15 Things to Do in Disneyland Paris in 1 Day

Travelling to Disneyland Paris for a single day is quite a marathon. As you know, there are two theme parks: Disneyland, which is the traditional one, and Walt Disney Studios, which opened a decade later and is more adult-oriented. If you are only going for one day , I recommend that you focus on the traditional park, as there are countless attractions and shows ahead of you and, above all and very importantly, get going first thing in the morning. Here's what you can't miss on your visit.

And considering you're only going for one day, I imagine you'll be staying in Paris, so I recommend you read the article What to see and do in Paris to plan the rest of your trip.

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is one of the most popular attractions, so I recommend that if you want to go on it, look for it as soon as you enter, so you don't have to queue for long.

This attraction is ideal for fans of the Star Wars films. A roller coaster one kilometre long and 32 metres high where you will become the pilot of a Rebel Alliance ship. The train reaches a speed of approximately 70 kilometres 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 metres.
• All ages... Pre-teens, teenagers and adults.
• Located in... Disneyland Park. Discoveryland area.

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

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

Big Thunder Mountain is another of the attractions that attracts the most fans. A roller coaster where you will ride a train that runs at a maximum speed of 60 kilometres per hour. The ride is one and a half kilometres long and 22 metres 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 get in the rear carriages, which have a higher acceleration.

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

Traveller'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 as possible and see as many shows as you can.

At the Phantom Manor you'll be taken on a guided tour of a haunted house that will give you a totally terrifying and spooky experience. It is another of the theme park's most popular attractions and the plot of the attraction is about a patriarch who frowned upon the successive suitors of his daughter, Melanie Ravenswood. Gradually, they all disappeared.

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

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 cruise around Big Thunder Mountain and Wilderness Island, discovering the park's marine area and flora, and witness first-hand the caves of the most important smugglers throughout history, as well as impressive geysers and cascading waterfalls. An experience for everyone.

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

Do you want to meet the characters from the film? If you go to Disneyland Paris, you will have the chance 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.

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

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

An ideal plan if you're going 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 as you discover hidden secrets and search for hidden treasures - a fun and mysterious experience!

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

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

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

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

• Auberge du Cendrillon: This is a French restaurant where you will be immersed in the fairy tale of "Cinderella". 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 films 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 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.

If you're taking the little ones with you, don't hesitate to go to Le Carrousel de Lancelot, an attraction you can do without if you're only going as an adult. On this carousel they can combine two of children's passions: dressing up and becoming a rider on one of the steeds of this mythical attraction.

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

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 first hand and you will enter different scenarios that until now have remained in your imagination, such as the White Rabbit's passage, the Tulgey Forest or the Queen of Hearts' Labyrinth.

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

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 who may surprise you at some point with one of his roars.

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

Before arriving to the last highlight of the day, the parade, I recommend you to go to one of the shops of the park to take some souvenirs. You have many options and in all of them you will be able to choose, for example, a cuddly toy, or some clothes like a T-shirt or a sweatshirt with your favourite Disney characters. Of course you can also get the classic Mini Mouse ears or a Mickey hat, among hundreds of Disney-themed souvenirs and curios.

And the crowning touch to an unforgettable day is the night show at Disneyland Paris. A dazzling and unforgettable finale to a very intense day in which fireworks, flames and illumination become the stars of the event. Everyone who has the opportunity to witness it is dazzled. This show takes place in the evening, just before the park closes, at around 11pm.

Disneyland Paris offers different types of tickets, but in this case, we are interested in the one-day ticket. Ideally, you should buy them 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.

Disneyland Paris opens at 9.30 a.m. and remains open uninterruptedly until 11 p.m. when the night parade ends. As 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 timetable you have all the details.

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 taxi or Uber. Keep in mind that the cheapest option is the train. Don't hesitate to visit the official website to check timetables. In the post How to get from Paris to Disneyland you can learn about all the options in detail.