Disneyland Paris....the adventure

Disneyland Paris...our adventure, tips and our must see extras

Disneyland Paris was an unbelievable experience for us as a family, and one we will remember for a very long time.

It’s one of those places that is just magical for all ages, so if you feel you and your little one will enjoy it...I would say go for it!

You won’t regret it!

So let’s get down to the important bits...

BOOKING

So I booked through Magic breaks and would fully recommend this as a booking platform.

I did however book flights separately, and I will discuss further on.

I feel any Disneyland hotel is worth booking.

We stayed at the Cheyenne hotel, and cannot fault it.

All Disney hotels have a shuttle bus service running throughout every day, to transport you to and from the Parcs.

Honestly we didn’t wait more than a couple of minutes for a shuttle at any time of the day.

The service was quick (literally a few minutes from the park) and we found extra shuttle buses on at peak times (for instance early morning and closing times).

The other magic about booking a Disney hotel is that magic parc passes are included in your price, allowing unlimited access to both Parcs throughout your stay.

These also include magic hours in the morning, where you can enter the Parcs earlier than public opening times.

This is the perfect opportunity to get those crowd free pictures.

Also you can use this time to go on the most popular rides with minimal queues.

When booking I would fully recommend adding in a food package. We went for half board plus option; This includes breakfast and one other meal a day.

Half board plus includes more variety of restaurants than standard half board (a break down of this information is on magic breaks website).

Also when booking disney extras: such as breakfast with princesses, Buffalo Bills Wild West show (100% recommend) you get a discount due to your board basis.

All this information is on the website: but for example...

Breakfast with princesses:

Standard rate : Adult £34.30 Child £30.78 (this is dependant on dates)

With Disney hotel and half board plus:

Adult: £10.55 Child: £10.55

The more restaurant options and these discounts on Disney extras, made half board plus more appealing and cost effective for us.

(But feel free to do your maths and work out whether the extra is worthwhile for you).

DATES:

If you are flexible on dates I suggest exploring a few dates as this can save you hundreds of pounds.

Explore the offers on the website as these can make a huge saving.

We went November 2nd... we got the back end of the Halloween festival. Which was amazing and also got the run up to Christmas.

We also was lucky enough to get an extra firework display on bonfire night..who doesn’t love fireworks.

Every day more Christmas decorations where added, and it was so magical seeing changes each day.

We felt we had a bit of both seasons and this added to our trip.

FLIGHTS:

I am not one for coaches or driving so we decided to book flights, but I’ve heard good deals both routes..compare your prices.

I booked the hotel, magic passes and meal package via magic breaks.

I then downloaded some flight apps, and stalked the rate until I got an amazing deal.

Our flights for 3 return with 1 x big case (we where also allowed 3 x hold cases) cost £200 💃🏽

If I booked at time of booking this would have been hundreds more.

We added the Disney shuttle bus (again fully recommend), quite difficult to find the location of pick up in the airport, but buses are frequent, clean and cheaper than private transport.

Disneyland hotels also have bus schedules for returns which again are frequent, so you can plan your last day...ensuring you get the most out of your stay.

Despite early check out, all hotels have a secure luggage storage until your actual departure.

MUST SEE:

I added all our Disney extras at a later date, but best to book before arrival.

Breakfast with Disney characters was wonderful, the staff go out their way to ensure every child sees each character (this is discounted with some meal plans).

Breakfast with princesses was cheaper than dinner with princesses (dinner seatings are not discounted with a meal plan) however, again absolutely magical.

One of my best experiences, from the setting, breakfast itself and obviously the princesses...it really is magical ✨

Buffalo Bills Wild West show...wow! What a performance...Autumn talks about this the most.

It is so interactive and just a fun experience.

On booking they suggest getting there one hour before your booked slot; This is as Mickey does a walk around and there is a performance pre-show.

An ideal opportunity for some pictures and fun before the show begins.

