Horizon Explorers Travel Co.

Published by Alicia, Owner & Travel Advisor, Horizon Explorers Travel Co.

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When people ask me about Disneyland Paris, it’s usually followed by one of two questions:

“Is it worth visiting if we’ve already been to Walt Disney World?”

Or…

“Which hotel should we stay at?”

After spending four nights exploring the parks with my family, staying at both the Castle Club at the Disneyland Hotel and the Empire Club at Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, I can confidently say:

Disneyland Paris isn’t just another Disney park. It deserves a trip of its own.

Its blend of European charm, incredible attractions, and beautiful hotels makes it one of the most unique Disney destinations in the world.

When in France…

Our Itinerary

We spent four nights at Disneyland Paris before continuing on to Paris.

• 2 nights at the Disneyland Hotel Castle Club
• 2 nights at Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel (Empire Club)
• 2 days in Disneyland Park (one with the Premier Pass)
• 2 days in Walt Disney Studios Park

It gave us enough time to experience nearly everything without feeling rushed.

Why We Split Our Stay

I almost always recommend splitting a stay if your budget allows.

The two flagship hotels each offer something completely different.

Disneyland Hotel Castle Club

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying inside a Disney fairytale, this is it.

The newly renovated Disneyland Hotel sits directly at the entrance to Disneyland Park. From the Castle Club lounge, breakfast each morning with Disney princesses felt special and elegant before stepping straight into the park.

One of my favorite surprises was the afternoon tea and snacks served in the lounge. It became the perfect place to recharge before heading back out for the evening.

But the real magic happened after dark.

Instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder on Main Street, we watched the nighttime spectacular from the Castle Club viewing area with an incredible view of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was one of those moments that reminded me why Disney vacations can be so special.

If you’re celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday, or simply want the most luxurious Disney experience in Europe, Castle Club is worth considering.

Castle Club robes and slippers are complimentary to guests staying at at the Castle Club level (and how cute are the kid sizes?!)

Disneyland Fireworks from the Castle Club

Disney Princess Experiences

Our daughter participated in My Royal Dream, and it quickly became one of the highlights of the trip.

The experience includes professional hairstyling, makeup (facepaint), accessories, and a beautiful princess gown before finishing with a private photo session.

We also enjoyed A Disney Royal Encounter, which felt much more intimate than the princess meet-and-greets many guests are used to in the U.S. parks.

If you have a little prince or princess, these experiences book VERY quickly and are absolutely worth planning ahead. Pro Tip: If you can’t get a spot then concierge services for the Castle Club can often help get that impossible-to-get reservation.

Photoshoot by Disney after My Royal Experience Makeover.

Why We Loved Empire Club

After two nights immersed in royal elegance, moving to Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel gave us an entirely different experience.

Empire Club includes its own private lounge with breakfast, refreshments, and evening snacks.

The atmosphere is sleek, modern, and much more relaxed than the Disneyland Hotel.

Marvel fans will love the artwork displayed throughout the hotel, exclusive character encounters, and the overall design. Even if you’re traveling with someone who isn’t a superhero fanatic, the hotel feels upscale rather than overly themed.

It also offers an easy walk to Walt Disney Studios Park.

Marvel Hotel Lobby

Our Favorite Attractions

If you’re coming from Walt Disney World, don’t skip attractions simply because they have familiar names.

Many are dramatically different.

Some of our favorites included:

• Big Thunder Mountain, located on its own island and arguably the best version in the world.
• Pirates of the Caribbean, with a longer and more immersive storyline.
• Phantom Manor, a unique take on the Haunted Mansion with an entirely different backstory (My FAVORITE of the different park versions! You simpy must read the backstory before you ride).
• Crush’s Coaster, one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland Paris.
• Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, which was a huge hit with our family.
• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, my personal favorite thrill ride.

Avengers Assemble: Flight Force

Frozen Character Meet and Greet (Must get in virtual queue as soon as it opens!)

Dining Highlights

Disneyland Paris surprised us with the quality of its dining.

Our favorites included:

Lumière’s

An elegant character dining experience inside the Disneyland Hotel that feels much more refined than many Disney buffets.

Royal Banquet

A beautiful buffet featuring Disney royalty and royal-inspired décor. It was one of our favorite meals of the trip.

La Forêt Secrète

The most memorable dinner we’ve ever had at a Disney destination. Chef Jean Imbert has created an experience inspired by Disney storytelling that feels worthy of a Michelin recommendation.

Regal View

The newest Princess-themed restaurant offers gorgeous theming and excellent character interactions.

Regal View

Lumière’s

La Forêt Secrète

Tips That Made Our Trip Better

If you’re planning your first visit, here are a few things I’d do again:

• Stay at least three or four nights if you want to experience both parks comfortably as a family.
• Split your stay between hotels if your budget allows.
• Reserve dining and must-have experiences as early as possible.
• Consider Premier Access, especially if you want to experience the newest attractions efficiently.
• Take advantage of the hotel lounges if you’re staying Club Level. We found ourselves using them every day.
• Don’t compare everything to Walt Disney World. Disneyland Paris has its own personality, and that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Final Thoughts

Before visiting, I wondered whether Disneyland Paris would simply feel like a European version of Disneyland.

It doesn’t.

It has its own atmosphere, its own storytelling, and some of the most beautiful Disney spaces I’ve ever experienced.

Would I go back?

Without hesitation.

If you’re already planning a European vacation, I genuinely believe Disneyland Paris deserves a place on your itinerary. And if you’d like help deciding which hotel, dining experiences, or room category are right for your family, I’d love to help you create an itinerary that makes the most of your visit.