Disneyland Paris at Christmas Planning Tips

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If you’ve been thinking about taking a trip to Disneyland Paris, consider Christmas a magical time to go!  Even better, go this Christmas.  The closures of quarantine days have finally released their grip and all of the best attractions are open again.  It is also Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary this year, making the party that much more enchanting and exciting!  Disneyland Paris at Christmas may just have to be your next remarkable adventure – wrapping up for a winter in Paris with the famous magical mouse!

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Disneyland Paris consists of two parks: the enchanting Disneyland Park with rides and attractions beyond your wildest imagination and Walt Disney Studios Park, where the movies and shows of Disney and Pixar come to life.

There is no shortage of fantastic places to stay when you book a trip to Disneyland Paris.  There are 7 unique official Disney Hotels most of which are within walking distance or a quick shuttle ride away from the park!

If you’re going for the day, Disneyland Paris is accessible by train from the centre of Paris or even directly from the airport.  From the city, RER A trains run approximately every 15 min, and you can expect it to take around 30-45 minutes to reach Marne-la-Vallée — Chessy, which is the Disneyland Paris stop.  From CDG airport, take a TGV high-speed train and you can reach Disneyland in 15 minutes!   Alternatively, an indirect train will take you through Lille, with a very easy change of trains to to reach Marne-la-Vallée. The train station is ride outside the entrance to Disneyland.

Planning a Disneyland Paris Trip

Many people enjoy traveling to Disneyland Paris around Christmastime.  If you’ve never done it before (or even if you have) it’s totally worth it!  Of course, Disneyland and Christmas are both magical and spirited on their own but put the two together, and nothing is better!  The entertainment offered at this time of year is unbeatable.

At Mickey’s Magical Christmas Lights, there is a tree-lighting ceremony with music every night.  Imagine remarkable lights twinkling on with all of your favorite Disney characters and Santa there for so much holiday cheer!

The park is decorated in full Christmas theme, making it even more special than ever.  From Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas parade on Main Street, U.S.A. to the exuberant Christmas Tree in Town Square, everything is just perfect!

How long should you plan to visit Disneyland Paris? 

While you can certainly cover enough of Disneyland Park in 1 day, at least 3 days for the whole experience is ideal.  In 2 days you can experience much more of Disneyland Park, and on the third day, explore Walt Disney Studios Park.

Disney Village is another holiday wonder to experience just outside the parks at Disneyland Paris, especially if you are into fantastic food, themed live music, and plenty of Christmas shopping.  Wander through and enjoy the restaurants and shops all decked out for the most wonderful time of the year! So how long do I need in Disneyland Paris to cover it all fully? – 3 days for the full experience but you can easily cover a lot in less.

DIY or Package Trip?

Whether you decide to go with a package trip through Disney or plan it all yourself, is a decision that depends on your personal preferences.  Let’s look at both options. TOP TIP:

But do remember booking through the French, German or Italian sites may work out cheaper than booking through the  UK site. Just spending a bit of time working out the currency conversions, could save you!

Package Trip Ball Park Figures

These nightly 2022 rates are for the Disney Hotels and include park access for all guests for 2 days.  Prices and availability are subject to change and I’ve kept in $. But these figures will give you a ball park idea of which hotel is the most expensive and when is the most expensive. Once decided check on the French, German and Italian official sites to compare!

Disneyland Hotel  5* and situated in the park- currently being renovated.

