If you’re planning your first trip to Disneyland Paris, having a guide with all the helpful tips will save you money, help you organize your visit, and make sure you know the dos and don’ts.
You’ve probably realized that this amusement park is much more than a typical one, and the costs can add up significantly compared to parks back home. That’s why it’s essential to be well-prepared and maximize your time enjoying the attractions.
So, here are some essential tips for visiting Disneyland Paris that I wish I had known before my previous visits to this magical and special place.
How to Get to Disneyland Paris
Depending on your specific circumstances, there are several ways to reach the theme park:
Getting to Disneyland Paris from the Airport
The nearest airport is Orly, but Charles De Gaulle handles more flights. From either airport, you can travel by train, bus, or private transport.
Magical Shuttle
This is the most popular bus for reaching the theme park, easily recognizable by its red color. It makes stops at all the associated hotels in the resort complex, so you can go directly to your hotel room. The transfer from either airport takes about an hour.
Book your seat in advance using the link below, where you can select your airport, whether it’s Orly or Charles de Gaulle.
BOOK NOWTrain
From Charles de Gaulle, you can take the TGV high-speed train. The fare depends on the time of day, starting from 19 euros, and the journey takes just 10 minutes. However, note that sometimes the line is interrupted due to flooding. (The alternative is taking the RER train, but I don’t recommend it, as it takes at least 90 minutes to reach the park.)
You can book your ticket on the official SNCF website.
From Orly, use the RER suburban train. First, take the Orlyval metro to Antony station (RER B), transfer to Châtelet les Halles, and catch the RER A to Disneyland. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
Book your tickets on the official RATP website.
Private Transfer
The most convenient option is a private vehicle that picks you up from the airport and drops you off at Disneyland Paris. You can make a reservation for either Charles de Gaulle or Orly at the following link:
Getting to Disneyland Paris from the City
You can also reach the park from Paris by train, bus, or private transport, just like from the airports:
Bus
The Disneyland Paris Express bus connects the park with four areas in Paris, and you must book it along with your park tickets. If you haven’t reserved your tickets yet, this is a great option for getting from the city to Disneyland at a reasonable price, without any hassle.
Extra tip: Consider staying late enough to see the nighttime shows and fireworks at Disneyland, as they are a magical experience worth waiting for.
RER Train
Another option is to take the suburban train, which has five stations in the city and runs approximately every 10 minutes. The journey takes around 40 minutes, making it a budget-friendly choice for getting to the park.
Private Transfer
The benefit of using private transfer services is that you get picked up directly from your hotel and transported straight to the park (or vice versa) in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, equipped with baby seats if needed. Customer service is available 24/7 to address any questions or issues.
Disneyland Paris Themed Areas
The main park is divided into different themed areas, each featuring attractions related to Disney movies or concepts. Here are the five main sections of Disneyland Paris:
- Main Street: The first area you enter, filled with gift shops and bakeries. At the end, you’ll see Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
- Discoveryland: Focused on space and technology, featuring attractions like Star Wars adventures and Toy Story-themed rides.
- Fantasyland: A dreamland for kids, with the iconic castle and classic Disney characters from beloved fairy tales.
- Adventureland: For thrill-seekers, with jungle treks, pirates, and Indiana Jones-inspired attractions.
- Frontierland: The Wild West area, complete with wooden roller coasters and Mexican-themed restaurants.
Top Attractions at Disneyland Paris
If you’re visiting Disneyland Paris, it’s essential to know which attractions are a must-see so you can better plan your day. Since the Disneyland Resort Paris complex actually consists of two parks, we’ll split our list into the best rides for each.
Disneyland Park
These are some of the top attractions in the main park:
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
This is the standout roller coaster at Disneyland Paris, known for its thrilling high-speed launch that gives you an adrenaline rush right from the start. The ride takes you through a dark, indoor track with laser beams and spaceship battles, creating an exciting Star Wars-themed experience.
The entire attraction is indoors, which is especially convenient on cold or rainy days. It’s suitable for children over 13 years old and at least 132 cm tall.
