“To all who enter the studio of dreams, welcome. Walt Disney Studios is dedicated to our timeless fascination and affection for cinema and television. Here we celebrate the art and the artistry of storytellers from Europe and around the world who create the magic. May this special place stir our own memories of the past, and our dreams of the future.” — Michael D. Eisner, March 16, 2002

Disneyland Paris consists of two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, and a shopping district, Disney Village. Disneyland Park is the park everybody has heard of and expects, and Walt Disney Studios Park has a more general movie making theme – but it’s still very Disney. The Village is comprised of stores and restaurants.

Disney’s theme parks are famous for their “Audio-Animatronics,” attention to detail, service mentality and crowds. The intention is to completely recreate the “magic” of the Disney franchise; employees are not “staff” but “cast members”; the park is kept insanely clean; and everywhere you will find a perfectly running machine. For example, you won’t find the same Disney character twice within sight – there are no duplicates. Children are clearly the focus of Disneyland, but older visitors are not neglected either.

All the theme parks follow basically the same setup, but of course there are many regional differences.

The total commercialism is something you have to either accept, ignore or enjoy. Besides the merchandise stores at every corner, many rides are “sponsored” by various large corporations.

To make the experience even more magical and enjoyable, the City of Light is just a half-hour train ride away.

Costs of Disneyland Paris 

Visiting Disneyland Resort Paris costs almost the same as visiting any of the other Disney parks around the world. There are four types of tickets sold, theres the 1 Day 1 Park Ticket, which allows you to visit one of the two parks for a full day. Additionally, there are three Park Hopper tickets, which allow you to visit both parks on the same day, The 3-Day Park Hopper ticket is the cheapest deal.

Online Prices
Days ages 3-11 ages 12+
Total Per Day Total Per Day
1 Day 1 Park Ticket €43 €43 €51 €51
1 Day Park Hopper €54 €54 €62 €62
2 Day Park Hopper €95 €47.5 €112 €56
3 Day Park Hopper €118 €39.33 €139 €46.33
Children under age 3 are admitted free.

Disneyland Paris Rides:

Space Mountain (Discoveryland) Space Mountain ’2′ is the park’s current offering under the Space Mountain banner, an updated version of the old ride. The ride is tough and harsh and evokes strong reactions – some love it, some hate it. Fastpass available. Height restriction (1m32).
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Walt Disney Studios Park) Same as the Disney California Adventure version, astounding decors, amazing ambiance, great sensations (remains a Disney attraction). Fastpass also highly recommended. If you suffer from heart problems this ride is not reccomended.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (Adventureland) is a nice ride but does have a loop and there is a height requirement.

Big Thunder Mountain (Frontierland) Also one of the better rides in Disneyland. Enjoyable but incredibly busy so fastpass is a must. Post-ride photo available.
Rock n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith (Walt Disney Studios park) is probably the coolest ride in Disneyland Paris. The design (sound studio) is excellent, the acceleration awesome, the mixed Aerosmith music and “concert ambiente” of this in-doors rollercoaster contribute to the experience. Highly recommended. Wait until during the stunt show as this empties the park, then go on for little or even no queue! Or, if the stunt show is not on for another couple of hours, pick up a fastpass ticket — but generally the queue is not too bad and does not require a fastpass. Another tip, ask to ride in the front, you may have to queue a little longer but generally get on the next time. If you have waited 45 minutes, why not wait another minute for the VIP ride!

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast (Discoveryland) is an interactive ride — the only one in the whole complex? — which gives you a “laser pistol” with which to fire at targets, earning points that are totted up as you go along. (If you buy a post-ride photo, your point total appears on it.) Very good fun for all ages, with all the queueing under shelter. Busy: either get there early or take a fastpass.
Pirates of the Caribbean (Adventureland), probably the best known Disney ride, is a water ride with a piracy theme. It’s pretty harmless, features a lot of Audio-Animatronic pirates and is suitable for all ages. Expect your clothes and gear to possibly get a few drops, though it’s hardly a deluge. Features “The Blue Lagoon”, an expensive “jungle ambiance” restaurant. Although it is usually busy, its quick loading technique shortens queuing time. Don’t bother with a camera or camcorder – it’s very dark. Post-ride photo of yourself on the ride (taken automatically) available.
It’s A Small World is a stereotypical “cute” Disney ride. Designed mostly for small children, this is a perfect ride for those who can enjoy the most impressive kitsch ever designed. It’s colorful, it has a catchy tune that will remain on your mind for days, and it’s a lot of fun if you do not take it too seriously. Good for families with young children or silly adults. Sensible adults will enjoy if they’ve watched the first Shrek and recall the lyrics of ‘Welcome to Dulac’: “Please keep off the grass, shine your shoes, wipe your.. face”.