Disney Hotel New York-The Art of Marvel

Mon-Weds before Christmas: $1269

Thurs before Christmas: $1439

Christmas night-Thurs after Christmas: $1269

Disney’s Newport Bay 

Mon-Weds before Christmas: $850

Thurs before Christmas: $850

Christmas night-Thurs after Christmas: $963

Disney Sequoia Lodge

Mon-Weds before Christmas: $748

Thurs before Christmas:  $1013

Christmas night-Thurs after Christmas: $849 (except Mon 12/26: $1013)

Disney Hotel Cheyenne 

Mon-Weds before Christmas: $697

Thurs before Christmas:  $790

Christmas night-Weds after Christmas: $697 (except Mon 12/26: $790)

Disney Hotel Santa Fe

Mon-Weds before Christmas: $651

Thurs before Christmas:  $738

Christmas night and night after Christmas: $738

Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch 

Mon-Weds before Christmas: $697

Thurs before Christmas:  $790

Christmas night-Weds after Christmas: $697 (except Mon 12/26: $790)

DIY

If you need some more flexibility for your holiday/vacation or don’t need a Disney Hotel, here are some options for you to plan your own trip to the parks. Note that again, booking through an alternative EU based official Disney sites, can save you money, once you convert into your currency. Here is an example below of the prices PER DAY, if you were opting for a TWO DAY, TWO PARK ticket. a £68.95 adult ticket is the equivalent of €81.00 so for a two day trip, park to park, each adult could be saving €8. Multiply that for a family and you have saved quite a bit!

Dated Tickets:

These are for specific dates that you choose ahead of time for your visit to Disneyland Paris.  Choosing this option allows you to pay less money per day, the more days you commit.

For 2 days during Christmastime a dated ticket:

$134.41 per adult (ages 12+)

$123.61 per child (ages 3-11)

Undated Tickets

These tickets are good any day you wish, but they are subject to availability so you do need to register before you head to the park.

For 1 day any time of the year an undated ticket:

$156.01 per adult (ages 12+)

$146.41 per child (ages 3-11)

Getting To Disneyland Paris

Wondering how to get to Disneyland Paris? Another great thing about Disneyland Paris is that it is easy to get to in a number of different ways.  Whether it be by plane, train, car, taxi, or some combination, you’re sure to find a convenient way to reach DLP.

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport, Paris

The most popular option to get from CDG airport to Disneyland is the TGV, which is a high-speed train.  After up to a 30-minute wait time, you can board the train and be at Disneyland in less than 15 minutes.  Tickets cost about $15.13 or 17.50€.  You can also take a taxi from the airport, which takes about 40 minutes and costs about 76€ or $76.50.

Magic Shuttle Bus

You can also book a Magic Shuttle Bus as airport transfer between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Disneyland Paris or the Disney Hotels.  This can take up to 90 minutes.  It costs about 23€

or $23 per person.  You can also book a smaller bus for 5 to 8 people or a private driver for a van, sedan or limo through the Magic Shuttle Bus website.

RER Train

If you are already in Paris, the RER A train is an easy option to get you to Disneyland.  The RER A trains run approximately every 15 min, and you can expect it to take around 30-45 minutes to reach Marne-la-Vallée — Chessy, which is the last stop on the line for Disneyland.  From the train stop, it is a short walk to the parks.  The price is about 7.60€.

Gare Du Nord Train Station

It might seem that since you are already at a train station, the only option to get to Disneyland would be another train, but there are actually a few options for reaching your destination if you find yourself at Gare Du Nord Train Station.

Taxi

Grabbing a taxi from Gare Du Nord is one way to reach the parks.  It takes around 35-40 minutes to get there are will run you anywhere from 75€-100€ for a private taxi depending on the number of people in your party.

RER Train

Take the RER D metro train to the  Paris Gare de Lyon stop.  Switch to the RER A train and take it to the Marne-la-Vallée — Chessy stop, which is Disneyland.  The trip will take around 1 hour to complete.

