Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. So if you are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, 2022 is a great year to visit. As a child, I remember Disneyland Paris (or Euro Disney as it was called back then) opening. It was somewhere I always wanted to visit, but never got the chance. Although I was lucky enough to visit Disney World in Florida a couple of times with my family during my childhood so I got my Mickey fix, meaning I’m not sour about not visiting Disneyland Paris at all.
When my 30th birthday rolled around, Mr ESLT booked us a wonderful and unexpected trip to the City of Light, Paris. We did all the things a couple in Paris do – we saw all the big sites, we took a boat trip on the Seine, we ate outrageously delicious food and we even took in a show at the Moulin Rouge. However, the pièce de résistance of our trip came on the last day of our trip – tickets for Disneyworld Paris. My childhood wish was finally coming true.
We had the most wonderful time (even though the weather didn’t play ball) and vowed to return with our children when we had them. And that brings us to now and the trip we have planned. We originally booked our Disneyland Paris holiday for August 2020 but as we all know Rona had other plans for us all. Therefore, we had to cancel but we promised ourselves and the kids that we would rebook and visit as soon as we were able safely and comfortably. So April will see us heading to France and (hopefully) seeing our children’s faces light up when they meet their favourite princess in real life.
How To Get To Disneyland Paris
There are several ways to get to Disneyland Paris depending on where you are in the world. Here are the three most popular (especially for us Brits).
Plane
With regular flights to Paris from all over the world, this is a very popular option. If you can bag a cheap budget airline ticket from within Europe, it is also a very cost-effective option. Direct taxi and shuttle bus transfers operate regularly from all three of Paris’ airports – Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport and Beauvais-Tillé Airport to Disneyland Paris. Remember to book in advance to ensure you are not scrambling around at the airport trying to find alternative transport. After all, you don’t want to waste time in the airport when you could be spending it in Disneyland Paris itself.
Train
Getting to Disneyland Paris by train is also another very popular way. Especially as Disneyland Paris has its own train station, Marne-la-Vallée Chessy. If you are travelling from the UK, there are direct routes from St Pancras, (and Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International) to Disneyland Paris on the Eurostar throughout the week. The journey from St Pancras takes approximately 2 hours 49 min. Non-direct routes require you to change Lille. This journey takes approximately 3 hours. Remember The earlier you book, the better your chances of low-cost tickets.
Car
Paris has a well-connected road network. Therefore travelling to Disneyland Paris via car is pretty easy if you are able. Travelling from the UK by car is doable. However the time it takes you depends on where you are travelling from and how you get across the English Channel of which there are two ways. The first is the Eurotunnel which is a shuttle train that connects Folkestone and Calais. The journey takes a mere 35 minutes. Ferries to France sail regularly from Dover (1 hr 30 mins), Newhaven (4 hrs), Portsmouth (5 hrs 45 mins), Plymouth (5 hrs 30 mins) and Poole (4 hrs 30 mins).
Where to stay
There are plenty of places to stay when visiting Disneyland Paris from five-star luxury to log cabin self-catering. It depends on who you are travelling with, how long you are visiting for and what your budget is as to where you stay during your trip.
On-Site Disney Hotels
Disneyland Paris has 6 hotels on-site, these are The Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel, Disney’s Newport Bay Club, Disney’s Sequoia Lodge. Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne and Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe. There is also Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch and Les Villages Nature® Paris which are located in a woodland area outside the resort perimeter.
As these are Disney hotels, be prepared for paying a premium for staying in them. However, if you are travelling with children being on-site has several benefits including shorter walks/shuttle rides to the parks and also Extra Magic Time which allows Disney hotel guests to enter the parks one hour before the general public each morning.
Another benefit of staying at a Disney hotel is the meal plans on offer which allows you to plan your dining at Disneyland Paris in advance and save up to 15% on the actual menu price. When we originally booked our package included free meal plans, unfortunately, we have not been given now this time but if you time your visit right you may be able to take advantage of the freebie which should save you a lot of money.
