Going to Disneyland Paris in Summer? Don’t Even Think About It Without these HOT Tips on What to Wear, Swerving crowds, and Even Saving Money
We sat in the Town Square hub, waiting for the afternoon parade. The sun beating down, I sipped an ice-cold Coke with my happy, smiling family beside me. Somewhere the soundtrack from ‘Up’ was playing, and as I gazed down Main Street USA, I thought – Yep. Whatever this feeling is, if I could bottle it, I’d be a millionaire. There’s nothing like Disneyland Paris in summer.
Unpopular opinion – August is my favourite season to visit. Longer park hours mean extra time to bathe in the sunshine and truly soak up the Disney magic. But what about crowds, sunburn, and the higher cost of your trip?? Trust me, I have all the hacks you need to swerve it all. This Disneyland Paris Summer Survival Guide is packed with essential tips and tricks to beat the queues, feel comfortable in the heat and keep costs down. In short, everything you need to enjoy Disneyland Paris in summer and make memories for a lifetime.
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Disneyland Paris in Summer – The Full Guide
Before we get into the full guide, I want to quickly answer two of the most frequently asked questions about Disneyland Paris in summer.
FAQ #1 – What are Disneyland Paris Summer Hours?
Check the app before you go, but typically the main Disneyland Paris park is open from 9:30 am to 11 pm. Walt Disney Studios Park is open from 9:30 am to 10 pm.
FAQ #2 – How Busy is Disneyland Paris in Summer? How Busy is Disneyland Paris in July? How Busy is Disneyland Paris in August?
Around the second week of July is when French schools break up, so it will feel crowded. In addition, July 14th is a National Holiday for Bastille Day. Many Europeans take their holidays during this time, so July and August months are the busiest of the year, aside from the days around Easter and Christmas.
The parks do get quieter towards the end of August, and you can usually feel crowd levels easing around the 22nd to 25th of August. But be aware of the bounceback crowds in early September when the parks are flooded with Spanish families taking advantage of their late summer school holidays.
And, if you can, avoid the weekends at all costs.
TIP #1. Plan Ahead. Plan Ahead. Plan Ahead.
Because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as they say!
5-Step Checklist to Get Organised for Disneyland Paris in Summer
It is important to make a few plans ahead of your summertime visit, even for a last-minute trip. Be prepared with these essential apps, entertainment schedules, a simple itinerary, park tickets and table reservations.
1 – Start by downloading the free Disneyland Paris app. Use it to check the park’s operating times during your visit. It’s not unusual for the main park to be open until 11 pm in summer, whereas in winter it could be as early as 7 pm! I also think the free MagiPark app is really useful for monitoring ride times. It can send you alerts when ride times change and you can even set it as a widget for your home screen and not have to log in. Find both of these in your phone’s App Store.
2 – Make a note of the parade times and fireworks. Also, note the times of any shows you want to see. With these times in mind, you can prioritise your favourite activities and make the most of your visit to the parks. I find it helpful to make a list of my family’s 4 must-dos for each day. Anything else is icing on top! You might want to get my magical Disneyland Paris Bucket List for some great ideas.
4 – Have you thought about an itinerary for your trip? Here’s how to get a FREE Custom Disneyland Paris itinerary for any number of days. Or, for a pre-made plan, check out one of these guides:
1-day guide to Disneyland Paris
1-day guide to Walt Disney Studios
1-day guide to both parks
5 – Don’t forget you need to reserve your Disney tickets and make table reservations ahead of time. Check out my full guide to getting the cheapest Disneyland Paris tickets and How to Book a Table (even when they’re sold out).
TIP #2. Beat the Crowds
There’s no getting around the fact that summertime at Disneyland Paris will be busy. It’s my favourite time to go, and a lot of other people’s favourite time, too!
Disney Hotel Guests
One way to get a head start on the masses is by taking advantage of Extra Magic Hour (similar to Extra Magic Time in Walt Disney World). Available exclusively for guests of Disney Hotels, Extra Magic Hour allows you to enjoy the park one hour before the official opening time.
The park will be considerably less busy in this one hour. You may be able to experience up to 3 attractions if you plan carefully and are at the park gate about 15-30 minutes before Extra Magic Hour.
