Every child looks forward to a trip to Disneyland as eagerly as they do to Christmas. Entertaining and exciting, Euro Disney is not just for children. While youngsters are entranced by all their favourite Disney characters, teenagers enjoy the thrilling rides and spectacular shows. Grown ups can sit back, escape from the real world and enjoy the simple, childhood magic of this utopia. Escaping to the Disneyland world of pure fantasy gives all the family quality timetogether as they head for the adrenalin-pumping rides, party fun on Minnie’s Party Train and explore the Walt Disney Studios in this colourful, larger-than-life micro-world.

Sleeping Beauty Castle – Disneyland Paris

The two magical Disneyland Parks have more than 50 attractions, shows and parades.

Once Upon A Dream Parade – Villains Tank

While Disneyland Park is a complete fairytale kingdom of adventures and thrilling rides, Walt Disney Studios allows everyone to be a film star for a day, exploring movie magic both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes. Disneyland Paris is a complete vacation package and you can prolong the experience of this world of make-believe by staying in one of the 14 themed hotels on-site and dining at the child-oriented restaurants.

Phantom Manor – Disney Park

Getting There

Whether you are traveling to Euro Disney from Paris or further afield, the easiest way to arrive at Disneyland is by train. However you choose to travel and wherever you stay, Disneyland is just 40km (25 miles) east of Paris with easy access.

From Charles de Gaulle airport, the TGV train goes direct to Disneyland’s Marne la Vallée station. From Paris it is easy to take a RER A train which has regular services to Marne la Vallée for just over €6. The Eurostar is a smooth and easy way to reach Disneyland Paris from London , either direct or with one change at Lille. The advantage of rail travel as a family is there is plenty of space for children to play during the journey, unrestricted by seat belts. Adults are free from the responsibilities of driving and navigating in a strange country and can enjoy quality time with their family. Basically the vacation begins the moment you board the train.

Best Times to Visit Disneyland Paris

Special deals are usually offered on Disney packages especially at Halloween, Christmas, Easter and other holiday periods. The advantage of visiting then is that the Park will be fully decorated for the season with festivities and decorations to celebrate the season. Cost-cutting deals may include ‘Kids eat free’ etc. cutting the price of the vacation considerably. The downside of visiting Disney at this time is that the busy Park is even more crowded and lines for popular rides are longer.

The quieter times to visit Disneyland are midweek during term time. Mid-January to late March is the quietest time as the weather is cooler 40-55F (4-13C) but dry. September and October are pleasantly warm and sunny but may have some showers.

Where to Stay. Disneyland Hotels

Although there are many hotels close to Disneyland Paris, there are several advantages to staying in one of the on-site Disney hotels. Special deals make these hotel prices very competitive and they include entrance fees to Disneyland and breakfast with a real-life Disney character, creating magical memories. The themed hotels are truly magical in their designs. Choose from the Magic Castle, New York, the Wild West at Cheyenne or even Thomas Cook’s Pirates and Mermaids Explorer’s Hotel.

Hotel rooms overlook the Park, a beautiful sight lit up after dark, and it is just a few minutes walk to the attractions, saving taxi fares and time travelling on crowded local transport. The family rooms are spacious and fitted to a high standard. Restaurants in the hotels make dining easy and Disney characters frequent the hotels offering wonderful photo opportunities. Once you are “disneyed out” you can return to your hotel and relax as your little ones enjoy the swimming pool and playroom facilities. Pamper yourself in the sauna and steam room or work off those snacks in the fitness centre. Best of all, Disney hotel guests can enter the Park an hour before opening, an excellent opportunity to enjoy the rides at a quieter time. The hotel booking also includes a free FastPass, reducing waiting times at some of the attractions. You can be assured of good service and high standards as Disney works hard to maintain its excellent reputation.

Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park consists of five magical lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Discoveryland, Adventureland, Frontierland. Packed full of attractions from Main Street to Fantasyland with its fairytale castle and musical rides such as It’s a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Peter Pan, Disneyland Park is a child’s wonderland. Boys’ adventures in the Wild West include the world-renowned Thunder Mountain ride aboard a runaway mine train. Loop-the-loop with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril or take a voyage of fun with the Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests can also see the special effects and car stunts on the backlots here. Whichever land you visit there are superb rides and entertainment to fill every moment.

Walt Disney Studios Park

Right next door are the fabulous Walt Disney Studios with 4 cinemagical lots. Watch the characters on stage or go behind the scenes on Toon Studio, Backlot, Frontlot or Production Courtyard. After learning the art of illusion in filming, try it out on a virtual roller coaster ride. The Studio Tram Tour hits disaster in Catastrophe Canyon or take the big thrill ride on the Rock n’Roll coaster. After all this adventure, real life will be awfully tame!

Useful Tips

• You can save 15% on Disneyland tickets by prepurchasing 1 day/2 park hopper tickets which gives all the flexibility to enter and re-enter both parks as many times as you wish on the same day.
• Staying in a Disney Hotel saves time and money travelling and gets you into the park one hour ahead of the crowds.
• Choose to visit outside school holidays for fewer crowds.
• With small children it is a good idea to take a lunchbreak back at your on-site hotel and take a nap. This way you can enjoy the entertainment into the evening with children who are not over-tired.
• Did you know that anyone can get a FREE entry to Disney? The catch is that it must be on your birthday. Of course you need to present proof (a birth certificate or passport will do).
• FastPass is a great idea but in theory it does not always work out. The idea is that you get a FastPass ticket at a busy attraction, which reserves a place for you later in the day. A time is printed on a ticket and you return at that time, and breeze right in. Unfortunately if lots of people have FastPasses, there can be just as long a line in the FastPass lane as the regular one. Also you can only have one FastPass at a time.
• Food in Disney can be expensive. Preparing a backpack with a picnic lunch and drinks can save a fortune. Alternatively, book a Disney meal plan which includes two fast meals, a sit-down meal and a snack each day per person.