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If you’re a big Disney fan or are traveling with little mouseketeers, then you won’t want to miss out on visiting Disneyland® Paris. Since opening in 1992, it’s only gotten bigger, better, and more magical, with loads of new rides, shows, and experiences added along the way. These days, Disneyland® Paris welcomes a whopping 15 million visitors a year, making it one of Europe’s most popular theme parks and one of the most visited attractions in the entire Paris area. In this article, you’ll find all the best tips for visiting Disneyland® Paris so you can soak up every bit of that Disney magic and have an unforgettable day.

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This is a map of Paris with Disneyland labelled to the far right.

Where’s Disneyland® Paris?

The first thing you need to know about Disneyland® Paris is that the theme park isn’t right in Paris, but luckily, it’s not too far away either. It’s next to a suburb called Marne-la-Vallée, which is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the center of Paris.

How do you get to Disneyland® Paris? 

Disneyland® Paris might be outside the city, but it’s actually pretty easy to reach and there are a whole bunch of ways of getting there. Cinderella’s pumpkin coach isn’t one of them, but you can be whisked out there by public transit, shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer.

I’ve actually done a whole separate article on how to get to Disneyland® Paris, so have a read to figure out which way is best for you.

This is an image of the classic Disneyland Castle on a hill.

What’s at Disneyland® Paris?

Disneyland® Resort Paris is a bit smaller than the Disney parks in the US, but it does have some pretty spectacular attractions and facilities that I know you’re going to love. They’re divided into these different sections:

  • Disneyland® Park – This is the main park where you’ll find the Sleeping Beauty Castle, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, and the classic rides inspired by Disney movies organized into different lands (Adventureland, Frontierland, etc).
  • Disney Adventure World – Previously called Walt Disney Studio, this park has three amazing immersive “lands”: the new “World of Frozen” (opened on March 29th, 2026), the “World of Pixar,” and the “Marvel Avengers Campus”.
  • Disney Village – This area is next to the two parks and is where you’ve got restaurants, shops, bars, and several Disney-themed hotels.
This is an image of a big shopping centre with a lady out the front holding a bunch of shopping bags. To the right is the inside of a shopping centre with an roof full of windows.

Image Courtesy of Val d’Europe via Facebook

How much time do you need at Disneyland® Paris?

The amount of time you spend at the park really depends on a few things, like how Disney-obsessed you are, your budget, and how much time you’ve got on your trip overall. 

A lot of people only spend one day at Disney and do this as a day trip from Paris. This is doable, but it’s tricky (and very tiring) to squeeze both parks into one day, so if you’d like to experience both (and not have to speedwalk everywhere, you might want to stay overnight at the park (more on where to stay below). 

If you’re a BIG Disney fan, then wave your magic wand and go for at least two days, or even three or four.

Near Disneyland® Paris, there’s also a golf course and the huge Val d’Europe shopping mall, perfect if you fancy turning your time at Disney into a little mini getaway.

This is an image of a lady holding up Mickey Mouse ears with the castle behind it.

What you need to know about getting tickets for Disneyland® Paris

I wish I could tell you that Disneyland® tickets are super simple, but they’re a bit of a maze that even Indiana Jones would have trouble getting out of. Don’t worry, let me guide you through the process for you.

How much do Disneyland® tickets cost?

Like hotels and flights these days, Disneyland® Paris uses dynamic pricing for its entrance tickets, which means that the prices vary depending on demand (i.e., prices increase based on how many are sold for a given day).  BUT there is a cap for one-day tickets, which is €129.00 in 2026 for a standard ticket.

The standard ticket is for adults and children 12 years and up. The reduced kids’ rate is about 8% less than that of adults, and children under three years old are free (yay).

So one of the best tips for visiting Disneyland® Paris I can give you is book your ticket as soon as possible. That way, you can actually get some pretty good deals (about half the price of the standard ticket). 

If you can during the week, those tickets tend to be cheaper, and that’s when it’s usually less busy too (a double win!).

