Disneyland Paris: The Ultimate Travel Guide & Tips

For Disney fans in Europe, Disneyland Paris is one of the best ways to get a piece of the Disney magic without traveling too far. In this article, we're going to discover everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland Paris to help you make the most of your upcoming trip here.

How to Get to Disneyland Paris?

Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, which is about a 45-minute train ride from the center of Paris. There are many different ways to get to Disneyland Paris, depending on where in the country or Europe you are traveling from. Most visitors fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport, where you can opt to get either the train or a bus to the resort. Alternatively, you can catch the Eurostar from London and Brussels, which will bring you directly to the train station at Disneyland Paris. A popular area to stay in with visitors is the nearby Val d'Europe. It's located one train stop away from Disneyland Paris, but you can also walk to the parks in about 15 minutes from here.

When is the Best Time to Visit Disneyland Paris?

Christmas Parade in Disneyland Paris / depositphotos (bukki88)

Disneyland Paris is fun to visit throughout the year, but there are many considerations when choosing what time of year you'll come to the resort. While the summer naturally has the best weather, you'll find the crowds are much higher due to the European school holidays. Two of our favorite times to visit are Halloween and Christmas. Disneyland Paris puts on some of the best decorations and shows at this time of year when compared to other Disney parks, and you'll find yourself immersed in the magic even more. As a rule, try to visit during the week, as opposed to the weekend. The crowds are much lower during this time, as locals aren't trying to visit as well.

Where to Stay During Your Visit to Disneyland Paris?

Disneyland Hotel and Disneyland Park Entrance / depositphotos (razvanphoto)

One of the great things about visiting Disneyland Paris is that there are so many different accommodation options nearby. If you are working with a larger budget, look at staying on-site at Disneyland Paris. The Disneyland Hotel is absolutely stunning and graces the entrance to the Disneyland Park. Disney's Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel is ideal for any Marvel fans in your family and has recently undergone an extensive renovation. You'll also find more budget-friendly options within a short walking distance of the parks, such as Disney's Hotel Santa Fe and Disney's Hotel Cheyenne.

Off-site, there are dozens of great hotels to choose from as well. We recommend looking at the Val d'Europe area, where there are some great value for money options. From here, you can either get a hotel's shuttle bus or walk to the parks. You'll also be able to enjoy shopping and dining here, which can help to save a little money during your visit.

The Two Disney Theme Parks

Disneyland Park

For most visitors to Disneyland Paris, the main attraction is the two theme parks. The main park is the Disneyland Park, which is similar to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. It's home to Sleeping Beauty Castle, which is a must-see on any Disney trip. The other park here is the Walt Disney Studios Park. This park is themed around movie-making and popular films but is a little smaller than the main park. It's still well worth a visit on your trip, but you are unlikely to need more than one day here. Ideally, we'd recommend spending at least one day in each park, with two days in Disneyland Park if you are particularly interested in doing all of the rides and shows.

Must-See Attractions in the Parks

When visiting Disneyland Paris, you'll want to plan ahead to ensure you don't miss out on any of the must-see attractions. In the Disneyland Park, you'll find some great roller coasters for all of the family. Thrill-seekers will love trying out Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, but the whole family can enjoy Big Thunder Mountain. If you are traveling with younger children, make sure you dedicate a fair amount of time to Fantasyland. Here you'll find Peter Pan's Flight and it's a Small World, both of which are classic Disney rides. The park hosts a parade each day, which is the best way to see the characters during your visit. At the end of your day in the parks, don't miss the fireworks show. It's the perfect way to close out your day here and celebrate your time in the resort.

Discoveryland / depositphotos (ampack)

Over in the Walt Disney Studios Park, start your day at Crush's Coaster. This is quite a slow-loading ride, so it soon picks up huge queues later on in the day. Ratatouille: The Adventure shrinks you down to the size of a rat, and you'll travel through the attraction with Remy and his friends. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a drop ride for anyone who isn't afraid of heights and is the biggest thrill ride in this park. You'll find there are fewer rides here, but there are some great character interactions throughout the park. Check out the times guide when you arrive each day on the resort's app, which will help you plan your visit.

Disney Village

After a day in the parks, you might be wondering where you can eat and refuel for the next day. Disney Village is located between the theme parks and the hotels, so it's ideal for getting a bite to eat before calling it a day. Here you'll find classic restaurants such as Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Café, and Vapiano. There are options on offer here to fit all budgets, and you can just opt for a quick Starbucks or McDonald's if you fancy. Keep in mind it does get very busy here when the parks close. Try to leave a little earlier if you can so that you can secure a table before everyone else leaves.

As you can see, there's so much to see and do during a visit to Disneyland Paris. With a little forward planning, you can make the most of your time here and ensure you see everything the two theme parks have to offer.

Written by: Tim Smith Tags: Europe, France