Disneyland Paris planning guide for first time visitors (with kids)
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
Planning your first trip to Disneyland Paris can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it with children in mind. Between tickets, hotels, meal plans and trying to work out how much you can realistically fit into a few days, it’s easy to feel like you might get something wrong.
I was a first time visitor when we went. I’d been to Disney in Orlando as a child, but that was a long time ago and felt like a completely different experience. This trip was about seeing Disney through my daughter’s eyes for the first time and planning it in a way that actually worked for her age and what she’d enjoy.
That’s the perspective this guide is written from: practical, realistic and family-focused, without overcomplicating things.
Compare Disneyland ticket prices and lock in the best prices ahead of your trip.
👉 Compare prices with Get your Guide
👉 Compare prices with Viator
Is Disneyland Paris good for first time visitors?
Yes, and that’s one of the reasons it works so well for families.
Compared to the US parks, Disneyland Paris is far more manageable. It’s compact, easy to navigate and much less intimidating on a first visit. You don’t need weeks of planning or a packed itinerary to enjoy it, and you can see and do a lot in just a few days.
If you’re visiting with children or toddlers, that smaller scale is a huge advantage. You don’t need to do everything. The magic comes from just enjoying the atmosphere and choosing experiences that suit your family rather than chasing every ride.
When is the best time to visit Disneyland Paris?
There isn’t one perfect time to visit; it really depends on what matters most to you.
We chose to visit in February because it was just before our daughter’s third birthday, but the lack of crowds turned out to be one of the biggest positives of the trip. With a toddler, the quieter parks made everything easier. Fewer queues, less waiting around and far fewer overstimulating moments meant we could enjoy the parks at her pace.
February isn’t about warm weather or big seasonal events. It’s about space. You can move more freely, take breaks without feeling like you’re missing out and actually enjoy the experience rather than rushing from ride to ride.
👉 Read: Disneyland Paris in February
Busier times like Easter, summer holidays and Christmas are still very doable, but expectations need to shift. Crowds are heavier, prices are higher and planning becomes more important. For first-time visitors who value calm over spectacle, the quieter months can be a brilliant choice.
How many days do you need at Disneyland Paris?
We stayed for two nights, which gave us three full park days, and it was plenty for our almost three year old.
By planning our flights carefully, we were able to get into the parks on the day we arrived and again on the day we flew home. That made a huge difference and meant we didn’t feel like we were losing time to travel days.
Three days gave us the chance to revisit favourite rides and still head back to the hotel when our daughter needed a rest. For a first visit with a toddler, it felt like the perfect balance between seeing enough and not overdoing it.
Choosing a hotel for your first Disneyland Paris trip
For a first visit, staying on site made the whole experience feel much easier.
We stayed at Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne, which is one of the more affordable Disney hotels but still gives you all the on site perks. The biggest one for us was Extra Magic Time, and we made the most of it every morning.
Those early hours were easily some of our favourite moments of the trip. The parks were much quieter, queues were short and we were able to enjoy popular rides without any stress. Starting the day calmly made everything else feel more manageable, especially with a toddler.
Being able to walk or grab the shuttle bus back to the hotel when we needed a break was also invaluable. It meant naps and early nights were all easy options rather than logistical headaches.
Tickets and planning the parks
For most first time visitors, booking a hotel and ticket package is the simplest option. Tickets are usually multi day, cover both parks and are automatically linked to your hotel stay.
Disneyland Paris has two parks: Disneyland Park (the classic castle park) and Walt Disney Studios Park. Most families spend the majority of their time in Disneyland Park and dip into the Studios Park for part of a day.
You don’t need a strict itinerary. Having a loose plan helps, but flexibility matters far more, especially when visiting with young children.
Is the Disneyland Paris meal plan worth it?
Food is one of the biggest worries for first time visitors, particularly families.
The Disneyland Paris meal plan can work well if you like knowing meals are paid for in advance and want to avoid constant budgeting decisions during your trip. It can also make days feel smoother when you’re juggling nap times and hungry children.
That said, it isn’t right for everyone. Some families prefer flexibility or eat lightly, and in those cases the meal plan may not offer as much value. It really comes down to how you like to travel.
Visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler
Disneyland Paris is far more toddler friendly than many people expect.
There are plenty of gentle rides, baby care centres, buggy friendly paths and indoor attractions where you can slow the pace when needed. Rider Switch is also helpful if adults want to take turns on rides.
The biggest thing is managing expectations. Shorter days, naps and choosing rides your toddler will actually enjoy make a huge difference to how relaxed the trip feels.
What to pack for your first Disneyland Paris trip
Packing doesn’t need to be complicated, but a few small choices made things much easier for us.
One tip that worked really well was packing a small suitcase inside a larger one on the way out. We packed clothes around it so it didn’t take up extra space. On the way home, we paid for an extra cabin bag, which gave us plenty of room for teddies and birthday treats we’d bought for our daughter.
Comfortable shoes, layers and a small backpack for park days are far more important than overpacking outfits. If you’re visiting outside summer, warm layers are especially useful as many queues are outdoors.
Common first time Disneyland Paris mistakes
The most common mistake first time visitors make is trying to do too much.
It’s easy to over plan or feel like you need to see everything in one go. In reality, Disneyland Paris is far more enjoyable when you leave room for flexibility, rest breaks and repeating the things your children actually love.
Is Disneyland Paris worth it for first time visitors?
For UK families, Disneyland Paris is an excellent first Disney experience.
It’s manageable, magical without being overwhelming and easy to plan with the right expectations. You don’t need to be a Disney expert, just a little prepared and willing to slow down.
FAQs – Disneyland Paris for first time visitors
Final thoughts
Disneyland Paris doesn’t need military level planning to be enjoyable, especially on your first visit. With realistic expectations and a bit of preparation, it can be a genuinely magical trip for the whole family.
If you’re still planning, these guides will help next:
👉 Disneyland Paris Travel Guide
👉 Disneyland Paris in February
👉 Visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler
👉 Is the Disneyland Paris meal plan worth it?
👉 Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne review
Ready to plan your Disney trip?
Compare the best deals on tickets, hotels, flights and transfers with these services we use and trust.
More Disneyland related blog posts:
Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne Disneyland Paris Review: Is It Worth It for Families?
Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne Review: Is It Worth It for Families? Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. If you’re looking for a budget friendly Disney hotel at Disneyland Paris, Hotel…
Is the Disneyland Paris Meal Plan Worth It? Our Honest Family Review
Is the Disneyland Paris Meal Plan Worth It? Our Honest Family Review Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris with kids, start…
Disneyland Paris With Toddlers: Honest Tips, Rides & What to Expect
Disneyland Paris With Toddlers: Honest Tips, Rides & What to Expect Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler can feel equal parts exciting and…
Disneyland Paris in February: What to Expect (Weather, Crowds & Family Tips)
Disneyland Paris in February: What to Expect (Weather, Crowds & Family Tips) Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Visiting Disneyland Paris in February can feel like a bit of…