed after Spiderman where guests shoot webs into moving targets, like Buzz Lightyear in Disneyland. Unlike Buzz Lightyear though there are only digital screens, riders now wear 3D glasses and shoot the webs with their hands. Very popular ride, it is usually clogged by crowds at midday and afternoon.
• Shows and Meet n' Greets — There are many small outdoor, interactive shows and meet n' greets with the superheroes throughout the land. They are not timed and happen randomly throughout the day.

Buy [ edit ]

If there is one thing you will never have a problem finding in Disneyland Paris it's stores. Various themed and general stores are spread liberally throughout the park, selling Disney merchandise and general memorabilia. They carry everything from pencils to books, from Indiana Jones fedora hats to Cinderella costumes. The sky is basically the limit on the money you can spend at Disneyland Paris: you can buy glass/crystal trinkets and sword replicas in the central castle. If you come to Disneyland Paris with children, be prepared to reach deep into your pockets. A set of goodies for a child will probably set you back approximately €50 . Add to this plush dolls, t-shirts and action figures, it's easy to spend €50-100 or more a head on "souvenirs".

The main shopping area of Disneyland Paris is Main Street USA . The largest store at Walt Disney Studios Paris is Disney Studio 1 , which you will see straight ahead after you enter the park. Disney Village has a large collection of retailers, including a Disney Store. In addition almost every ride in the park has a gift shop that you pass through at the exit, selling memorabilia connected to it.

Because of the sheer number of stores there is some variation in what they will stock. For example, a shop in Frontierland may sell different cuddly plush toys when compared to a store in Fantasyland. If you are after merchandise of a specific franchise or character then speak to a cast member.

Pin-trading [ edit ]

Pin-trading, while present, is not hyped as much as it is in the American parks. While you can still trade and buy pins and lanyards, you will find a smaller selection and fewer traders.

The main pin trading hub is the Pueblo Trading Post shop, found at the back of Frontierland next to the Pocahontas Indian Village play area. Except for special pin trading events, the shop is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. This is the only place in the entire park to buy Limited Edition or "mystery bag/box" pins, so if you're a pin fan then it's worth popping in for a look. There are also usually a few pin traders hanging around who are mostly happy to chat about pin trading and collecting.

Eat [ edit ]

Disneyland Paris sports many restaurants and bars that have mostly one thing in common: They're expensive, and in the parks themselves they're universally not very good. Vegan and vegetarian options are available in all restaurants. Takeaway food is easy to find thanks to the Disneyland Paris app. If you're not eating in your hotel then Disney Village offers better options, especially for lunch. Some are simple fast-food spots, others are quite fancy.

• The cheapest food on the premises can be bought at McDonald's. Unsurprisingly, they are much more expensive than any average McDonald's. The McDonald's in Disney Village is the largest in France and can become insanely busy at lunchtime.
• The primary place to eat, drink, shop and party is in the Disney Village, which contains some nicely-themed restaurants including King Ludwig's Castle, the very atmospheric Rainforest Café, and a nice steak house.
• Perhaps the most interesting ambiance can be had in "Captain Jack's — Restaurant des Pirates" which is built inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Prices are steep, but the atmosphere is very nice. You can also look in on the ride itself which can be very entertaining.
• If you booked yourself into a Disney hotel this includes breakfast - basically an all you can eat buffet of cereal, rolls, yogurt, and so on. The food is not fancy, but it'll feed you well. You should also get vouchers for food in the Park at least once (they may offer more than once depending on the booking situation). The food is the same, but you are admitted to the park one hour before it officially opens, giving you a head start to the rides. Not all the themed "lands" are open for this, you can get a list of the ones that are from your hotel. For instance "its a small world" doesn't open until 10:00 and Autopia (cars that the kids can drive) doesn't open until 12:30.
• There is the large shopping mall Val d'Europe located near the park (one stop west on RER A, also free parking is available). This may help if you are on a budget.
• Bring something to drink into the park with you - if you're walking around for hours, especially when it's hot, you will need a lot of liquid to avoid dehydration spoiling your day. Don't forget that drinks at kiosks are very expensive. If you bring a reusable water bottle you can refill it at various free drinking fountains that are scattered throughout the parks. The tap water is perfectly safe to drink.
• There are signs at the entrance stating that there is no picnicking inside the parks. However, this rule is not strictly enforced. Just don't climb all over the ornamental fenced-off grass.

The parks close early in the winter, spring and autumn so it is hard to eat dinner in the park after dark. Also, if you are visiting for a full day, it's a good idea to go to the park early then retire to the Disney Village for lunch, returning into the park later.

Sleep [ edit ]

Disneyland Paris is home to 6 onsite hotels and one offsite property. They vary in theming and pricing and all except the Disneyland Hotel and Davy Crockett Ranch offer free shuttle services to the parks and the Disney Village. Hotel guests are also eligible for free parking and the Extra Magic Hours, as referenced before, giving them one hour early access to select rides in the parks.

