Céline’s 2025 Report
7-year-old twins in full Disney mode

After a few of their classmates had already been to Disneyland, my girls were desperate to go too. I deliberately waited until they were 7 – in my opinion, 5 or 6 would’ve been too early, and 8 or 9 might be pushing it if you still want to catch that magical Disney Princess phase.
Also worth knowing: some rides have height restrictions. For example, both girls were about 1.25 m tall, but the Indiana Jones ride required a minimum of 1.40 m – so that one was a no-go!

Getting ready

Since school holidays in Spain start quite early (22 June), but not yet in France or Germany, we went during the last week of June – the very first week of our summer break. Great timing!

Before we left, I used the Disney app to save all the rides and shows we wanted to see – and we knew from the start: we’d definitely need the Fast Pass.

Tickets & Fast Pass

We booked directly through Disney (and honestly, I’d recommend doing the same). That’s also the only way you can add the Premium Fast Pass.
But wow – my jaw dropped when I saw the price! Entry tickets were okay-ish… but the Fast Pass was two to three times the price of a regular ticket. And no child discount either! 😳
So for one park, one day, four people – just tickets and Fast Pass – we paid €1,000. Yep. Just for entry and skipping queues.

Is the Fast Pass worth it?

We saved loads of time. A few examples:

Big Thunder Mountain, first thing in the morning: 55-minute wait time, we walked straight on in 5 minutes.

Peter Pan’s Flight in the afternoon: regular wait was 100 minutes – we waited around 20–25 with the Fast Pass.

Star Tours – we basically walked straight through (the wait time was zero), although the queue area is so long it felt like a mini hike anyway 😉

One thing I totally forgot in the excitement: you can only use the Fast Pass once per ride. We cheekily tried to go on Big Thunder Mountain again via the Fast Pass lane, and got the dreaded blue light with a “Määäp” sound. The cast member kindly reminded me we’d already used it at 10:13 am. Oops!

Also good to know: not all rides are Fast Pass eligible – but most of the popular ones are. We had to queue normally for the teacups in Fantasyland (around 20 minutes), which was fine.

The handy bit: you can check current queue times in the app, and there are plenty of digital displays around the park too.

What went well?
What did the kids enjoy?

I have to say – despite all the planning, it ended up being a bit chaotic!

For starters, one of the girls had a fever the night before. We were frantically googling and wondering if we could reschedule – of course, that wasn’t an option. Thankfully, the next morning she was feeling much better – no temperature and 100% determined to go to Disney!

I had originally planned for us to go from “land” to “land” in a nice logical order, catch the parade around 11:30, and then carry on.
In reality? We zigzagged our way through the park more or less randomly…
The dad–kid duo are total rollercoaster fans, so we ended up heading for those first. We basically spent the whole morning bouncing between Frontierland and Discoveryland. Well…

Our route:
(Fast Pass rides marked in bold)

First stop: the CASTLE!
At that point, I wasn’t even sure if there was anything to do inside – but yes, you can go up to the first floor and see the story of Sleeping Beauty told through beautiful stained glass and artwork. (It’s her castle, after all!)
Big thumbs up from the kids!

From there, we entered the park properly through Adventureland and wandered through the Aladdin Passage – a cute walkthrough with little sculptures that tell the story of Aladdin.
Another thumbs up from the kids!

Next up: Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland – and our very first use of the Fast Pass. What a relief to walk straight through the line!
And the ride itself? Brilliant! It’s one of the longer ones too, which makes it feel even more worth it.
Double thumbs up from the kids!

Then we squeezed in a trip to the Haunted Mansion before the parade started – only possible because we had the Fast Pass. We pretty much walked straight in again.
The kids’ verdict? Too spooky – no thanks, not again! 😉
(I kind of agree… but hey, at least it was cool and shady in there!)

We arrived about 15 minutes before the parade started – which, to be honest, was cutting it a bit close… The place was already packed, and I had that sinking feeling that the girls wouldn’t be able to see a thing.

But then – thank goodness – the dad in the family standing in front of us noticed the girls and said they could come to the front. Phew!
He even did the same for two other kids – such a lovely gesture! And fun fact: we were all speaking Spanish – haha!

And then the parade began – music, Disney characters, and lots of excited little hands waving like mad. It was such a lovely moment for the girls.
Thumbs up from the kids – definitely a highlight!

