17 Clever Disneyland Paris Tips For First-Timers (#11 Will Surprise You!)

I’m a crier. I admit it. When I first saw that pale-pink Victorian hotel towering over the park entrance, I got a lump in my throat. This is it, I thought. We’re in Disneyland Paris. So be warned. Glimpsing the castle for the first time casts a spell that will last a lifetime! Here are my best Disneyland Paris tips for first-timers, including several that might surprise you.  

TIP #1: Disneyland Paris is More Like ‘Plan a Little Bit, Then Wing It’

Used to WDW-style military manoeuvres? Waking at dawn to nab restaurant reservations six months out? Watching Genie+ tutorials like you’re studying for your A-levels? You can exhale now. Disneyland Paris doesn’t require a master’s degree in park logistics.

Here, you’ll swap spreadsheets for spontaneity. Sure, a bit of prep helps (especially for meals and character meets), but there’s no need to stress over every minute. The parks are smaller, easier to navigate, and blissfully free of that ‘frantically checking your phone every 20 seconds’ feeling. Let your feet—and your heart—guide you.

⭐ First-Timer Shockers: The Disneyland Paris Basics You Actually Need to Know

• Premier Access is the new FastPass

Forget free paper FastPasses—those days are long gone. No Lightning Lanes either!

At Disneyland Paris, you can:

• Buy Premier Access One to skip the queue for a specific ride (£8–13ish)
• Splash out on Premier Access Ultimate to skip the line for 17 top rides across both parks… once per ride, all in one day (€90–190 per person). Pricey? Yes. Efficient? Also yes.

📌 Buy Premier Access here
📌 Is Premier Access worth it? My full breakdown

• Character Meets: Virtual Queues Are a Thing (More Than Ever!)

Once upon a time, it was just Marvel characters like Spidey using virtual queues via the Disneyland Paris app… but now, Stitch has joined the club. And Meet Mickey , Disney Princesses and even Star Wars character hub Starport will follow.

To access these meet-and-greets, you’ll need to log in to the DLP app once you’re inside the park and keep an eye out for return time availability. These are offered on a first-come, first-served basis—so be quick with those thumbs!

For most other characters, though, it’s still the classic ‘stand in a line and hope they don’t need a snack break’ setup.

✨ Pro Tips:

• Use the Disneyland Paris app to check locations, wait times, and virtual queue return slots
• Arrive 30 minutes early for popular meet-and-greets
• Want the royal treatment? Book a meal at Plaza Gardens or Auberge de Cendrillon—and let the characters come to you while you sip something bubbly

• Dining Reservations

Remember when we had to reserve tables up to 180 days before our Florida trips? Disneyland Paris works a bit differently.

If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can book a restaurant up to 12 months in advance using the Disneyland Paris app. Staying offsite means you can book a table 60 days in advance.

Are all the tables sold out? Try asking at your preferred restaurant for a booking on the day. They often have cancellations. I also recommend using DLP Tables to get Disneyland Paris dining alerts.

In general, for Disneyland Paris, you will not be tied to your computer making loads of reservations and detailed plans before your trip.

It is much smaller than Walt Disney World and easier to get around. Better yet, you won’t be frantically checking your phone all day long to find your next activity. In France, you can live in the moment – let your feet take you to whatever you fancy next!

TIP #2: You Won’t Need a 2-Week Itinerary

A major perk of Disneyland Paris? You can see and do so much in 2–3 days, or even squeeze in a magical taster in just one. No need to pack in weeks of park days or run around like you’re in the Disney Olympics.

📒 Need planning help? Download my all-new IDisneyland Paris Itinerary and Planning Guide

TIP #3: Of Course They Speak French! But You Don’t Have To

Cast members won’t always be completely fluent in English, but they know enough to tell you where attractions are or where to go if you have a problem.

Language Tips for Disneyland Paris First-Timers

• The Disneyland Paris app is in English and at your fingertips to guide you around the park
• All the signage is in English
• Food menus are printed in English and French
• The narrative on the attractions is generally understandable. Even if some of the dialogue is French, you can easily follow the visuals
• The shows and parades have a pleasant mix of French and English. I thoroughly enjoy Elsa singing ‘Let It Go’ in French. And, let’s face it, we all know the words to that song!

TIP #4: There Are More Smokers in Europe

One of the things that surprised me as a first-time visitor to Disneyland Paris was the number of smokers. While the park doesn’t allow smoking except in designated areas, some people sneak cheeky cigarettes throughout the park.

Thankfully, I have noticed this problem less over the years, but it’s one to be aware of.

TIP #5: Cast Members Are… Different

American-style bubbly greetings like ‘Have a magical day, Princess!’ aren’t really a thing here. Cast Members are polite and professional, but also a bit more… cool.