• The Disneyland Hotel (5*) is the resort's signature hotel. The instantly recognizable building is the most expensive and lavish of them all having recently received a fairytale retheme and offers exclusive experiences like princess meet n' greets and dining with characters like Belle or Cinderella. It is also in an ideal location right on the entrance of Disneyland, with great views of the firework show at night and 5 minutes away from Walt Disney Studios.
• New York Art of Marvel (4*) is located on the upper side of Lac Buena Vista and is considered a luxury hotel. It has a distinct New York feeling and has recently been rethemed to include Marvel characters with exclusive meet-and-greets. It has a swimming pool and is a 10 minute walking distance from the parks.
• Newport Bay (4*) is located on the southern side of Lac Buena Vista and is also considered a luxury hotel. It has a nautical style decor with blue rooftops, a swimming pool and offers Mickey and Friends character meet-and-greets. Also a 10-minute walk to the parks.
• Sequoia Lodge (3*) is located on the eastern side of Lac Buena Vista and is considered a moderate hotel. It has a beautiful national park theme with wooden brown buildings and lots of trees. It also offers Mickey and Friends character meet n' greets, a swimming pool and a bar with log fire. 10-minute walk from the parks.
• Hotel Cheyenne (2*) is located on Rue du Boeuf Agile and is a value hotel with a Wild West theme. It is the resort's largest hotel with multiple buildings creating a small "town" and is located 15-20 minutes from the parks. Hosts meet-and-greets with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story.
• Hotel Santa Fe (2*) is located directly opposite Hotel Cheyenne and is also a value hotel and the cheapest. With the same small "town" feel and orange colored buildings, it has a Cars theme and hosts Mickey and Friends character meet n' greets. Again a 15- to 20-minute walk from the parks.
• The Davy Crockett Ranch is an offsite property situated 15 minutes drive away. It is quite different from the other hotels and consists of separate motel style accommodation with cooking facilities. There is also a shop (open late), a swimming pool, horse rides and a petting zoo. There is no shuttle service to the parks.

All Disneyland Paris' hotels are generally expensive . The price for a double room in Hotel Santa Fe, the cheapest, can easily run up to €400-500 /night. The luxury/moderate/value characterisations are made in comparison to the other on-site hotels and do not apply to the rest of Paris.

Other hotels [ edit ]

Except for the above there are many hotels around the resort mostly in Val d'Europe. Most of these offer transport to the park and have generally lower prices but they don't have a Disney theme and may not be part of special packages and perks provided for guests of the official Disney hotels. A special category are the 5 Disney Partner hotels:

• Hotel L'Elysee Val D'Europe
• Stay City Aparthotels Paris Marne-La-Vallee
• Ki Space Hotel and Spa
• Aparthotel Adagio Serris - Val D'Europe
• B&B Hotel

It is best not to limit yourself in Disney or Disney-affiliated hotels if you are travelling on a tight budget and planning to stay close to the resort, but expand your research to the entire Marne-La-Vallee area and the surrounding villages.

• 48.85855 2.78602 1 Aparthotel Adagio Serris - Val D'Europe , 18 Cours de l'Elbe , ☏ +33 164173200 , fax : +33 164173201 , [email protected] . Another cheaper, self-catering option. Free shuttle bus to and from the parks. Apartments spacious, comfortable and self-catering. Designed on the model of a private mansion house, with decor combining an urban style with the spirit of an English garden-city, the residence is next to one of Europe's largest shopping centres.  
• 48.85537 2.80819 2 Radisson Blu Hotel Paris, Marne-La-Vallee , 40 Allée De La Mare Houleuse , ☏ +33 1 60 43 64 00 , [email protected] . The Radisson Blu hotel is ideal for those wanting a bit more space, this modern hotel also boasts the Disneyland Golf course on its door-step so it is ideal for golfing enthusiasts.  

Talk [ edit ]

Communication should not be an issue for English-speaking visitors. Although Disneyland Paris is mainly French as you'd expect, all menus and signs are also available in English and some in other languages. All Cast Members speak English; and as they are recruited from all over Europe, several of them speak more than three languages. If all else fails, your fellow park visitors are from all over Europe and around the world, so a bystander might be able to translate for you. Besides French, many signs are also written in English and sometimes German as they are the three most commonly used languages in Disneyland.

Connect [ edit ]

Mail [ edit ].

You can buy postcards and stamps at most shops in the park. Mailboxes exist in some central locations. Ask the shopkeepers about the postage required to your destination.

Internet [ edit ]

The park does offer wifi access thorough the parks. Use the official Disneyland Paris app.

Go next [ edit ]

• Val d'Europe [dead link] is the first stop from Marne-la-Vallee on RER A.

