Disneyland Paris in family

Travel to Disneyland paris as a family.

As children we have all been, a trip to Disneyland Paris should be on your list of travel dreams, whether you do it as a family, couple or friends. There are also many ways you can save on your trip, make it more economical and organize a trip to Disneyland Paris on your own.

We have visited it on different occasions and the last one we did Happytravelkids as a family. The thrill of seeing the faces of your children while you walk around and soak up the magic that these parks give off, is something that will remain in our memory forever.

Here you have our post about how to travel to Disneyland Paris with your family. In addition to our tips for setting it up on your own.

The resort

Disneyland Resort Paris currently consists of two theme parks, Disneyland Park, the more traditional one, and Disney Studios, themed like a movie studio.

The resort has 7 themed hotels located within the resort itself, which can be accessed on foot or by shuttle buses located at the bus station behind the train station. Almost all the hotels are located around a large lake, except for the Disneyland Hotel which is located at the entrance of the Disneyland Park.

Between the parks and the hotels there is the Disney Village, with a lot of complementary offerings to stroll, have fun and dine when the parks close.

Location and how to get there

This park is located to the east of the city of Paris. This situation makes it even more interesting as it can be combined with a visit of a few days to Paris!

Location Disneyland Paris.

The journey time from the center of Paris is one hour with the RER A. As this line passes through Lyon station we can easily access from any of the Paris airports.

Both from Orly airport and CDG airport you have the magical shuttle, which will take you directly to the parks or to your hotels. You also have the option to take a private shuttle, we recommend it if you are more than 4 people as it will be cheaper, or if you arrive late and no longer leave Disney. Surfing Google you will find many companies we recommend you to compare different ones because they vary a lot from one to another and from one year to another, here we leave you the link.

If you fly to Beauvais airport, where ryanair flies, we advise you to take a shuttle directly.

The Disneyland Station is located between the parks and the Disney Village. If you arrive when the parks are open you can choose to go to the hotel and they will give you the tickets to the park and you will leave your luggage in the luggage room or you can check in at the station and go directly to the parks.

Where to stay?

Staying at the Park

If you want a more complete experience, we recommend staying in one of its seven hotels.

There are different options according to your budget, as there are different hotel categories. And you can always find offers.

If you stay at Disney hotels you will be able to access the parks earlier than the general public and access some of the attractions that are open for guests. Here you have the info!

We have stayed in two economy options, Santa Fe and Cheyenne, and one moderately priced, Newport, and after our experience we highly recommend them, there are two in this category.

• Hotel Santa Fe, themed like the Cars movie.

This hotel is the furthest away from the ones located within the resort, theming is not its strong point and it is a bit outdated, although they have recently done a renovation, that said the beds are comfortable and it fulfills the objective of proximity to the park.

• Cheyenne Hotel, Themed in the American Far West.

We love this hotel, its theming as an American western town is very good, and makes you feel part of the decor and your experience at Disneyland Paris is much more complete.

It is located about 15/20 minutes from the park on foot, although you can take the free shuttle buses that go in the direction of the parks.

• Newport Hotel.

This hotel was the last one we stayed at and we loved it, it is a little higher category than the previous ones. Its theme is that of an American seaside hotel. Its interior is very nice with many allusions to the nautical world. It has a large swimming pool that you can enjoy. It is located about 5 minutes from the Disney Village right in front of the lake.

• Rest of hotels.

We have not stayed in them, but if you have a bigger budget and want to enjoy more comfort and swimming pool you can choose these hotels, even a better breakfast. Although you must take into account that you will not stay long in the hotel during your visit, since you will spend the time in the parks, so we recommend the economic option.

Staying outside the park

We have not stayed outside the resort, but there are different options such as apartments on AIrbnb or Booking, or even hotels associated with Disneyland.

In this case you should consider the cost of adding accommodation, plus entrance fees and transportation to the park.

The times we have visited Disneyland, we have stayed at the park because it ended up being approximately the same.

Here is the website for tickets.

On the Disneyland Resort Paris website you can compare between staying in the park with tickets included and the second option tickets+accommodation nearby.

Gastronomy

If you travel to Disneyland Paris with tickets plus park hotel you can do it including a meal package in the package, according to our experience we recommend you to take the half board, this way you will not get your fingers caught of having to make all the meals in the restaurants that you enter.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a more economical option, there is also one without having to take the pension offered, below you will find alternatives for breakfast and for cheaper meals.

The meals that come with the package work as follows: when you arrive at the hotel along with the tickets/keys to your room you will be given the breakfast schedule that you have been assigned (the times we have gone there we have been given some options and we have chosen), the breakfasts are usually made in the hotels. Although it may happen, as it happened to us, that for construction or other reasons they send you to a restaurant in a park for breakfast.

