Disneyland Paris: The Ultimate Guide To The Happiest Place In France

Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, a Paris suburb.

It is about 45 minutes by train from the city center–and much closer to Charles De Gaulle Airport.

The area consists of seven official Disney-themed hotels, as well as several partner hotels, the Disney Village entertainment and shopping center, and two parks: Parc Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park.

Disneyland Paris is larger than Disneyland Resort in California and smaller than Walt Disney World in Florida.

In itself, the entire place makes for a great holiday destination especially if you’re traveling to Paris with kids.

RELATED READ: Tips For Visiting Disneyland Paris

Paris Parc Disneyland is a fantastic theme park that is also very similar to the original Disneyland but with significantly fewer rides.

However, the place is known for its lovely details, seasonal entertainment, and much more.

Disneyland Paris: The Ultimate Guide To The Happiest Place In France

If you’re going to Paris Disneyland soon, here’s a handy guide to help you plan and enjoy your trip to the happiest place in France.

Best time to go to Disneyland Paris

The best time for visiting Disneyland Paris would be in the spring, fall, or winter, especially outside of France’s prime tourist seasons.

It’s also advised to avoid June through August, due to crowds and previous heat waves that have swept Europe in recent summers.

April and May, as well as late September through November, are the ideal months to visit Disneyland Paris. Even though it may snow in the winter, it is usually not too cold in mid-November.

Christmas is a fantastic time to visit Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park for a flurry of additional seasonal activities if you wish to spend a beautiful winter holiday.

You’ll also be able to see the stunning decorations that are placed throughout the park. Plus, during the holiday season, nothing beats the magical atmosphere of Paris.

Traveling to Disneyland Paris from the city center

You can go to Disneyland Paris in a variety of ways.

Here are your alternatives, whether you’re a budget traveler or a family with small children looking for the most comfortable way to go to Disneyland Paris.

By Bus (Disneyland Paris Express)

A shuttle service from the city center is available for Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland Paris Express is the name of the Paris-Disney shuttle, and you get to pick between the two stations:

• Shuttle 1 – picks up and drops off at the Gare du Nord (8:20 a.m., Opéra (8:30 a.m.), and Châtelet (departs at 8:40 a.m.) stations (departs at 8:45 am)

• Shuttle 2 – departs at 8:10 a.m. and picks up and drops off near the Eiffel Tower.

By 10 a.m., both Paris-Disney buses arrive at the theme parks. Depending on the season, the shuttles leave the park at 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

Take note that you can add the Disneyland Paris Shuttle to your Disneyland Paris tickets, but you cannot purchase it alone.

Roundtrip fare to be added to your Disney ticket starts at 40 euros.

By Train

The railway that runs from Paris to Disneyland Paris is the RER A (red line).

It takes 45 minutes to go from the Paris center to Disneyland Paris by direct/nonstop train.

RER A (Rapid Express Rail) is a public train to Disneyland Paris that has five different stations, giving you a variety of alternatives based on where you are staying in the city or which metro line you are closest to:

• Auber in Paris 9 is connected to metro lines 3, 7, 8, and 9. 

• Charles de Gaulle – Etoile in Paris 8 is connected to metro lines 1, 2 and 6.

• Chatelet – Les Halles in Paris 1 – linked to metro lines 1, 4, 7, 11 

• Gare de Lyon in Paris 12 – linked to metro lines 1 and 14

• Nation in Paris 12 – linked to metro lines 1, 2, 6, 9

Fare for the trip from Paris City Center to Disneyland Paris is 15 euros. 

Transfers via Private Vehicle

Welcome pickups can assist you and your family if you are seeking for a comfortable door-to-door service.

These car services provide comfortable transportation with high-quality vehicles and the greatest English-speaking drivers in Paris.

When the kids are exhausted after an exciting day with Mickey and his friends, this service is quite helpful.

Private transfer in an economy class car costs 60 euros. A minivan for 7 passengers would set you back 72 euros. Individual transfers should be scheduled ahead of time, either by phone or online.

By Car

If you wish to drive yourself to Disneyland Paris, the travel time is about 40 minutes without traffic from Paris to Disneyland Paris.