With regards to seating there is very little difference before 1st and 2nd seating. Literally 1st seating was a row in front, in my opinion not worth the extra cost.

We where so impressed with the amount of food served...definitely do not eat like we did before this show. You get FED!!

Also unlimited drinks (beer, soft drinks, fruit drinks). You really are looked after.

PRINCESS FOR THE DAY:

If you have a little girl this is a MUST!!

Bring your own princess dress as the quality is better from the Disney store.

There is a range of price lists: we went with the minimal which was around €55.

This includes hair and makeup experience and photoshoot (one printed image is included in price).

This has to be booked at Disneyland hotel, booking is in Galerie Mickey shop located on second floor.

I advise booking a few days in advance though (on arrival day to the parc) we where lucky to get a spot on the same day, I expect certain times of the year to be busier.

Once booked, change your little one into their princess dress and prepare for them to be pampered.

PHOTO PASS:

I heavily researched this, and I am so glad we purchased this. To get a discount book before arrival and collect on arrival at your hotel.

The best meet and greet pictures we have is the professional ones.

All images are transferred onto your card and uploaded onto your phone app to see within half an hour from uploading.

Also with photo pass ALL your pictures taken at ‘princess for the day’ are uploaded, so you don’t have to purchase any extra. You get them ALL!

MEET AND GREETS:

Have a look at the parc schedule online or via the app, and you can plan your must see characters.

There is a app called: Lineberty you can download before you arrive.

This allows you to book slots for the MUST SEE characters such as, buzz, woody, Minnie Mouse.

This app will tell you when the meet and greet go live. You then have to be quick to get a slot.

The app generates a ticket and gives you a rough time for your slot.

You then go to the meet and greet location for this time and there is a minimal queue to meet your character.

The thing is you have to be at the Parcs to get a slot (it’s based on your location: so switch this on).

This is where your magic extra hours are great, as you have access to the parc before the public.

Another trick is that only one meet and greet can be booked at one time, but often they are live at a similar time.

Therefore, if you have another phone download the app and book another meet and greet on a second device. ☺️

If you miss a slot, keep refreshing throughout the day, as often slots are opening at random times.

RIDES:

We didn’t use any fastrack as did not feel the need.

However, it’s easy to use and fast track points are by popular rides...you will be given a time slot usually to return to your chose ride, and join the fast track queue.

PARADES:

Wow!! These just never get old.

We asked the stewards for parade times and beat locations, and they where just so helpful.

To be honest it’s magical from any angle...something you have to see every night.

FIREWORKS:

I know times change throughout the year so check this out before booking.

Winter times where around 7-7:30, and just worth seeing every single night!

If you don’t wish to see them every night , you can choose to make the most of the parc while queues are minimal.

Just incredible...topped off every single day (I will save my videos as they just don’t do the magic justice...plus it worth the surprise).

PERSONAL TIPS:

We didn’t take a Pram as Autumn hadn’t use a Pram since she was 2. What a mistake this was...take a Pram!!

There is a lot of walking and we ended up hiring a Pram daily.

This cost €50. I would recommend paying the €50 returnable deposit to take between Parcs, as your day involves going between the two and the village.

FOOD:

We where advised to book tables at popular restaurants but, we didn’t and minus one night we walked into the restaurants of our choice with no issue.

To be honest we ate most nights at The steakhouse as the food was beautiful.

But be mindful booking at a popular time (pre parade or immediately post parade) may be worthwhile.

It all sounds complicated but most things can be booked before you arrive, ensuring a seamless planned adventure.

I booked an event each day: eg,

Day one: Buffalo Bill Wild West show.

Day two: breakfast with princesses.

Day three: princess for the day

Day four: breakfast with Disney characters.

This allowed one thing to focus on each day and then plan your parc adventures, and meet and greets around these plans.

Most importantly have FUN!

Soak up all the magic, because even though the days are long..they go quick!

For any further elaboration on any points discussed, feel free to message me!

I can’t wait to see your Disney spam!!