If your plans change and you need to cancel your time at the park, most tickets are refundable up to three days before the ticket date, but of course, always check the fine print before you buy.

What are the different types of Disneyland® Paris tickets?

There are a few different types of Disneyland® Paris tickets and choosing the right one can make a big difference to your day. Let’s go through the main ones and what to keep in mind:

Step 1: Decide how many days you’d like (one to four).

Step 2: If it’s just one day, decide whether you want to just visit Disneyland® Park, Disney Adventure World, OR both. You can also include both parks on a single-day ticket, which is a bit more expensive (around €25/ticket).

Step 3: Decide whether you’d like a dated ticket (you must go on the set date you chose) or an undated ticket (any day you like except for a few special days). Undated tickets cost the maximum daily rate and give you flexibility, but dated tickets are usually MUCH cheaper.

For two to four-day tickets, your ticket automatically includes both parks. The price is a bit cheaper than buying a “both park” single-day ticket. So you’ll save about 15%-20%.

Step 4: Decide if you want to invest in Disney Premier Access Ultimate. This has replaced “fast passes” and allows you to skip the line for each Disney Premier Access attractions once. There are no time slots, so you just join the queue whenever you want, and you’ll be fast-tracked. The pass costs about €90/person per day in low season and up to €190 in peak season, which is in addition to your entrance ticket.

Where can and should you purchase your Disneyland® Paris tickets?

While you can buy tickets at the door (more on this below), I really recommend getting tickets in advance online instead. I tend to suggest doing this through Get Your Guide because the site sells tickets at the same price as the official Disneyland® Paris website, but I find it much easier to cancel tickets and get refunds through it. There is a slight catch – if you’d like the Premier Access, you need to book your ticket through the Disneyland® Paris website.

As I mentioned earlier, the earlier you book, the better your chances of scoring those lower prices. But if it’s a bit last-minute, you can usually get tickets online close to the date. 

For security reasons (and so everyone can enjoy the rides), there’s a daily max of tickets they sell. So if you see dates blocked off, this is likely why. 

Otherwise, they do sell tickets at the entrance to the park, but I really wouldn’t try this. You’ll pay the highest possible price, stand in line, and they might already be at capacity and turn you away.   That would be a HUGE pain after you’ve travelled all the way to the park from Paris.

This is a picture of two parents with a kid on a ride in the Frozen World.

Image Courtesy of World of Frozen

What you DON’T want to miss at Disneyland® Paris

Everybody has their own Disney favourites, and this also depends on whether you’re traveling with small kids or not, but some of my personal highlights are:

Disneyland® Park:

Disney Adventure World:

This is an image of a bunch of people dressed in big fluffy dresses while a Disneyland float charges up ahead of them.

How you can make the most of your time at Disneyland® Paris

I’m sure you’re going to have an incredible day at Disney no matter what, but here are some really useful little tips that you might not have thought about:

  1. Download the Disneyland® Paris app, which has all kinds of helpful info, including live line wait times, ride closures, and the parade schedule.
  2. Go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep the day before so you’ve got plenty of energy.
  3. Arrive a bit before the park opens so you can get a head start on the crowds.
  4. Start at the back and work your way to the front. Most people don’t, which means you’ll have shorter lines. 
  5. Try to have lunch early or late so you dodge the rush (and sneak in rides while everyone else is eating).
  6. If you’re planning to stay for the sound and light show, grab dinner beforehand, then show up around 30 minutes before, so you can score a good spot to watch it.
  7. Make reservations at restaurants (through the Disney app), because they can fill up quickly at mealtimes.
This is an image of a girl with a bunch of packed suitcases

What to definitely bring to Disneyland® Paris (and what you can’t)

Some of this stuff might be obvious, but here’s a handy list of things you might want to make sure to bring along on your Disneyland® Paris adventure:

🥾Comfy shoes – You’ll be doing a LOT of walking.

🎒 A small backpack – A smaller daypack is better than a larger one. It’ll be easier to get around the park and hold on your lap while you’re on the rides.

