How to Do Disneyland Paris in One Day (2025 Guide)
So, you’ve only got one day at Disneyland Paris—and you’re wondering if it’s even worth it?
I’ve seen the comments in Facebook groups. The “don’t bother,” the “you’re stupid to even try,” and the “you need at least three days or it’s pointless.”
But here’s the thing: not everyone can do three days. Some people only have one park day in the budget, one free day in their Paris itinerary, or one day’s worth of energy to give—and that is 100% okay.
I’m a big advocate for doing Disneyland Paris your way. If you prepare properly, one day is enough to do both parks—but something’s gotta give. You might need to skip a sit-down meal, pick between shows or rides, or visit when the weather’s not so great. And that’s fine.
This guide is packed with practical tips to help you do Disneyland Paris in one day—without burning out or missing the best bits.
✨ This post contains affiliate links. If you book something through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this site running (and fuels my Mickey-shaped snack habit).
⏰ Short on Time? Here’s What To Do
✅ Make a must-do list in advance
🎢 Prioritise big rides early (Crush’s Coaster, Tower of Terror, Big Thunder)
📲 Use the Disneyland Paris app to chase short queues
🍟 Skip table service meals
🎠 Use Single Rider queues where you can
🏰 Watch the parade from the bridge for a head start on rides
🗓️ Choose a quiet time of year if possible (Jan, Feb, Sept midweek)
Here’s Exactly How To Do Disneyland Paris In One Day
This is what you need to take into consideration when planning your day trip to Disneyland Paris.
🎯 Set Your Must-Dos Before You Go
Trying to squeeze in everything will just leave you stressed. Pick 5–6 priorities—rides, characters, shows, snacks—and build your day around those.
For thrill-seekers, focus on Big Thunder Mountain, Avengers Assemble, and Tower of Terror (you’ll find more in my guide to the fastest rides at Disneyland Paris).
If you’ve got little ones, classics like It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, and the parade are always solid picks—there’s a full list of kid-friendly rides here.
Character fans should try Mickey’s House, the Princess Pavilion, or Stitch—but just a heads-up: the virtual queues fill up fast. We had two full days in the parks, and it still took my sister four tries to grab a Stitch slot.
Still deciding if both parks are worth it in one day? This breakdown of which Disneyland Paris park is best for you will help you figure out what’s realistic.
📅 Choose Your Date Carefully
When you’ve only got one day, timing is everything.
Summer = longer hours, bigger crowds.
Winter = shorter hours, but fewer queues (and cheaper too).
We went in mid-January on a weekday and got everything done in one day—then spent day two just repeating favourites.
But during the May school holidays, even with two full days, we still didn’t get on Peter Pan or Cars Road Trip. The difference was huge.
❄️ Colder months are ideal if you’re trying to do Disneyland Paris on a budget, and there’s plenty to do in the rain if the weather’s not great.
🍟 Skip the Sit-Downs
If food isn’t one of your top priorities, avoid sit-down restaurants—they’ll take up a big chunk of your day, and service can be slow when the parks are busy.
Quick service is your best bet. When we went, the queue for Café Hyperion was huge—but we ordered through the Disneyland Paris app and walked straight up to collect. If you’re not paying with cash, it’s 100% worth doing.
There are also great options in Walt Disney Studios, with food stands selling things like toasties, fries, and wraps. If you’re heading to Disney Village, I’d recommend Earl of Sandwich over McDonald’s—similar prices, faster service, and much more filling. The queue for McDonald’s was a complete shambles when we last went.
Don’t forget to eat a good breakfast before entering the parks, and bring a few snacks for queueing.
If you need ideas, I’ve rounded up the best snacks at Disneyland Paris here.
And if you’re bringing your own food, check Disneyland Paris’s bag policy first.
📲 Download the Disneyland Paris App
This isn’t a tip—it’s a lifestyle. I live and breathe the Disneyland Paris app. If Callum wasn’t in the picture, I’d propose to it. It is, without exaggeration, an absolute godsend.
This one app tells you:
- 🎢 Live queue times (so you can chase those 15-minute Big Thunder windows like your life depends on it)
- 🕒 Parade and show schedules
- 🍔 Restaurant opening hours + mobile ordering
- 🚫 Ride closures and downtimes
- 🧻 Where the nearest bathroom is when you’ve had one too many Mickey milkshakes
- 👑 Character locations and virtual queue openings
Instead of working through the parks land by land (rookie mistake), use the app to hop between short queues and make the most of your time.
It will have you power-walking from Frontierland to Discoveryland at least twice—but that’s part of the fun.
Trust me, if you’re only doing Disneyland Paris in one day, this app is your new best friend.
Treat it well, keep your phone charged, and you might just squeeze in that extra ride before fireworks.
