How to Plan a Day Trip to Disneyland Paris

If you’re planning to visit the City of Love, you’ve probably already got a trip to Disneyland Paris on your itinerary.

Disneyland Paris makes for a fantastic day trip from the city. Of course, it’s a great outing for families, but it’s also just a fun way to get out of the big city and bring out your inner child. The park offers exciting activities for just about anyone.

This is one of only 6 parks worldwide, and the only one in Europe. So it’s one of the only places where you can truly experience the Disney magic. You can go on rides, eat Disney-themed food, meet your favourite characters and watch parades and shows.

Follow this ultimate guide to a day trip from Paris to Disneyland to make your visit as memorable as possible.

How to get there from Paris

There are multiple ways to get from the centre of Paris to Disneyland for your trip:

Via Train

The easiest way to reach the park via public transport is taking the RER A Train. This train stops at multiple big stations all over Paris, including Châtelet-Les Halles, Gare de Lyon, Nation, and Charles de Gaulle-Étoile.

Find the stop nearest to your accommodation and take the train to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy. Get off at the final stop, which is located right next to the entrance to Disneyland. Depending on which station you leave from, the trip takes about 30-40 minutes.

Via Bus

Disneyland Paris has a shuttle bus service that leaves from 4 locations in Paris. It only leaves once a day at specific times and is a great option if you want something a bit more private and personalised on your way to the park.

The Disneyland Paris Express leaves as follows:

Gare du Nord: 8.15AM
Quartiere Tour Eiffel: 8.30AM
Opéra Garnier: 8.35AM
Châtelet: 8.55AM

The arrival time at the park is around 9.45AM. Due to traffic, the time may slightly vary. The bus leaves Disneyland again at 21:00.

Because the shuttle is once-a-day service, it is usually sold out quite early. If you want to take it, make sure to book tickets as soon as you can.

To book tickets, as well as to find out more information about the Disneyland Paris Express, visit the official website.

Via Car

If you’re already renting a car, driving is a great way to get to Disneyland. Take exit 14 on the A4 motorway (Don’t worry, just follow the signs or use Google Maps).

Depending on where you leave from and how much traffic there is, the drive usually takes 40-60 minutes.

There are two paid car parks available for visitors of Disneyland Paris; the first is just a few minutes away from the main entrance to the park, and the second is near the Disney Village entrance.

When is the best time to go?

How to Plan a Day Trip to Disneyland Paris

Because of the popularity of Disneyland Paris, not only for tourists, but also for locals, the park is generally packed with people.

To avoid waiting in long lines, try to arrive early in the morning. The park opens at 9.30AM, so try to arrive around this time.

Best Time of Year

Disneyland is a great year-long destination. Peak tourist season is from June to September, so I’d definitely avoid these months. I love traveling just about anywhere during shoulder months (March-May, October-November).

I personally think that summer is probably the worst time to visit. I don’t want to be stuck in extreme heat in giant crowds. When I visited in October, the weather was perfect – not too hot and not too cold – all I needed was a light jacket.

Because it’s not a beachy destination (Paris isn’t either), I don’t think visiting during months other than summer takes away from the experience.

Also, I would avoid school holidays and weekends. On these days, there’ll be a lot more visitors (working people and families with kids that go to school), so it’s definitely a no-go for me!

On specific holidays, the park hosts themed parades and events, so it’s a great time to go as well. We visited around Halloween, so we got to see a special Halloween parade.

The two parks

Disneyland Paris consists of two parks:

The Disneyland Park

This is the more classic park – definitely what you think of when you hear the word ‘Disneyland’. In the middle of the park, you will find the Sleeping Beauty castle, inside of which you can have a personalised wand made!

Here you’ll also be able to meet the characters and watch some exciting parades!

The park is divided into 5 different sections – ‘lands’. In each of these lands you’ll find rides, shops, food stalls, and other attractions inspired by different Disney movies:

Adventureland: Attractions inspired by Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Indiana Jones.
Fantasyland: All of the classic fairytale princess Disney stories are included in this part of the park.
Discoveryland: Everything space-themed, from Buzz Lightyear to Star Wars!
Frontierland: This land is Wild West themed, and it is where you’ll find the famous Thunder Mountain rollercoaster.
Main Street, U.S.A.: When you enter the park, this will be the first section you’ll see. It is a charming itiration of the little town that Walt Disney grew up in. It is where most of the souvenir shops are.

