Paris is always a good idea! No matter the time of the season, you can sip on an apéro or coffee at the famous Cafe de Flore, walk through the magical Tuileries Garden, or shop your worries away at the city’s incredible department stores. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Paris twice before, but I never had a chance to experience, perhaps, the most magical place of all – Disneyland Paris. For my birthday, I decided it was finally time to see what the fuss was about and determine whether it truly is the most beautiful Disney theme park in the world.
From classic Disney rides to one-of-a-kind rides, you won’t find in the US and, of course, the dazzling pink castle, it truly was the perfect adventure. During my four-day trip, I managed to experience both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park while still soaking in the charm that the City of Light is so known for. Here are my tips for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay while visiting Disneyland Paris in winter.
Know Before You Go
Since its opening in 1992, Disneyland Paris has welcomed over 250 million guests. As the only Disney park in Europe, it's busy year-round, but the biggest crowds come during the summer and winter holidays. To avoid long lines, consider visiting between January and early March or between April and May. Weekdays are also much quieter than weekends.
To make the most of your experience, I recommend purchasing Disney Premier Access, which works similarly to Genie+ at the U.S. parks but has additional perks. It allows you to skip the main line at any time of the day without having to preschedule any rides.
Since we visited during the low season, we decided to explore both parks (Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park) in a single day.
Where to Stay
For this trip to Paris, my main priority was visiting Disneyland, so I specifically looked for a hotel near the train station. Staying at a Disneyland Paris hotel is always an option, but I also wanted to explore the city. That’s why, at this time, I decided to stay at Novotel Paris Les Halles and was pleasantly surprised by the high level of service.
The best part about the hotel is its location. It really is unmatched, as it is near the Châtelet-Les Halles Train Station, the Louvre, the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral, the Marais District, and many other iconic sights in Paris.
The hotel is currently undergoing renovations, but it didn’t bother us since we were out for most of the day anyway. We stayed in a Superior Room, which is perfect for couples and can accommodate up to three people (great for small families). Some rooms have already been renovated here, featuring elegant decor with rich red tones and eclectic artwork that makes a lasting impression.
Although technically, this is a four-star hotel, the service here was truly impeccable. From the front desk to the bellman, the staff here was ready to assist with any of our requests.
Beyond its outstanding service, the hotel also delivers on dining. At the hotel, you’ll find Le Petit Marguerite – a friendly and warm place for trying traditional French cuisine (and other delicious meals). We stopped in for a late lunch – a cheeseburger and fries – which were both fantastic. During the winter season (starting January 30th), the restaurant serves French cheese fondue. And if you're looking for a more unique dining experience, from October to April, you can enjoy a meal in a 'winter bubble.' We didn’t have time to try it this time, but it’s definitely on our list for the future.
Pro Tip: The hotel’s air conditioning system doesn’t switch between hot and cold air, but you can still adjust the temperature.
Visiting Disneyland Paris
Getting to the Park
For the full Disney experience, staying at one of the seven themed hotels can be a great option. All of them – except Disney Davy Crockett Ranch – either offer free shuttles or are within walking distance of the park.
That said, if you prefer to stay in central Paris like I did, getting to Disneyland is still super easy. We hopped on a train at Châtelet - Les Halles train station headed to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station. The entire train ride took 40 minutes, and round-trip tickets cost 8 EUR per person.
Pro Tip: The train to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy runs every 15-20 minutes. When at Châtelet - Les Halles station, follow signs for the RER A Est trains, which typically have a prominent Mickey icon.
What to Do in Walt Disney Studios
We kicked off our Disneyland adventure at Walt Disney Studios Park since I wanted to spend the afternoon enjoying Disney classics. Currently, this part of the theme park is undergoing significant changes. By 2026, Walt Disney Studios Park will be rebranded as Disney Adventure World. Nevertheless, it is still accessible to visitors, and we made the most of our time here.
Walt Disney Studios Park has some of the best Disneyland Paris rides, including attractions you won’t find anywhere else in the world. If you have only limited time, I recommend going on these rides:
Avengers Assemble: Flight Force: My personal favorite, but definitely not for the faint-hearted! This ride was formerly Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, so expect a thrilling launch.
Crush’s Coaster: A fun ride inspired by Finding Nemo.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Not quite as exciting as the Disney World version, but still offers some great drops.
The original Ratatouille: A good option for kids.
Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure: Worth experiencing, if only to hear Tom Holland speak French!
Where to Eat at Walt Disney Studios Park
Laugh “N” Go! Food truck (near Cars Road Trip Attraction): The best spot to try the Croque McQueen, a delicious ham and cheese sandwich.
Food stalls (near Ratatouille ride): Don’t miss the incredible Tartiflette au Reblochon, a rich and comforting dish made with potatoes, ham, and melted cheese – it’s a must-try!
Region Bretagne Cart (near Ratatouille ride): Serving up tasty duck and Emmental cheese galettes.
FAN-tastic Food Truck (in Avengers Campus): A great stop for cheesecakes and New York-style hot dogs.
Magnum Ice Cream Bars (in Avengers Campus): Indulge in delicious themed ice cream bars, but note that this spot is closed during the winter months.