Location: Discoveryland
Big Thunder Mountain
One of the world’s most famous roller coasters, Big Thunder Mountain stands out for its speed and immersive Old West setting. You’ll see gold mines, Native American settlements, lakes, and even ghost towns as the coaster rattles along the wooden tracks.
The ride takes you along an artificial lake and through water tunnels, though passengers rarely get wet. It’s a classic coaster experience for all thrill-seekers.
Location: Frontierland
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
A family-friendly attraction inspired by Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast lets you board a four-person cart equipped with laser pistols. As you ride, you aim at targets to score points, competing with your friends or family to see who gets the highest score.
The ride is suitable for all ages, with no height restrictions, making it a fun and interactive experience for everyone. Plus, the ability to rotate your cart adds an extra level of competition.
Location: Discoveryland
Star Tours
Star Tours is a motion-simulator ride that immerses you in a 3D Star Wars adventure. You’ll board a space cruiser and go on a thrilling journey through different scenes from the Star Wars universe. It’s a must-visit attraction for all Star Wars fans and provides a fun experience for guests of various ages.
Location: Discoveryland
Extra Tip: Make use of the Disney Premier Access service to skip the lines for popular rides, saving you valuable time to explore more of the magic.
Star Tours
This is a flight simulator based on the spaceships from the Star Wars movies. It has recently been remodeled to feature immersive 3D video, making it an exciting experience whether you’re visiting with your partner or your kids.
The wait queue itself is quite impressive and is one of the most entertaining in the park, filled with iconic scenes and unforgettable moments from the Star Wars saga. The atmosphere and décor are so well done that it’s easy to get lost in the magic of the galaxy far, far away.
Location: Discoveryland
Phantom Manor
Phantom Manor is a family-friendly ghost ride that offers a spooky yet fun experience. The attraction starts with a brief walk through some eerily decorated areas before you board a two-person cart for a haunting journey.
Along the ride, you’ll encounter ghosts, witches, and skeletons in 3D and ultra-realistic displays, but nothing too frightening. The ride lasts about 4 minutes, which is quite generous considering the average wait time is usually only around 15 minutes.
Location: Frontierland
Walt Disney Studios Park
This park is more geared toward older kids and adults, featuring several thrilling attractions. Here are our top picks:
Tower of Terror
One of the best attractions at Disneyland Paris, the Tower of Terror is a drop ride themed around a haunted hotel. Despite its spooky ambiance, the ride isn’t actually scary; it has more of a mysterious, thrilling vibe, making it fun for the whole family.
The attraction’s highlight is its elaborate set design, costumed staff, and the atmospheric storytelling. The entire experience is unforgettable, and it alone justifies the cost of entry to Disneyland Paris.
Location: Production Courtyard
Crush’s Coaster
Inspired by Finding Nemo, this ride is one of the park’s most popular attractions. It’s a dark roller coaster where your cart spins around, creating a thrilling and disorienting experience. Be prepared for long waits, as the average queue time can reach 60 minutes or more.
However, the theming in the waiting area is well done, which makes the time pass by more quickly and adds to the anticipation.
Location: Toon Studio
Spiderman WEB Adventure
One of the newest attractions at Disneyland Paris, Spiderman WEB Adventure features high-quality visuals and interactive gameplay. Riders sit in two rows and must shoot virtual spider webs to catch spider-bots, but here’s the twist: instead of using a laser gun, you’ll use your hands to sling webs, just like Spiderman!
Be prepared to feel the burn in your arms—it’s a real workout! This attraction was a huge hit with our family, and our son couldn’t stop talking about it. We definitely plan to ride it again.
Location: Production Courtyard
Premier Access
Remember the old Fast Pass system, where you could go to a machine at an attraction, choose a return time, print a ticket, and skip the queue? Well, that system NO LONGER EXISTS post-pandemic.
It’s been replaced by Premier Access, a paid system that lets you skip the lines, but it requires spending extra money. This change has been a disappointment for many visitors, as the old Fast Pass worked quite efficiently.
Extra Tip: Be strategic about which attractions to use Premier Access for, especially during peak times, to get the most value out of this paid service.