➡️ All the benefits of an on-site Disney hotel are in my post, Cheyenne vs Santa Fe – which is the better hotel?
Off-site Hotel Guests
If you are staying off-site in one of the neighbouring partner hotels or Val d’Europe, you will still benefit from getting to the park early. Plan to be at the entrance 15-30 minutes before the standard park opening.
✏️ PRO TIP There are toilets outside the entrance to the main Disneyland Paris park. They are on the far-left-hand side, right up front near the gates to get in.
TIP #3. Steal This Packing List for Disneyland Paris in Summer
The summer heat is either glorious or merciless, depending on how well-prepared you are.
Here Are 10 essentials to pack for Disneyland Paris in Summer
- Water bottles are necessary to stay hydrated throughout the day. My personal favourite is a square Sistema bottle because I like to unscrew the lid and tip my drink (like a cup). But my kids love their squeezy Sistema bottles and we use them for school, too. If you want to pack light, try a foldable water bottle. And if you don’t mind a little more weight, I heartily recommend these incredible metal insulated bottles to keep your drink cold throughout the day.
- Water fountains are provided so you can refill your bottles. If your little ones don’t like plain water, bring a travel-size Summer Fruits squeezy squash to flavour it.
- You’ll definitely need a high-SPF sun cream to protect your skin. I love the Garnier dry UV spray for my face which goes over my makeup and doesn’t make it greasy. My whole family uses the fabulously lightweight Ultra Sun as it lasts all day, even for our fair skin.
- A must-have is a portable phone charger and cable. Long park days mean more hours for your phone, too. This Charmast power bank with calbles is so good for the price. This Anker battery bank is more expensive, but it holds twice as much power, charges more than one phone/tablet/neck fan at a time, and recharges quickly (which is important to be ready for the next park day!).
- Bring a sun hat to protect your head. This is especially important for children. And don’t forget your sunglasses! A clip-on neoprene sunglasses pouch is handy for attaching to your Disneyland Paris backpack. You can stow your glasses for the rides and easily find them again without rummaging through your park bag (or breaking them!).
- Cool towels are something we discovered in Florida, and are lovely to have in the highest Parisian temperatures. Dampen them in the restroom or at a drinking fountain and place them on your neck or head for instant refreshment.
- A neck fan or hand-held fan is wonderful for long queues. (Great for peri-menopausal women, too)
- A stroller fan is essential for babies and toddlers.
- Paris can feel unfathomably dry. Consider taking a mister or a mister fan if you don’t mind carrying it. (My tween loves it!)
- A new item for my park bag this year is a UV umbrella. I fell in love with this while in WDW Florida. Instant shade whenever you need it – great for long outdoor queues for the Disney characters!
➡️ You should also check out my complete Disneyland Paris Packing List for Summer
TIP #4. Skip the Queues
There are 3 ways to skip the queues at some of the most popular attractions in Disneyland Paris in summer.
1 – The first way to skip the queue is to use Single Rider. You might notice that Single Rider is showing a wait time of 5-10 minutes when the main queue is 60 minutes or more. How this works: You will wait in the queue together with your party, but then each of you will experience the ride on your own. Each single person fills in the last space on the ride vehicles. (Basically, you’ll be sitting with another family of 3 from the main queue as the ride holds 4 people)
I have a pre-teen and a teenager, and we’ve been to Disney many times, so using the Single Rider is something we are more than comfortable doing for rides like Ratatouille.
2 – Another way to skip the queues is to purchase Premier Pass One. A Premier Pass One (for one individual ride) is around €5-18 per ride, per person. You will be locked into a specific ride time, so be aware it may interfere slightly with your day’s schedule. Also, note that you may only buy a maximum of 3 individual ride passes per person per day.
3 – A third option is to buy a Premier Pass Ultimate. Experience all 14 of the most popular rides in any order you wish. The price of Premier Pass Ultimate varies by season, from €90 to €190 per person. Note: You cannot repeat rides using this pass.
TIP #5. Cool Off With Three Water-Based Attractions
Something about being near the water always makes me feel cooler. Enjoy the water-based attractions at Disneyland Paris in summer to give you entertainment and relief from the sun. Not to mention a rest for those tired feet!
