Tips for first-time visitors to Disneyland Paris

If you've always wanted a more enjoyable Disney park experience with budget-friendly tickets, convenient public transport directly to the entrance, and smooth park-hopping, then Disneyland Paris could be the perfect addition to your next trip to France.

And don't forget, there's a Champagne cart on Main Street, U.S.A. and a dragon hiding beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle that you can visit.

Disneyland Paris opened its doors in 1992, initially branded as Euro Disney. The park is currently thriving and boasts what might be the finest Disney hotel in the world, the Disneyland Hotel. Its sister park, Walt Disney Studios Park, once seen as the weakest international Disney park, now features top-notch attractions and, since 2022, includes the exciting Avengers Campus. Additionally, more rides and themed areas, including a new identity as Disney Adventure World, are set to launch in the coming years.

Disneyland Paris is stunning and more budget-friendly compared to parks in the U.S. It's also incredibly easy to access from Paris, making it a fantastic multi-day stop during your European getaway or an exciting daytime break from a larger trip to the City of Light.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland Paris for the first time.

Essential information about Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris features two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, which will soon be rebranded as Disney Adventure World.

Disneyland Park is a castle-themed wonderland that blends elements of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida with Disneyland Park in California. It features the enchanting Sleeping Beauty Castle and beloved areas like Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Adventureland.

However, don’t be misled by the familiar aspects; this park is far from being a mere replica of others. You'll discover unique experiences here, and the rides that sound recognizable, like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, offer a more thrilling experience in France than they do in the U.S.

Then there's Walt Disney Studios Park, which will soon transform into Disney Adventure World. It will feature a brand-new Adventure Bay, a "Tangled"-themed attraction, and a World of Frozen area, similar to the one that recently debuted in Hong Kong, set to open in 2026.

The two parks are located right next to each other across a plaza, reminiscent of the layout at Disneyland in California. This proximity allows for easy and quick park-hopping if desired.

You can likely experience the highlights of one or possibly both Disneyland Paris parks in a single day. However, if you choose to spend two days at the parks, you'll have plenty of time to explore most of what Disneyland Paris offers, especially with a little line-skipping strategy.

There are several hotels nearby for your stay, or you can easily catch a train to and from the airport or the center of Paris for added convenience.

Tickets for Disneyland Paris

While not as inexpensive as the tickets we secured earlier this year for Tokyo Disney, tickets for Disneyland Paris remain significantly more budget-friendly than those for the U.S. Disney parks.

One-day, one-park tickets at Disneyland Paris start at $63 for adults, while children's tickets (for kids ages 3 to 11) are priced slightly lower.

During the holiday season, ticket prices can soar up to $148, but for most of the year, you'll find much more affordable rates, especially if you visit on weekdays when crowds are lighter.

Adding park-hopping is just 25 euros ($27) more per person, per day, making it a good option if you prefer not to spend two days in the parks.

Be sure to check for ticket deals on the Disneyland Paris website before finalizing your purchase. This summer, we took advantage of a "Friends and Family" promotion that offered additional discounts for groups of four to six, which fit our travel plans perfectly.

An additional advantage is that dated park tickets can be canceled up to three days prior to your visit, making it easy to commit to your purchase before our trip.

Hotels at Disneyland Paris

There are seven official hotels at Disneyland Paris, from the newly redesigned Disneyland Hotel right at the park entrance to the cabins at Davy Crockett Ranch, which is a 15-minute drive away and unfortunately does not offer a shuttle service. Several hotels are also conveniently located within a 10 to 20-minute walk or shuttle ride from the parks.

Staying at an official Disneyland Paris hotel grants you an Extra Magic Hour each morning. During this hour, you’ll enjoy early access to select areas of the parks, allowing you to meet characters or hop on rides before non-hotel guests arrive.

If you’re deciding among the hotels, the finest one at Disneyland Paris is undoubtedly the iconic Disneyland Hotel.

It reopened in early 2024 after a transformation that feels fit for a fairy-tale princess. With its grand lobby chandelier and the hotel’s exclusive Champagne, it exudes luxury in all the best ways.

The downside is that room rates here begin at approximately $1,000 per night. The upside, though, is that these rooms can typically accommodate four guests, which is a rarity in Paris, where occupancy limits usually restrict rooms to two or three occupants. After having to book two rooms for the four of us in Paris (and other European locations), spending a night here in one room felt far less exorbitant than it otherwise might have.

I dare say, considering the savings from not needing to book two rooms, it was worth it for the convenience and the luxurious, upscale experience it offered.

I utilized the annual $100 hotel credit from the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (refer to rates and fees) and booked my accommodation through the Citi Travel site, which allowed me to earn 10 points per dollar on the paid part of my stay, resulting in a substantial return.

As of August 2024, TPG values Citi ThankYou Rewards points at 1.8 cents each, so by using the card's annual hotel benefit, I saved $100 and earned roughly $162 in points for future travels through careful reservation strategies.

