Disneyland Paris is a beautiful place with that unmistakable Disney charm that is an easy day trip from Paris.
Download the list format of this itinerary below.
Should you visit Disneyland Paris?
As lovers of Disney, we definitely recommend visiting Disneyland Paris as a day trip during your stay in Paris, but only if you are in Paris for 5 days or more. There are many other worthwhile sights in Paris and its surroundings that could easily take up your time.
Disneyland Paris has two parks, laid out similarly to Disneyland in California. Disneyland Park in Paris contains all the classic attractions, some with a European twist. Walt Disney Studios (WDS), designed to mimic a Hollywood studio lot, contains Pixar, Marvel, and entertainment attractions. Disneyland Paris can be easily done as a day trip by using a park-hopper, or in two days to allow one full day for each park.
This itinerary is designed for a one-day park-hopper ticket, beginning in WDS and hopping over to Disneyland Park. With a park hopper ticket, you are allowed to go between parks as many times as you like. This itinerary is perfect for teens and adults that want to go on rides but can also be modified for families with younger children or folks with less desire for rides.
We visited Disneyland Paris in October 2021, when many Covid-19 regulations were still in place (for example, there were no shows or character meet-and-greets). Please double check entertainment and character appearance information directly on the Disneyland Paris website here.
Like many of our itineraries, this plan depends on a long day, arriving for opening and staying until closing. Get ready for a magical day!
Getting There
Disneyland Paris is accessible via the train station called Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy (but don’t worry, almost every sign for Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy stop also says ‘Parcs Disney’ with a Mickey Mouse symbol). This train line costs a few euros more than a normal Paris metro ticket due to the fact that it is located in a zone outside the city centre. This also means the train runs less frequently (about every 12-15 mins).
You can catch the train from almost any major station in Paris. Map out your route on the Paris public transport website here.
Exit the train station and follow the crowd to the main entrance where you will undergo a bag and security check. From here you will enter a “courtyard” with the Disney parks on each side. Head towards the WDS line. If in doubt, head towards the water tower, not the castle!
We arrived approximately 15 mins prior to park opening, which was a huge mistake on our part, as we didn’t get on the first ride until 45 mins after opening. We recommend arriving at least 1 hour before park opening so that you are one of the first in line and get a jumpstart on the day.
Disneyland Paris App
The Disneyland Paris app is a must-download before your visit. Using Disneyland Paris wifi, you can purchase Premier Access, order food in advance, and check wait times.
The app is updated frequently to ensure that wait times are accurate. This essential tool is the best way to organize your day.
Wait times at Disneyland Paris
We have labelled each attraction with its approximate wait times during busy times of day (midmorning – late afternoon) based on our own experience. Attractions rated “high” are best done at the beginning or end of day, or with a Disney Premier Access pass (more on that below). Always check the app for updates.
High = 45 mins or more
Medium = 25-45 mins
Low = 5-25 mins
MORNING: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
Start in Walt Disney Studios. This park has fewer rides than Disneyland but still is fun with plenty of entertainment options.
Attractions
Spider-Man WEB Adventure (High wait time)
This ride, part of the Avengers Campus, was not open during our visit (along with the rest of the Avengers’ Campus). We understand that it is the same as WEB Slingers in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland (which we have been to and thoroughly enjoyed). We expect it to be busy, and recommend to ride it early if you are interested.
Crush’s Coaster (High wait time)
Ride Crush’s Coaster first. This mild roller coaster puts a group of 4 on a rotating sea turtle’s back as you ride the EAC (East Australian Current) with everyone’s favourite turtle, Crush from Pixar’s Finding Nemo. This ride is a ton of fun!
We were worried about feeling nauseous or dizzy from the spinning, but it was quite mild and the motion really enhances the ride. Crush’s Coaster is unique to Disneyland Paris and is a must-do for roller coaster lovers.
Ratatouille: The Adventure (High wait time)
Next, ride Ratatouille: The Adventure. In this simulation/theme ride combo, you’ll shrink to Remy’s size as you board a ‘rat-mobile’ and experience life from a rat’s perspective. Using 3D screen with glasses and motion simulators, you follow Remy from screen to screen through a series of scenes from Pixar’s Ratatouille.
This ride was fun, but we felt a little nauseous after the motion simulation. We also bought a Disney Premier Access Pass for this attraction to avoid the very long line.
Tower of Terror (Medium-high wait time)
This spin on a classic Disney attraction puts a little girl at the centre of attention (reminiscent of scary dolls from horror movies). Seated in a service elevator, a small girl haunts you as you visit a series of floors and experience drops (faster than the acceleration of gravity).