Bus

This is a complicated option.  Basically, you take a RATP bus to Orly airport, where you can then take the Magic Shuttle to Disney Parks.  It will cost you about 34.40€ per person and takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Eurostar from the UK

Getting to Disneyland Paris from London is super easy with a Eurostar ticket.  Hop on in London and arrive at the parks in 2 hours and 49 minutes direct.  Booking in advance will get you a ticket starting at $80 (79.14€) per person.  Book 180 days ahead to grab the cheapest tickets where you can get them for around £60 per person. Kids aged four and under for free on the Eurostar and there are no restrictions on baggage allowance -making it cheaper than a flight! There are indirect trains to Disneyland on the Eurostar via Lille and then a connecting train; which is also super easy to connect to Marne-la Vallée — Chessy. You will spot all the Disney tourists on the same train!

Where to Stay at Disneyland Paris

Whether you stay in an official Disney Hotel or off-site, you will definitely find one of the 7 hotels to suit your family’s needs and desires. Disneyland Paris has no shortage of nearby places to stay overnight.  

Disney Hotels Overview

The Disney Hotels are a popular choice for visitors who want the full Disney experience.  They are themed hotels that are part of the Disney franchise, that offer a full Disnified vacation!  The sticker price tends to be higher than off-site hotels, but they also offer packages including park tickets and meal plans.

When you book your stay in one of the 7 Disney hotels, park tickets for both parks are included in your price, including check out day!  That is one of the best discounts for Disneyland Paris.  You can then select a meal plan for the duration of your stay, which can increase the amount of money you save. 

Meal Plans

Meal plans vary by the number of meals you need and the restaurants where you can eat. You book restaurant reservations in advance and you can even choose meals with Disney characters!  The advantage is that everything is paid upfront, and you can relax and enjoy your holiday without worrying about overspending once you’re there.

Park Shuttles

Another awesome perk of the Disney hotels is that most of them offer a free shuttle to the parks.  With the exception of the Davy Crockett Ranch, all of the Disney hotels offer a complimentary shuttle bus that gets you to and from the park in 8 minutes.  This way you don’t have to worry about driving and parking your own car if you drove to Disneyland.  Or if you don’t get enough exercise at the park, you can also walk between the park and the hotels in 10-20 minutes!

Disneyland Paris Hotels

There are 7 different Disney hotels to fit your budget:

5 Star Hotels at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Hotel – currently under renovation.

4-Star Hotels at Disneyland Paris

Disney Hotel New York-The Art of Marvel

This stylish hotel promotes a luxurious vacation in its Manhattan-style opulence.  Additionally, if you are a Marvel person, this is the place for you!  Boasting over 350 pieces of superhero art, any fan will be blown away to have this up-close and personal visit.  This is also the priciest of the Disney hotels with rates around Christmas near $1269 per night (including park passes.)

Disney’s Newport Bay 

If you are one for relaxation by the water, and nautical themes, you’ll want to stay at Disney’s Newport Bay.  The easy-going, but elegant atmosphere and New England charm provide the perfect place to stay.  Also, look for the classic Mickey and Minnie theme throughout the hotel.  Prices around Christmas run around $850 per night (including park passes.)

3-Star Hotels

Disney Sequoia Lodge

The Disney Sequoia Lodge has a rustic look, but all the amenities that you could want.  It has an indoor and outdoor pool, good restaurants, and character experiences.  This is an excellent option for Christmastime.  With its cozy fireplaces and atmosphere, it will feel like you’re in the middle of The Night Before Christmas story.  Prices near Christmas are approximately $748 per night (including tickets to the park.)

Disney Hotel Cheyenne

Looking for old Western charm?  Or are you a really big Toy Story fan?  This is what comes together at the Disney Hotel Cheyenne.  Check out the old-fashioned boom town where the hotel sits.  Look for Woody and Jessie hanging out at the lively General Store!  This hotel is packed with fun and adventure.  At Christmastime, it will cost around $697 per night (including park tickets.)

2-Star Hotel

Disney Hotel Santa Fe

This hotel is just your speed if you’re into Disney and Pixar’s Cars.  The rooms are car-themed and have a fun American southwest Route 66 vibe.  Lightning McQueen would approve of the indoor play area, Disney characters in the lobby, and the delicious Tex-Mex buffet.  A stay at Christmas will be about $651 per night (including park tickets.)

