How Many Days Do I Need in Disneyland Paris?

After many visits, questions like “how many days do I need for Disneyland Paris? Can you do Disneyland Paris in one day? Is three days too much time? ” are by far our most frequently asked question about this Euro Disney park. Many deciding factors are in play, but we're here to help! In this comprehensive guide, we're sharing exactly what you need to know to help you make the best decision for your trip so you can have the best vacation ever. Let's dive into location, crucial park details, and what a one-, two-, or three-day trip would look like for you.

Where Is Disneyland Paris?

First things first, let's clear up a common misconception. Despite its name, Disneyland Paris isn't nestled in the heart of the city. Instead, it's about 45 minutes outside Paris city center by car or train. If you're flying into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly airports, you'll be looking at about a 35-minute car ride to the parks. The park's vicinity to the city also allows for relatively easy and quick commutes, making it an incredible day-trip destination from Paris.

How Many Parks Does Disneyland Paris Have?

Disneyland Paris houses not one but two parks along with Downtown Disney. The biggest park is Disneyland Paris. This will feel like a familiar friend if you've ever been to Disneyland California or Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. From Sleeping Beauty's Castle to Adventureland, it's all the magic you know and love. Here, you can journey through five magical lands, meet your favorite Disney characters, and experience iconic attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain.

Then there's Disney Adventure World, which used to be called Walt Disney Studios. This park is considerably smaller but packs a punch with its unique attractions and brand new lands like World of Frozen and Adventure Way! This park feels like a combination of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios from Disney World.

How Many Days Do I Need in Disneyland Paris?

Now, onto the million-dollar question: "How many days do I need in Disneyland Paris?" Honestly, it depends on you! One, two, or three days can all work beautifully. We've visited for varying lengths, and while we have our personal favorite (two full days, in case you're wondering), the best amount of time for you might be different. Let's break it down:

One Day

Only got one day to spare? No problem! One day at Disneyland Paris can be a whirlwind of fun. However, remember that this will be a high-paced tour, so plan your itinerary carefully to maximize your visit. With careful planning, you can cover a surprising amount of ground. Just make sure you grab a park hopper pass and pay for the Disney Premiere Access. These will be your golden tickets to experiencing as much magic as possible in a short time. And here's a pro tip: If you only have one day, we recommend staying at your original Paris hotel. Disneyland Paris is just a train ride from the city center, making it a perfect day trip destination.

Two Days

Ah, two days at Disneyland Paris. Now we're talking! If you have the time, this is our sweet spot. You should spend the first full day in Disneyland, then start the second day in Disney Adventure World, then end the trip back in Disneyland. While Disney Adventure World has more to offer than it used to when it was Walt Disney Studios, it’s still just a little more than a half-day park. With two full days, you can bounce back and forth between the parks without feeling rushed. This gives you ample time to soak in the magic, explore the parks' nooks and crannies, and revisit your favorite attractions.

We recommend staying two or three nights in a Disney property or near Disneyland Paris for a two-day trip. Trust us, you'll thank yourself for skipping the daily commute to and from the city. This gives you more time inside the coveted "Disney Bubble." While the commute is totally fine for a day trip, you'll be glad to have stayed close by on the second morning and after the second night's fireworks show! 

For our last two-day trip to Disneyland Paris, we stayed at the Moxy Paris Val d'Europe and loved it! It was a comfy home base and a quick and easy walk to the train station just a few stops from DLP's Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station. On the second day, we skipped the train ride and opted to walk instead to see how the route would be, and though it's a flat and easy walk, we'd still recommend taking the train over the kind of boring walk. But on the plus side, if there's ever a train delay or transportation strike, the Val d'Europe area hotels are only a thirty-minute walk to the first security checkpoint at Disneyland Paris!

Three Days

Now, if you're a die-hard Disney fan like us, you might be tempted to go all out and spend three days at Disneyland Paris. And why not? Having three days allows you to thoroughly explore every corner of both parks, take in shows, dine at themed restaurants, shop for souvenirs at a leisurely pace, and even take time to appreciate the intricate details that Disney is famous for. 

Given the commitment, we recommend this only if you've visited Paris before or frequent the city. There's so much to see and do in Paris alone that we could only recommend taking days away from seeing the city to explore the Disney parks if you've already seen what Paris offers for a few days. 

Additionally, we highly recommend staying on-property for this type of visit. If you're going to go all-in on a Disneyland Paris trip, go all the way! The Disneyland Hotel has recently undergone an absolutely breathtaking renovation, and it would serve as a fantastic home base for your stay. The European Disney resort has eight hotels, offering similar stays to the American Disney parks, with hotels ranging from value to moderate to deluxe. By staying on property, you can start your days early and end them late without worrying about long commutes from the city center.