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A First Timer's Guide To Disneyland Paris (2022)

Everything You Need To Know If You're Planning A Trip To Disneyland Paris

Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris Summer 2022. By The Organised Explorers

If you're planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, no doubt you're feeling a bit overwhelmed. Whether this is your first ever Disney Parks trip or you've visited other Disney Parks around the world before, you'll want to know as much as possible to make your trip memorable for all the right reasons. We've put together all the information you'll need to know to plan the perfect Disneyland Paris trip.



Contents



 

What Do We Mean When We Say "Disneyland Paris"?


One big misconception many people have about Disneyland Paris is that it is just one park. In fact, Disneyland Paris is a large resort that extends out of the theme parks. It is made up of 2 theme parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park) and a shopping & entertainment village, Disney Village. It also is home to 7 Disney Hotels, 8 Partner Hotels, 1 Nature Resort and even a golf course.


Disneyland Paris' 2 theme parks, shopping village and it's 7 onsite hotels are all within walking distance of one another, making it very different to some other Disney Parks, such as Walt Disney World in Florida.


Disneyland Paris Castle, The Organised Explorers


Where is Disneyland Paris?


You may be surprised to learn that Disneyland Paris isn't in Paris (confusing right?!) Disneyland Paris is actually about 20 miles east of the city in Coupvray. Even though it's out of the city, Disneyland Paris is very easy to get to from Paris, the UK, the US and Europe with great plane, train and road links.



How To Get To Disneyland Paris?


From Paris


If you're visiting Disneyland Paris, you may be combining it with a trip to Paris. Even though Disneyland Paris isn't in the city itself, it's very easy to travel from Paris to Disneyland Paris and there are a number of ways to do it:


By Train. If you're unsure which mode of transport to take from Paris to Disneyland Paris, we highly recommend taking the train. Travelling by train is simple, fast and affordable, making it one of the most popular ways of getting from Paris to Disneyland Paris. It's a journey we've taken many times and have never had any issues with.


Disneyland Paris is served by Marne-la-Vallée train station and will take you into the middle of the resort, right outside the gates to the theme parks. Marne-la-Vallée is on the RER A line (the thick red line on a metro map) and can be taken from a number of the larger train stations in Paris.


The train system is excellent in Paris and it's surrounding areas, with a train to Disneyland Paris departing around every 10 minutes or so and a one way ticket costing around €10pp. The journey takes between 35 and 45 minutes depending on which train station you're departing from. We would highly recommend using the train if you're coming from Paris or heading to Paris after your time in Disneyland.


(For more information on taking the train from Paris to Disneyland Paris, including a detailed step by step guide check out this guide by Paris By Train)



By Bus. There are a number of companies offering bus rides from the center of Paris to Disneyland Paris. They usually combine tickets and the shuttle ride, so this is only an option if you haven't booked your tickets yet. Disneyland Paris also offer their own shuttle bus service from the city. More information about the Disneyland Paris' Express can be found here.


By Private Transfer. If you're a large group with a lot of luggage, a private transfer may possibly make for a smoother journey. We have used Prestige Private Transfer and would recommend the company. A one way journey from Paris costs around €80 and bookings can be made online. Make sure to read the latest reviews of any company you choose before booking to make sure you've chosen a reputable company.


By Car. We would only recommend driving to Disneyland Paris from Paris if you have taken your own car to France, or if Disneyland Paris is one stop on a driving holiday in France. Hiring a car is a hassle, driving in Paris can be stressful and you won't need a car whilst you're at Disneyland Paris. A private transfer or travelling by train are much simpler options and we would highly recommend both over driving.


The Metro, Paris. The Organised Explorers


From The UK


Disneyland Paris is popular with Brits. It's our closest Disney resort and is very easy to get to. If you're travelling from the UK, there are a few different ways to get to the magic.