Or visit the other Disneyland parks worldwide at:

• Walt Disney World in Florida .
• Disneyland Resort in California .
• Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan .
• Hong Kong Disneyland in Hong Kong .
• Shanghai Disney Resort in China

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Your ultimate guide for getting to Disneyland® Paris

The enchanting home of Mickey Mouse, Sleeping Beauty Castle and countless other marvels has long been a popular choice for holidaymakers looking to experience a magical getaway.

Disneyland® Paris is an enchanting destination for adults and children alike; a place where families and friends can make memories to last a lifetime. And with this summer offering a host of extra-special shows, night-time extravaganzas and exhilarating attractions, there’s no better time to pay a visit.

How to get to Disneyland® Paris from the UK

British voyagers looking to escape the everyday with a trip to Disneyland® Paris have plenty of options when it comes to travel – whether you prefer to take your own car across the Channel, hop on a train from London, or pick up a plane ticket from a low-cost airline. 

Drive your car from Folkestone to Calais via LeShuttle (previously known as the Eurotunnel); it takes around 35 minutes. After arriving in France, continue your journey on the motorway for approximately just over three hours and you’ll arrive at Disneyland® Paris.

Get a ferry

Drive your car to Dover and then board a P&O Ferry to Calais, which takes 90 minutes. Once in Calais, around a three-hour drive will take you to Disneyland® Paris.

Onboard the ferry, you can enjoy shopping at discount prices in a host of duty free stores, refuel with a coffee or a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, or simply stretch your legs and take in the sea air.

Plus, with no luggage restrictions on ferries, you can pack all of your essentials and still have room for those special Disney souvenirs you might pick up – without having to worry about excess baggage fees.

Take the train

The Eurostar remains a firm favourite for those heading to the parks. Take the Eurostar from London’s St. Pancras International to Lille Europe, where you can change onto a high-speed train (TGV) to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy station. 

This station is directly opposite Disneyland® Paris and only two minutes walk away from the parks and hotels.

Enhance your experience with the Disney Express luggage service to deliver your bags straight to your Disney® Hotel, so you can head straight to the parks.

Book a direct flight

For those who prefer to fly, several UK airports offer direct flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), also known as Roissy, or Paris Orly (ORY) airports.

Various airlines offer low-cost tickets and operate daily flights from cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol. The flight time to France is roughly an hour, making it a speedy option. 

After landing, you can take the Magic Shuttle bus, operating seven-days-a-week, from either airport directly to Disneyland® Paris for a swift transfer, which takes approximately 45 minutes. 

How to get to Disneyland® Paris if you're already in the French capital

Whether you’re winding up a romantic holiday in Paris or embarking on a family adventure, a visit to Disneyland® Paris is often a must-do when in the region.

Conveniently located just east of Paris, the parks are easy to get to from the French capital and offer a magical escape for visitors of all ages. 

Travel by rail

Take the RER A regional train from the French capital to several major stations in Paris, including Châtelet–Les Halles, Gare de Lyon and Nation.

Look for trains headed towards Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, the journey time from the French capital is about 35 minutes. You’ll arrive right on the doorstep of Disneyland® Paris – and the parks are just two minutes walk away from the train station. 

Drive to the parks

If you’re renting a car, or taking your own, Disneyland® Paris is approximately a 45km drive from Paris.

If you’re staying at a Disney® Hotel, you can park for free at your hotel or in the parks. There are also two paid car parks – one at the Disney Parks entrance and the other at Disney Village® entrance. 

Hop on a shuttle bus

The Disneyland® Paris Express shuttle bus runs from four locations in the heart of Paris: Gare du Nord, Eiffel Tower, Opéra and Châtelet.

Buses depart from these four locations between 8-9am and arrive at Disneyland® Paris at around 9.45am. You can buy bus tickets from selected Paris hotels. 

Or, if you’re coming straight from either the Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly airports, a Magical Shuttle bus offers a direct link to the parks in approximately 45 minutes.

Whichever way you choose to get to Disneyland® Paris, the journey doesn't have to be stressful. With a little planning, you can make sure your holiday begins the moment you set off. As Walt Disney himself said: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” So why not book a magical trip to look forward to?

Become part of a magical world this summer at Disneyland® Paris

Book now to experience the wonder of Disneyland ® Paris this summer. For example, you could enjoy an unforgettable stay for £133 per person, per night*, including:

• Three nights of Wild West fun at Disney Hotel Cheyenne
• Four-day tickets for the whole family to explore both Disney parks 
• Extra Magic Time** in the parks, giving you even more time to join in the festivities, exclusively available to Disney ® Hotel guests 

Plus, enjoy a free P&O Ferries crossing*** when you book by 1 July 2024, for arrivals between 9 May 2024 - 30 September 2024. Price example* available for arrivals 24 July - 31 August, based on two adults and two children travelling.