Walt Disney Studio Park

The smaller of the two parks, Walt Disney Studio Park, is focused mostly on the making of different Disney and Pixar movies. This park is generally less packed with people.

Don’t worry, just because it’s not the classic Disneyland Park doesn’t mean that there aren’t fun rides, meet-and-greets, and exciting attractions. The rides are more thrilling, and the experiences are more centered around getting a behind-the-scenes look into the making of your favourite childhood movies.

If you’re traveling with little kids, I would definitely recommend a trip to the classic Disneyland Paris Park, because it has a more whimsical, magical atmosphere. In general, though, I’d recommend visiting the bigger park, and adding tickets to the Studio Park if you’re particularly interested in the magic behind the movies.

Disney Village

Just a few minutes’ walk from the Disneyland Park, you can visit a small ‘district’ called Disney Village. Here, you’ll find a wide array of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues with daily shows.

And the best part about it – entry is completely free! There are exceptions when there’s a special show or event, so make sure to check out the website before your visit.

The Village is open from 8.00AM and closes after the parks, so it’s a perfect place to grab breakfast before or dinner after your trip to Disneyland Paris. There are so many dining options, from a rollerskating American diner to a Rainforest Restaurant.

Rides

One of the things Disneyland is known for is its rides. Of course, Disneyland Paris is no exception. Both parks have rides, though the classic park has a few more:

Rides in the Disneyland Park

Main Street U.S.A.:

Main Street Vehicles: Classic cars that take you for a ride along Main Street.
Disneyland Railroad: A charming little train that takes you from one ‘land’ to another.

Fantasyland:

Peter Pan’s Flight: A slow ride that takes you through the story of Peter Pan.
It’s a Small World: A boat ride with marionettes singing the iconic song.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: A ride that takes you through scenes of Snow White.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey: A ride that takes you through the story of Pinocchio.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: A cute aerial carousel ride.
Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups: Spinning tea cup ride.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth: Not a ride, but a little maze you can walk through.

Discoveryland:

Space Mountain: Mission 2: An exciting indoor rollercoaster with special space effects.
Star Tours: Take a 3D simulation ride through the world of Star Wars.
Buzz Lightyear’s Laser Blast: A fun ride combined with an interactive shooting game.
Autopia: Drive futuristic cars on a track.

Adventureland:

Pirates of the Caribbean: A pirate-themed boat ride.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: A high-speed rollercoaster.
Adventure Isle: Explore caves and suspension bridges.
La Cabane des Robinson: A treehouse adventure.

Frontierland:

Big Thunder Mountain: One of the more thrilling rollercoasters.
Phantom Manor: A ride through a haunted house.
Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery

Rides at the Walt Disney Studios Park

Studio Tram Tour: A behind-the-scenes experience focused on the making of Disney movies.
Ratatouille: The Adventure: A 4D ride in which you are turned into the size of Remy.
Crush’s Coaster: A spinning rollercoaster themed around Finding Nemo.
Cars Quatre Roues Rallye: A spinning ‘Cars’ ride.
Flying Carpets Over Agrabah: An Aladdin-themed carousel ride.
Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin: A more family-friendly ride in the universe of Toy Story.
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop: A thrilling drop ride.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: An exciting drop tower ride.
CinéMagique: A cinematic show that includes both live action and film elements.
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith: A thrilling rollercoaster with rock music.
Armageddon – Les Effets Spéciaux: A special effects show.

Meet and greets

Of course, you can meet all of your favourite Disney characters on your trip to Disneyland Paris. From Disney princesses and Mickey Mouse to Darth Vader, there are plenty of characters you’ll see everywhere.

If you want to get a more immersive Disney experience, book a table at one of the two restaurants where you can have a meal with characters. Plaza Gardens Restaurant and Auberge de Cendrillon both offer this experience. Make sure to book a table ahead of time, because this is a really popular activity.

Shows

The park has daily shows and parades that take place several times per day. They are all included in the entry tickets, so you don’t have to pay extra once you’re inside. However, you might have to reserve your place at some shows, especially for the indoor shows, where there is limited seating.

Many of the shows are seasonal, while others are specifically themed around a holiday, so they don’t take place all year round. To check which shows there currently are at Disneyland Paris, visit the website.

Every afternoon, all of the characters gather for an epic parade. The best places to view the parade are in the Central Plaza in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle or on Main Street U.S.A.. Make sure to get there 15-30 minutes early to get a good spot.

