Planning a trip to Disneyland Paris can be an intimidating prospect for everyone. But as we know very well, this can even more complicated if you’re planning as someone or for someone who is differently-abled. In this blog we’re sharing our top tips to help your Disneyland Paris trip to go as smoothly as possible.

1. Research

This might seem to be stating the obvious – research is a key part of Disney trip planning! But if your differently-abled, what you research might be a little bit different.

In the first instance make sure you research you travel and hotel options to make sure you choose the right things for your group. For example you may want to prioritise a hotel nearer to the parks (if budget allows) if you have mobility difficulties, and if you have folks intimidated by crowded spaces you may want to look into private transfers from the airport or train station to avoid crowded Paris metro services.

Another thing we’d recommend researching though are the Disneyland Paris rides. What rides will you be able to do – and more importantly, feel comfortable doing! The Disneyland Paris app and website will give the low-down on the rides and the restrictions for riding, but you might also want to look at ride through videos online to see how you feel about the potential experience, and the ride vehicles! If you know before you go what you can and want to ride, it’ll hopefully save upset and confusion on the day.

The other thing to research is the food options – particularly if you have someone in your group with dietary restrictions, allergies or a condition such as ARFID. Disney are generally pretty good about accommodating allergies, but looking at menus online in advance can give an idea of what you can eat, and where it’s found! (This is also a great tip for picky eaters).

2. Pre-apply (if you qualify)

Disneyland Paris offers two types of passes for those who are differently-abled. One is the Priority Pass, and the other is the Easy Access pass. If you qualify for these passes, apply in advance (up to 30 days before your trip) so you can easily pick it up on your first day.

Note my emphasis on if you qualify – Disney issues the passes to those who are differently-abled and have evidence to support this, and they do ask to see the evidence too (unlike the US Disney parks). As such please don’t try to apply if you don’t qualify – we’ve seen people shouting at cast members in an attempt to brow-beat them into getting a pass, and that doesn’t help anyone.

For the two passes, the Priority Pass allows you to access attractions with expedited access. Typically this is entering into either the Premier Pass lane, or a specific entrance for those with the pass (often this involves walking up the exit to where those with wheelchairs load). This is for the person who has the pass and up to four family members. It also allows access to special viewing areas for shows, parades and the night-time spectaculars for the person with the pass and up to two family members. Please note the difference! Again we saw people yelling at cast members because the entire family couldn’t access the firework or parade areas, and this really doesn’t help anyone.

To apply to the Priority Pass you need to have evidence of the disability – and this isn’t a doctor’s letter or medical certificate. The types of evidence accepted will depend on where you’re from, but here in the UK they were asking for evidence such as PIP award letters, blue badges, or National Disability card. When you pick up your pass you will be required to show this alongside ID.

The second type of pass is the Easy Access Pass. This pass has more restrictions on it than the priority pass – the person holding the pass (and their party of up to four people) can book return times for rides, and then go an enjoy the park while they wait. They can only have one return time at a time. This pass doesn’t give access to parade or firework areas. The Easy Access Pass is available to those with a specific list of medical conditions, and who have a certified medical certificate to support this. Again, you will need to show the certificate when you pick up the pass.

Both passes are easy to apply for through the Disneyland Paris app. When you arrive at Disneyland Paris you can pick up your pass at your hotel or the guest relations booth.

Both passes can be a game-changer for anyone who struggles waiting in the lines due to being differently-abled or neuro-diverse. We used the Priority Pass and have found the cast members very helpful and understanding.

3. Pre-book what you can!

Of course for rides and character greetings you need to visit them on the day. But there are a number of things you can pre-book at Disneyland Paris, and if you’d like to do them we’d highly recommend booking them as soon as you can.

If you stay at a Disneyland Paris hotel this could be up to a year in advance! It may be weird trying to figure out where you want to eat months before you do it, but by pre-booking you have the peace of mind of knowing your plans are set, and you can raise any accommodations you might need in advance.