1 – Hop aboard the jolly Pirates of the Caribbean ride, with all the thrill of animatronic pirates, captivating debauchery and even a little waterfall or two. You won’t really get wet, but in the right seat, you might get a pleasant splash or two!
2 – The other water ride is much more sedate – It’s a Small World reopened from an extensive refurbishment period on May 5th 2023. Expect charming dolls from around the world and a joyful little song that lives inside your head for the rest of the day.
3 – Also, in the summer you can take a ride on Mark Twain or Molly Brown, the 19th Century-style paddleboats departing from Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing. The cool breeze is quite refreshing and you get exclusive views of Big Thunder Mountain.
6. Don’t Miss These Summer Shows
It wouldn’t be Disney if not for a Summer Spectacular, right?
A brand new show debuted May 25th – just in time for summer. Alice and the Queen of Hearts: Back to Wonderland premieres in the outdoor Theatre of Stars (where the Moteurs… Action!: Stunt Show Spectacular used to be, behind Tower of Terror). BMX stunts, acrobats, and a host of colourful Wonderland characters perform to a rocking musical soundtrack. Best of all there are 2 endings decided by the audience. Disney describes it as an ‘ultra-colourful, pop-rock face-off.’
Make sure to add Mickey and the Magician and The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands to your show itinerary while at Disneyland Paris in Summer 2024. Both are West-End quality and free with your park ticket.
✏️ PRO TIP You can pay to upgrade your free show tickets to Guaranteed Access. For more about that check out these 12 Secret Tips for Disneyland Paris Shows.
Both Mickey and the Magician and Lion King (and these 6 other fantastic shows) are indoors, which makes a nice respite from the summer sun.
The Disney Dreams Nighttime Extravaganza is also unmissable. Including the Main Street Electrical Sky Parade, it is normally showing at 10:50 pm in summertime, but it is worth the wait. Combining castle projections, a dazzling drone display and soaring Disney songs with epic fireworks, it is a show you will never forget.
🤓 GOOD TO KNOW The best place to watch the fireworks at Disneyland Paris in summer
Scope out a spot behind a fence so no one is in front of you. You might need to wait at least an hour and a half before the show to get the best locations. Otherwise, I recommend watching the Disneyland Paris fireworks from the area in front of the Castle Stage, which is on the right side of the castle as you’re facing it (near Discoverland). Often in this area, we’ve been able to sit down throughout the show which is a magical experience.
TIP #7. Enjoy the Hidden Gems (Crowd-free)
In winter, we are dodging puddles, escaping downpours and generally trying to keep ourselves warm. Exploring the outdoors only becomes fun in the summer – so take advantage! Here are two attractions that won’t have any crowds.
Discover Hidden Caves
Adventureland has stunning walkthroughs. When you come off Pirates of the Caribbean, turn to the right and start exploring the mystical caves. You might even come across some treasure! There’s a Davy Crockett playground, waterfalls and even the Jolly Roger to make any aspiring pirate happy.
In the twilight hours, walking the paths among the lakes surrounding the Swiss Family Treehouse is so picturesque. Grab a snack and take a romantic stroll far removed from the hustle and bustle of the park.
Hitch a Ride on the Railway
In the height of the afternoon sun, a terrific alternative to long queues and busy crowds is the Disneyland Railroad. Hitch a ride on the steam-powered train from either Main Street Station or Frontierland Depot on a gentle tour of Disneyland Park. It’s my top tip for resting your feet! Note: At the time of writing, passengers can only depart from Main Street Station.
TIP #8. Indulge in Seasonal Treats
Calories don’t count at Disney! Although everything in Gibson Girl is lovely, my favourite place for ice cream is March Hare Refreshments. The outdoor seating area is themed on Alice’s tea party, complete with a sleeping Dormouse that pops up from the teapot. And, the Wonderland-themed ice cream is not only generously sized and delicious, but it will also be a gorgeous addition to your Instagram feed.
Summer is the only time at Disneyland Paris you can buy a Pineapple Whip (similar to the one in Florida, but don’t expect an exact copy). You can get it from a cart in the Adventureland Bazaar.
