Disneyland Paris with kids: the complete family guide

Disneyland Paris is one of Europe's dream family destinations, and not by chance: two parks, an enchanted castle, parades, fireworks and characters the kids know from the screen. But without the right planning, it's easy to waste half the day in lines and leave exhausted. Here's everything you need to know so the visit lives up to the magic.

The two parks: what's the difference

Disneyland Paris has two separate parks, side by side. The first, Disneyland Park, is the classic: this is where you'll find the famous castle, Fantasyland and most of the attractions young kids love. The second, Walt Disney Studios Park, focuses more on film and action, and includes Avengers Campus, the area of the Marvel superheroes, which is excellent for older kids and teenagers.

For most families, the first park is the heart of the experience, but if you have older kids or Marvel fans, it's definitely worth adding the second.

How many days

One day is possible but packed: rushing, you'll only get through the highlights of the first park. Two days is the recommended balance: a day for each park, at a pleasant pace and with time for the parade and the fireworks. Three days are for those who want a completely relaxed experience, with repeat rides on favorite attractions.

With kids, two days almost always beat one rushed day.

Where to stay: a Disney hotel or Paris

There are two approaches. Staying at the Disney hotels, inside the resort, is more expensive but comes with a big advantage: early entry to the park (an extra hour before the crowds), plus walking distance to the gates and a themed atmosphere kids love. Staying in Paris and commuting each day, on the other hand, is cheaper and lets you enjoy the city too: the RER A line connects central Paris to the park in about 40 to 45 minutes, and the station (Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy) is right at the entrance.

Tip: if you're coming for two days in a row, a Disney hotel saves precious time in the mornings. If Disneyland is only part of a trip to Paris, staying in the city makes more sense.

When to go

The quietest days are midweek outside French and European school holidays. Spring and fall are pleasant and less crowded, summer is hotter and busier, and winter is cold with short days, but especially magical in the Christmas season, with the decorations and the special parade. Either way, try to avoid weekends and European holidays, when the lines are longest.

Attractions by age

For young kids (up to 6), Fantasyland is paradise: "It's a Small World," Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the carousel and the teacups. Gentle, colorful and nothing scary.

School-age kids (7 to 11) will love the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster, the Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride, the Phantom Manor haunted house and the Star Wars space coaster.

For teenagers, there's Avengers Campus in the second park, Crush's Coaster and the more intense adventures.

And don't forget the emotional part: meeting the characters, the daily parade, and above all the fireworks and light show at the castle at the end of the day, the moment everyone remembers.

Tips to save time and money

First of all, download the official Disneyland Paris app: it shows real-time wait times, maps and the option to order food ahead. On the day, arrive for the opening of the gates (rope drop): the first hour is the emptiest, and it's worth using it for the most popular attractions.

A few more things that save time and money:

• Premier Access is a paid service for skipping the line at selected attractions. Consider it only for busy days and for the attractions that matter most to you, not for everything.
• Buy park tickets in advance: it's cheaper and saves a line at the entrance.
• You can bring snacks from home; one hot meal a day in the park, with the rest from home or the supermarket, saves a lot.
• If you have a toddler, Rider Switch lets both parents ride an attraction in turns, without standing in line twice.

Roughly what it costs

Disneyland isn't cheap: tickets, lodging and food add up. But the biggest expense is often a lack of planning: a wasted day, tickets bought at a premium at the gate, or an unnecessary Premier Access. Planning ahead is what saves both money and nerves.

Disneyland is usually the high point of a family trip abroad rather than the whole trip, and you can build the rest of the frame (how many days, where to sleep and what it costs) with the guide to planning a family trip abroad.

Before you run to the castle

Disneyland is almost always part of a bigger trip: a few days in Paris, and maybe another destination on the way. Diretix builds the frame around the visit for you: days in Paris, age-appropriate attractions, lodging and an estimated budget, all in minutes. One trip a month is built in full, for free, up to 12 days.