21 Unique Attractions Disneyland Paris Has (That Disney USA Parks Don’t!)

Having enjoyed all 10 Disney parks on both sides of the Atlantic, I love comparing them. What’s completely different? What do they have in common? Here I’m sharing the surprisingly unique attractions Disneyland Paris has to offer (that the Disney USA parks don’t!).

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Unique Attractions Disneyland Paris Offers – A Quick Introduction

Disneyland Paris is made up of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

The main park is most similar to Disneyland California and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Walt Disney Studios is most comparable to (a smaller version of) Hollywood Studios. ➡️ For a more detailed look at the American park differences, check out Disney Paris vs Disney USA, Which is Better?

This list has everything a Disney park veteran needs to know for the first visit to Disneyland Paris. It includes not only unique attractions Disneyland Paris has that Disney USA parks do not, it also has special attractions with one-of-a-kind features that Disney fans will appreciate.

🚨⏳TIME-SAVING TIP Want a handy Printable Version of this Unique Attractions List? It now comes inside my Disneyland Paris Itinerary Guide.

Exclusive Attractions in Disneyland Park

Starting in Disneyland Park, here are the attractions totally unique to Disneyland Paris. Or, familiar ones with features you won’t find in the USA parks.

Frontierland

#1 Phantom Manor. Although it has a similar spooky feeling to The Haunted Mansion, the story of Phantom Manor is different, incorporating a bride with a backstory in Frontierland. The best part? Vincent Price as the narrator is AMAZING. Plus, the whole thing ends in an utterly bizarre afterlife version of Frontierland.

#2 Big Thunder Mountain. Widely regarded as the best Big Thunder Mountain in all the Disney parks, Paris has the only version that exists on an island, with the runway mine train going in an underwater tunnel. Ride it in the day and night as they feel like very different (thrilling!) experiences.

Adventureland

#3 Le Passage Enchante d’Aladdin. Only a little walk-through of the story of Aladdin, but as it’s completely unique attraction Disneyland Paris offers, it’s worth a peek.

#4 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril. Another runaway mine train, but this roller coaster goes upside-down. Try not to get your hopes up though – it’s nothing like Indiana Jones in California! This ride is rough, rickety and not to be repeated (think: Primeval Whirl in Walt Disney World!).

#5 Pirates of the Caribbean. Interestingly, the Disneyland Paris high seas adventure happens in reverse order to the USA Disney parks. The pirate scenes come first, and skeletons are at the end (which makes more sense when you think about it!). Look out for uniquely Paris scenes like the swinging pirate, the boat climbing uphill before the two drops, Capt Barbossa in the Dead Man’s Grotto and either Davy Jones or Blackbeard projected in the mist before the exit. Jack Sparrow makes a brief appearance in the pirate section (he’s hiding in a barrel). But check out the cool animatronic of Jonny Depp towards the end. Hearing his little speech in French is worth the ride alone. 

Fantasyland

#6 Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dorment. One of the best Disneyland Paris must-do’s, The Sleeping Beauty Castle is my favourite castle in all the Disney parks. It’s a gorgeous shade of pink and its European design lends itself to the classic Disney fairytales. Check out the incredible stained glass windows, tapestries and bronze sculptures upstairs that tell Sleeping Beauty’s story. ✏️ PRO TIP Go out on the balcony for a special view of Fantasyland.

#7 La Taniere du Dragon (the lair beneath the castle). A dragon with glowing green eyes lurks in the mist in the dungeon below the castle. Watch your step!

#8 Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. Wander the hedge maze with its curious occupants, take unique photos with the playing card guards, and climb to the top of the Queen of Hearts Castle for stunning views of Fantasyland.  

#9 Blanche-Neige et Les Sept Nains. This story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs centres mainly on her time in the terrifyingly dark forest. Though it’s slightly too spooky for small children, I love this ride.

#10 Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque. This train is different to the one in Disneyland California. It’s faster, and more like a baby roller coaster. It zips around to get great views of the storybook castle and other scenes in Le Pays des Contes de Fees. A kids’ ride that is surprisingly good fun for adults, too.

#11 Le Pays des Contes de Fees – Storybook Boats. Unlike the ride of a similar name in California, the Parisian boats are self-guided. And the storybook scenes are different (Wizard of Oz always bemuses me!). If you’ve been to California, look out for the Monstro whale scene which is Aladdin in Paris. 🏰 FUN FACT Recently renovated, the Storybook Boats now include scenes from ‘Up,’ ‘Winnie the Pooh’ and ‘Frozen.’

