Common First Time Mistakes for Disneyland Paris Vacations

Disneyland Paris is an amazing resort to discover, whether it’s your first Disney park, or you’re an old pro.

Either way, as you experience this new, enchanting destination, there are common Disneyland Paris first time mistakes that are so easy to make, check out these Disneyland Paris Tips For First Timers

Everybody does Disney a little bit differently. However, there are telltale signs that you are, in fact doing it all wrong. My measure for success on a Disney holiday is to ask yourself if you had fun.

If you find yourself asking this, then there are things you could have done better. Very likely, you have things in mind that you know you would have done differently given a second chance. Those things are better know as common first time mistakes.

Although Disneyland pleases thousands of guests daily, there are still many people who leave the park stressed out and tired.

They spent too much, they worked too hard, and ultimately, they didn’t feel it was worth it. So often I have heard complaints about Disneyland with the admission that parents put up with all the headaches because they are doing it for their kids.

Lots of people just accept that this is how it is and it’s a sacrifice you make for your children’s sake. However, it doesn’t have to feel like a chore.

Fun For The Whole Family

You can have genuine fun with your kids at Disneyland, just as Walt Disney had in mind when he conceived of the original Disneyland park nearly 70 years ago.

The trick is learning what you can before you go so that you don’t get blindsided with new information after you arrive. This also helps you solidify your goals and expectations so you can enjoy yourself more once you are there.

The first step is learning to avoid these common first-time mistakes. There are seven Disneyland Paris first-time mistakes that I think happen to the most visitors.

7 Disneyland Paris Tips For First Timers

Not Downloading the App

The first thing you should do as soon as you know you are going to Disneyland Paris for the first time is download the Disneyland Paris app. The free app is packed with resources.

It’s an indispensable tool, especially if you have never been to Disneyland Paris before. It’s a common first time mistake to show up and wing it. While there is something to be said for exploration and discovery, much of that can be done during the planning stages before you arrive.

Not Making Dining Reservations

Not making your dining reservations in advance is a huge mistake. If you have a table service restaurant you want to dine at, you must make reservations ahead of timer risk being turned away when you walk up to be seated. There are a lot of counter service options if you can’t get a reservation.

However, you should plan what dining experiences you expect to have well in advance. This isn’t to lock you in, but rather to give you a firm foundation to rely on. A common first time mistake is to wait until you are hungry to find a place, and that causes problems.

Not Following the Weather Forecast

You really can’t assume the weather will be fair during your first trip to Disneyland Paris. Depending on when you visit, it can get really cold, or really hot.

In fact, even if you prepare for the typical seasonal weather, things can change and catch you by surprise. You should keep current on forecasts as your trip approaches and pack enough to remain comfortable if the forecast changes.

Underestimating travel time from the Hotel

Another common first time mistake is to forget that it takes time to get from your hotel to the front gate. This travel time can vary depending on where your hotel is located.

Although there are various forms of transit, they can take a while. Even though some hotels are walking distance, it can be a lengthy process to finally get into one of the parks, especially when you are contending with other guests.

Some resorts are very close to the parks while others like Davy Crockett Ranch and Disney Villages Nature are further out and less convenient for a park-centered visit.

Not Bringing Cash

It’s another mistake to not bring cash to the parks. You won’t necessarily need cash. However, in some cases cash is required to make a particular purchase.

The main thing here is to avoid the common first time mistake of having to resort to an ATM to get some last minute cash. Don’t get stuck paying avoidable fees and just make sure you have some money on you just in case you need it.

Not Planning Enough Days

With Disneyland Paris’s second gate undergoing frequent expansions it’s becoming more of a destination of its own. What used to be a half day park is becoming a larger experience.

Instead of splitting two days between Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park you can easily make the case for three full days for these two parks alone.

Take into account the Disney Village, the resorts you may want to visit and of course other attractions and tours in and around Paris if you are traveling internationally.

Considering how long you plan to stay and what you plan to do is crucial to determining where you book your hotel. This is practical for location and for budget purposes.

Pushing Too Hard to Do Too Much

Finally, one of the biggest Disneyland Paris first-timer mistakes that makes me hang my head low is people pushing too hard to force the experience.

Disneyland Park especially is nothing if not a place to look around in wonder at all the magical surroundings. It is a gorgeous park, but so often people forget to stop and smell the roses.

There is so much importance placed on getting more bang for your buck, but trying to do too much diminishes the value of the experience.

The number of rides you go on can be a measuring tool for how much you were able to accomplish and therefore how successful your day was.

However, you should never lose sight of that moment-to-moment feeling in between things. If you can’t pause and enjoy what’s going on around you it really doesn’t matter how much you get done. It’s not a work day after all. You should try to enjoy yourself!

Considering booking a Disneyland Paris Hotel but unsure which is the best one for you, check out their price estimate calendar and find the best deal for your family.

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