Disneyland Paris for Adults
Is Disneyland Paris worth it for adults? I say if you are a fan of Disney, then it is a must! Visiting an amusement park without children instills a sense of wickedness. It's like you are doing something that you aren't supposed to. Enjoying something completely and freely the way you want to as opposed to the whims of the four-feet-and-under crowd. That got me thinking about how I'd do Disneyland Paris from a DINK perspective, or at the very least, an adult-only trip. I thought it might be fun to share what a visit could be like without kids. Here are my Disneyland Paris tips for adults.
With or without children you should scope out deals for Disneyland Paris, the money you save on buying a discount package can be put into your hotel or food budget! I really like the English version for the Disneyland Paris website. It's got great info for every aspect of your trip.
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I recommend spending a little more to stay at an on-site hotel. Doing so will gain you access to enter Disneyland Paris one hour (or more depending on the hotel) before the general public. If you don't stay on-site, make sure you arrive at the park entrance at least 45-60 minutes before it opens. It's about a 15-20 minutes to walk to the entrance from the parking area.
Getting a jump on everyone else means getting through some of the best rides without major lines. Maximize your time by planning ahead. Know where you are heading to before you even get there. Don't be one of those bozos hovering over a map figuring out where to go, every minute counts.
Another way to avoid lines is to use the FASTPASS reservations system. It works just like Disneyland and Disneyworld in that it allows you to go to the front of the line at a reserved time. You should be aware that some of the rides aren't on the FASTPASS system so you may want to head there first.
After a long morning of rides, you can always head back to your room to have a petit dodo midday and miss all the lunch hour craziness. I recommend saving your money for a nice dinner and drinks by having a picnic in your room or somewhere nearby. There is a huge shopping center at Val d'Europe with an Auchan (like a Target or small Walmart with groceries) a perfect spot for picking up picnic supplies, or wine/champagne to celebrate your “I-made-it-through-a-day-at-Disneyland-without-kids!”
If you want to stay in the park for lunch you CAN take picnics (some guidebooks say you can't). Of course, there is plenty of food to eat and you can save a lot of money by doing a meal plan (here is a complete guide covering meal plans in the park).
In the afternoon hit the park again and enjoy every minute of it. Relish the feeling of choosing what you want to do and where you want to go. Observe children throwing fits and be thankful you aren't dealing with that for the day. Smile at the children who are having a wonderful time…as you pass them on your way to your next activity.
When dinner comes around you can find dining in an oceanliner-like ambiance at the Restaurant des Stars inside the park.
In the Disney Village, located between the Parks and the Disney Hotels, is an entertainment district that’s open from 7.30am until very late every day. There are plenty of bars and ten themed restaurants, entertainment like the 15-screen cinema complex with an IMAX theater, and dancing. Spots like the Rock-and-Roll American Cafe that offers live music and specialty cocktails as well as Billy Bob’s Country and Western Saloon. There is a club called Hurricanes Nightclub for those wanting to dance away the night, no babysitters required!
The next morning wake up late. You deserve it after waking up so early the morning before. Have a lovely petit dej while the rest of the world waits in line to get into the park. Late morning, head back to the park and catch what you missed the day before all the way through lunch while everyone else is eating (remember you had that luxurious breakfast). As early evening approaches, wish Mickey and Minnie adieu and head back to the city of light to enjoy the other adult playground in Paris!
Well, that's how I would do Disneyland Paris. How about you?
I did a lot of research looking for the best resources and still think the actual Disneyland Paris site has it all. From tickets and packages to hotel and restaurant information, I didn't find another site that was as exhaustive. I was really surprised. With the large number of bloggers who blog about everything under the sun for the parks here in the U.S., it seems that just isn't the case in my beloved France. I think that Disney might want to consider some of the extensive blogger programs they do here for Disneyland and Disneyworld for Disneyland Paris. I'd take them up on it!
Only one of my favorite Parisian bloggers, David Lebovitz, has written about a trip to Disneyland Paris and because it is from a food-centric point of view, I love it. Passport & Adventures also did a really in-depth food guide for the best places to eat in Disneyland Paris.
Here is also a package trip I recommend!
How about you? Have you been to Disneyland Paris? Do you want to? Do tell!
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We just took an adults-only trip to a park in Orlando – the one with the Harry Potter world – and it was fun. To a point. But after about 4 hours, we were all done with the lines and *other* peoples’ kids and decided to head back to the hotel for cocktails. 😉
@Katie, I understand totally and completely!
We spent a day at Disneyland Paris about ten years ago and loved every minute. We had so much fun looking for all the little things that made it “French” and different from the others. I want to go again!
@Cindy, every one of these parks has their own quirks, I want to go to the one in Tokyo because I think that one will be TOTALLY different!
I love the roller coasters, Disney shops and restaurants of Disneyland Anaheim. At 26 I get the itch to go back – It’s like Vegas but without losing all the money. I am not sure about Disney Paris but Anaheim has a great wine bar in downtown Disney.
Each time I visit Anaheim I have to do a Disneyland & Magic Mountain combo and the fast passes are musts – it beats waiting in lines for hours before you even get to the shade of the rides sometimes.
Fun post!
@Murissa, I actually think these parks are more fun as adults because there can be alcohol involved!
I actually really would love to Disneyland with Lucas, I think we would have SO much fun! I grew up in Tampa and we would go to Disneyland once a month at least, so it has a special place in my heart!
