Disneyland is the largest amusement park in Europe, as well as being the only Disney park in the Old Continent. About 35 km from Paris, it is one of those attractions you have to visit at least once in your life! A place where everyone becomes a child again for a day!
Here are all our tips on how to organise a visit to Disneyland Paris!
Where it is and how to get there
Disneyland Paris is located in Coupvray, about 35 km from the centre of Paris. If Disneyland is the main destination of your trip and you plan to stay in the park, you'll want to land at Paris-Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports, as they are directly connected to the park's hotels by the Magical Shuttle! If, on the other hand, you are staying in Paris, you can land at any airport (including Paris-Beauvais) and then travel to the city centre.
Bycar from Paris: the park is located on Boulevard de Parc, in Coupray. Accessible via the A4 motorway, taking exit 14 'Parcs Disney/Baily-Romainvilliers' - Directions
By train from Paris: go to Paris-Gare de Lyon station and take the RER metro line A to Marne-la-Vallée / Disneyland Paris station (40 min). Average cost per way €8.00
By bus from Paris: Disneyland Paris Express buses are available. Shuttle 1 leaves from Gare du Nord (8:20am) and stops at Opera (8:30am) and Chatelet (8:55am); Shuttle 2 leaves from the Eiffel Tower (8:30am). Both arrive at Disneyland around 10:00 am. Cost calculated in the purchase of the park entrance ticket
By taxi from Paris: average journey of 45 min, depending on traffic and departure point. Average cost from €65.00
By Magical shuttle from the Airports: from Paris-Orly (departures from Orly Terminal 4 and Orly Terminal 1 2 3); from Charles de Gaulle (departures from Terminals 1, 2 and 3). First departure at 9:00 am, full fare €23.00 one way, reduced €10.00
Buy theexpress ticket: when staying in Paris, the best option is to buy a ticket that includes both train travel and entrance to the parks.
Opening hours
Disneyland Paris is generally open from 9:30 am. Closing times vary greatly depending on the day, the season and whether or not there are special events, such as the Disney Halloween Festival or Disney's Magical Christmas. In winter it generally closes around 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and in summer opening hours are extended until 11:00 p.m. We recommend that you always check the opening and closing times on the official website before your visit.
As far as entrance fees are concerned, Disneyland Paris consists of two different parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You can therefore decide to buy admission to only one park or the combined ticket for both. There are also one- or two-day tickets available, for special experiences and with flexible conditions, choosing between a dated (with a precise day of entry) or undated ticket.
Ticket costs
Ticket price 1 day / 1 park: full price from €59.00 - reduced price from €54.00 - reduced price for children 3-11 years.
Ticket price1 day / 2 parks: full price from €79.00 - concessions from €74.00 - concessions for children 3-11 years old
Offers and holiday packages: from €360.00. For more info visit the official website
Family packages (hotel+entrance ticket): from €400,00. For more info visit the official website
Where to stay: Disneyland Paris Hotels and Resorts
Disneyland Paris is not just an amusement park, it's a real experience! In fact, it also includes several hotels, 3 or 4 stars, with all the services, themed rooms and lots of activities to do! You can opt for a Disney room, bungalow or suite, depending on your taste and, above all, your budget!
Disneyland Paris comprises no less than 7 hotels, all located in the immediate vicinity of the park and connected by a free shuttle service! At the gates of the park is the most iconic hotel, the Disneyland Hotel. Among the themed hotels, lovers of the Marvel world can stay at Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel, while Disney's Hotel Cheyenne is inspired by the Wild West. For a seaside town atmosphere you can choose Disney's Newport Bay Club, for sleeping in the middle of the forest Disney's Sequoia Lodge. Finally, you can find Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch and Disney's Hotel Santa Fe, inspired by the world of Pixar's Cars.
Disneyland Hotels: prices from €300.00 per person
Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel: Prices from $340.00 per person
Disney's Newport Bay Club: Prices from €290.00 per person
Disney's Sequoia Lodge: prices from €240.00 per person
Disney's Hotel Cheyenne: prices from $230.00 per person
Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch: prices from $230.00 per person
Disney's Hotel Santa Fe: Prices from $230.00 per person
Where to stay in the surrounding area
There are a number of selected hotels in the area surrounding the theme park, which are also connected by a free shuttle service. They are between 10 and 20 minutes away from Disneyland and are, of course, cheaper than the park's resorts.
