Best Disneyland Paris Advice: 35 Top Tips from Real Visitors in our Facebook Group

As you probably know, I am the founder of a fabulous Disneyland Paris Facebook group — it’s honestly the best place on the internet (no bias at all!😂). One of my favourite things about running the group is seeing the incredible trip reports members share—so full of tips, surprises, and sometimes a little drama.

I’ve gathered some of the most helpful, unique, and hilarious insights from trip reports in the group and put them all here for you. If you’re looking for real, tried-and-tested Disneyland Paris advice, you’ve come to the right place! Think of this as your DLP survival guide, but powered by real-life experiences!

1. Ride Hacks That’ll Save You Time & Sanity

Rides are the heart of any Disneyland Paris trip, but let’s be real—sometimes they involve standing in queues that feel longer than a Lord of the Rings marathon. These members have cracked the code to making the most of their ride time!

• Natalie T.: I was worried Disneyland Paris might be too babyish for my 12-year-old son, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. We saw a completely different side to Disney—away from the princesses and character meets—and he absolutely loved it!

• Nikki J.: Use the app to plan the rides you really don’t want to miss! It’s a total game-changer! I watched ride clips on TikTok to help us decide when to go where and it worked a treat.

• Carla-Louise H.: Doing two parks in one day was absolutely crazy, but if you’re determined, here’s how we made it work: but we prioritised our favourite bits and made the most of it! We used Fast Track (Premier Access One) for the longer wait time rides, which helped us fit in more. We also skipped the parade to squeeze in extra rides since queues were much shorter.

• Lucy A.: Having a plan for the parks is a must. Winging it sounds fun until you’re lost, tired, and hangry. On our first day, we just went with the flow and regretted it! We were constantly backtracking, getting stressed trying to find things on the map, and the kids were grumpy from all the extra walking. That night, we got the app up and made a list on our phones of everything we wanted to do, area by area, along with opening times for rides and characters. The next day was so much easier, way less stressful for us, and way more fun for the kids!

• Jess S.: Web Slingers & Peter Pan get BUSY during Extra Magic Hours—use them first before the crowds arrive!

• Jessica G.: We paid for Premier Access for the longer queues and managed to do everything we wanted. It was so worth it for Spiderman and Crush’s Coaster!

• Natalie G. J.: If you have Early Magic Hour, get there for 8 AM to be at the front of the queue! If you’re quick, you’ll be at Casey’s Corner by 8:35 AM. Stitch opened at 8:25 AM!

2. Foodie Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew

Disneyland Paris has some fantastic food… and some not-so-fantastic food. These tips will help you dodge the disappointments and head straight for the tasty treats!

• Laura A.: We used quick service meals mainly as we were so busy around the park during our stay. We ate at PYM Kitchen which I loved, there was a good choice of food and it was nice quality.

• Jan R.: We ate at Bella Notte (pizza & pasta), Colonel Hathi’s (Indian & pizza) and Cowboy Cookout (chips and BBQ) – all these places you could get a beer.

• Natalie T.: March Hare do the best most incredible ice-creams. Hands down, the tastiest treat in the park! – don’t miss this! It’s outside of Alice’s maze.

• Jessica G.: Royal Banquet was just wonderful! We booked for 12:30 and got so much time with the characters before it got too busy.

• Karena E.: We didn’t have a meal plan and thoroughly enjoyed a morning croissant, Mickey Beignet, and coffee at the beautiful shop on Main Street.

3. Parade & Fireworks: How to Get the Best Spot (or Not!)

Parades and fireworks are breathtaking… if you can actually see them! These golden nuggets of Disneyland Paris advice will help you snag the best views (or avoid the madness altogether).

• Natalie T.: We watched the parade by ‘it’s a small world’ and stood by a pillar so no one could get in front of us. We stood near the back for the fireworks and found that perfect.

• Jan R.: We did Crush’s Coaster at 8.45pm instead of the fireworks Best decision ever! and only waited for 25 minutes. Also managed Flight Force twice, Ratatouille and Parachutes during this time too with no queues.

• Carla-Louise H.: The fireworks were soooo disappointing! We got a great spot until loads of people pushed in front and then put their very tall children on their shoulders completely blocking our view.

• Nikki C.: Waited over an hour for both the fireworks and parade but got front row (Main Street, near Walt’s). Didn’t pay for reserved viewing and it was still amazing!

• Amanda S.: We booked reserved viewing for Tales of Magic, but got there an hour early for a front-row spot. Less crowded than Main Street and perfect for little ones!

4. Hotel & Travel Smart Tips

From choosing the right hotel to surviving airport chaos, these tips will make sure your trip starts off on the right foot!

• Laura A.: We stayed at Disney’s Santa Fe Hotel and found it clean, well-themed, and a great budget-friendly choice. The free hot drink machines were a lifesaver (and you don’t even need a key card to use them – unlimited drinks while Starbucks is closed!). The shuttle was handy, though we skipped it for Extra Magic Time and after fireworks because of long queues. The walk along the canal is lovely—except when your feet are absolutely done after a long park day!

• Cheryl F.: We stayed in The Grand Magic Hotel, which was fab & the family room with bunk beds was designed in such a fun, kid-friendly way.

