When people are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, they can sometimes be taken aback by the variety of attractions that Disney has to offer. Disney aims not to have just rides or shows but experiences, immersing visitors in the stories they are telling. In this blog we’re breaking down the different types of attractions at Disneyland Paris. Hopefully this will be helpful for anyone wondering what to expect, and for differently-abled folks to decide what’s going to be for them!

Rides

When most people picture Disney attractions, they picture rides. And rides are a core part of the Disney experience. So what exactly constitutes a ride? (Sounds like a bit of a meta question but here we are!).

Essentially rides are anything when you sit in a vehicle that moves, carrying you through a story. At Disney the range of ride vehicles can include trains, boats, Doom-buggies, spaceships, giant rats and even flying elephants! While Disney try to make a lot of their attractions suitable for the whole family (or most of them anyway), there’s no doubt that some of their rides are more thrilling. So let’s look at them first…

Thrill rides

When most people think thrill rides, they think rollercoasters. And Disneyland Paris has its fair share of these for more adventurous guests! Some of them, such as (Hyper)Space Mountain, Avengers Flight Force and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril include loops and corkscrews that take guests upside down, and probably aren’t the place to start for coaster newbies! Big Thunder Mountain and Crush’s Coaster don’t do this, but instead give thrills in tight turns, hills and drops, and sudden changes in track direction. (In Crush’s case the cars also spin adding in an extra element!). These are more family coasters for sure, but they can still shake up the unwary! Technically speaking Casey Junior is also a coaster – it’s very much pitched at a younger audience though and is pretty slow with just a few banked turns to add a tiny bit of thrill. It’s a great first coaster for little ones.

But there are so many more thrill rides at Disneyland Paris than rollercoasters! There’s Star Tours: the Adventures Continue, which is a simulator ride that takes you through various places in the Star Wars universe. (Those places can change with each ride too!). It’s great fun but can also be very jerky! The forbidding Tower of Terror is a drop ride with suitably creepy Twilight Zone theming, and the Parachute drop in Toy Story Playland also technically falls into this category, albeit with more cute than scary theming and a much gentler drop down! Also in Toy Story Playland is RC Racer – this ride is a bit like those old swinging pirate ship rides you see at fairs, except that it’s a car on a track – you do end up nearly vertical in the drives back and forth though!

The thing about thrill rides is that while they can be great rides, they’re not for everyone. They can jerk backs, aggravate health conditions, and sometimes it’s simply not safe for little ones to ride. So how do you spot a thrill ride? The biggest give away will be a height limit! The height limit does vary by ride – essentially the more thrilling a ride is, the higher the height limit. If you have little ones who might be keen to ride these attractions make sure you measure them before you go to see if they’ll be tall enough or not – if they go in knowing they can’t ride it might save some tears! Another sign of a thrill ride is that there will be a list of warnings outside for those with medical conditions and the differently-abled, advising who shouldn’t ride. Also, those who are pregnant probably won’t be able to ride any of these.

As a side note, there are some rides at Disneyland Paris which aren’t technically thrill rides, but might still upset or spook some folks. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Cars Quatre Roues Rallye both spin, and this spinning can upset some people’s heads (and stomachs). The tilting of the rockets on Orbitron makes some riding this feel unsafe. Also some little ones might get spooked by the sights on Phantom Manor and Pirate and the Caribbean. And don’t underestimate the potential fright factor of the Witch in the Snow White ride! (And as for Pinocchio, it might make you feel like you’re on a drug trip. Or wish you were). Everyone is different – I’d recommend giving any ride you’re able a try if you can, but if there’s something you know you aren’t going to enjoy then don’t ride it! It’s your Disney trip.

Family rides

The other rides I’ve grouped into ‘family rides’, in that there’s no height limit to ride them and they’re designed for the whole family to enjoy.

However these rides do vary a lot. Some take you on vehicles through classic Disney stories, such as Peter Pan’s Flight, the Storybook Canal Boats or Pinnochio’s Daring Journey. Others take you on adventures such as Phantom Manor or Pirates of the Caribbean. Some are very gentle and just so blooming pretty and charming, like the Railroad, Thunder Mesa Riverboat, and It’s a Small World (well, unless you have a doll phobia I guess). Some are more simple rides but with that extra touch of Disney magic, such as the Carousel, Dumbo the Flying elephant and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin (essentially pick you up and spin you around a centre spot type rides), and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party which is a spinner ride where you can control the spin of your teacup.

And speaking of controlling your spin, this are also other interactive rides – like Web Slingers where you use your arms to ‘fling webs’ to help out Spiderman, or Buzz Lightyear where you use a gun on your ride vehicle to shoot targets to stop the Evil Emperor’s Zurg. I guess Autopia also counts here because you can control the speed you go on your little car around the track? There’s also a steering wheel, but the tracks ensure that no car can go off the rails (well, unless you really try!).

