Disneyland Paris, that nirvana for small people brought up on a diet of fairytales and wicked stepmothers, a land where dreams really can come true. Trips to Disneyland Paris tend to be short and with so much to do there you could give yourself a hernia day one. I’ve heard it said that Disneyland Paris is not a patch on Disneyworld Florida. Having been to both I can’t say I share that view. WDW Florida is enormous and you could stay there for weeks and not do everything, but Disneyland Paris has a charm all of its own, is more manageable in size for younger kids and heck, you can visit it in a weekend from most of Europe. For kids, either one is a whole lot of awesome.
Having been to Disneyland Paris a few times now, I am sharing our family favourites to do and see. Everyone has their own faves but these are ours.

I know, I know…its expensive. But for proximity to the park it can’t be beaten, its literally at the park gates and this means that you can pop back during the day for a break if you need to and cuts down on faff factor travelling to and from the hotel. We like the large family bedrooms, the Inventions Restaurant which does a decent if expensive buffet evening meal with fresh seafood, the glowtini cocktails and the spacious lobby with that distinctive ‘you are here’ smell. We used to love meeting the characters at breakfast time and have fond memories of my girls skipping down the corridors with Minnie Mouse but alas alack the characters are not in the hotels any more. Staying in a Disney hotel means that you can use those Early Magic Hours (EMH) to your best advantage.
The fastpass system at Disneyland Paris isn’t quite as developed as the one at WDW Florida but its still well worth getting your head round this system to beat the queues. You put your park ticket into the fastpass machine at the attraction you want to fastpass and out comes a timed ticket. You go back to the attraction at that time and it means that you can enter via the FP line rather than the normal line so it cuts queue time. Be smart with your FPs. You can’t book another FP till you use the one you have and they do run out, so grab a FP for any must do attractions as soon as you enter the park. Don’t waste FP on attractions with small queues and get your next one as soon as you have used your FP. If you are staying in certain Disney Hotels you also get an extra FP per day, including the Disneyland Hotel.
“Hey there, Hi there, Ho there, its a Disney kind of day!” And you wouldn’t want it any other way. The parades at Disneyland Paris are not to be missed. Its a chance to get up close to your favourite characters, wave hard enough and they may just wave back. From car parades to musical extravanagazas, fairy tales and villains, lights, camera, action you really cant miss this.
TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR, (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS PARK)
Confession – this ride is my nemesis, but its one of my kids favourites. They first rode it when they were 5 and only just about tall enough and they forced me onto it too. If they let little kids on it cant be that scary right? #wrong. Its not scary – its terrifying. But if freefalling down 13 storeys is your thing – you will love it. FP can go quickly so grab one asap.

FANTASYLAND, (DISNEYLAND PARK)
The theming of Fantasyland is awe inspiring. The detail, the imagination, the artistry of this land in Disneyland Park gives it the dazzling charm that makes Disney so popular. There’s Jack’s Beanstalk, there’s Excalibur’s sword, , there’s the dragon that lives underneath the castle, gateway to Fantasyland and the backdrop to this fairytale kingdom. If you want to get in touch with your inner child again, Fantasyland is the place to do it. My favourite ride here has to be’ Its a Small World’ and we’ve never had to queue more than a few minutes for it. Warning, you will be humming the song all day.

ROCK N ROLL ROLLERCOASTER (WALT DISNEY STUDIOS PARK)
If you want to speed up to 100km per hour in less than 3 seconds whilst having Aerosmith blast you with their large lung capacity – this is the ride for you. My kids *love* it. I don’t. Enough said. FP available.
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR’S LASER BLAST (DISCOVERYLAND PARK, DISNEYLAND PARK)
A ride that the wimpier members of the family i.e me, can enjoy. All aboard as you search the galaxy firing lasers from an onboard cannon and trying to outdo your family members with the highest score. FP available. We have been known to do this ride 3 times in a row in a competitive frenzy. That’s not compulsory…
MEETING THE CHARACTERS
There are a few different ways to meet the characters.

