Trip Report - Our First Visit to Disneyland Paris - September 2025

[RYAN1987M]

I’ll try to keep this Trip Report succinct, but we’ll see how that goes …

For context, this trip included my wife (Laura) and I (Ryan). We’re both in our mid-30s and love to walk (as you’ll read!). As Canadians, we’ve travelled frequently within our own country and also throughout the US. I was fortunate enough to get to travel for work early in my career and visited parts of Asia about fifteen years ago (before Laura & I met). We had our first ‘big’ adventure together – our first time crossing an ocean together – last year, in 2024, when we travelled to Japan for two-weeks. This 10-night Paris trip was our first time to Europe.

We did last-minute extend this trip by adding two additional nights at the beginning. This was because we were a bit nervous about potentially being impacted by the Sept. 18 ATC strike and wanted to get to Paris ahead of any labour actions. As it turned out, we seemingly wouldn’t have been impacted at all – but, of course, two extra nights in Paris was a great bonus. As a result of the additional time, we didn’t really add much to our pre-existing itinerary but instead spread things out a bit because our original plan was rather tight.

In summation - and to not leave you in suspense - we enjoyed a wonderful trip! We found the people of Paris to be wonderfully hospitable and friendly. In general, when travelling, we endeavor to approach each interaction with a smile and are always sure to try at least a few phrases in the local language – this approach seemed quite fruitful throughout our trip.

I’ll post the Disneyland Paris portion of our TR in a subsequent response (I can share more about our time in Paris, outside of Disney, if anyone happens to be curious).

 

[RYAN1987M]

After arriving in Paris on Wednesday Sept. 17 and spending a few lovely days doing non-Disney things, we transitioned to the Disneyland Paris Resort and promptly got the Disney portion of our trip underway.

Disneyland Hôtel | Chessy | 3 Nights

Day 5 | Monday September 22 | Disneyland & Dinner at Walt’s

Woke up at a decent time and got going. We had breakfast at Le 123 Sébastopol hotel today so we had enough fuel to last us for the trek ahead. We initially hopped on the wrong train – still the RER-A heading east – but not realizing that some specific trains veer off in a different direction before Disneyland. We figured this out before too long and our mistake was easily rectified. We then met an American couple who made the same mistake too, chatted with them about their travel plans, and stood with them on the train the whole way to Disneyland. We arrived at the Disneyland Hotel at 10:30am, did the pre-check-in thing and headed right into the park! First ride - Small World - 15 min posted wait time, and on in about 20, right around noon. Lunch at Toad Hall, split fish and chips, which exceeded our expectations. Plus, the restaurant was cute. Next up Pirates of the Caribbean - 25 mins posted wait, on in about 20. After that Phantom Manor, a super cool and spooky attraction, we checked out the unique gravesite pathway upon exiting. Our hotel room was ready, so we meandered in that direction to see our room and unpack a bit. We did a character meet at the hotel (Princess Aurora) then back into the park. Pinocchio's and then Snow White, which was a walk-on! Walked through the castle and then dinner reso at Walt's for 6:15. Walt's was delicious, and we both enjoyed what we had as well as the overall experience. Laura had pea soup, farmhouse chicken, and a warm cookie. I had the waldorf salad, steak and chili, and an ice cream sundae. Did some shopping and Laura bought a hat as it was very cold out. Back to the hotel and we decided to go for a swim as the pool looked very nice - it was!

Day 6 | Tuesday September 23 | Disneyland + Walt Disney Studios Park

Into DLP right at 8:30am taking advantage of our early entry access (as hotel guests), Mickey and Minnie came out with umbrellas and waved to everyone from the railroad station area at the front of the park. First ride at 8:45am - Peter Pan's Flight! Next up, still before the official park open, was Big Thunder, it was awesome! Headed over to do Phantom Manor right at 9:30am. Then to Main St to get a coffee, we also shared a ham and cheese toastie. Explored the arcades, Discoveryland, the Nautilus walkthrough, and met Mando as it was only a 10 min wait. Pin trading in Thunder Mesa store, traded 2 pins on a lanyard plus the cast member asked for the pin board to be brought out. Lunch at Casa de Coco - chicken and beef burritos. Shopping briefly and a pin trade then off to Walt Disney Studios Park. Pixar ‘Together’ musical at 1:30pm, waited in line starting at 1:00pm. Got champagne on Main St after entering DLP again. Storyland Canal Boats, lined up at 3:30, 15 min posted wait, waited about 20. Did the Alice in Wonderland labyrinth maze. Then coffee on Main St and another pin trade. Into the hotel at 5pm to meet Cinderella. Had a little break then back into the parks; did the Aladdin walkthrough, very cute. Rode Pirates, we both liked it better this time versus our first ride. Then we did some more wandering. Then dinner at Cafe Hyperion - had a chicken burger, fries, nuggets, and a ‘yoda’ burger. Likely our worst meal. Rainy night so we left and went to the Fleur de Lys Bar inside our hotel for a cocktail. Saw a few characters in the lobby, saw Mickey and Pluto from Royal Banquet and some Princesses and their Princes too (Snow White, Ariel, Belle). It was a very cold and rainy day; the temp never seemed to actually approach the forecasted high.

Day 7 | Wednesday September 24 | Disneyland + Walt Disney Studios Park

Entered Walt Disney Studios at 8:30am again taking advantage of our early access perk as hotel guests. Right to Crush's Coaster, it was quite a long wait to get on (it might have been malfunctioning for a time while we were in line). We survived but both didn't love it, too much spinning. Next up was Remy's around 9:50am. Over to Cars Road Trip for the first run of the day at 10am, a super cute attraction. Explored and had lunch in the Avengers area (Stark Factory). Wandered some more and then back to hotel to change quick (more bundling up for Laura). Over to DLP around 1pm, got on the Disneyland Railroad for a full rotation! Pirates, Small World, coffee and a treat (a delicious waffle from a food stand outside of Small World). Split up and I rode Big Thunder while Laura looked for pin trading. Saw the dragon under the castle. Pirates was a 5-minute wait, so we headed over there for a second go of the day. Caught the parade at 5:30pm and then off to dinner at Chalet Marionette, we had a pork sandwich on a pretzel bun and a half chicken and fries - it was great. Phantom Manor, then over to Frontierland where I got on Big Thunder again! Nighttime vibes and some shopping on the way out. Freezing cold again today, high of 9C and drizzly rain all day.

Day 8 – Part 1 | Thursday September 25 | 2-Hours in Disneyland

Entry at 8:30am. Big Thunder first but just before we were about to board, the ride went down. Waited in Frontierland until about 9:05am and then it reopened. We were the first ones to walk on when it reopened – it is truly an amazing ride! Lined up for Pirates for the official 9:30am park opening! Over to Small World just before 10am and it was a walk-on. We ended our time at DLP right where it had initially begun. Walked through the castle on the way out and then to Main St. One last pin trade for Laura in the Emporium while I was getting us Mickey beignets - yummy! Back to the hotel just in time for check out at 11am and off to Paris via the RER for the final leg of our trip.

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After this, we proceeded to have another couple of lovely days in Paris itself.