At a glance
Le Pays des Contes de Fées is a relaxed scenic ride that carries guests through a maze of canals. Aboard small boats bearing the names of Disney heroines, riders glide past a series of landscapes and buildings in miniature at 1/12 scale, depicting classic stories.
Giant books line the route and introduce each scene. Among the scenes you’ll spot are the Seven Dwarfs’ cottage, Rapunzel’s tower, Prince Eric’s castle, Aladdin’s Cave of Wonders, and Belle’s village.
Animated figures and carefully trimmed greenery bring the scenes to life. Unlike the California version, the boats here run with no narrator on board, guided by underwater rails.
The ride is intertwined with the Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque route, giving you a second angle on the miniature sets in this quiet corner of Fantasyland.
The canal ride past miniature worlds. A small guided boat drifts past scaled-down sets of the castles and villages from Disney stories, from Pinocchio’s mill to the Little Mermaid’s grotto. Its slow, soothing pace makes it a favorite for catching your breath between rides. The model details are worth a close look.
History
Le Pays des Contes de Fées opened on March 26, 1994, two years after the park. It’s the Disneyland Paris version of the Storybook Land Canal Boats created for Disneyland in Anaheim in 1955. In August 2024, new scenes based on Frozen and Up joined the route.
Technical specs
- Duration
- 5 min
- Opened
- 1994
- Type Boat ride
- Opening date March 26, 1994
- Duration 5 min
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
- Inspiration Storybook Land Canal Boats (Disneyland California 1956)
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact low
- Perceived wait moderate
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors OK to ride
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
This ride has no Single Rider line. If you want to cut your wait, rely on Premier Access or get there at park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
This ride stays closed during Extra Magic Time and only opens when the park does.
Who it’s made for
Pros and cons
The highlights
- A calm, relaxing ride
- The fine detail of the miniature models
- The new scenes added recently
The downsides
- Outdoors with no cover
- Some find the ride too short
- Getting to the back of the park takes a fair bit of walking
My verdict
Le Pays des Contes de Fées is a calm cruise in small boats named after Disney heroines, gliding past miniature sets that recreate the classics. It lasts 5 minutes, there’s no Premier Access, and the models are really carefully detailed. It’s the Disneyland Paris version of the Storybook Land Canal Boats in Anaheim.
I especially love this ride for its slow pace. It’s the ideal break in the middle of a busy day. The new scenes added recently (especially for Frozen and Up) are worth the trip. My tip: the entrance passes under the Disneyland Railroad tracks, so if a train goes by at that moment, look up. Kids always love that detail. Skip it in bad weather, though, since it’s entirely outdoors.
Best time to go
Based on this ride’s wait time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Le Pays des Contes de Fées sits in Fantasyland, close to Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long lines for the most popular rides?
To skip long lines at Disneyland Paris, I mix several strategies. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille, and Spider-Man, as long as you don’t mind boarding apart from your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that guarantees you priority entry on the headline rides. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and that’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without waiting. Last, heading to the busiest rides during a parade or a big show empties the lines dramatically.
02 Are the wait times posted in the park accurate?
Yes, the wait times shown in the app or on the park’s screens are generally accurate. They’re often equal to or slightly longer than the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be under refurbishment during my vacation?
Disneyland Paris posts the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website several weeks ahead of time. Since the parks are open year-round, maintenance crews sometimes work on days the park is open, which leads to temporary closures. My tip: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before you book, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young kids?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can be a bit much for young kids, even with no height requirement. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling moments. La Tanière du Dragon, beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, leans into its ghostly mood and stays pretty intense for little ones. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful scenes and darker ones. I recommend watching how your child reacts before you board.
05 How far ahead does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris shares its list of ride closures about 2 to 3 months ahead. For major rides, the park lets guests know about planned construction at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, since dates can change. That way you won’t get the nasty surprise of finding out on the spot that your favorite ride is closed for refurbishment.
