There were people who ended up losing their minds trying to understand how to get around Disneyland, how to do it with children, and what happens with the queues… There were others who, out of sheer stress, began to suffer hallucinations of Mickey Mouse with the body of Freddy Krueger… As we don't want anything strange to happen to you, we have prepared a mini-guide with a few tips for visiting Disneyland Paris !
Tips for traveling to Disneyland Paris
To ensure that your dream of visiting Disneyland doesn't turn into a nightmare, we've put together the main questions and doubts that we all have before setting foot in the most famous amusement park in the world. If you have any further questions, leave us a comment and we'll be happy to help you.
0. Plan your trip well, the best advice we can give you
This is one of those trips that can't be done on the fly: before your visit, do some research on the park's attractions, shows, and schedules. Use the official Disneyland Paris website or mobile app to check show times, attraction wait times, and make reservations if necessary.
Remember that there are two different parks: Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios . In this post we focus on the first one 🙂
1. Where to buy tickets for Disneyland Paris
You can do it on the official website but be careful, sometimes it is more expensive than the offers that are available on the Internet. If you are only interested in the entrance to Disneyland Paris Park , a good idea is to buy it here . A very good option if you also need transportation to the Park is to buy them on the Civitatis website. They have this offer that includes:
- Panoramic bus from/to Paris to/from Disneyland (1h journey)
- Entrance to Disneyland Paris Park
2. How to get from Paris to Disneyland on your own?
If you want to visit Disneyland Paris without spending too much, the best way to get there is by public transport. The easiest and cheapest option is the RER line A train , which connects the centre of Paris with the park in about 40 minutes .
Summarizing:
- Head to any RER A station in Paris (such as Châtelet – Les Halles , Gare de Lyon or Nation ).
- Take the train towards Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy , which is the last stop.
- Once there, you will be just a few steps from the entrance to Disneyland Paris.
- Price: €7.60
3. Download the official APP before arriving at the Park
Before you arrive at Disneyland Paris, make sure you download the official app. It will be very useful for:
- Familiarize yourself with the map and plan your route.
- Check real-time wait times for attractions.
- See show and parade schedules so you don't miss anything.
- Explore restaurants and menus before deciding where to eat.
- Locate Disney characters and know what times you can find them.
Having all this information at hand will save you time and make your visit much smoother. Here is the link to download the Disneyland Paris APP .
Once inside Disneyland Paris…
Ok, you've arrived at the park and hopefully early in the morning 😉 Now what? Now the fun begins!
1. Take a train ride
With so many attractions and themed areas, Disneyland Paris can be overwhelming at first. A great way to start your day is by taking a ride on the Disneyland Railroad , the train that runs through the park and gives you a panoramic view of its main areas.
Why is it worth it?
- It helps you get your bearings : it's ideal for getting your bearings and deciding which areas to explore first.
- It's a break on wheels : if you need a break without stopping enjoying yourself, it's a relaxing option.
- It has several strategic stops : you can get on and off at different stations depending on your plan for the day.
Route and schedules
The train runs along Main Street, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland , with stops in each of these areas. Its schedule varies by season, but it typically operates from park opening until dusk.
More information about the train (route and schedules) here.
2. Disneyland Paris Theme Areas
As you may know, at Disneyland Paris you will find different themed areas. These are:
- Adventureland: This area will delight the brave and the most intrepid... here you can get on flying carpets, go on safaris and feel like an adventurer lost in ancient temples.
- Discoveryland: from Star Wars to Toy Story, this space will please those who want to feel the adrenaline in other galaxies
- Fantasyland: If you want to enjoy Disney classics, Fantasyland is YOUR place.
- Frontierland: Ready to step into the Old West? In Frontierland you can climb the legendary Big Thunder Mountain or dare to enter Phantom Manor.
- Main Street: Coming here will be like instantly traveling to the United States. And you know what? At the end of Main Street is the symbol of the park: Sleeping Beauty Castle.
3. What are the best attractions at Disneyland Paris?
First of all, there are all kinds of tastes (and of course, it is very different to go with children or with your partner) but for us the best attractions at Disneyland Paris are (the order is purely random):
⭐Pirates of the Caribbean
Did you know that the film was inspired by this attraction and not the other way around? As you can imagine, there is water involved and you will sail by boat and discover suggestive corners such as the Hurricane Lagoon and yes, you will have a few scares (although they are small ones... come on, here's a spoiler: there are a couple of quick descents and you will find yourself in the middle of a battle XD). Of course, if you are travelling with little ones, don't worry, it is perfect for them too.
Where: Adventureland area
⭐Peter Pan's Flight
It is one of the most popular attractions for children (and yes, one of the most visited, so it is best to use FastPass).
Where: Fantasyland area
⭐Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
If you're a ToyStory fanatic, you can't miss it. It's perfect for every type of audience and consists of a ride aboard a wagon in which we'll help the legendary Buzz Lightyear defeat Zurg... How? With laser guns that, the better you shoot, the more points you get on a scoreboard.
Where: Discoveryland area
⭐Big Thunder Mountain
If you like roller coasters, you have to go here, although if you like strong emotions, it may leave you a bit cold… in other words, it is designed more for a younger (or dizzy) audience. The best thing is that it will feel like you have traveled to the Old West (although here you will go through underground tunnels… underwater!).
Where: Frontierland area
⭐Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
If the previous roller coaster took us to the mines of the Far West, with this one we fly directly into space. In this case, the adrenaline will appear on more than one occasion, so it seems more for an adult audience (oops, that sounds bad). Are you ready to join the Rebel Alliance? Then may the force be with you!
Where: Discoveryland area
⭐Indiana Jones Temple of Peril
We continue with the strong emotions: this is without a doubt one of the great jewels of the park. Another roller coaster, in this case outside, which we do not recommend to the youngest travellers either. Pure adrenaline!
