The 2024 Summer Olympics are set to kick off July 26 and run through August 11, 2024, in Paris, France, plus 16 other cities around the country. The games and events of the Olympics are exciting, but part of the joy of going to any games is exploring the country that’s hosting. In France, that may mean heading to the Louvre in Paris, walking the gardens of Versailles (which is hosting equestrian and the pentathlon), or heading to the south of France to Nice (where soccer matches are being held). If you’re like me and love theme parks, the Paris games may also mean taking a quick trip to Disneyland Paris.
The stunning Disney complex features two theme parks, a shopping and entertainment complex, and seven hotels. Even better is that the theme park resort is 40 minutes from the city by car or train. If you haven’t been to Disneyland Paris recently, you’re in luck because the resort just opened some new guest experiences, plus there’s even more on the horizon.
Here’s what you need to know about Disneyland Paris, what’s new, what’s coming up at the parks, and how to make the most of your time there.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris has been called the most beautiful park Disney has ever built. The picturesque Sleeping Beauty Castle is the focal point around the five enchanting lands of the park. If you only have one day at Disneyland Paris, I would focus on exploring the castle park.
MORE PARISIAN FUN: Making the most of Paris in two days
What’s new at Disneyland Paris
A new nighttime show called Disney Electrical Sky Parade plays every night at the park. The show features drones that put on a show inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade high above Sleeping Beauty Castle. And if you plan on riding Star Tours, you’ll be able to see a few new sequences featuring Ahsoka Tano.
The lands of Disneyland Paris
Main Street, U.S.A.
The first land you’ll enter after scanning your park ticket is Main Street, U.S.A., which like other Main Street’s around the world is inspired by Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri. The street is lined with shops and restaurants, and the gazebo at the top of Main Street is a great viewing spot for photos of the castle at the other end.
Pro tip: I love that you can get a glass of champagne right on Main Street and enjoy the view of the castle.
Discoveryland
Discoveryland is the Disneyland Paris version of Tomorrowland. Star Wars fans will love getting on Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. Plus this is where you can hop in a car and ride Autopia or fire a laser blaster to defeat Zerg on Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast.
Frontierland
Don’t forget about Frontierland, where two attractions in the land are easily a highlight at Disneyland Paris. The first is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which is a similar experience to the rollercoaster of the same name at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, and Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. The second attraction is one of the most unique at the park, Phantom Manor, akin to Haunted Mansion, but interweaves the story of Thunder Mountain and Frontierland together. I highly suggest making Frontierland a priority while visiting Disneyland Paris.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is one of Disney’s most iconic lands, and at Disneyland Paris, it’s also one of the most charming. From the fairytale-themed land, you can ride attractions like it’s a small world, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This is also where you can enter Sleeping Beauty Castle to tour the inside. Just watch out for the dragon that’s lurking underneath.
Adventureland
In Adventureland, there’s plenty to explore, including the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean and the thrilling Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril rollercoaster. You’ll also want to visit Le Passage Enchanté d’Aladdin, a walkthrough attraction that features miniature models of the story of Aladdin.
Walt Disney Studios Park
The second park at the resort is Walt Disney Studios Park, which brings the worlds of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel into one fun-filled park. Instead of lands, the park is currently divided into “worlds.” If you have two days at Disneyland Paris, I would use part of the second day to enjoy this park.
What’s new at Walt Disney Studios Park
While there are not many recent openings at Walt Disney Studios Park, there are exciting things on the horizon. The first is a new Frozen-themed land, which will feature a boat ride, character encounters, a new restaurant, and a shop. The fully immersive land will also feature the snow-capped mountains of Arendelle overlooking a stunning lake.
Even more exciting for this park is its complete transformation, culminating in the park being renamed Disney Adventure World. As part of the upgrades, Disney has announced an all-new park entry, new attractions near the front of the park, and more. Disneyland Paris is investing 2.5 billion euros into the resort’s future.
BEST TRIP EVER: 50 best family vacation ideas for all ages
The worlds of Walt Disney Studios Park
The Front Lot
The Font Lot is near the entrance to the park and symbolizes the Golden Age of Hollywood. While there are no rides or attractions in this land, this is a great spot for souvenir shopping since there are three massive stores to browse.
Production Courtyard
Production Courtyard is where you can see some of your favorite Disney characters, plus drop in at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Worlds of Pixar
Step into your favorite Pixar movies at Worlds of Pixar. Here you can be immersed in the animated worlds of Cars, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story. The land boasts quite a few attractions and eateries, of which one of our favorites is Ratatouille: The Adventure (similar to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT), which ends by taking a peek into Bistrot Chez Rémy. The table service restaurant looks like it was plucked right out of the movie.
