Planning a trip to Paris, France, and want to include a stop at Disneyland Paris? Keep scrolling to find out 6 Disneyland Paris mistakes you don’t want to make!
This guest post about Disneyland Paris mistakes was co-written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Guest post by Erica of Travels with Erica
There are a few Disneyland Paris mistakes you want to avoid to have a fantastic Disneyland trip. Making the mistakes on this list will lead to frustration, waiting in long lines, and an all-around less-than-perfect day.
On the other hand, if you avoid making these Disneyland Paris mistakes, your day at the parks will go smoothly, and you’ll see and do more than you ever thought possible!
Disneyland Paris is made up of two parks. Disneyland Paris is the park that has the castle and the classic rides, and Walt Disney Studios is home to a lot of Pixar-themed attractions and the more thrilling rides like the Tower of Terror.
There is also a shopping and dining area called Disney Village and many Disney hotels.
Now that you know the Disneyland Paris basics, it is time to help you make the most of your day in the park!
What Are The Most Common Disneyland Paris Mistakes?
1. Not Getting to the Park Early
Disneyland Paris is one of the few Disney parks that let guests into the park about half an hour before it officially opens.
You can meet characters, shop, and queue at the entrance of the land you want to visit first.
Getting to the parks early and taking advantage of being inside the park before it opens is one of the best ways to maximize your time.
You don’t have to worry about getting through the gates and rushing to the ride you want to go on first. It is a much more leisurely way to start your Disney day.
And you can get a surprising amount of things done in that half hour before the park officially opens.
That is enough time to meet two characters on Main Street, U.S.A., browse through the Emporium without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and get a few photographs in front of the castle without a bunch of people in the background.
The biggest Disneyland Paris mistake you can make is having a slow morning and not getting to the parks until a few hours after they open.
The crowds will be heavy, and you will have to wait in longer lines.
If you’re at the parks when they first open, you can walk onto your first rides of the day with no more than a 5-minute wait!
The crowds don’t pick up until 90 (or so) minutes after the park opens so that you can knock out some of the most popular attractions with little to no wait time.
If you only have one day at Disneyland Paris and want to go on many rides, being at the park when it opens is essential!
One way to cut the stress is to stay at a hotel near Disneyland Paris.
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2. Missing Your Premier Access Window
The Disneyland Paris Premier Access system differs slightly from other Disney parks.
It’s similar to Genie+ from Disneyland California and Walt Disney World. You pay to be able to shorten your wait times for popular rides. It’s super helpful to do this if you’re doing one day in the parks.
Disneyland Paris is also much more stringent on not letting early or late guests use their Premier Access into the Premier Access line.
Missing your Premier Access return window is probably the worst rookie Disneyland Paris mistake you can make!
You miss out on your chance to go to a top attraction with little to no wait, and you wasted your Premier Access Pass.
Premier Access Passes are invaluable because they virtually hold your place in line.
You get a pass for a certain attraction, go about the park doing other things, and return to the attraction within the time period shown on the Disneyland App.
Once you return to the attraction, you get on the Premier Access line and get priority boarding on the attraction.
They are the best way to maximize your time and not spend much time standing in lines.
You are only allowed one Premier Access at a time, so not using your Premier Access is a major Disneyland Paris mistake.
Your Premier Access pass will tell you when to get a new one at the bottom of the ticket.
Premier Access is a huge part of any Disneyland Paris strategy, and you don’t want to let one go to waste by missing your return window!
3. Only Eating in the Parks
This is the most common Disneyland Paris mistake.
The food in Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios leaves much to be desired.
The table service restaurants are expensive, hard to reserve, and, frankly, not good. The quick-service restaurants are average at best and have incredibly long lines.
Overall, finding a good meal in the parks isn’t easy. The parks have great snacks and sweet treats but are not the place to go for a meal.
The solution to the lackluster food in the parks is Disney Village.
There are several table service and quick service restaurants for you to choose from. They have better food than the restaurants in the parks, and you don’t have to make a reservation in advance for most places.
You must make a reservation for the character dining at Café Mickey and the Wild West dinner theatre. Besides those two restaurants, you can walk up to any restaurant and be seated immediately.
Dining at Disney Village is also a nice way to get out of the parks and relax. Disney Village is normally fairly quiet, so you can escape the crowds.
It is disappointing that the in-park food is subpar, but having the option to dine at Disney Village and get a good meal is nice.
4. Not Getting a Park Hopper Ticket
Most tourists only visit Disneyland Paris as a day trip, and they only get a one-park ticket for Disneyland Paris.
They totally skip Walt Disney Studios because they don’t think there is enough time to see both parks in a single day.
This is a major Disneyland Paris mistake, and you’re missing out on some of the most magical parts of the experience.
Walt Disney Studios has some of the best rides in all of Disney’s history, and it would be a shame to miss out on them.
A park hopper ticket only costs less than €25 more than a single park ticket. Even if you don’t spend much time at Walt Disney Studios, it is worth the extra money.
You’ll want to ride Ratatouille: The Adventure and Crush’s Coaster. They are both spectacular and worth getting the park hopper ticket for alone.
Your day will be very busy if you visit both parks in a single day, but it is doable. The parks are only a few hundred meters from one another.
It only takes 5 minutes to walk from one to the other, so it is easy to hop between parks.
The best strategy to get the most out of your day is to start at Disneyland Paris.
Be there when it opens, spend a few hours doing the most popular rides, and then hop over to Walt Disney Studios.
And jump between the parks for the rest of the day however it fits your schedule.
This will reduce how long you have to wait in lines and let you see the best of both parks in one day.
5. Not Using Single Rider Lines
Single-rider lines are the ultimate time-saving hack! Not taking advantage of them is one of the Disneyland Paris mistakes you can make.
