At a glance
Based on the unbirthday party scene from the movie Alice in Wonderland, this ride invites guests to climb into oversized teacups. Shrunk down to the size of a tea set, the party guests whirl around at a wild pace.
The ride is made up of eighteen teacups spread across one large rotating platform, which itself carries three smaller platforms turning the other way. Each cup has a center wheel that lets riders control and speed up the spin of their own vehicle, so everyone picks how intense it gets.
The ride’s architecture stands out thanks to a large Baltard-style glass roof that lets daylight in and keeps guests sheltered. The surrounding landscaping includes topiaries shaped like characters such as the water dragon and the caterpillar.
Once night falls, the atmosphere changes completely as dozens of colorful lanterns hanging from the roof frame light up, echoing the zany look of the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
The spinning teacups under the canopy. Giant cups that riders spin themselves by turning the center wheel, all sheltered under a colorful canvas roof. You set the dizziness level entirely, from a gentle twirl to a full-on spin. The setting is inspired by the unbirthday tea party in Alice.
History
Opened on April 12, 1992 along with the park, Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups is the Disneyland Paris version of the Mad Tea Party, which has spun at Disneyland Anaheim since 1955, then at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom (1971), Tokyo Disneyland (1983), Hong Kong Disneyland (2005), and Shanghai Disneyland (2016). It’s based on the movie Alice in Wonderland (1951), and in Paris it sits under a canopy.
Technical specs
- Duration
- 1 min 30
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Spinning ride
- Opening date April 12, 1992
- Duration 1 min 30
- Number of cups 18
- Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering
- Inspired by Mad Tea Party (Disneyland California 1955)
- Riders per cup 5
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact moderate
- Perceived wait moderate
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors not recommended
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
- You control the spin speed with the wheel
- Gorgeous to look at after dark
- Distinctive architecture with a glowing glass roof
The downsides
- The dizziness can be too much for some
- You can lose your sense of direction
My verdict
Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups has 18 giant teacups, and in each one the riders decide how hard it spins using a wheel in the middle. It sits under a colorful canopy themed to the unbirthday party from Alice in Wonderland. The ride lasts 1 min 30.
My real tip is to ride it, or ride it again, after dark: the lanterns above the ride light up and the whole scene looks spectacular. Be careful if you get dizzy easily or just ate, because the spinning can get too intense. And yes, you can choose not to turn the wheel at all, and it’s still a pleasant ride.
Best time to go
Based on this ride’s wait time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
You’ll find Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups in Fantasyland, close to Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.
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.
