1 Day in Paris Disneyland Christmas

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Paris Disneyland Christmas

Yes! We are going to visit Paris Disneyland enchanted Christmas! And going to Paris Disneyland during Christmas is one of our bucket lists when we are based in France. 

We are a fan of Disneyland, and wherever we travel, if there is Disneyland we will make it a point to visit.

We have been to ones in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

And hear say Paris Disneyland during Christmas is a must go.

Having a pocket burning experience in London, we decided to take it easy on this Paris Disneyland trip.

We have bought the tickets for 2 parks and researched online that it is impossible to finish even 1 Park in a day.

So we decided to skip all the rides and visit all the shows and take pictures with the Disneyland characters instead. Because rides are usually the ones with super long queues.

Paris Disneyland during Christmas period

And the most magical thing, we are going to Paris Disneyland on Christmas eve!

Although it is a super peak period ticket, we thought that in Europe as most French will celebrate Christmas during Christmas eve, the crowd at Disneyland will be lesser.

Drive to Paris Disneyland

The Car Park

The Car Park

The huge Car park

The huge Car park

A long walk from the car park

A long walk from the car park

Still walking

Still walking

As usual, we are driving to Paris Disneyland. The journey there is easy because en route there is a lot of clear signs that will direct you to Paris Disneyland and the car park as well.

Before entering Paris Disneyland, there will be a station for you to pay for your parking. This is a good efficient system as you will not cluster to pay for the car park charges when you exit.

The car park in Paris Disneyland is also very huge! You can park caravan there as well.

Entry to Paris Disneyland

Going in to Disneyland Paris Enchanted Christmas

Going in to Disneyland Paris Enchanted Christmas

As a famous attraction in Paris, we will expect security checks before entering the park. What we like about this is, they do the security check way before you are entering the park instead of at the park entrance itself.

At least it frees up the ticketing entrance for more photo taking.

Paris Disneyland and Walt Disney Studio

In general, Paris Disneyland has 2 parks. One is Walt Disney Studio and Disneyland.

And it seems like Walt Disney Studio is more for kids and Disneyland is more for adults due to the rides.

The Walkway to Disneyland Park

The Walkway to Disneyland Park

To: Walt Disney Studio

Walt Disney Studio

Walt Disney Studio

Moteurs… Action! Stunt Show Spectacular 

Review of Moteurs… Action! Stunt Show Spectacular

Time

11:15 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

First come first serve

Duration

1 Hour(s)

Ratings

Stunt Show Spectacular

Stunt Show Spectacular

Stunt Show - Show Time

Stunt Show - Show Time

Seated in the Center - Almost

Seated in the Center - Almost

Motorbike Stunt

Motorbike Stunt

Car Stunts

Car Stunts

Selfie !

Selfie !

More Info

Waiting Time: 2-3 Hours You can finish exploring this Park, if you are more adventurous, you can explore the hill behind the Park and see the city skyline from above too.

Show Duration: Some ulu location that you gotta either walk uphill from the station, or walk downhill from where we alight.

Our Reviews:  Must See!
Our first item of the day is the Moteurs… Action! Stunt Show Spectacular show. We remembered that in Singapore Universal Studio there is a similar Water World show and it was stimulating our visual senses. 

So we hope that this show is as exciting as the one.

True enough, this show is power action pack. There is car and motorbike driving stunts, car stunts jumping over a height and alot of screeching tyres stunts!

They explained how car driving stunts are filmed and done in movies.

 Don't see you will regret!


Meet Spiderman

Review of Meet Spiderman

Time

12:10 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

1 Hr 20 mins

Duration

5 mins

Ratings

While queueing for Spiderman

While queueing for Spiderman

Photo Session with Spiderman

Photo Session with Spiderman

Welfie with Spiderman!

Welfie with Spiderman!

More Info

Waiting Time: 1 Hour 20 mins. However, we did not physically queue there as we were asked to download an application to E-queue. 

Duration: 5 Mins to take picture.

Our Reviews:  Good !
Our first photo with Spiderman and we wondered why is this part of Walt Disney Studio.

What is different about this is their queue system. They are using "Lineberty App" for their queue system instead of having physically queued for the  photo session.

When we were there, it takes queueing time 1 hour. And they are having a trial run on this system.

They should implement this for all the photo session to minimise the physical queues.


Mickey and the Magician

Review of Mickey and the Magician

Time

12:30 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

10 mins

Duration

20 mins

Ratings

More Info

The 2nd best show in Walt Disney Studio. It is like a musical show that showcase most of the famous Disney cartoons of all time.

Although half the time it is in French, the other half is in English.