Just make sure you get there early enough to grab a good spot!

After that, we headed (a bit off-plan) into Discoveryland. The Hyperspace Mountain rollercoaster – which is completely in the dark and super fast – ended up being way too scary for the girls.
Thumbs down from the kids (but thumbs up from Dad, of course!).

Next, we popped into the Nautilus submarine, and then did the Cars Autopia ride, where the kids got to “drive” the cars themselves. Pressing the pedal was a bit tricky with their little legs, but after a few minutes of practice, steering went surprisingly well!
Thumbs up from the kids.

Afterwards, we made our way back to Frontierland, hoping for a second go on Big Thunder Mountain – but sadly, no luck with the Fast Pass a second time…

So instead, we grabbed some lunch and then headed to watch the Coco show.

Then we finally made our way over to Adventureland. Dad went off to ride the Indiana Jones rollercoaster, which the girls were still too short for – so I took them into the Robinson Treehouse instead.
They loved it! It was shady, green, and we hardly had to wait at all. The view over the park was great, and for the girls, it felt like a little adventure of their own.

Unfortunately, the pirate ship and Pirates of the Caribbean were both closed, so we continued straight on to Fantasyland…

First up: Peter Pan’s Flight. We managed to cut the 100-minute queue down to about 20 thanks to the Fast Pass – thank goodness!
To be honest, I would’ve been a bit disappointed otherwise – the ride itself was really short (less than 5 minutes!). It was very sweet – you fly through the story of Peter Pan – but definitely not worth that kind of wait time.
The kids liked it, but it wasn’t their favourite.

What was a hit, though, was the Alice in Wonderland Labyrinth! We ended up spending quite a bit of time there. They haven’t seen the film yet, but it didn’t matter – they had such fun hopping through the hedges.
At the end, you reach the Queen of Hearts’ castle, and from up there you get a fantastic view over the whole park!
They loved it!

Next up was the teacup ride, followed by It’s a Small World – very sweet and colourful, but definitely aimed at younger kids. That said, it was perfect for a bit of shade and downtime!

Then it was shopping time: one of the girls picked out a Stitch plush, while the other really wanted Jessie from Toy Story – but we’d only seen her back in Frontierland… so off we went AGAIN to track her down and buy the doll.

And then? BACK TO Discoveryland – this time for Star Tours, the 4D cinema experience we’d decided to squeeze in after all.

We got lucky with the timing – a show was starting soon, so we stayed to watch it. A group of five singers performed some of the classic Disney songs, in both French and English. Chip and Dale even made an appearance on stage, which the kids loved!

After that, we headed back to Adventureland one last time. Dad used up his final Fast Pass for another go on the Indiana Jones ride (we had four total, so he got a second turn). The queue took much longer this time around, though.

Meanwhile, the girls and I popped back to Aladdin’s Passage, then caught part of the second parade, including Minnie Mouse and the big colour explosion at the castle – magical!

By that point it was around 7:30 pm, and… the fever was back. I’d been keeping an eye on her all day – and she’d honestly been fine, not warm at all. But after such a full-on day, it was bound to catch up with her.

So we headed back to the hotel earlier than planned. Luckily, she managed to enjoy the day – and luckily we had nothing major scheduled for the next one apart from moving from Disney to Paris city. She got a full day to rest, and was totally fine again by the next morning – just in time for the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower! Phew!

Summary
Céline’s final thoughts

The kids absolutely loved it – and that’s what really matters!

Like Jacqueline already said, sure, you can probably find better rollercoasters elsewhere… but here, it’s the whole package that counts.
And to be fair – even just in the one park, we had three rollercoasters, a haunted house, a 3D cinema, a flying ride, and loads more. If you add the second park into the mix, there’s even more to explore!

I really enjoyed it too. The first time I came here, I was 13 – and I’m sure it was much quieter back then. Let’s face it, everything was a bit calmer 30 years ago!
But I knew I wanted to bring the girls to Disneyland Paris one day, because it was such a special memory for me too. Back then, we combined it with a visit to Paris – and I wanted to do the same with them.

Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get a photo with any of the Disney characters. I only realised too late that you can book time slots to meet them!
At the park, all I saw were signs like:
Donald – 90 minutes wait,
Goofy – 75 minutes,
Stitch – even longer… 😬
We did spot Belle walking from one part of the park to another, but she was immediately surrounded by a crowd – no chance.

