Karin’s Disneyland Paris First Timer Tips - 2024

[flav]

Some new tips, fresh from DLP, will put them in the first posts later.

- Meet Mickey with only a 15 minute wait?!?!?!
The meet & greet at Phantom Manor is not advertised (otherwise Mickey would be meeting in two places at once)., he starts meeting at 10, but not at of people know this. I was the first on a very busy Saturday at 9.45. Mickey was a few minutes late, but basically. My wait was 15 minutes.

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Thank you for such a helpful thread. When looking on the app these days, it looks like Mickey is not meeting at all. Where can we meet him in distinctive outfit, besides the Phantom Manor and without a meal?

 

[Karin1984]

Thank you for such a helpful thread. When looking on the app these days, it looks like Mickey is not meeting at all. Where can we meet him in distinctive outfit, besides the Phantom Manor and without a meal?

At the Fantasyland theater, all the way at the back, left of the labyrinth. It is called "Meet Mickey" . But it is a bit weird how the app organizes the meet & greets. It seperates the fixed / inside locations (like Mickey, princesses and Darth Vader) from the other flexible/ outside locations.

But if his classic outfit isn't a must, the one at Phantom Manor has shorter lines as it is not announced as Mickey (Mickey cannot meet in 2 spots at the same place).

If there is no specific season going on Mickey will greet guests in the morning from the train station in his classic outfit. No hugs or autographs, just waving.

 

[helenb]

Question: are you allowed to bring a bag into the parks? We'd like to bring a backpack with snacks and drinks. Is this permitted?

 

[Karin1984]

Question: are you allowed to bring a bag into the parks? We'd like to bring a backpack with snacks and drinks. Is this permitted?

Yes, it is custom to do this in Europe. So no issue. Do not bring bottles of alcohol, though.
If you want to have a full picnic, they ask you to do it outside the park in Fantasia Gardens for example.

 

[flav]

Regarding Mickey Bars, maybe you want to edit the first posts where you mention that they don’t exist in France. I saw them on the menus and then read your post on the comparison with the WDW version… I was worried for a minute

 

[Karin1984]

Regarding Mickey Bars, maybe you want to edit the first posts where you mention that they don’t exist in France. I saw them on the menus and then read your post on the comparison with the WDW version… I was worried for a minute

Updated! Thanks for letting me know. They are there not widely available as in the US. Did come across them in the bar at Sequoia Lodge. Had not expected them there!

 

[helenb]

Yes, it is custom to do this in Europe. So no issue. Do not bring bottles of alcohol, though.
If you want to have a full picnic, they ask you to do it outside the park in Fantasia Gardens for example.

Thank you! We're not planning on alcohol, just some sodas and snacks.

 

[Cynt]

@Karin1984 U ROCK! Thanks for this thread. You cleared up many questions I had about DLP.

Now to decide if I want to skip the Grand Prix in Monacco with my friends and instead fly to Paris for DLP. I have no interest in car racing. I'm a DISer for life! LOL! They do not understand my obsession but I don't care. I can't be in Europe and not visit DLP. LOL!!!

 

[Karin1984]

@Karin1984 U ROCK! Thanks for this thread. You cleared up many questions I had about DLP.

Now to decide if I want to skip the Grand Prix in Monacco with my friends and instead fly to Paris for DLP. I have no interest in car racing. I'm a DISer for life! LOL! They do not understand my obsession but I don't care. I can't be in Europe and not visit DLP. LOL!!!

You're welcome! And yes... if you have no interest in the Grand Prix, go to DLP! Your friends know you and will (probably ) understand!

 

[Teamubr]

Now to decide if I want to skip the Grand Prix in Monacco with my friends and instead fly to Paris for DLP. I have no interest in car racing. I'm a DISer for life! LOL!

I'm a big racecar fan and huge Disney nerd. I raced cars for a long time.



