We have been lucky enough to visit each of the Tokyo Disney Parks (Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea) more than 25 times each -which is why I like to make a long list of lots of tips andI even share our Tokyo Disney park strategy (we love rides and shows but hate waiting.)
But this was our first time at Disneyland Paris and I’d love to share what we got up to and how it compares to the system at Tokyo Disney Park options! One major “culture shock” was how no-one wears Mickey ears at Disneyland Paris!
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a reservation through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
WHERE DID WE STAY WHILE WE VISITED DISNEYLAND PARIS?
Many blogs and sites said the Disneyland Paris can be done from Paris as a day trip. Maybe that’s ok if you live in Paris but for travellers with children ? I think it’s too far and a pain (and cuts into your park time.) I am so glad that we stayed at the Disney Hotel Newport Bay Club. The hotel , for us, was the most affordable of the disney hotels, could accommodate our family of 4 and they had a shuttle from the station BUT when we didn’t have luggage, we could easily walk between the hotel and the parks in just a few minutes.
While at the hotel, we spent most of our time in the parks but we found the hotel to be beautifully decorated and check-in was a well-oiled machine. Anything you purchase in the hotel (we had a few items of clothing laundered) needs to be paid for on the spot as they want a no-contact check-out on the final day.
The hotel had a swimming pool and some restaurants.
We loved how a surprise Disney character visits the hotel at 3:15pm everyday for photo ops. You can purchase professional pics OR just take them with your own phone.
The hotel is nautical themed and most rooms look out onto a lake. One side of the lake is the hotel and the other side are the Disney parks.
At first glance, it may seem like the Disneyland Paris hotels are super expensive but it is important to remember that your park tickets are included in the price.
DOES DISNEYLAND PARIS HAVE MORE THAN ONE PARK?
Yes. There is Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris. Please note that Disneyland Paris is getting a brand new section from March 2026 – expect both parks to be a LOT busier for the months that follow. ….
DO YOU NEED TO DO A DAY PER DISNEY PARK WHILE IN PARIS?
No. They are both quite small so I recommend going between both parks in one day. We went back and forth as we pleased and we arrived first thing and stayed almost until the very end.
HOW DOES THE FAST PASS SYSTEM WORK?
You can purchase a premier fast pass ahead of time if you would like a skip the queue for each of the popular ride once. In other words, a premier pass gives you a skip the queue for the popular & thrill rides. It does make your day out a lot more expensive but we don’t think we will be going again for a long time so we wanted to make sure that the Premier Pass helped us make the most of our time.
A Premier Pass covers both parks at the same time (no reason to double up.)
*My hot tip is to scan your premier passes while a staff member watches. They aren’t as attentive as in Tokyo and I have heard of people scanning their one time passes and then being accused of it already being used (and therefore can’t be used again.) So we would make them watch us.
Because we had the passes, it meant we were able to ride some of the popular rides during the morning (waiting a few minutes) but then use the passes to skip the queues later for a second time around.
DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SHOWS AT DISNEYLAND PARIS?
No. They are included in your ticket and you can just line up. You can pay for guaranteed access if you don’t want to line up though – I just think it’s best to be outside the stage area 20 mins before the show starts and you’re good to go!
WHICH RIDES ARE BEST TO RUSH FOR AT THE START OF THE DAY AT DISNEYLAND PARIS & WALT DISNEY STUDIOS ?
Definitely Ratatouille or Crush’s Coaster. They are the most popular rides in the parks. Other rides with the longer wait times are RC Racer, Hyper Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Avengers, Tower of Terror. The character meet and greets also have the longest wait times (as far as I know, there is no way to skip those queues though.)
WHAT TO PACK FOR DISNEYLAND PARIS WITH KIDS?
In cold months you need to rug up more than if you were doing Tokyo Disneyland with kids in winter, for sure. The reason? Lots more of the Disneyland Paris park is outdoors. I recommend gloves and hats and two pairs of socks etc. Remember that Disneyland Paris do allow for re-entry/passouts so, if your accommodation is nice and close you can always go back to your hotel for a fresh change of dry clothes or to put on additional layers if required.
WHAT APPS DO I NEED FOR DISNEYLAND PARIS?
The official Disneyland Paris app is a must – of course.
The Magi Park App is also a great tool as it will keep ride wait times in order of shortest to longest.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE AT DISNEYLAND PARIS?
If you are staying at the hotel and have a “magic hour” (early entry) pass then I recommend arriving at the gates approximately 20-30 mins ahead of your designated time. Security scanning etc takes longer than you think. Keep in mind that elevators within hotels will be crowded in the morning so it may take you longer than expected to actually get out of your hotel.
If you don’t have a pass for early entry I recommend being at the gate at least 30 mins ahead of time.
WHAT ORDER DID WE DO THINGS AT DISNEYLAND PARIS AND WALT DISNEY STUDIOS?
Unfortunately Ratatouille was closed the day we attended (we had checked the website ahead of time so the kids weren’t too shocked or disappointed on the day.)
We went straight to Crush’s Coaster as soon as the park opened and waited 15 mins to ride Crush’s coaster. It was excellent. We used our Premier Pass later in the day in order to ride it a second time. We switched with the kids for the second time so that we each got a chance to experience the ride forward and backwards.
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL THINGS TO TAKE NOTE OF AT DISNEYLAND PARIS?
A champagne cart – Did you know that there is a snack cart at the end of Main St Disneyland Paris the serves champagne?
WHAT TIME IS BEST TO EAT A MEAL AT DISNEYLAND PARIS?
If you’d like to sit down in a restaurant – definitely avoid 1-3pm. With kids – best to eat more like 11am and then you don’t need to worry about the crowds. If you’re not fussed about not sitting down and dining in – make use of the Mobile Order system on the app – no need to line up or wait at all then!
The Mickey Cheese Pizza at Colonel Hath’s Outpost in Adventureland is really cute (the entire pizza is shaped like a Mickey.)
WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR VISITING DISNEYLAND PARIS?
Definitely bring a jacket or something warmer as it does get cold (even in the summer evenings) and the weather changes often. I also recommend bringing your own pain medication (for adults and kids) as this is only available in pharmacies in France and is hard to get your hands on otherwise.
WHERE TO EAT JUST OUTSIDE DISNEYLAND PARIS?
Did you know that the biggest McDonalds in France is now just outside of Disneyland Paris?
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a reservation through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
