Heading to Disneyland Paris is exciting and magical and we like to plan ahead to make sure everything is perfect for our family visits.
Having visited many times, we’ve learned that a bit of preparation before you go makes all the difference. Think of this as your checklist of everything you need to do in advance of your Disneyland Paris holiday!
1. Book Your Hotel and Tickets as Early as Possible
Accommodation and tickets go hand in hand, so let’s talk about them together. The easiest option (and often the best value) is to book directly with Disneyland Paris as a package. That way, your hotel and park tickets are bundled, and you don’t have to worry about juggling multiple bookings.
We always recommend staying at one of the on-site hotels at Disneyland Paris. There are 6 on-site hotels at Disneyland Paris, ranging from luxury to budget with a variety of Disney-inspired themes. If you book a package directly with Disneyland Paris, it will include your hotel stay and park tickets from check-in day to check-out day. All the hotels are within easy walking distance of the parks and offer free shuttle buses every 12 minutes.Use the price calendar on DisneylandParis.com to find the best rates
Check Disneyland Paris price calendar now
Disneyland Paris Hotel and Tickets Offer
Disneyland Paris is currently offering a fantastic price on hotel and ticket packages for January 2026. You can enjoy a magical weekend break for £106 per person/night based on 2 adults and 2 kids spending 2 nights in Disney Hotel Cheyenne with 3 days of park tickets included. This offer is available for selected Friday arrivals on 9th/16th/23rd and 30th January 2026. That is £841.76 in total including park tickets! Become Part of a Magical World at Disneyland Paris by reserving your stay here.
We’ve visited in January many times and love the lower crowds and wait times. We’ve always been fortunate with clear and sunny winter days and find it easy to stay warm by layering up our clothes.
Check out the January 2026 Disneyland Paris offer
Staying onsite also has serious perks: extra magic hours in the park, themed hotels the kids will love, and the convenience of being right on Disneyland Paris’ doorstep!
2. Download the Disneyland Paris App
This one’s non-negotiable. The Disneyland Paris app is your lifeline in the parks. It is essential to reserve a spot in the Virtual Lines for some of the most popular meet and greets at Disneyland Paris – Mickey Mouse, Stitch, Princess Pavilion, Olaf, Darth Vader, Spider-Man and Marvel Superheroes all need to be reserved through a Virtual Line on the Disneyland Paris app.
The Disneyland Paris app also shows real-time wait times, lets you book dining, helps you find toilets (a top priority if you’ve got little ones), and stores your tickets, dining reservations and hotel booking all in one place – you can even access your room key through the Disneyland Paris App if you are staying onsite.
3. Reserve Dining in Advance
Dining at Disneyland Paris is part of the magic! Table-service restaurants and character dining are extremely popular, and it’s best to reserve them as far in advance as possible to secure your favourites.
One of the biggest perks of staying on-site is that you can reserve dining from the moment you book your hotel and ticket packages. Reservations then open to all other guests from 2 months out, except for the Princess and Character Breakfasts which are available 3 days out – reserve your onsite stay here.
Character meals, like Plaza Gardens, Royal Banquet and Auberge de Cendrillon, are unforgettable experiences (yes, your kids will still talk about it months later!) ubt they book up quickly so reserve as soon as you can.
4. Reserve the Nighttime show
Disneyland Paris now offers the option to pay for reserved viewing for the nighttime spectacular. At €24 per person, this reservation guarantees you access to a dedicated viewing area directly in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The fireworks, fountains, and projections are magical, but the crowds build up well in advance. With the reserved option, you don’t need to stake out a spot hours early—you just turn up around half an hour before and enjoy the show.
If your budget allows, it’s definitely one to book ahead of time.
5. Map Out Your Park Days (Lightly)
I’m not suggesting you schedule every bathroom break, but a rough plan helps enormously. Take a look at the park maps before you go and decide which rides or lands are your family’s top priorities.
For younger kids, Fantasyland will probably be the big hit, while thrill-seekers will make a beeline for Avengers Campus or Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. Having a “must-do” list avoids wandering aimlessly and wasting precious park time.
6. Pack Smart
The weather at Disneyland Paris can be unpredictable. We’ve had trips where we basked in the sunshine and others where we were soaked through by lunchtime. Ponchos, suncream, extra socks, and a small backpack with snacks and water will save your sanity.
7. Book Your Extra Experiences
Disneyland Paris isn’t just about rides and parades. If your budget allows, look into some of the extra experiences that can make your trip truly unforgettable.
- Character dining: Magical and hugely popular. Book early.
- Premier Access: Skip-the-line passes that can save hours on busy days.
- PhotoPass: All your professional ride and character photos in one bundle
- My Royal Dream makeover: If you have a little princess or prince, this experience in the Disneyland Hotel is pure magic. The transformation is complete with costume, hairstyle, and glitter galore. Slots are very limited, so book as early as you can.
These experiences are sure to add something extra-special to your trip.
8. Check the Show and Parade Times
Parades and evening shows are as much a part of Disneyland Paris as the rides. The Disney Stars on Parade and the nighttime spectauclar over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle are absolute highlights.
Make sure you check the schedule ahead of time (the app is best for up-to-date times) so you can plan around them.
9. Get Familiar with Virtual Queues
Disneyland Paris has introduced virtual queues for some of its most popular attractions and shows, and they can make or break your day if you don’t know how they work. These are free to reserve but they require you to join a digital line through the app at specific times.
Slots disappear fast, so you’ll want to be ready with your phone when they open. It’s worth practising in the app before your trip so you know exactly where to find the option and how to secure a spot.
10. Disneyfy Your Suitcase!
One of the best parts of Disneyland Paris is leaning into the magic—and that starts before you even arrive. A little bit of Disney style in your packing can make the trip extra fun for kids and adults alike.
For the kids, think princess dresses, Marvel T-shirts, Disney ears and themed hoodies for cooler evenings. The parks are full of little ones twirling in Princess gowns or bounding along in Buzz Lightyear costumes, and it really adds to the atmosphere. If you’re planning character dining or specific meet and greets, having outfits already packed makes the day even more special.
Adults don’t have to miss out—lots of adults wear Disney T-shirts, ears, and themed sweatshirts. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top; even a fun pair of socks or a backpack with a Disney touch can get you in the spirit.
Don’t forget the practical extras too: comfortable shoes (you’ll walk miles), ponchos, refillable water bottles, and maybe a small blanket or hoodie for evenings when the temperature dips.
Packing a little Disney magic into your suitcase sets the tone for the trip, and the photos you’ll take are priceless. Just make sure to leave some space in your suitcase for all the merch your sure to buy during your visit!