By Plane. Flying is one of the most popular ways to get to Disneyland Paris. Budget airlines offer great deals on flights and depending on where you are travelling from in the UK it can be the quickest method too. London and Manchester offer a high number of daily flights to Charles De Gaulle airport (CDG) but flights also depart daily from Edinburgh, Birmingham and Bristol. When we fly to CDG, we fly from Manchester with EasyJet and have been able to find tickets from as little as £25 per person per way. Note: Once you arrive at CDG, you will need to arrange a transfer from the airport to Disneyland Paris (more on transfer options below)


By Train. Eurostar is a popular choice for those travelling from London to Disneyland Paris and is the easiest option on the list. Eurostar offers a direct service from London St Pancras International to Marne-la-Vallée station (which takes you right outside the theme park's gates) in 2 hours 39 minutes. By taking you directly to Disneyland Paris, there is no need to arrange a transfer which will save you both time and money. This service can be expensive, so we recommend booking your seats as early as possible for the best price. This option is even more expensive if (like us) you're travelling from further north in the UK, as you'll need to arrange transport to London first. But if you're travelling from London or the south of England, we would highly recommend.


By Car. We have driven to Disneyland Paris a number of times and would highly recommend if you're a confident driver. The journey is long (especially coming from the north of England) but we love the flexibility of driving and being able to take as much luggage as we need. A crossing on the EuroTunnel is affordable if booked in advance and takes only 30 minutes from Folkestone to Calais. Or you can take the ferry from Dover to France but this will take a lot longer. Once in France, the drive is straightforward and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes on the toll road. There is free parking at all the Disneyland Paris hotels too. (Read about our latest journey and full review of the Eurotunnel here)


By Coach. Travelling by coach is a cost-effective way to travel to Disneyland Paris. Depending on where in the UK you're travelling from, it can be a long journey, but is a good option if you're on a budget and not a confident driver. Magic Breaks is a reputable UK based company offering coach package holidays that depart from 180 locations in England and Wales. We haven't taken a coach trip to Disneyland Paris, but we have booked hotels and tickets through Magic Breaks and would recommend them as a company.


From Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG)


If you're travelling by plane from the UK or the US, you're likely flying into Charles De Gaulle airport (CDG). Charles De Gaulle is about 25 miles north of Disneyland Paris, so you'll need to arrange a transfer to the magic. There are a few options to choose from:


By Private Transfer. Our favourite option from CDG is to book a private transfer. After the stress of the airport, it's nice to have someone take over and get you to where you need to go. We have used Prestige Private Transfer before and would recommend the company. A one way journey costs around €70 per vehicle (at the time of writing) and bookings can be made online. Make sure to read the latest reviews of any company you choose before booking to make sure you've chosen a reputable company.


By Train. The express train (TGV) is the quickest option from CDG, taking about 15 minutes to arrive at Marne-la-Vallée station (which is a 2 minute walk from the park gates). We have found the TGV trains do not run frequently, however, with some trains being more than an hour apart. At the time of writing, tickets must be purchased in advance and then picked up at the station. Tickets cost between €17.50 and €30 and must be purchased in advance. The TGV to Marne-la-Vallée departs from the Terminal 2 train station, so you may need to take an airport shuttle if you're arriving at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3.


By Bus (Magical Shuttle). There are a number of companies offering shuttle transfers from CDG to Disneyland Paris, but Magical Shuttle is the only service approved by Disneyland Paris. Tickets cost €23 per adult per way and the journey will take about 1 hour depending on which hotel you're staying in. Shuttles run at least once per hour but don't run 24/7, so may not be a good option if you have an early or late flight. Find out more information and book your tickets here


By Car. We hired a car from the airport on our first ever Disneyland Paris trip, but would not choose this method again. We would only recommend driving to Disneyland Paris from CDG if you plan on doing a lot of driving in France, as you will not need a car whilst you're at Disneyland Paris. You can hire a car from the airport and the journey to Disneyland Paris is fairly straightforward. A private transfer or travelling by train are much simpler options however and we would highly recommend both over driving if possible.


Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. Airport. By The Organised Explorers

From Orly Airport (ORY)


If you're travelling by plane from elsewhere in Europe, you're likely flying into Orly airport (ORY). Orly is about 25 miles west of Disneyland Paris, so you'll need to plan a transfer to the magic. There are a few options to choose from:


By Private Transfer. Our favourite transfer option from the airports is to book a private transfer. After the stress of the airport, it's nice to have someone take over and get you to where you need to go. We have used Prestige Private Transfer before and would recommend the company. A one way journey from Orly costs around €80 per vehicle and bookings can be made online. Make sure to read the latest reviews of any company you choose before booking to make sure you've chosen a reputable company.


By Train. If you're familiar with the train system in Paris, then the train is a great way to travel between Orly and Disneyland Paris. It will require a Zone 1 - 5 ticket and few station changes, so we wouldn't recommend this method for first time visitors. The journey will take around an hour, so it's not the quickest, but it may work out cheaper then the other options.


By Bus (Magical Shuttle). There are a number of companies offering shuttle transfers from Orly to Disneyland Paris, but Magical Shuttle is the only service approved by Disneyland Paris. Tickets cost €23 per adult per way and the journey will take about 1 hour depending on which hotel you're staying in. Shuttles run at about once per hour but don't run 24/7, so may not be a good option if you have an early or late flight. Find out more information and book your tickets here


By Car. We would only recommend driving to Disneyland Paris from Orly if you plan on doing a lot of driving in France, as you will not need a car whilst you're at Disneyland Paris. You can hire a car from the airport and the journey to Disneyland Paris is fairly straightforward. A private transfer or travelling by train are much simpler options however and we would highly recommend both over driving if possible.



Where To Stay?


OK, so you've planned out how you're going to arrive at Disneyland Paris, but where are you going to stay? Disneyland Paris offers 7 Disney Hotels to choose from as well as 8 Partner Hotels and 1 Nature Resort. The local town of Marne-la-Vallée is a popular area for those on a budget and wish to stay offsite in a hotel or Airbnb.


The Disney Hotels are fully operated by Disneyland Paris and have the benefit of being run by Disney Castmembers. These hotels come with a number of perks (as listed in our blog post here) The Disney Hotels include: Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel, Disney's Newport Bay Club, Disney's Sequoia Lodge, Disney's Hotel Cheyenne, Disney's Hotel Santa Fe & Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch.


When choosing which Disney Hotel is best for your party, you want to consider the cost, the theming and distance to the parks.


If you're not sure which hotel to choose, our personal recommendation for first time guests is Disney's Hotel Cheyenne. This is the first Disney Hotel we stayed in and the only one we have stayed in more than once. The theming is great here. Walking around this hotel feels like you're stepping into a western. The rooms are Toy Story themed, with Woody's Roundup touches throughout the room. The hotel underwent a huge renovation a few years ago and the rooms now feel more modern compared to some of the more expensive hotels such as Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay. It's one of the more affordable Disney Hotels too and makes for a great stay. (Update: We recently returned from a trip to Disneyland Paris and detailed our most up to date thoughts about Hotel Cheyenne in our trip report here)


We would also highly recommend Hotel New York - The Art Of Marvel. It is the most expensive hotel to stay in at the moment (Disneyland Hotel is currently undergoing a complete renovation and is due to reopen in 2024) but if your budget can stretch to it and you're a huge Marvel fan or plan on spending time in your hotel, then it's definitely one you should consider.


The Partner Hotels are associated with Disneyland Paris but are not operated by Disney. These hotels are further away from the parks (but all serviced by a free shuttle bus to and from the parks), but come with some of the same perks as the Disney Hotels. A full list of Disney's partner hotels can be found here


We have only stayed in one Partner Hotel, Adagio Marne-la-Vallée Val d'Europe back in 2015 but would recommend. This is the only Partner Hotel to have it's own kitchenette, which is great if you're on a budget, as you can prepare some of your meals in your room and save some money. When we visited in 2015 the rooms were a little dated. But if you're planning on using your room as just a base and will be spending most of your time in the parks, this is a great option.


