As the most-visited theme park in Europe, Disneyland® Paris is a popular choice for a family holiday. There’s endless fun to be had for children of all ages over two themed areas – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park – encompassing more than 60 attractions, and countless exciting shows and parades.
If there’s a wide span in your children’s ages, it can be quite tricky to keep everyone happy. We’ve chosen some highlights for every age group to make sure those smiles stay firmly in place at the ‘happiest place on Earth’!
Best for Toddlers
If you’ve got tiny tots, there’s a world of familiar cartoon and TV characters waiting to be discovered.
- An adrenaline rush toddler-style can be had on fun rides like the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, while in the safety of mum or dad’s arms, the Orbitron rocket ship whirls them through a ‘galaxy’ of colour, delighting little imaginations.
- For more sedate fun, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth takes littlies on a magical adventure through the Looking Glass to meet characters like the ditzy White Rabbit and the cheeky Chesire Cat.
- For a train journey they’ll never forget, le Petite Train du Cirque bound for Storybook Lane passes sites like the Seven Dwarves’ house, Rapunzel’s Tower and Aladdin’s glittering cave.
- The Disney Magic on Parade Show is an entrancing adventure for little ones as they’re within touching distance of Donald Duck, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Buzz Lightyear and so many other favourites in this vibrant and colourful 25-minute parade. It’s an extravaganza of music, costume and lights – and guaranteed to delight! The parade happens every day at 5pm.
Kids
For slightly older kids, the action ramps up a little with special effects and interactive experiences.
- Les Tapis Volants – Flying Carpets Over Agrabah is a themed ride with a difference, with participants sitting atop individual magic carpets, flying and swooping over Aladdin’s magical land. But the real magic? The kids are in control, with the ability to control the movements of their own carpet!
- Armageddon: les Effects Speciaux takes children through the history of special effects, then shows them how they’re used to full, jaw-dropping effect. Set in the control room of a spacecraft, children will be engulfed by a simulated meteor shower, thrilling them to the max!
- Autopia puts youngsters in the driving seat of their own mini car and sets them off at their own pace. Cool customers can cruise along taking in the picturesque winding scenery, while junior rev-heads can put pedal to the metal and make a race of it. With a working accelerator and steering wheel, the attraction is completely safe and designed for anyone over 81cm.
Tweens
You’ll hear no complaints from the notoriously hard to please tweens if you make a beeline for these fantastic attractions designed with them in mind.
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror gives tweens the fright of their life as they tour the spine-chilling Hollywood Tower Hotel via secret passages and rickety elevators, accompanied along the way by ghostly spectres and otherworldly hotel guests. The highlight of the attraction is the final terrifying free-fall in the elevator from hell…
- Star Tours takes young guests on a ride into the future to experience the Force in full force! This mind-blowing Star Wars simulation includes C3PO and R2D2 as the flight attendants, so: what could possibly go wrong? In the interests of adventure: quite a lot, it seems, including encounters with asteroids, space debris and out of control ice fragments!
- Crush’s Coaster takes its youthful adventurers on a journey to the bottom of the sea to the wonderful world of Finding Nemo. Setting off on the back of a turtle shell from Sydney Harbour, they’ll explore the Great Barrier Reef, face the dangers of the East Australian Current and still come out laughing!
Teens
If your teenager tells you they’re too old for the family holiday, they’ll have to eat their words after experiencing these fabulous attractions, and so many more!
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril takes older children on an adventure to the Brazilian jungle, with some terrifying encounters along the way. They’ll climb aboard a rickety train that comes to grief in a bone-jarring spiral of twists and turns through the ruins of the ancient crumbling temple.
- Concerts at Billy Bob’s gives teens the chance to go off on their own or with new friends and enjoy a fun afternoon of music in a real-life Western Saloon. With everything from Elvis, to jazz, to rock ‘n roll, they can experience a bit of musical downtime, Texas-style!
- Aerosmith Rock and Roll Coaster terrifies teen thrill seekers to the blaring sounds of ‘Dude Looks Like a Lady’ and ‘Walk this Way’ on the fastest roller coaster in France. They’ll climb aboard their ‘limo’ and experience the amazing effects of 4.6 G-force as the ride shoots from zero to 60 miles an hour in two seconds flat!
Ticketing
- There is a range of ticketing options including winter savers and multiple day passes including transport or accommodation.
- You can make considerable savings if you pre-purchase tickets online. Prices for a one-day winter ticket start at £39.00 for adults and £39.00 for children aged 3-11.
- Ticket price includes both parks and all the attractions mentioned above, but shows and some experiences require separate tickets. Shows like Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Dinner, for example, start at £51.20 for adults and £38.80 for children.
Recommended read: If you’re visiting Paris itself for a few days afterwards, take the kids to visit these three quirky museums. We guarantee they’ll love them!
How to Get to Disneyland® Paris
The easiest way to get there is to fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which from the UK takes just over an hour – not even enough time for the kids to start complaining!
When you arrive at the airport, the fastest and most convenient way to get to your accommodation is with a direct shuttle transfer, right to the door of your hotel.
Shuttle Direct’s child-friendly Charles de Gaulle transfers can be pre-booked online, and a friendly driver will be at the airport to take your family on the short 45-minute journey. You can book to travel on a budget-friendly shared vehicle with other passengers, but if you have younger children you may find it more relaxing to choose a private one.
You can also take the TGV train from the airport to Marne-la-Vallée, which puts you at the front gates of the park, or if you’re already in the centre of Paris you can get there on the RER A train from Chalet Les Halles.
Eurostar runs a direct service from London that takes around two hours and 20 minutes and costs from €36 one-way. Services increase at peak school holiday times and Bank Holiday Weekends, but note that there’s no service in January and February.
Where to Stay:
Premiere Class Marne la Vallée – Perfect for families, the Premiere Class Marne la Vallée gives you plenty of choice, with spacious, colourful family rooms and fun bunk bed options. It’s just two stops from the park by train so you won’t need a car – you can sit down to a fantastic buffet breakfast and relax on the terrace while the kids enjoy the garden and playground before the day’s busy adventures.
Explorers Hotel at Disneyland ® Paris – An absolute children’s paradise, the Explorers Hotel at Disneyland ® Paris knows the way to a young person’s heart! Kids might never want to leave their pirate or fantasy themed room, until they find out about the 6D cinema, adventure playground and heated indoor pool! With a free shuttle to and from the park and fabulous family rooms, if a child had to design their perfect hotel, this could just be it.
Hotel Vienna House Dream Castle Paris – With a fairytale lake and garden setting and a luxurious, whimsical décor to match, the Hotel Vienna House Dream Castle Paris offers a tranquil haven for parents and a fun environment for children. With extensive grounds for kids to explore, mum and dad can focus on their own fun in the indulgent Dream Castle Spa. Soak up the magic of Disneyland all day and return on the free shuttle to the lap of luxury every night.