PYM Kitchen (in the Avengers Campus): If you’re looking for a more unusual experience, this scientific laboratory is the place to go.
Stark Factory (in Avengers Campus): Yummy handcrafted pizzas.
Super Diner (in Avengers Campus): Mouthwatering Reuben sandwiches.
What to Do in Disneyland Park
After plenty of fun in Walt Disney Studios Park, we made our way to Disneyland Paris. Even on a cloudy day, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle – inspired by the iconic Mont St. Michel – looked absolutely breathtaking. The park follows a classic hub-and-spoke layout, with five main lands: Fantasyland, Discoveryland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main Street. Here are my favorite rides you don’t want to miss:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: One of the most intense roller coasters you’ll ever ride!
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain: If you love high-speed thrills, this ride is an absolute must (similar to Space Mountain in Orlando).
Pirates of the Caribbean: Similar to the Disney World version, but with extra drops for added excitement.
Phantom Manor: A great pick for a spooky adventure.
Where to Eat at Disneyland Park
March Hare Refreshments: Unique soft-serve ice cream flavors inspired by Alice in Wonderland – unfortunately, not available during the winter season.
Case De Coco (in Frontierland): A must-visit for delicious jalapeño cheese bites.
Cable Car Bake Shop (on Main Street): Home to the famous Mickey Mouse beignets. Make sure to try the Nutella-filled one – it’s amazing!
Champagne Cart (on Main Street): Disneyland and champagne – name a more iconic duo! Sadly, this is only available during warmer months.
Boardwalk Candy Palace (on Main Street): Yummy macarons and fantastic passionfruit cake pops.
Cool Post (in Adventureland): Enjoy the famous Mickey waffles with Nutella.
Pro Tip: For a truly magical experience, book a three-course lunch at Auberge de Cendrillon, where you’ll dine alongside Disney princesses like Jasmine, Cinderella, Aurora, and Snow White. The food is fantastic (we opted for the wine package, which was also great!), and you’ll get the chance to chat and take photos with the characters without the usual crowds or time limits. It is the perfect experience for both adults and little ones.
Other Things to Do and See
Meet Disney Characters
One of the most magical parts of visiting Disneyland Paris is getting to meet your favorite Disney characters. Even if you don’t book a character lunch at Auberge de Cendrillon, you can still visit Princess Hall to snap photos with Disney princesses or meet Mickey Mouse. If you're a Star Wars fan, head to Discoveryland to meet iconic characters from a galaxy far, far away. Be sure to plan these meet-and-greets early in the day, as some characters may not be available later on (learned this the hard way).
Shop Disney Merch
If you love Disney merchandise, you’ll have plenty of shopping options throughout the park. Some of my favorite spots included:
Plaza West Boutique – The go-to place for Mickey ears.
La Boutique du Château – A charming shop filled with festive Christmas goodies.
Emporium – The ultimate Disney store, stocked with everything from clothes to plush toys and collectibles.
Additional Tips for Visiting Disneyland in Paris
Download the Disneyland Paris app to watch the ride times, access your park passes, manage restaurant bookings, and more.
Bring a reusable water bottle, as there are plenty of fountains throughout the park.
Don’t forget to stay for the fireworks show, which usually starts at 9 PM, though times may vary by season. It really is worth it!
Don’t miss Mickey’s Kiss Goodnight! Approximately 10 minutes after the fireworks show, Mickey Mouse appears on the Main Street Train Station and waves goodnight.
Make sure to wear plenty of layers and thermals, warm socks, and gloves, as it can get quite cold in the winter months.
Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket in case of rain.
Other Things to Do in Paris Besides Disneyland
What makes Paris so special is that you’ll always find something to do here. The beautiful city is full of all the best clichés: picnickers enjoying cheese in front of the Eiffel Tower, Parisians strolling around with baguettes in their bags, and artists trying to capture the beauty in front of them. Whether you want to see one of the iconic landmarks or are looking for more off-the-beaten-path options, there’s so much to do! Here are some of my favorites:
Devour Paris Ultimate Food Tour (What better way to experience the ultimate foodie destination than with a guided food tour? A perfect way to sample the best of Parisian cuisine!)
Visit Palais Galliera: I had the chance to see an exhibition by hat designer Stephen Jones – and, to my surprise, I even met the artist himself as he was showcasing his work to his family!
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
La Galerie Dior (my all-time-favorite museum for fashion lovers)
Walk around the Champs-Élysées
Go on top of Arc de Triomphe
Visit the Picasso Museum
Visit Versailles (a bucket-list-worthy experience)
Visit the newly restored Notre Dame
Take a guided tour of the Louvre
See the Moulin Rouge
Visit the Eiffel Tower: Go during the day for stunning views, then return at night to see it sparkle!
Final Thoughts
If you've been to Disney World, you might be wondering whether Disneyland Paris is worth the trip across the ocean. The answer? Absolutely! No matter how much you’ve read or seen about Paris, the City of Light always exceeds expectations. The attractions really are that stunning, the food really is that incredible, and Disneyland Paris truly is as magical as they say.
Looking to plan your Disneyland Paris adventure? Reach out to the expert planners at Travel Queen LLC! Every part of our itinerary is tried, tested, and perfected to ensure you experience the best of what Paris has to offer.
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