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Disneyland Paris Tips

These tips for visiting Disneyland Paris will help make your holiday magical.

Disneyland paris tips

Are you looking for Disneyland Paris tips to make the most of your first time (or twentieth) to the park? To make the experience as magical (and stress-free) as possible, read on for our comprehensive guide to visiting Disneyland Paris covering travel, tickets, where to eat, accommodation and more. You'll also want to read our Insider Secrets to Disneyland Paris, for extra ideas to the make the most of your Euro Disney holiday. Furthermore, make sure you also check out our UK school holidays, so you can find the best time to take the kids away on their magical holiday.

Disneyland Paris Tips for Your Holiday

Small World Disneyland Paris Image © Disneyland Paris

How to get to Disneyland Paris from the UK

For those making Disneyland Paris trips from the UK, two of the most popular options for getting to the park are flying into one of Paris' airports and making the rest of the journey by rail or road, or taking the Eurostar directly to the Disneyland Paris rail station. By rail, the journey takes 2 hours 45 minutes from London St Pancras or 2 hours from Ebbsfleet; ticket prices vary throughout the year, and can be included as part of a package.

Disneyland Paris by Eurostar

Advantages of taking the Eurostar include a generous luggage allowance, being able to get up and move around on the train, and - depending on where you're based in the UK - one of the most direct routes to the park. All of these make for a stress-free option if you're travelling with the family, as you'll have the peace of mind of knowing you have no more connections to make once you've boarded the train. If you want to take extra luggage and have the convenience of your own car, you can also book with Eurotunnel and drive to one of the terminals then on to the park.

Disneyland Paris by Plane

For those arriving by air, the 'Magical Shuttle' airport bus takes passengers from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, straight to the resort. Journey time from both airports is approximately 45 minutes, and most of the Disneyland hotels are served by the shuttle. The current fare for adults taking the shuttle is €20 each way (approximately £15), while child tickets are €16 (£12) and babies and toddlers under three years of age travel free. Remember to book your transfer at least two days in advance of your Disneyland Paris trip.

There are plenty of reasons you might prefer to fly to Disneyland Paris: with dynamic deals available throughout the year, you can get a great price on fares, flight time is quick at just over an hour with the rest of the journey taking approximately 45 minutes by road. There's also a large choice of UK airports serving Paris, meaning an easier get-away for those who don't live near the Eurostar terminals. If you fly with a budget carrier, read our guide on flying with budget airlines for helpful info on baggage allowances and what to expect.

Ferry to Disneyland Paris

Driving to Disneyland Paris

A third option is driving to Disneyland from the UK, taking a ferry crossing from Dover to Calais and continuing on to the park. This option is great for families, and can be one of the cheapest ways to get to Disneyland, with crossings plus car available from just £39. Read our tips on preparing for a road trip with kids and our guide to travelling with small children to make sure your family is prepared for the journey. Driving to Disneyland Paris is also the slowest option, so this method isn't recommended for day trips or shorter breaks.

Disneyland Paris Accommodation

With a wealth of fun, themed hotels, self catering apartments, campsites and B&Bs, there is no shortage of family-friendly accommodation within toddling distance of Disneyland Paris.

Official Disneyland Paris Hotels

Those wanting the catered experience can choose from seven official Disneyland hotels around the site itself, and a range of partner hotels dotted around the periphery - see a full rundown on the Disneyland Paris hotels page here. There are a wide range of packages and prices available, so even if you're not on a big budget, it's worth checking out hotel options for an authentic Disneyland experience. It's also worth remembering that by opting for full or half-board options at hotels, you'll usually be given vouchers that can be exchanged for meals in the park - which can otherwise become a significant cost.

A word of advice for non-drivers: the Davy Crockett ranch is the only major Disneyland Paris resort not served by the shuttle buses, so we recommend booking any of the other affiliated hotels, where transport is provided.

Davy Crockett ranch Image © Disneyland Paris

Self-Catering

If you prefer the freedom of self-catering, there are plenty of apartments within easy reach of the park. This gives the advantage of your own living space where you can come and go at your leisure with a kids' recreation area and swimming pool where you can wind down at the end of a long day's fun and games.

Camping near Disneyland Paris

In the summer, camping can be a great, affordable way to self cater at Disneyland Paris, and kids will love the outdoor activities, playgrounds and pools that add a touch of al fresco adventure to your stay. There's no need to bring your own tent or tow a caravan across the channel: companies such as Eurocamp rent spacious pre-erected tents and static caravans at nearby sites such as La Croix de Vieux Pont in the Berny-Riviére district of Paris. Facilities include a landscaped pool with waterslides and a lagoon, games room, family disco and bars.

At the park - Disneyland Paris Tips

Visiting any theme park for the first time can be daunting to the uninitiated, but there's a wealth of advice out there for those who want to make the most of their time at Disneyland Paris. Here are a few tips and tricks we think you should be aware of.

Get FastPass tickets

These allow you to skip the queues for rides and other attractions, and are available from machines around the park. The tickets give you a time-slot when you can return and go straight to the front of the queue, allowing you to make the most of your time while you wait your turn. For this reason they're a must for anyone on a day-trip or other short Disneyland break.

Disneyland Paris is very well equipped for visitors who are disabled or have special needs, and a pass called the Priority Card is available to those guests, allowing easier access to attractions. You will need paperwork to confirm you or a member of your party's disability, to make sure you have this available to present on arrival at the park.

Star Wars Disneyland Paris Image © Disneyland Paris

Buy in advance

Even as a theme park novice you'll be aware that you're likely to be subjected to some pricey produce once inside the park - and you'll often be obliged to queue for the privilege of picking up that much-needed snack. Avoid being a captive audience by bringing as much of your own food and drink as possible, at very least carrying a water bottle with you at all times (there are water fountains where you can top up free of charge when you need to).

Disneyland is not famed for its food and you may find that your meals are a little more 'fast' than you might usually prefer. So if you're watching your weight or prefer to keep it a little healthier, preparing your own meals may be preferable.

Parents might also want to stock up on Disney-related items (dressing-up gear, toys and other merch) bought more cheaply at supermarkets or toy shops outside the park, as these can help to keep temptation at bay when your child develops a sudden and overwhelming urge to dress up as Elsa from Frozen.

Enjoy the Disneyland Paris magic!

Finally, remember that the Disney experience is all about fantasy and fun, so make this a time to really let your hair down. This is no time to worry about what you're wearing (unless you're planning on showing up in character, of course!), how fancy the food is or how long you've spent working on your tan, so leave your worries at the gate, let your hair down and prepare to embrace the magic!

Disneyland Paris Sleeping Beauty castle >Image © Disneyland Paris

If you found this post on tips for Disneyland Paris helpful, you may want to read more of our Wanderlust articles. Also check out our travel blog for additional inspiration and travel tips to make your holidays hassle-free!


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Written by Abi Silvester, a London-based writer and editor with a passion for great food, fine wine, coffee and cats; always planning my next trip! Follow her on Twitter.

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