*Price example calculated by dividing the package price of £1,593.54 by four people (two adults and two children aged three-11 years old) and three nights. Price includes local taxes per night per adult 18 and above, and is rounded up to the next pound. Valid for arrivals between 24 July - 31 August 2024 sharing a Woody's Roundup Standard room at Disney Hotel Cheyenne for three nights and includes a four-day Disneyland® Paris ticket per person. Price example subject to change depending on time of booking. Limited availability at that price. Conditions apply.

**Extra Magic Time: conditions are subject to those at the time of publishing. Extra Magic Time is subject to availability and may vary across Disney® Parks. Please visit disneylandparis.co.uk or call 0800 169 0737 for more information.

*** Free P&O Ferries Crossing is valid for new Disneyland® Paris package bookings made between 2 May 2024 - 1 July 2024 (inclusive) for arrivals between 9 May 2024 - 30 September 2024 (inclusive). Offer valid for all P&O Ferries crossings displayed on disneyholidays.co.uk/disneyland-paris within the offer booking period. Offer is limited to one car carrying up to six occupants per booking. Offer is combinable with other offers subject to respective terms and conditions

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A Guide To Disneyland Parks Around The World

• Disneyland is a world of joy, wizardry, fantasy, and wonderful characters that should be on everyone's vacation bucket list.
• Hong Kong Disneyland is known for its impressive animatronics and convenient location near the airport.
• Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is the most popular and well-known of the Disney theme parks, with endless hotel options and a wide range of attractions and experiences.

Disneyland is a world of joy , wizardry, fantasy, and wonderful characters. Initially developed for Walt Disney's daughters, the park's design and structure reflect Disney's preference for nostalgic feelings and imagination. For most individuals, a trip to Disneyland is on their vacation bucket list. With the winter holiday approaching, a trip to Disney could make the season even more magical .

Exploring and enjoying the wonderland of Disney is something people must do at least once in their lives. To provide more information, here are the fantastic and extravagant Disneyland theme parks that exist worldwide!

UPDATE: 2023/11/04 16:37 EST BY NOAH STAATS

Disney Continues To Assert Its Brand Power Worldwide

With Disney constantly expanding across the globe, it's no shock people flock to these theme parks in droves. This article has been expanded to rank which Disney park is best, as well as tips for future visitors. Have fun, and enjoy the magic!

Related: This Medieval Castle-Turned Palace Looks Like It's Straight Out Of A Disney Fairytale

Disneyland In Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong’s Disneyland is one of the ideal locations for a fun-filled family vacation. It is one of Asia's largest and greatest Disney worlds, which attracts a bunch of visitors from all over the world. What’s more interesting is that it is convenient for people who come on vacation because it is located near the airport. Hongkong Disneyland does not only have different amusement parks and live acts as well as new additions each year. They can also keep the people captivated for the whole duration of the entertaining tour with their larger-than-life toys, fireworks, a parade of characters, and other imaginative, themed attractions.

• Known for animatronics : Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the more impressive parks regarding animatronic figures and guest experiences.

RELATED: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need To See The Best Of Disneyland (If You Only Have A Weekend)

Tokyo Disneyland, Japan

Disney World, which has seven different lands that represent various geographical places, provides guests with a multitude of possibilities to explore. It is known as the third most visited Disney theme park in the world due to the blend of Disney charm and Japanese efficiency. The park was developed to give guests a three-dimensional impression of iconic Disney movies. Additionally, one of the most popular attractions of Tokyo Disneyland is the Tower of Terror, a free-fall extreme e-ride. Overall, it is popular with adults and children, and it offers a variety of rides for people of various ages and dispositions.

• Much like Orlando : Tokyo Disneyland is one of the closer parks in terms of rides and aesthetics to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida

Walt Disney World in Florida is the second Disneyland theme park that has been built. Inside, four separate theme parks will exceed all the visitors’ expectations. The most popular among the four theme parks is Magic Kingdom, a home for the most exciting live events that include Space Mountain and the Castle of Cinderella. There are also restaurant alternatives for every style, taste, and price, from counter-service selections to casual, family-friendly restaurants to exquisite, specialty cuisine. Aside from having live acts and exquisite restaurants, the park also has Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon that cannot be missed out on by the guests.

• Guest favorite : Disney World in Orlando has repeatedly been recognized as the most popular and well-known of the theme park catalog among visitors.

Disneyland In Paris, France

Disneyland Paris offers seven themed Disney hotels and Villages Nature Paris, a multi-day two world-class theme park. It is the number one destination for guests from Europe. A Fantasyland that offers rides and has the most beautiful magic kingdom style ever built. It combines a strong blend of fun, captivating architecture, sophisticated visual design, and sheer nostalgia for which Disney is famous. Whether with family, friends, or loved ones, there's always something new to discover at Disneyland Paris.

• Absolutely gorgeous : Disneyland Paris is one of the most unique Disney parks, boasting French design, food, and special guest experiences.