Another option for your trip is to not stay at Disneyland Paris and to book a stay in offsite accommodation. Marne-la-Vallée has a number of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from and is only a 30 minute walk, a shuttle ride or train journey away from the theme parks.


For more information about the different accommodation options at Disneyland Paris and the pros and cons of each of these options, check out our Disneyland Paris: Onsite vs Offsite blog post here


Hotel New York - The Art Of Marvel. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers
Newport Bay Club Hotel. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers


How Many Days Will You Need To Spend At Disneyland Paris?


If this is your first visit, we would highly recommend spending 3 whole days at Disneyland Paris. The 2 parks can be done in 2 days or even 1 day, but we would recommend a longer trip.


3 days will allow you to ride most, if not all, of the attractions, see the fireworks, the parade and the shows as well time to enjoy sit down meals and to peruse the shops and take it all at your own pace. If you're visiting in the high season (June - August & December) or soon after the new land, Avenger's Campus (opening July 20th 2022) opens, we would recommend 4 days to allow for the longer lines.




What To Do?


There is so much to do in Disneyland Paris, with dozens of rides and attractions, a number of different shows throughout the year, parades, fireworks and lots of shops. You can explore the Sleeping Beauty Castle, visit the dragon who lives beneath the castle and even take a balloon ride to see the resort from above. Take a look at a full list of attractions on the Disneyland Paris website here. We've picked out our top recommendations for you below.



If Disneyland Paris Is Your First Disney Park


If this is your first visit to any Disney Park then there are a few things we would highly recommend you add to your itinerary:


Explore Sleeping Beauty's Castle & Visit The Dragon Below. Each Disney Park is home to a beautiful castle. Each park's castle is unique and Disneyland Paris' is considered by many as the prettiest castle of them all, so set some time aside to explore. Follow the staircase up inside and see the story of Sleeping Beauty told through detailed stained glass windows and gorgeous tapestries. Did you know you can also visit the dragon that lives beneath the castle? (look for the small sign on the castle "La Tanière du Dragon) This huge animatronic dragon is unique to Disneyland Paris and well worth a visit.


Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers


Ride some of the classic Disney attractions. There are some attractions that have been included in a number, if not all, Disney Parks around the world. Big Thunder Mountain, It's A Small World, Tower Of Terror, Pirates of The Caribbean, Phantom Manor, Peter Pan & Space Mountain are among the most popular and most beloved attractions and worth adding to every Disney firs-timer's list.


Meet Mickey Mouse. If you're up for something cute and fun, add meeting Mickey Mouse to your list of things to do. Mickey is one of our favourite character meets and always makes for some lovely pictures. Not everyone will be up for meeting the characters, but if you are, don't be embarrassed, just go for it.


Grab A Mickey Shaped Snack. Mickey shaped snacks are a Disney Parks staple. From cookies to ice cream, beignets to sandwiches, there really is a Mickey-shaped version of every snack in Disneyland Paris. So make sure to pick up a snack or 2 to enjoy.



Soak in the atmosphere. A big part of what makes a Disney Park special is the atmosphere, so make sure to grab a seat near the castle, pull out a mickey shaped snack and soak in the atmosphere. It's something a lot of first time visitors don't think to do, but we always make time to appreciate where we are.


Watch Disney Stars On Parade. If you like Disney characters, make sure to set some time aside to watch Disney Stars on Parade. Once each day, Disney characters and performers make their way through Disneyland Park on colourful floats and dance to some very catchy music. To see the route the parade takes through the park click here


Ride Attractions Exclusive To Disneyland Paris. Aside from the Disney classic rides, Disneyland Paris is home to some exclusive attractions which cannot be found in any other Disney Park including: Crush's Coaster, Alice's Curious Labyrinth, Casey Jnr, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Peril, RC Racer & (until recently) Ratatouille: The Adventure.

