Feeling overwhelmed but Disneyland Paris (DLP) jargon? don't worry I am here to break it all down for you! In this blog I will be talking about the resort itself! Ever heard the terms "main park, Offsite, Onsite, The village, Studios, The lake" and thought what on earth are they going on about? Not any more!
Also a massive barrier to getting your feet quick enough to not waste precious hours is if you have been to WDW (Walt Disney World) in Florida...it takes easily upto an hour to park hop there and probably at least 2 modes of transport so it is no wonder people look at me funny when I say "start at Disneyland then pop to studios and then go back to Disneyland for fireworks" in Florida that would be a few thousand steps and at least a couple of hours on transporting your selves there and back!
This is what gives Disneyland Paris an edge for me (let's face it if they built and Epcot and had Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at DLP I wouldn't really need to lug myself on a 9 hour flight again!)
So first things first....there are 2 parks at DLP. The "Main park" - Disneyland (The equivilant of Magic Kingdom. And the 2nd park Disney Studios (Think Hollywood Studios) They are both within the "Disney Bubble" (Through security) and are linked to the Disney Village - more on that later.
Disneyland Park:
If you want "The Castle" then this is the park you need to head to! Walking underneath the Disneyland hotel (Pink Palace) you will find the turnstiles to scan your ticket. NOTE: if you or someone you are travelling with has a disability look to the right of the hotel and spot the disability signage to head to a dedicated and often MUCH quieter line of entry to the park. In the same area you will also find a luggage store which you can use at reasonable rates for the day (if staying in a Disney hotel you have a free bag storage area)
Once through the turnstiles you will head through a courtyard and underneath the Disney Railroad station. Once through turn back round and you may be lucky enough to see Mickey and Minnie waving to you! And then you will see it.... Main street! In the middle of the round about you will see the pavillion...Take a moment and get the perfect framed shot of the castle just like this
Disneyland Park is split into 5 zones...
1. Main Street, U.S.A
This area covers from the entrance of the park to the castle. You will find shops and eateries lined all the way down. The parade comes up Main street and people will line the sides around 30 minutes before it is due to start. TOP TIP: standing at the "Bottom" of main street nearest the exit/Entrance will give a great view of the parade as it is the last section. People prefer to watch it closer to the castle so it won't be crowded and it is quite possible that you will get better character interaction as they have less people to interact with!
2. Discovery land
To the right of the castle is Discovery land (WDW Tomorrowland) where you will find the following rides and attractions
Autopia
Buzz lightyear Lazer Blast
Orbitron
Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain
Star Tours the Adventure
Welcome to Starport: A Star Wars Encounter (Character meet)
Les Mystères du Nautilus
Mickey’s PhilharMagic (show)
Cafe Hyperion - Grab a burger or watch classic disney films (a great place to rest)
3. Fantasy Land
To the right and behind the castle is the start of Fantasy land the home of nostalgia and Disney classics such as:
It's a Small world (The parade starts from this point if you want to be the first to see it and move on stand near here)
Snow white
Peter pan's flight
Pinoccio
Mad hatters tea cups
Dumbo
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
Casey Jr. train
Le Carrousel de Lancelot
Princess Pavilion - Princess character meet
Mickey's Magical Theatre - Mickey Meet and greet
4. Adventure Land
Adventure land hosts lots of places to avoid queues and burn off some energy or seek quieter spaces!
Aladdins Passage
Pirates beach - Play area
Pirates ride
Indiana Jones and the temple of peril
Adventure Isle - Play area
Robinson Crusoes Tree house
Pirate Galleon
Lion King (Show)
5. Frontier Land
Frontier Land is a welcoming Wild West experience
Frontierland Playground
Big Thunder Mountain
Phantom Manor
Thunder Mesa Riverboat
DON'T FORGET! The castle at DLP is one of the only ones that has things to see and do inside! Walk through and LOOK UP! take the stair case to view the incredible stain glass windows. The Christmas Shop is open all year round so grab a bauble to remember your trip! You can also make a beautiful Glass wand!
Under the castle: Can you find the "Sleeping Dragon"?
Fireworks show is nightly at park closing time.
Disney Studios
Right next door to the Disneyland Park you will find the entrance to Studios. The landmark here may not be a castle but the Hotel Tower of Terror towers over the park and for the brave it is not to be missed! Hosting Pixar and Marvel characters this park often gets dubbed a "Half day park" but I totally disagree! Once again Disability entrance is to the right just look out for the signs
Again the park has 5 zones.
1.Front Lot - The Entrance
Character meets (Previously I have seen Pluto/Goofy/Donald and Daisy in this area)
Shops and buggy hire are located here
Studio one - walk through here to feel the Hollywood glamour with amazing props
2. Production Courtyard
Disney Junior Dream Factory - show
Stitch Live - Show
Stand here for the nightly show projected onto the Tower of Terror
3. Marvel Avengers Campus
Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
Head to the courtyard to see Guardians of the Galaxy Dance offs, Warriors of Wakanda and Marvel heros (Look up and you may just see the gymnastics of your favourite heros)
4. Toon Studio
Flying carpets - Currently closed
Cars Quatre Roues Rallye
Animation Academy - try your hand at drawing your own Disney character
Frozen - Show
Mickey and the Magician - Show
Crushes Coaster (This ride consistently has the longest queue - head here in Magic hour or late at night)
5. Worlds of Pixar
Ratatouille
Slinky Dog
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop
Rc Racer
Cars Road Trip
Whilst Studios doesn't have "Parades" It is not unusual to see your favourite Pixar characters on "Mobiles" in Production courtyard.
A nightly light show is on every night at park closing.
Whilst there aren't as many rides in this park there are LOTS of photo opportunities here and incredible shows here are a few of my favourites from a trip in October 2023
If you have anyone within your party who may be eligible for Access Passes for Disabilities please see my other blog to find out how to apply and how to use it at both parks.
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