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 kid at Disneyland Paris for the first time. Their wide eyes, open mouths, and chubby little fingers wildly pointing here, there and everywhere. The awestruck look on their precious faces. And their absolute belief in REAL MAGIC gives me so much joy. So, if you are taking a child to Disneyland, and looking for the best tips, this is the perfect family guide to Fantasyland for you. 

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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. 

Fantasyland Tip #1 – There are 10 Rides for the Whole Family (Including Two You Might Not Like…)

Fantasyland exists in all the Disney parks around the world because the classic fairytales have nostalgic universal appeal.

In this land, you will tease pirates with Peter Pan, twirl with Alice in a teacup at your Un-Birthday party, take to the skies with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, take the cutest little circus train Casey Jr, and sail through your favourite childhood story books. 

🤓 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. 

🩷 All the Rides in Fantasyland

1. Blanche-Neige et Les Sept Nains (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs). Board a mine cart and follow Snow White’s adventures as she escapes the Evil Queen.
2. Les Voyages de Pinocchio (Pinocchio’s Voyages). A wooden puppet goes on a quest to become a real boy with his little friend Jiminy Cricket
3. Le Carrousel de Lancelot (Lancelot’s Carrousel). A graceful merry-go-round
4. Peter Pan’s Flight. Never grow up in this classic children’s tale which travels to Neverland with a bit of pixie dust.
5. Dumbo the Flying Elephant. An adorable baby elephant takes to the skies and you can control the lever to gently go higher or lower
6. Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups. Celebrate your Un-birthday with Alice and these spinning teacups. It looks especially festive at night.
7. Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque (The Little Circus Train). A perfect introduction for children to faster-moving rides, this lovely circus train zips along cheerfully and gives a lovely view of Fantasyland without being scary.
8. Le Pays des Contes de Fees (Fairytale Land). Charming and gentle boat ride to visit the storybooks which inspired Walt Disney. Try to name them all!
9. “it’s a small world”. Delightful little boat ride showcasing countries around the world and their iconic attractions. This was the ride that started it all for the creation of Disneyland is more popular than ever.
10. Disneyland Railroad – Fantasyland Station. Board an impressive steam train which takes you around the park. (Also a good place to rest your eyes and feet)

My Family’s 3 Favourite Rides for Little Ones

1. The ride my eldest child enjoyed the most as a toddler and pre-schooler was ‘it’s a small world.‘ This gentle boat ride takes families to see all the little children in the world in their traditional costumes, with a very special song (that I promise will stay in your head forever!). 

2. My little one’s other favourite was Dumbo the Flying Elephant. We did this many times on repeat because he loved pulling the lever to soar up and down, laughing our heads off with the wind in our faces. 

3. Lastly, Peter Pan’s Flight is must-do for all families, even though it’s a short ride. With a boat that ‘flies,’ mermaids in a sparkling lagoon, London street lights twinkling below you (home!), and even some well-loved baddy pirates, this is a gentle adventure not to be missed.  

✏️ Pro Tip: Watch Out for Dark Rides and 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) and Les Voyages de Pinocchio (Pinocchio’s Voyages) are indoors, in the dark, with some startling scenes. The Snow White attraction features a witch, a dark forest with wolves, and some loud noises. Pinocchio has a large whale that bares its teeth.

My children liked these and don’t mind the dark, but I have friends with kids who hated them both! So be aware of that and plan accordingly. Another dark ride to watch out for is Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.

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! Even if you are shy, meeting Mickey Mouse in real life is a memory that will last forever. 

💛 Characters to Meet in Fantasyland

1. Meet the iconic Mickey Mouse in the Theatre building behind Dumbo.
2. Disney Princesses await your royal visit at the Princess Pavilion. Most days there is Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora and Belle (but see tip below!)
3. Characters of Alice in Wonderland. are in front of the teacups or to the side of the Labyrinth (the side where Mickey’s theatre is).
4. Characters of Winnie-the-Pooh hang around the back of Fantasyland (beyond Casey Jr.).

In Fantasyland, Mickey has his own meet-and-greet building. Queues can be long, but inside the theatre, they play his best (and most funny!) cartoons on a big screen, so the time passes quickly. 