Enjoy A Meal At One Of The Themed Restaurants. Disneyland Paris knows how to theme a restaurant, so make sure to include at least one Disney restaurant to your itinerary (more on dining at Disneyland Paris later) Bistrot Chez Rémy and Captain Jack's - Restaurant des Pirates are 2 of our favourite themed table service restaurants. If you're a Lion King fan, make sure to enjoy a quick service meal at Hakuna Matata or if you're looking for a 50's diner feel, make sure to check out Annette's. There are so many themed restaurants at Disneyland Paris to choose from. A full list of all the restaurants across the resort can be found here.


Watch Disneyland Paris' Most Popular Shows. The shows Disneyland Paris have on at the moment are fantastic and have even won awards for their production value. The "Dream...and Shine Brighter" show, Mickey and the Magician and The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands are all completely different and incredible! If you're new to the Disney Parks, you may not be aware that all shows and entertainment within the 2 theme parks are included in the price of your ticket, so set some time aside to watch the shows.


Get A Good Spot To Watch The Fireworks. A trip to Disneyland Paris isn't complete without watching Disney Illuminations. Disney Illuminations is a spectacular firework show that takes place at park close, with water effects and projections on the Sleeping Beauty castle. If you're visiting in 2022, you'll want to find your spot on Mainstreet USA early to watch the special drone pre-show, Disney D-Light, part of the special 30th anniversary celebrations.



If You've Visited Other Disney Parks Before.


If this is your first trip to Disneyland Paris BUT you have been to some of the other Disney Parks around the world, here are the things you do not want to miss.


Explore Sleeping Beauty's Castle & Visit The Dragon Below. Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Paris' is often described by many as the prettiest castle of all the Disney Parks, so set some time aside to explore. You can follow the staircase up inside and see the story of Sleeping Beauty told through detailed stained glass windows and gorgeous tapestries. Did you know you can also visit the dragon that lives beneath the castle? (look for the small sign on the castle "La Tanière du Dragon) This huge animatronic dragon is unique to Disneyland Paris and well worth a visit.


Ride The Best Version of The Wildest Ride In The Wilderness. Disneyland Paris' version of Big Thunder Mountain is considered by many to be the best, so we highly recommend adding this to your list.


The Best Big Thunder Mountain. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers


Grab A Mickey Shaped Snack. Mickey shaped snacks are becoming more and more popular at Disneyland Paris and there are some great options to choose from. So make sure to pick up a snack or 2 to enjoy.


Soak in the atmosphere. A big part of what makes Disneyland Paris special is the atmosphere. So make sure to grab a seat near the castle, pull out a mickey shaped snack and soak in the atmosphere. It's something a lot of visitors don't think to do, but we always make time to appreciate where we are.


Watch Disney Stars On Parade. If you like the characters and parades, make sure to set some time aside to watch Disney Stars on Parade. Whilst not our favourite Disney Parade, the energy of the performers is great, the music is catchy and there are some rare characters too. To see the route the parade takes through the park click here


Ride Attractions Exclusive To Disneyland Paris. Aside from the Disney classic rides, Disneyland Paris is home to some exclusive attractions which cannot be found in any other Disney Park including: Crush's Coaster, Alice's Curious Labyrinth, Casey Jnr, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Peril, RC Racer & (until recently) Ratatouille: The Adventure.



Alice's Curious Labyrinth. A Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers


Ride Attractions That Have A Unique Paris Twist. Disneyland Paris has added a unique twist to some popular park attractions and are well worth experiencing for yourself. For example, Phantom Manor (Paris' version of Haunted Mansion) underwent refurbishment in 2019 and now has a different backstory and extra scenes compared to it's American counterpart. Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is a more intense, star wars themed version of Space Mountain. This version has a Star Wars overlay, an intense launch sequence, inversions and corkscrews and is very different (and most people say better) ride.

