Disneyland Paris – Mom's Tips for a Perfect Visit

On the plane to Paris, I sit next to a lovely family with three children. “Going to Paris?” I ask, only to hear the answer, “Going to Disneyland.” When it comes to children, there is no place in the City of Lights that compares to Disneyland Paris. Children watch Disney movies, cartoons, the characters accompany them from infancy – it’s a brand they know well.

This is of course true, but I want to add the most important spice – children don’t just “like”, they experience the film, the story, the game. Therefore, when I was asked to write about the park I had visited dozens of times, I decided to forgo the description and concentrate on In the experienceI want to tell you how to turn a visit to EuroDisney into a magical fantasy that connects us to our childhoods, and gives our children an experience that will stay with them forever.

Eurodisney is located in Marne-la-Vallée, near Paris The park is open all year round.Disneyland Paris Opening hours vary depending on the season. It is worth checking atOfficial website And make sure everything syncs up according to your trip to Paris.

Disneyland Paris tickets

Purchasing tickets for EuroDisney It is one of the most important parts of planning a trip. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of ticket, date of visit, number of people, age of children, and more. Therefore, I have prepared an article for you that summarizes all the important information on the subject. Click here for more information..

How much time should you spend at Disneyland Paris?

When you plan your trip, the goal is usually to see as much as possible. I think the kids will see more of Paris when they grow up, and you've probably been there and maybe you'll come again. Your shared experience at Disneyland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience as a family.

One day at EuroDisney is possible, but it requires careful planning and time management to get as much done as possible. In my experience, one day makes it difficult for everyone to enjoy the experience. Remember that they are currently in a sweet dream and it is worth giving them the time to experience it to the end.

Hotel in Disneyland Paris

Where to stay when you go to Disneyland? Choose a hotel within the park, stay a night or more, and experience everything at your leisure. When you book a hotel, park tickets for 63 euros are included in the room price, and a colorful shuttle will take you from the hotel to the park. For the benefit of hotel guests, Disneyland opens earlier.

There are excellent hotels located within the park, and I wrote about them here: Disneyland Paris Hotels – Accommodation within the Wonderful World of Disney.

Just before the trip: Mom's tips

Just a moment ago, the mother in me wants to give some golden advice, little things that make a huge difference.

If you arrive one day during a busy period, sit with the children in front of the park map and agree in advance what is most important to you and what you must not miss.

Seeing your baby's face filled with tears because you didn't have time to get to the pirate ship just because you stood in line for half an hour at the facility isn't really interesting - it's not worth it.

What do you wear to the park?

Adapt yourself toParis weather, but try to dress in layers. In winter, a light, warm coat is a good idea, with a shirt and top underneath. Inside the park and inside the facilities, the temperature differences are sometimes large.

Even in fantasies it rains, even in the summer, so get a light raincoat that you can buy anywhere – a coat that wraps your body in impermeable plastic and when it's not raining you fold it to a minimum size and put it in your bag. Don't bring umbrellas, it's unnecessary. A raincoat will give you protection and the freedom to see everything.

Food at Disneyland

I recommend not relying on the food inside the park, because there are long lines and it's not a culinary attraction. You'll spend a lot of time in line, so you can just bring snacks and drinks and put them in your bag. It's okay if the kids eat a little crap on a day like this.

There is also kosher food at EuroDisney, and it can be ordered by calling 33160304050+. You must order the dishes at least 48 hours before you arrive. Requests from Friday at 14:00 PM until Monday at 09:00 AM will not be accepted.

Shopping at Disneyland Paris

The park is full of shops with Disney merchandise, which is very tempting, but the prices are not cheap at all. Decide on one item in advance and purchase it in the large store at the exit of the park, that way you won't have to wander around Disneyland all day with objects, dolls, and other merchandise.

Disneyland – Division into zones

The entrance to the complex leads you to the central avenue, designed like a 19th-century American town, from which four lands emerge: the Wild West, the Land of Adventure, the Land of Fantasy, and the Land of the Future and Science. The central avenue hosts the processions and parades at the end of the day. Check if there is a parade, at what time, and come back earlier to get a seat.

Throughout the park you will find well-organized restrooms and baby changing stations. Here is the place to mention the famous legend, according to which gypsies kidnap children in the restroom. There has never been such an event at Disneyland.