There is a delightful character dining experience at the Royal Banquet where Mickey and friends don their royal attire, but it comes at a price of 100 euros ($111) for guests aged 12 and up, and 50 euros ($56) for children aged 3 to 11. We decided to skip this experience this time, as a dinner for four would have approached $400.

The hotel also features a popular indoor pool and a Royal Kids Club. However, during my visit, the staff at the kids club seemed to have limited English proficiency, and my French is quite basic, so I couldn't gather all the details about the club firsthand. The website states that it offers up to two hours of free service per day for kids aged 4 to 11. Located next to the spa, it might be a convenient choice for parents seeking some personal time while their little ones are entertained.

You can arrange for a royal makeover for your kids, with prices ranging from just over $100 to nearly $500, showcasing some of the finest costumes I've seen. Alternatively, keep an eye out for spontaneous theatrical performances happening around the hotel, which are completely free.

The second-best hotel at Disneyland Paris is probably Disney Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel, which reopened in 2021 following an extensive superhero-themed makeover. Room rates typically range from $700 to $800, with peak nights costing even more.

You might want to steer clear of some Disneyland Paris hotels that are still pricey but haven't been recently updated or renovated.

For instance, despite its appealing national park lodge theme and reasonable rates, the Disney Sequoia Lodge's rooms and common areas are said to feel somewhat worn and outdated. There are whispers of potential renovations in the near future, so keep an eye out for updates.

If the official Disneyland Paris hotels don’t suit your needs and you're looking to use points for nearby accommodations, consider Marriott's Village d'ile-de-France, located less than 4 miles from the park entrance. However, be aware that securing award availability through Marriott Bonvoy can be notoriously challenging and sometimes nearly impossible. Alternatively, the Holiday Inn Express Marne-la-Vallee Val d'Europe is available for booking with IHG points, starting at around 32,000 points per night.

Another nearby option is the Moxy Paris Val d'Europe, which can also be booked using Marriott points and offers convenient access to the Reseau Express Regional (a commuter network with five express train lines connecting Paris to its suburbs) to Disneyland Paris.

Getting to Disneyland Paris from Paris

Staying close to Disneyland Paris isn’t necessary if you prefer to be in the city, as reaching Disneyland from central Paris is quite straightforward thanks to the RER A train. This line connects various central locations in Paris to the Marne-la-Vallee — Chessy station, which is so near Disneyland that you can practically smell the churros as you exit.

It's also easy to identify the right train to Disneyland Paris — just look for the Mickey symbol on the station signs. Tickets can be bought from kiosks at the station, costing 5 euros each. The journey from the Auber station, which was closest to the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, where we had stayed with points previously, was smooth and took about 45 minutes.

Keep in mind that the RER A train splits into two lines just before reaching the Marne-la-Vallee — Chessy stop, so verify that your train has the Mickey symbol and is headed to the correct station before boarding.

After disembarking from the train, it's only a short walk out of the station before you go through security to enter the Disneyland Paris complex.

If you're traveling to or from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) during your Disneyland Paris trip, your journey will still start and end at the Marne-la-Vallee station. The fastest and most convenient option is to take a TGV high-speed train, which offers a quick 10-minute ride from Disney to the airport.

Be aware that tickets can be pricey for such a short trip, but we noticed prices tend to decrease as your travel date approaches, starting around 16 euros ($18) per person, though prices fluctuate based on the time and date.

Top Rides at Disneyland Paris

At first glance, many attractions at Disneyland Paris may seem similar to their counterparts in the U.S., but that’s not always the full story.

Space Mountain

In Disneyland Paris, the ride typically known as Space Mountain is rebranded as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, and it features thrilling upside-down sections ... multiple times. It's definitely a must-try if you're a coaster enthusiast.

Big Thunder Mountain

Next up is Big Thunder Mountain, which I would argue surpasses the versions found in the U.S.

For one, it features a "haunted" theme that connects to the nearby Phantom Manor story (more on that soon), and it actually travels under the lake. Don't worry, you won't get wet, and if you're not paying close attention, you might not even notice, but it definitely happens.

Phantom Manor

Phantom Manor serves as Disneyland Paris' take on the Haunted Mansion, but it diverges significantly from the versions found in the U.S. It's not merely a name change; the narrative is entirely different. Most of the commentary is in both French and English, so even non-French speakers can follow along. It’s stunning, eerie, and absolutely a ride you shouldn’t miss.

Pirates of the Caribbean

The Disneyland version of Pirates of the Caribbean is often considered superior to the one at Disney World due to its greater number of scenes and an additional drop. I would say this version at Disneyland Paris ranks very close to its counterpart in California. This attraction features two drops, and while the scenes may be familiar, they are presented in a unique order that makes it essential to experience.

Crush's Coaster

Nestled in Walt Disney Studios Park, this spinning coaster is themed around "Finding Nemo" and is unique in the world. Although we didn't get a chance to ride Crush's Coaster during our visit to Disneyland Park, it's an exhilarating attraction you shouldn't miss if you find yourself at Walt Disney Studios Park. It was a standout experience for TPG Managing Editor Jordan Waller on his trip last year, who described it as "far scarier" than he anticipated.

