Just like you do, Mickey Mouse and all his friends enjoy traveling beyond the US borders. Over the years, they’ve set up shop in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and even Paris to give more people a chance to enjoy The Happiest Place on Earth without having to go all the way to the US. And it’s nothing new — Disneyland Paris (or Euro Disney as it used to be called) has been operating for over 30 years and has welcomed over 375 million visitors during that time. And believe it or not, today, the theme park is Europe’s top tourist attraction.
Photo: Olga Chiorescu/Shutterstock
At Europe's Top Tourist Attraction There's a Castle With a Resident Dragon
- Where is Disneyland Paris?
- How to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris?
- How far is Disneyland from the Eiffel Tower?
- Which airport is the closest to Disneyland Paris?
- When did Disneyland Paris open?
- Map of Disneyland Paris
- How many parks are there in Disneyland Paris?
- What castle is at Disneyland Paris?
- What are the must-do rides in Disneyland Paris?
- How much are Disneyland Paris tickets?
- What time does Disneyland Paris open and close?
- Can you do Disneyland Paris in one day?
- Where to stay near Disneyland Paris
Where is Disneyland Paris?
Disneyland Paris is located in the eastern suburbs of Paris in the town of Chessy. The theme park is less than 20 miles from Paris.
How to get to Disneyland Paris from Paris?
It’s very easy to get from the center of Paris to Disneyland Paris. There is a direct regional express train (RER A) that leave from five Parisian metro stations to go all the way to the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station that is next door to the entrance of the theme park.
The five Parisian metro stations served by the RER A are:
- Charles de Gaule – Etoile
- Auber
- Châtelet – Les Halles
- Gare de Lyon
- Nation
The ride from any of the metro stations listed above to the entrance of the park is direct and lasts between 55 and 45 minutes. The cost of a one-way ticket for this trip is $5.45 (5 €).
The RER A train is colored in bright red on the map of the Paris metro.
How far is Disneyland from the Eiffel Tower?
Photo: Olga Chiorescu/Shutterstock
The Eiffel Tower is about 30 miles from Dineyland Paris. The easiest way to get from one to the other is by using public transportation. Metro line six from the metro station Bir-Hakeim (a three-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower) will take you to the station Charles de Gaule – Etoile. From there, you can take line A of direct regional express train (RER A) to the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, a two-minute walk to the entrance to the theme park. The trip takes just over one hour to complete.
Metro line six is colored in light green on the map of the Parisian metro. RER A is colored in bright red. Refer to the map to plan your trip.
Which airport is the closest to Disneyland Paris?
The closest airport to Disneyland Paris is the Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, also known as CDG. There are frequent high-speed trains leaving the train station located in terminal two of the airport to go to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy, the train station that is next door to the entrance to the theme park. The train trip takes less than 10 minutes and costs $20.60 (19 €) for adults.
There are also Magical Shuttles running from/to the theme park and Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport every 20 minutes, and from/to Paris-Orly airport every 40 minutes. The shuttle buses take 60 minutes (depending on traffic) and cost $26 (24 €) for everyone above age 12, and $12 (11 €) for children between two and 12.
When did Disneyland Paris open?
Disneyland Paris (initially named Euro Disney) opened on April 12, 1992. The theme park celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012, but the celebrations are being stretched out until September 2023.
Map of Disneyland Paris
This interactive map of the entire theme park allows you to see the distinct sections that make up Disneyland Paris (note how it’s built in a circle). For a more detailed view of the two parks, check out this interactive map on which you can easily zoom in to find everything you’re looking for.
How many parks are there in Disneyland Paris?
The theme park consists of two parks: Parc Disneyland where the decor, rides, and characters are focused on classic Disney and Star Wars, and Parc Walt Disney Studio where the spotlight is on action-packed Disney, Pixar, and MARVEL movies.
What castle is at Disneyland Paris?
The grand pink castle that is located at the heart of Parc Disneyland in Disneyland Paris is Sleeping Beauty’s castle. The design of this castle is said to have been inspired by 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle located in southern Germany. The castle was recently renovated to celebrate the theme park’s 30th anniversary.