For lunch and dinner you will be given some vouchers, depending on the category that you have taken the pension you will have included some restaurants in the park or others, keep in mind that if you do not enter but you want to go to a restaurant because you feel like it, you will redeem the vouchers for a value and will be deducted from the bill.

If you take half board you will get one voucher per day, which you can use for lunch or dinner, if it is full board you will get two vouchers for each day of stay. Here you have all the information about the different pension plans Standard, Plus or Extra Plus.

• • We recommend you to have a special breakfast at the Plaza Gardens RestaurantA delicious buffet breakfast along with Disney characters who come to greet you. If you are looking for a cheaper option we recommend you not to take the board plan, for breakfast you will find different options in the Disney Village, among those we have tried the best option is McDonalds, there they make breakfast at the best price in the resort.
  • Agrabah Café Restaurant, go into a bazaar in the city of Aladdin, you will find many oriental specialties, as well as other more western. A different restaurant not to eat Fast-food in the park, also enters with the standard plan.
  • Auberge de Cendrillon, if your children are fans of the Disney Princesses we recommend you to come to this restaurant, now it is possible to have breakfast with them as well, since the food was quite expensive.
  • At Disney Studios park there are currently many restaurants closed, and we haven't eaten at any of the ones that are currently there. We've heard a lot about Bistrot Chez Remi, let's see if we can try it soon!
  • In the Disney Village you will also find different options such as the Rainforest Café jungle. Eat a sandwich or a hamburger at Anette's Dinner, where the waiters are on roller skates. One of our favorites is Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon where you can eat like in the American West with live country music. In this restaurant there is another area , La Grange at Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon, where you have a Tex-Mex buffet. In the Disney Village there is also a McDonald's, which is always good to take back to your room after a tiring day.
  • Among the most economical options for eating inside the park is the Bella Notte PizzeriaAnother option is to leave the park and go to the Disney Village, it may seem a hassle but outside there are not many people and they will serve you faster, plus you can also take the opportunity to change parks. We went to the New York Style Sandwiches and the truth is that it is quite well priced, just like its neighbor the Sports Bar.

• For dinner one night we always take a McDonalds and bring it to the room, so we also enjoy the hotel while resting after the exhausting day at the park. Disneyland Paris McDonalds.

 

Restaurants can be booked before going to the park, either through the Disneyland Paris app or by phone 0160304050 (they speak Spanish), up to two months before your visit, we recommend it if you really want to go to one in particular, or if you want to have lunch with princesses.

Important tips and advice:

Covid-19

If you are visiting Disneyland Paris now we advise you to check the information regarding the measures taken in the park. We visited Port Aventura during the pandemic and we can assure you that in these parks hygiene measures are taken very seriously and you can travel there with peace of mind. Currently the use of masks is not mandatory but advisable especially when there are crowds such as parades or shows.

Here are the measures they have implemented and recommendations on visiting Disneyland Paris during the COvid-19 pandemic.

• Tickets

We recommend, if you go without a Disney hotel package, that you buy your tickets online before your visit and take them from home on the app or printed. Here is the link!

• Plan your visit.

The schedule of the parks and above all you should take a look at the schedule of the shows that you will be given next to the park map at the entrance of the parks.

•  Fast pass.

Fast pass service is currently not available.

As during the pandemic they want to avoid excessive queues and crowds of people they have created the Standby pass, it is requested free of charge through the park's app or at the visitor services of the two Disney parks. With this pass you will have one hour to go to the attraction and wait in line.

The novelty is the Disney Premier Access, through the Disneyland Paris app you will have access to order this direct pass for some popular attractions, keep in mind that it is not free, you pay depending on the attraction and the influx. You can order it in the app when you are inside the parks.

• How much time do you recommend to visit the parks?

We recommend a minimum of 3 days to visit the parks, two for Disneyland Park and one for the Studios.

• Recommended age.

We believe that this is a controversial issue, since we consider that any age is perfect to visit Disneyland Resort Paris. Although it is true that we advise to visit it especially for children, and maybe for teenagers the park is a bit lacking in stronger attractions.

We have visited it as a family, as a couple, and with friends, and we have very good memories of all of them!

If it is a height issue, maybe around 5 or 6 years old is the ideal age, they will be able to go on most of the attractions, we leave here the link to the attractions so you can see the height restrictions and type of attraction.

• Best time of the year to visit Disneyland Paris

We have visited Disney at different times of the year. We believe that any season has positive and negative things. So if you don't have a choice, don't hesitate and go whatever the time!