The exact time of the parade is subject to change, so feel free to ask the park employees once you’re there or find the time on the official app.

Finally, the best way to end your perfect Disneyland Paris day trip is to view the iconic firework show. Watch highlights of your favourite movies projected on the Sleeping Beauty castle, ending with the grande finale that includes a breathtaking firework show. Sometimes, there’s even a pre-show before the regular evening show.

There is also the option of booking ‘first-class’ tickets to both the parade and the evening show. Of course, this comes at an extra cost and can be booked on the official website.

Tickets

All tickets to Disneyland are available on the official website. There are many different types of tickets available to visit Disneyland Paris:

Day Tickets

This is the standard ticket for a day visit to Disneyland. If you’re not staying in a Disneyland hotel or visiting multiple times a year, this is definitely the best option.

The tickets are all available for either one or both parks, and for anywhere between 1 and 4 days.

You can choose between a dated ticket (only valid on the chosen date) and an undated ticket (valid for any 1 day within 1 year of purchase). The dated ticket is cheaper, of course, but the undated ticket is great if you need to have some flexibility or want to buy the ticket as a gift for somebody.

Sometimes, especially during summer, the parks have special offers on tickets. For example, if you’re traveling as a bigger group, you might get a slightly discounted rate. There are also special rates for people with disabilities or for active or ex-military personnel.

Hotel + Ticket packages

If you want to have a truly immersive experience, staying in a Disney hotel just might be perfect for you. When you book to stay at a Disneyland Paris hotel, it immediately includes park tickets (to both parks) for every day of your visit.

There are also a couple of extras you’ll get that a regular park visitor wouldn’t; You’ll be able to enter the park for ‘extra magic time’ – when the park opens only for hotel guests, about an hour before and after regular opening times.

It’s also great to be able to go back to your hotel room if you’re tired or if the parks get too crowded.

The specific packages available change according to holidays and seasons – check the website here.

Disneyland Pass

If you live in Paris or visit the parks regularly, it may be a good idea to invest in a Disneyland Pass. There are three types of passes, namely Bronze, Silver, and Gold, all with different pricetags and benefits.

With any of these passes, you’ll get unlimited access to both Disneyland parks for a specified period of time. Some also give you discounted rates in shops and restaurants.

Where to stay

If you’re planning on spending more than just one day in Disneyland, it may be a good choice to stay close to the parks in one of the official Disney hotels.

Disneyland Paris has 7 different hotels:

Disneyland Hotel: This 5-star hotel is the most luxurious and most expensive. It intends to make you feel like a princess with its palace-y architecture and interior design.
Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel: If you prefer superheroes over princesses, this is the hotel for you. It is themed around the Marvel characters, and has a more modern design.
Disney Newport Bay Club: Situated in a mansion on the shore of Lake Disney, this 4-star hotel is designed with a lot of 1920s nautical themes, as well as classic Disney characters like Mickey Mouse.
Disney Sequoia Lodge: This North American-style lodge is focused on forest-like themes, including Bambi-themed rooms.
Disney Hotel Cheyenne: This Wild West-themed hotel will have characters like Woody from Toy Story greeting you in the lobby.
Disney Hotel Santa Fe: This hotel is sleek and modern, and themed after one of my personal favourite movies – Cars!
Disney Davy Crockett Ranch: Unlike the other accommodations, this ‘ranch’ has cabins and bungalows instead of hotel rooms. It offers self-catering options with barbeques, and is the furthest from the parks (a 15-minute drive, so it’s perfect if you have a car).

The hotels also have spa facilities, as well as fun activities for the kids and theatrical performances by Disney characters.

General guidelines and tips

Download the Disneyland Paris app! On it, you’ll find information about shows, parade times, park maps, food options, and more. You can also see the estimated waiting times at the different park attractions in real time, which is extremely helpful.
Request a priority card if you have a disability (1 month before your visit).
Bring sun protection, water, and snacks, especially if you’re visiting in summer.
Visit the popular attractions early in the day, before everyone else has arrived. This way, you won’t have to wait in long queues later on. Some of the most popular ones are Big Thunder Mountain, Ratatouille, and Crush’s Coaster.
Consider getting a Premier Access Pass to skip the lines at full attractions.
Arrive early for any shows and parades to get a good view.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking a lot!
Consider a PhotoPass+, through which you will be able to receive all of your photos on rides and at character meet-and-greets digitally.
Pack lightly to avoid spending too long going through the security check at the entrance.