In Walt Disney Studios, you’ll find unique summer food stalls around the Tower of Terror. You can also get a stunning Magnum Creation ice cream bar themed to Minnie, Simba or the movie Up.
Other seasonal treats will be dotted throughout the parks, so keep an eye out!
TIP #9. What to Wear to Disneyland Paris in Summer
Summer is the easiest season to dress for Disneyland Paris. Light layers are going to be key.
My Top Tips on What to Wear For Disneyland Paris in Summer
- In general, try to pick light cotton or linen fabrics for breathability.
- You will also feel cooler in lightweight sportswear like basketball shorts and football jerseys.
- Floaty dresses look nice and are comfortable, too. If you are wearing a mini dress, you might prefer to wear shorts underneath for the dreaded ‘chub rub.’ I love wearing these modesty shorts to easily get on and off a ride in a short dress.
- Skirts/shorts and a T-shirt are a classic combination for good reason. You can find Disney t-shirts at Primark, George for Asda, Etsy (my favourite) and Amazon.
- Unfortunately, bare shoulders are at risk of burning. I like to wear a light cotton shirt unbuttoned over a vest top to protect my shoulders from 11 am to 2 pm.
- Watch out for little ones in polyester dress-up costumes. The material can get really hot and sweaty. A cooler option is to dress them in a light top and shorts and pop the costume over the top just for character meets and parades. Their costumes are fine to wear at character meals as it’s not too hot inside the restaurants.
- Don’t forget your swimming costume if your hotel has a pool.
- Only wear shoes that are breathable and comfortable. I swear by my Teva sandals (flatforms because I’m a shortie! But they also come as a regular sandal). Crocs are a controversial choice; half the people love them and half the people loathe them. If you wear them at home, you’ll enjoy them just as much in Disney. I wore these Mega Crush Crocs for 3 days straight in the parks and loved every minute (Please don’t come at me!🙈)
- Check out my full guide on Everything to Wear in Summer, plus my special hack for not getting my shoes wet in the rain!
TIP #10. Be Flexible and Enjoy the Summer Atmosphere
Disney parks are dynamic and ever-evolving. For example, Walt Disney Studios is under construction because they are building an epic new Frozen land.
If you manage your expectations and be adaptable you are one step ahead of everyone else. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, soak up the Vitamin D, dance to the music and get excited about your favourite character. These are the memories that will live inside your heart long after summer has finished.
💰Bonus Tips! 7 Ways to Save Money at Disneyland Paris in Summer
Summer is a popular time to travel anywhere. So, Disney hotels and travel will cost considerably more in the summer season.
Here’s How to Save the Most Money
- Consider going to Disneyland Paris for a shorter time. Long park hours and less rain mean you can accomplish more each day! If you are going to Disneyland Paris on a Budget, work out if you can manage a 3-day trip instead of a 5-day one. Or, try a 2-day park ticket and spend one extra day enjoying your hotel, shopping and dining in the Disney Village.
- Look at off-site hotels a little further out. For example, my favourite off-site hotel, Residhome Val d’Europe, is one stop on the RER train from Disneyland Paris and a 2-minute walk from the station. Residhome provides larger rooms and a kitchenette. And, a train ticket only costs about £2 each way.
- If you have a car, price up driving instead of taking the Eurostar. Book your Eurotunnel ticket as early as possible for maximum discounts or use your Tesco Clubcard points.
- Villages Nature is part of the Centre Parcs family. Enjoy a longer summer stay with just one or two Disney park days. They have fantastic indoor and outdoor pools plus plenty of activities for the whole family. Save even more by doing self-catering.
- If you have the luggage space, take breakfast food, drinks and snacks for the park. Stock up at the Relay shop in the train station.
- You don’t have to splash out for top Disney restaurants. Earl of Sandwich and McDonald’s in Disney Village have more budget-friendly options. You could also split a Mickey pizza at Pizzeria Bella Notte or share Fish and Chips from Toad Hall.
- Check out my complete Disneyland Paris Budget Planner. Work out all of your expenses before you book anything. And, use my fun Disneyland Paris savings tracker to watch your savings grow! Or, look at my 35-page ultimate bundle with all the templates you need to get organised!
Over to You
Did you pick some tips for Disneyland in Summer? Any more questions? Leave me a comment below 👇.
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