Star Tours (Discoveryland) is a “Flight Sim” with a Star Wars theme. A must for every fan, but it’s well done and should be enjoyable for most people. Pay attention for a few small jokes in the very well done set design. It can get quite busy so get a fastpass.
Crush’s Coaster (Walt Disney Studios Park) is a very enjoyable roller coaster, mostly in the dark, themed on “Finding Nemo” in which you ride the East Australian Current on (in) a turtle. Height restriction (1m02). No Fastpass (Sep 08) and very long queues; get there early or be patient. In a 60-minute queue, only half will be under shelter.

Phantom Manor (Frontierland) A “haunted house” ride that is very well done. Pay attention to the fake cemetery on your way out for a few chuckles. However, it is in French so the plot may be hard to understand. The queue is ok but is more popular during Halloween. It may be unsuitable for very small children; it might not be a good idea to take along your baby, so leave him/her with some older member of the family.

Hotels in Disneyland Paris:

Disney offers various hotels in and around the park. They vary in quality and style. All should offer a free safe to store your valuables during the day, including notebook computers (Laptops). Inquire at the reception. Most are within easy walking distance from the Park

The Cheyenne hotel has a Western theme. It’s a bit outside – you have to take the bus to reach the Village – and it’s a little on the budget side. The rooms are nice and it’s a good value for the money. A walk around takes 10-15 minutes but is not that well signposted, perversely the signposts to the Park are easier to see on the way back from the Park than on the way there, but it’s a fairly easy level walk. The hotel is a little on the budget side, basic, clean sort of the average travel lodge type. They offer an “all you can eat buffet” which is actually some of the best food on the Disney site.

The Disneyland* hotel is the most lavish and famously expensive. It is situated over the main entrance so walking isn’t a problem, however this means that there is a bit of a walk to the village and lake Disney.

The New York* hotel is situated on Lake Disney. This hotel tends to attract business customers coming for conventions.

The Newport Bay* hotel is situated on Lake Disney. The theme is New England. Due to its many balconies and a very large swimming pool, this is a great hotel to stay at in the summer and offers great views out into the lake and beyond.

The Sequoia Lodge* hotel is situated on Lake Disney. The hotel consist of a main block where most of the rooms are and a number of smaller blocks scatter through the woods surrounding the hotel, it is quite a nice place to explore.

The Santa Fe hotel is situated on the other side of the river beside the Cheyenne hotel. You can reach the parks by walking but may prefer to take the bus as it is a ten to fifteen minute walk to the park but its probably the cheapest of them all.

The Davy Crockett Ranch is situated 5 minutes drive away (you have to have a car as there is no shuttle). It is quite different from the other hotels and consists of separate motel style accommodation with cooking facilities. There is also a shop (open late) and a swimming pool, horse rides and a petting zoo.

As well as the above, there are several outer hotels, all of these offer transport to the park but they don’t have a Disney theme and may not be included in special offer packages.

One such hotel is the Holiday Inn, which is situated alongside the official Disney hotels. It is also served by the Disney bus from Charles de Gaulle airport, and by the frequent shuttle buses to/from the parks. It has a circus theme throughout, and has good sized family accommodation.

PV-Holidays Adagio Val d’Europe is another cheaper, self-catering option. Located minutes from Eurodisney- with a free shuttle bus to and from. Apartments spacious, comfortable and self catering. Designed on the model of a private mansion house, with decor combining an urban style with the spirit of an English garden-city, the residence is also ideally located next to one of Europe’s largest shopping centres. Tel: +33 1 58 21 55 84.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Allée De La Mare Houleuse, ☎ +33 (0)1 60 43 64 00, The Radisson Blu hotel is ideal for those wanting a bit more space, this modern hotel also boasts the Disneyland Golf course on its door-step so it is ideal for golfing enthusiasts.