RELATED: This Is Why Disneyland California Is Just As Much Fun For Adults As It Is For Kids

Disneyland in Anaheim, California

The first, oldest, and largest enchanted theme park was built by Walt Disney himself. A day is not enough to explore the park, for it has nine different themed zones. It is called a Mecca for tourists that come from around the world. Inside, it has a collection of adventurous rides and the castles of Disney characters. Disneyland is undoubtedly a magical place where youngsters and the young at heart discover that their dreams may turn out to be true.

• Where it all started : Disneyland in California is where all of this started. It's smaller but definitely worth a trip for those wanting to see the birthplace of the parks.

Shanghai Disney Resort, China

Shanghai Disneyland is a fun-filled place with lots of creativity, thrills, and adventures. It was the first Disney theme park in China and was known as the biggest international resort. Exciting live acts and the tallest theme castles can be found here. The Garden of Imagination is one of the attractive theme parks in Shanghai Disneyland, for it covers Chinese Zodiac Murals. What’s interesting in Shanghai Disneyland is that on Mickey Avenue, the guests can freely walk along and hug and take photos with Mickey and his friends. Aside from that, there is also a Disney town where guests can do the shopping and a grand theater where they can enjoy watching the performance of Lion King.

• First Disney park in China : Shanghai Disneyland was monumental for Disney and the Chinese government, later done again in Hong Kong.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, California, USA

Disney’s Hollywood Studios was Walt Disney’s 3rd theme park. During the introduction of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in 2019, this Park has undergone a lot of alterations over the years and enlarged its area by 11 acres. This theme park not only provides attractions and entertainment but also educates. With Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can experience the old-time atmosphere, colorful shops, and bistros with this nostalgic feeling of the past. The guests are more indulged and looking forward to the Fantasmic, an event during the nighttime with picturesque characters, waterfront effects, lasers, and fireworks.

• Hollywood meets Disney : This park is one of the smaller ones in Disney's catalog, but it boasts plenty of live entertainment and has great food and fireworks.

RELATED: If Disneyland Is The Happiest Place On Earth, Then These Disneyland Restaurants Are Making Us The Hungriest

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA

A Disney theme park with wild creatures, exotic jungle treks, high-speed adventures, and Pandora—The World of Avatar. It has a mountain that is floating and allows guests to hover after they glide around Pandora. Their parade of characters takes place in the water where flotillas are used. One of the famous restaurants inside the park is the Flame Tree barbecue, where one-half of the chicken that has been smoked is excellent. Extravagant animal exhibits and theme park offerings are the main attractions of the place. There are many things guests may not know about Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL .

• African-themed safari : Animal Kingdom brings the exotic jungle and African culture to Orlando.

Epcot In Florida, USA

A theme park in Walt Disney that commemorates culture, community, achievements, progress, and latest innovations. Epcot is divided into four different main themed areas, namely Neighborhoods, World Celebrations, World Discovery, and World Showcase. The park has a total of 10 rides, and most of them are not involved in a moving vehicle. One of the main theme areas in Epcot provides a showcase of pavilions highlighting storytellers who describe every nation’s heritage, the enjoyable performance of a mass choir, and the appearance of celebrities re-enacting the spirit of Christmas.

• Perfect for adults : EPCOT has regularly been considered the 'adult park' within the Disney World Resort.

DisneySea In Tokyo, Japan

DisneySea is a theme park related to the stories and myths of the sea. It is located next to Tokyo Disneyland. DisneySea was made specifically for a more grown-up audience but is also suitable for all ages. The seven themed ports are the main attractions of the park, where there are large boats and water fountains. Overall, DisneySea is a completely developed conceptual park with an effective application.

• Great for nautical Disney lovers : DisneySea is a specialty park in Japan focused on water and sea life.

These are real-life places where Disney movies were made or based on .

So... Which Disney Park Is The Most Fun?

Although there are many Disney parks worldwide, the Magic Kingdom continues to bring the most people and be the "favorite." Here, guests can enjoy the massive, multi-park resort complex, with new rides and experiences being added each year. One of the nice parts about Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is that it often sees new things first. Disney tests the waters here over other parks, hence why it has such an extensive ride list, restaurant selection, and guest experience.

Disney World in Florida also offers people endless hotel options, with 20+ themed resorts nearby. It's an amazing campus of magic and themed spaces, bringing millions of visitors annually. Although Asia, Europe, and California have a park, none beat Disney World in Orlando. That's a fact!

These affordable hotels in Disney World may be worth considering.

• Best Disney Park : The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.

Disney Company Closes Flagship Location After Nearly 30 Years, New Business Moves In

in Disney Parks , Disneyland Paris

One of Disney’s flagship locations closed permanently, being replaced by a popular retail store.