🌯  Snacks – You’re allowed to bring your own food into the park (a good way to save some time and money), but these can’t be a cooler box or bulky container. There’s also a picnic area near the entrance if you want to have a little sit-down break with your snack or sandwich lunch.

💧 A reusable water bottle – There are water fountains throughout the park, and this is better for the environment and cheaper.

🔌 Powerbank – You’re going to be taking a lot of photos and videos, so you want to make sure your phone is charged up.

🧥 A water-resistant coat or rain poncho – Don’t forget this if rain is forecast because you’ll be outdoors for a good part of the day.

🧤 Gloves or hand warmers – If you’re visiting in winter, these can be a lifesaver.

🧢 A hat – This can help protect you from the rain or sunshine since you’ll be standing outside a lot.

And just a heads up about some things you CAN’T bring. If you’ve got a selfie stick, leave it at your hotel because they aren’t allowed. Alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, and of course, weapons (real or toy) are also a no-no.

This is an image of a restaurant with lights on inside and trees lining the front

Image Courtesy of Disneyland Paris

Where to eat at Disneyland® Paris

You absolutely will not go hungry at Disneyland® Paris, if anything, the real challenge is deciding what to eat. There are over 70 places to grab food at, from snack stands to sit-down restaurants. You’ll find about 30 of these inside Disneyland® Park, 10 at Disney Adventure World (both of which require the right ticket to access), and the rest are located in the Disney Village and Disney hotels.

Here are some of the top restaurants at Disneyland® Paris (reservations recommended for all of them, through the Disneyland® Paris App):

  • Casa de Coco (€) – This lively Mexican restaurant is a tasty, good-value option on Main Street in Disneyland® Park.
  • Bistrot Chez Remy (€€) – Have a “Rattatouille” moment at this traditional French restaurant at Disney Adventure World. They’ve got a few menu options for adults and kids.
  • Walt’s – An American Restaurant (€€€)- Set on Main Street in Disneyland® Park, this classy restaurant has different themed rooms with framed images showing Walt Disney’s drawings and designs for the original Disneyland®. It serves three-course menus with a few choices per course. 
  • Agrabah Cafe (€€€) – Located in Adventureland within the main park, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Aladdin’s Arabian Nights at this all-you-can-eat Moroccan buffet that includes a beverage. 
  • Captain Jack’s (€€€) – Serving Creole specialities and good seafood options, this is the perfect option for fans of The Pirates of the Caribbean. You can order à la carte or take a menu.
  • Brasserie Rosalie  (€€) – One of the best options in Disney Village is this chic classic Parisian café, where you can order à la carte or take a set menu costing around €40/adults and €17/kids.
This is the inside of a bougie hotel lobby with chandeliers and more.

Where to stay at Disneyland® Paris

As for where to stay, if you’re just popping over for the day, keeping your Paris hotel totally works and means you won’t have to pack up your suitcases. But if you want to really lean into the magic (and make life easier), staying at or close to the park means less travel and more Disney time.

We have a guide on Where to Stay near Disneyland® Paris coming soon, so it’s best to have a read of that if you’re considering staying near the park.

This is an image picture of Mickey and Minnie dressed up and waving to everyone.

Other important things to know about Disneyland® Paris 

  • English is widely spoken, so you won’t have to worry about communicating with staff.
  • Try to go during the week when it’s less busy.
  • Avoid European school holidays if possible (around November 1st, Easter, summertime).
  • The park hosts a special Halloween event the whole month of October, and it’s beautifully decorated during the Christmas holidays.
  • The park is wheelchair accessible, and visitors with disabilities can also receive discounted tickets and priority cards. Learn more on this Accessibility at Disneyland® Paris page. 
  • If you didn’t get the Premier Access, you might have to wait in some long lines for top rides.

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Lily Heise

A long-time Paris resident, Lily Heise is a travel writer whose work has been in Condé Nast Traveler, Huff Post, Fodor’s, AFAR, and Frommer’s, among others. When she’s not uncovering the city’s best secrets, she can be found on a Parisian café terrasse or traveling the globe.

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