Are you preparing for a trip to Disneyland Paris and wondering how to organize every detail so that everything is perfect? Are you looking for essential tips to maximize your experience and avoid the unexpected? You’ve come to the right place to discover all the tips you need to prepare for your dream trip to Disneyland Paris!
With Julieears, prepare your stay at Disneyland Paris for an unforgettable experience!
On this page, I reveal my best tips and tricks for preparing your stay at Disneyland Paris. Whether you’re planning a stay at a Disney hotel or a partner hotel, here you’ll find tips for choosing the right hotel, booking your meals, planning your attractions, and maximizing your experience. Find out how to avoid pitfalls, take advantage of special offers, and make your trip as magical as possible!
Table of contents
- Official Disneyland Paris hotels
- Disneyland Paris partner hotels
- Swimming pools, spas, steam rooms and saunas at Disneyland Paris
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney hotels
- Suggested itinerary for a day at Disneyland Paris
- Event seasons at Disneyland Paris
- The weather at Disneyland Paris
- Disneyland Paris car park
- Things to bring to Disneyland Paris
Attractions at Disneyland Paris
- The different attractions at Disneyland Paris
- The calendar of closed attractions
- Disney Premier Access, Disneyland Paris’s ticket-free offer
- The Single Rider line
- The Baby Switch option at Disneyland Paris
Restaurants at Disneyland Paris
- The different restaurants at Disneyland Paris
- Restaurant reservations at Disneyland Paris
- A picnic at Disneyland Paris
Hotels at Disneyland Paris
Official Disneyland Paris hotels
Disneyland Paris offers a wide range of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, including seven official hotels located in the immediate vicinity of the park. Each of these hotels has a unique theme that contributes to an immersive experience from the moment you arrive. By staying at an official hotel, you benefit from a number of advantages: immediate proximity to the park, tickets included for park access, and extra magic hours to enjoy the attractions before they open to the public. What’s more, you have priority access to the restaurant reservation platform, and can take advantage of the many free activities on offer at these hotels.
Disneyland Paris partner hotels
Disneyland Paris also works with a number of partner establishments located close to the park – seven in all – as well as a Center Parcs: the Village Nature. These partner hotels are offered directly on the Disneyland Paris website and include park tickets with your reservation. They offer the practical advantage of free shuttles to the park, running regularly throughout the day. Each of these establishments also offers a variety of activities, such as swimming pools and other leisure facilities, allowing you to enjoy your stay outside the hours spent in the park.
Spa pools, steam rooms and saunas at Disneyland Paris
Some of Disney’s official hotels offer wellness facilities that can be ideal for relaxing after a day in the parks. You’ll find indoor and outdoor pools, as well as spas, steam rooms and saunas in some of these establishments. All these facilities are available free of charge with your hotel reservation, except for the spa, which requires an additional reservation in advance. These services add a touch of comfort and relaxation to your stay, allowing you to make the most of your Disney experience.
Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney hotels
To get from the hotels to the Disneyland Paris parks, several options are available. The Disneyland Hotel, located just outside the park entrance, is the closest hotel with direct access and a dedicated entrance, offering maximum convenience with zero minutes’ walk to the park. The other official Disney hotels, with the exception of the Davy Crockett Ranch, have regular shuttles that will take you to the parks, or can be reached on foot in around 10 to 20 minutes. What’s more, when you stay at a Disney hotel, you get free access to the Disneyland Paris parking lot, making it easy for you to get around. Partner hotels, also located nearby, offer free shuttles to the park and, in some cases, paid private vehicles that will drop you off directly in front of the park entrance.
To find out more:
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from the Disneyland Hotel (coming soon)
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney New York – The Art of Marvel
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney Newport Bay Club
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney Sequoia Lodge
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney Hotel Cheyenne
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney Hotel Santa Fe
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from Disney Ranch Davy Crockett (coming soon)
- Getting to Disneyland Paris from partner hotels
Guides to Disneyland Paris
To get the most out of your visit to Disneyland Paris, it’s essential to prepare well. To do this, start by familiarising yourself with the layout of the park by consulting the map available on my blog, on the official Disneyland Paris website or at the park entrance. This will help you spot the different theme zones, attractions, restaurants and service points. Once you have a good idea of the layout of the park, plan the attractions you absolutely must do. Prioritise them according to popularity to avoid long queues. Plan your route in advance, too, to save energy by reducing the number of unnecessary return trips. This preparation will help you maximise your time on site and make the most of your day.
