❄️ January at Disneyland Paris: Must-dos, What to Pack & What’s Closed

If December is all about Santa and gingerbread, then January at Disneyland Paris is… well, January. Still lovely! Still sparkly! But also that slightly chaotic time when the parks seem to sigh, take their shoes off, and say: ‘Right, that’s enough festivity for one year.’

And honestly? I love it.

What Does January Feel Like?

January at Disneyland Paris is crisp, quiet, and wonderfully low-stress — as long as you’re bundled up like a stylish little Michelin person and you’ve double-checked which rides are actually open. It’s a brilliant time to pounce on deals, enjoy low queues, avoid crowds, and gently ease yourself into the new year with a dash of Disney joy.

So, let’s talk hours (utter bedlam), weather (cold enough to freeze your fringe), closures (oh hello, full-month Ratatouille refurb), and all my favourite January tips, straight from my notebook to yours.

The Wind Down of Christmas in January at Disneyland Paris 🎄

Yes there is still Christmas celebrations happening in the parks for January — but only for the briefest moment. The first week of the month is basically a festive encore: the decorations are still up, the music still twinkles, and the last Christmas treats are still peeking out from bakery windows… but you can tell everyone is packing up the baubles backstage.

From 7th January, the festive season is officially over. Decorations disappear, show times change, and the whole resort slips into quiet winter mode.

If you want the magic-without-the-madness part of Christmas? Early January is perfect.

If you want full Christmas? Come before New Year’s or a day or two after — or wait for next December.

🌟 January Must-Dos at Disneyland Paris (Because There’s Plenty You Can Do!)

Yes, January comes with its fair share of refurbishments… but it also comes with some of the loveliest, cosiest, slowest-paced Disney days of the whole year. Once the Christmas parade twirls away, you’ll welcome back the classic Disney Stars on Parade — colourful, upbeat, and full of that ‘oh! there’s Mickey!’ joy that never gets old. Just keep an eye on the Disneyland Paris app for the day’s entertainment schedule.

And because it’s winter, you get that sweet little bonus: shorter queues, softer light, and the feeling that the park is somehow yours in a way it isn’t at any other time of year.

Here are some of my favourite January must-dos — little pockets of joy that warm you right to your fingertips:

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☕ 1. Sip a French hot chocolate (trust me, it hits different)

French hot chocolate is thick, rich, and absolutely designed for January. Grab one from Market House Deli, Cable Car Bake Shop, or even a Main Street cart and just… melt. Bonus points if you drink it while watching people scurry past in hats and scarves.

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🎭 2. Get cosy inside an indoor show

Whether it’s Mickey and the Magician, a classic favourite, or whatever big stage show is currently running (check our closure list + the DLP app), a warm theatre is a January lifesaver.

It’s honestly bliss to settle in, cheeks still pink from the cold, and let yourself be completely enchanted.

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🎆 3. Stay for the evening fireworks

The night sky in January looks extra magical. The crowds are a tiny bit lighter, the castle glows, and the fireworks feel like the perfect end to a winter day. Just bundle up… the temperature drops sharply once the sun goes down.
👉 Grab my Backpack List for DLP in Winter

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🍦 4. Try something unexpectedly delightful — like ice cream in winter

I know! It sounds mad. But ice cream in the cold is strangely perfect… and you’ll find fewer queues at Gibson Girl on Main Street U.S.A. If ice cream isn’t calling your name, go for a warm treat instead: those Mickey-shaped beignets from Market House Deli on Main Street are pillow-soft heaven.

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🥂 5. Toast your trip with champagne (yes, even in January!)

The Champagne Cart on Main Street is usually open most of the year, and honestly, a glass of bubbly on a chilly day feels very luxe! If it’s closed, just hop into Victoria’s — they serve champagne too, and you get to warm up in the prettiest pink tearoom while you sip (and they’ve got shareable desserts to delight the kids, too).