Do Both! The Monaco GP is a big party that also happens to have a car race. Road/street races aren't good for watching except on TV. Do Monaco for the experience. Do Disney for the fun.

j

 

[Cynt]

I'm a big racecar fan and huge Disney nerd. I raced cars for a long time.

View attachment 934839

Do Both! The Monaco GP is a big party that also happens to have a car race. Road/street races aren't good for watching except on TV. Do Monaco for the experience. Do Disney for the fun.

j

Thank you for the insight.

 

[zanzibar138]

Thank you for the tips! We just got home from our first trip to WDW and DH is now talking about our next trip being to Europe in late 2026. I know a lot may change between now and then, but I can't wait to get started on planning lol!

 

[Karin1984]

Thank you for the tips! We just got home from our first trip to WDW and DH is now talking about our next trip being to Europe in late 2026. I know a lot may change between now and then, but I can't wait to get started on planning lol!

You're welcome! Late 2026 won't be available for booking till late 2025.
But if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

 

[Teamubr]

Thank you for the tips! We just got home from our first trip to WDW and DH is now talking about our next trip being to Europe in late 2026. I can't wait to get started on planning lol!

We are in the same position. Our first DLP trip was 18 months ago and can't wait to get back. Planning for a Summer 2026 trip. We need to get a topic for "When is everyone going to Disneyland Paris- 2026?" started.

j

 

[zanzibar138]

You're welcome! Late 2026 won't be available for booking till late 2025.
But if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Good to know. Just in refamiliarisation mode at the moment. I last went to DLP in 2013 so just reminding myself what's there and seeing what's changed since the last visit. Hopefully we'll be ready to book when it opens up!

 

[aleh021]

Super informative thank you!

I do want to ask. Why are DLP hotels not considered resorts like WDW? To be honest they seem to have just as many amenities at Disneyland Hotel Paris or Art of Marvel as the hotels in WDW. If not maybe more to be honest.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Super informative thank you!

I do want to ask. Why are DLP hotels not considered resorts like WDW? To be honest they seem to have just as many amenities at Disneyland Hotel Paris or Art of Marvel as the hotels in WDW. If not maybe more to be honest.

The main difference to me is that at Disneyland Paris, people dont do hotel only stays onsite. Disneyland Paris has a hotel and park ticket package as standard so all hotel guests are in the parks during park opening hours.

People also dont really do a none park day, very few people are in the hotels during park opening hours, so the lobbys and public areas are smaller and have less amenities, not all the hotels have a pool areas.

Then there is also the weather. Disneyland Paris does not get warm weather and sunshine year round like Florida, so lounging in the sun by the pool in not a thing.

 

[Woodview]

To visitors From outside of Europe & U.k. please try and Blend In

with Europeans with " wearing apparel " during these troubled times

 

[Karin1984]

Super informative thank you!

I do want to ask. Why are DLP hotels not considered resorts like WDW? To be honest they seem to have just as many amenities at Disneyland Hotel Paris or Art of Marvel as the hotels in WDW. If not maybe more to be honest.

I use hotels and resorts in the hope to temper some expectations. Especially with those guests used to Disney World. The difference is not so much if there is a pool or not, but more decoration, places to sit/lounge and food options.

When you walk around the value hotels in Florida, there is loads of decoration everywhere to admire and look at. It is fun to take a stroll around Pop Century. It makes it worth to go resort hopping, walk around, have a drink, go to the foodcourt/shop and then hop to the next. There are massive gardens or outside spaces to explore.

In Disneyland Paris the hotels are very much a place to sleep. If you go to the hotel, you go to your room. A small part will go to the hotel bar, but there aren't many other places to just sit and relax.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

If I were to arrive to the parks around noon with Premier Access (on Friday, March 27th), would I be able to cover the headliners in both parks? I want to go to La Vallee Village first and visit a few of my fav shops. Since it's only 5 mins by taxi to DLP I was hoping to combine shopping with the parks. If not, I can always do 2 separate day trips (not ideal given how far it is from Paris). Thoughts?