Wondering what to do near Disneyland Paris once your day in the parks is over, or if you’re adding a day or two to your trip? You’ll soon find that the area around the resort (the parks and Disney hotels as a whole) is full of things to do. Animal parks, indoor fun, shopping, waterside walks or day trips to Paris or Provins: there’s plenty to round off your stay without going far.
Here’s my round-up of activities close to Disneyland Paris, sorted by what you fancy, each with the essentials: what it is, where it is, how to get there from the park and who it suits best. When there’s a dedicated article on the blog, I’ve added the link so you can find out more.
Why (and when) should you leave the park?
Disneyland Paris is still the priority of your visit, and rightly so: the parks are what you’re coming for. If you’re only there for one day, my advice is simple: spend the whole day in the parks without trying to squeeze anything else in. Time flies on site, and the attractions nearby deserve better than an hour snatched at the end of the afternoon. For that case, have a look at my guide to planning your day.
A day out makes real sense as soon as you stay several days. Between intense days, half a day or a full day away does you good, especially with young children who need a proper break.
It’s also a question of budget: a day ticket for the parks is expensive, so alternating with a gentler day out, sometimes free, spreads the cost over your trip. All my tips for fitting these days in are in the guide to planning your trip.
It also works well in two other situations. On rainy days, or when the park closes early in winter, an indoor activity right next door saves the half-day (to stay in the park whatever the weather, see my weather guide).
Then there are arrival and departure slots: arriving the day before or leaving at lunchtime the next day is an easy time to fill without buying another day in the park. For each of the outings below, I tell you who it’s for.
| Activity | How far | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Imagi Park | Around 5 to 10 min by RER (10 to 15 min by car) | Families, teens, evenings |
| Golf de Val d’Europe | A few minutes | Golfers, all levels |
| Parrot World | Around 20 to 25 min by car | Families, animal lovers |
| Parc des Félins | Around 25 to 30 min by car | Families, big cat fans |
| SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe | Around 5 to 10 min by RER | Families, young children |
| Val d’Europe shopping centre | Around 5 min by RER | Shopping, rainy days |
| La Vallée Village | Around 10 min | Brand lovers, bargain hunters |
| Walk along the Marne | Depends on the spot | Walkers, cyclists, picnics |
| Villages Nature Paris | Around 10 min | Families, water park |
| Paris | Around 35 to 40 min by RER | Sightseeing, monuments, museums |
| Provins | Around 45 min by car | History lovers, families |
| Parc Astérix | Around 50 min by car | Thrill seekers |
| Paris Zoo (Zoo de Vincennes) | Around 40 min by RER plus a change | Families, animal lovers |
Near Disneyland Paris at a glance
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Animal parks
Seine-et-Marne and the surrounding area have several good animal parks, less than an hour from the resort. If your children love animals, or if you want a quieter day between two days of rides, they make a great alternative.
Parrot World
Parrot World is an immersive wildlife park in Crécy-la-Chapelle, around 20 to 25 minutes by car from the resort. The setting recreates a tropical forest, with macaws flying free above your head, plus jaguars, capybaras, giant otters, tapirs and Humboldt penguins.
Opened in 2020, it’s one of the most carefully themed parks in the region. It even has lodges if you want to stay the night.
Who it’s for: families and anyone who enjoys seeing animals in well-designed spaces.
Parc des Félins
Parc des Félins, in Lumigny-Nesles-Ormeaux (around 25 to 30 minutes by car, roughly 28 km), is part of Lumigny Safari Réserve. It has the widest variety of big cats in the world: tigers, lions, cheetahs, snow leopards, lynx, around thirty species in all. A "Terre de Singes" (monkey land) area completes the visit, with gibbons, macaques and lemurs roaming semi-free.
A little train runs between the enclosures, handy with kids or to rest your legs.
Who it’s for: families and big cat enthusiasts.
SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe
SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe is an aquarium right inside the Centre commercial Val d’Europe, in Serris. You’ll find an underwater tunnel, sharks and hundreds of marine species.
It’s one of the easiest outings to reach: one stop on the RER A from Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, about 5 to 10 minutes. The visit is indoors, which makes it a good option on rainy days.
Who it’s for: families with young children and anyone looking for a short, sheltered activity.
Vincennes Zoo
The Paris Zoological Park, better known as Vincennes Zoo, is in the Bois de Vincennes, in Paris. Allow about 40 minutes on the RER A, then a change to the metro or tram.
It’s a large, modern zoo laid out in biozones, where you’ll see giraffes, lions, manatees and many other species in settings that recreate their natural habitats. A lovely outing if you combine a day in Paris with some time with animals.
Who it’s for: families and animal lovers who are also spending time in the capital.
Family fun
When the park closes early in winter, or when the weather turns, these two places right next to the resort come to the rescue.
Imagi Park
Imagi Park is a large indoor leisure complex that opened in 2025 at the end of the Centre commercial Val d’Europe, very close to Disneyland Paris (about 5 to 10 minutes by RER, 10 to 15 minutes by car). It brings together several venues: karting, bowling, arcade games, laser tag, karaoke, a trampoline zone, a Fort Boyard-style challenge course, an immersive restaurant and even a gym.
