Plan your camping trip around a visit to Disneyland Paris
If you’re travelling to Paris with children, you’ve no doubt been asked countless times if you can go to Disneyland while you’re there. What a great idea. If you’ve never been to Disneyland Paris, here are a few things to know about the park. Disneyland Paris is similar to the Magic Kingdom parks in the US but obviously has its differences. The park is divided into five different “lands”, namely: Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Discoveryland, and Fantasyland, and offers similar rides to its US counterpart, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, It’s a Small World and Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road. There are subtle differences between the rides in Paris and the ones in the US, but the main difference between the parks is that Disneyland Paris tends to stick to the old “classic” rides like Star Wars and Buzz Lightyear, as opposed to Disneyworld, which often offers brand new rides regularly. If you’re only heading there for a day, you might want to opt for purchasing tickets to one park, Disneyland, instead of including Walt Disney Studios in your purchase, as this will be less expensive and you are unlikely to have enough time to appreciate both if you’re only there for one day.
Campsites near Disneyland Paris offer ease of access to this epic theme park, as well as other things to do in and around Paris itself. Take advantage of this once in a lifetime experience and couple your camping holiday with a day spent in Disneyland.
Things to know about camping and Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris camping comes with an array of activities outside of the theme park to enjoy, as well as an opportunity to connect with family and friends in the great outdoors.
Bring a carrier
Disneyland Paris is a large park that requires a lot of walking and your kids may get tired along the way, especially if they’re very small. Bringing a carrier, pushchair, or sling with you, so you can help alleviate issues with fatigue. It’s also handy to have a carrier or pushchair at your campsite, in case the little ones are tired but you’re still eager to explore.
Annual pass
If you plan on visiting Disneyland for more than two days in a row, it might work out more affordable to purchase an Annual Pass from the theme park as these will typically cost less than 2-3 consecutive days at the park. Also, try to use a credit or debit card without any foreign transaction fees.
Make use of the Magic Hours at Disneyland
If you have an opportunity to take advantage of the Magic Hours at Disneyland, which are typically between 8AM and 10AM, you’ll be one of the first people in the park, which makes moving around a lot easier and you won’t have to wait very long for the rides. Give yourself and your little ones the chance to make the most of the day by arriving around 7:30AM.
Midweek is the trick at Disneyland
If you go during the week, you’re likely to experience a quieter time both at the campsite and at Disneyland. Disneyland Paris is a popular weekend spot, which means having to deal with much larger crowds when visiting then. Head to the theme park early to mid-week for the least crowds.
Eat before you go to Disneyland
Make sure to book one of the campsites that come with an on-site restaurant or one that offers on-site snacks and food. Before going to Disneyland Paris, have something to eat at the campsite beforehand. The crowds at the theme park can often mean waiting a long time to get your food but you’ll also save plenty of money if you choose to snack before going to the park, as prices can be steep.
Buy tickets online
Book your visit to Disneyland online as this will often give you 10% off, which means you can spend the extra money at the park itself or during your stay at the campsite.
Find Star Wars
Without a doubt, one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland Paris is the Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, a one-of-a-kind iconic rollercoaster that shoots you into a battle of dodging TIE fighters and laser beams while hurtling along the track; a must-see.
Top Tips for Camping Near Disneyland Paris
Going camping and travelling to Disneyland all on one holiday can be incredibly exciting, sometimes overwhelming. So here are a couple of things to keep in mind to make your trip as comfortable as possible.
Don’t rough it
If you’re travelling with kids on this once-in-a-lifetime experience, particularly if you haven’t camped before, it might be better to look at booking one of the mobile homes, cottages, or chalets at the campsites rather than pitching your tent. If you decide that you want to pitch your tent as a family, perhaps spend some time at home testing it out. Go camping in the garden for a night or two and see how everyone handles it. The upside of on-site accommodation at campsites is that the majority of them have hot water, electricity, and Wi-Fi to stay connected to the outside world. You might be so exhausted after your days at the theme park that you’ll relish these little luxuries!
Know the environment
Do some research on the time of year you’re going, as well as where the campsite you’re staying at is. It’s likely to get a little chillier at night, so you’ll want to pack some extra warm clothes. If you’re travelling in the winter (a great time to take advantage of less crowded attractions), Paris gets very cold once the sun goes down.
Plan ahead of time
Take time to book your trip, plan out your days, and organise yourself before your camping trip. Packing in a hurry often means forgetting useful things or overlooking potential problems that could occur. Check up on the weather for the dates of your stay. Check transport to and from Disneyland and book in advance to save money. These things go a long way to making your stay more comfortable.
Do campsites near Disneyland Paris offer other activities?
Camping near Disneyland doesn’t mean there are fewer activities at your campsite. Many campsites offer an array of activities for the whole family, including children’s game rooms, water parks, mini-golf and plenty more to keep your kids entertained throughout your stay.
Do campsites near Disneyland Paris have adult activities?
Yes! Many of the campsites in Paris offer adults an array of activities, including things like hiking trails for various levels, go-karts, mountain biking, fitness centres, swimming pools or water parks, table tennis, and much more. Your camping trip doesn’t need to be just about the kids, you’ll be having just as much fun.
Remember to enjoy yourself
We often find ourselves so concerned about everyone else having a good time that we forget to make sure we’re happy. Take time out to pamper yourself and ensure you use the time to recharge yourself.
Top camping near Disneyland FAQs
Planning on making a weekend out of it with the kids? Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Disneyland Paris and camping.
Can I take my pet with me to Disneyland?
You will be able to find plenty of pet-friendly campsites in Paris that cater to you and your furry friend, but you won’t be able to take him or her with you to the theme park. Assistance animals are allowed into the park, but will only be permitted on certain rides. If your animal is an assistance animal, you will need to provide the proper documentation to prove that.
Can I exit the theme park and re-enter the same day?
If you’re planning on leaving Disneyland and coming back in on the same day, you will be permitted to do so under certain time constraints. You will need to confirm the procedure and necessary documents or stamps required with an employee before leaving the park.
What time must I check in to my campsite?
Check-in times often depend on whether you’re pitching your tent or making use of on-site accommodation. Campsites differ in check-in and check-out times but the majority of personal pitching check-in times are around noon, while check-in times for on-site accommodation are generally around 15:00.
Do campsites have spas or massage parlours?
After spending the day trekking around Disneyland with the kids, a perfect way to end the evening off would be with a massage. Luckily, many campsites near Disneyland Paris offer a variety of pampering options that include hot stone massages, spas, Jacuzzis, saunas, and standard massages among other things. Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t be pampered.
What activities do campsites have for kids?
Most campsites in France offer kid-friendly services that include a children’s game room, children’s groups, as well as paddling pools, water parks, video games, and much more.
Now you’re up to speed, book your Disneyland Paris camping experience today. The early months of the year are an ideal time to do it, as you’ll benefit from less queues for the attractions and lower prices at both the park and the campsites. Check out our 2022 early bird offers!
