Disneyland Paris fun

Top Tips for Visiting Disneyland Paris With Young Children

A trip to Disneyland Paris with little ones is pure magic: their faces lighting up at the first glimpse of the castle, cuddles with favourite characters, and the excitement of the parades. With a bit of planning, you can swap stress for sparkle and make the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable for the whole family.

Here are my tried‑and‑tested tips for visiting Disneyland Paris with young children, from smart packing ideas to dining, characters and the best ways to get there.

Smart Packing Tips for Disneyland Paris With Kids

Packing well is one of the easiest ways to make your days in the parks more relaxed.

Park bag essentials

Think in terms of “comfort, queues and weather”:

• Lightweight rucksack or crossbody: Keep hands free for little ones and rides.
• Snacks and drinks: Small, non‑messy snacks can be a lifesaver in queues or while waiting for parades. Refillable water bottles help keep everyone hydrated.
• Mini first‑aid kit: Plasters, children’s paracetamol/ibuprofen, antiseptic wipes and any regular medication.
• Wipes and tissues: Useful for sticky hands, spills and general park life.
• Portable phone charger: You’ll use your phone constantly for photos, the app and tickets.

Clothing and comfort

• Layers are key: Weather can be changeable, especially in spring and autumn. Pack light layers, a fleece or hoodie and a lightweight waterproof.
• Spare outfits for little ones: Accidents, ice creams, water rides and sudden showers all happen. A spare set of clothes in a zip‑lock bag can save the day.
• Comfortable footwear: You will walk a lot. Trainers with good support are usually better than sandals for little legs.
• Ponchos or light raincoats: Handy for sudden downpours and some rides.
• Sun protection: Hats, sunglasses and high‑factor sunscreen are essential in warmer months.

“Magic extras” for children

• Glow sticks or bubble wands from home: Great for parades and evening shows, and often cheaper than buying in the parks.
• Autograph book and pen: Ideal for character meets and a lovely keepsake.
• Small comfort items: A favourite soft toy or blanket can be reassuring in unfamiliar surroundings and help with naps in the buggy.

Pre‑Booking Restaurants: Why It Matters

Dining can be a big part of the Disneyland Paris experience, especially with little ones who may not cope well with long queues or late mealtimes. Pre‑booking restaurants where possible can make your days much smoother.

Benefits of booking ahead

• Less waiting with hungry children: Having a set time and a reserved table avoids queueing with tired youngsters.
• Better choice of venues and times: Popular restaurants and character meals can book up quickly, especially in school holidays.
• Easier planning of your day: You can work rides and shows around your mealtimes, rather than hunting for somewhere to eat at the last minute.

Tips for family‑friendly dining

• Aim for earlier meal times than you would at home, to allow for stimulation, queues and time changes.
• Consider at least one sit‑down meal per day to give everyone a break from the noise and walking.
• Look at buffet or all‑you‑care‑to‑eat options which can work well for fussy eaters and little grazers.

As your Travel Counsellor, I can talk you through different restaurant options and help you decide which ones will work best for your family.

Using the Disneyland Paris App & Linking Your Booking

The Disneyland Paris app is a must‑have tool, especially when travelling with young children. It helps you minimise waiting, find facilities and keep everything in one place.

Before you travel

• Download the app in advance: Set up your account at home so you are not doing it on patchy Wi‑Fi.
• Link your booking: Add your hotel and park tickets to the app so you can:
• See your park tickets and hotel details in one place
• Check Extra Magic Time if you are staying in a Disney hotel
• Manage dining reservations and, where applicable, certain experiences

In the parks

Once you arrive, the app becomes your day‑to‑day planning hub:

• Wait times in real time: Check queues and plan which rides to do next to avoid long waits with little ones.
• Show times and parade schedules: See what is on and when, and plan nap or snack breaks around them.
• Maps and facilities: Quickly find baby care centres, toilets, restaurants and first aid.
• Mobile tickets and passes: Having everything on your phone means less rummaging in bags at the entrance.

It is worth having at least one other adult in your party logged into the app too, so everything is still accessible if one phone battery runs low.