The best alternative, especially if you only want to spend one day at Disneyland, is to stay in Paris. In this way, you will find more competitive prices and, above all, if you stay for several days, you will be able to visit the city easily. To get to the park you can then simply use one of the available means of transport or buy a train and park express ticket, which includes shuttle transport and admission to Disneyland Paris.
Where to eat at Disneyland Paris
At Disneyland Paris, magic is everywhere, even in the restaurants! All the places are themed and you can find solutions for any cuisine and budget! You can stop at an ice cream parlour for a simple sundae, or at The Coffee Grinder, ideal for a coffee and pastries!
For a quick lunch one of the most amazing places is Café Hyperion, the biggest fast food restaurant in Disneyland Paris! For a quieter place you can instead opt for Au Chalet de la Marionnette, specialising in Bavarian cuisine and inspired by Pinocchio! Fans of the Ratatouille film? Here you can also find the Bistrot Chez Rémy, which serves traditional French dishes!
There arevenues and restaurants to suit all tastes! You can check out all the options, the menus on offer, book a table and much more in the Restaurants section of the official website.
Useful tips for visiting Disneyland Paris
When planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, the first question you ask yourself is: when should you stay? Ideally, you should have at least two days, so you can visit both parks at your leisure. However, the minimum is one day, also considering the cost of the entrance ticket.
Once inside the park, you might find the official App really useful. It will allow you to book a table in the restaurants, consult the park map or see the different attractions open and the waiting times! This will save you precious time. Let's look in detail at the tips for best organising a trip to Disneyland Paris:
Best time: in summer for the beautiful days and longer opening hours. October for the Disney Halloween Festival and December for Disney's Magical Christmas
Best times and days: best to arrive in the morning at opening time and, especially during peak season such as summer and Christmas, visit the park on weekdays, avoiding weekends
Recommended minimum time: one internal day
Download the official app: available for iOS and Android, it allows you to consult waiting times for attractions, book a table, receive personalised advice, check show times and much more. Info on the official website
Skip the Line: Disney Premier Access is a pay-as-you-go service (to be paid in addition to your admission ticket) that allows you to wait in a dedicated reduced queue at certain attractions. Limited availability
Wear comfortable shoes: at Disneyland you have to walk, and a lot! So avoid flip-flops, high-heeled shoes or other uncomfortable footwear! The best solution is to wear a good pair of trainers
Services for families: if you are travelling with children, even small ones, you will find special services, assistance, breastfeeding areas and areas to cater for the needs of the little ones inside the park
Disabled guests: you can apply for an Access Card for special needs and take advantage of wheelchair hire, transport, accessibility to attractions and shows
Travelling with pets: if you are travelling with your four-legged friends, no problem, the park provides an Animal Care Centre, where you can leave your pets for the whole day. Animals are not allowed in the park
Disneyland Paris attractions and shows
Disneyland Paris is divided into two amusement parks: the Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studios Park.
The Walt Disney Studios is dedicated to the world of film and animation and was opened in 2002. Here you can discover the wonderful 'behind-the-scenes' world of the most famous films and animations. With 17 different attractions, the most famous are the Tower of Terror, the Stunt Show and the Ratatouille dark ride. The venues and restaurants are all themed and will catapult you into your favourite film. There are also shows and encounters with favourite characters, such as Disney princesses or Marvel heroes.
Disneyland Park, on the other hand, is the most visited park, home to the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. This park consists of no less than 33 attractions suitable for everyone, with rides designed especially for the little ones! Among the most popular attractions are Big Thunder Mountain, Fantasyland and Panthon Manor. Also not to be missed are the numerous themed shows and big parades held in the park! You can also take a selfie with your favourite Disney characters and stop for lunch in the many themed restaurants. The magic never ends!
History, trivia and practical info: what to know in brief
Disneyland Paris is the largest and most beautiful amusement park in Europe. It is also the only one in the chain in Europe and also has some locations in America and Asia. Paris was chosen as the European location out of about 1,200 applicants throughout Europe and construction work began in August 1988 and was premiered in March 1992. The official opening date was 11 April 1992.
Nowadays, however, the complex is not just about the park. Disneyland Paris in fact includes 2 theme parks, an entertainment, shopping and dining centre (called Disney Village), 6 Disney HOtel, a Disney campground, 7 partner hotels, a golf course(Golf Disneyland), 3 railway stations and 2 shopping centres. It is a real small town, where a lot of people work.(Disney Village).