Toon Studio
Toon Studio is a cute spot for kids of all ages, where you can hop on flying carpets, and see Disney characters like Elsa and Iron Man.
Marvel Avengers Campus
Walt Disney Studios Park is home to its own version of Marvel Avengers Campus, complete with Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure (almost identical to WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California). The world also features Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, which is a coaster themed after Iron Man.
Disneyland Paris hotels
Disneyland Paris has seven hotels on its property, and most are within walking distance of the entrance of both parks. If you don’t feel like walking, there’s also a free shuttle to the parks from most of the hotels. If you’re headed to France for the Olympics and want to spend the night at Disneyland Paris, these are your on-site options.
FIND A DEAL: 12 best hotel booking sites for cheap prices
The Disneyland Hotel
The crown jewel of hotels is the Disneyland Hotel, which recently underwent a massive renovation that upgraded everything from the lobby and common areas to the guest rooms. The hotel is right at the entrance to Disneyland Paris and some of the 487 rooms and suites overlook the park itself. If you are spending the night, this is the hotel I would suggest for its proximity to the parks and the sheer beauty of the spaces. While it is expensive, it may be worth the cost for those trying to pack a lot into a day or two.
The Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
If you want to feel like a superhero at the parks stay at the Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. The hotel feels like it was plucked from Manhattan, has more than 350 pieces of Marvel artwork, and is just a 10-minute walk to the park. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and have everything you need for a great night’s stay. This hotel would be my second choice for a short trip to Disneyland Paris during the Olympics because it’s close to the parks.
Disney Newport Bay Club
Disney Newport Bay Club feels a lot like Disney’s Yacht Club at Walt Disney World, complete with the lake just in front of the resort. The rooms have a distinct New England nautical theme, and the hotel is about a 15-minute walk to the parks.
Disney Sequoia Lodge
Feel like you’ve stepped into a national parks lodge at Disney Sequoia Lodge. The beautiful hotel is on the edge of Lake Disney and is a 15-minute walk to the parks. The rooms here remind me of the rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World or Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa at the Disneyland Resort since they are darker tones with a cute woodland Bambi theme.
Disney Hotel Cheyenne
Live out your Wild West dreams at the Disney Hotel Cheyenne. The hotel has a fun Toy Story theme, complete with a walkable old-fashioned boom town and pony rides. The hotel is about a 20-minute walk to the parks but also offers a free shuttle, which takes about eight minutes.
Disney Hotel Santa Fe
If you have kids who love the Cars franchise, the Disney Hotel Santa Fe is the spot to be. The hotel pays homage to the American Southwest and has Cars-themed rooms. Your walk to the park will take about 20 minutes, or you can take the shuttle which takes about eight minutes.
Disney Davy Crockett Ranch
The last hotel at Disneyland Paris is the Disney Davy Crockett Ranch. The hotel is set up as individual cabins, similar to Disney’s Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World. The resort also features a mini-golf course, a tennis court, and a tasty buffet. The one downfall to this resort is that there is no shuttle service and you must drive your own car to the park, which takes 15 minutes. If you’re short on time, I wouldn’t stay here because of the lack of internal transportation.
How to get tickets for Disneyland Paris
There are three types of tickets that you can purchase to gain access to Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Family & Friends tickets – Dated one day
If you’re going with a group of friends or family to Disneyland Paris you can get one of the Family & Friends tickets, which are dated for a specific day of entry. The tickets must be used between June 21 and September 1, 2024, which is great for those traveling to France for the Olympics. The tickets are good for one or both parks and must be purchased as a group of tickets for four to six people. Single-day, single-park entry starts at $73 per ticket, while two-park entry starts at $102 per ticket, for those ages 12 and older.
Dated tickets
Dated tickets are Disneyland Paris’ basic tickets. They can be used at one or both parks and have entry for one to four days. Single-day, single-park tickets start at $64, while single-day, two-park tickets start at $93, for those ages 12 and older.
Single-day undated tickets
Single-day undated tickets are the last option. These tickets are more expensive but are valid any day for one year from the date of purchase. Undated adult tickets are $119 for a single-day, single-park ticket, while single-day, two-park tickets are $148.
How long do you really need at Disneyland Paris?
While you may only be going to Disneyland Parks for a day or two while traveling to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, to really see everything you would need about three days. If you do plan on going to the theme park resort while enjoying the summer games and only have one day to spare, I suggest getting a single-park ticket and venturing into Disneyland Paris. Here, you’ll find some of the classic Disney attractions, plus maybe a few new favorites (hello, Phantom Manor).
