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Are you planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? Have a look at the following 15 Paris Disneyland Tips for a truly magical experience!
It can seem like a daunting task for first-timers planning a trip to Disneyland Paris. But we’ve got you covered with this guide to the best Paris Disneyland. Read on to know the 15 best tips to help you maximize your visit and have the best experience for your Disneyland Paris Visit.
Download the Disneyland Paris App
The Disneyland Paris App is an essential first step to planning your trip itinerary. The app can provide you with show schedules, park open and close times, restaurant bookings, and also informs you about waiting times for all the park attractions. In addition to the park times, you can easily view maps to ensure you can navigate the park without losing precious time figuring out where you are.
Purchase your ticket in advance to avoid queuing
→ Buy your tickets for Disneyland Paris here
Whether you take a day trip from Paris to Disneyland Paris or are keen on spending a couple of days in the parks, get your ticket beforehand! This saves you from stress and hassle once you are there, and most important: you skip the huge ticket queues and have more time at the park!
Know about Disney Premier Access
In Disneyland Paris, you can purchase Disney Premier Access, which allows you to have speedy access to some of the most popular attractions. You only can purchase this pass once you are in Disneyland.
The pass gives you a dedicated lane that moves faster than the standard queue. Be sure to have the Disneyland Paris app downloaded, book your spot in line, and head to the attraction when it is your time. You get to choose your time and avoid the general queue, giving you more time back for more Disneyland Paris fun.
Plan out your Disneyland attraction itinerary ahead of time
When you visit the park, it spreads out through winding trails that loop through the many attractions. To make sure you make the most of your day, plan your attraction itinerary ahead of time.
Before you go, view a map that lists the attractions and plan out where you want to start and what path you would like to take. This ensures you get a chance to visit every attraction on your wish list. Write down a schedule with good estimates of how long it would take to make it through the entire park.
If you are keen on exploring everything, be sure to add on Premier Access to make reservations for rides and skip the long queues. It’s a huge time saver.
Make it a day trip from Paris
Disneyland Paris is only a short 40 km away from Paris and can easily be squeezed into a day trip from your vacation in Paris. The park is well worth the day trip from Paris by train. and can provide an element of fun and magic away from the city that is fun for the whole family. Read our article about how to get from Paris to Disneyland to get additional information about possible transfers.
Visit the Disneyland Park during the week
Disneyland Paris can get very crowded, especially during the weekends, holidays, and during French school vacation times. If you visit the park, you should attempt to plan your trip on a weekday or during the off-season. Furthermore, avoid bank holidays. This involves a little research before you plan your trip, but it is well worth it to avoid large crowds and long wait times. Also check our Paris by Month guides, to know what’s going on in Paris.
Wear layers to prepare for unpredictable weather
A little bad weather can spoil a great day if you’re not prepared. Disneyland Paris is known for unpredictable weather that can change unexpectedly. Dress in layers and bring rain gear just in case, so you can continue to enjoy the park, rain, or shine. You’ll want to be certain you are wearing comfortable walking shoes because you will be walking the majority of the day.
Buy Disneyland tickets for a fixed date can save money
→ Book your fixed date ticket to Disneyland Paris here
While you can purchase your tickets at the gate when you arrive at Disneyland Paris, you can buy them in advance online.
You get to choose the dates and how many days you want to visit, which allows you to save money on each day the more days you choose to visit. You could book an Annual Pass depending on your duration, and it could save you money on parking and provide discounts at Disney restaurants and shops.
Traveling on a Budget to Paris? Don’t miss this guide!
Avoid getting to Disneyland Paris by car
See this article to know what’s the best way to visit Disneyland from Paris
Although the drive to Disneyland Paris is quick from many hotspots in France, arriving by car may end up costing more money than if you were to take some of the many public transportation options. Public transportation drops off close to the park entrance, allowing for a quick walk to get in.
Parking costs €30, and you have to account for gas plus time looking for parking. When you take public transportation, you also do not have to stress worrying about where you parked your car in the massive parking garage.
Unless you have your car in Paris, it is not worth it to rent one to drive out to Disney. If you’re arriving by camper, don’t miss our post about the best camping sites near Disney.
Bring your own snacks, water, and food
It may be surprising to hear, but the food quality at Disneyland Paris is notorious for not being the best. Although there are many options through the various food stalls across the park, you will be paying a lot of money for a low-quality meal or snack. It’s mainly (not good) burgers, pizza, or pasta. Thankfully, the park allows you to bring in your own food.
Bringing your own food is more cost-effective, yummier, and you can ensure everyone is eating healthy. Don’t forget to bring lots of water or a refillable water bottle, as walking in the park takes a lot of energy.
Make sure to make dinner reservations in advance
There are a few sit-down restaurants at Disneyland Paris, and they are better than the snack options you find throughout the park. If you want to sit down at one of the restaurants or enjoy a character dinner, you need to be sure to make your reservations well in advance.
Sitting down to eat a meal may be a good buffer between walking the long distances through the park and serving as a great break before the evening festivities. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance by calling the park or even booking through the Disneyland Paris app.
Know the differences between the two Disneyland parks tickets
There are two parks to choose from when you visit Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park, and Disneyland Park. You always want to make sure you select the correct ticket for the park you intend to visit that day.
The two parks are right next to each other, but they differ in many ways. Disneyland Paris Park is the larger of the two parks where you can enjoy attractions, the fairy tale castle, and characters. Walt Disney Studio Park is much smaller and more dedicated to behind-the-scenes inspired by iconic Disney stories. It hosts the Worlds of Pixar and Toon Studio. Both parks are definitely worth a visit, and you can visit both in one day by purchasing a hopper park ticket or dedicating a full day to each park.
Eat at off-peak times
If you don’t plan to eat at a sit-down restaurant or a character dinner, set out to arrange your meals to eat a late lunch or dinner. When you eat during off-peak times, you can avoid long waits for food and maximize the amount of time you get to spend enjoying the park.
Know the best way to get to Disneyland Paris
Read more:How to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris
Before you head to the park, whether you decide if you are driving, book a private transfer with welcome pickups, or take public transportation, be sure to do your research to find the most efficient way there. (I did the research for you here)
If you are taking public transportation, know where the drop-off and pick-up spots are as well as the times for the shuttles/buses/trams to make sure you know where to go and at what time. If you are driving, take a look at your maps and driving directions before and ensure you leave before hitting traffic. Google Maps allows you to see an estimate of what traffic will be like at what times.
Plan your stay at the park
If you intend to do the park for more than one day or visit both parks during your trip, it may be a good idea to think about booking a hotel. There is a wide selection of places to choose to stay near or onsite at Disneyland Paris. The onsite hotel, Disneyland Paris Hotel, will definitely be the more costly choice. But staying onsite also allows you more perks, such as Early Magic Hours or early access, to beat the crowds and enjoy a resort-like stay. Staying offsite may be more beneficial if you want to save money, and it is great if you will only be at the hotel for bedtime.
One Paris Disneyland Tip be sure to pack a portable battery to make sure your phone has the battery life to sustain taking 1,000 pictures while creating memories and to make sure you have enough battery life to utilize the app. Using these top Disneyland Paris tips can help to ensure you make the most out of your magical trip.
