Useful and practical tips to organize your trip to Disneyland Paris
When you think of Disneyland Paris you imagine an enchanted world, not only for the little ones, but also for the older ones. It is an amusement park where everything seems magical, but pay attention to some points otherwise your trip to Disneyland can become a hell of queues, long waits and tiring walks for children.
I am going to share my experience following a trip in June 2022, one of the best times of the year to go there because the days are long and the sky is clear until late: this allows you to make the most of the park, but at the same time it is also one of the most chaotic periods. In addition, in 2022 the 30th anniversary of the park is celebrated and therefore the number of visitors is greater than ever.
How much time should you spend while visiting the Disneyland Paris parks?
There are two parks in Disneyland Paris: Disneyland (the main one) and Disney Studios (the newer addition, but smaller). If you want to do both parks, one day is not enough. Better focus on the main park. If on the other hand you have two days at your disposal, you can think of dividing your time between a day and a half in the main park and half a day in Disney Studios (the division of time is also subjective based on the attractions you want to try in one park or the other).
Keep in mind that during a short vacation you will waste a lot of time just to arrive, sleep and leave. When it comes to two full days, in reality the time for the parks is not enough. For example, the transfer from airports such as Charles de Gaulle or Orly that are not exactly close, involves taking trains or buses (the same is valid if you arrive from the center of Paris) and the minutes fly by to reach the hotel. Then you have to check in, take a shuttle to the parks, even if you are staying at a hotel inside the Disney Village, go through security and finally enter.
Sleeping in one of the hotels in the park and the convenience of the Disney Pass
In order to fully enjoy the experience, I recommend that you stay at least one night in one of the hotels in the park. It is not the cheapest solution, but it is the best in terms of logistics and makes you feel inside the magic of Disney for the duration of your stay.
There are various themed hotels such as New York, Cheyenne (I’ve been here, in a Far West setting), Santa Fe or Sequoia Lodge; they are all well connected to the parks thanks to shuttle buses that continuously transport visitors and I can say that the service is well organized.
If you sleep in one of their hotels, there are also some advantages that shouldn’t be underestimated:
- you can enter the park one hour before the arrival of the rest of the visitors for the day: this allows you to try and access one or two of the most popular attractions without queuing up endlessly;
- regardless of your arrival or departure time, they keep your luggage free of charge: even if you have to leave the room in the morning, you can enjoy the whole day at the park without worries until it closes;
- the Disney pass guarantees you maximum flexibility: when you check-in you are given this pass which gives you unlimited access to both parks (if you choose the full package) for the period you stay in the hotel, including the days of check-in and check-out. If you have small children, you can think about breaking up the day by returning to the hotel to rest for a few hours, and then return to the parks in the evening.
The attractions inside the Disneyland Park and the map with the waiting times
Downloading the official Disneyland App is essential for planning your route and which attractions to try. On busy days, I recommend that you constantly keep an eye on the queues, because the App tells you of the waiting minutes in real time (in my opinion the actual minutes are something more than what it indicates).
Some attractions open at different times and some may be closed for maintenance, but by keeping the App monitored you are aware of the situation at that precise moment.
It is difficult to say which attractions to visit because it depends on age and tastes, on weather you are looking for adrenaline or relaxing adventures. The flight of Peter Pan or Ratatuie are very popular rides for the summer of 2022, but even taking a photo with Mickey Mouse can thrill the little ones.
So, try to optimize your day based on waiting times and I advise you to focus on what you really want to try, leaving the remaining time for something else.
Various shows and the top Sound and Light show at the closing of the park
Apart from the attractions, I think it is worth attending at least one of the many shows that are held during the day. There are always free parades where you can meet and greet various Disney characters on specially designed deck carriages, then getting off to pass through the crowd and dance to the rhythm of the music.
There are indoor shows in various theaters of the park: generally, these additional shows are not included in the general entrance ticket, but paid apart. In any case, they are very nice shows and for sure they enchant both the young and the older ones.
Also in this case, I recommend that you monitor their official App where the daily program of the shows with the various times are shown.
The show par excellence is the evening one, at the closing of the park, which takes place at the symbolic castle of Disneyland. It’s a light and sound show that will blow your mind. In my opinion, it was the most magical thing in my entire Disneyland experience. Furthermore, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary, the show has been enhanced in terms of duration, effects and the use of drones.
The evening hours are penalizing for children, especially after a whole day of walking; consider that it must be dark, so in the period around June (with very long days), the show does not take place before 11.00 pm. This is another reason to stay one night inside the park and possibly return outside after dinner.
Disneyland is undoubtedly a magical experience
A day in Disneyland can be tiring for both children and adults, considering the many kilometers one needs to walk inside the parks (I recommend comfortable shoes!) and the waiting times while standing on ones feet, but the magic of the place, especially for the little ones, is indescribable.
In the end, even if the queues at certain times have “unnerved” me (sometimes 10 minutes just to get a bottle of water!), my review is still positive because it will be an experience to remember over time and a story worth telling.
Minnie and Mickey Mouse can only agree!
