A Guide to Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is a magical place, located in the beautiful area of Marne La Vallée in France. Since opening on April 12 1992; the resort – consisting of two theme parks, a shopping and dining district and seven on-site Disney-themed hotels currently holds the title as being the most visited tourist destination based on visitor numbers within Europe.
Disneyland Paris has always had a special place in my heart. I first visited the resort when I was just a few months old and you could say I have been there almost as many times as my age! For the first decade there was just Disneyland Park; the European magic kingdom- a place where you could soar to the skies on Space Mountain or plunge down into a battle between Pirates. The resort has grown over time with the opening of the Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002 and a lot of enhancements throughout, needless to say – it will continue to grow over the next few decades.
If you’re planning to visit Disneyland Paris for the first time, or you are looking to return to the resort for another visit; you’ll find my guide on how to maximise your visit below. Be sure to check out my advice on where to stay and how to avoid the queues too!
Getting to Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is located in Marne La Vallée, a town located in the Seine et Marne region of France. Located just 35 minutes from central Paris itself, the resort is ideal for those who would prefer to stay within “The City of Light” rather than on-site at the resort. It is fairly straight forward to reach Disney from central Paris by using the RER (Regional Express Railway) but as with any busy city, you should travel with caution, keep all personal belongings with you and any valuables hidden from view. The best way to reach Disneyland is to take the RER Line A4 (Red) to Marne La Vallée Chessy, the train station for Disneyland Paris, which is located just a moments stroll away from the parks. Click here for more details on taking the RER and for current pricing information.
If you’re like me and live in the UK, then there are a number of ways in which you can reach Disneyland Paris, however these are dependant upon your budget. Personally, the easiest way for me is to take the Eurostar from either London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations, which runs a direct service on certain dates right to Disney itself. The journey takes just under two and a half hours from London and is ideal for those living close to the High Speed 1 line, which runs from London and through Kent to The Channel Tunnel.
A really easy way to book all your train and coach journey’s in simple transaction is through Trainline; where you can also get real-time travel information whilst on-the-go thanks to their mobile app (which I use on a weekly basis for work). The best thing is you can use Trainline in 45-different countries within Europe. C’est magnifique!
Alternatively, you could drive to Disney. Either take the Eurotunnel (le shuttle) from Folkestone or take the Ferry from Dover to Calais and then drive approximately three hours along the highways until you reach Disney. Personally, I would only recommend this option if you are an experienced driver and are on a budget. The law in France requires for your car to have a First Aid Kit and other accessories, more of which you will be able to find out from the AA or RAC.
If the above options weren’t enough then you can fly to Disney! Well, fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly Airports and then take the VEA Shuttle to the resort.
Staying in the magic.
There is nothing quite like staying in the heart of the magic and excitement. Disneyland Paris has seven on-site locations that are big on theming and superb Disney-style service. The grandest hotel of them all is without a doubt the Disneyland Hotel. Located right at the entrance to Disneyland Park; the Victorian-themed hotel is complete with two restaurants, a bar, a full service spa and fitness centre. If you’re looking at splashing out a bit, opt to stay in The Castle Club and receive exciting benefits and privileges including access to the concierge lounge and direct elevator access to the gates of Disneyland Park! Obviously being in such a prominent location, the hotel is the most expensive; but if you’re celebrating something then it is a fantastic location just moments from the parks.
As the name would suggest, Disney’s Hotel New York is a Big-Apple inspired deluxe hotel and convention centre located around Lake Disney. Comprising of two restaurants, a bar and a health club, the hotel has everything you could wish for; including a gift shop and spectacular views across the lake and you’re just next door to Disney Village. During select months, “Rockerfeller Plaza” plays home to an outdoor ice-skating rink or “zorbing” arena, all of which is added fun. It takes the average person approximately ten minutes to reach the theme parks walking through Disney Village. A complimentary hotel shuttle service runs every fifteen minutes to the bus terminus which is just by the train station.
Also around Lake Disney is the moderately priced Disney’s Sequoia Lodge. Themed around the Great American National Parks, it is one of my favourite hotels and reminds me a lot of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in Florida and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in California. The hotel features two restaurants, a bar and a large indoor swimming pool with slides and enough space for a lot of people. My personal recommendation would be to stay in a Montana Room located in the main building; or splurge out on a Golden Forest Club room and enjoy access to a private lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day and other benefits too! Don’t forget to have a drink in the Redwood Bar next to the ginormous open fire place… that’ll keep you nice and warm after a cold winters day exploring the parks! Average walking time from the hotel to the parks is fifteen minutes. It’s roughly the same if you waited for the shuttle bus.
Located at the furthest point around Lake Disney from the theme parks is Disney’s Newport Bay Club and Convention Centre. Being one of the largest hotels on-site, it is inspired by the quaint fishing harbours in Maine and New England. You’ll find two restaurants, a couple of bars and an indoor/outdoor pool area. The best rooms overlook Lake Disney towards Disney Village and you might be able to spot the Hollywood Tower Hotel or Sleeping Beauty Castle if you’re high enough. Disney’s Newport Bay Club has just completed a major refurbishment programme and looks fantastic.