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👋 6. Meet characters while the crowds are calm

January is fantastic for character meets. Use the Virtual Queue for Mickey or the princesses, and standy for Chip and Dale and the Pooh Bear gang. They’re all still around (check the Disneyland Paris app). Bring hand warmers — having your own central heating makes waiting so much cosier.

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📸 7. Take advantage of quiet pathways for dreamy castle photos

Nothing beats the soft January skies behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s the perfect month for photos where you’re not dodging strollers, balloons, and 47 kids with bubble wands.

✨ Fancy More Itinerary Ideas?

If lists like this make your brain light up with possibilities, you’ll love my Disneyland Paris Itinerary Guide. It’s packed with:

• Sample itineraries for different trip lengths
• Bucket lists to give you that ‘ooh we have to do that!’ feeling
• Dining tips to grab those sold-out tables
• Inspiring ideas for must-dos, can’t-miss snacks, special souvenirs and little gems around the park

It’s basically the companion I wish I had on my very first DLP trip — all the planning magic, none of the overwhelm.

👉 You can check it out here: Crêpes and Castles Disneyland Paris Itinerary Guide

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📅 Download Your January Disneyland Paris Calendar

If you’re a planner at heart (or you simply like having something pretty to stick on the fridge), We’ve made you a free printable January 2026 Disneyland Paris calendar. It includes all the park opening hours, early closures, and little notes to help you plan your days. You can download it as a PDF and keep it handy for your trip.

And if you love having calendars like this — or if you’re already looking ahead to 2027 planning — then you’ll want to join my VIP Club. My subscribers get each new month’s calendar as soon as it’s released, plus cosy little planning freebies, exclusive tips, and a Friday newsletter that keeps you in the loop with everything happening at Disneyland Paris.

👉 Join the VIP Club
Let me spoil you with pretty printables and easy planning.

January 2026 Park Hours at Disneyland Paris (Why They Make No Sense)

January hours are absolute chaos. One day the parks close at 10 p.m. The next they close at 7 p.m. Studios even flirts with 10 p.m. at the start of the month and then plunges to 7 p.m. for the majority of the month.

1 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–22:00

2 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:00–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:00–22:00

3 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:00–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:00–22:00

4 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:00–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:00–21:00

5 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

6 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

7 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

8 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

9 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

10 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

11 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

12 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

13 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–19:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

14 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

15 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

16 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

17 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

18 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

19 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

20 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

21 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

22 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

23 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–20:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

24 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

25 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

26 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

27 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

28 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

29 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–21:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

30 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–20:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–19:00

31 January

• Disneyland Park: 9:30–22:00
• Walt Disney Studios Park: 9:30–21:00

💡 January hours shift because this is refurbishment season. Disneyland Paris takes advantage of low crowds to carry out maintenance, and that means shorter days — especially for Walt Disney Studios Park, where they are preparing for Disney Adventure World. Don’t panic. You’ll still get loads done.

Disneyland Paris January 2026 Closures & Refurbishments (What’s Not Running)

January is refurbishment central. It’s the month where the parks quietly fix, repaint, retouch, and occasionally reinvent everything that’s been worked to the bone over Christmas.

Here’s what’s closed in January 2026.

Attractions

• It’s a Small World (DP) — closed 26–31 January (likely longer). Historically this one loves an extended refresh (those dolls don’t maintain themselves).

• Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin (DP) — 5–16 January. Reopens 17 January. A short refresh for this sweet little walkthrough.

• Ratatouille: Remy’s Totally Crazy Adventure (WDSP) — closed the entire month. A full overhaul. Remy is resting. We salute him.

• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force (WDSP) — 19–23 January, Reopens 24 January. (If you see a sudden wave of people queuing up Spider-Man instead, you’ll know why.)

Restaurants

• Annette’s Diner — closing from 5 January. It is expected to receive a full overhaul and then will reopen in 2027. More on the Annette’s Diner closure is here.