Davy Crockett Ranch

If you’re interested in a more relaxed atmosphere, consider the Davy Crockett Ranch.  You’ll stay in a roomy bungalow nestled in a forest.  This is a great option for larger families as each bungalow sleeps 6 people.  There are entertaining indoor water activities, and you can even bring your dog! If you’re planning a Christmas trip, the price will be around $697 per night (including park passes.)

Staying Offsite near Disneyland Paris

Luxury Family Accommodation

Marriott’s Village d’Ile-de-France

A more luxury stay that is close to Disney is the Marriott’s Village d’lle-de-France. Guests have the choice of a studio, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom townhouse with adequate sleeping arrangements for up to 8 adults. 

The townhouses are equipped with a full kitchen, bathtub, and scenic views from their private terraces.

Free internet access is available across the entire resort for the guests’ convenience and they even have an indoor and outdoor pool to keep the little ones entertained while you’re not in the park.

The resort, which overlooks the 27-hole Golf Disneyland course, also has a kids’ club, outdoor playground, and a games room. 

Room Type: Studios or two and three-bedroom apartments suitable for up to 8 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 6.1 km by car

The MickeyRelax House is a private property just outside of Disney that makes a great accommodation option for larger parties. 

Inside the house, you’ll find three bedrooms, two with double beds, and one with two sets of bunk beds. What makes this house great is not only the privacy, but the jacuzzi, pool table, outdoor playground, ping pong table, and an array of kids’ toys. You honestly wouldn’t even need to leave the house to keep the little ones entertained.

The property has everything you’d need for a relaxing and comfortable stay, including free wifi and parking. You can even request baby supplies like a high chair, cot, and cutlery.

Room Type: Three bedroom house suitable for 4 adults and 4 children

Distance to Disneyland: 12.5 km by car

Mid-Range Family Accommodation

StayCity Aparthotel Paris Marne La Vallée

Another fantastic property for larger families is the StayCity Aparthotel Paris Marne La Vallée. They have a selection of room types, ranging from simple studios to five-bedroom villas that can sleep up to 15 people. 

Designed with simplicity in mind, all decorations are modern and bright, giving the home an airy and clean appearance.

The studio apartments have a mini kitchenette, whereas the villas have a full kitchen equipped with an oven and a large refrigerator. 

In the resort area, you’ll find a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, numerous garden spaces for the kids to run around in, and an onsite restaurant, gym, and laundromat.

Room Type: Studios, apartments, and villas suitable for up to 15 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 5.9km by car. Resort shuttle is available.

Villages Nature Paris at Disneyland® Paris

If your family are big nature lovers, then the Villages Nature Paris resort is the ideal holiday destination. The resort is split into five sections, one of which includes one of Europe’s largest water parks, Aqualagon. Even if you visit in winter, the water temperature is controlled to 30°c and features 7 slides, a wave pool and an outdoor pool.

The accommodation at Villages comes in the form of one, two, or three-bedroom cottages. All of which have full bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms. 

As the resort is so big, guests can make use of the free shuttle service to get around the area and experience all the activities that make the resort unique. At Villages Nature Paris, you can have a hands-on farm experience, take part in beekeeping or bread-making classes, rent segways, stroll along numerous fitness trails, or drop your kids off for an afternoon of fun at the kids’ club. 

Room Type: One to three-bedroom cottages suitable for up to 6 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 6.3 km by car or 25 minutes by paying public shuttle

Bedland

Bedland is a private property in Bailly-Romainvilliers that can sleep up to 10 adults, which of course, could mean more little humans instead.

The house has a fully equipped kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a balcony and a large dining area so you can sit down and enjoy a meal as a family. Bright modern furnishings with a splash of colour can be seen throughout the accommodation and the kids will especially enjoy their double bunk bedroom. 

