Disneyland Paris Top Tips Part 2: Dining, Characters & fireworks

The magic of Disney is undoubtedly created by the characters, but unfortunately wait times to have that special moment and photo with your most dreamed about character can be long.

To beat the queues here are 3 tips:

• Download the Lineberty App. The App texts you when they’re ready for you • Bear in mind that its relatively easy to meet Mickey and friends in the park, whilst the queue for Princess Meet and Greet is usually a minimum an hour. • Alternatively you can book breakfast/lunch/dinner with characters which means you will meet them whilst eating, though this could be a brief meeting and its expensive. Cafe Mickey is the best value for money for the time spent with the characters and the interaction gained. Plaza Gardens involves quite a quick photo and cuddle. For Princess fans you can’t beat breakfast, lunch or dinner with the Princesses at Auberge de Cendrillon restaurant by the castle. The 3-course dinner is great, although the children’s menu perhaps leaves something to be desired. The princesses are good about spending some time with each child for photos, autographs and questions, creating a really magical experience, albeit an overpriced one!

• Another way to try and meet the characters without queuing at all, is to wait at the spot where the characters walk past to enter/leave the stage shows and Auberge restaurant. You may not get an autograph or a staged photo, but they will generally interact with you briefly. To find this spot walk through the castle into Fantasyland, turn immediately right and go through a metal gate passing Cinderella’s carriage. Wait by the next metal gate and fence for a chance meeting ideally around 20 minutes before any stage show begins (see the show guide on the day you visit).

What’s the food like?

Food inside the parks is super expensive so planning is of the essence.

Picnics are the way forward, as even drinks are around €3.70 per soft drink and €2.50 for water. Take water bottles and use the fountains around the park.

If you have half-board dining or want to eat in the park pre-booking is best, you can do this on the app, at desks around the park or by calling in advance.

Bear in mind that at peak times queues at food outlets can be horrendous so picnics not only save money but also precious time!

What times are the Parade & fireworks?

Another magical part of the Disney experience which is definitely not to be missed.

The parade and fireworks times change throughout the year but usually around 5-5.30pm for the parade and 10-11pm for the fireworks.

For the parade people begin sitting down to save spaces around 1-1.5 hours before it begins, the Parade begins from It’s a Small World and we found this area a great place to watch it, in particular in front of Bella Notte restaurant and across the street from it which gets busy less fast than other spots.

Tip! Take some little camping stools with you for when you are waiting for rides and the long wait for the parade