Enjoy A Meal At One Of The Themed Restaurants. Disneyland Paris knows how to theme a restaurant, so make sure to include at least one Disney restaurant to your itinerary. Bistrot Chez Rémy and Captain Jack's - Restaurant des Pirates are 2 of our favourite themed table service restaurants. If you're a Lion King fan, make sure to enjoy a quick service meal at Hakuna Matata or if you're looking for a 50's diner feel, make sure to check out Annette's. There are so many themed restaurants at Disneyland Paris to choose from. A full list of all the restaurants across the resort can be found here


Watch Disneyland Paris' Most Popular Shows. The shows Disneyland Paris have on at the moment are fantastic and have even won awards for their production value. The "Dream...and Shine Brighter" show, Mickey and the Magician and The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands are all completely different and incredible! And as with the other Disney Parks around the world, all shows and entertainment within the parks are included in the price of your ticket.


The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers


Get A Good Spot To Watch The Fireworks. A trip to any Disney Park isn't complete without watching the fireworks. Disney Illuminations combines fireworks with water effects and projections on the Sleeping Beauty castle. If you're visiting in 2022, you'll want to find your spot on Mainstreet USA early to watch the special drone pre-show, Disney D-Light, part of the special 30th anniversary celebrations.


Restaurants & Dining.


OK, so you know how to get to Disneyland Paris, you've decided where you're going to stay and you've even planned out a rough itinerary. But what are you going to eat? Did you know there are more than 60 places to eat and drink within the resort?! So where should you eat and what do you need to know about dining in Disneyland Paris?


Things To Know About Dining In Disneyland Paris


• Disneyland Paris is home to dozens of table service, buffet and quick service restaurants, as well as plenty of snack locations and bars. And it's not all the usual theme park offerings of burgers and hot dogs either (although you can still order these theme park classics). There's risottos, steaks, burritos, crepes, fish & chips, baguettes, salmon, chilli and so much more on the menu. Find a full list of what's available, including menus, here


• Whilst there is a lot of choice, dining at Disneyland Paris isn't cheap, so we recommend having a look through some of the menus in advance to give yourself an idea of price, especially if you're on a budget. If you're on a very tight budget, you are able to bring your own food and drinks into Disneyland Paris and there is even a designated picnic area just outside the entrance to the theme parks.


• Disneyland Paris cater for different dietary restrictions and allergies, so you don't need to worry about what to eat. For more information on specific dietary requirements and what you need to do, please visit this page


• If you're staying in a Disney hotel you have the option to add a meal plan to your booking. A meal plan, in short, is where you pay for all your meals before your trip. Depending on where you would like to eat, a meal plan could even save you some money. To learn more about the meal plans and the different options available, visit the Disneyland Paris website here. We recently returned from a trip where we used a meal plan - find out how much money we saved in our trip report here


How do you make dining reservations at Disneyland Paris? You can book a table at most table service and buffet restaurants 2 months before your visit (and we highly recommend that you do) The easiest way to do this is via the Disneyland Paris app (we found with the app, we could start making our dining reservations straight away) You can also make your reservations 2 months in advance over the phone, by calling Disneyland Paris (+33 1 60 30 40 50). Or you're able to book a table at the restaurant itself when you arrive or at your hotel's concierge desk, but note that some of the more popular restaurants will likely not have any spaces left.




Booking Dining on The Disneyland Paris App. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers
Booking Dining on The Disneyland Paris App. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers


Which Restaurants Should You Eat At?


With so many restaurants to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one to choose for you and your group. So we've broken it down into different categories and listed some of the most popular and our personal favourite restaurants.


Best For Theming.


Disneyland Paris knows how to theme a restaurant. If theming is something you're looking for, Bistrot Chez Rémy (pictured below), Toad Hall, Annette's Diner, Captain Jack's and Agrabah Café should be high on your list of restaurants. For die hard Disney fans, a trip to Disneyland Paris should also include a reservation for Walt's - An American Restaurant.


Bistrot Chez Remy. Beginner's Guide To Disneyland Paris 2022. By The Organised Explorers

Best For Characters.


