Paris is always a good idea. And right now the French capital is the center of attention as the world watches the destination for the 2024 summer events. Whether you’re visiting for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, for a birthday or anniversary or just for a fun family vacation, the City of Lights doesn’t disappoint. To add a little more magic to your trip, adding a day at Disneyland Paris will be the icing on the cake for an amazing international experience.
I recently took a quick jaunt to Paris to take in the Olympic atmosphere—and overall charm of the city—and I finally decided to squeeze in time for the iconic theme park. While it has similarities to Walt Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in California, Disneyland Paris brings its own vibes that are definitely worth booking for. Not to mention it has become increasingly popular on social media among Black travelers seeking a mix of luxury and childhood nostalgia in one. The property consists of two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, as well as Disney Village, which is made up of retail shops and eateries.
If you’ve ever wanted to know the ins and outs of planning a successful visit, I’ve detailed everything you need to ensure your magical trip goes off with a hitch. Check out this Black traveler’s guide to Disneyland Paris.
How to get there
If you’ve ever been to Paris, or any European destination for that matter, then you know how efficient and reliable public transportation can be. Getting to the park is incredibly easy and headache-free. I’m definitely one of those people who opt for convenience over anything, and for me, taking the train to Disneyland Paris (DLP) was just that.
No matter where you’re staying within the city, you’ll want to hop on a local metro train to get to a station that the RER B line runs through. Currently, there’s a 10-ride pass for 16 euros a day. This includes trips to the airports and DLP.
Once on the RER B, take the line to the very last stop, Marne la Vallée-Chessy. This stop sits at the entrance of Disneyland Park and Disney Village, which means minimal walking to start your adventure. The second park’s entrance is not too far away, either.
Once your day is done, simply take the RER B back to the station you initially transferred from on the main Paris metro line. To aid in taking the correct metro and checking train times for both lines, I suggest downloading the free Bonjour RATP, which provides real-time updates on all public transportation in and around the city.
Booking you tickets
After doing my research, I found that it was best to book my tickets in advance, and there’s even a three-day cancellation window in case your plans change. On the website, you’ll be asked to pick the day that you plan to visit, as the price can change based on the day. You’ll also be asked if you want to visit one park or both. For the single-day adult ticket to one of the parks on a Monday during the height of the Olympics, it was about $113.00, but for slower days, it runs about $102. There is also an option to book a family pack (at least four tickets) which gives a slight discount and flexibility to choose your day of visit at a later time.
What to expect
I had an absolute blast during my time at DLP, and I happened to be solo. I’m already the unofficial spokesperson for Disney Adults (a hashtag that can be found on social media), so anytime I’m at any of the parks, I’m happy.
For me, DLP gave everything I expected it would. The Parisian vibes from the many pink buildings, including Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and French street food by way of the many crepe stations were just what I needed. Not to mention, the ride wait times were significantly shorter than expected, even during a busy day. At most, I spent maybe 20 minutes waiting to get on more popular attractions like Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. I also took in one of the daytime parades, which featured characters like Mickey and Minnie, as well as the Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands show that brought a unique spin to the classic movie via Cirque du Soleil like acrobatics. In my opinion, a lot of the quick-service food options were slightly cheaper than the US parks.
While I didn’t have time to add Walt Disney Studios Park this go-round, I did see that it offered just a few more thrill rides compared to Disneyland Park Paris. Overall, I would visit again and carve out space to take in both parks and possibly an overnight stay at one of the themed resorts (I hear the spa there is amazing).