A first visit to Disneyland Paris needs a little planning. The biggest mistake is trying to do everything in one day. The right move is one park per day, and getting there for opening time.
The good news: disappointments almost always come from the same mistakes, and they’re easy to avoid. Here are the most common pitfalls, grouped by moment (before you leave, in the parks, with kids), each with the right move and a link to the detailed guide.
Planning mistakes
- Trying to do everything in a single day: pick one park per day instead (which park to choose, how many days)
- Picking the wrong date by ignoring crowd levels and French school holidays (crowds by time of year)
- Not sorting your tickets in advance: tickets are digital and your visit is booked online for a specific date (when to book)
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Mistakes in the parks
- Arriving late and missing opening time: queues are at their shortest just after opening, so head straight for your top rides (planning your day)
- Handling queues badly and missing out on Single Rider, which is free and saves a lot of time (Single Rider, avoiding the queues)
- Forgetting the official Disneyland Paris app: live queue times, map and show times (the Disneyland Paris app)
Budget mistakes
- Underestimating the budget for food and souvenirs, which quickly adds up over a day (the cost of a trip)
- Misunderstanding Premier Access: it’s a paid fast track, mostly useful on busy days, and not essential (Premier Access)
- Not booking your table-service restaurants in advance, especially in peak season
Mistakes with kids
- Forgetting ride height restrictions and promising your child a ride they can’t go on: check first (ride height restrictions)
- Not planning breaks or going at the pace of the youngest (visiting with a baby)
- Skipping a ride because you don’t know about Rider Switch (formerly Baby Switch): parents ride in turn without queuing again (Rider Switch)
Packing mistakes
- Wearing the wrong shoes: you walk a huge amount, so bring comfortable shoes that are already worn in
- Not adapting your bag and clothes to the day’s weather (the weather at Disneyland Paris)
- Missing the shows and parades because you didn’t check the day’s programme
Recap: the mistake and the right move
| The mistake | The right move |
|---|---|
| Doing everything in one day | One park per day, and save the rest for next time |
| Arriving mid-morning | Be at the gates for opening time |
| Booking at random | Check crowd levels before choosing your date |
| Buying tickets on the day | Book online in advance, for a specific date |
| Putting up with the queues | Single Rider, opening time and Premier Access if needed |
| Promising a ride they’re too small for | Check the minimum height first |
Common mistakes and the winning move
Further reading
To plan with peace of mind, follow the guide to planning your trip and browse the tips for a first visit that fit your situation.
Planning your first visit
Once you have these pitfalls in mind, the rest of your planning mainly depends on the kind of visit. Rather than covering it all here, I’ll point you to the two full guides.
For a day trip, follow planning your day, which covers the order of rides, breaks and shows. For a holiday of several days, planning your trip covers choosing a hotel, how many days you need and the pace.
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The essentials to sort before you go
A few things to sort out in advance, each covered in detail in its own guide:
Frequently asked questions
01 What’s the biggest mistake on a first visit to Disneyland Paris?
Trying to do everything in a single day, especially by hopping from one park to the other. It’s better to give one day to one park and keep the second for later.
02 Should you buy your tickets in advance?
Yes, as early as possible. Tickets are digital: book online, with a date, rather than counting on buying at the gate. As the price of a dated ticket goes up as the date fills, buying in advance often means paying less and having your choice of dates. Aim for a quiet period to make the most of your day (the crowd calendar).
03 Is there a free fast track at Disneyland Paris?
No, there’s no free fast track any more since FastPass ended in 2021. Today, only Premier Access lets you cut your wait, and it’s paid. There are still free ways to save time: arrive at opening, head for the big rides first, use Single Rider where available and ride during a parade or a show, when the queues empty.
04 What time should you arrive to avoid the queues?
Aim for park opening: queues are at their shortest in the first hour. Then head straight for your most popular rides.
05 Do you need to book restaurants?
For table-service restaurants, yes, especially in peak season: they fill up fast. Quick-service restaurants don’t need a reservation.
06 How do you avoid your child being turned away from a ride?
Check the minimum height for each ride before promising it to your child. Several thrill rides have a minimum height.
07 How does Rider Switch (formerly Baby Switch) work and is it free?
It’s a free service that lets you take turns on a ride with a minimum height without queuing again. You need at least two adults: one stays with the child who is too small while the other rides, then you swap through a quick access entrance. Ask the Cast Member at the ride entrance. Don’t confuse it with Single Rider, which lets you ride alone by filling single empty seats.