Now there are two options for Premier Access:
- Disney Premier Access Ultimate: This option allows you to skip the line for each participating attraction once.
- Disney Premier Access One: This option is for skipping the line at a single attraction of your choice, which you specify when you book.
Which Attractions Offer Premier Access?
Disneyland Paris Attractions:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- It’s a Small World
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Ratatouille
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
- Autopia
- Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril
- Star Tours
- Phantom Manor
- Orbitron
Walt Disney Studios Attractions:
- Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
- Spiderman W.E.B Adventure
- Crush’s Coaster
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Cars Road Trip
Single Rider
If you’re unfamiliar with it, the Single Rider service is a special line for guests willing to ride solo. The biggest advantage is that the wait time is often significantly shorter than the regular line, saving you valuable time and helping you avoid frustration while waiting.
The service is free and can be used as many times as you want on a single attraction or across multiple attractions that offer this option. Wait times can sometimes be as short as 5 or 10 minutes.
Attractions that offer Single Rider include:
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
- Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril
- Ratatouille
- Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
- RC Racer
Rider Switch
Rider Switch, also known as Baby Switch, is another fantastic service, especially useful if you’re visiting with small children or babies. This system lets parents take turns on attractions their kids can’t ride, without having to wait in line twice.
How does it work?
First, it’s important to know that the system works differently in Disneyland Paris compared to the U.S. parks. Here’s the process at Eurodisney: one parent needs to go through the regular queue and ride the attraction. After finishing, tell the “cast member” (park staff) that you’d like to use Rider Switch.
The cast member will then give you a Rider Switch pass, filling it out with the attraction name, date, their signature, and the number of people allowed to use it. Usually, up to two people can use the pass simultaneously, which means that if there are three of you, it’s not an issue.
The parent who already rode gives the pass to the other parent, who can then enter the ride immediately without waiting.
Attractions that support Rider Switch:
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
- Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril
- Crush’s Coaster
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
Can Rider Switch and Single Rider be Combined?
Yes, and it’s amazing! Here’s how it works: one parent goes through the Single Rider line, which typically takes just 5 to 10 minutes. After riding, they request a Rider Switch pass. The other parent can then enter the ride instantly, skipping even the short Single Rider wait.
Disneyland Paris Official App
Every savvy theme park visitor should download the official app, and Disneyland Paris is no exception. The app is free and available for both iOS and Android, and it’s incredibly helpful.
You will need an internet connection to use the app, but thankfully, mobile carriers don’t charge for roaming anymore, and the park provides free Wi-Fi, so you won’t have any issues staying connected.
Why download the app?
View real-time wait times for rides
Check showtimes and parade schedules
Easily navigate the park with an interactive map
Manage dining reservations and tickets
Receive updates about character meet-and-greet locations
Pro Tip: The app also alerts you to any ride closures or schedule changes, ensuring you can make the most of your magical day!
The Disneyland Paris app offers several very helpful sections:
- Buy: Purchase Premier Access, park tickets, or reserve seats for shows.
- Map: Access a detailed map of the park, complete with real-time wait times for each attraction.
- Food: Browse restaurant menus, make dining reservations, or place orders.
- Account: Customize your app settings when you first download and open it.
Here are the download links:
🍏 iOS: Link
🤖 Android: Link
Must-See Shows at Disneyland Paris
There are plenty of shows at the park, and they’re generally worth seeing. To help you prioritize, here are my top three favorites—one in the main park and two in Walt Disney Studios.
The Lion King
This half-hour show is a masterpiece, comparable to top-tier productions in major cities like those on Madrid’s Gran Vía. It may sound like an exaggeration, but trust me, you’ll be blown away!
- Showtimes: 12:15, 13:15, 15:50, 16:50
- Location: Frontierland Theater (Disneyland – Frontierland)
Together: a Pixar Musical Adventure
Another 30-minute musical, but this one is more geared towards kids. It features characters from Toy Story, with exciting surprises like confetti and water effects.
- Showtimes: 11:10, 12:40, 15:15, 16:30
- Location: Studio Theater (Walt Disney Studio – Production Courtyard)
Mickey and the Magician
This enchanting musical features Mickey Mouse as he learns magic from beloved Disney characters such as the Genie from Aladdin, Lumière, and Rafiki. The story is heartwarming and full of impressive stage magic.
