15 Things to Do in Disneyland Paris in 1 Day

If you're only in Disneyland Paris for one day, you'll have to make the most of your time, as there's a huge selection of rides to ride and shows to see ahead of you. Take note of the essentials you can't miss!

María Cano

María Cano

9 min read

15 Things to Do in Disneyland Paris in 1 Day

©Eleanor Brooke

Traveling to Disneyland Paris for just one day is quite a marathon. As you may already know, there are two theme parks: Disneyland, which is the traditional one, and Walt Disney Studios, which opened a decade later and is more focused on adult audiences. If you are only going for one day , I recommend you to focus on the traditional park, since you have an endless number of attractions and shows ahead of you and, above all and very important, get going first thing in the morning. Below, I indicate everything you can not miss on your visit.

And considering that you are only going for one day, I imagine you will be staying in Paris, so I recommend you read the article what to see and do in Paris so you can plan the rest of your trip.

1. Live a limitless experience in the Star Wars hyperspace mountain

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain| ©Ealasaid
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain| ©Ealasaid

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is one of the attractions that attracts the most people, so I recommend that if you want to get on it, look for it as soon as you enter, so you don't have to wait in line.

This attraction is ideal for Star Wars movie lovers. A roller coaster of one kilometer long and 32 meters high in which you will become a pilot of a Rebel Alliance ship. The train reaches a speed of approximately 70 kilometers per hour and is undoubtedly one of the park's most popular attractions designed to give you an experience for all your senses.

  • Requirements... Minimum height of 1.20 meters.
  • All ages... Pre-teens, teens and adults.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Discoveryland area.

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2. Immerse yourself in a 3D journey at Star Tours

Star Tours: The Adventure Continues| ©Jeremy Thompson
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues| ©Jeremy Thompson

After the hyperspace mountain of Star Wars, one of the favorite attractions for fans of the legendary saga is Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, a 3D intergalactic journey in 3D with C-3PO in the Starspeeder 100 through various fictional scenarios of the films, such as Hoth, Jakku, Tatooine or even the legendary Death Star.

  • Requirements... 1.02 m.
  • All ages... Children, pre-teens, teens and adults.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Discoveryland area.

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3. Keep the adrenaline pumping at Big Thunder Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain| ©JON_CF
Big Thunder Mountain| ©JON_CF

Big Thunder Mountain is another attraction that attracts more fans. A roller coaster where you will ride a train that runs at a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour. The ride is one and a half kilometers long and 22 meters high through the interior of a legendary mountain with steep descents and abrupt turns. A tip: if you're looking for a full-blown adventure, don't hesitate to put yourself in the rear cars, which have a higher acceleration.

  • Requirements... 1.02 meters.
  • All ages... Children, pre-teens, teenagers and adults.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Frontierland area.

Traveler's tip

If you are only going to Disneyland Paris for one day, I recommend that you start your day early in the morning and make an exhaustive schedule so that you can ride as many attractions and see as many shows as possible.

4. Have a terrifying experience in the haunted house

Phantom Manor| ©David Jafra
Phantom Manor| ©David Jafra

At the Phantom Manor you'll go on a guided tour of a haunted house that will give you a totally terrifying and spooky experience. It is another of the most popular attractions of the theme park and the plot of the attraction is about a patriarch who did not look kindly on the successive suitors of his daughter, Melanie Ravenswood. Little by little, they all disappeared.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... Children, pre-teens, teenagers, adults and toddlers.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Frontierland area.

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5. Get a new perspective of the park at Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing

Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing| ©Gian94g
Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing| ©Gian94g

Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing will take you on a river trip aboard a 19th century riverboat. You have two choices: Mark Twain or Molly Brown. On this tour you will sail around Big Thunder Mountain and Wilderness Island discovering the marine area of the park, as well as its flora, and you will witness first hand the caves of the most important smugglers throughout history, as well as impressive geysers and waterfalls. An experience for everyone.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages and young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Frontierland area.

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6. Become one of the main characters of Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean ticket| ©Lo¨c
Pirates of the Caribbean ticket| ©Lo¨c

Do you want to meet the characters of the movie? If you go to Disneyland Paris you will have the opportunity to see Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, an adventure full of surprises in which you will have to search for and unearth a hidden treasure and immerse yourself in an explosive battle. This attraction has no less than 119 audio-animatronics, including 55 animals and 12 skeletons. Quite an experience on a ship. A word of advice: don't let your guard down.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages, young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Adventureland area.

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7. Ride Robinson's Cabin

Robinson's Cabin| ©David Bjorgen
Robinson's Cabin| ©David Bjorgen

Ever wanted to climb a tree house? Now you have the chance at Robinson's Cabane, which is inspired by the tree in "The Swiss Family Robinson" and is over 30 meters high- yes, 30 meters! Along various passages and stairs you can climb up to the house that is fully equipped with kitchen, bedrooms, toilet and even a library. From the lookout point you can use the telescope to see the island just in front of you.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages, young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Adventureland area.

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8. Explore the island of adventure with your family

At Adventure Isle .| ©Jeremy Thompson
At Adventure Isle .| ©Jeremy Thompson

An ideal plan if you go with your family is Adventure Isle. Together you can explore this island from Skull Rock to Spyglass Hill via suspension bridges, narrow passages and scary caves while discovering hidden secrets and searching for hidden treasures - a fun and mysterious experience!

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages and young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Adventureland area.

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9. Crazy ride on the Mad Hatter's teacups.

