Bonjour mes amis! Last summer, I had the pleasure of visiting Disneyland Paris on a rainy, foggy morning. The rain added to the magic because when the hazy fog cleared, I could see up ahead, the dainty, pastel pink castle. It looked absolutely majestic!
I enjoyed my day to the fullest, but I also encountered some mishaps. In this article, I will give my personal feedback and advice on the DOS and DON’TS of Disneyland Paris. Commençons !
DO… go early!
It may seem self-explanatory, but I cannot stress this enough. The earlier you arrive at the park, the faster you can get on the popular rides. If you prefer not to ride anything, getting into the park early will allow you to take better pictures with no people in the background. Also, you will be able to roam the lands without a crowd and at your own pace.
DO… pay for the premier access pass.
I would never pressure anyone to buy something that is out of their budget range, but if you can splurge on your trip, I highly recommend buying this pass (especially if you only have one day to be in Disneyland Paris)! I really thought I would not make use of the premier pass, but it came in handy many times. At one point, there was an 80-minute wait on Big Thunder Railroad. I heard the ride sequence was different to the US parks, so I purchased the premier access one pass. I not only completely skipped the line, but the pass helped me manage my time. It was 100% worth it and one of my favorite rides of the day. I purchased other rides as well, and ended up riding everything I wanted, hours before the park closed.
DO… take lots of pictures!
As simple as this tip may be, I want you to learn from my mistakes. I took hundreds of pictures and videos on my trip. However, my camera sim card decided to terminate itself and I lost all my images/recordings. I was thankful to my family for taking pictures on their phones and for that reason I was able to recuperate some memories. I want you to take pictures like there is no tomorrow, on your phone, tablet, computer, on anything that has a camera! Therefore, you should document your trip, especially due to technology disasters.
DON’T… wait in long lines for dark rides.
I learned this the hard way. I was certain the dark rides would be unique because their lines were incredibly long. However, the dark rides were mega short in duration. If you wait until later in the day, the wait time will lower significantly, as I also witnessed. Next time, I won’t wait an hour to ride Les Voyages de Pinocchio.
DON’T… sit and wait for the parades.
A staple of Disney parks are their well-planned and adorable parades. I waited two hours in a standing crowd for an afternoon show. However, I saw people arrive 5 minutes before it started and get the exact same view as I did. While protocols may be different for US Disney shows, I can confirm that you do not need to sit and wait for a parade, the parade will come to you!
DON’T… try the same snacks from US parks.
If you are visiting a Disney Park from out of the country (USA in this case), I highly recommend trying the local cuisine and snacks offered that are different from those back home. For Disneyland Paris, rainbow macarons are a must. Some were sweet, some tart, (depending on the flavor) but they melted in your mouth! Another great addition is the choux pastry, a fluffy dough filled with creamy custard and fruit. The chocolate-filled éclairs are special because they are made with a deep, rich chocolate that adds a slight bitterness to the honeyed dough. For those who fancy a drink, you can enjoy a glass of champagne on Main Street. These are just some of many pleasant snacks/drinks to try when you visit!
When you visit a Disney Park, in any part of the world, you are hit with the same nostalgia and warm feelings. You feel at home and ready to explore a theme park filled with magic. If you plan on visiting Disneyland Paris, I hope, dear reader, that my DO’S, and DON’TS, help you make the right choices. Have an enchanting time at the park, Au revoir !
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Maria Mora
For as long as Maria can remember, there was always a Disney movie playing in her house. Whether it was The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, or Tarzan, she became enthralled with all things Disney. She has visited the Disney Parks over 100 times and on different continents! Her love of Disney goes hand in hand with her love of reading, which has motivated her through the years to become a zealous writer. She hopes that whatever she does helps her community. After all, with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, anything is possible!