- Showtimes: 14:00, 15:05, 16:10, 18:25, 19:30
- Location: Animagique Theater (Walt Disney Studio – Toon Studio)
Tips for Your Trip to Disneyland Paris
Make the Most of Your Day and Get Up Early
One of the best things you can do is to start your day early so you can maximize your time at the park. Disneyland Paris is vast, with countless attractions and shows to enjoy.
A full day might not even be enough, especially if you plan to visit Walt Disney Studios Park as well, which is smaller but packed with thrilling rides for adults. Arriving at the park first thing in the morning helps you avoid long entry lines, especially if you haven’t purchased your tickets in advance.
Consider Buying Premier Access
Since a trip to Disneyland Paris is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many, you should make the most of your visit. When you add up the cost of travel, hotel, and park tickets, the investment in Premier Access is relatively small but can triple the number of attractions you experience.
We always recommend it because the goal is to leave the park with a smile, feeling like you got the most out of your day.
There are different types of Premier Access:
- Premier Access Ultimate: One-time access to all eligible attractions.
- Premier Access One: One-time access to a single attraction of your choice.
Plan Your Must-Do Activities
To make the most of your visit, plan in advance and prioritize your top attractions and shows. Use the Disneyland Paris app to check real-time wait times and make adjustments on the go. Additionally, scheduling meal times and resting breaks can help keep your group energized and ready to enjoy all the magic.
5. Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel (4 stars)
This luxurious hotel is themed around New York City and the Marvel universe, featuring over 350 pieces of Marvel-related artwork. With four stars, it offers upscale amenities, including a pool, sauna, gym, and the opportunity to take photos with Marvel characters. Plus, it’s just a 10-minute walk from the entrance to Disneyland Paris.
🎟️ More info and bookings HERE
6. Hotel Newport Bay Club (4 stars)
If you love the sea, you’ll adore this nautical-themed hotel. It has a classic New England style, with rooms inspired by 1920s maritime décor. Guests can enjoy a large pool and have the chance to meet and take photos with famous Disney characters in the lobby. The hotel is also just a short 10-minute walk to Disneyland Paris.
🎟️ More info and bookings HERE
Budget Hotels Near Disneyland Paris
If you’re looking to stay as close as possible to the park while saving money, consider some excellent hotels near Val d’Europe. These independent hotels are well-connected by the RER train, taking just a few minutes to reach Disneyland’s gates for a couple of euros.
We’ve picked out some of the best options:
Affordable Hotels Near Eurodisney with Great Connections
Here are some top choices for budget-friendly accommodations:
Ibis Marne la Vallée Val d’Europe
If you’ve ever stayed at an Ibis hotel, you’ll know what to expect: budget-friendly, no-frills accommodations. This one is just 509 meters from the RER station that takes you straight to Disneyland. The hotel has a 24-hour reception and restaurant, plus a hearty breakfast buffet to start your day.
Moxy Paris Val d’Europe
Moxy hotels are known for their trendy, modern vibe, and this three-star hotel is no exception. It features stylish rooms and common areas, a kids’ play zone, free parking, a restaurant, and a buffet breakfast. It’s a great value for families and budget-conscious travelers.
Hotel l’Elysee Val d’Europe
This is my go-to hotel for Disneyland Paris trips. The location is superb, the breakfast buffet (including endless Nutella and pastries) is fantastic, and the rooms are comfortable and high-quality. It tends to fill up quickly during peak times, so make sure to book well in advance.
Relais Spa Val d’Europe
A luxurious four-star hotel featuring a spa, pool, restaurant, sauna, gym, and an excellent breakfast (if booked). It’s a short walk from the RER station, and they even offer a free shuttle service to Disneyland Paris, which is a fantastic perk. The hotel boasts a rating of 8.7 on Booking, making it a top choice.
🎟️ More info and bookings HERE
Tip: Staying at these nearby hotels can be a great way to save money without sacrificing convenience, thanks to the efficient RER connection to Disneyland.