Mad Hatter's tea cups| ©Ken Lund
Mad Hatter's tea cups| ©Ken Lund

And if you're a fan of "Alice in Wonderland," don't hesitate to head over to Mad Hatter's Tea Cups. Inspired by the fairy tale, in this carousel you choose a cup and it spins in a spiral and endlessly on a tray that, in turn, also spins in the opposite direction. All to the rhythm of a soundtrack that fits the festive occasion.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages.
  • Located at... Disneyland Park. Fantasyland area.

10. Take a break to eat at the Fantasyland restaurants

Outside of Auberge du Cendrillon| ©Danielle Allen-Chhokar
Outside of Auberge du Cendrillon| ©Danielle Allen-Chhokar

And after an intense morning, it's time to take a break for lunch, my recommendation is to opt for Auberge du Cendrillon, Au Challete de la Marionette, Pizzeria Bella Notte or Toad Hall Restaurant located in Fantasyland.

  • Auberge du Cendrillon: It is a French gastronomy restaurant where you will be immersed in the "Cinderella" story. Also, if there are not many diners at the time of your visit, you will have the opportunity to see the Disney princesses' ball where "Sleeping Beauty", "Beauty and the Beast" and, of course, "Cinderella" will be present.
  • Au Challete de la Marionette: If you are more into movies like "Pinocchio", choose this restaurant which, by the way, is one of the cheapest options to eat at Disneyland and includes a menu of the day option.
  • Pizzeria Bella Notte: If you like Italian food, this is undoubtedly a great option. You will be immersed in a bistro like in the movie "Lady and the Tramp". Very romantic and charming.
  • Toad Hall Restaurant: Inspired by the novel "The Wind in the Willows", this English manor house serves traditional English dishes such as fish and chips.

11. Ride on Lancelot's carousel

Lancelot's Carousel| ©Andy2982
Lancelot's Carousel| ©Andy2982

If you go with the little ones of the house do not hesitate to go to Le Carrousel de Lancelot, an attraction that you can do without if you only go adults. In this carousel you can join two of the passions of children: dress up and become a rider of one of the steeds of this mythical attraction.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages, young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Fantasyland Zone.

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12. Overcome Alice's Curious Labyrinth

Alice's Curious Labyrinth in Disneyland Paris| ©Stéphane
Alice's Curious Labyrinth in Disneyland Paris| ©Stéphane

Alice's Curious Labyrinth will immerse you in Lewis Carroll's fairy tale. An adventure in which you will have the opportunity to meet the Cheshire cat in first person and you will enter in different scenarios that until now remained in your imagination as the passage of the White Rabbit, the Tulgey forest or the labyrinth of the Queen of Hearts.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages and young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Fantasyland area.

13. Immerse yourself in a fairy tale at Sleeping Beauty Castle

Sleeping Beauty Castle| ©Jeremy Thompson
Sleeping Beauty Castle| ©Jeremy Thompson

Sleeping Beauty Castle is one of the icons of Disneyland Paris. This fairytale castle will immerse you in a world of magic and fantasy. An elegant castle with its stained glass windows, towers and tapestries that has been recently renovated. And next to the castle lives a sleeping dragon that at some point may surprise you with one of his roars.

  • Requirements... Any height.
  • All ages... All ages and young children.
  • Located in... Disneyland Park. Fantasyland Zone.

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14. Take home a souvenir from one of the Disneyland Paris stores

Visiting Disney in Paris| ©Patricia Ferreira
Visiting Disney in Paris| ©Patricia Ferreira

Before arriving to the last highlight of the day, the parade, I recommend you to go to one of the stores in the park to take a souvenir. You have many options and in all of them you can choose for example a stuffed animal, or some clothes like a T-shirt or a sweatshirt with your favorite Disney characters. Of course you can also get the classic Mini Mouse ears or a Mickey cap, among hundreds of souvenirs and curious Disney-themed objects.

15. Marvel at the night show

Illumination and pyrotechnics show over the Castle on New Year's Eve.| ©Zino Scheers
Illumination and pyrotechnics show over the Castle on New Year's Eve.| ©Zino Scheers

And the crowning touch to an unforgettable day is the night show at Disneyland Paris. A dazzling and unforgettable end to a very intense day in which fireworks, flames and lighting become the protagonists of the event. All those who have the opportunity to witness it are dazzled. This show takes place at night, just before the park closes, around 11 p.m. at night.

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How to get tickets to Disneyland Paris

Ticket office| ©slowly_rusting
Ticket office| ©slowly_rusting

Disneyland Paris offers several types of tickets, but in this case, we are interested in the one-day ticket. Ideally, you should buy it online and in advance to get the best prices. Read the post cheap Disneyland tickets, very useful to know all the information before your purchase.

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Disneyland Paris opening hours

Disneyland Paris| ©David Jafra
Disneyland Paris| ©David Jafra

Disneyland Paris opens at 9:30 a.m. and remains open uninterruptedly until 11:00 p.m. when the night ride ends. If you are only going for one day, I recommend you to start the day early, at 9:30 am, and take advantage of the whole day until the park closes. In the post Disney parks schedule you have all the details.

How to get to Disneyland Paris

Cab in Paris| ©joiseyshowaa
Cab in Paris| ©joiseyshowaa

To get to Disneyland Paris you have several options, you can opt for an organized transfer, you can also go by train, rent a car or go by cab or Uber. Keep in mind that the cheapest option is the train. Do not hesitate to visit the official website to check the schedules. In the post how to get from Paris to Disneyland you can know in detail all the options.

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