Disneyland Paris - Getting around resort

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.