Episode #44: Disneyland Paris with Kids: Our Honest Review, Best Rides & Family Travel Tips
Our 4 days in Paris visiting both Disney parks and the city
After an incredible week aboard the Disney Dream sailing through the Mediterranean, it was time for the next stop on our nearly three-week European adventure: Paris! While we love the City of Light, the main reason for this visit was to experience both Disneyland Paris parks with our family of seven.
If you're planning a trip to Disneyland Paris with kids, this guide covers where we stayed, our favorite rides, helpful planning tips, and what we learned during our visit.
If you haven't already, be sure to listen to Episode 42 for our Barcelona adventures before this stop on our European itinerary.
Flying from Barcelona to Paris
Although Europe has an amazing train system, flying made the most sense for our family. The train ride would have taken much longer, and with five kids, the short flight was well worth it.
Before leaving home, I booked a private transfer through Viator to take all eight of us, including my mom, from the airport to our hotel. Having transportation arranged ahead of time made arriving in Paris completely stress-free after a travel day.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Marriott's Village d'Île-de-France, one of the Marriott Vacation Club properties just outside Disneyland Paris.
As Marriott Vacation Club owners, we were able to stay using our ownership benefits, making this an excellent value for our family.
We booked two neighboring two-bedroom townhomes. My mom stayed in one with a few of the kids while the rest of us stayed next door.
This resort was absolutely charming. The buildings, landscaping, and cobblestone pathways felt like something straight out of Beauty and the Beast. It was quiet, beautiful, and incredibly family-friendly.
One of the biggest advantages was the complimentary shuttle to Disneyland Paris. The shuttle took about ten minutes and dropped us off right at Disney Village, making transportation to the parks incredibly easy.
Disneyland Park
Our first park day was Disneyland Park.
The weather forecast called for rain all day, but surprisingly, it ended up being one of our favorite Disney park experiences.
The cooler temperatures kept us comfortable, and the rain meant noticeably lighter crowds throughout the day.
Sometimes bad weather turns into one of the biggest advantages.
Rent a Stroller
Although we didn't bring a stroller with us throughout Europe, we rented one inside Disneyland Paris for our four-year-old.
It cost about €30 for the day and was worth every euro.
Besides giving our youngest a place to rest, it became our mobile home base for jackets, snacks, water bottles, ponchos, and souvenirs.
If you're visiting with younger children, I highly recommend renting one.
Best Rides at Disneyland Park
Thanks to our Disney travel planner, Rachel from Queue the Magic, we had a fantastic strategy for the day. Listen back to episode #4 for our conversation of all the ways she has helped us plan smooth Disney trips and how she can help you too (for free!).
Her recommendation was to head straight to:
Big Thunder Mountain
Phantom Manor
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
before crowds built.
Some of our favorite attractions included:
Big Thunder Mountain
Phantom Manor
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
Sleeping Beauty Castle Gallery
The dragon underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle
Even if you've visited Disneyland in California, these attractions have unique differences that make them worth experiencing.
Rainy Day Tips
The rain eventually turned into a downpour, so we purchased ponchos for everyone and two Disney umbrellas that actually changed colors when they got wet.
They ended up becoming one of our favorite souvenirs.
Instead of rushing through the rain, we simply ducked inside, grabbed a snack, and waited for the storm to pass.
A little flexibility goes a long way at Disney.
Our Funny Disney Story
One of the funniest moments of the trip happened while waiting for the afternoon parade.
We had been saving our viewing spot for over an hour while taking turns grabbing snacks and riding nearby attractions.
Just before the parade started, two women tried to take our spot and became upset when we explained we'd been waiting there.
They even called us "stupid Americans," which has now become one of the funniest stories from our Europe trip.
Thankfully, the parade was worth the wait and made for a memorable ending to the day.
Getting ready for the parade that ended up being 5 minutes long due to the rain.
Disneyland Paris Tips
Start the morning with the most popular rides.
Use the Disneyland Paris app to monitor wait times.
