The Ultimate Disneyland Paris Travel Guide for Families (From One Parent to Another)

Hi Fellow Disney Mum/Dad… you’re thinking about Disneyland Paris with the kids. Exciting? Yes. Slightly overwhelming? Also yes. Totally manageable with the right advice? Yes, yes, yes.

I’m going to walk you through this like I would if we were sat having a coffee — all the actually useful stuff, the things people forget to tell you, and the little tricks that make the difference between a chaotic trip and a genuinely magical one.

This might just be my most detailed blog yet and the reason why that is, is because, I wish I had all this information for the first time me and my family went.

Boil the kettle, add a spoonful of sugar and let me be your fairy godmother here ✨

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✈️ Getting There Without Losing Your Mind

Let’s start at the beginning — the flight.

If you’re travelling with a pram, most airlines will let you take it right up to the aircraft door. They’ll tag it at the check in desk and you can keep it the rest of the airport experience and then you’ll fold it down at the gate and collect it either:

- At the aircraft door when you land ,

or

- At luggage collection

What I’d do every time:

💫Bring a lightweight, foldable stroller (not your big everyday one)

💫Add a pram bag if you’re worried about damage but I’ve never had an issue.

For babies/toddlers on the plane:

💫Feed during take-off & landing (helps their ears SO much)

💫Pack double the snacks you think you need

💫Download shows/movies onto a tablet before you go (extra Pixie Points if it’s Disney Themed)

💫If your child gets a window seat — instant entertainment. Clouds are elite content. Tell them to look out for Russell&Carl in their house floating through the sky with the balloons.

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🚆 Getting from CDG to Disneyland Paris (Easy Wins Only)

Once you land at Charles de Gaulle, you’re about 40 minutes from the magic.

🚍 Magic Shuttle (Best for ease)

💫Direct to Disney hotels

💫No navigating, no stress

💫Takes about an hour

💫 Great if you’ve got luggage + kids + a buggy

💫 Prices can vary but about €24 per adult one way. Kids aged 3-11 are about €11 and babies 0-2 are free

🚄 TGV Train (Fastest)

💫Around 10 minutes (The math ain’t mathing I know but it’s true)

💫 Drops you right at Disneyland Paris Train station which is basically beside Disneyland

💫BUT involves lifts, platforms, and a bit of chaos but not impossible

💫 Prices vary from about €19 up to €50. The earlier you book your train ticket, the cheaper it will be.

💫 Kids aged 12 and below are usually half price and Under 4s are often free on your lap

🚗 Private Transfer / Uber (Best for comfort)

💫Door-to-door

💫Around 35–45 minutes

💫Ideal after a long travel day

💫 Usually around €60-€80 one way for Uber/Bolt. The Uber app tells you the registration of the car that is going to pick you up, the drivers name and a photo of the driver so at ease soldier.

💫 Private Transfer Companies can start anywhere from about €70. Same idea as an Uber but can offer premium options etc.

Real talk time : Pick whatever works for you, your family and most importantly your budget. All options are definitely doable with the right person navigating it.

The train isn’t as scary as it seems and you can save some extra €€ for the Parks.

🏨 Where to Stay (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Staying on-site is a game changer with kids. You can stay off site with loads of hotels offering a shuttle to the Park but let’s talk about why staying onsite is a huge bonus

You get:

💫Extra Magic Time which means you can enter the Park an hour earlier than the public/people staying off-site (early park access = shorter queues)

💫Easy access back for naps. Do not underestimate this, my little one went back twice within the one day and it had him in such good form for the rest of the evening

💫That full Disney bubble feeling. Sounds cliché but staying at one of the Disney Hotels brings that full circle moment.

🛏️ Family-Friendly Hotel Picks

Hotel Cheyenne

🤠Toy Story theme

🤠Feels like a little Western town

🤠Great for younger kids

🤠Budget-friendly but still fun

Hotel Santa Fe

🏁 Cars theme

🏁One of the cheapest options

🏁Simple but colourful and kid-approved

Newport Bay Club

⚓️ New England/Nautical Theme

⚓️More space

⚓️Calmer, slightly more “luxury” feel

Pixie Tip: Sante Fe and Hotel Cheyenne is right beside one another so the distance to the Parks is the exact same.