What are the must-do rides in Disneyland Paris?
The best rides and attractions to enjoy in Disneyland Paris vary according to what you like and if you’re traveling with little ones. The list below includes a little of everything and is feasible in one day, from thrilling roller coasters to magical and fun family-focused walks.
- Crush’s Coaster in Parc Walt Disney Studio
- Remi’s Ratatouille in Parc Walt Disney Studio
- Avengers Assemble: Flight Force in Parc Walt Disney Studio
- The Dragon’s Lair underneath Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Parc Disneyland
- Alice’s Curious Labyrinth in Parc Disneyland
- Phantom Manor in Parc Disneyland
- Pirates of the Caribbean in Parc Disneyland
- Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain in Parc Disneyland
- Big Thunder Mountain in Parc Disneyland
How much are Disneyland Paris tickets?
Access to the two parks for one day starts at $87.75 (81 €) for one adult. If you’re only interested in one park, the starting price drops to $60.65 (56 €). However, unless you book six months in advance, you’d be hard-pressed to find tickets that cheap.
Note that the longer you stay in the park, the cheaper it gets. Access to the two parks for two days starts at $77 (71 €) for one adult; three days start at $72.50 (67 €); and four days start at $63.90 (59 €). Of course, you’ll need to add accommodation and food on top of these prices. And once again, unless you book early, you’re likely to pay more than the starting prices.
Note that adult prices start at age 12. Children prices (for kids aged between two and 12) are usually around $7 to $9 (7 € or 8 €) cheaper than adult prices.
What time does Disneyland Paris open and close?
Disneyland Paris is open every day of the year. Hours of operation vary according to seasons and special events, but in general Parc Disneyland is open from 9:30 AM to 11 PM and Parc Walt Disney Studio is open from 9:30 AM to 10 PM. Those who stay in Disney hotels get access to the parks one hour before everyone else in the morning.
Can you do Disneyland Paris in one day?
Yes, if you plan your trip well, you can easily have a fun-filled time in the theme park even if you stay only one day. Here are some tips to do just that:
- As expected, early mornings and late evenings are less crowded so the lines for the rides and attractions are much shorter, allowing you to get to do more with your limited time on site.
- You may also opt to line up in the single rider lines if you want to cut your waiting time. Single rider lines will pair you with a stranger during the ride, which is not for everyone, but those special lines are usually much shorter than the regular ones.
- If you’re staying in one of the Disney hotels the night before your visit, you’ll get access to the park one hour before it opens to everyone else, leaving the rides and attractions nearly deserted for you to enjoy.
- If you’re pressed for time but not for money, get yourself the Disney Premier Access to skip the lines at the some of the most popular attractions.
Where to stay near Disneyland Paris
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Disney Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel
Disney Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel is a four-star property of 561 rooms, and it is the best-rated Disney hotel on Expedia. While it opened at the same time as Disneyland Paris in 1992, the family-friendly hotel was totally reimagined under the Marvel theme and reopened in 2021. The hotel is perfect for fans of the Marvel franchise, holding the world’s largest collection of superhero artwork. For those who are not interested in Spiderman et al., there’s a seasonal outdoor pool and an indoor pool, a sauna and a steam room, two restaurants, and even a convenience store. Free pick-up and drop-off from/at the train station is available and there’s an airport shuttle for a surcharge.
Moxy Paris Val D’Europe
Located 1.4 miles on foot (a 27-minute walk) and less than four miles by car (a 10-minute drive), the Moxy Paris Val D’Europe is more affordable than a Disney hotel but remains extremely close to the action. Just like the rest of the property, all 238 rooms and suites are modern and stylish. This family-friendly hotel has two restaurants on site, a 24-hour gym, and a delicious buffet breakfast (for a surcharge).
Hôtel Dali Val D’Europe
The Hôtel Dali Val D’Europe is 2.7 miles on foot from the entrance to Disneyland Paris, and five miles by car (a 12 minute-drive). The four-star property is one of the best deals in the area: it’s close to the theme park and it has a seasonal outdoor pool and a poolside bar, one restaurant, and a shopping mall on site. All 94 rooms and suites are decorated with care and well appointed. 