8 tips for Disneyland Paris during the holidays

A few years ago, I returned to Disneyland Paris for the first time in 20 years. I was immediately captivated by the magic of the park. Even if you don't have children, it's incredibly fun to be swept away into the world of Disney for a day or a weekend and feel like a child again as you meet all the heroes from your childhood. After that visit, I knew one thing for sure: when we have a child of our own, we'll spend a weekend at Disneyland Paris every year. Good news if you, like me, enjoy traveling to Paris by train, because the Thalys now has a direct connection to Disneyland Paris every day. Book three months in advance and a ticket costs just €35 one-way (Check ticket prices here >>)

Feel like a child again and be enchanted by the Disney magic!

Being invited a few years ago to celebrate the 90th birthday of none other than Mickey Mouse was truly the icing on the cake to end the year. Every year, starting in mid-November, Disneyland Paris transformed into a magical Christmas paradise. In 2025, Disney's Christmas season runs from November 8, 2025, to January 6, 2026—and believe us: if you love Christmas, you'll want to experience this! Christmas trees and decorations everywhere, various fun shows themed around the holidays, and of course, the famous Christmas parade: Mickey's Dazzling Christmas Parade. In this blog post, I've compiled my tips for things you definitely don't want to miss when visiting Disneyland Paris with a baby or young children. Check out the vlog below!

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 | TIP: Curious about my tips for Disneyland Paris with a 7,5-month-old baby? I have collected them for you on the Instagram account of @Travelkids.co and you can watch them here.

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The ultimate guide to Disneyland Paris during the holidays

Going to Paris for Christmas or New Year's Eve? Then combine it with a day at Disneyland Paris. Much of Paris is closed on Christmas Day and January 1st, but Disneyland is open as usual. For example, I went there on January 1st two years ago! Want to know more about celebrating Christmas in Paris? Then read the extensive blog with tips here.

Don't miss the Christmas parade during your visit to Disney during the holidays: Mickey's Dazzling Christmas Parade. The parade runs several times a day. The exact times are listed in the leaflet you receive upon entering the park or can be viewed via the app. It starts to the right of "It's a Small World," where it's usually less crowded than on Main Road.

Other shows worth seeing include "Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights," where the Christmas tree lights are turned on every day. And swing along to the "Let's Sing Christmas!" music show with Mickey and his friends Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Clarabelle.

The park opens every day at 10:00 AM, but did you know that if you're staying at one of the Disney hotels, you can enter the park as early as 8:30 AM? No lines on the most popular attractions! Use the app to see which attractions are already open!

Our favorite rides (for adults): The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones™ and the Temple of Peril, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Phantom Manor. Tip: If you have a baby with you and there are three of you, and you still want to ride the roller coasters, you can do two things:
>> Fastpass, this gets you in a shorter line and you'll be in the cart in no time and you can take turns going. 
>> Baby switch, you both stand in line with the baby and when you get to the front you take turns in the attraction.

These are attractions you can enjoy with the whole family, and we've already done them with Manuel. Many attractions are suitable for ALL AGES, and even a small baby can go on them. Our favorite attractions with Manuel were:
>> It's a small world (number 1 for this age)
Mad Hatter's Tea Cups
>> Dumbo the Flying Elephant
>> Peter Pan's Flight
>> Pirates of the Caribbean
Ratatouille: The Adventure
>> Sleeping Beauty Castle
Also fun: Disneyland Railroad, but it was closed last weekend.

During our weekend at Disneyland Paris, we tried several restaurants, and Agrabah Cafe is my favorite in the park. Middle Eastern food, think flatbread with hummus, baba ganoush, dolmades, kebab, couscous, and more.

Finally, it is good to know that the Christmas season in Disneyland Paris lasts until January 6th.

TIP: It's cheaper to book your entire stay, including direct Thalys tickets to Disneyland Paris, through their website. You can also book your meals directly, which saves you a considerable amount. View all offers here >>

Have fun if you're going to Disneyland Paris this holiday season!

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PSSSST... you can find more (travel) tips in my (new) books!

• Feed Your Wanderlust – Travel Guide for a Bohemian Lifestyle (new in 2018)
• staycation – 22 guides and shortlists for a holiday close to home (new in 2018)
• Wanderlust – Urban Travel Style Guide
• The Amsterdam City Guide (Dutch) & The Amsterdam City Guide (English)

Great as a gift for yourself or someone who loves to travel as much as you do!

With love,

Anne