|

Taking little kids to Disneyland Paris for the first time? You’ll need this complete family guide to Fantasyland  

Few things melt my heart more than seeing a little one at Disneyland Paris for the first time. Their wide eyes, open mouths, and those chubby little fingers pointing everywhere as they’re wrapped in the magic—it’s pure joy! If you’re heading to Disneyland Paris with a little one, Fantasyland is going to be your favourite. And lucky for you, I’ve crafted the perfect family guide to Fantasyland that covers everything from rides and attractions to shops and snacks, with tips to make the most of your time.

*This post contains affiliate links that earn a commission. All opinions are my own. Clicking these links supports this free website but will never affect the price you pay (except to offer you a discount). Learn more

Why Fantasyland is Special for Families

Fantasyland is where Walt Disney created a world where fairytales come true – and it really is magical! So, let’s talk about all the rides, attractions, shops, and characters in Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris that are perfect for families. And I’ll share my special tips to make your trip there the BEST it can be. 

🤓 GOOD TO KNOW The Fantasyland attractions are designed to be available to children of all ages. There are no height restrictions on any of them. 

Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction carrying happy children and their smiling parents on a blue sky day
This family guide to Fantasyland Disneyland Paris would not be complete without Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Fantasyland Tip #1 – There Are 10 Rides for the Whole Family (Including Two You Might Want to Skip)

Fantasyland is designed with families in mind, with 10 fairytale-themed rides for you and your little ones to enjoy together. Some are whimsical outdoor adventures, while others might be a little intense if your children are afraid of the dark. Either way, here’s the complete list of rides you’ll want to check out.

👱🏻‍♀️ My Top 3 Favourite Rides in Fantasyland for Little Ones

  1. ‘it’s a small world’: My eldest was obsessed with this one as a toddler. It’s gentle, colourful, and you get to see the entire world from your boat—what’s not to love?
  2. Dumbo the Flying Elephant: My little one could not get enough of Dumbo. I think we rode it five times in a row once, all because of that lever that makes Dumbo fly higher.
  3. Peter Pan’s Flight: This ride is pure magic, even if it’s short. Flying over London, spotting mermaids, and seeing Captain Hook—what’s not to love?

🩷 All the Rides in Fantasyland for Families

  1. Le Carrousel de Lancelot: The most beautiful merry-go-round you’ve ever seen, perfect for little knights and princesses.
  2. Peter Pan’s Flight: Soar above London and through Neverland with Peter, Wendy, and those cheeky Lost Boys. This is an absolute must-do for families.
  3. Dumbo the Flying Elephant: Your little one gets to take control, making Dumbo fly higher or lower as you swoop through the air. I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve been on this one—laughing our heads off the whole time.
  4. Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups: Spin round and round with Alice and the Hatter. At night, it’s especially magical with all the lights twinkling.
  5. Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque (The Little Circus Train): A cheerful little train ride through Storybook Land. It’s fast enough to give you a thrill but gentle enough for smaller riders.
  6. Le Pays des Contes de Fées (Storybook Land Canal Boats): Hop aboard a boat and glide through miniature versions of classic fairytales.
  7. it’s a small world’: Let’s be real—this one is all about the adorable singing children from around the world. Your kids will love it, and the song will stay in your head forever (don’t say I didn’t warn you).
  8. Disneyland Railroad – Fantasyland Station: Need a break? This gentle train ride takes you all around the park, a lovely way to rest those tired little legs.
  9. *Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs): Take a mine cart through Snow White’s story—though beware, there’s a spooky forest and a witch to watch out for.
  10. *Les Voyages de Pinocchio (Pinocchio’s Voyages): Join the wooden puppet on his adventure to become a real boy, with Jiminy Cricket by your side.

*RIDES YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP FOR NERVOUS CHILDREN

Every child is different, and some smaller children or those with sensory issues may not enjoy the two ‘dark’ rides in Fantasyland. 

  • Blanche-Neige et Les Sept Nains (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) is indoors, in the dark. It features a witch, a scary forest with wolves, and some loud noises.
  • Les Voyages de Pinocchio (Pinocchio’s Voyages) is also indoor and dark. It has a scene with a large whale that bares its teeth and a slightly creepy clown (pictured above right).
Character Meets; small boy in a Pooh Bear jumper is meeting the real Winnie the Pooh in Disneyland Paris

Fantasyland Tip #2 – Meeting Characters is a Must-Do (But Bring Snacks!)

Can you really go to Disneyland Paris and not meet a character? I don’t think so! There’s something so special about seeing your kids light up when they meet their favourite character in person (even if you’re waiting in line forever).

💛 Disney Characters You Can Meet in Fantasyland

  1. Mickey Mouse – You can meet the main mouse himself in his theatre behind Dumbo.
  2. Disney Princesses – Head to the Princess Pavilion for a royal meet-and-greet, though you’ll only get to meet one princess per visit.
  3. Alice in Wonderland Characters – These whimsical characters hang around by the tea cups or over by the Labyrinth.
  4. Winnie the Pooh & Friends – Sometimes you can spot them near the back of Fantasyland by the circus train.

Pro Tip for Meeting Characters: Pack a snack, grab a drink, and be prepared for long queues. Trust me, this Disney sticker and activity book saved us once when we were stuck in line for a princess for what felt like an eternity.


➡️ READ NEXT These are The 10 Longest WAITS in Disneyland Paris (and how to avoid them!)

Fantasyland Tip #3 – Treat Yourself! Check out These 6 Amazingly-Themed Souvenir Shops  

Disney takes shopping seriously. There are six beautifully decorated boutiques to choose from in Fantasyland. From Goofy’s medieval marquee to the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs thatched cottage, the shops are enchanting to see – even if you don’t buy anything. 