Consider purchasing individual Premier Access passes for your highest-priority attractions instead of buying every skip-the-line option.
Reserve character meet-and-greets early through the app.
Watch the Disney Stars on Parade.
Don't miss the dragon underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Enjoy Disney Tales of Magic and A Million Splashes of Colour.
Having a plan before arriving made a huge difference.
A Birthday in Paris
The following day was our "rest day," but it also happened to be our son's seventh birthday.
We took the train into central Paris, which took about 45 minutes from our resort.
Since we had already visited Paris the year before (listen to Episode 11 for that trip), we kept this visit simple.
We visited:
The Eiffel Tower
The Olympic Rings photo display
The Seine River
Local cafés for fresh crepes
It was wonderful seeing Paris again through our younger children's eyes.
Our birthday boy!
Seine River Cruise
One of the highlights of the day was taking a river cruise along the Seine.
Seeing Paris from the water provides a completely different perspective of the city and gives everyone a chance to relax between sightseeing.
This is one of my favorite family-friendly activities in Paris.
Shopping and One of Our Favorite Meals
We also visited the Galeries Lafayette shopping district.
The kids searched for Jellycats while we enjoyed wandering through the stores.
After shopping, we found one of our favorite restaurants of the entire Europe trip.
Mian Fan Noodles served fresh, hand-pulled noodles that were absolutely incredible.
If you're visiting this area of Paris, I highly recommend stopping there for lunch or dinner.
One funny reminder about Europe—we still had to pay to use the restroom, even after making a purchase.
Keep a few coins with you because many public restrooms throughout Europe charge a small fee.
Disney Adventure World
Our final park day was spent at Disney Adventure World.
This park felt smaller than Disneyland Park but offered fantastic attractions, excellent food, and a completely different atmosphere.
In many ways, it reminded us of Disney California Adventure and Hollywood Studios.
Best Rides at Disney Adventure World
Rachel's biggest recommendation was to prioritize Crush's Coaster, which regularly has some of the longest wait times in the park.
Other favorites included:
Crush's Coaster
Tower of Terror
Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
Cars Road Trip
Frozen Ever After
The Avengers Campus area was especially fun, with live entertainment, character interactions, and immersive theming.
Best Food at Disney Adventure World
We actually preferred the food in this park over Disneyland Park.
Rachel recommended:
Stark Factory
Restaurant en Coulisse
Nordic Crowns Tavern
We also loved the variety of snack stands located throughout the park.
Is Disneyland Paris Worth Visiting?
If you've already visited Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World, you may wonder if Disneyland Paris is worth adding to your itinerary.
Our answer is absolutely yes.
While many rides are familiar, they each have their own unique twists.
The parks are beautifully landscaped, the castle is stunning, and there is something special about experiencing Disney in another country.
Would I travel to Europe just for Disneyland Paris?
Probably not.
But if you're already visiting France or planning a European vacation, it is absolutely worth including.
My husband and I visited Tokyo Disney Sea earlier this year and loved Disneyland Paris much more than Tokyo. We were also at Disneyland Paris during a couple rainy days and still loved it!
Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris with Kids
Here are my biggest takeaways:
Stay at a hotel with shuttle service to the parks.
Rent a stroller if traveling with younger children.
Download the Disneyland Paris app before your visit.
Purchase Premier Access strategically instead of automatically.
Don't stress about rainy weather.
Prioritize your must-do rides first thing in the morning.
Leave time to enjoy the shows, parade, and smaller details throughout the parks.
Slow down and enjoy the experience instead of trying to do everything.
Final Thoughts
Our time in Paris was the perfect combination of Disney magic and classic Parisian experiences.
From celebrating our son's birthday beneath the Eiffel Tower to exploring two incredible Disney parks, enjoying a Seine River cruise, finding amazing food, and making unforgettable family memories, this portion of our Europe trip quickly became one of our favorites.
If you're planning a European vacation with kids, Disneyland Paris is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
With a little planning, a flexible attitude, and comfortable shoes, you're in for an unforgettable family adventure.
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