But don’t be put off! Many are lovely, and the difference is just cultural. In France, sincerity matters more than peppy scripted lines.

✨ Pro Tip: Smile. Say ‘Bonjour!’ (even if your accent is tragic). The warmth you give often comes back tenfold.

TIP #6: Disneyland Paris Isn’t Actually in Paris

Say what? That’s right. Disneyland is not in Paris. It is located just outside the city centre. The good news is, if you arrive by Eurostar or RER (local) train to Marne-la-Vallee/Chessy station, Disneyland Paris is just a few steps outside!

🚗 Driving there? I’ve got Eurotunnel tips.
🚄 Taking the train? Here are my top Eurostar tips.

TIP #7: France Is Romantic. Disneyland Paris Is No Different

This park has style, darling. Romance wafts through the air like the smell of warm crepes. Every land feels like a storybook, from the rose-covered cottages in Fantasyland to the rugged cliffs of Adventureland.

You may have swooned over the France Pavilion in Epcot, but this is the real deal. And yes—you can sip actual champagne by the castle. (Cheers to that.)

5 Best Attractions Unique to Disneyland Paris

• Hyperspace Mountain is a Star Wars-themed high-speed roller coaster with inversions.
• Phantom Manor has a completely different story to the Haunted Mansion and includes a haunted Frontierland section. Don’t miss the graveyard at the back.
• Big Thunder Mountain has a track that tunnels under the water to the island across. It’s arguably the best version of this ride in the world, and you must try it in the day and night.
• Crush’s Coaster in Walt Disney Studios is a thrilling, high-speed unique spin on Finding Nemo.
• The show everyone raves about: Mickey and the Magician. Exclusively in Walt Disney Studios, this is an enchanting tale of Mickey who calls on some familiar friends to harness the power of magic.

📌 Check out all the Unmissable Attractions Disneyland Paris Has (that other Disney parks don’t).

TIP #8: Your Feet Will Fall Off

Do not be deceived when I tell you that Disneyland Paris is much smaller than Walt Disney World. There is STILL a lot of walking to do. You will probably do 20,000 steps in a day.

But not between the parks! Walt Disney Studios sits right next to Disneyland Park. This is a wonderful advantage that Disneyland Paris has over Disney World in Florida.

🤓 GOOD TO KNOW You will need a park hopper ticket to visit both parks on the same day.

TIP #9: One of the Parks Is Better Than the Other

I’m looking at you Walt Disney Studios. (I still love you, though!) A lot of exciting things are on the horizon for Walt Disney Studios, including a new name: Disney Adventure World. When that is complete, we will get a spectacular Frozen Land, a Tangled attraction, new restaurants and even nighttime entertainment on the new lake (coming in 2026).

But for now, dipping in and out of Walt Disney Studios or spending no more than a day here is plenty. Budget the rest of your time for Disneyland Park as there is much more to do there.

And while it might not take so much of your time, Walt Disney Studios is full of exceptional shows and a few must-do attractions. To make the most of it all, check out my perfect 1-Day Plan for Walt Disney Studios.

✏️ PRO TIP Starting your day at Walt Disney Studios is smart because it closes earlier than the main park.

TIP #10: The On-Site Hotels Are Really On-Site

First-timers might be surprised that you do not need a car to get from your hotel to the parks.

All the Disneyland Paris hotels are only about a 10-minute walk. In fact, one of the hotels sits above the entrance to the main park! The Disneyland Hotel was completely refurbished and reopened in 2024 with majestic rooms themed around the Princesses (and Queen!) in Cinderella, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen.

As you would expect for such convenience, the Disneyland Paris hotels are a little on the pricey side compared to local hotels. However, park tickets are included in your booking, so it can work out less expensive than you might think.

📌 Compare all 7 Disneyland Paris hotels and find your perfect match.

TIP #11: You Can’t Meet More Than One Royal at a Time

Surprise! If you’re planning to tick off a bunch of princess meet-and-greets in one go… not so fast. At the Princess Pavilion, you’ll only meet one princess per visit—and you won’t know who until you walk in. It could be Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, or Ariel.

⏳ The wait can be two hours, so brace yourself.

✨ Want to skip the queue and meet multiple royals? Book a character meal at Auberge de Cendrillon. You’ll dine like a duchess while Cinderella and her pals drop by for photos and smiles.

TIP #12: Europeans Aren’t Big on Snacking

At least, not in the American sense. You won’t find cupcakes piled high with icing, obscenely-sized turkey legs, or refreshment carts every 50 feet.