💚 All the Shops in Fantasyland

  1. La Chaumière des Sept Nains (The Seven Dwarfs Cottage): Adorable shop filled with costumes, toys, and souvenirs. The thatched roof cottage outside is worth the visit alone.
  2. La Confiserie des Trois Fées (The Three Fairies Confectionary): The sweets in here are as colourful as the shop itself and they carry Disney Munchlings.
  3. La Boutique du Chateau (The Castle Boutique): Year-round Christmas ornaments? Yes, please!
  4. Merlin l’Enchanteur: This one’s my favourite, where you can get a custom-made crystal wand or a beautiful piece of jewellery.
  5. Sir Mickey’s Boutique: Cute gifts, toys, and souvenirs—perfect for little ones and has a few budget-friendly items, too.
  6. La Botegga di Geppetto: You’ll find all sorts of toys and cuddly characters here, just like in Pinocchio’s wood shop.
In our family guide to Fantasyland Disneyland Paris, Bella Notte Pizzeria features as one of the top restaurants to take small children

Fantasyland Tip #4 – Don’t Wait Till it’s Too Late to Eat!

Ah, food—the real adventure when you’ve got kids. There are plenty of dining options in Fantasyland, but here’s something I didn’t expect on our first visit: the restaurants close early to prepare for the fireworks. So, don’t wait until the last minute to grab dinner!

 ✏️ PRO TIP If you can’t find anything open in Fantasyland, your best options in Disneyland Park are Colonel Hathi’s in Adventureland or Casey’s Corner on Main Street. 

💙 Everywhere to Eat in Fantasyland 

  1. Auberge de Cendrillon (Cinderella Inn). Dine with Disney Princesses in this premium table-service restaurant. Reservations quickly sell out, so check out my First-Timers Guide to Auberge de Cendrillon for getting a table, interaction with princesses and everything else you need to know before you go.
  2. Au Chalet de la Marionette (The Puppet House). From the world of Pinocchio, this chalet-style quick service has burgers, plant-based burgers, chicken and hot dogs.
  3. Toad Hall Restaurant. Only open in peak seasons, this quick-service eatery has British favourites fish & chips (and vegan fish & chips!).
  4. Pizzeria Bella Notte. Partially themed to Lady and the Tramp and partially themed to Luca, this Italian-style quick-service has pizza and pasta. Families love the good-value Mickey-shaped pizza here. 
  5. March Hare Refreshments. Amazing Alice in Wonderland-themed ice creams plus hot and cold drinks.
  6. The Old Mill. Hot drinks, crepes, ice cream bars, and temporary seasonal savoury bites like Bitterballen.
  7. L’Arbre Enchante (The Enchanting Tree). Another option in busy seasons, this snack stand serves vegan paninis, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and hot and cold drinks. 

Something I talked about in the 7 hardest Disneyland Paris lessons is the crowds at meal times. So a great tip for families eating at Disneyland Paris is to avoid the lunchtime rush. Around 1pm the queues will be out the door at Bella Notte, for example. If you have little ones, it might be best to eat a bit earlier or a bit later. 

Fantasyland Tip #5 – Take Time to Savour the Magic at a Slower Pace with These 5 Experiences

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to squeeze in as much as possible. But I’ve learned (the hard way) that slowing down is key. Between queues and character meets, take a moment to soak it all in with some of Fantasyland’s quieter attractions. 

💜 Family Attractions in Fantasyland With Practically No Waiting

  1. Sword and the Stone. At the back of the castle is a chance to become royalty! It is also an opportunity brilliant for pictures of your little one. Children (and adults) take turns trying to pull the sword out of the stone. If they succeed, legend foretells that they are the new King of England and King of all Britons! 
  2. Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. This attraction rarely has any wait. Wander the charming maze at your own pace, and climb the Queen of Heart’s castle at the end for gorgeous views of Fantasyland. 
  3. Wait for the parade near the big gates adjacent to ‘it’s a small world.’ Often you can get a good character interaction here at the parade’s beginning. (Check the Disneyland Paris app for the schedule)
  4. La Taniere du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair). Follow the dark path leading below the castle and to the emerald-green dragon held captive here. Careful not to wake her…
  5. La Galerie de la Belle au Bois Dormant (The Sleeping Beauty Gallery). From inside the castle, ascend the stairs to see the stained glass and tapestries which tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. Make sure to show your youngster the knight on guard (is he asleep on the job?!).

⬇️ FREE DOWNLOAD! Fantasyland Disneyland Paris Cheat Sheet

Take this Disneyland Paris Cheat Sheet with you! Download this free Disneyland Paris Itinerary for Fantasyland. Just tap the image and save it to your device. Print or use it on your phone.

Free downloand - free printable Disneyland Paris Itinerary Fantasyland for families. Includes a map of Disneyland Paris and a full list of the best attractions in Fantasyland
FREE DOWNLOAD! Tap to get your Fantasyland Itinerary Guide for first-timers

Final Thoughts on This Fantasyland Guide for Families

Disneyland Paris will provide you with memories you will cherish long after your children have set aside their bubble wands and princess dresses. Take as many pictures as you can to remember it forever.

➡️ READ NEXT

If you liked this Family Guide to Fantasyland, you will also love these:
❤️ What to Pack for Your Child’s First Time at Disneyland Paris 
🩷 Everything you need to know about Taking Your Family on the Eurostar 
💜 How to spend 1 Perfect Day in Disneyland Paris (full itinerary!) 
💙 Your Family Guide to Adventureland

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.