Event seasons at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, there are regular event seasons that transform the park and offer new experiences for visitors. During these seasons, the park is adorned with new decorations, offers new shows and parades, and organizes encounters with themed characters. Some of these seasons return every year, like Halloween or Christmas, bringing a special, festive atmosphere. There are also exceptional event seasons, such as those celebrating the park’s anniversaries, which offer unique and memorable moments. These events allow visitors to discover Disneyland Paris in a new light with every visit.
It’s important to prepare well for your visit to Disneyland Paris by anticipating the weather. Before you set off, check the weather forecast for the day of your visit, so that you can plan ahead. You can refer to the forecasts available on my blog. Depending on the weather conditions, adjust your programme and pack your bag accordingly. For example, if it’s raining, don’t forget a mackintosh or umbrella, and remember to pack light clothes and sun cream if it’s hot. Good preparation will ensure that you get the most out of your day, whatever the weather.
To get to Disneyland Paris by car, enter the following address in your GPS: Boulevard de Parc, 77700 Marne-la-Vallée. There is a charge for parking at the park, and it’s important to factor this cost into your budget. However, there are some tips for reducing these charges, which you can find out more about on my blog. Before your visit, be sure to check the weather forecast for the day you plan to go, so that you can prepare your bag accordingly. Good preparation will help you make the most of your day at Disneyland Paris.
To make the most of your visit to Disneyland Paris, it’s essential to take a few essentials with you. Among them, don’t forget your entrance tickets, a phone or camera to capture your memories, an external battery to stay connected all day long, a first-aid kit for the unexpected and, of course, good walking shoes to explore the park in comfort. For a more complete list, check out my other articles on the subject. The items you need to take with you may also vary depending on the weather and the activities you want to do in the park.
Attractions at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris offers a wide variety of attractions to suit all ages and tastes. For the little ones, gentle attractions such as “It’s a Small World” or “Fairytale Land” offer a magical experience without the scares. Children and families can enjoy classics like “Peter Pan’s Flight” and “Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast”, which combine adventure and wonder. For thrill-seekers, attractions such as “Hyperspace Mountain” and “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” offer adrenalin-pumping thrills. Finally, Disneyland Paris also offers immersive and interactive attractions, such as “Ratatouille: Rémy’s Totally Crazy Adventure”, which appeal to visitors of all ages. This unique mix means there’s something for everyone, whatever their age or preferences.
Disneyland Paris is open every day of the year, offering visitors a magical experience without interruption. However, it is important to note that some attractions may be closed temporarily for maintenance or refurbishment. As the park cannot always carry out these works when visitors are not present, it is possible that some attractions will be unavailable during your visit. To find out which attractions are closed during your stay, please check the regularly updated information on my blog.
To find out more:
Disney Premier Access at Disneyland Paris is a paid service that allows visitors to reduce their waiting time for certain popular attractions. By purchasing priority access via the official Disneyland Paris app or at the park’s points of sale (hotels and City Hall), visitors can enter a dedicated queue and access their chosen attraction more quickly. This service is available individually for specific attractions, or in the form of a pass grouping together several attractions. It’s an ideal option for those who want to make the most of their time in the park and get the most out of their day without spending too much time in queues.
The Single Rider offer at Disneyland Paris allows visitors to reduce their waiting time for certain attractions by agreeing to ride alone, separate from their group. Designed to maximise queue efficiency, this free service is ideal for those who don’t prefer to sit with their loved ones. Attractions offering the Single Rider option are often very popular, such as Ratatouille: Rémy’s Totally Crazy Adventure and Hyperspace Mountain. To take advantage of this option, simply follow the queue dedicated to Single Riders, where you will be integrated into the vehicles’ free seats.
The Baby Switch option at Disneyland Paris is a practical solution for families with young children. When a baby or young child is unable to enter a thrill ride, an adult in the group has to stay with them, which could prevent them from enjoying the ride. To avoid this, you can ask a Cast Member for a Baby Switch. This ticket, valid for two people, allows the adult who looked after the child to ride the attraction without having to queue again. After waiting in the initial queue, you ask for the Baby Switch when you board. Once your ride is over, the adult who waited with the child can use the Baby Switch to access the attraction via the exit or Premier Access entrance, considerably reducing their waiting time.
Shows at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, choosing the best location for shows can greatly enhance your experience. There are two types of show: indoor or semi-indoor shows with bleachers, and outdoor shows without bleachers. For indoor shows, the best seats are often reserved for people who have purchased a Disney VIP Tour or guaranteed access. If you do not have this access, it is advisable to arrive early and be among the first in the queue to get a good seat. For outdoor shows, such as the popular night show in front of the Disneyland Park Castle, the best locations are usually in the Central Plaza area. You can also buy tickets for the best locations for the parade and night show via the app. For more details on these locations, check out my dedicated article on the subject.