But oh, the treats you do find are worth the wait…

My Favourite (and Unique) Snacks at Disneyland Paris

• The Mickey waffles drizzled in chocolate at Cool Post, Adventureland.
• Up!, Simba and Minnie Mouse-themed Magnums in Walt Disney Studios (pictured below)
• Nutella crepes (obviously, given the name of my blog!). Find them at a food truck between Main Street and Discoveryland
• Enormous Alice in Wonderland-themed ice creams from March Hare in Fantasyland
• Champagne by the glass in front of the castle – find it at the kiosk at the end of Main Street
• Minnie or Mickey Cake bars from Boardwalk Candy Palace on Main Street
• For savoury lovers, the Gourmand food carts by Ratatouille are unmissable (I love the goat cheese honey crepes paired with a glass of wine). Also check out the mini food festival area near the Tower of Terror, usually in the summertime.
• Got kids? The pic and mix sweets are pricey but always a big hit with my boys. You can find a large selection at Boardwalk Candy Palace in Disneyland Park or Chez Marianne Souvenirs of Paris near Ratatouille in Walt Disney Studios.

TIP #13: The Merch Selection Isn’t Huge

Listen, I love a good Disney haul—but the shops at Disneyland Paris can feel a bit… samey.

You’ll still find adorable gems if you know where to look:

6 Best Tips for the Most Exclusive Disneyland Paris Souvenirs

• There is a small selection of exclusive Disneyland Paris Pandora charms (try Hollywood Jewel Box in Walt Disney Studios)
• Dotted throughout the two parks, you’ll find a few variations of the classic Disney Spirit Jersey printed with Disneyland Paris on the back.
• Food carts typically have special souvenir drink cups. Some carts, like March Hare Refreshments, will offer a popcorn bucket. Unique to Disneyland Paris is a pretty Cinderella carriage popcorn bucket.
• Unsurprisingly, you’ll find a modest selection of Disneyland Paris fridge magnets, pins, pens and t-shirts. But the best place to find stationary and rare books is in The Storybook Store (to the left before you get to Main Street in Disneyland Park). They even have a poster-sized vintage Disneyland Paris map.
• By far my favourite souvenir is in Merlin l’Enchanteur, inside the castle. Here you can get a custom wand made by a skilled glass-maker.
• Two restaurants, Auberge de Cendrillon and Bistrot Chez Rémy offer limited edition spoons you can purchase with your meal.
• If you have time for Disney Village, check out The Disney Gallery’s Art on Demand where you can create a unique Disney print and even have it shipped home.

A suitcase explosion is unlikely. A classy keepsake? Totally possible.

TIP #14: Not Everyone Is on Board With British-Style Queuing

We Brits queue like it’s an Olympic sport. The rest of Europe? Not so much.

Ride queues are generally polite, but fireworks and shuttles? Chaos. I’ve been elbowed, shoved, and rammed by prams more times than I’d like to count.

✏️ Best Tips to Avoid the Mayhem:

• Leave before fireworks or wait 15–20 mins after
• Exit via the arcades instead of Main Street
• Don’t rush—shops stay open for up to an hour after closing
• At parades, stand firm—but don’t let queue-jumpers ruin your night

TIP #15: Look Where You Toss That Rubbish!

Disneyland Paris is getting greener (yay!). You’ll notice reusable bamboo plates, cups, and cutlery everywhere—and bins are labelled accordingly.

If you’ve just devoured a warm goat cheese crepe, don’t toss your plate in the wrong bin! The planet (and Cast Members) will thank you.

TIP #16: Restaurants Close Earlier Than You’d Expect

I’ll never forget visiting in February and wanting dinner for our hungry family at 6 pm. It was a mission impossible! All the quick service restaurants except Colonel Hathi’s Pizza in Adventureland were closed.

If this happens to you, try Casey’s Corner on Main Street for hotdogs (they have vegan and meat options). Or consider getting a meal in Disney Village or eating at the Disneyland Paris hotels.

I have a full guide to Disneyland Paris Dining including the best hacks for their table reservation system.

TIP #17: The Paper Maps Are… Meh

The good news? They brought back printed maps (hurrah!). You’ll find them under the bridge as you enter Disneyland Park.

The bad news? They’re tiny, a bit awkward, and don’t include the entertainment schedule. So they’re more cute keepsake than functional guide.

📱 Real Tip: Download the Disneyland Paris app for live wait times, character meet info, reserved access, mobile food ordering, and more.

💫 Bonus Disneyland Paris Tip for First-Timers (If You Do Nothing Else, Do This)

Please, my friend—don’t try to make it perfect. Even seasoned Disney pros have chaotic days, meltdowns, or miss out on their “must-do” moment.

Let go. Laugh when your toddler refuses to ride anything but Dumbo. Sip bubbly while watching the sun hit the castle. Let the music, the colours, and the sheer joy of it all wrap around you like a warm hug.

Because that—not ticking every box—is the real magic of Disneyland Paris.

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