If you opt to stay at a Disney hotel you will also be able to take advantage of Disney Express Check-In and Luggage Service. Benefits include receiving your hotel check-in documents in advance, having your luggage transferred directly to your hotel on arrival and back to the station on departure and getting your Park tickets and being able to go straight to the DisneyParks.
Marne-la-Vallée
If you don’t want to pay Disneyland Paris hotel prices but still want to be a stone’s throw from the Disney complex, Marne-la-Vallée is the place to stay for you. Here you will find a range of accommodation for a range of budgets. Disney has several partner hotels in this area which also offer a number of Disney benefits including a complimentary shuttle to Disneyland Paris which takes around 10 minutes and the Disney Check-In and Luggage Service as mentioned above.
Of course, you can choose any hotel you like. However, you will have to make your own way to Disneyland Paris. Therefore, you may save money on your hotel but end up spending the difference on buses/taxis etc to and from Disneyland Paris each day. This can soon add up the longer your trip is.
Central Paris
If like us when we first visited Disneyland Paris you want to make it a side trip from your stay in central Paris, it’s easy to do. Your budget will determine the level of accommodation and the area you can stay in. However, as Paris is a sprawling city, there are plenty of accommodation options on offer. From hostels, apartments and Airbnbs to boutique and chain hotels. You can then simply jump on a train from Gare de Lyon direct to Disneyland Paris. Trains run regularly throughout the day and take approximately 30 – 40 minutes.
This option is not cost-effective if you plan to visit Disneyland Paris over a few consecutive days and the cost of the train tickets will soon add up. However, if you are simply going for one day, a train from central Paris is a great option if you are looking for a city break with a touch of Disney magic.
Things To Do
The Disneyland Paris Resort is a combination of hotels, restaurants, rides and a lot of other recreational attractions. Here are the top places to visit.
Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park is home to the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. It stands in the heart of the park and sets the scene for an amazing fairytale adventure. The park is bustling with attractions for kids and big kids alike including Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland, It’s A Small World in Fantasyland and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast in Discoveryland. This means even if you don’t have children travelling with you, you will still have a lot of fun.
There are also several shows to sit and enjoy watching, mouthwatering dining options including brunches, fine dining, all you can eat buffets and character breakfasts, character meet and greets, the famous Disney Parades and great shopping options. This park is the main player at Disneyland Paris and does not disappoint.
Walt Disney Studios Park
Walt Disney Studios Park was the second park to be built at Disneyland Paris. This park allows you to see behind the scenes of Disney. With several attractions to stimulate the senses including Ratatouille: The Adventure, Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop and of course our personal favourite The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, again there is something for all ages in the park. Again there are shows, meet and greets together with dining and shopping options.
Also, get ready for an epic new land opening at Disneyland Paris Summer 2022. The Avengers Campus is due to open, allowing to you team up with the Avengers and take on the mightiest MARVEL missions.
Golf Disneyland
Just outside of Disneyland Paris you will find Golf Disneyland. It has especially been created for adults with a 9 and 18 hole course and is open seven days a week. Here you will also find The Club House and the Club House Grill if you want to grab a drink and a bite to eat after your round.
Disney Village
Disney Village is the place to head if you want a break from the parks. This is Disneyland Paris’ entertainment hub. Here you will find shops, restaurants including the Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood and Café Mickey. A must-do for all Disney fans and even a 15 screen state of the art cinema.
Getting Around at Disneyland Paris
You around most of Disneyland Paris easily on foot. But there are a lot of miles to cover and it can be tiring. Therefore, you could see all the sights and attractions of Disneyland Park by taking a gentle ride along the Disneyland Railroad on board a steam-powered train that Departs from Main Street Station and Frontierland Depot.
If you are staying at a Disney Hotel (apart from Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch), you can hop on the Disneyland Paris shuttle service which we take you to Disney Village. The shuttle is free, runs 7 days a week and departs every 12 minutes between 6.30 am and 11.00 pm.
We hope this information helps when you are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, there is so much more to add we’re sure and once we return from our trip at Easter, we’ll be sure to update this post!
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