The million-dollar question everyone asks while arranging a trip to Disneyland Paris® is what are the things I really don’t want to miss out on? 

What are the must-do things I should add to my list?

After 7 trips between March 2022 and April 2023, I’ve been able to enjoy nearly every experience available at Disneyland Paris® and honed in on what I think are the most magical moments every guest should make time for during their stay. 

Some may already be on your radar, but to cover all bases here are my top 10 Disneyland Paris must dos that you’ll regret missing

Meet your favourite Disney Characters

Part of the magic of Disneyland Paris® is the ability to get up close with some of your favourite characters, whether you’re 5, 15, 30 or 100. 

A variety of characters covering all eras of Disney’s films can be met in every area of the park and the hotels too. 

While you may be tempted to forgo this experience, it’s at the top of my list because there is something magical about how cuddling Winnie the Pooh, receiving Mickey’s autograph, or a smile & wave from Aurora can make anyone feel. 

Most character meet & greet locations and times can be found on the Disneyland Paris® app, but I also recommend following DLP Report on Twitter for daily posts on surprise or unscheduled character locations. 

Disneyland Paris® Parades & Shows

Disney’s art of performance excelled when Dream and Shine brighter debuted at the start of Disneyland Paris®’s 30th anniversary celebration. 

A medley of catchy, heartwarming new music, Disney classics, contemporary dancing and beloved characters, the dream & shine brighter daytime show has become a firm favourite with so many visitors to the parks within the last 12 months. 

If anything should make the top of your Disneyland Paris® to-do list, it should be this show. 

On four times a day, and viewable from multiple positions around Main Street USA and Central Plaza, even I find new things to see and enjoy during it, even after 7 trips to the parks! 

The Nighttime Castle Spectacular 

Like the daytime shows, Disneyland Paris® create unique and memorable nighttime displays that include a combination of projection mapping onto the iconic castle and perfectly timed complimentary fireworks. 

Every night at park closing, guests gather around Central Plaza and down Main Street USA – some even catch the last rides of Big Thunder Mountain and watch the fireworks from the tracks – all coming together in moments of joy and magic. 

As the parks can stay open as late as 11 pm in summer, I often recommend spending a few hours at the hotel in the mid-afternoon, especially if travelling with young children. Given the opportunity to rest and refresh, you’ll be ready and raring to head back out to the parks to enjoy the nighttime festivities. 

Say Good Morning or Good Night to Mickey and Friends

At the start and end of each day, guests can enjoy a greeting from Mickey and friends on the railway bridge at Disneyland Park or Hollywood Boulevard in Walt Disney Studios. 

This wonderful moment instantly sparks joy and excitement for everyone coming or going to the parks. 

If you’re up early enough for extra magic hours, you can say hello to Mickey and often Minnie from 8:30 am to 9:15 am. They then return around 9:30 am as the park officially opens for the day. 

After the nighttime spectacular finishes each evening, the magical mouse, or mouses will be back to say farewell as guests head into the village and back to their hotels. 

Wave, blow kisses, dance or sing, and you might just catch their attention for your very own pixie dust moment. 

Indulge in Mickey Shaped Snacks

What would Disneyland Paris® be without some Mickey-shaped culinary delights? 

Snacks can be found throughout the parks in the shape of Mickey Mouse and other Disney fan favourites. 

My recommendations include the apricot beignet from Cable Car Cake Shop, Mickey waffles from the Cool Post, and of course, the sought-after Mickey pizza which can be found at Bella Notre Pizzeria in Fantasyland or Colonel Haiti’s restaurant in Adventureland. 

More treats can be found throughout the parks, and there are often limited-edition seasonal items available you should keep your eyes peeled for. 

Experience Exclusive performances 

I didn’t take advantage of the choice of indoor performances available at Disneyland Paris® until my 4th trip, and since then I’ve made sure to see at least one indoor show every time I’ve visited. 

Mickey and the Magician in Walt Disney Studios bring together a collection of classic magical beings, including the genie, fairy godmother and Elsa, as they help Mickey learn how to master his magic. The performance lasts about 20 minutes but will leave an impression that lasts so much longer. 