Related: Mother Set Aflame at Disney World After “Disrespectful” Incident

While roller coasters and dark rides are the most popular activities to enjoy while on a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World, there are plenty of alternative experiences to be found. Guests are encouraged to shop until they drop at the Disney parks, as well as enjoy a wide range of culinary experiences.

One of the most iconic places to shop for Disney merchandise is none other than the Disney Store. The first Disney Store location opened in 1987 in California, forever changing the way fans of Disney interact with the brand. Eventually, dozens more Disney Stores were built. Today, fans will find around 300 different stores worldwide, though this number continues to drop as more locations close.

This disappointing trend continues, with Europe’s flagship Disney Store closing permanently and being replaced by Levi’s.

This was confirmed by DLP Report.

The flagship Disney Store space on Champs Élysées in central Paris which closed almost a year ago reopened earlier this month as a Levi’s Store: pic.twitter.com/gyIEVTtlk5 — DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 16, 2024

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The Disney Store, located on Paris’s elegant shopping street known as Champs-Élysées, closed last summer after nearly 30 years of operation, with popular clothing and denim brand Levi’s taking over the space. This location used to be considered a flagship store for The Walt Disney Company.

Guests could find all kinds of Disney goodies within this location, with a grand staircase connecting the two floors. The Champs-Élysées Disney Store featured a variety of Paris-exclusive merchandise as well as tons of secrets and easter eggs for fans to discover and explore.

Related: On the Chopping Block: Classic Disney World Ride from 1971 Now Under “Sensitivity” Review

This trend continues inside the actual Disneyland Paris Resort, which is currently undergoing its largest transformation ever, with several areas, locations, buildings, and attractions closing to make way for new experiences. The European resort is comprised of two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, the latter of which was recently renamed.

Disneyland Paris announced this name change earlier this year , announcing that the park will now be known as Disney Adventure World. This name gives the theme park more creative freedom and room to create new and exciting rides and attractions.

Along with these changes at the two theme parks, Disney Village, which acts as Disneyland Paris’ version of places like Disney Springs and Downtown Disney, has also changed significantly, with multiple iconic storefronts and restaurants closing forever.

Disneyland Paris is full of exciting rides and attractions but also honors Disney’s legacy by featuring a wide range of classic experiences. Fans will find all of the “classics” at Disneyland Paris, like Pirates of the Caribbean, “it’s a small world,” and of course, Haunted Mansion. However, Disneyland Paris’s version of the Haunted Mansion is unlike anything guests have seen, with the European location named Phantom Manor.

This spooky dark ride takes guests on an entirely new story where ghosts and spirits abound.

Stay tuned here for all future Disney theme park news updates.

Guide To The Best Treats at Disneyland

Posted on Published: 05/21/2024

I love rides, but I also love to eat. When you visit Disneyland Resort, you need to get the full experience – trying some of the unique delicious treats in between all of the fun rides. In my opinion, some of the best Disneyland foods are the sweet treats you can find in the two parks, the resorts, and Downtown Disney.

During my first trip to Disneyland with my son, we were on a mission to try as many Disneyland treats as we could. We were very successful, so on our most recent trip, we revisited some of our favorites.

Here are some of the best treats at Disneyland California, as well as some tips and guidelines for trying all of these great treats (as well as some other special ones).

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. A click through/purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. We’ve received some discounted/complimentary admissions but have also paid our own way.

Save money on your Disneyland tickets and your Southern California vacation by booking through Get Away Today . You can also save $10 on your Southern California vacation of 2 days or more with the code FTM10. 

You can’t have a best Disneyland treat list without including most people’s all-time favorite, the Dole Whip. This dairy-free frozen treat (similar to soft serve ice cream), was created by the Dole company but is very popular at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

At Disneyland Park , you can get these popular treats at the Tropical Hideaway or the Tiki Juice Bar. Both are located in Adventureland, right by the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Dole Whip options include the classic Dole Whip pineapple flavor, a Dole Whip float, or other flavors including Strawberry and Mango. When I was there this winter, they offered a special Chili-Mango Whip which was my all-time favorite Dole Whip.

Not going into the parks? You can also pick up a Dole Whip at Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel.

Cookie Num Num

Do you love chocolate chip cookies? One of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve had is the Cookie Num Num. It’s available at Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums on Pixar Pier at Disneyland’s California Adventure . You’ll find this tiny snack stand right by the entrance of the Incredicoaster.

The Jack Jack Cookie Num Num is a large cookie, and you’ll need plenty of napkins. We tend to share this treat because it is pretty large and very rich, but it’s also delicious.

Beignets aren’t specifically a Disneyland California treat, but you can get some delicious ones right at Disneyland. There are several locations to find them.

Within Disneyland Park, you’ll find Mickey-shaped beignets at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square (pick up a refreshing, non-alcoholic Mint Julep while you are there). They offer traditional beignets in addition to seasonal flavors. You can also get a seasonal filled beignet at Tiana’s Palace in New Orleans Square.

