Disneyland Paris is a huge amusement park, with over 50 attractions, more than 70 restaurants, 15 shows and parades, and countless characters, decorations, and magical moments. The park features extreme roller coasters alongside calm attractions for the whole family, upscale restaurants alongside fast food stalls, and plenty of experiences you don’t want to miss. You can spend several days there without getting bored, but sometimes a short trip can allow you to squeeze in a quick visit to the park.
Since I started writing about Disney, one of the questions I get asked the most is “Can you do Disney in one day?” The answer is yes, but you need to know how. After more than six visits to Disney parks around the world, four of them in Paris, and several weeks of my life spent there in total, I have gathered all the essential information for a short visit to Disneyland Paris, without breaking the bank and without missing a thing.
In this post:
Can Disneyland Paris be done in just one day?
In general – it is possible, but not really advisable. If you have to choose between one day at Disney or not at all, it’s better to take one day. If you can extend the visit to two or three days – you will enjoy much more and have the opportunity to experience many more things. There is so much to do in the park, with numerous attractions, shows, and other entertainment options – and a one-day visit is usually accompanied by a lot of pressure and rushing. Part of the fun in amusement parks is to stroll and enjoy the atmosphere, as well as the less trivial experiences like parades, performances, and photo opportunities with characters. When you try to do it all in one day, sometimes spontaneity gets replaced by stress, and that’s a shame. On the other hand, there are many rides that may not be the “first choice,” but they are definitely worthwhile and should not be overlooked. Another important consideration is that after roller coasters, you sometimes need time to recover. Along with queues and recovery time, each ride can take longer than you might think… When there is no rush to experience three roller coasters within an hour, your day will be much more relaxed and with less queasiness.
In short, if you can only come for one day, keep in mind that you won’t be able to see everything, so adjust your expectations to avoid disappointment, but also not to spend the day in a rush.
Which park to visit if I only have one day?
In Disneyland Paris, there are two parks, the main park and the studios. You can read more about them in our post with everything you need to know about Disneyland Paris. Typically, if you only have one day in Disneyland Paris, we recommend going to the main park. First and foremost, it features the famous and beloved castle, which is definitely worth not missing. Additionally, it offers a good combination of extreme attractions (such as the Star Wars roller coasters and the Thunder Mountain), cool family-friendly attractions (like the Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Buzz Lightyear), and classic attractions (like It’s a Small World, Pinocchio, and Peter Pan). In short, it has it all.
The only thing missing in the main park is Marvel. If you are a big fan of the MCU heroes, it’s worth considering going to the Studios Park where the Avengers area is located (and maybe spending a night at the Marvel Hotel in the park complex). Additionally, there are future plans to develop a large “Frozen” area and there is already a Pixar area there today. So, if you also really love those, it might be worth focusing on the Studios or purchasing a combined ticket.
Although the two parks are relatively close to each other, in practice, transitioning between one attraction in the main park to another in the studio could take up to fifteen minutes or more of walking. Therefore, if you are short on time, it is better to focus on one of them. If you have chosen to visit both, make the transition only once. If there is a closing show that you would like to see, it is worth ending your day in the park where it is scheduled.
What can you accomplish in one day?
The best tip we have is to plan ahead, review all the attractions, and choose the one or two that you want the most. During your visit, make sure to experience them fully, and that way you will leave the happiest. It’s worth checking out the complete list on the Disney website. If you were asking me, at the main park, I would do the following attractions:
- Hyper Space Mountain
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Les Voyages de Pinocchio
- it’s a small world
- Phantom Manor
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
It is also worth choosing one or two characters and taking pictures with them. Beyond the adorable souvenir, it is an experience for both children and adults. Although it may sound a bit childish, Disney knows how to tickle our cynicism very well. I’m not sure I would stand in line for two hours to take a picture in the Princess Pavilion or in Mickey’s dressing room. But there are plenty of cute characters with much shorter queues. Taking a photo with Stitch, for example, in the entrance area of the main park can be very nice. In the studio, you can also take pictures with Buzz Lightyear and other characters from the Toy Story. Note that each character is available for a limited time, it is worth checking in the app or at the photo booth itself. Another photo spot with secret characters is located near the Casey Jr. train ride, where famous characters arrive as a surprise and without much queue at all. This spot is not on the map, but if there is a character there, you will see it from the entrance to the train and the adjacent boat ride.