Looking back, I really do think 7 was the perfect age. Apart from one ride, they could do everything – and they were totally swept up in the Disney magic!

That said… it is expensive – and not just the Fast Pass.
Of course, you end up buying bits and bobs, you need plenty to drink, something to eat, popcorn, ice cream – it’s all around you.
But hey – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And when it’s that special, you just go with it.

Love,
Céline 💫

P.S.: If you want to read more about our visit to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, here you go!

What is there to see?
Susi’s Report 2019

With its massive 2,230 hectares, Disneyland Paris has something for everyone – big or small, young or old. Trying to see every show, attraction, and Disney character in a single day? Probably impossible.
So it’s a good idea to think ahead about what you really want to do and what you’re happy to skip. Or – go with the flow and keep it spontaneous. Just be prepared that you might spend a fair bit of time queuing.
Because Disneyland Paris isn’t just a theme park – it’s more of an entertainment complex.

Disneyland is located about 32 km east of Paris. There are several ways to get there – by train, shuttle bus, or organised tour.
Some ticket options include both transport and park entry. While these combo packages aren’t always the cheapest, they’re definitely worth considering – the place is huge, and it’s nice to enjoy the day without worrying about the logistics.

Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 and now consists of two parks:

Disneyland Park, split into five themed lands

• Main Street U.S.A.
  This is the first street you’ll walk through – lined with shops and restaurants. It’s also where the big parade takes place in the evening.
  You’ll hear announcements about the parade throughout the day – so don’t worry, you won’t miss it!
  Tip: the shops get absolutely packed after the parade. If you want to browse in peace, do it before the show starts.
• Fantasyland
  This is where you’ll find the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle – the symbol of Disneyland.
  It’s all about fairy tales and Disney princesses here: Alice in Wonderland, charming boat rides through storybook scenes, and more than a few dizzying little carousels.
• Adventureland
  Home to Indiana Jones, Pirates, and Aladdin. There are fun climbing areas and even a slightly spooky walkthrough. A great zone for little explorers and brave adventurers.
• Discoveryland
  Perfect for Star Wars fans – or anyone who loves time travel, science fiction, or exploring space. It’s a nice change of pace from the more classic Disney themes.
• Frontierland
  The land of the Wild West – think cowboys, Native Americans, and lots of wooden buildings.
  If you love rollercoasters, this is where you’ll find some of the most thrilling rides in the park!

Then there is an extra park – with extra admission tickets: The Walt Disney Studios Park, which gives you a peek behind the scenes of the film world – including favourites like Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and Ratatouille.

If you want a photo with one of the Disney characters, be prepared to wait – sometimes for quite a while (just like most things in the park, really!).
That said, you’ll occasionally spot characters out and about – and if you do, grab the chance and snap a quick selfie!

To stay on top of opening times and queue lengths, the Disneyland app is a must. It’s honestly essential during your visit. You can check waiting times, show schedules, and even book restaurant tables through it – super handy!

There’s also the option to buy a Fast Pass (now called Premier Access).
To be honest, it’s not a bad idea – even though wait times are usually well managed through the app and digital signs. Still, patience is key: once you’re in a queue, there’s no getting out without starting over!

The whole park is walkable, but there’s also a train that circles Disneyland – a nice way to rest tired feet and see it all from a different angle.

You’ll find playgrounds and plenty of benches dotted around, so you can always take a break when needed.
Just make sure to plan in food breaks and toilet stops carefully – once you’re in a queue, you can’t really pop out for a quick loo run!

One thing that really adds to the experience: the lovely background music playing throughout the park.
And if you pay close attention, you’ll notice how much care has gone into every little detail – the whole place is brilliantly organised and thoughtfully designed.

Susi’s final thoughts

I’m not a fan of rollercoasters – quite the opposite, actually. Just looking at them usually makes me nervous and fidgety!
But somehow… I ended up riding the wildest ones at Disneyland. I was sweating bullets and full-on panicking – but hey, you don’t go to Disneyland every day, do you?

There’s just something magical about the place.
It sweeps you up and takes you into another world – a fairytale world – full of detail, imagination, and charm.
And before you know it, you’re doing things you never thought you would. ✨