Where: Adventurland area
⭐Mad Hatter's Tea Cups
Ok, maybe for many it lacks charm but for me, crazy about Alice in Wonderland, it is one of the coolest places in Disney JY maybe for you too, right? Being inside a Mad Hatter's cup is not an everyday thing. Of course, if you are one of those who get dizzy... you should almost stay down XD
Where: Fantasyland area
⭐Phanton Manor
Ghosts, darkness, the occasional skeleton and a few screams… this and more await you in Disney's “house of terror”, but don't be too scared because even the littlest ones will have a good time here 😉
Where: Frontierland area
4. The queues
In front of each attraction there is a counter that shows the estimated wait time. These times are usually quite reliable and are updated in real time. A reasonable wait is around 20 or 30 minutes, although on very popular attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain , Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain or Peter Pan's Flight , the wait time can easily exceed an hour, especially in peak season or on weekends.
If you don't want to waste too much time in queues, there are some strategies that can help you...
5. Fast Pass NO LONGER EXISTS BUT… Premier Access DOES
There are some attractions that offer this service: the Premier Access (formerly Fast Pass) is a pass that allows you to access them without having to wait in long lines. How do you get it? You will have to buy it in advance here.
Please note that there are two types of Premier Access:
- Disney Premier Access Ultimate (can be used 1 time on each of the available attractions and you can get in the fast-track line whenever you want - no time slots!)
- Disney Premier Access One (can be used 1 time on 1 attraction and you can get the next available time slot for fast track)
With Premier Access, you can save yourself a few minutes of planning, which will keep you from getting stuck and stuck.
Where you can use Premier Access
These are some of the attractions where you can use the pass:
- Big Thunder Mountain (The Mine)
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
- Peter Pan's Flight
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
- Space Mountain: Mission 2
- Star Tours
Single Rider
An alternative solution is to use the benefits of the Single Rider, a free service that allows you to fill in gaps with solo travelers. Let me explain: you will stand in a special line and you will be "used" to fill in attractions (e.g. if an attraction has a 6-person carriage and there is one seat missing, you will go there).
The Single Rider is currently available for Toy Soldiers, Star Wars Hyperspace, RC Racer, and Ratatouille.
Rider Switch (or Baby Switch)
A great idea for parents with small children: while dad waits in line for a ride not allowed for little ones, mum stays with the little angel devil. When dad, dizzy from the experience, returns to dry land, he will stay with the little one while mum can go on the ride, swapping the little one (without having to wait in line again!)
6. Shows to see at Disneyland Paris
Upon arrival, find out about the shows of the day (many are fixed but others are not) and the time… this way you can plan well! They are well worth it! To see the schedules of the shows and parades, check the Disney APP.
Useful information for visiting Disneyland: frequently asked questions
Let's answer the main questions we receive about visiting the park.
1. How many days are needed to visit Disneyland Paris?
Ideally, you should spend at least 1 day per park (1 day for Disneyland and another for Walt Disney Studio) but if you only have one day of time/budget, we think it's best to use it to see Disneyland!
2. Food at Disneyland Paris: everything you need to know
Eating at Disneyland does the trick… although you can imagine that it isn’t cheap. Of course, if you plan it right, it doesn’t have to be super expensive either.
What restaurants are there at Disney?
In each themed area you will find restaurants (there are pizza restaurants, burger restaurants, hot dog restaurants, international menus and typical French dishes). Prices vary according to the restaurants (in the cheapest ones you can eat for around €15. In the APP you can see the menus of all the restaurants).
There is also no shortage of street food options: there are a few food and snack stands spread throughout the park. These, in comparison, tend to be more expensive: the meal does not cost much less than a hearty dish and is hardly filling.
By the way, if you are sure you want to eat at a specific restaurant, it is better to book weeks in advance! Here is a list of all the restaurants at Disneyland Paris
Eat early or late
Why? Easy: most people will go to eat between 1 and 3 pm, so that means two things: restaurants will be full and attractions (almost) empty. Use this to your advantage: go to eat early or have a great snack-dinner.
Can I bring my own food to Disneyland Paris?
No: there are only picnic areas where you can eat quietly between the Disney Parks car park and the entrance to the Disney Parks. In other words, you either eat your own food before entering or you go out to do so. Our advice is to allocate part of your budget to the Park menu: it is an experience within the experience (and there are some fairly cheap options).
Yes, you can bring water bottles (even better, stainless steel bottles to refill: the water is drinkable throughout the park).
3. Best time to visit Disneyland Paris
Avoid Christmas holidays, summer months and all long weekends and/or public holidays. For us, the best time to visit Disneyland is from mid-January to May (avoiding Easter) and from mid-September to the end of November.
4. Is visiting Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studio Park on the same day a good idea?
For us, no: one day is just enough to enjoy just one park, imagine both! Each park has its own essence, attractions and magic that deserve to be explored at a leisurely pace. If you try to cover both in one day, you run the risk of feeling more rushed than excited.
5. Other information, recommendations and useful data
- There are ATMs throughout the park, so if you're worried about taking out money... of course they've thought of that 😉
- There are breastfeeding areas , changing tables for the little ones and play areas.
- Throughout the park you will find free WiFi , but it is best to have your mobile data with you, as it does not always work well.
- If you want to visit Disneyland Paris on a budget, we DO NOT recommend staying in the park's hotels : they are MUCH more expensive than the regular ones. But if you can treat yourself to this treat... it is of course something you will always remember!
- Dress in layers ! This is one of the easiest but most useful tips for traveling to Disneyland 🙂 you'll see.
We hope that our tips for visiting Disneyland Paris can help you plan your visit.