For all these rides, if they appeal to you I’d say go for it! Family friendly entertainment is what Disney does best, and it shines in these attractions. The amount of detail and theming is off the scale. And Disney is very good at helping those who are differently-abled get on and off these rides. Some you do need to transfer if you’re in a wheelchair, in others you can ride your chair straight on it! Always ask a cast member if you’re not sure the best way to get on and off a ride and they’ll be able to help you. The only slight thing I’d note about these rides is that some of them may still mess with certain people (see my note in thrill rides above!), and occasionally some folks may struggle with the ride vehicles if they have limited mobility. Watch ride through videos on YouTube if you’re not sure!

Stage shows and films

Rides are only the start of the Disneyland Paris attraction story though. There are also a number of wonderful shows which are must sees if you get the chance!

Most shows are performed several times a day in large theatres. In the Disneyland Park you have Rhythm of the Pridelands, a stunning take on the Lion King. The Walt Disney Studios Park really shines here though – it has Mickey and the Magician and Together: A Pixar Musical celebration, shows were several characters appear on stage and that incorporate musical numbers. There’s also the Frozen show – it’s worth noting this isn’t the Frozen story but a show where you join Anna in creating a surprise for Elsa, and where much of the dialogue and some of the songs are in French. Which is fair enough, you are in France – but might confuse some non-French speaking kiddos! The new Alice in Wonderland stunt show is also here, featuring a sing-off between Alice and the Queen of Hearts (I promise I’m not making this up…) and with BMX stunts. Disneyland Paris’ shows are always well reviewed, received and worth trying to see! (Plus you get to sit down for a while in a park day. Result.)

Some notes about these shows, despite the multiple showings they are incredibly popular and you will need to get there early to secure a spot – think at least 45 minutes in advance in peak season. There are separate lines for the differently-abled with Priority Passes, but these spots are limited and it’s still worth getting there at least 30 minutes before show start to secure your spot. You can buy priority seating for the shows, but even with this you’re required to turn up at least 20 minutes before show begins! So you may need to plan ahead to see them. (It’s worth noting that at off peak times you may be able to grab a spot close to show start without the long wait, but note that’s not guaranteed and could be a little risky!) The other thing to note is that the shows can be a bit of a time suck – you normally have to wait at least 30 minutes beforehand and then the shows themselves are 20-30 minutes long, so that could be around an hour out of a park day. We think it’s worth it! Also don’t be surprised if one or more of the shows is closed when you’re visiting, the shows pausing for months is commonplace here.

Alongside these big shows there are the film attractions, one in each park. In the Disneyland Park there’s Mickey’s Philharmagic, a 3D film where you can enjoy songs from many Disney films pulled together by a ‘Donald Duck doing what he shouldn’t’ storyline! Some songs are in English, some in French. It’s a lovely film and really should be seen, and because it plays continually throughout the day you can typically get in without much wait. The other show in Walt Disney Studios is Stitch Live – this is rather different because the audience actually gets to talk to and interact with Stitch in real time. It’s a lot of fun! Because of the need to interact with Stitch this is the only show with specific French and English versions – typically there’s 3 shows an hour, two in French and one in English. This might not be such a great show for folks with social anxiety because Stitch may pick on you in the audience, so be warned!

The nice thing about the shows is that they’re all very accessible and suitable for all ages. They can be very loud at times though, so folks who get over-stimulated might want ear-protectors. It’s also worth noting that the waiting areas can also get very packed out with people – something to bear in mind if you’re nervous around big crowds.

Walk-through attractions

Not content with rides and shows, Disneyland Paris has a number of attractions you can walk through at your leisure – all packed with great theming and rich detail.

For starters there’s Adventure Isle, a whole island dedicated to bridges, caves, pirate treasure and ships and more, just made for walking and exploring. A lot of people could probably spend hours just exploring Adventure Isle as there are so many paths and so much detail (or they might have just got lost – the caves can be confusing). Part of Adventure Isle is a separate attraction in its own right, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. As the name suggests here you can explore the home created by the family when they got stranded.

If the Wild West is more your jam you can explore Legends of the Wild West, a series of scenes and views that can be taken in by exploring Fort Cormstock at the entrance of Frontierland. Back in Adventureland, Aladdin fans will want to explore Aladdin’s Enchanted Passage (no jokes please), where you can walk past large dioramas retelling the story from the film. In Fantasyland Alice’s Curious Labyrinth takes you through some of the wacky scenes in Wonderland complete with models, animatronics and the Queen of Heart’s Castle. And you can explore the story of Sleeping Beauty through tapestries and stained glass in the castle itself! (Plus there’s a dragon lurking in the basement…) And finally, Discoveryland boasts the Mysteries of the Nautilus, where you can walk through the submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (and will please folks missing the old ride that used to be in Disney World and the original Disneyland).

Also I don’t know if they’re walk through attractions per se, but the two arcades either side of Main Street are packed full of historical details and displays!