This attraction, though fun, does not have the frighteningly creepy quality of the original Twilight Zone or the energetic party vibe of the revamped Guardians of the Galaxy version of the attraction.
Cars Road Trip (Medium wait time)
Cars Road Trip based on Pixar’s Cars plays up the movie studios theme of the park. This attraction takes you on a ‘backlot tour’ of Radiator Springs. Unfortunately Cars Road Trip was closed during our visit.
Other Attractions
WDS has other Toy Story and Cars rides designed for smaller children. Feel free to check them out!
Entertainment in Walt Disney Studios Park
Toon Studio in WDS puts on stage shows such as Frozen. Although none were playing during our visit, our experience at other parks dictates that lining up 30-60 mins in advance is necessary to get a spot.
The Avengers do many character appearances or outdoor performances just like Avengers Campus in Disneyland. Avengers Campus was not open during our visit.
For entertainment, check the schedule online or on the app before your visit.
AFTERNOON: DISNEYLAND PARK
Spend the second half of your day in Disneyland Park. By the afternoon, be aware that the park will be busy. Use your discretion and the wait times on the app to decide which rides to do first.
The early afternoon in Disneyland Park will be the busiest time. This is your opportunity to take the riverboat, watch a parade, visit with some characters, buy some snacks, or go on often-forgotten attractions. Pirates of the Caribbean and It’s a Small World rarely have long lines and are a good choice for this time of day.
Attractions
Below we highlight the rides that are unmissable and unique to Disneyland Paris.
Phantom Manor (Medium-high wait time)
This is the Haunted Mansion of Disneyland Paris. Located in Frontierland, Phantom Manor takes you on a tour of the (haunted) house of a great Western family. It just underwent its greatest refurbishment, and is not to be missed. Phantom Manor is unique to Disneyland Paris.
Pirates of the Caribbean (Low-medium wait time)
Pirates of the Caribbean is known for its low waiting time – this ride moves people through very quickly and is a great option for the middle of the day. In our opinion, this version of the classic attraction is far superior to the Disneyland version.
There is more detail, features more of the excellent movie soundtracks, and more Jack Sparrow (speaking in French of course). Pirates of the Caribbean is a must-do at any visit to Disneyland Paris.
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain (High wait time)
The Disneyland Paris version of Space Mountain was originally designed as a journey to the moon à la Jules Verne. It features a rocket-ship catapult launch (as opposed to the slow climb on Space Mountain in the USA). The speed is much faster, and the track includes loop-de-loop and corkscrews (although when it’s dark, you hardly notice it).
It is now permanently Star Wars themed. You are caught in the middle of a battle with the Empire in this thrilling attraction. This is Disneyland Paris’ crown jewel and we thought it was the best attraction!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (High wait time)
This Indiana Jones attraction is remarkably similar to its counterparts at other Disney Parks. The main difference is that the Temple of Peril seemed to have more of an emphasis on snakes.
Le Pays des Contes des Fées (Storybook Land) (Low wait time)
This classic boat tour is charmingly redone in European style. If you’ve never ridden it before at any other Disney park, Disneyland Paris is the way to go. We loved it.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth (No wait time)
This small maze is a delight for all ages. Trapped in Wonderland, paths lead to statues of different characters from the classic story and ends with the Queen of Hearts’ throne providing for a good photo op.
Exhibitions in Sleeping Beauty’s Castle (No wait time)
Not to be missed and recently refurbished, Sleeping Beauty’s Gallery is on the first floor of the castle, while underneath lies the Dragon’s Lair. This is unique to Disneyland Paris.
Classic unchanged attractions from other Disney Parks
The following rides are very similar if not identical to the other Disney Parks:
- Thunder Mountain (high wait time)
- Thunder Mesa Riverboat (low wait time)
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (medium wait time)
- Orbitron (medium wait time)
- Autopia (low wait time)
- It’s a Small World (low wait time)
- Pinocchio’s Voyage (medium wait time)
- Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups (medium wait time)
- Carousel (medium wait time)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant (high wait time)
- Casey Jr’s train (low wait time)
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (medium wait time)
Star Tours (Low wait time)
Star Tours doesn’t get the hype it used to, but it is still one of our favourites (yay for us – less lines)! At Disneyland Paris, Star Tours is the same as in the USA. It’s worth noting that C3PO, the captain, speaks French absolutely adorably!