Things to pre-book in advance are:

• Table-service meals – If you know where you want to eat then pre-book it as soon as you can! And at time of booking mention any dietary conditions, and other support you might need for the restaurant (for example wheelchair access). This is particularly key if you want a character meal because they are extremely popular!
• My Royal Dream – This is where little ones (and not so little ones) and can have their hair and make-up done to make them look like a Princess. It’s based in the Disneyland Hotel. Again it’s very popular so book it as soon as you can. If the person having the experience needs any accommodations it might be worth mentioning it when you book, such as mobility restrictions, or those who may be liable to fidget during the experience. Disney can be very accommodating of all needs but the more they know the more they can help you!
• Any airport transfers – If you need a private transfer from one of the airports to Disneyland Paris, book it as soon as you can.
• Any accommodations you need in your hotel – If you need a wheelchair accessible room, a crib or other special items in your hotel, let them know in advance! You may also want to do this if you have any medicines that need to be refrigerated, because not all rooms have fridges.
• Mobility scooters / ECVs – If you’d like to use an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter (ECV) and plan to rent one, Disneyland Paris does not rent these out! As such you’ll need to pre-book it with an external firm in advance, or take your own. It’s worth noting that mobility scooters are not allowed on the Disney buses, but the site is very flat so it’s easy to free-wheel from your hotel to the parks.
• Firework, show or parade viewings – I wasn’t sure whether or not to mention this here because they are by no means essential, but Disney does offer the opportunity to book special spots or priority access online for an upcharge. Of course you can access all of these things for free, but you might need to wait longer or stand in a tighter crowd. If you have a priority pass I wouldn’t recommend doing this because you’ll have access to those special areas. If not though and you’d like to guarantee a great view without so much of a crush, then the viewing for the fireworks in particular might be worth considering.

You also can’t pre-book if before the day, but I also will add that mobile order is a great way to cut down on waiting in many of the quick service restaurants.

4. Prepare

When planning for your Disneyland Paris days it’s worth being as prepared as possible. If you’re differently-abled, it’s really worth thinking about what you might need on the day to help things go smoothly for you!

Our number one to pack is any medications you might need, make sure you have them with you, and preferably some spare in case any get lost! You don’t want to make yourself unwell be missing some important meds. I’d also pack some painkillers even if no one in your group usually takes them, as you never know when a headache (or footache) might strike! You might also want distractions from the large crowds in the form of fidget toys or games. A must I feel is blister plasters, and if you have lower immunity you may want to think about facemasks and hand sanitizer to help protect yourself. And if you use any form of mobility aid, bring them! They could really help you get the most out of your trip.

5. Prioritise

Disneyland Paris is big, and there’s a lot to do. It’s going to be a challenge for anyone to do everything within a few days (you’d probably need a week and even then you might be pushing it!). If you’re differently-abled you may need to take the parks at a slower pace, which of course will limit even more what you may be able to get done!

As such we’d recommend prioritising for each day of your trip – say 2 or 3 must-dos for everyone in your group (whether that be rides, characters or food). Focus on getting those done first, and then anything else on top of that is a bonus! It might also be a good idea to chat about this with any kiddos in your group beforehand to get them involved in the planning. It might also help prevent some whining if they need to bypass some of the things they’ll inevitably have to do as soon as they see them to focus on must dos, particularly if you have plans for multiple days. (I say might. No guarantees I’m afraid!)

6. Pace

If you take nothing else away from this blog, take this – you HAVE to pace yourself! In Disney parks the FOMO is real and it’s easy to get carried along with the enthusiasm and try to do everything, everywhere all at once. But the result if you do this? Burn out!

This is particularly the case for anyone with mobility differences, or pain conditions. You’ll be standing and walking a lot. As a chronic pain sufferer I know I have to pace myself in Disney or I’ll wipe myself out entirely. And I also know that’s not easy! Pacing can also be very helpful for those who might get over-stimulated by the park and crowds and need a bit of a break for a reset.

So plan in breaks. This may be going back to your hotel to have a rest, but it doesn’t have to be! We tend to plan in breaks around meals and snacks – they’re a chance to sit down and rest. Have table service meal bookings can be good for a much-needed sit down and a break from the hecticness that is Disneyland Paris. Another good option for pacing is shows – things like Mickey’s Philharmagic where you can often walk in and take a break while enjoying some entertainment. Shows in Cafe Hyperion are also great for this, and you can have a snack too! And sometimes the longer, slower attractions can be good for a rest, such as the Railroad or the Thunder Mesa Riverboat. But even just taking a rest on a bench and people watching can be a good idea.

And if you’re going for several days on the trot, I’d also recommend at least one day in the break for a lie in and a slower start to save exhaustion from kicking in!

Above all be kind to yourself. A Disneyland Paris trip is a lot, but it’s also something everyone should enjoy, differently-abled or otherwise. Allow yourself to soak in the magic, prepare as much as you can, and roll with the punches of what you can’t. It can be a magical place for everyone.