It’s the perfect option for carrying on the evening after the parks close, warm and dry. Each activity has its own prices and opening hours, and I recommend booking online at weekends.
For everything on the activities, opening hours and getting there, see my complete guide to Imagi Park Val d’Europe.
Villages Nature Paris
Villages Nature Paris is a Center Parcs resort in Bailly-Romainvilliers, about 10 minutes from the resort. Its main draw is Aqua Mundo, a large covered water park with slides and pools. You’ll also find a spa, a lake and plenty of outdoor activities. Depending on the time of year, day passes are available without staying there, which makes it a good idea for a relaxing break.
Who it’s for: families who want a day of swimming and fresh air alongside the parks.
Where should you go shopping?
The Val d’Europe area has two very different shopping destinations, both easy to reach from the park.
Centre commercial Val d’Europe
The Centre commercial Val d’Europe, in Serris, is a large indoor shopping centre one RER A stop from the resort, about 5 minutes away. You’ll find around 190 shops, a hypermarket, lots of restaurants, plus the SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe aquarium and the Imagi Park complex. It’s the handy place to pick up groceries, have lunch or keep busy on a rainy day, all indoors.
Who it’s for: everyone, especially families looking for an indoor day out.
La Vallée Village
La Vallée Village is a designer outlet village in Serris, right next to Val d’Europe (about 10 minutes away). It has over 110 big-brand stores at reduced prices, along an open-air street. A shuttle bus runs there on some days. It’s the place for bargains if you like designer brands.
Who it’s for: shoppers and bargain hunters.
Sport and the outdoors
To catch your breath between two days of rides, the area also has plenty of ways to get active in the fresh air, from a round of golf to a waterside walk.
Golf Paris Val d’Europe
Golf Paris Val d’Europe is a 27-hole course in Val d’Europe, a few minutes from the resort. It suits every level, from beginners to experienced players, and it’s a pleasant change of pace if you want some variety during your stay.
Who it’s for: golfers, beginners and regulars alike.
A walk along the Marne
The river Marne runs right through the area and offers lovely walks and bike rides along the water. You can have a picnic, head to leisure parks such as Jablines or Vaires-sur-Marne, or stop at a riverside guinguette (an open-air café). It’s a free day out in the countryside, perfect for unwinding after the bustle of the parks.
Who it’s for: walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants a calm, free break.
Day trips
If you’re staying several days, three destinations are worth a full day, each with a feel all of its own.
Paris
From Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, the RER A takes you straight to central Paris in about 35 to 40 minutes. It’s the easiest day trip to organise: you add a day to your trip to see monuments and museums, without changing stations or taking the car. Ideal if it’s also your first time in the capital.
Who it’s for: anyone who wants to combine the parks with a day of sightseeing in Paris.
Provins
Provins is a medieval town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 45 minutes from the resort. You’ll discover ramparts, underground passages, knight shows and a medieval market. It’s a day trip into a completely different world, with a historical side that children and adults both love.
Who it’s for: history lovers and families looking for something different.
Parc Astérix
Parc Astérix, in Plailly, is a theme park built around the Gauls, about 50 minutes from the resort. It focuses on rollercoasters and shows, with a very different identity from Disneyland Paris. Be aware that it isn’t open all year round: it closes for part of the autumn and winter, so check its calendar if your trip falls out of season.
Who it’s for: thrill seekers.
Which outing suits you?
Not all of these outings suit everyone: it depends on who you are and who you’re travelling with. Here’s how I’d match them.
First visit: stay in the parks, you’ll already have plenty to fill your days. Save these outings for another trip.
With a baby: SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe (short, sheltered, pushchair-friendly), a walk along the Marne and Villages Nature for the pool. Proper calm breaks.
With a child: Parc des Félins and Parrot World for the animals, Imagi Park on rainy days.
With a teen: Parc Astérix for big thrills, La Vallée Village for shopping, a day in Paris.
With friends: Parc Astérix, an evening at Imagi Park, a day in Paris.
As a couple: Provins and its medieval setting, a day in Paris, golf or a waterside walk.
Accessibility: indoor, step-free outings are the easiest, such as SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe, the Val d’Europe shopping centre or Imagi Park.
My advice for planning your outings
Frequently asked questions
01 What is there to do around Disneyland Paris outside the parks?
There’s no shortage of options nearby: animal parks such as Parrot World or the Parc des Félins, the SEA LIFE Paris Val d’Europe aquarium, the Imagi Park leisure complex, the Villages Nature water park, shopping at Val d’Europe and La Vallée Village, golf, walks along the Marne or day trips to Paris, Provins and Parc Astérix.
02 How do I get to Paris from Disneyland Paris?
The RER A runs directly from Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station to central Paris in about 35 to 40 minutes, with no change. It’s the easiest way to add a day of sightseeing in the capital to your trip.
03 Can you go shopping near Disneyland Paris?
Yes, there are two places in Serris. The Val d’Europe shopping centre is a large indoor centre with around 190 shops, a hypermarket and restaurants. La Vallée Village is an outlet village with over 110 discounted shops. Both are a few minutes from the resort.
