6 Major Mistakes to Avoid Making on Your Disneyland Paris First Time Visit

Are you taking your Disneyland Paris first time trip? You’re probably very excited, but before you buy those Mickey ears, you should consider these Disneyland Paris first time tips to avoid MAJOR mistakes.

On your first Disneyland Paris trip, it’s easy to fall into common pitfalls that can detract from the overall enjoyment of your trip.

But as simple as it is to make these mistakes, it can be just as simple to avoid them. So, let’s discuss how you can avoid these mistakes on your Disneyland Paris first time trip!

This post is the ultimate Disneyland Paris first time guide for avoiding common mistakes at DLP.

Disneyland Paris First Time Tips

1) Not figuring out the best time to visit Disneyland Paris for YOU

The first mistake to avoid on your first visit to Disneyland Paris is not figuring out the best time to visit for you. Whether that’s you as an individual, couple, friends group or family.

Timing can significantly impact your experience at the parks, affecting factors such as crowd levels (and overall atmosphere).

Before planning your trip, consider factors like school holidays, special events, and peak seasons.

If you prefer smaller crowds and shorter wait times, aim for off-peak periods like weekdays in the non-summer months (especially January-February).

However, if you’re eager to experience special events like Halloween or Christmas celebrations, plan your visit accordingly.

Also, consider the weather. In Winter, it can be FREEZING (I’ve been there when it SNOWED in Winter ❄️).

But I’ve also visited in Summer (July-August), where it’s been almost unbearably hot.

Choosing the best time to visit based on your preferences and priorities can enhance your Disneyland Paris experience and make the most of your first visit.

2) Not fully researching the transportation methods to get to Disneyland Paris

One of the most frustrating mistakes you could make on your first visit to Disneyland Paris is not fully researching the transportation methods.

I’m from the UK, so I’ve travelled by plane, the Eurotunnel and the Eurostar.

Your options may vary depending on where you’re visiting from, but I recommend thoroughly researching them all to find the most convenient and inexpensive travel options.

Also, if you’re travelling by plane, remember to book an airport transfer. Alternatively, you may be able to catch a train (though I don’t have first-hand experience with this, and it can depend on which airport you arrive at).

3) Not doing your research and having some kind of itinerary, so you don’t miss anything important (or waste time!)

Without a Disneyland Paris first time itinerary, you might miss out on experiencing all the attractions you’re interested. Similarly, you could also waste time on activities that don’t appeal to you.

To make the most of your Disneyland Paris trip, take the time to familiarise yourself with the park layout, attractions, shows, and dining options in advance.

Create a rough itinerary outlining which attractions you want to prioritize and any dining reservations you want to make (though I would recommend sticking to quick service dining locations, if you want to save time and money).

Consider factors like ride wait and parade times when planning to optimize your time in the park.

While it’s essential to stay flexible, be open to spontaneity, and not have too rigid a schedule, having a basic plan in place can help you make the most of your Disneyland Paris experience and ensure you don’t miss any must-see attractions.

Also, you may want to check out this Disneyland Paris map before your visit, so it is less confusing to navigate the resort when you arrive!

4) Not considering how much time is needed for Disneyland Paris for your first trip

A popular question among guests taking their first trip to Disneyland Paris is ‘How much time is needed for Disneyland Paris?’.

This is a great question to ask if you have never been to Disneyland Paris before.

A considerable number of guests underestimate the amount of time needed to fully experience the resort on their first visit to Disneyland Paris.

Another popular question from those travelling to Paris is, ‘Can you do Disneyland Paris in one day?’.

Technically, you can. However, if you’re a Disney Parks fan, or you don’t want a rushed and stressful experience, this won’t be enough.

Unlike potential subsequent visits where you may choose to focus on specific attractions or areas, your first trip usually requires more time to explore and enjoy the parks.

Disneyland Paris comprises two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, along with Disney Village and several on-site hotels.

what time to arrive at disneyland paris — Disney Village (with Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in the background)

Although Walt Disney Studios is the smallest Disney Park EVER CREATED (excluding the water parks), there are still two parks to explore. This can be especially overwhelming if you’ve never visited any of the Disney Parks before (in California, Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai).

So, if you’re wondering ‘how long do you need at Disneyland Paris’, I would recommend two to five days exploring the parks and experiencing their attractions, entertainment, and dining options.

disneyland paris time — 4-Cheese Mickey’s Pizza from Colonel Hathi’s Outpost Restaurant in Adventureland at the Disneyland Park

Additionally, allocating sufficient time enables you to enjoy the atmosphere, and appreciate the incredible details of the parks.

(But this really depends on how interested you are in the parks, and if you’d rather spend more time in Paris – if you’re not visiting JUST for Disneyland Paris).

5) Staying at off-site hotels

Disclaimer: This is primarily aimed at guests visiting just for – or mainly for – Disneyland Paris (and not Paris or other areas of France).

A prominent mistake to avoid on your first visit to Disneyland Paris is staying off-site. While staying off-site is a cost-effective option, it can result in several drawbacks that could impact your overall experience.

Staying at on-site Disney hotels gives you access to a small number of benefits that enhance your stay.

can you do disneyland paris in one day — Disney Newport Bay Club hotel

These benefits often include additional time in the parks with Extra Magic Time (where you can enter the parks one hour before off-site guests), convenient walking distance to the parks, or “complimentary” bus transportation.

Additionally, staying on-site allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Disney magic throughout your entire trip, from the moment you wake up to when you return to your hotel after a day of adventure in the parks.

You can even meet characters at Disneyland Paris hotels (usually without long queues!).

Opting to meet the characters at hotels instead of the parks is one of the best Disneyland Paris tips for families – as this can save you a lot of time! This way, when you’re in the parks, you can focus on the Disneyland Paris rides, parades and other attractions.

If you book directly with Disney, you can only book a package which includes your park tickets.

However, the prices can be ridiculously high at certain times of year (specifically school holidays). If you’re travelling during these times of year, the savings of staying off-site may outweigh the convenience and “magic” of staying on-site—especially if you don’t want to splurge on your hotel.

But overall, choosing to stay on-site can provide a more seamless and enjoyable Disneyland Paris experience for first-time visitors.

6) Waiting to buy Disneyland Paris tickets at the parks

One huge mistake to avoid on your inaugural trip to Disneyland Paris is waiting until you arrive to purchase your tickets.

This is aimed at those not staying on-site and purchasing a package deal that includes park admission.

You won’t want to make this mistake for several reasons.

Firstly, purchasing tickets in advance allows you to skip the long lines at the ticket booths. This can save you valuable time you could spend exploring the parks.

Secondly, it can be more expensive to buy tickets at the parks instead of online before your visit.

Additionally, purchasing your tickets ahead of time gives you the flexibility to plan your itinerary and schedule your park days in advance, ensuring you make the most of your time at Disneyland Paris.

Overall, buying tickets in advance is a smart and practical decision that can enhance your Disneyland Paris experience. After all, you’ll want to avoid unnecessary hassle on your first visit.

Ta Ta For Now

Planning your first trip to Disneyland Paris can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. By avoiding these major mistakes, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable visit to Disneyland Paris.

By following these tips, you’ll be better prepared to make the most of your Disneyland Paris first time trip.

This post was the ultimate Disneyland Paris first time guide for avoiding common mistakes at DLP.