🎢 Inside The Park(s) 🏰

Now the fun begins!

There are many spots around the park that are essential for families to take a beat and chill.

I wish when I went for the first time, I had known all of these upcoming points. It would have saved a lot of ‘why the hell did we bother coming here’ moments. Kids are kids and Disney can be overwhelming for everyone especially if you’re stressed.

Let’s go ✨

🌿 Quiet Spots (For When It All Gets A Bit Much)

Disney is amazing… but it’s also A LOT.

When you need a breather, head to:

💫The arcades along Main Street (covered, calm, underrated)

💫Behind Alice’s Labyrinth

💫Discoveryland near the Nautilus

💫Hotel gardens (especially Newport Bay)

Perfect for:

🍭Snacks

🧘🏼‍♀️ Taking 5/10/15 whatever you need

🫂 Avoiding a full meltdown situation

🗺️ Planning your next steps

👶 Baby Care Centres (You Will Thank Me for This)

These are honestly one of the BEST hidden gems in the parks.

There’s one in each Park.

Disneyland Park : Main Street U.S.A near Plaza Gardens

Adventure World : As soon as you go through the gates, it’s to your right at the information point.

🫧 Clean changing areas

🍼Quiet feeding rooms

🔥 Microwaves & bottle warmers

🥣High chairs

💛Emergency baby supplies like nappies, food jars, hygiene items, dummy’s (for purchase)

If you or your baby is overwhelmed, tired, or just needs a reset — go here. It’s calm, cool, and a total lifesaver.

You’ll never be stuck when it comes to feeding.

✅ You can bring your own food/snacks into the park

✅ Baby Care Centres have proper facilities

✅ Restaurants will give hot water if you ask. The French version is (“eau chaude”) . Most, if not all, cast members understand and speak fluent English, I’m just being fancy 💅🏽

✅ All bathroom facilities have changing tables available

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🍟 Feeding the Family Without Breaking the Bank

You don’t have to do expensive sit-down meals every day.

🍕 Easy Wins

- Bella Notte (pizza/pasta — always a hit)

- Hakuna Matata (fun theming, quick service)

- Café Hyperion (loads of seating = underrated)

Pixie tip:

Eat at off-peak times (11:30 or 2:30) — shorter queues, calmer kids.

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🎈 More Than Just Rides (Don’t Skip This Bit)

Some of the BEST moments aren’t on rides.

Make time for:

💫Character meet & greets

💫Parades (get a spot early — trust me)

💫Shows (a chance to sit down!)

💫 Letting the kids just explore

Sometimes the magic is literally just dancing in front of the castle.

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📱 Apps, Queues & Planning (Without Overplanning)

Download the Disneyland Paris app before you go. I promise you will thank me for this.

You can:

💫 Buy Premier Access Tickets

💫Check queue times

💫Book restaurants

💫Find toilets and Baby Centres

💫Check show times

💫Find the spots for Meet&Greets

But also… don’t overplan.

Kids don’t care about your spreadsheet — they care about snacks and vibes.

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🎒 What to Pack (The Real Essentials)

💫Snacks (non-negotiable)

💫Refillable water bottles (there’s load of water fountains around the park to refill up at)

💫Portable phone charger (DLP does have portable phone chargers you can rent but having your own can save you the rental charge)

💫Ponchos (weather changes FAST)

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💡 Extra Tips You’ll Be Glad You Knew

💫Bring a rain cover for your pram

💫 Take a midday break if you can

💫Don’t try to do both parks fully in one day

💫Book character dining early if you want it

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✨ The Bit Everyone Forgets

You are not going to do everything. And that’s okay.

The best parts of this trip?

🖤The little snacks on a bench

❤️The random giggles

💛The “one more ride” moments

It’s messy, it’s busy, it’s sometimes chaotic… but it’s also pure magic.

Slow it down. Take it in. Make the memories.

Ps they serve Wine,Beer and Cocktails in most Hotel Bars. You’re welcome 🥂

To get full access to all the proper best tips, then click the link below. It's worth it!

50 Magical Tips for £1

If you enjoyed this blog, then go have a look at my other ones. Just as detailed and helpful as the rest!