Bonjour, Allison!
My family visited Disneyland Paris for the first time earlier this year, and like you, I wasn't quite sure where to start. I spent weeks researching to ensure our bucket list vacation was perfect before finally booking. I'm happy to walk you through my process to help get your plans underway.
Our trip started as a split stay in London and Paris, allowing us to experience the major points of interest in each city. However, I couldn't pass up the chance to see Sleeping Beauty Castle up close after flying across the Atlantic. Disneyland Paris is accessible by train, shuttle, or even rideshare service from the heart of Paris, but we wanted to experience more than just a quick day trip. We opted to begin our vacation there and
booked a package that included a 2-night stay at the beautiful, recently renovated
Disneyland Hotel and 3 days' worth of park tickets. The tickets offered access to both parks (just like Park Hopper tickets in the US), and our resort stay granted us extra time each morning. We especially loved being steps away from the park entrances, which came in handy after a long day of international travel.
There are several resort options on property and most are conveniently located in walking or shuttle proximity to the park entrances. We loved our stay at Disneyland Hotel, but I'd consider Disney Hotel New York- The Art of Marvel for a future visit. Breakfast, half-board, and full-board
meal plan options are also available to add to your package. We purchased our meals à la carte and made
dining reservations as soon as we had our booking confirmation. Dining reservations typically open to day guests and those staying off-property up to 2 months in advance.
If you decide not to stay on property, the
RER train will place you within a short walk of the park gates. You can also purchase same-day round-trip transportation on the Disneyland Paris Express shuttle, which picks up from three different points of interest in Paris' center.
Once you decide on the logistics of your visit, you'll want to map out a game plan for attractions, entertainment, and dining experiences. Disneyland Paris felt familiar to us after frequent visits to the US parks, but there were many unique elements we prioritized for this trip. Big Thunder Mountain, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, and Phantom Manor were all at the top of our to-do list. We were eager to see how these beloved attractions differed at Disneyland Park, and we were not disappointed. Crush's Coaster, a unique attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park, was also high on our wish list.
Disney Premiere Access, similar to Lightning Lane Pass options in the US, is available for this and many other attractions.
We loved the ambiance at both Bistrot Chez Rémy and Walt's- an American Restaurant, and the meal pacing was a nice break between attractions. I'd recommend securing at least one table service meal during your visit, if possible. You also don't want to miss walk-through attractions like Alice's Curious Labyrinth and La Tanière du Dragon below the castle. We loved both of these unique experiences!
Allison, I'd be happy to answer more questions about the planning process. Please come back to planDisney for additional recommendations and guidance.
Magic and memories,
Amy