Jean Jacket | Crew Neck Tee | Black Jeans | Sneakers | Women’s Head Band | Mickey Sweater | Leather Skirt | Girls Head Band
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to trade in your Mickey ears stateside for a European dose of Disney magic, let me give you the full scoop. We just returned from our very first visit to Disneyland Paris and while it had its differences from Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the U.S., it was truly an unforgettable experience!
Let’s dive into the details of our three-day Disney adventure, plus what we absolutely loved (and a few things that surprised us).
Before we dive in, I have to give a huge shoutout to Kristen’s Magical Vacations. Kristen has helped us plan all of our Disney trips including this magical adventure to Disneyland Paris. Her services are completely free, and she’s an absolute expert when it comes to all things Disney. She takes the time to get to know your family, your budget, and your vacation goals to create an experience that’s both seamless and unforgettable. If you’re thinking about planning a Disney trip (near or far!), I can’t recommend her enough.
Getting There + First Impressions
We took a 6 PM overnight flight out of Chicago and landed in Paris at 9 AM the next morning. A bit groggy but fueled by excitement, we hopped on the Disneyland Paris Express shuttle from the airport a smooth and super convenient option I’d definitely recommend for families. It was easy to find, comfortable, and got us straight to the magic without any stress.
We stayed at Disney’s Newport Bay Club, which is just a short walk to both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. While the hotel was charming in a classic nautical way, the rooms were on the smaller side and the hotel is showing a bit of age but you truly can’t beat the location.
Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived, but we dropped our luggage at the bell desk and made our way to the parks right away.
Day One: A Gentle Start
Mickey Sweater | Leather Skirt | Mouse Ears
Knowing we’d be jet lagged, we purposely kept day one low-key. We took a short shuttle to Disneyland Park and spent the afternoon strolling around, soaking in the layout, snapping photos, and just taking in that dreamy European Disney atmosphere.
For dinner, we had reservations at Walt’s Restaurant, located right on Main Street. Not only was the food delicious, but we had a picture-perfect view of the parade as it rolled right past the windows. It was the perfect magical ending to our first evening.
Then… we crashed. Hard. We all slept a glorious 12 hours and it was everything.
Day Two: The Ultimate Disney Day with Premier Access
This was our big Disney day and let me just say, if you’re going all the way to Paris, get the Premier Access Pass. It allowed us to skip the lines for nearly every ride in both parks, and we rode everything in a single day. No stress, no wasted time. Highly, highly recommend.
We started at Walt Disney Studios, using the Disneyland Paris app to schedule our day and set alerts for the shows we wanted to see (some are in English, others in French, so plan ahead!). Our favorite ride there? Avengers Assemble: Flight Force a thrilling coaster similar to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Florida.
Around 3 PM, we made our way over to Disneyland Park and did all the major rides there, too. Hyperspace Mountain, with its Star Wars overlay, was our absolute favorite.
Dinner that evening was a quick-service stop at Bella Notte in Fantasyland for some cozy Italian fare before heading back to the hotel, completely satisfied with our day.
Day Three: Freestyle Disney Fun
This was one of my favorite days because we had no agenda. We wandered between both parks, re-rode our favorite rides, stopped for snacks (and plenty of photo ops!), watched the daytime parade, and even caught a few shows along the way.
And yes we enjoyed champagne by the castle, because when in Paris, right?
We ended our evening with the nighttime spectacular, and let me tell you it was unreal. A magical blend of castle projections, music, fireworks, water fountains, and an incredible drone show, it truly brought the park to life in the most unforgettable way. You can catch the show from anywhere along Main Street, but for the best experience, try to get as close to the castle as possible. Just a heads up: once the show begins, it’s pretty common for parents to lift their kids onto their shoulders. It’s allowed at Disneyland Paris, and while totally understandable, it can block your view especially if you have little ones of your own trying to see.
Day Three: Freestyle Disney Fun
The slower pace: Unlike Walt Disney World’s go-go-go energy, Disneyland Paris felt more relaxed. People weren’t rushing from ride to ride. It was such a refreshing change.
Polite and helpful cast members: While there were fewer cast members compared to the U.S. parks, every one of them we encountered was kind, helpful, and spoke English.
Recycling efforts: We were so impressed by Disneyland Paris’ commitment to sustainability—no plastic, tons of recycling bins, and cast members stationed to help guests sort waste properly.
The rides! Some of the attractions are even more thrilling than their U.S. counterparts. Plus, the ride queues are gorgeously themed with incredible attention to detail.
What Surprised Us
Let me preface this by saying none of these things would stop me from going again, but they’re worth noting:
- Long lines for food and characters: Ride lines were expected—but I wasn’t ready for how long the waits would be for food and meet-and-greets. Easily double the wait times compared to U.S. parks.
- Smoking sections: While I anticipated some of this, there was a lot of smoking and vaping outside the designated areas, which was a bit of a bummer.
- The food: I devoured every croissant and pastry in sight, but overall, the food didn’t wow me the way Disney dining often does. Don’t skip the sweets though—they’re definitely the highlight
- Fewer rules and procedures: If you’re used to the structured flow of the U.S. parks—like cast members roping off areas early for parades or relocating strollers—you might be a little surprised. At Disneyland Paris, there’s none of that. We were shocked to see that nothing gets roped off ahead of time for shows or fireworks, and strollers? Practically nonexistent. Our kids (ages 8 and 10) are well past stroller age, but we noticed that even toddlers were walking or being worn in carriers. It made the park feel more open and less congested, which we didn’t hate!
Final Thoughts
Our Disneyland Paris trip was a dream come true. From the charming atmosphere to the thrill of exploring a new Disney park, it was a magical experience I would absolutely do again.
If you’re a Disney fan looking to shake things up and explore the parks in a new way—with a sprinkle of Parisian charm—I can’t recommend it enough.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Paris trip!