Car parks occupy a significant portion of Disneyland Paris so parking nearby won’t be a problem.

Car rental starts at 27 euros for one day. The price includes both insurance and VAT. Some automobiles have a limited range of mileage. A €100 deposit is required.

How long do you need in Disneyland Paris?

If you have the time, three days seems like the optimal amount of time to enjoy the parks and get to experience everything you wanted to do.

A day trip or two at the park is also doable, but you must plan gour trip to make the most of the attractions.

What to see and do at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris has two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

Disneyland Park is a classic park with Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Frozen, whereas Walt Disney Studios Park has a more general movie theme, but it’s still very Disney.

Here are some of the best and most popular Disneyland Paris attractions:

Disneyland Paris Top Attractions

• Adventure Isle – Discover the secrets of Skull Rock by exploring this mysterious land! This is a fantastic attraction for your little treasure hunters!

• Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Peril – This is an Adventureland roller coaster themed on the Indiana Jones movies.

• La Tanière Du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair) – A family walk-through excursion to visit the once-ruler-of-the-sky dragon that now resides beneath the castle of Sleeping Beauty!

• Peter Pan’s Flight – Here, you’ll set sail on a flying ship to battle Captain Hook in one of the fantasy kingdom’s most popular experiences.

• Phantom Manor – This is the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland Paris, which has been reimagined with a darker theme than those at the other Disneyland parks.

• Pirates Of The Caribbean – This is one attraction you must see, from the amazing outside design with the battleship and adventure isle to the ride itself. In Disney Paris, it is unquestionably a must-see attraction.

• Space Mountain: Mission 2 –  This Space Mountain is a one-of-a-kind excursion that’s ideal for thrill-seekers and Star Wars fans alike!

Walt Disney Studios Park Top Attractions

• Crush’s Coaster – Climb aboard Crush, the enormous sea turtle, and dip, dive, and spin through many of the film’s greatest scenes!

• Rc Racer – Take a Giant Toy Story RC Car on a giant Hot Wheels track. This is a ton of family fun.

• Ratatouille: The Adventure – This ride magically reduces you to the size of everyone’s favorite chef rat.

• Rock N Roll Roller Coaster – Get on board this thrilling looping roller coaster set to Aerosmith music.

• Tower Of Terror – Face your fears and enter the haunted elevator to take the 13-floor plunge into the twilight zone on a tour of the famed Hollywood Tower Hotel. 

• Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin – Take a loopy journey with Slinky Dog as he tries to catch his tail.

• Toy Story Parachute Drop – This cute attraction brings you up to the top of the parachute and then drops you below, inspired by the movie Toy Story.

Other Magical Things To Do in Disneyland Paris

• For A Magical View, Climb Up The Castle – In Disneyland Paris, you can climb the castle and look out over the park. It’s a fascinating scenery that’s a must experience.

• Watch the Disney Illuminations show. – This is a must-see evening performance that’s just pure magic. 

• See the Parade of Disney Stars – Onboard magnificent new floats, Mickey and his friends pass past, including a fire-breathing dragon (and it’s pretty awesome!).

Holiday Events in Disneyland Paris

The main holiday celebrations at Disneyland Paris include:

• Disney’s Halloween Festival – Runs from September to October 31st.

• Christmas at Disneyland Paris – Runs from Early November to January

Other Seasonal Events at Disneyland Paris

• Festivals of Pirate and Princesses
• Legends of the Force
• Lion King Festival of the Seasons
• Marvel Season of Super Heroes

Where to eat when in Disneyland Paris

Whether you’re playing to enjoy dome sitdown meal or try some truly Disney snacks, here are some of the best places to eat in the park:

• Market House Deli – They offer amazing baguette sandwiches, wraps and Croque-Monsieur, which are great alternatives to burgers. Their Mickey cupcake is also a must-try. 

• Bistrot Chez Rémy – Fantastic place for dinner and if you’re in the mood for a hearty soup, fresh salads and juicy grilled steak. Their cakes and desserts are also highly recommended. 