Alternatively, get the royal experience at the Princess Pavilion. Meeting a princess will definitely be the longest wait of all the Disney attractions, but it’s worth it.

Inside the building are fun princess displays; some are even interactive. Just be aware that you will only meet one princess, and she will be randomly chosen for you. 

✏️ Pro Tip for Meeting Princesses

If your child has a favourite princess, it helps to dress them in a princess dress or outfit to match. Also, be sure to tell the cast member if you wish to meet this specific princess. You won’t always be able to (as they are not all available at the same time), but it never hurts to ask. Sometimes they might be able to match a favourite Princess for you or your child. 

How to handle long lines with small children

My best strategy for character queues is to come prepared. 

Use the restroom beforehand and bring a snack and drink with you. We also love these Disney sticker activity books. 

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 7 Dwarfs thatched cottage, the shops are enchanting to see, even if you don’t buy anything. 

My favourite shops in Fantasyland are Merlin l’Enchanteur where you can get a crystal wand custom-made for you and Sir Mickey’s Boutique for small gifts to bring home. 

💚 All the Shops in Fantasyland

1. La Chaumière des Sept Nains (The Seven Dwarfs Thatched Cottage) – Children’s dressing up clothes, accessories and toys. The outside is a gorgeous slice of Snow White’s time with the Seven Dwarfs.
2. La Confiserie des Trois Fees (The Three Fairies Confectionary) – vibrantly-coloured sweets and treats.
3. La Boutique du Chateau (The Castle Boutique) – Beautiful Christmas ornaments, all year round.
4. Merlin l’Enchanteur (Merlin the Enchanter) – The sorcerer’s cave has stunning crystal and jewellery, and you can even have your own magic wand made here. 
5. Sir Mickey’s Boutique – A medieval-style marquee with cute toys, clothes and other Disney Park souvenirs 
6. La Botegga di Geppetto (Geppetto’s Shop) – Pinocchio’s father was a talented woodcarver, and this shop celebrates his talents with toys and stuffed animals.

Budgeting for Fantasyland Souvenirs

How much do Disneyland Paris souvenirs cost? As you would expect, theme park merchandise isn’t cheap. Princess dresses are about €70, toys average €20 to €50, ears are €20-30, and magnets and pens are around €10. 

If you have a Disneyland Paris Gold Pass, you can get a discount on merchandise.

✏️ Pro Tip for Disneyland Paris Bubble Wands

Bubble wands are crazy popular for children at Disneyland!

If you want to get one in the park, you can find them in nearly all of the souvenir carts and shops dotted around the park. They cost around €20, but you can also find simpler bubble makers on Amazon.

Fantasyland Tip #4 – Don’t Leave it Too Late to Eat Dinner, as Restaurants Close Early

There are several fantastic options in Fantasyland for sit-down meals, fast-food lunches and tasty snacks. Check out the Disneyland Paris map in the app for exact locations and current menus. 

✏️ Pro Tip for Fantasyland Restaurants

One thing that often catches me out, is that the restaurants at Disneyland Paris close early. This is especially true for Fantasyland as cast members get ready for the night-time fireworks show.

If you can’t find anything open, your best options in the park are Colonel Hathi’s in Adventureland or Casey’s Corner in 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

Managing family dynamics and energy levels at a busy theme park can be trying even for the best of us. 

My best advice is to break up a long day of queuing for popular rides and characters with slower, child-friendly activities. 

💜 Family Attractions in Fantasyland with Little or No Queue 

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?!) 

BONUS ⬇️ FREE DOWNLOAD: Fantasyland Disneyland Paris Cheat Sheet

✏️ PRO TIP Take this Cheat Sheet with you! Download your own free Disneyland Paris Itinerary for Fantasyland. Just tap the image and save it to your device.

Print or use it on your phone.

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 and share in the magic. 

After you have explored what there is to do in Fantasyland, you should check out my Guide to Adventureland.

Looking for tips on planning your whole day at Disneyland Paris? Get a perfect 1-day itinerary for the main park or a complete guide to 2 parks in one day. 

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💜 How to spend 1 Perfect Day in Disneyland Paris (full itinerary!) 
💙 Your Family Guide to Adventureland