Peter Pan’s Flight (High wait time)
Always a favourite, always a long line. It never fails to amaze us that a 2 minute ride continuously has a 40 min wait time all day long. To avoid waiting in line, we have found only two options: ride it at opening, or at closing. Since you are in WDS in the morning, we recommend getting in line 5-10 mins prior to closing. The line doesn’t actually close until official closing time. The line also starts to thin out in the last hour that the park is open.
Entertainment at Disneyland Park
There are parades and character appearances daily so check the schedule online or on the app for your visit. Disneyland Park is also home to the favourite Mickey’s Philharmagic, a 12 min animated show.
In our opinion, parades are not worth lining up for, unless you have small children. Find a good spot 10-15 mins before the parade starts.
Logistics at Disneyland Paris
Should you park hop more than once?
Technically, with a park hopper ticket you have access to both parks as many times as you like during the day. However, park hopping takes at least 10 minutes to 20 minutes depending on how fast you walk.
As crazy obsessed planners, we do not like to waste a minute of our time and would avoid park hopping more than once, unless we felt it absolutely necessary to see something that requires park hopping. Weigh your options and decide what is best for your group.
A word about Time Management
If you only have a day in Disneyland Paris, be aware that you may not get to do everything you want to so it will be important to prioritize. We prioritized rides, especially rides we had never been on before, since Covid-19 rules meant there were few entertainment options.
It is imperative to look at entertainment and character schedules in advance and plan your day around them if this is important to you. As the day winds down, you might have to decide whether it is worth it to stand in line for something you really want to do.
Disney Premier Access
The Disney Premier Access Ultimate package works much the same way as Genie+ currently in Disneyland and Disney World, where you can redeem one premier access pass for each eligible attraction. You can also purchase Premier Access passes for an attraction individually, as we did for Ratatouille: The Adventure.
We would never visit Disneyland in California without Genie+, but we did not buy Premier Access for our day in Disneyland Paris. The Covid-19 regulations in place at the time all but ensured there would be fewer crowds. If you are visiting during high season and want to ride all big-name rides in one day, the Premier Access Ultimate package might be for you. Always check the website for up to date information.
Eating in Disneyland Paris
We prefer to spend our time on rides or seeing characters so we did not go to any of the park restaurants. Below are our tips to save time, money, and your waistline while eating at Disneyland Paris.
Eat breakfast before you leave Paris. Bring sandwiches for lunch. We visited a local bakery and supermarket in Paris the day before and bought buns, meat, cheese, and lettuce/cucumber for our lunch.
Dinner
For dinner, using the mobile order feature on the Disneyland Paris app is quick and easy. We ate at the Café Hyperion in Discoveryland which was essentially fast food (and it was good!), but here are some other available options:
- Vendor carts outside Ratatouille: The Adventure (good potato gratin, pretzels, crêpes)
- Order ahead at Casey’s Corner, main street (chicken fingers and the like)
- Pizzeria Bella Notte, Fantasyland (pizza to share)
- Fuente del oro Bar, Frontierland (Mexican burritos)
- Old Mill, Fantasyland (crêpes)
Snacks at Disneyland Paris
Our food purchases at Disney parks mainly consist of snacks. Here are a few we had on our list to try:
- Giant Mickey cookie filled with Nutella at Boardwalk Candy, Main Street – sells out fast
- Fudge from Boardwalk Candy, Main Street
- Disney themed cookies at the Cookie Kitchen on Main Street
- Mickey shaped almond muffin at the Hyperspace Mountain picture kiosk
- French fries at the French fry truck by Tower of Terror
- Garlic bread at Pizzeria Bella Notte or Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost in Adventureland
- Popcorn stands everywhere
Mechanical Issues
During our visit, we experienced more ride closures than we have at either Disney park in the USA. If a ride shuts down it may not be worth it to stay in line as there is no guarantee as to how long the delay will be.
We were waiting for the Cars Road Trip when it closed temporarily due to mechanical problems and left the line but continued to check the app for updates – the ride remained closed for 5 more hours. We just worked around it to plan the rest of our day. These delays happen and we have learned to just go with the flow and be prepared to pivot!
Do you need to speak French to visit Disneyland Paris?
Absolutely not. We found that almost all employees we interacted with speak both languages, and all signs are in English and French. One thing to be aware of: some of the rides’ audio is only in French (for example, Star Tours and the Tower of Terror), making it harder to follow the storyline for non-French speaking visitors, but it doesn’t decrease the fun factor!
THE BIG PICTURE
Disneyland Paris makes a wonderful day-trip from Paris for families and Disney lovers of all ages. Planning your day will guarantee that your visit proceeds smoothly and you are better equipped to deal with surprises (always have a back-up plan and be flexible). Disneyland Paris is a unique park that is a delight to visit.
