Christmas Eve at Disneyland Paris: what to expect on 24 December

Yes. Disneyland Paris is open 365 days a year, 24 December included. There’s no special ticket for Christmas Eve night: a ticket dated 24 December, a hotel stay that includes this date, or an annual pass booked for that day is all you need to get in.

The whole resort stays open that day: both parks, the Disney hotels and Disney Village. Opening hours vary from year to year, so I’d recommend checking the official calendar or the Disneyland Paris app when you plan your day, rather than trusting a rumour about the times.

If you spend 24 December at the resort, you get the whole Christmas season: the decorations in the parks (I go into detail in my article on the Christmas decorations), the Christmas parade with Mickey, Minnie, the Princesses and Santa Claus (the Christmas parade) and character meet and greets in festive outfits. For an overview of the season, see my complete guide to Christmas at Disneyland Paris.

As for crowds, 24 December is often a little quieter than the days that follow. Attendance builds steadily from 25 December to New Year’s Day, so Christmas Eve tends to come before that peak. It’s still a busy period, not a quiet day, but it’s a useful pointer if you’re unsure which date to pick. I explain the best times to go in my guide to crowds.

On the 24th, the difference is mostly at the table: many restaurants in the parks and Disney hotels serve a special Christmas menu that evening, by reservation. Booking is strongly recommended, as these tables fill up fast.

These menus cost more than usual. I don’t give prices here because they change every year: the menus and exact prices are published in the Disneyland Paris app a few weeks before the holidays, and that’s where to check them when you book.

Some meals are served with characters (children can meet them during the meal) and cost more than the others.

Among the restaurants that often offer a Christmas menu, I’d mention Auberge de Cendrillon, Plaza Gardens, Bistrot Chez Remy and Captain Jack’s in the parks, and Manhattan Restaurant and Cape Cod in the hotels, among others. The list changes from one year to the next, so check it in the app.

If your hotel stay includes a meal plan (half board or full board), you can usually use it to pay for your Christmas dinner, topping up the difference if the menu costs more than your plan covers. It’s a practical pointer rather than a fixed rule, so I’d recommend confirming it when you book. I explain how these plans work in my guide to the meal plans for hotel stays.