Disneyland Paris: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Magic

If you’re here, it means you want to go to Disneyland Paris. I just returned from there – I spent three days there, and in this post, I will share my experiences, hoping it will help you organize your dream trip.

In this post, you will read about:

• The cost of the trip and prices at Disneyland
• Tips to avoid long queues
• Dining options at Disneyland
• What to avoid wearing and doing at Disneyland

Even before I start the story, let me tell you that I have always dreamed of visiting Disneyland – that famous place where fairy tales come to life and childhood dreams are revived. When I received an invitation to make this dream come true, I replied with a resounding “YES” before the inviter could even change their mind. ?

Disneyland Paris – Practical Information

The Disneyland I visited is located about 30 km from Paris, in the village of Marne-la-Vallée. It consists of two theme parks: Disneyland Park (with the majestic Sleeping Beauty Castle) and Walt Disney Studio (with the Avengers Campus). To be more precise, Paris is home to the only Disneyland in Europe, but there are six Disneyland parks in the world, with two in the US (Anaheim, California and Orlando, Florida) and three in Asia (Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai).

When it comes to sightseeing, I’d recommend downloading the Disneyland Paris app before your visit. It provides everything you need to make your visit easier: maps, attraction information, parade and event times, as well as practical information like restroom locations, phone charging stations, and drinking water fountains (so you don’t have to buy water on-site). The app also shows wait times for attractions, and you can even book appointments or meet-ups at selected attractions. In my opinion, this is a must-have tool for your trip.

How to Get to Disneyland?

The easiest and fastest option is to take a flight and transfer to Disneyland. Of course, from many places in Europe you can just drive to France, which can be a great adventure, allowing you to visit interesting places along the way, such as Leipzig or the Côte d’Azur. However, it takes more time and may not always be cheaper than flying.

Regarding flights to Paris, there is a rich network of connections to the French capital, so finding a suitable flight should not be a problem. ? I flew with Air France from Warsaw, and Air France also offers flights from Krakow to Paris.

The next step is getting from the Paris airport to Disneyland. Here are your options

• RER train: This is the most popular and budget-friendly option from both the airport and the center of Paris.
• Renting a car: If you plan to tour France, this can be a good option.

Private transportation: This is the most magical way, and you can book it through the Disneyland Paris website, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

What to Wear at Disneyland?

Some people might find this topic trivial, but it’s actually quite important because you may be denied entry if you’re not dressed appropriately. For example, only children are allowed to dress as Disney characters; adults in costumes may not be allowed.

When it comes to dressing for Disneyland, many people opt for stylish and colorful outfits, often wearing Minnie Mouse Ears (which you can buy on-site).

There are also certain things you can’t do at Disneyland. For example, rollerblading or skateboarding is not allowed, so don’t bring them with you. There are security checks at the entrance, so prohibited items will not be allowed inside.

Dining at Disneyland

There are over 70 restaurants at Disneyland, so it’s impossible to visit all of them during one stay. We enjoyed breakfast as part of our hotel stay and went to selected restaurants for lunch and dinner, which I will list below:

• PYM Restaurant located at the Marvel Avengers Campus, inspired by Ant-Man
• Plaza Gardens (right next to the castle): a beautifully decorated, elegant restaurant
• Captain Jack Restaurant: Jack’s restaurant from Pirates of the Caribbean (it’s amazing!)

The first two restaurants offer buffet-style dining, where you can eat as much as you want. The food at these places is really good, and the desserts (including ice cream) are the icing on the cake. ? At the Captain Jack Restaurant, dishes are ordered from a menu.

Note from me! Before you go to Disneyland, it’s worth checking the website to see which restaurants require or suggest making reservations. This will save you a lot of time and allow you to enjoy your meals without waiting in line. You can find restaurant menus on the Disneyland Paris website, which allows you to plan in advance and simply have fun and enjoy the attractions on-site.

Overnight Stay at Disneyland – Where to Book Accommodation?

There are many options, and while some people book accommodation outside Disneyland, the most fun is to stay on the premises! For hotel guests, Disneyland is open for an extra hour from 8:30 am!

There are seven hotels within Disneyland’s grounds, so the hardest part is choosing. From 2-star to 5-star hotels, some are located right next to the park, while others are a bit further away. For those who prefer to prepare their own food and value privacy, there are options like cottages, which are ideal for families in my opinion.