The single-rider line is used to fill empty seats in an attraction. If a ride vehicle seats three people, and there is a party of two, a person from the single rider line fills the third seat.
It makes sure the ride is filled to capacity and helps the line move quickly.
Taking advantage of the single-rider lines helps you do more and see more in a short period of time. The wait times in the single rider lines are often significantly shorter than the traditional queue.
You will be separated from your group in the single rider line. It is easy to meet with them at the exit, and the time you save is worth not sitting next to your companion.
If you have a small child or want a ride photo of your entire group, you may want to skip the single rider lines.
Only a handful of rides offer single-rider lines, so you need to be strategic about it.
Jump in any single-rider line you can and get a Premier Access pass for rides that don’t have a single-ride option.
6. Skipping the Parade
This may seem like an odd one, but it is truly one of the Disneyland Paris mistakes you want to avoid making.
Disneyland Paris has one of the best daytime parades in the Disney universe. The floats are spectacular, and you don’t want to miss it!
It is quite popular, so you want to stake out your spot early if you want a front-row view. If you’re okay with a less-than-perfect sight line, you can show up 10 minutes before the parade.
There are always spots available at the beginning and end of the parade route. They don’t have the best views or backdrop, but you still get to enjoy the parade.
The parade lasts about 20 minutes, and you get to see all of your favorite characters. Most of the float designs and costumes are unlike any other Disney park.
It is a unique experience you won’t have at any other Disney parade.
If you choose not to watch the parade, then that is the best time to ride the most popular attractions with a shorter wait time.
A lot of people will be watching the parade and not in line for the attractions!
7. Missing the Hidden Attractions at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris, like other Disney parks, is full of “hidden” attractions and secrets that are easy to miss if you’re not in the know. Here are some:
La Tanière du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair)
Underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, you’ll find a life-sized animatronic dragon. It’s one of the unique features of Disneyland Paris and is not to be missed.
Adventure Isle
This attraction, located in Adventureland, features caves, bridges, and skull rock for exploration. It’s a delightful spot that’s often overlooked.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
This fun, interactive maze is unique to Disneyland Paris and often less crowded. You’ll enjoy scenic views of the park from the Queen of Heart’s Castle at the end.
Phantom Manor Gazebo
It’s easy to miss, but after exiting the Phantom Manor, there’s a gazebo with a ghost bride. It’s a great spot for a creepy photo opportunity.
Arcade Walkways
Main Street, U.S.A., has two hidden arcades (Discovery and Liberty) running parallel, providing a sheltered and less crowded route through the park.
Ratatouille Miniature Paris
Inside the Ratatouille ride, you can spot a little “hidden” Paris, created in the style of the movie.
Frontier Playground
This tucked-away play area in Frontierland, themed around Pocahontas, provides a fun escape for younger children.
Visiting Disneyland Paris FAQs
What is the scariest attraction in Disneyland Paris?
One of the scariest attractions at Disneyland Paris is probably “The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror,” located in the Walt Disney Studios Park.
When is the best time to visit Disneyland Paris?
The best time to visit Disneyland Paris typically is during the off-peak season, such as mid-January through mid-March and mid-April through mid-June, to avoid large crowds. However, holiday seasons like Halloween and Christmas also offer unique attractions.
How many parks are there in Disneyland Paris?
Disneyland Paris has two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
What languages are spoken in Disneyland Paris?
The major languages spoken are French and English, but many staff members are multilingual.
Are there dining options for people with dietary restrictions?
Yes, Disneyland Paris offers a variety of dining options to cater to guests with dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options.
Is Disneyland Paris wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Disneyland Paris is wheelchair accessible. There are also services for guests with visual or auditory disabilities.
Can you stay in the Cinderella Castle in Disneyland Paris?
No, the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Paris, similar to other Disney parks, is not a hotel. However, there are several Disney-themed hotels nearby.
Can you do Disneyland Paris in one day?
While it’s possible to see a lot in one day. Ideally, two to three days allow a more relaxed pace and the ability to fully experience both parks.
How can you buy tickets for Disneyland Paris?
Tickets can be purchased online on the Disneyland Paris website, through travel agencies, or at the park entrances. Read more on how to get Disney discount tickets.
How far is Disneyland Paris from the city center?
Disneyland Paris is approximately 40 km east of the city center of Paris. It’s accessible by car, taxi, shuttle bus, or the RER A train.
Disneyland Paris Mistakes Wrap-up
As you can see, there are a lot of rookie Disneyland Paris mistakes you can easily make.
It is easy to make a simple mistake that costs you precious time or miss out on an experience. Or you could end up overpaying for a subpar meal.
The best part about all the Disneyland Paris mistakes on this list is they are all super easy to fix!
Now that you know about these mistakes, you can avoid them and make better decisions.
You can beat the crowds and navigate the parks like a pro.
Have a strategy, stick to it, and use the tips and tricks you learned in this article, and you’ll have a magical day at Disneyland Paris.
It is a very special Disney park, and you’ll love it! May all these tips give you a fantastic Disneyland trip.
About Erica
Erica is an avid solo traveler who has been to over 40 countries. She loves spending long periods of time in each country to get a sense of the country and culture.
Erica’s favorite travel activities include attending local theater and dance performances, wandering through museums, eating way too much food, and riding every roller coaster she comes across.
Looking for more tips for visiting Paris with kids? Check out my top Paris planning tips, best day trips from Paris by train, Paris vs London, Paris Instagram spots, coolest Paris hidden gems, whether it’s worth visiting Versailles with kids, things to do in Paris with teens, how to take cute Paris family photos, what to know about Disney discount tickets, my kid-friendly Paris itinerary, the best kid-friendly Paris tours, and the best things to do in Paris at night!