• Boardwalk Candy Palace – This is the best place for uniquely Disney snacks like Chocolate Marshmallow Mickey, Chocolate Chip Mickey and Fudge Citron Meringue. 

• Victoria’s Home-Style Restaurant – Indulge in their Assorted Mini Pastries and the famous Victoria’s Milkshakes. 

• Crepes Cart – The perfect place to go for the Nutella Crepe, said to be among the best in Paris. 

Where to stay when in Disneyland Paris

Hotels Within Disney

Newport Bay Club

7.7 Good

This yacht club-themed hotel is the largest at Disneyland Paris, and it’s just a short walk from both Parc Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park.

The Newport Bay Club is one of the greatest places to stay if you’re visiting Disneyland Paris and want a more luxurious experience.

Sequoia Lodge

This is a modest motel with a ‘guest house’ style design, located in the woods. This hotel is warm and inviting, with an indoor and outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a bar. ​

Offsite

Campanile Val de France

8.0 Very Good

This hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service to Disneyland® Paris, which is only a 10-minute drive away. A Disney store, a merry-go-round, and a video game area are among the features of this hotel. Free WiFi and a private bathroom are available in each air-conditioned and well-equipped room.

L’Elysée Val d’Europe

9.1 Wonderful 

Disneyland Paris is only about 1.6 kilometers away. It includes comfortable guest rooms and a restaurant with a balcony that serves French and international cuisine. A little garden beneath a boardwalk separates the hotel bar from the restaurant.

What to pack when visiting Disneyland Paris

• Backpack – a convenient way to carry all your stuff. You can bring this bag with you on all the rides, too.

• Comfortable shoes – you will do a lot of walking. It’s best to wear shoes that won’t strain your feet. 

• Extra battery or power bank – for your cameras and cellphones so you would be able to capture every Paris Disney moment nonstop. 

• Camera – for taking photos and videos of your time in Disneyland Paris. 

• Plastic or stainless steel water bottle – glass items are prohibited at the park so bring plastic or stainless steel water bottle to stay hydrated. 

• Snacks – a simple sandwich or a pack of cookies will do so you have something to fill you up while exploring the park.

• Face towel or tissue, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer – stay clean and healthy at all times. 

• Lip balm and sunscreen – you’ll be exposed to elements while in the park and these two will help prevent irritation and dryness. 

• Travel Insurance – It’s important to have insurance whenever you travel. You never know what might happen while traveling, and it would be dreadful to be in an accident and then be saddled with a hefty medical cost you can’t afford.

Some tips when visiting Disneyland Paris

1. If you’re visiting Disney Paris for the first time, here’s a great tip: Download the Disneyland Paris app for your mobile device.

This app, which is free to download on the AppStore and Google Play, contains maps of the parks as well as parades and other showtimes.

The app also displays live waiting times for rides, so you won’t have to walk to the locations to check them out.

2. Be on the lookout for a FastPass. Fastpasses are tickets that allow you to skip the line and avoid the crowds.

This offer is only valid for a few rides, but they are all free and available where they are.

3. If you can’t get a fastpass (or if the ride you want to ride doesn’t offer it), try going during the times of the shows or other parades, especially just before the Sleeping Beauty Castle’s nighttime show.

The majority of people congregate around the castle, sometimes more than an hour before it begins, to secure the best viewing position. This means that there is a lot of open space on the rides.

4. Take advantage of online deals to help you save money. Before you book your trip to Disneyland Paris, take a look at the various deals available on the internet.

You will almost certainly find discounts, including some that are quite a steal.

5. Take the OUIgo train. If your lodging is close to an OUIgo train station, take it instead of a traditional high-speed train or even a car.

These are low-cost trains that cost as little as €10 to take you to Disneyland Paris. To save time, you can book an OUIgo online.

6. You might want to pack a sandwich for your meals. In the parks, restaurants and fast food are all very expensive and always packed.

You are not permitted to picnic in the parks, but you can bring a simple sandwich and eat it while strolling.

If you can’t make your sandwich, go to a restaurant or fast-food joint outside of rush hour to avoid wasting time in long lines.

Disneyland Paris Tours