From Pirates of the Caribbean to Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland Paris is full of rides and attractions that you need to try
Visiting Disneyland Paris is a dream for many. This magical experience can be difficult to plan with so many iconic rides and characters to see. More than 50 attractions are spread across Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Here’s Gray Line’s 10 things you have to do at Disneyland Paris.
Gray Line is a licensed distributor of a range of tickets to Disneyland Paris and provides transport to the parks. We also know that many of you don’t have much time and want to see as much as possible within one day. If that’s you, read our guide to visiting Disneyland Paris in one day.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Spot Jack Sparrow on pirates of the Caribbean
Which came first, the films or the ride? The ride of course. Pirates of the Caribbean was designed by Walt Disney himself in the 1950s and it first opened in Disneyland Park in Anaheim in 1967. To this day it is considered one of the best theme park rides. So Hoist the Colours and let’s take to the seas.
The adventure of Pirates of the Caribbean has you plunging down waterfalls, floating through the Pirates Grotto and into a battle on the high seas. You’ll see buccaneers pillaging villages, singing sea shanties and trying to escape their jailers. If you keep your eyes open, you might even spot Captain Jack Sparrow on the prowl as he hunts for the treasure.
Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain
“It’s a trap!” You’re a rebel spy on a mission to discover the secrets of an Imperial Star Destroyer orbiting the frontier planet of Jakku. Admiral Ackbar has briefed you with all the information you should need. But the Empire has its own spies — they’re expecting you. On Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain you will be thrown into a frenetic space battle between X-wings and TIE fighters. It’s up to you to save the day.
Until 2015, Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain was known as Space Mountain. It was based on Jules Verne’s classic novel From the Earth to the Moon when it first opened in Disneyland Paris in 1995. It’s the largest Space Mountain in any of Disney’s parks. After two years of refurbishments, Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain opened with new trains and speeds of up to 44mph.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – A New Dimension of Chills
Help Defeat the empire on Hyperspace Mountain
Enter the Fifth Dimension through the doors of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. It’s a stormy night in 1939 and lightning has struck the hotel. Five people have vanished. You will step into a service elevator and your own episode of The Twilight Zone. As the ghosts of the missing people beckon you on, the elevator will plunge into the shaft at 39mph.
Many thrillseekers will be far too young to remember the TV series the Tower of Terror is based on. The Twilight Zone was one of the most famous science fiction, fantasy and horror series on TV in the ’60s. In 2019, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – A New Dimension of Chills opened in Disneyland Paris with a reimagined ride and new storylines.
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
Follow the white rabbit and tumble into Tulgey Wood on your voyage through Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. Your goal is to reach the Queen of Hearts’ Castle with your head still on your shoulders. On the journey to discover your reward, you’ll bump into the Cheshire Cat, avoid the card soldiers and navigate the Queen of Hearts’ maze. If you have time, you can always stop for refreshments at the Tea Party of the March Hare and the Hatter.
The hedge maze of Alice’s Curious Labyrinth opened on Disneyland Paris’ first day in 1992. It is based on the 1951 film Alice in Wonderland and can be found in the Fantasyland area.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Discover the secrets of Sleeping Beauty Castle
Clap your hands and take to the skies above a fantastical version of London as you join Peter Pan on his journey to Never Land. You’ll swoop over Big Ben and Tower Bridge, then soar past waterfalls and erupting volcanoes as you near Pirate’s Cove. Danger awaits in the Cove as Captain Hook and Tick-Tock the Crocodile try to stop you from helping the Lost Boys.
Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the few original rides from the opening day of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. The attraction is Paris is unique and the longest of all the parks. You will board flying pirate ships before meeting Smee, Princess Tiger Lily, and — of course — Tinker Bell.
Disney Stars on Parade
Every day at Disneyland Paris is full of parades and shows. One that can’t be missed is Disney Stars on Parade, which starts in the evening. Classic characters will pass by on enchanted floats playing iconic music from the films. Whether you want to see Mickie and Minnie, Elsa, or Buzz Lightyear make sure you’ve got your spot on the parade route.
Disney Stars on Parade passes by it’s a small world, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Central Plaza and towards the Town Square. It begins after five in the evening, although you should check the exact time in the Disneyland Paris app. More than 2,000 characters will be on show, so it can’t be missed.
Phantom Manor
Meet your favorite Disney Characters
Unique to Paris, the haunted house of Phantom Manor is the darkest of Disney’s attractions. Unlike the Haunted Mansion rides in America and Japan, the Manor is dilapidated and the story is based on gothic European stories. This follows the beautiful Melanie Ravenswood and her father’s attempts to stop her from marrying and leaving town. As the story unfolds, deaths, phantoms and evil spirits tear Melanie’s life apart.
Phantom Manor was refurbished in 2019 and the recordings created by the actor Vincent Price returned to the show. Visitors will walk and be transported on carriages through the mind-bending haunted house.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster can be found in the same area as the Phantom Manor — Frontierland — and is part of the same story. It is where the Ravenswood family discovered their gold. The mountain is also cursed and the gold mines were abandoned after an earthquake. The carts that were used to haul the riches out of the mountain are haunted and speed along the lines under their own steam.
it’s a small world
Escape the ghosts of Big Thunder Mountain
it’s a small world is one of the most famous rides in Disney Parks. It was originally built for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, which Disney used to test different ride systems. The ride was named after the song, It’s a Small World (After All), which was written for it and contains a message of peace and unity.
At Disneyland Paris, it’s a small world has been adapted. The rooms and design are different, and the song has been translated into more languages. More than 300 animatronic dolls are used to show people in traditional costumes from all over the world signing together in harmony.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle has become an icon all over the world and is instantly recognisable as the Disney logo. The version in Paris is the largest and most detailed and is officially called Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant. It holds two attractions: The Lair of the Dragon and Sleeping Beauty Gallery.
Creating a Sleeping Beauty Castle for Europe was important for Disney’s Imagineers, as it was the châteaus and schlosses of the continent that inspired its design, particularly Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich. A major inspiration for Disneyland Paris was Mont Saint-Michel.
In the dungeon, you’ll discover one of the largest animatronics ever built — the 89-foot-long dragon, which wakes up to blow smoke and growl at those who dare enter its lair. The Sleeping Beauty Gallery tells the story of the 1959 film. And at night, Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes the center of the Disney Dreams! light and music spectacular show.