Would you like to enjoy a meal with some of your favourite characters? Start your day right with a buffet breakfast at Plaza Gardens and meet some fan favourite characters such as Mickey, Eeyore, Pinocchio and Goofy. Or if you want to dine with Disney royalty, book yourself in for a fancy lunch with the Princesses at Auberge de Cendrillon. These can be easily added to your Disney Hotel booking and well worth it if you have the budget.



Best For Food.


If you're looking for the best food in Disneyland Paris, book yourself a table at one of the many buffet restaurants. Downtown restaurant at Hotel New York - Art of Marvel is our favourite restaurant in all of Disneyland Paris and Hunter's Grill at Disney's Sequoia Lodge Hotel has become a must do on every Disney trip - especially perfect for a winter trip. If you're looking for the best food at table service meal, we recommend Walt's - An American Restaurant. The theming is everything here and the food fancy. The chilli and the lemon tart are among the best food we've had on Disney property.



Best For Budget.


If you're on a tight budget, the quick service restaurants are a great option. Cafe Hyperion, Toad Hall, Hakuna Matata and Earl of Sandwich are among our favourites and ones we have been to many times, When on a budget, we also love the baguettes and Mickey shaped sandwiches for lunch and bring our own crisps and drinks to enjoy with them. For those looking for a very budget friendly place to eat, there's even a McDonalds located in Disney Village. If you would like to enjoy a table service meal, Rainforest Cafe and Annette's diner are two of our favourite less expensive table service restaurants and would highly recommend both.


What To Pack


If you're wondering what you need to bring with you to Disneyland Paris, we have written detailed blog posts specifically for this topic:



There are also a few items that guest are not allowed to bring into Disneyland Paris. Find the most up to date list here



What Else Do You Need To Know?


OK, we're almost there (well done if you have made it this far!) there's just a few more things you should know:


Priority Pass. If you or someone you are with has a disability or long term chronic disease, you may be eligible for a Priority Card or an Easy Access Card. A Priority Card gives priority (but non-immediate) access to the attractions, shows, parades, character meet and greets, restaurants and shop checkouts, meaning you can skip the queues. For more information on the Priority Card and Easy Access Card, including if you're eligible, visit the Accessibility page on the Disneyland Paris website here.


Premier Access. Premier Access is a new paid service which helps guests reduce their wait times at certain (not all) attractions. Premier Access One gives you an allotted time to visit one ride or attraction of your choice. You come back at the specified time, join a much smaller queue and jump on the ride within a few minutes. You can buy a maximum of 3 Disney Premier Access One per attraction per day. Premier Access Ultimate is a similar service, but is a one off payment that allows you to ride all Premier Access rides once without having to book a time slot. For more information on how Premier Access works including pricing and which attractions are included, visit the dedicated page on the Disneyland Paris website here


Extra Magic Time. If you're staying in a Disney Hotel, you will have access to Extra Magic Time (EMT). EMT allows onsite guests and annual pass holders to enter both parks an hour before they open to other visitors. The big advantage to using EMT is the short wait times. Using EMT, we were able to walk straight on to ride Big Thunder Mountain twice and ride Hyper Space Mountain, Star Tours and Buzz with 0 minute wait times at a time of year where the crowds were large and the queues midday were 45-60 minutes for these attractions. We cannot guarantee this for every trip, but you can be sure to experience much lower crowds during EMT. So if you're planning your trip, book a Disney Hotel for your stay and make use of this massive perk.


PhotoPass+. PhotoPass+ is a paid service which compiles all on-ride photos taken of you and your group throughout your trip as well as photos taken by the official Disneyland Paris photographers at different locations, chatacter meets and the new MagicShots locations. You are then able to download them all as high-quality digital image files which are yours to keep. For more information on PhotoPass+, visit the website here.



Thank you so much for reading this beginner's guide to Disneyland Paris. We really hope this has been helpful and prepared you for your visit, If you have any questions, please ask them in the comment box below.


This is by far the longest post we've published yet and it took a lot of hours to write, so please share it and show it some love. Thank you!


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A First Timer's Guider To Disneyland Paris by The Organised Explorers

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