Outside the parks, you can get beignets at Beignets Expressed, adjacent to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio at Downtown Disney . There are signature beignets in addition to glazed beignets. Different dipping sauces are also available.

My favorite of these options are the Mickey beignets. Although they are all delicious, these are my favorites.

Disneyland Churros

While you can get churros at Walt Disney World in Florida, the churro selection at Disneyland California is next level! You’ll find them at churro carts throughout the two theme parks and Downtown Disney. There are different varieties, as well as different dipping sauces that you can purchase in addition to your churro.

While not specific to the Disney parks, popcorn is certainly a popular Disneyland treat and one of the most iconic snacks. You can find this ubiquitous snack in popcorn carts almost everywhere you turn.

Disney often releases special edition popcorn buckets that can be refilled for a lower fee after your first purchase. These can be very popular and often result in long queues waiting for the opportunity to purchase one.

Churro Toffee

I was introduced to churro toffee on my recent Disneyland trip. This treat includes toffee in the center, with a churro coating surrounding it. It’s pretty rich, despite being small, so it’s good to share or save some for later.

I got my churro toffee at Marceline’s Confectionery in Downtown Disney, but it’s available at a few other places on the property.

CrazyShake® Milkshakes

These aren’t a Disney treat, but they are available at Downtown Disney. Offered at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Beer, CrazyShake Milkshakes are huge milkshakes that you can eat with a spoon. I’d recommend sharing one because they are gigantic.

Peanut Butter Blondie Cookie

These delicious, gigantic peanut butter cookies are sold at the quick-service restaurant at the Grand Californian , GCH Grill. Even if you aren’t staying at this resort, you can visit the restaurant and get your cookie. While you are there, we recommend trying one of the delicious Poke Bowls.

Surprisingly, one of the popular Disneyland treats is a pickle. These are served in little bags that you can use to eat your pickle on the go. Various varieties are offered, including sour, Tapetio, kosher and dill pickles.

Tips For Getting These Disneyland Treats

We recommend the following when trying these various Disneyland treats.

• Use mobile ordering where possible. Look on the Disneyland app to see where you can mobile order, because it’s a great way to save time in line.
• Sharing some of the larger treats is a great way to try many different things.
• Some treats, like churro toffee and the Peanut Butter Blondie cookie, can be brought back to your room and enjoyed later in the day
• Use the mobile app to find the location of any treats you absolutely want to try.

Special Events

Disneyland offers different special events throughout the year, like Lunar New Year, the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, and Sweetheart’s Night. During these events, special, limited-edition treats are offered.

These are often very popular, and lines can be long through the events. For some of the Disney California Adventure events, you can order everything you want at one booth, and then show your receipt at the food counter. That will save you time in standing in all of the lines.

When these events are going on, I tend to eat at the kiosks for lunch. It’s often some of the best food at Disneyland.

For other events, mobile ordering may be available. Do that as early as possible, because the wait time for mobile ordering of the best snacks gets longer as the night goes on.

What is your favorite treat at Disneyland?

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We Got a First Look Inside Disney's Newest Theme Park Land — Here’s Everything to Know About Fantasy Springs

We rode every ride and ate everything at Fantasy Springs — the newest land at Tokyo DisneySea.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Frozen Kingdom

• Rapunzel’s Forest

Peter Pan’s Never Land

• Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel
• How to Access Fantasy Springs

Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

In Disney's newest land, fantasy meets real life with adventures and eateries inspired by "Peter Pan," "Frozen," and "Tangled."

Aptly called Fantasy Springs, it's the newest themed land and the eighth “port of call” at nautically themed Tokyo DisneySea, a theme park regarded as one of the very best in the world thanks to its super-immersive, larger-than-life design and unique attractions.

As you walk through the land’s entrance between Arabian Coast and Lost River Delta, a cinematic score with musical themes pulled from Disney films builds as you approach the stunning carved rockwork featuring Peter Pan, Anna and Elsa, and Rapunzel — along with several of their companions — amid colorful blooms and waterfalls. The lush landscaping and intricate carvings continues throughout the springs with dozens of Disney characters hidden (and not-so-hidden) in coves and grottos spread from the entrance to the new Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel.

Fantasy Springs officially opens on June 6, but we got a first look at the land’s rides, restaurants, and gorgeous mini-lands themed to favorite Disney stories. So, after riding every new attraction (several times!), taste-testing all the new food items, and exploring the land before it opens to the public next month — here’s everything you need to know about Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, broken down by each mini-land.  

Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Step into the world of Arendelle in Frozen Kingdom. The gorgeous land inspired by the hit Disney film series features a restaurant — the Royal Banquet of Arendelle — located inside Arendelle Castle, Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey attraction, and, not to mention, some of the prettiest bathrooms I’ve ever seen at a Disney park. 

Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey 

A stunning retelling of the events of the original “Frozen” movie, this 6.5-minute boat ride showcases stellar audio-animatronic figures singing beloved songs from the film including “For the First Time in Forever” and “Let It Go.” Throughout the attraction, guests sail forward and backward through beautiful scenes — including a few that incorporate mind-blowing effects that make the journey all the more immersive. Of the four all-new Fantasy Springs rides, this was my favorite, thanks to the impressive show scenes (using primarily practical sets, rather than screens), fluid ride movement that drives the storytelling, and the inclusion of the most popular songs from the movie. These details also make the ride a unique experience compared to the existing “Frozen” attractions in other Disney parks. 

And like all the attractions in this new land, the audio is completely Japanese, but guests familiar with the stories will have no trouble following along, no matter what language they speak. 

Royal Banquet of Arendelle

Join a celebratory banquet and explore the halls of Arendelle at this new “Frozen”-themed counter-service restaurant. Here, guests can indulge in “Arendelle’s Royal Set,” with a warm savory pie, potatoes, salad, dessert, and a fluffy roll. Guests used to the American parks may be surprised to find that each dining location (throughout the Tokyo parks) only has a couple of menu options, so definitely check out the offerings ahead of time so you know where to find the dishes you want to try. 

 Oaken’s OK Foods 

This snack stand, inspired by the cheerful Oaken, serves Oaken’s Yoo-Hoo Bread. It’s a cardamom-flavored bread filled with Scandinavian-inspired meat with lingonberry jam for a delightful mix of sweet, savory, and spiced. 

Related: More Disney news and vacation ideas

Rapunzel’s Forest 

This “Tangled”-themed land is instantly recognizable thanks to Rapunzel’s soaring tower. Rapunzel’s Forest is home to the Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival ride and The Snuggly Duckling quick-service restaurant. 

Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival 

Sail through iconic scenes from the fan-favorite movie during Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, a peaceful five-minute boat ride. Seeing Rapunzel sing from her tower high in the sky is a highlight of the beginning of the attraction, but the beautiful recreation of the lantern festival scene is undoubtedly the best part of the romantic ride. 

The Snuggly Duckling

The Pub Thugs’ favorite hangout, The Snuggly Duckling comes to life at this quick-service restaurant just steps from the ride. Find a cheeseburger, fried shrimp burger (my preferred option of the two burgers), milk tea, and a Dutch baby-adjacent dessert served in a plastic  mini frying pan (a reference to Rapunzel’s weapon of choice). 

Join Peter Pan and the Lost Kids in Never Land, a sizeable mini-land with plenty of space to play in the shadow of smoking mountains that look like they’re straight out of the animated film. This land has two rides plus a recreation of Captain Hook’s Jolly Roger ship and a quick-service restaurant. 

Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure

Board a boat and get sprinkled with pixie dust to take off on an adventure to save John from the pirates on this six-minute motion simulator dark ride. After a cute pre-show, guests will don their 3D glasses and take off on an adventure through Never Land and the skies of London. The ride uses a mix of practical sets and 3D motion simulators to give guests the feeling that they’re really flying alongside the Lost Kids. The motion is very smooth, and I loved the final sequence where you fly from London back to Never Land — it’s charming and even a little thrilling. 

Guests must be 102 cm or taller to ride, and guests who struggle with severe motion sickness on motion simulators may want to consider sitting this one out — but don’t worry, there’s another ride in this land for you. 

Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies

This adorable two-minute ride takes guests on an outdoor journey through the four seasons of Pixie Hollow. Darling scenes and fun details (like the scent of honey when you pass the bees) make this a great attraction for younger guests. 

Lookout Cookout

This counter-service restaurant serves up snack boxes filled with fried chicken tenders, seaweed fritters, shrimp chips, and more (I loved the butter chicken flavor), plus a kiwi-flavored Pixie Dust Soda. You can also find the roast beef popcorn wagon (specially flavored popcorns are a big deal at Tokyo Disney!) nearby. 

Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel 

Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel offers two distinct hotel concepts overlooking Fantasy Springs. Fantasy Chateau is a deluxe hotel with 419 guest rooms and easy access to the new land, and Grand Chateau is a luxury hotel — the highest-level hotel at the resort — with just 56 rooms and exclusive amenities. The pastel hotel has a whimsical art nouveau design with Disney princess-inspired touches throughout the rooms and common spaces. Downstairs, there’s also a park-facing shop, Fantasy Springs Gifts. 

How to Access Fantasy Springs 

To enter Fantasy Springs, guests will need to obtain either a free standby pass or a Disney Premier Access pass for an eligible attraction (for a fee). Currently, the only attraction that does not offer Premier Access is Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies. Guests staying at the new hotel and those who have purchased eligible vacation packages can also access the land with a 1-Day Passport . Find more information on the Tokyo Disney website.  

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