Walk-through attractions are great, especially if you’re all rided out (is that possible?!) or just don’t want a long wait – typically you can walk into these attractions without issue. (If any of them get a wait you know it’s a busy day!). The only caveat I’d say with them is that if you have mobility differences you may want to check what you can access – the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse can only be accessed by stairs; the same with the upstairs portions of Legends of the Wild West, chunks of Adventure Isle, and the upstairs part of the castle in the middle of Alice’s Labyrinth (the bulk of this attraction is fully accessible though). Please note that some attractions might look inaccessible but actually aren’t – there’s a lift to the Nautilus, and to the upstairs portion of Sleeping Beauty Castle, ask a cast member for directions! Another possible negative of these attractions is that aching feet might not appreciate something where you need to stand and walk!

Parades and Night-time Spectaculars

Disney sure knows how to put on a big show, and the parades and night-time spectaculars exemplify this. At the time of writing, both are available in Disneyland Park.

Starting with parades, this is when large floats carrying Disney characters travel a route through a park, accompanied by some very catchy tunes and enthusiastic dancers! The current parade is Disney’s Stars on Parade, which has been around a few years now. This parade has a slight steam punk vibe in some of the floats, inspired in part by Discoveryland’s theming. It’s a wonderful parade and a great chance to see a lot of characters in one place. (Note, they don’t generally stop for photos or autographs but you can certainly give them a wave!). Generally speaking the parade kicks off next to It’s a Small World in Fantasyland, travels around the side of the castle to the Hub, and then down Main Street USA. It normally takes place once a day, and the time can vary a lot depending on the season so make sure you check the app! You should be staking out spots a good 30 minutes in advance if you want to be near the front of the crowd.

The current (and new!) night-time spectacular is Disney’s Tales of Magic, which takes place daily at closing time for Disneyland Park. This show incorporates fireworks, projections on the castle and down Main Street USA, and even drones to bring to life scenes from Disney films. It’s very popular – and very magical and worth trying to see at least once! We did a whole blog post on where to find spots for the show – click here to give it a read.

(It’s also worth noting that sometimes there are projection and drone shows in Walt Disney Studios Park, typically centred on the Tower of Terror. These tend to be seasonal so check the Disneylamd Paris website and app to see if anything is on during your trip. There should be a new nighttime show centred on the lake from 2026 onwards when World of Frozen opens!)

These shows exemplify just how good Disney is at entertainment and storytelling, and are a quintessential part of Disney magic. The main downside? Crowds! Both attract A LOT of people, and folks stake out spots hours in advance sometimes. But that doesn’t stop latecomers trying to push and shove them out the way! Honestly I don’t know why guests seem to be just so rude when it comes to trying to claim parade and firework spots in Disneyland Paris compared to other Disney Parks, but it is a thing to consider. As such if you aren’t comfortable in large crowds then you might want to think of where to stand to view these without getting hemmed in, and be prepared to be firm in keeping your chosen spot because sadly someone may well try to nab it!

Meeting characters

What’s a Disney trip without a hug from Mickey Mouse? Meeting the Disney characters is very popular at Disneyland Paris, and there’s a chance to meet everyone from favourite princesses to Pixar pals!

We’ve done a whole blog post on meeting characters so I’m not going to dwell on this here – click here to give it a read! But note that most characters have set meeting spots where they’ll be at set times, not wandering around the park. And character lines can be loooooooong! So be prepared to be patient or have some strategies to try and minimise your wait.

Seasonal entertainment

Disneyland Paris likes to celebrate in style! There’s almost always some form of seasonal entertainment going on here.

Seasonal entertainment you can predict that’ll happen every year are events marking Halloween (typically the month of October) and Christmas (early November – early January). For these expect themed decorations in the parks, special character meet and greets, and special snacks among other things. But alongside these regular occurences, Disneyland Paris likes to pull out other seasons in the rest of the year (especially spring / summer) and what this is varies year to year! Last year we had the Million Splashes of Colour, this year it’s going to be a Music Festival with different shows around the park. Because of theme and content of these vary year by year it’s difficult to predict what exactly will happen but expect seasonal shows and snacks.

One thing that can make an appearance for any season are calvacades, or mini-style parades. Typically for these a number of floats will head up Main Street and park up around the Castle hub, where several characters will get off to perform on the Hub stages and interact with guests (weather permitting). The fountains on the castle can get in on the party too! Once the show is done, the characters reboard the floats and head back the way they came. These calvacades are another great way to spot characters, and the shows in front of the castle are lovely too. Like the parades they can attract a crowd, but because they happen multiple times a day it’s less stress getting a spot. The main issue with these is that the can really block the traffic on Main Street – but that’s when those Arcades down the back of the shops really come into their own.

It’s always worth checking out the seasonal entertainment. It’s worth noting though there’ll be a few times a year when there’ll be none of these happening – typically January after Christmas ends to whenever the new season begins (could be any time February – April), late September after the seasonal entertainment ends and before Halloween begins, and potentially about a week between Halloween and Christmas seasons! Don’t worry though – the parks are still amazing at these times, and occasionally it’s nice to see them in their ‘raw’ state!

Wow, that’s a lot you can do on a Disneyland Paris trip! There’s really something for everyone. What do you prioritise? Let us know in the comments!