@Andi, think going as an adult is actually more fun than for kids!
I just don’t think I’d have the heart to go to Disney land without the kids. Your eight that wickedness would soooo take over but I just couldn’t! One of my dream trips is to stay at the Disney castle with the family to enjoy all the perks as you said. No long waits or walks and advanced openings. Loved this post. 🙂 I may be a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. 🙂
I didn’t know there was a Disneyland Paris. I would love to go there someday, sure hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.
I’ve not been to Disneyland. I went to Disney World as a kid though. How cool to be able to experience a little of Paris without leaving the country. We don’t have kids so we could totally skip all the kid attractions. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like SO much fun!
I would love the opportunity to do an Adult-Only Disney trip, but I think the next time we go, it will be with child in tow. I wish that my husband and I had gone when before we had our daughter!
that would be so much fun. me and my husband went by ourselves to sea world, epcot, busch gardens and places like that before our kids were born. we had a blast. i would love to eventually do it again with him.
The fast passes are always awesome, i dont think i could ever go to a place like that with out my kids… i’d end up feeling sooo guilty lol
My GF and I are going to disney world this summer, we can’t wait!
I went as a kid, but would love to do a ‘grown up’ vacation here soon.
I’m out on the West Coast of the US so I’ve never done Disneyland Paris but my mother loves to treat herself to a Disneyland trip for her birthday every few years. She loves it and there really is something for every age group at their parks.
This sounds like an amazing trip! So much to do right in one area! I would love to go one day (I don’t think I would want to leave!) So much fun!
I almost went last summer, but plans changed last minute. Sad face. Looks fabulous!
xo
So many people often overlook Disney’s value to adults! Without kids, you can really just take a break and enjoy yourself! There are so many beautiful things to see in Disney, that you don’t really get to savor when you’re dragging the kids! Plus I must say from experience… GET FASTPASSES!! When we went, we saved so much time plus the line waits because of this system! It was so nice to be able to jump past the 3 HOUR line waits…
Really enjoyed reading this article. I love to travel and enjoy Disney and have to get my fix every few years. I have never been to Paris (nor France at all!) so I would love to go to the theme park there. Thanks for sharing with us.
I love Disney World. We are going to Florida in July, and I hope to at least visit 1 park, but heard they have gone up, so not sure 🙁
Disneyland Paris has always seemed counter-intuitive to me. I still can’t believe they let them build it. It’s so *American* But, I do love Disneyland — the one in Anaheim. It’s A Small World takes me back to incredibly happy memories.
oh gosh an adult trip sounds amazing! we usually have a herd in tow and haven’t gone away in years… this post has me dreaming! 🙂
I’d love to visit the one in Tokyo! I may have to take your advice since I’ve never been to Disneyworld as an adult, but I still LOVE the movies (I just recently bought myself The Jungle Book on DVD) and will probably never get tired of them, so I’ll probably love the park too!
Lol! When myself and my husband started dating we used to go to chuck e cheese all the time. we would go during the week, it was so much fun, there were times when we were the only people there. i actually think we went more when we were dating then we do now that we have kids. It was so fun to laugh, play games and collect tickets!
This looks amazing! I would not know how to behave without my daughter lol…but I’m sure my husband
You know I have never considering doing a Disney park without my kids but I think it would be a BLAST!
My family and I had such a great time in Disney.
I love all things Disney!
It sounds like you are having a grand time. That is wonderful. Our children are grown now and we are starting to go without children which is definitely so relaxing for sure. I would love to see any Disney attraction like you are even in the states. My husband farms so he doesn’t get much free time. Anyway thanks for all the information though it would really help making a trip fun filled and planned for adventures with your hints. 🙂
I never thought much of EuroDisney, but it looks like a fun place actually!
I am a huge Disney fan. My wife isn’t a crowds person. Great article I’ll enjoy the experience vicariously through your experience. 🙂
After reading this you make me really want to go back to Disneyland as an adult. I had begun to think that Disneyland was just for kids and that it would be ridiculous for a 50 year old to go without children. Well, I will be planning a trip to Disneyland within the next year – thanks for the tips!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know
what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos
to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
Thanks for the info. I grew up in California very near to the original Disneyland. It boggles the mind to hear about international versions. If I get over there, I may have to check it out. Good advice on the parking lot walk too!
I love all things Disney.
That Disney castle looks spectacular. I love visiting Disneyland with the kids. They always have a great time and its a place that adults can definitely enjoy as well.
I would most definitely love to have a picnic in their park.
I would so love to go there with my husband someday. I didn’t even know there was a Disneyland Paris. Maybe when the kids get a little more grown.
This looks amazing. We don’t have kids yet, but we love Disney..I wish we could go to Disneyland in Paris!!
My husband and I were planning to go to Disneyland Paris for our honeymoon since we got married at DisneyWorld, but opted for something non-Disney instead. I wish we’d gone. We’re planning to go someday and I can’t wait!
I like the fast pass method. Skip lines. I am all about saving time. That is my biggest peeve at theme parks.
I didn’t know they have Disneyland in Paris. Ive been to Disneyland in California. Sound like fun and I wish I could go to Disneyland in Paris.
that sounds like alot of fun . it looks really amazing and cool
I didn’t know there was such a thing. I would love to visit!
@Dana, yes, I don’t think they do a great job of advertising, but it is a popular spot.