Venture to the Wild West at Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne, a value resort located just a ten minute shuttle ride or twenty minute walk from the Disney Parks. Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne is a wonderful western-themed hotel that’s full of character just as if you were staying in Frontierland itself! The hotel has a buffet-style restaurant and saloon and is just a ten minute shuttle ride away from the parks. Ask for a room along the “Rio Grande” if you want to be closer to the hotel’s facilities, the bus stop, and the walking path. There’s even a Starbucks Coffee Shop on property now.
Zoom on over to Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe and enjoy a stay in authentic Mexican surroundings, plus you might even be staying in a room themed after Disney/Pixar’s Cars and Cars 2 movies! Again, be sure to ask for a room along the “Rio Grande” if you want to be slightly closer to the theme parks and the restaurant and bar. Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe is actually located next to the Cheyenne, so it is roughly a ten minute shuttle bus ride from the parks.
If you want to stay in an authentic natural woodland environment, then Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch is the ideal place. You’ll stay in generously-sized log cabins on a self-catering basis, and you’ll need a car because it’s approximately a twenty minute drive to the theme parks.
What to do when the parks are closed?
When the theme parks close, it doesn’t have to be the end of your magical day at Disneyland Paris…far from it actually! Head on over to Disney Village as it’s the place to be to shop till you drop at World of Disney, LEGO, and a number of other stores. If you’re hungry, you’ll find a variety of dining options to suit your taste and budget. Experience an all-American meal at Annette’s Diner or Planet Hollywood, dine amongst nature and frequent thunderstorms at the Rainforest Café or enjoy a meal at Café Mickey. You could also enjoy a meal at the Steakhouse, King Ludwig’s Castle or even at the Sports Bar or a New York-Style Delicatessen! If you’re in the mood for some good food and entertainment, then be sure to check out Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show with Mickey and Friends. This Wild-West themed dinner-show is great and is certainly an event suitable for the entire family, you’ll even get a neat little Cowboy (or Cowgirl) hat to keep as a souvenir!
Maximising your time in the parks.
Take advantage of Disney’s FASTPASS Service. It’s included within your theme-park admission and allows you to enjoy certain attractions with a minimal wait. Head on over to the participating attraction of your choice, insert your park ticket and you will then receive a FASTPASS voucher; where there will be a time window printed, for example lets say 1415-1445 for Big Thunder Mountain. When your time rolls around simply rock on up to the FASTPASS entrance at the attraction and you’re good to go. This is a brilliant service that allows you to go off and enjoy more of the parks and return to the “e-ticket attractions” later without having to stand in line for a very long time!
If you’re planning on dining inside the parks; try to avoid having a meal between 1200 – 1400, and dinner between 1800 – 1930. This way you’ll miss the “food rush” and could use the time effectively to enjoy a couple of rides.
Another handy tip is to try and enjoy the more-popular attractions during the parade or shows. From my own past experiences, you’ll find that this is usually when many attraction wait-times can be at their shortest.
The top tip would be to plan as little or as much as you want in advance. During busy periods or when the parks are near closing time the restaurants can get very busy. You can actually make reservations to dine at a number of restaurants up to three months in advance by calling +33 1 60 30 40 50 from the UK or book in person at your chosen dining location, at the hotels concierge desk, or at guest relations.
What not to miss!
When visiting Disneyland Paris, there are so many things to see and do, but here are just a few things that I think that you will not want to miss.One of these is Disney Illuminations!; a night-time spectacle that will leave you amazed which combines the latest technological innovations with pure Disney Magic. The resort is currently celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary, you can read more details abut that here.
When to visit?
To be perfectly honest, anytime is great to visit Disneyland Paris! However certain moments in the year may appeal to you more than others.
January through March is typically the low season, it is also when it is the coldest… so wrap up warm! Because the visitor numbers are typically lower during these months, certain attractions may be closed for fairly lengthy refurbishments. It’s best to check the schedule before booking.
Late March through to late April is typically when Easter falls and the resort picks up pace again.
From early July to September you can expect Disneyland Paris to be considerably busy due to the summer season. Schools are out and the parks are open for much longer. Bear in mind it can get quite hot and you’ll need to keep finding shade throughout the day.
From late September through to early November, Halloween takes over the resort, keep an eye out for special experiences only available during the most spookiest time of year and you may even get some free sweeties!
Finally, from early/mid November all the way through to early January, its Christmastime at Disneyland, so be ready for a lot of festive events, decorations and special experiences, this is when the temperatures are considerably cooler, but if you ask me, it adds to the atmosphere!
How and When to book?
24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.disneylandparis.com, by phone during opening hours or through your travel agent.
But, if you were looking if there are certain times of the year when special offers run, the these can typically be anytime. In the travel industry, January is usually the month to find some amazing offers, from free nights to kids go free offers, be sure to keep an eye on their website and also during the advert breaks on the TV for any current offers. In recent years, Disneyland Paris have also held “Flash Sales”, which only last for a very limited time. If you sign up to their newsletter and keep an eye on their website and any local adverts, then you’ll be first to know!
For more information…
I would be more than happy to help! I’ve visited the Parisian Disney resort more times than I can remember; and know all there is to see and do. So feel free to contact me and ask anything – from generic trip planning questions to tips, tricks and handy hints.