What do you need to organise before travelling to Disneyland Paris? Today I am sharing everything that you need to do to get ready for your Disney holiday.
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Table Of Contents
Pick Your Dates
The first thing that you will need to consider is which time of year to visit. Disneyland Paris can get quite warm in the summer and very cold in the winter, plus there are events such as Halloween and Christmas to think about when picking your dates.
It’s also worth knowing that the price of your trip can vary dramatically depending upon the time of year you choose to go.
Accommodation
When booking accommodation, you need to decide whether you would like to stay on or off site.
On Site Disney Hotel
If you choose to stay at one of the 6 Disney hotels or 2 Disney nature resorts. Staying at a Disney property will mean close access to the parks, Disney theming and “extra magic” time where you can get into the parks before they open to the public. Often characters can be found at these hotels. Hotel and ticket packages would obviously include entry to the parks for the duration of your stay. Many (but not all) include free transportation to Disneyland.
Off Site Disney Partner Hotel
Partner hotels are located fairly close to Disneyland. They are approved by Disney and can be booked through Disney, directly with the hotels or through a third party. While they may not have the extra magic, theming or characters, they are usually a lot more affordable. Many of them still include free transportation to Disneyland.
Non Disney Affiliated Accommodation
Of course you can just book non Disney affiliated accommodation, either a hotel or self catering, in the local area.
We have booked with Booking.com and chosen a Disney partner hotel.
Booking.comTransport
Please remember to check with your travel provider for the latest travel restrictions.
Flights
One option for getting to Disneyland Paris is to fly, There are a number of budget airline options flying from various UK airports. The flights are short and you will often spend longer in the airport waiting to board than on the actual plane.
For our upcoming trip, are flying with EasyJet from Bristol to Charles de Gaulle. Online check in opens 30 days before and can be done via the app.
UK Airport Transfers
How will you get to the airport in the UK? Will you travel the day of your flights or the day before? Your options are;
- Drive & book parking
- Public transport
- Private airport transfer
French Airport Transfers
When you arrive in France, you have the following option to get from the airport to your accommodation;
- Taxi
- Pre scheduled airport transfer – such as Prestige Transfer
- Shuttle bus
- Train
We have chosen to use Prestige Transfers. They have been highly recommended by many people and for a party of 6, it worked out the dame price as using the shuttle bus. The booking was easy to do and no money is taken at the time of booking.
Ferry
If you’d like to have your car with you in France, you can always explore the ferry from Dover to Calais. The crossing on the ferry is around 90 minutes and you can walk around and stretch your legs. Expect a drive of a little over 3 hours once you get off the ferry in France.
Euro Tunnel
Another option which allows you to take your car is the Euro Tunnel from Folkestone to Calsi. The crossing is around 35 minutes and you can expect that same 3 hour and 8 minute (give or take) car journey to Disneyland Paris the other side.
EuroStar
If you don’t need your car, consider taking the EuroStar train. The trains leave London St Pancras and arrive at Marne-la-Valle (moments away from Disneyland Park) in just 2 hours and 49 minutes. If you live in London or the surrounding areas this can be an attractive option. For people residing in the farther reaches of the UK however, getting the train from home to London can really bump up the cost of this option.
Park Tickets
In order to get into Disneyland Paris, you will need tickets. If you don’t have tickets included in your accommodation, you can purchase these tickets directly or through a third party.
You can opt for day tickets for one park or two, or multi day options.
Alternatively you could choose to go the annual pass route. Annual passes will obviously cost more than day tickets, but come with scaled benefits depending upon which annual pass you choose.
Annual passes can be purchased online in advance or by upgrading your day tickets in the park.
We have purchased day tickets for the first day and will be upgrading to annual passes in the parks.
It’s worth noting that whether you have annual passes or day tickets, you are currently required to reserve the days you wish to enter the parks.
Passports
Ensure that your passports are in date for the duration of your holiday and beyond. The button below will take you to the UK passport site.
Insurance
Ensure that you have purchased holiday insurance and that it covers your needs.
Pre Travel Compliance
There are a number of compliance matters that you have to complete before travelling.
Airline Compliance
We are travelling with easyJet, which is a ticket less airline. Online check in opens 30 days prior to departure.
French Entry Compliance
French entry requirements will depend upon your age and vaccination status.
Fully vaccinated
If you are fully vaccinated there are no current testing requirements to get into France. The French authorities will accept the UK’s vaccination proof. We will be using the vaccination proof in our phones.
Unvaccinated
Travellers age 12 and above who are unvaccinated are required to provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure or an antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure.
Children
Under 12s travelling to France are exempt from all covid 19 travel restrictions, so will not need vaccination proof or testing.
EU-PLF Form
Click here to complete your EU-PLF form. It simply requires contact details for your party for the purposes of track and trace.
Download The Apps
Disneyland Paris App
The main Disneyland Paris app contains everything you need to know for your stay at Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary Celebration Quest
The Disneyland Paris Celebration Quest app is an interactive game that opens up once you are inside the parks.
Dining Reservations
While there are lots of quick service options for places to eat in Disneyland Paris, if you want to eat at table service restaurants or experience character dining, you will need to reserve a table. This can be done via the Disneyland Paris app up to 2 months in advance. Tables book up quickly, so plan to book as soon as that 2 month window opens.