Waiting Time: 10 mins

Duration: 20 mins

Our Reviews:  Must See!
Our 2nd show for the day, and while e-queueing for Meet Spiderman, the Mickey and the Magician show just nice fit into the slot. You will be ushered into a theatre, seated with cushion chairs.

And for the 20mins, you will be treated with musical live show of the disney theme cartoons, eg: Aladdin, The Lion King, Frozen and more!


Stitch Live!

Review of Stitch Live!

Time

13:55 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

No Queues

Duration

15 mins

Ratings

Source1

Source2

Waiting area in Stitch Live!

Waiting area in Sitich Live!

More Info

Waiting Time: No queues

Duration: 20 mins

Our Reviews:  They should scrap this!
Wah, this show Pui Chow Nua (Spit Saliva).

It is live on-screen cartoon that probably is being voiced over by some staff as they will gather participants from the crowd. The cohost seems like having a bad day, as his script is not as passionate and getting the crowd interest somehow.


Disney Junior Live on Stage - Just beside Stitch Live!

Disney Junior Live on Stage - Just beside Stitch Live!

Outside of Armageddon : les Effets Spéciaux

Outside of Armageddon : les Effets Spéciaux

Art of Disney Animation

Review of Art of Disney Animation

Time

14:20 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

No queues

Duration

15 mins

Ratings

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

Art of Disney Animation

More Info

Waiting Time: No queues at all.

Duration: 15 mins

Our Reviews:  If you have nothing to do..
If you want a place to rest your legs while being entertained, you can come here to understand the history of Disneyland animation and how they craft out each characters.

Although the presenter speaks in French, there is headphone at every seats for most common language. English as well.


Meet Minnie

Review of Meet Minnie

Time

14:40 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

90 mins

Duration

5 mins

Ratings

Waiting Time: 90 mins.

Duration: 5 mins

Our Reviews:  Nearly died
90 mins of queueing physically to take a picture with Minnie nearly killed us. After the animation show, Meet and Greet Minnie is near the exit point. 

It was an excruciating long wait there. Because Minnie spends like 5 mins interacting with every one per session. And every 30mins, they will need to change shift.

Hence it took like 90mins. But since we plan to take pictures with all the Disneyland characters, we don't want to miss this out.

So we queued and waited..........


Lunch: Restaurant en Coulisse

Review of Restaurant en Coulisse

Time

16:00 Hrs

Arrival

Service

Food

Value

We were advised to bring our own and avoid eating at Paris Disneyland because they are expensive. But in fact, €15 for a burger set meal is not that expensive compared to what we had in Iceland.

Of course, I brought along my chilli sauce as well.

Service: Fast  service, probably because we ate fast food. Order at the cashier and the food is served almost instantly.

Food:
Normal burger and fries set. Just something to feel our stomach.

Value: 
For €15 in Disneyland, this burger set meal is considered fairly average valued.

Because a Mcdonald's Meal would have cost like €8. And considering their portion, I think we would not want to save that few dollars walking out to Mcdonald's at Disney Village.


Meet Goofy

Review of Meet Goofy

Time

17:15 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

20 mins

Duration

5 mins

Ratings

Waiting Time: 20 mins.

Duration: 5 mins

Our Reviews:  At least the queue is shorter.

While on our way out, we saw a photo booth with Goofy. The queue certainly looks shorter, and we queue 20 mins for it.

What is 20mins compared to the 90mins with Minnie


Entry to Disneyland

Time

17:45 Hrs

Arrival

Initially, we planned to get out of Walt Disney Studio by 2 pm so that we can have another half day at Disneyland.

As Sunset is 5 pm, it is pretty dark when we walked over to Disneyland.

We were greeted by beautiful Christmas decorations when we enter Disneyland.

And since it is past 5.30pm, all the photos sessions with the Disney Characters have Pang Kang.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Review of Sleeping Beauty Castle

Time

18:00 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

No Queue

Duration

5 mins

Ratings

More Info

Our Reviews:  

Beautiful castle on the outside when there is some musical fountain shows going on for like 15 mins.

As we walked into the castle, there is a showcase of sleeping beauty and its character on the 2nd level of the castle. But they are all written in French.


Dinner: Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost

Review of Colonel Hathi’s Pizza Outpost

Time

19:00 Hrs

Arrival

Service

Food

Value

Service: Similar to our lunch, this is also a fast food service. Order at the cashier and the food is served almost instantly.

Food: 
. What can go wrong with Ham and Cheese Pizza.

Value: 
For €15 in Disneyland, this pizza set meal is more valued than our lunch. Slight more as they have dessert ice cream!


Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin

Review of Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin

Time

20:00 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

No Queue

Duration

10 mins

Ratings

More Info

After our dinner, we are on the way to the Main Street USA where they will have a Christmas Light Up session. On the way, we drop by the Aladdin exhibition and take a look.