A fire-breathing dragon beneath the castle

While not a ride, this is an essential experience at Disneyland Paris. Be sure to explore inside Sleeping Beauty Castle, but don't forget to venture under it as well, where you'll encounter its oversized captive.

This dragon is usually slumbering, but if you wait for it to awaken, you're in for a treat — it's something you won’t find at any Disney park in the U.S.

Explore inside Sleeping Beauty Castle

Step inside Sleeping Beauty Castle to admire the stunning views below, the intricate stained glass windows, and more. It's a breathtaking experience that stands out, especially in comparison to the castle at Magic Kingdom.

Additional Disneyland Paris rides to consider—or skip

Among the other attractions we liked was Disneyland Paris' take on Snow White's Scary Adventures, which retains its creepier elements that California's version has since softened. Additionally, I found Peter Pan's Flight to be superior to the U.S. versions in both Florida and California.

Popular attractions at Walt Disney Studios Park also include Ratatouille: The Adventure, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force.

I must mention that I personally did not enjoy Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril at Disneyland Paris. It was extremely jarring and likely to induce not just motion sickness but also discomfort in the head, neck, or back, even when adhering to the advice of keeping your head pressed back against the padding. This one gets a zero out of five stars from me.

Is Disneyland Paris Premier Access a good investment?

Having discussed the top attractions at Disneyland Paris, the next logical consideration is the wait times... and strategies to minimize them.

Disneyland Paris offers two skip-the-line options: Premier Access and Premier Access Plus. The former is a pay-per-ride service, while the latter provides access to all eligible rides (once per ride) in both parks, similar to Lightning Lane access in the U.S.

Currently, the cost for Premier Access per attraction ranges from 5 to 16 euros ($6 to $18), depending on the ride. You can purchase up to three Premier Access passes each day, with a limit of one per attraction. Bookings are made on the day of your visit in the park, and after your purchase, you'll receive the next available time slot.

In comparison, the Premier Access Plus pass allows access to all eligible rides without a specific time constraint. You can ride each eligible attraction at any time. Prices for this pass vary significantly, starting around 90 euros ($100) per person per day and increasing during peak times.

I believe getting some form of Premier Access pass is definitely worthwhile for busy attractions to maximize your time at Disneyland Paris. However, the Premier Access Plus pass is only justifiable if you're planning to park-hop extensively or if the cost fits your budget comfortably. The flexibility to minimize wait times and avoid specific return slots is a significant advantage.

Alternatively, you can plan wisely by selecting three rides for Premier Access, allowing you to dodge the longest lines while spending less than you would on the Premier Access Plus pass.

Dining at Disneyland Paris

While Disneyland Paris boasts some impressive attractions and beautiful scenery, I don't find the food to be a highlight. It's not that the meals are bad, but rather that many options fall short of being particularly good.

However, as someone who appreciates the quirky charm of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland California, I really enjoyed dining at the Toad Hall quick-service restaurant in Fantasyland.

The fish-and-chips were surprisingly tasty, especially when compared to some of the other meals I tried later from different quick-service spots at Disneyland Paris. I’d suggest this restaurant for a quick lunch if you enjoy fish-and-chips, as it's the main offering here and costs 12 euros ($13).

As you can see, some of our later meals didn't quite hit the mark.

Cafe Hyperion, pictured below, wasn't my top choice for dining, but it offered plenty of space and air conditioning, plus the option to watch cartoons while enjoying your fish or chicken burgers and fries. This restaurant, along with a few others, uses "Click and Collect," akin to the "mobile order" system in the U.S. Still, expect long lines during busy periods.

We opted not to dine at any of the sit-down restaurants due to a mix of pricing and our limited time in the area. However, if you're staying at a Disneyland Paris hotel and desire a sit-down meal, reservations can be made up to two months in advance.

To conclude this section on a high note, if you're a Champagne lover, be sure to grab a glass from the Champagne cart on Main Street and raise a toast to a delightful day in a stunning park. It costs 20 euros ($22), and you get to keep the charming flute, making it a worthwhile experience.

Is Disneyland Paris worth visiting?

I've thoroughly enjoyed both of my trips to Disneyland Paris. While it may not be the top Disney park globally, it excels in various aspects, providing an easy escape for you and your kids from the more challenging experiences of traveling in Europe, offering the comfort and familiarity of a day on Main Street, U.S.A.

It's a stunning park, and you can spend as little as a day here and still feel like you've experienced a substantial amount, ensuring you get good value for your ticket, especially if you make strategic use of your Premier Access pass.

It's incredibly convenient to spend a night or two here at the start or end of your journey if you're traveling to or from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, thanks to the high-speed train that connects the two in just 10 minutes. The Disneyland Hotel is truly remarkable if your budget allows it (or if you can use points to make it happen), but there are also plenty of other hotel choices nearby.

Alternatively, you can opt to stay in Paris and take the RER A train to Disneyland Paris — it’s a fantastic way to sprinkle some Disney enchantment into a larger trip centered around exploring the City of Light.