Disneyland Paris With Toddlers: Honest Tips, Rides & What to Expect
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Visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler can feel equal parts exciting and slightly terrifying. Will they cope with the crowds? Are there enough rides they can go on? And is it really worth the money when they’re still so little?
We visited Disneyland Paris with our (almost) three year old and it was far more toddler friendly than I expected. Yes, there are challenges, but with the right planning it can be an incredibly magical first Disney trip.
👉 View my Disneyland Paris travel guide page for help with planning your trip.
This post covers everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland Paris with toddlers, including rides, queues, prams, naps, food, and practical tips that actually help.
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Is Disneyland Paris good for toddlers?
In short, yes – absolutely.
Disneyland Paris is one of the most toddler friendly theme parks we’ve visited. While there are of course rides they’re too small for, there’s still so much for little ones to see and do. From gentle attractions and colourful themed areas to character encounters and shows, there’s plenty to keep toddlers entertained.
There’s also a good mix of indoor and outdoor rides, which really helps when little legs (or patience) start to fade.
We visited Disneyland Paris in February, which made it even easier with a toddler thanks to quieter crowds.
Best age to take a toddler to Disneyland Paris
There’s no “perfect” age for Disney, but watching our two (almost three) year old’s face when she saw her favourite characters was genuinely one of the highlights of the trip. That kind of magic is something you really only get at this age.
For toddlers:
> Characters feel very real
> Gentle rides are exciting, not boring
> They don’t need to do everything
> Shorter days still feel magical
Our daughter didn’t care about missing big rides. She cared about waving at characters and riding It’s a Small World again… and again.
Best rides at Disneyland Paris for toddlers
There are loads of rides suitable for toddlers, especially around Fantasyland.
Toddler friendly rides we loved
> It’s a Small World – our daughter’s absolute favourite. A gentle boat ride through colourful scenes from around the world. She had the song on repeat for weeks after we got home.
> Peter Pan’s Flight – a dark ride taking you from London to Neverland. Brilliant, but queues can be long. A good one for Extra Magic Hour if you’re staying on site.
> Dumbo the Flying Elephant – a classic spinning ride that’s been part of Disney parks since the 1950s.
> Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast – interactive and fun, even for younger children.
> Le Pays des Contes de Fées – a lovely outdoor boat ride through storybook scenes.
> Casey Jr. Circus Train – a gentle train ride through Storybook Land.
> Pirates of the Caribbean – an indoor boat ride that most toddlers cope with well.
> Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy – an immersive 4D ride where you wear 3D glasses.
> Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure – an interactive ride where you “shoot” webs and rack up points.
Most of these rides have no height restrictions and are gentle enough for younger children.
Tip: darker rides like Pirates or Ratatouille can feel intense for some toddlers, so it’s worth gauging their reactions as you go.
Queuing with a toddler
Queues are one of the biggest worries when visiting Disneyland with a toddler.
Shorter queues make a huge difference, which is why travelling outside peak season works so well. When queues were longer, snacks, simple games and distractions made all the difference. Eye Spy got us through most queues over the three days, although at her age we played a colour version instead (“Can you spot something red?”). The Hokey Cokey also came out more than once!
Tips for queuing with a toddler
> Always do a toilet stop before joining a long line
> Bring snacks for waiting
> Play simple games like Eye Spy
> Talk about the ride you’re queuing for to build excitement
Prams and strollers at Disneyland Paris
If you’re visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler, a pram or stroller is essential.
Even if your toddler doesn’t usually use one at home, the walking here is intense. Ours walked for parts of the day but relied on the pram for naps and later afternoons. It was also invaluable for storage.
We did keep everything inside bags and took valuables with us onto rides. We’d read about pram theft, although we didn’t experience anything ourselves. We also kept the rain cover on even when it wasn’t raining, which helped keep blankets and bags secure.
What to know about prams
> There is designated pram parking outside rides
> You usually can’t take prams into ride queues
> Bring a rain cover just in case
> Keep valuables with you at all times
Each ride usually has shelves or storage areas once inside.
Where to fit in naps
One of the biggest benefits of visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler is that you don’t need to rush.
We built our days around:
> Morning rides
> Lunch and indoor breaks
> Afternoon naps in the pram
> Shorter evenings
The pram was a lifesaver for naps as it meant we didn’t have to go back to the hotel. We were also travelling with my partner’s mum, so she stayed with our daughter during nap time while we snuck off to enjoy a couple of rollercoasters. We stayed on site in Hotel Cheyenne (read our Hotel Cheyenne review here) which was also an advantage for naps as it was just a 15 minute walk.
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Indoor rides and sit down meals were a welcome break when energy dipped.
Food and meal plans with toddlers
Food is surprisingly easy with toddlers at Disneyland Paris, especially if you use the buffet restaurants.
Eating with a toddler
> Buffets are ideal for fussy eaters
> Under threes eat free at buffet restaurants
> High chairs are widely available
> Staff were always helpful
We found sit down meals were a really welcome break from walking and queues. Some restaurants need booking months in advance, so it’s worth researching and reserving as soon as you book your trip.
👉 Disneyland Paris meal plan review
What to pack for Disneyland Paris with a toddler
Packing well makes everything easier.
Toddler essentials to bring
> Snacks and refillable water bottles
> Spare clothes
> Hat, gloves or sunhat depending on the season
> Blanket or footmuff for naps
> A small medical kit (there’s no chemist on site)
We were very glad we packed Calpol and plasters after a nasty fall on our first day.
Character meets with toddlers
This was one of the most magical parts of the trip.
Characters roam around the parks, and seeing them up close felt incredibly special for our daughter. You don’t need to queue for every meet to make it memorable – sometimes a wave as they walk past is enough. That said, we did queue to meet Jessie and it was completely worth it.
We also booked character dining and offset the cost against our meal plan. We chose breakfast, which worked perfectly. The interactions didn’t feel rushed at all, and she had plenty of time with each character. If you’re on the fence about booking, I’d say go for it.
Tip: mornings tend to be calmer for character encounters.
Challenges of visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler
It’s not perfect, and it’s worth being realistic.
Challenges to expect
> Cold or tired toddlers melt down faster
> You’ll do few rides than on an adults only trip
> Extra layers slow everything down
> Shorter days mean prioritising activities
> Queues feel ten times longer to a toddler
None of this ruined the trip. It just meant adjusting expectations.
Is Disneyland Paris worth it with a toddler? Honest verdict
Yes. Without hesitation.
Disneyland Paris is genuinely brilliant for toddlers if you plan around their pace. You don’t need to rush, you don’t need to do everything, and you don’t need late nights for it to feel magical.
Seeing the wonder on your child’s face makes it completely worth it.
👉 For help with planning, visit my Disneyland Paris travel guide.
FAQs about Disneyland Paris with toddlers
Final thoughts
If you’re on the fence about visiting Disneyland Paris with a toddler, my advice is simple: go for it.
Plan slower days, pack well, embrace naps and snacks, and focus on the magic rather than ticking off rides. It’s a trip you’ll remember just as much as they will.
More Disneyland related blog posts:
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