1. Summer. Normally when most of us have vacations and can spend more time on vacation, although it would not be our choice due to the crowded and hot weather.
2. Autumn. Good time to visit the park, it is not too hot and there are not so many people, keep in mind that if you do it in October you will have the Halloween decoration in the Frontierland area.
3. Winter. We have been in the park in December and February, and the truth is that we had to say that we were cold, although having the option to see the park with Christmas decorations is something unforgettable. In February we woke up with snow everywhere, and it was an unrepeatable moment! We were also able to visit the parks with almost no people. If you travel in winter we recommend you to be warm, here you have a selection of winter clothes!
4. Spring. This is the time of the year that we have not visited the park, we think it should be a good time because the days are longer and it is not so cold or hot.

We leave here a link to see a calendar of affluence, in case it is of help to you.

The original park that has been increasing its attractions since it opened in 1992. It is characterized by its atmosphere in 5 different themed areas, and was built in the same style as its sister parks in the USA.

• MAIN STREET USA.

The main entrance to the park, inspired by the main street of a traditional US city, with its candy stores, glass galleries and horse-drawn carriages, is a very beautiful street with all its facades and especially that in the background we see the Sleeping Beauty castle in the main square of the park that connects all areas.

This area has no attractions, just highlight the main train station right at the entrance.

• FRONTIERLAND

This area is dedicated to the American West, the theming is very good, here you can not miss the attractions of Big Thunder Mountain a very fun roller coaster through a canyon. Nor did the Phantom Manor, lDisneyland's haunted house and one of our favorites (a very familiar attraction, so it's not scary).

• ADVENTURELAND

The most adventurous area of the park, where you can stroll along the pirates' beach, enjoy the always incredible attraction of the Pirates of the Caribbean. You are afraid that getting lost in the caves of the Adventure Islandand climb up to the Robinson's Cabin. Also, if you want more adrenaline don't miss the roller coaster of Indiana Joneswith a looping included.

• FANTASYLAND

The most magical area of the park, where the attractions of the most traditional Disney movies are located. Here we would highlight the attractions of Peter Pan Flightget lost in Alice's Labyrinthwalk around the inside of the Sleeping Beauty Castle and search in Dragon underneath it. For us a very endearing attraction is It's a Small World, with its catchy song.

• DISCOVERYLAND

This area is dedicated to the future and is one of our favorites because of the attractions here. On one side Space Mountain! Blast off into space on this incredible roller coaster full of loops totally covered! One of the favorites of the little ones is Buzz Lightyear Laser BlasterHold your laser gun to defeat the emperor Zurg! We also have Mickey's Philarmagica 4D concert full of surprises. Another attraction that you should not forget is Star Tours, with different adventures this simulator based on Star Wars will delight you.

Immerse yourself in a Disney and Pixar movie experience. Initially the park was a bit ill-conceived, it lacked any sense, even though it had some great attractions and shows worthy of a great park, you did not need more than half a day to visit it. Although new attractions and areas have been added, this park is in the process of a great expansion, so you should check the schedules and open attractions when you visit it.

• FRONT LOT

Leaving the entrance of the park behind you will enter a square that will lead you to a large ship, similar to the big Hollywood studios. Inside you will see many movie props, as well as different restaurants and stores.

• PRODUCTION COURTYARD

Right out of the Front Lot, you will find yourself in front of the imposing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, one of the best attractions that I believe exist, totally recommended, you will enter this haunted hotel, in which from its elevator you will experience the twilight zone. Currently the rest of the area is under renovation.

• TOON STUDIO

Discover this incredible area of the park where the dreams of Disney classics come to life.

• WORLD OF PIXAR

  

Totally dedicated to Pixar Studios, feel like a toy in the Toy Story Land area. Right next to it you will find the Paris themed area with, for us, the best and most fun family attraction of the park Ratatouille! Whereyou will feel like a mouse running around the kitchen with Remi.

Another highlight is Crush's coaster, where the current will take you on this thrilling roller coaster.

• AVENGERS CAMPUS
  

The new area of Disney Studios, dedicated to the superheroes of The Avengers and Marvel, with incredible new attractions.

As we have said before, this park is in full expansion, the first one inaugurated has been The Avengers/Marvel. But the big expansion will come in a few years where a large lake is planned and around it there will be other completely new areas, one of which will be the Star Wars, and another one totally dedicated to the development of the Frozen.

Disneyland Paris is an incredible destination, we recommend you to visit it whatever your age and enjoy every corner it has to offer. Let your inner child come out. 

Don't miss our trip to another of our favorite theme parks Port Aventura!

And if you are a fan of Disney Parks check out our post about Disney Parks in Tokyo.