Booking Character Breakfasts & Meet‑and‑Greets

For many families, character experiences are the highlight of a Disneyland Paris trip. With young children, character breakfasts and pre‑planned meets can be a calmer way to meet their heroes.

Why book a character breakfast?

• Meet several characters in one place: Instead of chasing characters around the park, they come to you at your table.
• More relaxed interactions: Children have time for hugs, photos and autographs without feeling rushed.
• Great way to start the day: A magical breakfast can set the tone for the rest of the day and take the pressure off later.

Tips for character experiences with little ones

• Book early: Character dining is very popular and often sells out during peak dates.
• Prepare your child: Show them photos or short videos beforehand so they know what to expect, especially if they are shy.
• Have your autograph book and camera/phone ready: This helps keep the flow going when characters come to your table.
• Aim for a mid‑morning sitting: If breakfast is very early, little ones might still be sleepy; slightly later can double as an early lunch too.

If you would like help securing the right character breakfast or other special experiences, I can arrange these as part of your holiday planning.

Getting to Disneyland Paris With Young Children

There are several great ways to travel to Disneyland Paris from the UK. The best choice depends on your family, budget and how confident you feel with different transport options. Here are some of the main ways my clients have travelled, and the pros and cons for families with young children.

Travelling by Eurostar

Travelling by train can be a very relaxed way to start your trip.

Why families like it:

• City‑centre to city‑centre travel with no airport security queues or strict liquid rules.
• More freedom to move: Children can get up and walk around, visit the buffet car and look out of the window.
• Luggage allowances are usually generous, which helps with pushchairs and extra bags.

Family tips:

• Pack a small activity bag: stickers, colouring books, tablets with headphones and small toys can help pass the time.
• Bring easy snacks and drinks to avoid multiple trips to the buffet car with little ones.
• Aim to arrive at the station in good time so you are not rushing with children and bags.

Flying to Disneyland Paris

Flying can be the quickest way to reach Paris, especially if you live close to a convenient departure airport.

Why it works for some families:

• Short flight times from the UK, helpful for young children with a limited attention span.
• Plenty of transfer options from the airport to Disneyland Paris, including shuttle services and private transfers.

Family tips:

• Choose flight times that respect nap and meal routines where possible.
• Pre‑book your airport transfers to reduce waiting around once you land.
• Consider taking a lightweight, foldable pushchair that you can gate‑check so it is available as soon as you get off the aircraft.

Shuttle Transfers

If you fly or arrive in Paris by train, shuttle transfers can make the last leg to Disneyland Paris simple.

Benefits for families:

• Stress‑free onward travel: No need to navigate public transport with luggage and children.
• Door‑to‑door, or close to it, so you can focus on the kids rather than directions.
• Often more comfortable than multiple changes on public transport.

Family tips:

• Double‑check whether child seats are included or if you need to bring your own.
• Keep a small bag of essentials accessible for the transfer: snacks, water, wipes and a toy or two.

Driving to Disneyland Paris

For some families, driving can be the most flexible option.

Why some families choose to drive:

• Freedom to pack more: Handy if you want to bring your own pushchair, travel cot, snacks and even favourite pillows.
• Flexibility with timings: You can build in stops when it suits your children, rather than being tied to a timetable.
• Having a car can be useful if you want to explore beyond the resort.

Family tips:

• Plan regular breaks and choose service areas with playgrounds or green space where possible.
• Pack a “car entertainment kit” for each child: books, toys, tablets and headphones.
• Make sure your breakdown cover and insurance are valid in Europe, and check local driving regulations in advance.

If you are unsure which travel option will work best for your family, I can talk you through the pros and cons based on your children’s ages, where you live and the time of year you are planning to travel.

Final Thoughts

A Disneyland Paris holiday with young children can be a truly unforgettable experience. With some forward planning around packing, dining, character experiences, app set‑up and travel, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time making memories together.

If you would like help planning your own family trip to Disneyland Paris, from choosing the right hotel and transport to booking those all‑important character breakfasts, I would be delighted to look after everything for you.

Contact me to start planning your magical family adventure.