Most family holidays to northern France will involve a visit to Disneyland Paris. One of Europe's most popular attractions, this huge theme park is the focal point for many tourists. Although lots of families choose to stay in one of the Disney resort hotels, many stay in one of the relaxing gites in Champagne or other rural areas and drive to the park for just one day. If you simply intend to incorporate a day at Disneyland into your holiday rather than plan your whole trip around it and spend several days there, a little planning will ensure you get the most of your time there.
Buy Tickets in Advance
Tickets are cheaper when booked in advance and you'll save time queuing, too. Shop around on various websites to find the best deal as prices vary. If you do leave it until the day, expect to pay more on the gate.
Work Backwards
Rather than starting with the rides nearest the entrance, arrive early and head straight for the furthest areas of the park. These areas will be quiet and have considerably shorter queues. Start with the rides furthest from the entrance and work your way back towards the entrance throughout the day. An added advantage of this is that you won't have a long walk to leave the park at the end of the day and will be able to leave quickly when it's time to head home.
Take Provisions
Bring bottled water with you. You'll need a lot of fluids to get you through a whole day of walking and rides so ensure there's adequate water for all of your party. You can, of course, buy drinks in the park but you'll save a lot of money by at least bringing your own water. If you're staying in one of the gites in Champagne or another provincial area, stock up on bread, croissants, cheese and fruit at local markets so you've got an affordable and filling meal. Although you can't bring your own food into the park, there's a picnic area by the entrance so fill up before you go in. Food prices are high in Disneyland and queues can be extremely long so you'll save valuable time by packing a picnic. DIsneyland gets very hot in the summer months so remember to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat if you're visiting in warm weather. Likewise, if you're visiting in winter, take plenty of layers and waterproofs as you can get very cold waiting in the long queues.
