10 Tips to max out the magic in 24hrs at Disneyland Paris!

In December 2024 The Hay Family visited Disneyland, Paris and wow, what a whirlwind! We had just 24 hours to soak up the magic, and it was absolutely worth it. Here's a quick-hit guide with our top 10 tips if you're planning a short but sweet Disney adventure (plus a little photo dump at the end!).

1. Disneyland - Stay in the Magic

Yes, it’s pricey. But if you’re short on time, staying at one of the Disney hotels is a game changer. We stayed at The Marvel Hotel (super cool!) and loved how close everything was. No shuttles, no stress, just walk straight into the park and also be close to the streets lined with restaurants. Sign up to their newsletter or check their offers page to receive alerts about seasonal promotions: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/newsletter/

2. Maximise Your Entry Times

Arrive early! The parks get much busier in the afternoon. We checked in mid-arvo, dropped our bags at the lobby, and headed straight into Disneyland with our two-day park pass (included with the hotel). Nighttime is magical — don’t miss the parade and light show. The next day, we used our early hotel access to enter the park an hour before the public. Pro tip: leave your bags at the hotel and collect them later, the hotel will text you when your room is ready. 

3. No Bags = No Hassles

Skip the backpack. Bring a coat with secure pockets and stash your essentials. Cards are accepted everywhere and avoiding the bag check queues means more ride time.

4. Buy Express Passes — Beforehand!

If you only follow one tip, let it be this. Express passes sell out and are so worth it. While others waited 40+ minutes, we skipped most lines in under 15. Game. Changer.

5. Lower Your Veggie Expectations

Theme Park food isn’t gourmet. There’s a definite lack of greens, so don’t expect a well-balanced meal. That said, Rainforest Café was a hit for lunch — fun vibes and kid-friendly.

6. Pre-Book Dinner or Miss Out

We missed out on our dream dinner spot because we didn’t book early enough. Luckily, we found a great buffet-style place, but it was busy. If food matters to you, lock in reservations as early as you can.

7. Wear the Comfiest Shoes You Own

You’ll clock some serious steps; comfy footwear is non-negotiable. Make sure they are closed in shoes to avoid disappointment on rides if there are rules around footwear for safety. 

8. Start at the Back

Head to the far end of the park first and work your way forward. Grab a map ahead of time and rough out a plan of what you want to see most. Everyone seemed to rush into the park and head to the nearest rides so to skip the ques do the park back to front.

9. Save the Wild Rides for Last

Space Mountain was my undoing. Loved it… but my neck didn’t. Maybe save the more intense coasters for the end of the day when you’re happy to call it!

10. Set Toy Expectations Early

Have the chat with your kids before you enter. I promised my son Joel a bubble machine (they were everywhere) — then realised it cost $50 😳. If I’d known, I would’ve stuck to “no toys, just memories!”

Would I go back? 100%!

It was a blur, but a magical one. We squeezed in so much and made memories we’ll never forget. Scroll on for our photo dump and drop your own tips in the comments!