Why should you stay for the Disney finale show?
It is highly recommended not to miss the closing show in front of the castle, as well as the Avengers’ final show if it is taking place. The closing show is very impressive, featuring a grand projection on the castle, fireworks, pyrotechnics, lasers, and many other surprises. It’s even worth arriving before the show to secure a spot. Some people settle near the castle an hour and a half before the closing show, but if you are only coming for one day, we would recommend arriving at least 15 minutes before the show. You can still see the show well from a distance, but the closer you are, the better.
Also the parades during the afternoon and evening are equally worth seeing and we wouldn’t miss them. However, some of the parades repeat themselves, and you don’t have to see the same show twice (although it’s fun, isn’t it?). Keep in mind that during the parades, the lines to the attractions are a bit emptier, so it’s worth taking advantage of it if the parades are less appealing to you or heading towards the next ride a few minutes before the parade disperses.
Where should I eat when I’m in a hurry?
Disney offers a wide variety of restaurants, at different levels and with different styles.
If you are visiting for one day, it’s advisable not to spend a lot of time at one of the fancy restaurants, but rather go to one of the fast-food restaurants in the park. The food there is not of low quality, and even when we have plenty of time in the park, we prefer to eat there. There are 15 such restaurants in the park, each designed in a completely different style, with a completely different menu and experience. We really love Hakuna Matata, where you can eat African food (mostly chicken and vegetarian), Cowboy Cookout Barbecue, Cafe Hyperion, and also at Stark Factory. Note that in some restaurants, you can order food through the Disney app without standing in line and save time.
There is also the Disney Village, a very large complex of restaurants and shops next to the park, but since it is further away from the rides, we wouldn’t waste time walking there (not to mention that most of the restaurants there, you can also eat in outside of Disney). However, it is worth buying breakfast there, and you can also eat there after the park (but note that the schedule of the trains back to Paris allows for that, if you rely on them).
I wouldn’t give up on snacking and treats in the shape of Mickey, it’s one of the most fun experiences in the park. There are carts and stalls throughout the park selling such items. I really like the Mickey-shaped marshmallow, but there are almost every type of snack you can think of. It can be a nice solution to postpone a meal a bit. These treats are really beautiful and well-made, but keep in mind that the prices correspond accordingly.
Where to Buy Tickets for a One-Day Visit?
First of all, we highly recommend you to read our comprehensive guide on Disneyland Paris tickets, which provides a detailed overview of all available ticket options. When visiting for a single day, there are several reliable websites to check. Each site offers slightly different prices on any given date.
First and foremost, you can check the official website of Disneyland Paris. The tickets offered there come with options for cancellation and date changes up to a few days before arrival.
In addition to the official website, there are several other websites that sell tickets parallel to the park. The two most popular ones are the website Klook and the website GetYourGuide. It’s worth checking them thoroughly. Pay attention to whether you are choosing a ticket that can be canceled later or not, as it can affect the price, but it’s not suitable for everyone.
Can tickets be purchased on the same day?
In many days, the park is sold out in advance, so it is not always possible to buy tickets for the same day. On the official website, you cannot buy tickets for the same day, but on some days you can buy tickets for the same day on parallel websites.
- Klook and choose the same day booking option
- GetYourGuide, choose the current day as the date and choose the Same-Day Entrance option
Take into account that you should order the tickets approximately one hour before entering the park, as it takes time for the tickets to update at the park. In any case, we highly recommend buying them in advance so that you don’t miss out and to ensure that the tickets don’t run out.
How to get from Paris to Disneyland?
Despite its name, Disneyland Paris is not located in Paris itself, but in a small town called Chessy near Paris. The park is about a 40-minute train ride from the center of Paris, and also about a 40-minute drive. If you’re renting a car, there is paid parking available at the park (costing 30 euros).
You can also take a taxi to the park, but the preferred option for us is the train – simply because it takes you right to the entrance of the park, and its operating hours are very convenient for those visiting the park. The station is called Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, and the train that goes through the center of Paris is RER A. Please note that you need to purchase the appropriate ticket, and not every weekly pass is suitable for this trip.
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