21 Surprising Things About Disneyland Paris You Probably Didn’t Know!
Disneyland Paris is full of surprises, from unique park rules to quirky differences that might catch first-time visitors off guard. Some of these surprising things about Disneyland Paris are delightful, some are a little frustrating, and some might just change the way you plan your trip!
Whether you’re new to DLP (or a returning visitor), here are 21 surprising things about Disneyland Paris you’ll be glad to know before your trip.
1. No Free Refills (At All!)
Used to bottomless drinks at Disney parks in the US? Not in France! Due to a law banning unlimited refills on sugary drinks, there are no free refills on soda or juice. You’ll need to buy a fresh drink every time.
Know what else they don’t refill? Those gloriously overpriced popcorn buckets! 🍿 Not like in the USA where you can refill again and again for $2.
And while we’re on the subject, if you’re a parent of a young child, bring bubble wand refills. Trust me. You’re going to need them.
2. Tourist Tax Catches People Out
If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, this is included in your booking. But if you’re staying off-site, you’ll likely have to pay a tourist tax at check-in. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s an annoying surprise if you’re not expecting it!
📌 Related Post: Don’t get caught out – check out my guide to Tourist Tax.
3. Princess Pavilion: The Mystery Meet-and-Greet
Unlike Walt Disney World, where you can meet multiple princesses at once, DLP’s Princess Pavilion only lets you meet one—and you won’t know who it is until you step inside. There are only two princesses available at any time, and you can politely ask a Cast Member to help you avoid a repeat meet. No guarantees, but worth a shot!
4. Beer, Wine, and Champagne… Everywhere!
Want to sip champagne outside the castle? Usually, you can grab one from the stand at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour—though stock has been spotty lately and might not fully return until spring. Wine and beer are available at most quick-service restaurants, making DLP very different from Magic Kingdom!
5. You’re Legally Supposed to Carry Your Passport (And You Really Don’t Want to Forget It!)
If you’re visiting from the UK (or anywhere outside the EU), French law requires you to carry your passport at all times, even inside Disneyland Paris.
Now, does this rule get enforced often? No. But if you’re the unlucky person who gets checked by the police and doesn’t have your passport, you won’t just get a slap on the wrist. They no longer take you to the police station at Val d’Europe; you’ll be transferred to a detention centre near CDG airport while they confirm your identity with British authorities—which can take up to 72 hours.
So, is it likely to happen? No. But do you really want to be the one person it happens to? Probably not. Keep your passport on you and put a photocopy of it in your hotel safe.
➡️ Check out: Do I Really Need to Carry My Passport at Disneyland Paris for all the details.
6. Free Badges! (But Maybe Not the Ones You’re Hoping For…)
DLP doesn’t offer First Visit, Anniversary, or ‘I’m Celebrating’ badges.
Tge good news is that you can get a free Birthday Badge. You’ll need to show your passport (see? It’s handy already) at City Hall to prove your birthday is within 30 days of your visit.
7. Elsa Sings Let It Go… in French!
In both Frozen: A Musical Invitation and Mickey and the Magician, Elsa belts out Let It Go in French. You’ve never heard ‘The cold never bothered me anyway’ quite like this!
8. Tipping Isn’t Really a Thing
Unlike the US, tipping in France isn’t expected. A few euros left on the table is appreciated, but there’s no pressure to tip 15-25% like in the UK or USA.
9. Fantasyland Closes Early for Fireworks
Planning to squeeze in one last ride on It’s a Small World before park closing? Think again! Fantasyland often closes earlier than the rest of the park to prepare for the nighttime show.
📌 Related Post: Going with little ones? Here are the best things to do in Fantasyland.
10. No Mobility Scooters
DLP does not offer mobility scooter rentals, and most shuttles and taxis won’t carry them. If you need one, you’ll have to rent from a third party and stay close to the park.
11. Forgot Your Power Bank? You Can Rent One!
You can rent power banks at machine kiosks near the Stroller Rental or leftside Liberty Arcade nearest the entrance to the park. But honestly? Bring your own portable charger—it’ll save you time and money. (This is my favourite power bank – it’s a bestseller for a reason.)