#12 ‘it’s a small world.’ Walt’s quintessentially Disney ride is housed in a unique way in Disneyland Paris: boats travel through one large warehouse rather than split up rooms. The dolls are mostly the same, but the outer façade, interior scenes and soundtrack are all a bit different. Look out for the Canadian, American and Middle-Eastern dolls, which Paris was first for. 

Discoveryland

While Discoveryland is somewhat similar to Tomorrowland in the Disney USA parks, have a look around to spot the differences. Inspired by sci-fi writer Jules Verne Discoverland it has incredible steampunk vibes.

#13 Les Mysteres du Nautilus. Stunning to see lit up at night, Nautilus is a walkthrough on the recently furbished submarine of Jules Verne’s imagination. At 20,000 leagues under the sea, you’ll discover a few intriguing secrets.

#14 Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. The exterior is far superior to Space Mountain in either of the Disney USA parks, playing into the glorious steampunk vibes of Jules Verne’s creations. On this thrilling Star Wars mission led by Admiral Akbar, your Victorian-style rocket ship blasts off to John William’s iconic medley. Blow up the Star Destroyer and jump back through hyperspace (the final corkscrew will take your breath away). It’s a must-do unique Disneyland Paris attraction.

Unique Attractions in Walt Disney Studios

Disneyland Paris’ secondary theme park is Walt Disney Studios Park.

🤓 GOOD TO KNOW When Frozen Land opens in 2026, the park will be re-named Disney Adventure World.

Like Hollywood Studios in WDW, Florida, Walt Disney Studios encapsulates Disney’s modern cinematic stories. What’s different in Paris is that in addition to Marvel Avengers Campus and Cars, we get to see Ratatouille and a fresh take on Finding Nemo.

Here are the fan-favourite attractions unique to Walt Disney Studios in Disneyland Paris.

Production Courtyard

#15 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. While you may be familiar with the ride based on The Twilight Zone series in Hollywood Studios, Florida, the Paris version is unique. It has a similar story but stars a creepy small girl and incorporates new scenes. Also, it has three elevator shafts while WDW only has two. Its special feature is a randomised drop sequence, meaning you can never know the exact experience you will have. Disneyland California was rethemed as a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction, so has a totally different feel.

Worlds of Pixar

#16 Crush’s Coaster. A must-do for Disney park veterans! Crush’s Coaster is a thrilling, spinning ride from Finding Nemo. It’s our favourite unique attraction at Disneyland Paris. You might want to consider a Premier Access Pass for this one, as it has one of the longest waits in the parks. Despite the wait, this is my favourite ride at Disneyland Paris.

#17 Cars ROAD TRIP. Although not a patch on Cars Land in Disneyland California, Cars ROAD TRIP is an interesting take on the familiar Pixar film. Guests board a shuttle and something unexpected happens as you get a guided tour through Radiator Springs.

Toy Story Playland

While Toy Story Playland is not completely one-of-a-kind, I have included it as a unique attraction Disneyland Paris has as it does not exist in the Disney USA parks.

#18 Toy Story Parachute Drop (also in Hong Kong Disneyland). I promise you that Parachute Drop in Toy Story Playland is not as scary as it looks from the ground! It’s a stimulating drop ride for youngsters and those without vertigo. Bonus: Good views of the construction happening for Frozen Land.

#19 Slinky Dog Spin (also in Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland Park). Usually, there’s only a short wait for Slinky Dog, so if you’re short on time for Toy Story Playland attractions, make it this one. It’s a simple carnival-style spinny ride, but the theming is amusing for Toy Story fans.

#20 RC Racer (also in Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland Park). My teens’ favourite ride in Toy Story Playland, RC Racer will get your heart pumping! Waits are considerable but it is a thrilling take on the Toy Story’s remote-control car.

Marvel Avengers Campus

#21 Avengers Assemble: Flight Force. Flight Force was re-themed from Rock’n’Roller Coaster when Avengers Campus opened in 2023. The overlay is a fun improvement. Easily the most thrilling roller coaster of both Disneyland Paris parks, and arguably more thrilling than any of the rides in the Disney USA parks. The downside is your head can feel a little rattled afterwards, so pack a painkiller.

What Do You Think?

Exploring new Disney theme parks is such a treat for fans of the Disney USA parks. With all these unique Disneyland Paris attractions, it promises to be an experience you will remember for a lifetime.

Are you a Disney Park veteran? What are the must-do attractions for you in Disneyland Paris? Leave a comment below 👇