Over in Frontierland, guests can enjoy an acrobatic, musical extravaganza imagining of The Lion King. This show blew me away the first time I watched it and had me in tears by how moving it was. While not as grand as the West End stage show, similarities between the two are hard to miss. It’s also a great opportunity to rest if your feet need a break or it’s a particularly wet day. 

In Avengers Campus, Disneyland Paris® took a different approach, introducing an unscheduled mix of displays that draw guests into the action. 

From Spiderman and the team defeating nemesis’s above the campus, the Guardians leading a dance challenge in the Campus grounds, Loki vying for Thor’s hammer or the Dora Milaje inspiring the young warriors of tomorrow, there is always something to see! 

Other shows I’ve yet to see include Stitch Live!, The Disney Junior Dream Factory, and Frozen: A Musical Invitation. 

Bear in mind while tickets are purchasable in the app for guaranteed seating, all shows are included in your day ticket price, and from experience, the theatres are large enough to seat all guests who queue to see them. 

Admire & enjoy classic rides (BTM, PM, PP, ST, RT, TOT, CC, IASW, Pirates, HPSM) 

While every ride at Disneyland Paris® has its own charm, there are a few which I think should be on every visitor’s list–especially if it’s your first time! 

Those rides include: 

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Phantom Manor
• Peter Pan
• Star Tours
• Ratatouille 
• Tower of Terror
• Crush’s Coaster
• It’s a Small World
• Pirates of the Caribbean 
• Hyperspace Mountain

Of all the rides at Disneyland Paris®, these few make my must-do list because each one was created through innovation by the Disney Imagineers, and includes technology that was the first of its kind across the world. 

While some are reproductions from other Disney parks, each is unique to Disneyland Paris® in its own way, for example, Big Thunder Mountain in Paris is the only version which goes under the lake to a central island! 

Sip on speciality Drinks

Every hotel at Disneyland Paris® has its own unique, themed bar and within that bar are menus that include unique drinks suitable for both adults and children. 

No, I’m not suggesting you get your child drunk at Disney, before anyone comes for me 😅 To allow children and adults to enjoy every aspect and area of Disneyland Paris®, the bars include a selection of mocktails. 

Many of these fruity concoctions are firm favourites of my own kids, and each bar has its own drink! 

Meanwhile, for those alcohol inclined, you can enjoy a plethora of cocktail varieties. Top of my list is the 30th Birthday Celebration, which is a fruity french martini, but I also highly recommend the Marvel specialities at the Skyline bar and the frozen margaritas at Fuente del Oro Restaurante in Frontierland too. 

Devour Delicious Disneyland Paris Food

The choice of restaurants at Disneyland Paris® is enough for multiple trips–and I should know. Even after 7 trips I still haven’t eaten at all of them. 

However, I have some firm favourites which I make sure to visit regardless of what else is on the agenda. 

For budget and time friendliness, Casey’s Corner, Bella Notre Pizzeria, Stark Factory and Fuente Del Oro Restaurante offer selections to suit every taste. 

If you’re looking to splash out and indulge, Walt’s, Plaza Gardens, Auberge de Cendrillon, Pym Test Kitchen and Manhattan Restaurant offer delightful food, exceptional service and an experience to remember! 

Animation Academy

Where else in the world could you go on a holiday and learn how to draw like the Disney animators of your favourite films? 

Why Disney of course. 

The Animation Academy attraction in Walt Disney Studios offers guests the opportunity to learn how to draw characters from some of the most beloved Disney films. 

And since the opening of Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, an additional animation academy arrived at Disneyland Paris® where guests can also learn how to draw in their favourite comic book style. 

At the end of your experience, you get to take away your creation, and in some cases the drawing of the tutor as well. 

What will you be adding to your Disneyland Paris® Must Dos?

Obviously, these are only my suggestions from my own experience. 

Your trip to Disneyland Paris® is your own, and no doubt a very personal holiday. Take what matters to you, what interests you the most and sprinkle that in with so flexibility to explore and enjoy. 

Share your favourite must-do’s that made your trip to Disneyland Paris® magical!