Take some pictures.

Our Reviews:  

Very interesting exhibition of Aladdin's story. They have some of the scenes displayed.


Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights

Review of Mickey's Magical Christmas Lights

Time

20:30 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

No Queue

Duration

15 mins

Ratings

More Info

Our Reviews:  

Beautiful Christmas Light up with several Christmas Carols sing along. Certainly the Christmas mood more enjoyable!


More Shopping

Disney Friends

Disney Friends

The one on the left.

The one on the left.

You come Disneyland is wait to get Carrot by their merchandise one. My wife is the carrot head for it.

She had a lot of soft toys collection and every Disneyland trip we will collect at least one.

But the soft toys this time were not attractive enough. In the end, we got beauty and the beast figurine.

The Spectacularly sparkly Disney Illuminations show

Review of The Spectacularly sparkly Disney Illuminations show

Time

22:00 Hrs

Arrival

Waiting Time

No Queue

Duration

15 mins

Ratings

More Info

Since it is already 9 pm plus and the fireworks is at 10 pm. We cannot be missing out this grand finale right?

The best fireworks we have seen in all the theme parks visit.

The light up show to showcase the cartoons over time and the fireworks gave it the maximum effect. It is even more overwhelming than the Christmas tree light up.

Of course, jostling for the best position is not easy. But we were glad to get a good position with a good view.

Our Reviews:  

Really very spectacular, we are glad we stayed back to catch this light up and fireworks. The songs, lights and the fireworks are so well sync, that this is the best light up and fireworks display we have seen in all the theme parks.


Last Shopping

As everyone is leaving the park, there is a Disney store after the exit for your final final purchase. They closed at 11pm pm and hence after the fireworks where the crowd were swarming to leave Disneyland, this is where you get your last dollar.

Leaving Disneyland 

I guess we missed out the peak period of departure because of the shopping. The exit is smooth and very little cars.

At least we didn't get stuck in the queue to get out of the car park.

Overall we had great fun in Paris Disneyland, and the Christmas decorations were indeed impressive. But 2 parks in a day was pretty tiring but we are glad we made it.

What Disneyland have you visited so far? 

Which one is the best you have seen?

Let us know in the comments below.

About the author 

Donovan

Don is a Kiasu Singaporean that blogs his journey while exploring Europe.
A Singapore Travel Blog that provides travel guides and tips on how to travel free and easy in Europe.

  • I used to work at Disneyland in California for years and also LOVE all things Disney. I’ve never been to a Disney Park outside of the US, but Paris looks magical. I always like seeing the different shows that the Parks have. In California, we don’t have a racing show. I really love going on the rides though!

  • Love. Love. Love. This is a fantastic post on Disneyland. I’ve only been to Disney World in Orlando. Your post was so informative on practically anything!!!

    • I think it is worse than what we expected as it is Christmas eve. Everyone should be at home. Haha.
      But still a lovely day. I hope they come up with some queues system for the mascots.

  • So awesome you got to go to Disneyland Paris! Definitely want to go the day I’m in Paris. I love Disneyland, but in California the lines are ridiculously long and sometimes takes away from the magic. Seems this one might be better although the times on some of them are long.

  • We have visited all the Disneys except for Shanghai. We do love seeing how they differ in the various parts of the world. We like to ride the rides… not visit the characters, so you definitely had a different experience than we did. I loved Paris Disney.

  • The fireworks and light show at the Disney castle is always the best (for me). You did great in reviewing each attraction. I’m loving the summary box. 🙂

  • Disneyland is always awesome but for Christmas it gets breathtaking! We still haven’t managed to go around that period but you definitely reminded us that we must plan this!

  • Wow! This was such an extensive review. I love all the information you gave – so helpful!

    After visiting the Disney Parks in Tokyo, do you think going to Disneyland Paris is worth the time/cost? The Tokyo Parks are our favorite, and we aren’t sure if we should go to the parks when we visit Paris this June.

    • If you have a spare weekday for Paris, you can explore Paris Disneyland. Weekdays have generally lesser crowd and tickets are cheaper.
      I would say many of the designs are almost the same.

  • You know, I’ve never actually been to Disneyland, in any of the places I’ve visited. It looks great though, and this is a good resource. I’ll keep your blog in mind in case we ever to decide to get there. You were patient to spend so long queuing to see Minnie :).

    • Yeah, this minnie session is the only one that is found indoors. I think it is better to queue indoors than queueing outdoors. But still 90mins is abit too long..

  • It’s good to know that it cannot be done in one day. I was never so excited about about Disney until my friend recently visited HongKong and kind of convinced me how my opinion might change . May be I will visit too

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