Spend a Day at Disneyland in Paris, France!
Hi Friends!
When we were planning our Paris trip, Disneyland Paris was pretty high up on our must-do list while we were visiting. It is just a short train ride from the city, and it’s the perfect way to experience the Disney magic that we all love. It was fun because there are actually two parks in one! They have the Disneyland Park and they also have Walt Disney Studios Park. Between both parks you are going to get everything you’re looking for from classic fairytale rides, Pixar and Marvel adventures, and the iconic Sleeping Beauty’s Castle! If you’re a Disney fan, a foodie, or just want to relive a little childhood magic, Disneyland Paris is a must-visit. Below I’m sharing how we got there, how to get tickets, our favorite rides across both parks, what we ate, where we shopped, and then some of my best tips for making the most out of your magical day! Happy reading!
🎟️ Getting There + Buying Tickets
We took the train from our Airbnb to Disneyland Paris! Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée which was like a 40 minutes train ride from central Paris. Like I said, we took the train and we got off at the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, and it drops you off just a few steps from the park entrance which was super easy and convenient!
As for our tickets, we booked our tickets in advance through the official Disneyland Paris website! I always recommend booking tickets through the official site just so there aren’t any problems when trying to get into the park. We were only there for one day and we bought the Park Hopper ticket so we could go to both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. For us it was definitely worth it because each park has unique rides and experiences that we really didn’t want to miss!
🏰 How to Skip the Lines at Disneyland Paris
I am not an expert by any means, I just wanted to note what we did and noticed about the fast pass system when we were visiting. From what I understand, the classic paper FastPass system is gone much like other Disney parks, Disneyland Paris now uses Premier Access passes. They actually have two options, Disney Premier Access Ultimate and Disney Premier Access One. The Disney Premier Access Ultimate is where you can use the pass one time for each attraction that is available and the Disney Premier Access One is where you can use the pass one time for one attraction. I shared an image below that details the options a little bit more! For us, with a lot of the wait times being well over an hour to wait and us only being there for one day, we wanted to maximize our time and we decided to purchase it to experience both parks in one day.
One big tip: if there's something you must ride, go straight there at rope drop or pay for Premier Access.
🎢 Our Three Favorite Rides From Each Park
Disneyland Park Highlights
Walt Disney Studios Park Highlights
🛍️ Souvenirs We Bought (Because You Have to)
Shopping at Disneyland Paris felt extra special and there was a lot of merch that I hadn’t seen anywhere else like in the states or in Japan! Here is where we stopped:
The Emporium on Main Street - This is where you will find the Disney classics and it’s great to stop in for last-minute shopping before you leave the parks for the day!
Castle Shops - There were so many cool themed souvenirs that were tied to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, definitely stop in here!
Ratatouille Merch - We loved shopping in here and it is exclusive to Paris! They had themed desserts and candy and Ratatouille merch I haven’t seen before in any other parks I have been to!
Marvel & Pixar Stores in Walt Disney Studios - These were some other cool stores to shop in especially if Marvel or Pixar are you thing! Tons of cute things to find in here, they felt similar to shopping in California Adventure in my opinion!
💡 Tips for First-Timers
Download the Disneyland Paris App before your trip and use it!
Make sure you log in and link your tickets before getting to the park, you will want to use the app with your linked tickets to get into the park!
Check availability for rides and make reservations right after park entry. Availability for the fast pass options can go fast—especially on weekends and holidays!
Make sure you bring a portable charger, you’ll be on your phone all day and it will come in handy, I promise!
Utilize mobile ordering when it is available at select quick-service locations in the app! It is great for skipping food lines!
Pack compact umbrella or raincoat, we learned that the Paris weather can change quickly and again you will be happy you brought it!
Make sure you arrive early to the park to wait in line. I would aim to get there at least 30–45 minutes before park opening. The earlier you get in line the earlier you will get into the park and be able to get the fast passes that you want for the rides on your list.
I would have a plan going into the day but at the same time be flexible. It is smart to have a few rides on your list that are must-do attractions for you but also be ready to adjust the plan based on crowd levels and wait times for the day that you are at the park!
With us being such big Disney people we were so happy that we added Disneyland Paris to our itinerary in Paris. The Disneyland Park wan’t short of magic by any means and we loved the unique experiences at Walt Disney Studios, it really felt like the best of Disney with a little Paris twist! Don’t be intimidated by visiting Disneyland Paris, it was super easy with a little planning! Things like getting tickets early, considering Premier Access, and prioritizing your favorite rides will help you make the most of your day across both parks. If you’re planning your own Disneyland Paris adventure and have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at tarynintotravel@gmail.com.
Much love,
Emma
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