• Auberge de Cendrillon — 12–23 January. Reopens 24 January. I fyou need a princess fix, you might have to settle for Princess Pavilion or La Table Lumière.

• Plaza Gardens — closed 13 January only. Only a one-day closure, but if someone was hoping to meet Tigger and Eeyore over breakfast, this is worth knowing.

How Cold Is Disneyland Paris in January? (Spoiler: Very)

If you went in July and thought, ‘Ooh, it’s a bit warm,’ then January is your karmic balance.

Expect:

• Morning lows of 0–3°C (your nose will tingle)
• Afternoon highs of 6–8°C
• Wind that absolutely whips through Fantasyland
• Occasional icy rain or light flurries
• Brilliant blue sky days that make you rejoice (and wish you’d packed your sunnies)

If you dress for London-in-February, you’ll be pretty prepared, but take a poncho just in case.

Here’s how I tackle it…

What to Wear to Disneyland Paris in January (My Warmest Tips)

January requires layers, a bit of strategy, and the kind of coat that makes you feel smug and cosy.

✔️ My real-life January outfit formula:

• Thermal long-sleeve top
• Fleece or knitted jumper
• Warm winter coat
• Thermal leggings under jeans (trust me)
• Thick socks
• Gloves
• A proper hat (bonus points if you wear your Minnie ears over it)
• A snood or scarf
• Waterproof shoes or boots

I always pack hand warmers too, especially for parade-watching and early mornings.

And please — don’t forget lip balm and hand cream. January wind is brutal and so are those ice cold taps in the toilets.

Want a very Carrie-Anne tip? Bring a spare pair of socks in your bag. Nothing lifts the spirit like warm, fresh socks at 3 p.m.

👉 Check out my full winter packing list – clothing ideas for the whole family

Where to Warm Up: Cosy Indoor Spots

Because in January, half the day is spent joyfully hopping between rides… and the other half is spent thawing out like frozen peas in the microwave.

Some of my favourite warm-up stops:

• Cable Car Bake Shop — pasties, coffee + heating vents = heaven
• Market House Deli — warm sandwiches and a little bit of indoor seating
• Colonel Hathi’s — Mickey pizza refuge
• Pizzeria Bella Notte — very happily heated
• Stark Factory — gooey mac and cheese. No notes
• Victoria’s — hot drinks & sweet treats
• Videopolis — loads of indoor space and reliably warm

And of course, if the weather gets wild, hop on:

• Phantom Manor (warm queue, long ride)
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Mickey and the Magician or TOGETHER: A Pixar Musical Adventure (whichever is running) → always worth a bit of frostbite as you’ll eventually warm up inside. But, if it’s super cold out, grab a Guaranteed Access ticket so you can rock up 15 mins before and sit front row.

January Crowds: Why This Might Be Your New Favourite Month

January is one of the quietest months of the year, especially from the 8th onward once Christmas fully clears out.

Expect:

• Manageable queues (sometimes blissfully empty walk-ons)
• Less congestion in Fantasyland
• Impossible-to-get-in-December restaurants suddenly having walk-ups
• Lovely calm mornings
• No need to stress about dessert parties or holiday extras

It’s the kind of month where you can finally breathe inside Disneyland Paris.

The only thing to contend with is the cold — but honestly, I’ll take chilly fingers over a 90-minute queue for Peter Pan any day.

Is January Good for Deals? YES.

Expect:

• Lower hotel prices
• More availability
• Cheaper travel (Eurostar flights, ferries, you name it)
• Fewer premium upsells
• Better chances of upgrading rooms
• Occasional restaurant promos

If you’re flexible and crowd-averse? January is a dream.

Is January at Disneyland Paris Worth It?

Put it this way: I go every January, and I have another trip booked for January next year. I love a bargain. I love the low crowds. And if it’s cold, I don’t notice it too much between stuffing my face with Disney snacks and getting a warm hug from Stitch. Winter at Disneyland Paris rocks.

Are you planning a January trip? Let me know in the comments.