Every evening when the park closes, Disneyland Paris offers an unforgettable night-time show at the foot of Sleeping Beauty Castle, accompanied by a fireworks display. This show is often preceded by a ten-minute pre-show, the content of which varies according to the season. This may be a drone show or some other special entertainment, adding even more magic to your day in the park.
To find out more:
Restaurants at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, from quick snacks to gourmet meals. Before your visit, it’s a good idea to find out about the establishments you want to visit, as some are not open for all meals or require advance bookings. In fact, some very popular restaurants can be booked up weeks or even months in advance. So remember to plan your meals and make your reservations accordingly. To avoid long waits, many restaurants offer Click and Collect options. You can consult the list of establishments offering this service on my blog to optimise your experience.
Booking your restaurants at Disneyland Paris is essential for a successful visit, especially if you want to eat at the most popular establishments. For visitors who have bought tickets for the park, you can make free reservations up to 2 months in advance. If you have booked a stay at a Disney hotel, you have an extra advantage: you can book your restaurants up to 1 year in advance. Making your reservations in advance will guarantee you a place in the restaurants of your choice and avoid long waits, ensuring you have a pleasant culinary experience during your stay.
You can have a picnic at Disneyland Paris. The park has a picnic area just outside, near the car park. If you prefer to eat inside the park, you can also bring and eat your own sandwich. However, it’s important to follow certain rules: don’t use restaurant tables for your meal and avoid bringing bulky items such as picnic tables. This allows you to enjoy your meal while respecting the comfort of other visitors.
To find out more:
Meet the characters at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, you can meet your favourite Disney characters in a variety of ways. First of all, there are meeting zones dotted around the park, outside the attractions, where you can bump into them. These zones are easy to locate via the Disneyland Paris mobile app, which also tells you the times and the characters present each day. For those who want to meet more popular characters, such as Mickey or the Princesses, there are specific attractions dedicated to these encounters. You can also find them on the Disneyland Paris app and in the list of attractions on my blog.
- How do you meet Mickey at Disneyland Paris?
- How can I meet Father Christmas at Disneyland Paris?
- How can I meet Pluto at Disneyland Paris?
- How can I meet Woody and Jessie at Disneyland Paris?
- How can I meet the Mandalorian and Grogu at Disneyland Paris?
- How can I meet Stitch at Disneyland Paris?
- How do you meet Darth Vader at Disneyland Paris?
At Disneyland Paris, you can also meet your favourite Disney characters if you’re staying in a Disney hotel. There are meeting points in the lobbies of these hotels, where you can enjoy a special moment with them. To find out the exact times of these meetings, ask your hotel concierge, who will be happy to provide you with all the information you need.
To find out more:
At Disneyland Paris, you can also meet your favourite Disney characters in some of the park’s restaurants and Disney hotels. In the park, the Auberge de Cendrillon gives you the chance to meet the Disney princesses, while the Plaza Gardens Restaurant gives you the chance to meet cult Disney characters. Whether you’re staying in a Disney hotel or not, you can also meet characters in Disneyland Hotel restaurants. For more details, check out the full list of restaurants on my blog.
To find out more:
Services available at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, each park and Disney Village has a First Aid infirmary to help you with any minor injuries or medical needs you may have during your day. Whether you need a Doliprane for a headache, a plaster for a blister or the right medicine for a stomachache, the infirmaries are there for you. To find them, consult the park map or simply ask a Cast Member for help. Don’t hesitate to drop in if you need to, especially as they’re free!
To find out more:
The Baby Care Centers at Disneyland Paris are specially designed spaces for young children and their parents, offering a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the park. In these quiet places, parents can change, feed or put their children to sleep in a specially adapted environment. These centres are perfect for taking a break and looking after your child’s needs in complete tranquillity. To find them, consult the park map or ask a Cast Member for help.
To find out more:
Many other services are available at Disneyland Paris to make your day even more enjoyable. If you’ve run out of battery on your phone, external batteries can be hired at several locations in the park. Lost something? The City Hall is there to help you find it. If you’re celebrating a birthday, City Hall staff will be happy to give you a badge to mark your special day. Don’t have a smartphone to book Disney Premier Access or a restaurant via the app? City Hall can do it for you. Finally, smoking areas are available away from the crowds and children for those who wish to smoke or vapourise. To find these services, consult the park map or ask a Cast Member for help.