12. Quick-Service Restaurants Close Ridiculously Early
Many Fantasyland quick-service restaurants close as early as 5 PM, even in summer. If you’re planning a late meal, Casey’s Corner (hot dogs) and Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost (Mickey pizzas) tend to stay open later.
13. Free Hotel Delivery for Shopping—With a Catch
If you’re staying in a Disney hotel and spend over €50, you can get your purchases sent back to your hotel. But, Disneyland Paris’ partnership with Visa means that Visa Platinum, Gold, Premier and Ultimate cardholders have no minimum spend.
14. No Costumes for Over 12s (Except at Special Events)
Anyone over 12 years of age cannot wear costumes in Disneyland Paris, except for special events like Annual Pass parties. Anyone know where else you can wear an adult-sized Rapunzel dress then (asking for a friend)? 😭
However, My Royal Dream at Disneyland Hotel lets adults book hair and makeup sessions! So anyone over 3 years old can live out their royal daydreams…
15. Some Attractions Have Unexpected Height Requirements
I’ve included a handy height restrictions printable in in my planning guide because this one is so important! You really don’t want to go without knowing first what your vertically-challenged child can ride. (Tears in Disney should be illegal).
- Autopia (the car ride) has a minimum height of 81 cm (2’8”), even for babies on laps.
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain requires a minimum height of 120 cm (3’11”), stricter than its US counterparts (the loop-de-loops will be at fault here!).
16. No Penny Press Machines (But There’s a Souvenir Alternative)
Instead of pressed pennies, DLP has collectible medallions, available at machines around the park and at the Stroller Rental. They feature the year, special characters and attractions (even Small World!) and cost a few euros each.
17. You Can’t Buy Paracetamol or Ibuprofen in the Parks
This is a biggie I see in our DLP facebook group almost every day: If you get a headache or need pain relief, you won’t find it in the parks, hotels, or even regular supermarkets in France—medication is only sold in pharmacies. Bring your own!
18. Fountains Are Switched Off in Winter (and It’s a Nightmare!)
DLP’s outdoor drinking fountains are turned off in winter to prevent the pipes from freezing. We made the mistake of trying every single one before realising this. The ones inside restrooms, Liberty Arcade, and some attractions still work, so plan ahead if you need for water refills!
19. You Can’t Bring Meat, Dairy, or Fresh Produce (Unless It’s a Banana or a Coconut?!)
Coming from outside France? You can’t bring meat, dairy, or fresh fruit and veg into the country due to EU regulations.
The weird part? Bananas and coconuts are allowed. So if you feel the need to bring ingredients for a Piña Colada to Disneyland Paris, you’ll be just fine.
20. The Fireworks Show Features Drones!
Unlike other Disney parks, DLP uses hundreds of drones to create stunning nighttime visuals, including a stunning light-up rose from Beauty in the Beast in the sky for Tales of Magic. No one else does it quite like this!
21. The Alice in Wonderland Maze Is Full of Surprises
DLP’s Alice’s Curious Labyrinth lets you explore Queen of Hearts’ gardens, but the real surprise? If you make it to the top of the Queen’s Castle, you’ll get an incredible view of Fantasyland!
Over to You…
Disneyland Paris is full of surprises—some delightful, some frustrating, but all part of what makes it unique. Hopefully, these tips help you feel like a DLP pro before your next visit!
Got a DLP surprise that caught you off guard? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear it!
🔎 READ NEXT: If you liked these Surprising Things About Disneyland Paris, you will also love:
💛 17 Tips for First-Timers Visiting Disneyland Paris – More surprising tips! Plus essential advice to make your first (or next!) visit smooth and stress-free.
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❤️ Best Places to Eat at Disneyland Paris (and Places to Avoid) – No free refills? Quick-service restaurants closing early? Don’t add a poor menu to the list of woes! This list will help you pick the best places to eat.
🩷 Best Disneyland Paris Apps (Free & Paid) – From wait times to restaurant reservations and money back hacks, these apps will save you time, euros and stress.
💜 Best Time to Visit Disneyland Paris – Avoid unexpected crowd levels and plan around seasonal events and closures– this is the BEST time to plan your trip.