We stayed at the new Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. This hotel boasts the largest collection of Marvel artwork in the world, with over 350 original pieces! If you’re a Marvel fan, this is the place for you. The hotel offers many activities for guests, including character encounters and Marvel-themed treasure hunts. They also host events like drawing your own comic book, and there’s a SUPER HERO STATION for photo ops that look like they’re straight out of the Marvel movies. Plus, it’s the only Disney hotel where you can meet Spider-Man! On-site, in addition to the restaurants, there are two bars, and the Sky Line bar with a view of Avengers Tower is particularly interesting in my opinion. There is also a swimming pool. In short, the hotel itself is one of the attractions, not just a place to sleep.

You can book the hotel through Disney’s website or platforms like Booking.com.

How to Avoid Queues at Disneyland?

Disneyland attracts thousands (and sometimes tens of thousands) of visitors every day, so it’s not surprising that there are long queues for popular attractions. Here are some ways to bypass the queues:

Disney Premier Access: This allows you to skip the regular queue and purchase an out-of-queue entry for a specific attraction or for the whole day (single or multiple entries). It can save you hours if you want to experience the most popular attractions.

Choose less busy hours and days: The park is typically busiest on weekends, so try to visit during weekdays. Queues for attractions are usually smaller during parades and events.

Book virtual queues: Some attractions offer virtual queues, allowing you to reserve a time slot, such as for training with the Avengers superheroes.

Now that we’ve covered the practical tips, let’s get to the fun part!

What to See and Do at Disneyland?

Many people on Instagram and Facebook have asked how to organize a trip to Disneyland. The answer to this question is not simple, as it depends on how many days you want to spend there, what you want to do and see, and your budget.

We spent three days at Disneyland, which was enough time to enjoy almost all the attractionsat the two parks. We had restaurant reservations, Disney Premier Access, and stayed at a hotel, so we had fun from morning to night. If you’re visiting for just one day, it’s better to focus on one park, unless you have specific attractions in both parks that you want to experience.

Here are some of our favorite attractions:

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: This is one of the most thrilling attractions at Disneyland. You’ll experience a drop of 13 floors, go back up, and repeat several times. You’ll feel the famous “lack of gravity” and get a great view of the park when the gates open.
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain: As part of the Rebel fleet, you board a spaceship and experience a whirlwind of galactic action at the “speed of light.” This roller coaster includes a catapult launch with a force of 1.3 G and accelerates from zero to 71 km/h in 1.8 seconds.
• Big Thunder Mountain: This “crazy train” takes you on a thrilling trip through the wild west. The roller coaster goes over steep hills, travels on land, and even goes underwater in a tunnel. You can enjoy a view of the park from the rocks, if you can keep your eyes open. The ride lasts 3 minutes and 56 seconds. ?

Other Disneyland attractions:

• Disney D-Light: A nighttime laser and drone show that looks amazing in person.
• Disney Dreams fireworks show: An unforgettable spectacle of fireworks and lights.
• Disney Stars on Parade
• The Lion King Musical: A thrilling show featuring characters and scenes from the classic Disney film.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: A dream come true for fans of the film series, where you sail through the mysterious waters of the Caribbean and encounter Captain Jack Sparrow and other characters.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters: An adventure where you shoot at targets as part of a mission to save the universe.
• Ratatouille: The Adventure: A 4D attraction that takes you on a journey through the world of the movie “Ratatouille,” complete with smells, sounds, and tactile sensations.

This year, Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and there are special surprises and additional attractions as part of the celebration until the end of September 2023. These include nighttime laser and drone shows, parades, themed food and drinks, and special edition merchandise.

Disney Stars on Parade

Avengers Campus

A must-visit for Marvel fans, where you can meet heroes like Iron Man, Captain Marvel, and Thor, and enjoy attractions like Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and Spider-Man WEB Adventure.

Prices at Disneyland

Prices at Disneyland vary depending on factors like the day of the week, time of year, and type of ticket. There are discounts available for children, seniors, and those who purchase tickets in advance online. Food prices also vary, ranging from street food to à la carte restaurants.

Disneyland – just for kids?

I’ve received messages from many of you who have been considering a trip to Disneyland. You ask, “Can I go if I’m 20, 30, or 40 years old? Will I still have a good time?” and you wonder, “Am I too old for this…?”  Yes, you can!

Disneyland is not just a place for kids. It offers a wide range of attractions, shows, and experiences that cater to adults, teens, friends, and couples. From thrilling rides to live performances, character encounters, and shopping for Disney-themed merchandise, there’s something for everyone.

So don’t hesitate, head to Disneyland for an amazing adventure! It’s much more than just rides and attractions. It’s a place where dreams come true and where you can create lasting memories. Enjoy the magic of Disneyland Paris!

See also:

Best Things to Do in Paris