Free wifi is available at the property, as well as a washing machine, BBQ, and board games.

Room Type: A three-bedroom apartment suitable for up to 10 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 6.5 km by car

Gîte La Villa Omagny à proximité de Disneyland Paris

Another fun coloured property suitable for large parties is the Gîte La Villa Omagny à proximité de Disneyland Paris. This four-bedroom, two bathroom private house truly has everything you’d need to feel right at home in Paris. 

The kitchen is fully equipped, there is a large outdoor seating area, and free WIFI runs throughout the entire home.

Room Type: A four-bedroom villa suitable for up to 6 adults and 3 children

Distance to Disneyland: 5.9 km by car

Budget Family Accommodation Close to Disneyland Paris

Angels Inn

A slightly more budget option is the Angels Inn in Coutevroult. Equipped with free WIFI, a full kitchen, private parking, and all the necessities you’d need. This one-bedroom house is suitable for up to four adults and a child. 

For families travelling with young children, a crib can be arranged upon request, and although the furniture may be slightly outdated, you can’t really go wrong with the price, location, and garden areas.

Room Type: A one-bedroom house suitable for up to 4 adults and 1 child

Distance to Disneyland: 12.6 km by car

Aparthotel Adagio Marne La Vallée – Val d’Europe

The Aparthotel has apartment or studio rooms suitable for up to seven guests. All apartments come with balconies, free wifi, and a buffet breakfast that is served daily in the breakfast room.

Fully equipped kitchens, satellite TVs, and access to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool also come with all rooms at Aparthotel. Your kids will especially love the dedicated kid’s area with toys, games, and activities to keep them entertained for hours.

Room Type: Studios, or apartments suitable for up to 7 adults. 

Distance to Disneyland: 5.6 km by car

Ibis budget Marne la Vallée Val d’Europe

Ibis is a well-known global hotel chain and their location near Disney offers up affordable and basic accommodation for those who only need the bare minimum.

Each room has a double bed and a bunk bed suitable for a young child. A TV, small desk area, and private bathroom take up the remainder of the room, and guests can enjoy the buffet and continental breakfast options every morning of their stay.

Room Type: A room suitable for up to 3 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 9.2 km by car

Adagio Serris Val d Europe

The Adagio Serries Val d Europe has studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments available just 1.5km away from Disneyland. 

All apartments are clean and modern with access to the hotel’s outdoor pool, fitness centre, and sauna. If you’d prefer not to cook in the fully equipped kitchen, you can head down for the buffet breakfast at Adagio Serris Val d Europe before heading out for your day at Disney.

Room Type: Studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments suitable for up to 6 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 5.4 km by car

Campsites Near Disneyland Paris

Campsite Le Chêne Gris

Campsites are a great option when visiting Disneyland and I don’t just mean tents. Campsite Le Chêne Gris has airconditioned mobile homes that sleep up to 8 guests, fully equipped tents that sleep up to 5 guests, and pitches for you to hook up your own motorhome to. 

On-site you’ll find a bar, restaurant, and supermarket, as well as a swimming pool, kids’ club, play area, and a range of outdoor activities. 

Sites like these are great for extended stays when you don’t want to spend your entire holiday in Disney. Kids can interact with other children and enjoy some time in the great outdoors, while most importantly, allowing parents to relax.

Room Type: Mobile homes, tents, or empty pitches suitable for up to 6 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 20 km by car

L’International de Jablines

Another fantastic campsite near Disney is the L’International de Jablines. The site is similar to Campsite Le Chêne Gris where you can rent mobile homes or pitches to park your motorhome on. 

The mobile homes can comfortably sleep up to 6 people and once you’re situated, you can enjoy some of the many activities the site has to offer. Watersports, an outdoor playground, mini-golf, and basketball are just to name a few. 