Each ticket you purchase comes with a map of the attractions. Keep the map, it is essential for finding your way around the park.

Set a specific place with the children on the main avenue, mark it on the map, and write your phone number on the map.

Instruct the children in advance: If you part ways and they are without an accompanying parent, they should contact one of the park employees and show him the map and phone number (referring, of course, to the older children, who request freedom of movement in the park).

Some attractions have age or height restrictions. This is frustrating for the little ones, but there's no point in arguing. Instead, you can temporarily divide the family: the older ones will go to the wild attractions, and the younger ones will cruise around on a carousel, sitting in spectacular teacups.

Now is your time to connect with your inner child and enjoy a world that is all fairy tale. Your children experience the park not as visitors, but as part of a fantasy world, and they so want you, the people most important to them, to be a part of the experience too.

Inside the park there are small, hidden corners with little traffic. Take the kids for a little picnic, eat, rest, share, absorb, and move on.

A virtual taste of the park

Disneyland Paris is divided into two complexes: the central one – Disney Park, which is the larger complex, and the second one, Disney Studios.

Disneyland: Leaving Reality Outside

Entrance to the park is via “Main Street USA,” which leads to the famous Disney Castle. This street is where the impressive parades take place, with the various Disney characters, music, changing stages, and fireworks in the evening. The path will lead you to the four “lands” into which the park is divided:

• Fantasyland
• The land of the Wild West
• Adventure Land
• The Land of Discoveries

Remember how I suggested taking the train in the park before we started so we could be first on the other side?

This is the train, the fun is all yours.

Life in a Disney Studio Movie

After you've been in the world of fairy tales, it's time to become an actor in a movie. Disney Studios, near Disneyland, gives you a cinematic experience. Behind the scenes of famous films, sets, the opportunity to watch stunts, roller coasters and a tram tour of your favorite movies.

The park is not just a cinematic display – you can learn to perform stunts or race wildly in crashing cars, crazy roller coasters, a train that will take you to Nemo's world, and so you can rest for a moment, 3D films are at your disposal.

Don't miss Disney Studios. Visitors usually arrive after a day at Disneyland tired and exhausted, and the wonderful experience of the studio passes them by.

If your children love movies and you also want to know more about behind the scenes, I recommend that you take a hotel room in the park, come back, have dinner, shower, and come back the next day.

Who said shopping?

Do you feel like shopping? Disney Village, a huge mall in the best Disney tradition – restaurants, cinemas and shows. Admission is free, but shopping is not cheap. If you come, don't miss the concept restaurants. If you want to feel America, Planet Hollywood is perfect for you.

Attractions at Disneyland Paris

At Disneyland, as in any kingdom, in the evening the nobles dress up, the queen wears a stunning dress, the servants light torches and march in an impressive procession to the Fantasy Palace, for a ball that is a total experience.

All you have to do is grab a good spot on the main avenue and watch the procession. The court musicians, the jester, and the Queen's guard pass in front of the carriage, and if you're lucky, she might throw you an embroidered handkerchief.

And just as all the beauty fades away, lift your head up, Tinkerbell will open the sky for you with a fireworks show you will never forget.

Fireworks and the audiovisual show

To watch the show in the evening, it is recommended to stay overnight at the complex. During the summer, darkness falls late, between 10 and 11 p.m.

Disney Walk of Fame

As you move between the different lands, you will hear cheerful music in the complex, bringing a happy parade of your favorite characters from the world of Disney.

Want to plan your amazing adventure in advance? Read my article on Recommended attractions at Disneyland Paris – The most worthwhile facilities and tours!

While writing the article, I went over my experiences at Disneyland again. I arrived in Paris as a student just after the park opened to the public, my Israeli guests didn't give up and I joined Disneyland every time. The park is constantly changing, including the design and attractions, so each time I returned to a different and magical world.

As a mother, I returned to EuroDisney with my son. The experience is different and so satisfying: seeing my child's eyes sparkle with joy is worth everything in the world.

A few words about the author

Iris Booker currently lives in Israel but lived in France for many years and gained quite a bit of experience there.. She has visited EuroDisney with her son several times, as well as with friends and family, and has extensive experience traveling with children.