Disability & Accessibility
Disneyland Paris is committed to providing a magical experience for all of their Guests. MagicALL is their approach to accessibility and is intended to empower those with disabilities and special needs through a collection of offerings and services provided for Guests, Cast Members and the community.
Priority Access Card
What is a Priority Card and am I eligible?
A Priority Card gives priority (but non-immediate) access to attractions, shows, parades, Selfies Spots, restaurant and shop checkouts. With an official document proving disability accepted by Disneyland Paris, you and an accompanying person are also entitled to a 25% discount on your Park Ticket or Annual Pass.
Request your Priority Card upon arrival, or save time by requesting your card online up to 1 month before your visit! You’ll need to present an original document issued by the government or medical authority upon arrival in order to collect it. Please note, a medical certificate will not be sufficient.
How Do I Request A Priority Card?
If you have an officially-recognised disability you can apply for your Priority Card online up to 1 month in advance.
Which UK Issued Documents Are Required To Provide Proof Of Disability?
Disneyland Paris accept the following valid documents the UK;
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance Award
- Personal Independence Payment
- Parking Card for Disabled People
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- National Disability Card ID
- Disabled ID
- Access Card
- Recognised Assistance Dog ID Card, issued by
- Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
- The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)
- Assistance Dog UK (ADUK)
- Registration Card BD8
- Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
Be ready to present your valid proof of disability document on the day.
The process once you click through to register for your priority card
- Select the date of your visit
- Indicate your level of autonomy by answering the questions necessary to create your card.
- Enter your contact information and upload a valid passport photo
- Receive a confirmation e-mail. If you can’t find the e-mail in your inbox, check your spam folder.
- Pick up your card on the day Your card will be valid for 7 days. If you postpone or cancel your stay, you will need to make a new request.
Easy Access Card
What is an Easy Access Card and am I eligible?
If you have a recognised Long Term Chronic Disease, we can support you with simplified (but non-immediate) access to our attractions. Present your Easy Access Card and ‘appointment book’ at an attraction, and we’ll give you a timeslot during which to come back and ride. You can make a 2nd reservation when the 1st is over.
To get your Easy Access Card, you’ll need an original medical certificate in French or English signed and stamped by a medical doctor and less than 3 months old, indicating the Long Term Chronic Disease and the number. You can find the list of Long Term Chronic Diseases here.
The long term chronic diseases include;
1. Debilitating stroke.
2. Bone marrow aplasia and other chronic types of cytopenia.
3. Chronic arterial disease with ischemic events.
4. Complicated schistosomiasis.
5. Chronic heart failure, chronic heart valve disease, serious heart arrhythmia, chronic congenital heart disease.
6. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
7. Severe primary immunodeficiency disorder requiring long-term treatment, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
8. Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
9. Severe neurological and muscular disorders (including myopathy), severe epilepsy.
10. Haemoglobinopathy, chronic constitutional/severe acquired haemolysis,
11. Haemophilia and severe constitutional haemostatic disorders.
13. Coronary artery disease.
14. Acute/chronic respiratory failure.
15. Leprosy.
16. Parkinson’s disease.
17. Inherited metabolic disorders requiring long-term specialised treatment.
18. Cystic fibrosis.
19. Acute/chronic nephropathy and primary nephrotic syndrome.
20. Paraplegia.
21. Periarteritis nodosa, acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis.
22. Severe progressive rheumatoid arthritis.
23. Long-term psychiatric disorders.
24. Ulcerative colitis and progressive Crohn’s disease.
25. Multiple sclerosis.
26. Progressive structural scoliosis (where the curve is 25 degrees of more) through to spinal maturity. 27. Severe ankylosing spondylitis.
28. Organ transplant disorders.
29. Active tuberculosis.
30. Malignant tumour, lymphoma or haematopoietic cancer.
How Can I Get My Easy Access Card?
For Easy Access Cards, you can request it on the day of arrival by presenting an original medical certificate (in French or English signed and stamped by a medical doctor and less than 3 months old) indicating the Long Term Chronic Disease at the concierge or reception desk of your hotel, or at the entrance to the Disney Parks.
Mobile Phones
Check with your mobile phone provider that you have international roaming attached to your package.
Outfit Planning
One of the joys if planning a Disney trip is planning what to wear!
What Is Disneybounding
When adults dress up at Disney, not in costumes, but in the style of their favourite Disney characters, Disney rides or even Disney snacks, it’s referred to as Disneybounding. Check out my top tips for putting together Disney Bound outfits below.
Whether you want to go all out “Disneybounding” or not, yo’ll need to make sure that you are properly prepared with the right clothing for your trip. Check out the weather for the time of year you are travelling to make sure that you are packing for the correct season. Above all prioritise comfortable footwear as you’ll be doing a lot of walking!
Packing
Luggage Allowance
Luggage allowance will depend largely upon the mode of transportation you have chosen. If it’s your own car, figure out how much luggage you can realistically fit inside. For trains and plane, refer to your travel providers guidelines.
Want to know what to pack? Check out my Disneyland Paris packing blog post.