Room Type: Mobile homes or pitches suitable for up to 4 adults

Distance to Disneyland: 9km by car

Disneyland Paris App Features

As you’re planning your trip, and especially once you arrive at Disneyland Paris, you will want to download the Disneyland Paris App.  It has some great features that will make your holiday convenient along with fun!

• Look at what time the parks open, show times, and additional scheduling info.
• Book a table at Disney restaurants in advance and get a sneak peek at the menu.
• Speed up Disney hotel check-in by pre-entering information into the app.
• Use the interactive map to conveniently navigate the park.
• See wait times for rides and attractions.
• Order food in advance once you’re there.
• Disney Premier Access is available for purchase so you can skip the line for attractions!

What to Pack for Disneyland Paris

As you get closer to embarking on your trip, you may be wondering what should I pack for Disneyland Paris in December?  And wondering:  is Disneyland Paris cold in December? Does it snow in Paris at Christmas? The answer is generally yes to it being cold, but most likely no for snow. Rain is a possibility. The biggest thing to account for when packing is definitely the weather.  Count on it being chilly, but most likely not below freezing, which means it probably won’t be a white Christmas, though it could happen!  With that said, here are some things to pack for a trip to Disneyland Paris at Christmas:

• Christmas-themed Disney clothing.  Of course!
• Coat
• Hat
• Scarf
• Hand warmers
• Gloves (touchscreen gloves are handy for working the Disney App)
• Thermals for under your clothes.  
• Layers of clothing
• Warm clothing (sweatshirts, sweaters, etc)
• Warm shoes that are also good for walking, and preferably waterproof
• Waterproof outerwear.
• Power adaptor/ power pack
• Glowsticks for kids in the parks as it gets dark early and cheaper outside of the parks!

What to Expect at Disneyland Paris at Christmas

So is Disneyland Paris good at Christmas?  Disneyland Paris is especially popular at Christmas because of the spirited feeling you feel at this time of year in such a magical place.  So what is so special about DLP at this time of year?  You most likely have so many questions.  Let’s take a look at all Disneyland Paris offers during this special time of year.

The Christmas theme and decorations are such a draw to Disneyland.  Everywhere you go, the Christmas theme is not only present, but spectacular.

Can you see Santa at Disneyland Paris? 

Of course!  You can look for him at Santa’s Village and also in the parade.

What is there to do in Disneyland Paris at Christmas?

The experience of the parades, fireworks, Disney characters, and overall atmosphere will certainly entertain you and win you over!  Being in the midst of Mickey, Minnie and the jolly man from the North Pole himself is not something you will encounter just anywhere. 

What time is the Disney Paris Christmas parade? 

Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade happens once during the day and once in the evening. What time are the fireworks at Disneyland Paris in December? 9:30 pm every night! And midnight on New Year’s Eve, of course.  And if you’re wondering how long the Christmas decorations are up at Disneyland Paris, don’t worry.  Disney’s Enchanted Christmas this season runs until January 8, 2023.

Is Paris crowded at Christmas?

The popularity of Disneyland Paris at Christmas does mean that it will be crowded so be prepared to share in the fun with many other people.

Are things open in Paris on Christmas Day?

In the city of Paris, businesses and most restaurants are closed, but Disneyland Paris is open! 

Be aware that with crowds comes a larger population of smokers.  There are designated smoking areas so knowing where they are may give you some areas to avoid if you are a non-smoker and have children with you.  However,  just outside the restrooms of DLP are smoking zones so be prepared to walk through them on your way to use the bathrooms.

A few other questions that normally come up are about what you can bring into the park and what is there once you’re in. 

Can you take water bottles into Disneyland Paris? Yes!  And can you drink tap water at Disneyland Paris? Absolutely! Fill up your water bottles throughout the day at any of the numerous water fountains. 

Are there baby care centres?

At each park at DLP, there are 2 baby care centers that include a changing area, and a kitchen with a microwave and sink to help with feeding.  There is also a dedicated location for breastfeeding.

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