-You can queue in the parks. At present there are not FP for character meet and greets in DLP as there are in WDW. You could be queuing for up to an hour for the more popular ones such as the princesses.
-You can see the characters in the parades.
-Characters do wander about the parks we have met many this way.
-You can do a character meal. This is what I recommend if there are specific characters that your child wants to meet such as the princesses who you can meet at Auberge de Cendrillon in Fantasyland.
Two of our favourite restaurants for meeting characters are Inventions Restaurant at the Disneyland Hotel and Café Mickey. Inventions has a range of different characters that circulate during the meal but you can’t guarantee which ones they will be. Check online which restaurants the characters are at and book in advance.
YOUR CHILDRENS FACES
Smiles galore, magic is in the air and at some point you will see your child’s awestruck face and you’ll want to bottle this moment (probably for when they are having a tantrum about wearing gloves later #beenthere).
MAIN STREET, USA
I just love that feeling when you step into the Disneyland Park and Main St is in front of you, the castle at one end, music playing and you get that wow factor feeling. Cant beat it. That’s why we keep going back!
IF…
If you are going to Disneyland Paris,
BOOK RESTAURANTS IN ADVANCE
Book restaurants either before you go or on arrival. Learn from my mistakes. We didn’t do this on one visit and spent the first evening at McDonalds and even there was a 45 minute queue. When you have tired children who have done a lot of walking, easy and quick access to food and sleep is essential. Some places don’t take bookings but most do. Concierge at the hotel can take care of reservations for you.
COSTUMES/AUTOGRAPH BOOKS
Take your own costumes with you. The costumes at Disneyland Paris are fantastic quality with hooped skirts on the dresses for example. They are also very expensive so chuck that Cinderella/Tigger/Buzz costume in the bag before you leave. Characters are also likely to make a beeline for kids dressed up as them or waving a toy representing them aloft.
Don’t forget the big pen for your autographas as characters can’t hold normal pens in their big fluffy hands. I have heard of some families where characters fill their autograph books whilst they are out of the room 😉 worth considering if you have autograph mad kids that are easily fooled.
The Dibb –Check out the Dibb website for all things related to planning a trip to any of the Disney parks.
PIN FOR LATER
Where Jo Goes other Disney Reviews
Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Florida/Animal Kingdom/Disney’s Broadway Hits at the Royal Albert Hall
Where Jo Goes other theme park Reviews
Legoland Windsor Top Tips/Legoland Windsor UK Favourite Rides
We are off to Disneyland Paris for the first time at the end of the month with the children. Your tips will come in very handy – thank you
Author
Have a wonderful time, we’ve been at this time of year and had a great time. 😀
I love theme parks and I would love to visit this one. Great tips, thanks! #citytripping
Tower of Terror is my absolute favourite ride!! Hahaha… I have never stayed in any Disneyland hotels before because, yeah, they’re expensive. I figured if I was going to spend the whole day at the park, it doesn’t make sense to spend so much money for the hotel since I’ll only be back at night and fall asleep almost immediately? Then I figured out the NEXT time I’m in Tokyo or Hong Kong, I’m so going to stay at Disneyland Hotel and just stay at the hotel. Like for the whole day. #CityTripping
Author
You are brave! Once was enough for me on Tower of Terror! Never again!
This looks so useful – I haven’t been to any of the Disney parks (I know, none!) but I’d heard quite a few times that Paris doesn’t compare to the US. Good to have a really honest review about what there is, what’s different and how to get the most out of it. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Author
It’s a lot more manageable for a short trip – and a lot cheaper! Thanks for hosting #farawayfiles
Desperate to go and love being prepared so appreciating the tips! #citytripping
Really helpful post. The US resorts do overwhelm me somewhat but the Paris one does look very manageable so am more tempted to give it a try. Good idea about bringing a costume (or two), I know my daughter would love to dress up. #citytripping
SOLD! Are you on commission? I so want to take my Daughter but shes just two so think maybe I will hang on a little longer. #thelistlinky
Author
Yes old enough to put up with queues is a good age!
They look so much fun, we’ve never been, but I bet the kids would absolutely love it 🙂 #thelistlinky
I love all things Disney. I can’t wait to take my little girl here. She’s only two so I might wait a couple of years yet though. #marvmondays
Aw sounds fun! We’re off in August for the first time and I’m worried we’re going to ‘waste’ so much time wandering round not doing anything haha! #MarvMondays
I love Disney! We went to Disney World last year and it was so amazing. I’m not sure who has more fun, our 6 year old or me & the husband! #MarvMondays
I love Disney and I cannot wait til Ben is old enough to enjoy Disney! like literally, if he could understand it tomorrow i’d go haha! #marvmondays
I think Disneyland Paris lost a bit of its magic because I lived most of my life in a town closeby and could go there from time to time, but it’s nice to see how other adults still find it lovely to visit! You were saying it has a charm of its own compared to Disney in Florida, what did you mean? #AllAboutFrance
Author
Disney in Florida is so much bigger that it becomes a logistical exercise getting round it all whereas in Paris you can go at a bit of a slower pace and appreciate the whimsy and the charm and the detail of the theming a little more. People always think Florida WDDW is better – its bigger but that doesn’t make it better! Thanks for reading!
Oh I really cannot wait to take my girls to Disneyland and I think we might go to Paris next year, such a great post. #AllAboutFrance
Like Abigail, I also lived nearby and could pop in on a wednesday afternoon for a couple of hours if I felt like it which I think makes it lose magic. I’ve never stayed in a hotel and done a whole day (though I get exhausted just thinking about that!) It’s good to hear an honest review by someone who’s been to Florida too, as I always imagine the US parks would be way better. I love your tip about taking a costume! Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance, sorry I took so long to comment, the summer just ran away with me! Back again today for another link up if you’ve got any more French posts to share.