• Heather M.: We flew from Edinburgh at 6:10am! Planned to take an Uber but had a bit of chaos at the airport with people trying to push us into taking taxis. There were tannoy announcements warning not to accept a taxi from anyone directly—always go to the official taxi section. Finding where to order an Uber was a little stressful, but we figured it out. The biggest option available was a 6-seater, so for our group of 8, we booked two at about €44 per car. Arrived at the hotel around 11:30am.

• Jessica G.: Residhome at Val D’Europe was the best budget hotel—£221 for 3 nights, super close to the station, and we were at the park in minutes!

• Rebekah S.: Santa Fe was cheap and cheerful! Free shuttle buses saved our feet on long park days.

5. Walking & Buggy Tips – Your Feet Will Thank You!

Disneyland Paris may be the most magical place on Earth, but it’s also one of the most walked places on Earth. These tips will help save your feet (and possibly your sanity)!

• Elli C.: We walked over 20K steps a day. If you’re thinking, ‘Do I really need a buggy for my 5-year-old?’ YES. YES, YOU DO.

• Elli C.: Buggy rental is available in the park but let’s be honest, they aren’t the comfiest. but they aren’t the comfiest—if you can bring your own, do it!

• Rhian D.: Even if your kids say they’re ‘too big’ for a buggy, they will absolutely collapse by 4 PM. Future-you will be grateful if you bring one!

6. Character Meets – Don’t Miss These!

Character meets can be the best part of a Disneyland Paris trip—if you know where to find them and how to get the most fun interactions!

• Carla-Louise H.: The virtual queue for Spider-Man filled up immediately after it opened, so if Spidey is a must-do, have your phone ready to grab a spot the second it goes live!

• Lucy A.: Baloo was a brilliant meet. He interacted with us loads, was so funny, and the queue wasn’t long for him at all, which is surprising considering he was one of our favourite interactions.

• Lucy A.: If you’re meeting characters, try wearing something themed. Plaza Gardens breakfast was incredible. We met 6 characters – all had such good interactions. They took photos with us and signed autograph books. My two older boys took their Eeyore and Tigger teddies and Eeyore and Tigger were chucking them back and forth to each other.

• Amanda S.: Photopass was fantastic! We had over 100 photos, and characters took their time with each guest.

• Rebekah S.: Captain America was a virtual queue at 10 AM for a mystery hero meet. If you want to meet him, be quick!

• Natalie G. J.: If you have Early Magic Hour, get there for 8 AM to be at the front of the queue for Stitch! If you’re quick, you’ll be at Casey’s Corner by 8:35 AM. Stitch opened at 8:25 AM! If you don’t have Early Magic Hours, get to the rope for rope drop at 9:30 AM—but factor in the security queue! Aim to be at security by 8 AM for the best advantage. Use Discovery Arcade for a shortcut once inside.

7. Magical Souvenirs to Take Home

Souvenirs are a big part of the Disneyland Paris experience—but why not get something truly special? Here are a couple ideas you might not have thought of!

• Rhian D.: We made the magic wands in the shop inside the castle and also got the family silhouette made in the arcade (it’s in the one on the right as you enter the park). Pricey, but both lovely experiences and keepsakes.

• Louisa W.: I got the silhouette photo frame made which I love!

• Lucy A.: Discovery Arcade silhouettes—In Discovery Arcade near Main Street, there’s a stall where two gentlemen hand-cut silhouettes in minutes. I had one done for my mum of her dog that passed away, and she was in tears when she opened it. Such a beautiful keepsake, and you can buy a frame too. 1000% recommend!

• Millie B.: When in the parks yesterday, myself and my partner only spent €16—on a tub of popcorn, a bottle of Fanta, and a fridge magnet for our daughter. We still had the most amazing day going on rides, character spotting, watching the parade, and just generally soaking in the magic.

💖 And My Favourite Comments to Melt Your Heart!

Cheryl F.: I cannot explain how much more magical Disneyland Paris actually was compared to my expectations prior to going. I loved every second of it & we’re already pricing it again for myself, partner & son for roughly Feb time next year.’

Karena E: If it’s your first time, you will be blown away. The moment I walked into the park, I couldn’t believe it. Treasure every second!

Jessica G: I’ve seen so many posts saying it’s not magical, but there were moments where I caught my husband wiping his eyes. For us, it was the best two days.

What’s Your Best Disneyland Paris Advice?

There you have it! The best of the best tips from our community who have braved the rides, eaten their weight in Disney snacks, and learned the hard way where not to stand during the fireworks. Huge thanks to everyone who shared their trip reports—these gems help so many future visitors!

Have you been to Disneyland Paris recently? If you’ve got an amazing tip, funny story, or even a ‘wish I’d known that before’ moment, share it in the comments—I’d love to feature it in the next round-up!

🔎 READ NEXT: If you liked this Disneyland Paris Advice and Tips Round-up, you will also love:

💛 12 Best Places to Eat in Disneyland Paris (and 5 Worst!) – The ultimate guide to delicious food and what to avoid!
🧡 BEST Disneyland Paris Packing List (5 Things You Don’t Know) – Don’t forget these game-changing items!
❤️ 17 Clever Disneyland Paris Tips for First-Timers – Learn from others’ mistakes and start your trip like a pro!
🩷 21 Surprising Things About Disneyland Paris! – Think you know everything? These might shock you!
💜 The Cheapest Way to Eat at Disneyland Paris – Budget-friendly meal tips without sacrificing taste!

Happy planning, and see you in the parks! ✨🏰