When most people think of Paris, the first thoughts that come to mind are usually the romantic cobblestone streets, the Louvre Museum, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. Disneyland? Not so much. Only a 40-minute train ride from the center of the city, Disneyland Paris is a great attraction for all ages. Well, lace-up your running shoes because visiting the park guarantees you’re in for a day filled with fun.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
A trip to the Disneyland Paris location is still warranted even if you’ve already visited Walt Disney World in Florida. It has a whole different feeling to it. The Paris location is considerably smaller with only two parks, but it has Parisian charm and evokes a sense of magic. A great perk when going to this Disneyland location is the cost of tickets since it’s significantly less than Disney World. A single-day ticket to both parks in Paris is almost on par with the ticket price to each park at Disney World.
The park opens at 9:30 a.m., and once you enter the gates you’re met with colorful shops and leafy green trees that line the cobblestone streets and lead to one of the most beautiful Disney castles, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant, or Sleeping Beauty Castle. There are 51 attractions at Disneyland Paris Park, so making a game plan is essential, especially if you’re going only for a single day.
There are three rollercoasters that are perfect for thrill-seekers. Big Thunder Mountain will get your heart racing as it plunges into darkness and careens around the ghost town and underground mines. The Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril ride begins the moment visitors get in the line while surrounded by dense trees and bushes and the menacing feel of the ride rumbling in the distance. In a battle against good and evil, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is a classic and exciting ride. This coaster blasts the riders around while on a mission to spy on an Imperial Star Destroyer.
There are also plenty of rides that the little ones will enjoy too, like Disneyland Railroad, which is a slow ride around the park, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, where children age 5 and younger sit in individual Dumbo carts that swing up and down. There are many more rides the kiddies will want to go on, so read the complete Disneyland Paris attractions guide here.
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- Big Thunder Mountain
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- The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour
Disneyland Paris has 31 outlets for food and drink. Many of these are quick, on-the-go spots where you can grab a small snack, like The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour. This ice cream parlor sells plenty of classic and unique flavors of Ben and Jerry. There are also sit-down restaurants like Captain Jack’s Restaurant des Pirates which is inspired by creole flavors and Fuente del Oro Restaurante, which serves Tex Mex for vegans and vegetarians, as well as meat-eaters. Read the full list of dining options here.
Disneyland Paris currently has strict Covid-19 safety measures put in place to protect visitors and cast members. Guests over the age of 16 must show proof of full vaccination, a certificate of recovery from Covid-19, or a certificate that explains why they are exempt from getting the vaccine. Children aged 12 to 15 must show a health pass, which can be either proof of full vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test, or a certificate of recovery. It is also a requirement for guests aged six and older to wear a face-covering at all times, other than when eating or taking pictures. However, as the pandemic changes, it’s wise to check the park’s website for updates.
Make sure to download the Disneyland Paris app before you visit to see waiting times for all of the attractions, schedules for shows, and to book a table at one of the restaurants in advance.