🎉 Use the Parade to Make a Break for It
Yes, the parades are magical. Yes, the music will make you tear up. But if you’ve got your eye on Crush’s Coaster or Space Mountain, this is your golden window.
Here’s the plan:
Stand on the bridge in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle for a great view (and cute pics, obviously). As soon as the last float rolls past, don’t even blink—run.
Use the covered arcades or back paths to escape the Main Street crowds and make a beeline to Walt Disney Studios.
By the time you get there, Crush’s Coaster’s queue will have likely dropped by 30 minutes or more. Most guests are still watching the parade or stuck in the traffic jam heading out.
🚨 You only get one shot at this kind of queue luck—so lace up those trainers and go.
🚶♀️ Use the Single Rider Queue
If you’re visiting with your partner, older kids, or anyone who doesn’t mind riding separately, Single Rider can save you a ton of time. You’ll still queue together—you’ll just be split up when it’s time to board.
Callum and I once used it for Indiana Jones—the regular queue was 45 minutes, single rider said 5.
We gave it a go, and by some Disney miracle, we got front row together. Someone held up the main line and the cast member just waved us both through. Absolute pixie dust moment.
Not every ride has a single rider queue, but our Disneyland Paris rides list and Walt Disney Studios rides list show exactly where to find them.
📸 Character Meet-and-Greets: Prepare to Queue (and Be Realistic)
We touched on this earlier, but it’s worth repeating: character meet-and-greets—especially for Mickey, Stitch, or the Princess Pavilion—can be seriously tough to get.
If you’re trying for one of the virtual queues, be on the Disneyland Paris app at least 5 minutes before they open, and turn off the park Wi-Fi—your mobile data will usually be quicker. Timing is everything.
And just to save you the hassle—don’t waste time turning up and begging cast members or asking for cancellations. We saw at least 15 people try this and every single one got turned away. The system is strict, and unless you’ve got a confirmed slot, you’re not getting in.
That said, some of the best meets we’ve had were the unplanned ones—Peter Pan, Wendy, Baloo, and Captain Hook, all spotted just walking through Fantasyland at the right time.
So yes, definitely try for the characters you love—but don’t promise your kids they’ll get to meet someone specific. It’s better to be pleasantly surprised than heartbroken by 10:01am.
If meeting characters is a top priority and you don’t want the stress, character dining at Plaza Gardens or Auberge de Cendrillon is your best bet—more expensive, but guaranteed time with the stars.
🎟️ Premier Access vs Quiet Times
You can absolutely do Disneyland Paris without Premier Access—if you’re willing to walk fast, refresh the app like a maniac, and zigzag your way through the parks. We’ve done it. It’s possible.
But… if rides like Big Thunder Mountain and Crush’s Coaster are non-negotiable, you might want to buy a Single Premier Access ticket. They’re around €16–€20 per ride, and can save you up to 90 minutes of queue time.
Slots can sell out pretty quickly, so decide early in the day if you’re going to buy one, and grab it through the app. Don’t wait until mid-afternoon and hope for the best—they’ll likely be gone.
If you’re visiting during peak times like July, August, or Christmas, Premier Access is worth seriously considering—especially if you’ve only got one day. But if you’re going midweek in January, February, or early March, save the cash. Crowds are lower, queues are shorter, and you’ll get loads done without paying extra.
🎫 Where to Buy 1-Day Tickets
If you’re doing Disneyland Paris in just one day, booking your park ticket in advance is a no-brainer.
You can buy tickets directly from the official site, but I usually recommend checking GetYourGuide—prices are often the same or slightly discounted, and it’s quick, easy, and mobile-friendly (and you can often book last minute).
There are two types of 1-day tickets:
- Dated Tickets: Cheaper, but locked to the day you pick
- Flexible Tickets: Valid for any date within a certain window—better if your plans might shift
And if you’re planning to do both parks in one day (which is totally doable with a solid plan), make sure you choose the Park Hopper option.
🛏️ Worth a quick look
If you’re already paying out for a local hotel, check how much extra it’d cost to stay on-site at Disneyland Paris.
Some of the entry-level hotels like Hotel Santa Fe or Cheyenne often offer 2-day park tickets and extra Magic Hour for not much more than a separate ticket + hotel combo. You can compare options in my Disneyland Paris hotel guide.
✨ Final Thoughts
Doing Disneyland Paris in one day isn’t silly, unrealistic, or a waste of time—it’s completely doable, as long as you go in with a plan (and maybe a bit of chaos tolerance).
I’ve done one-day trips with Callum, with family, and with friends—and every time, we came out knackered but grinning. You might have to skip the sit-down meals, power-walk between rides, or visit in the cold… but if that’s what works for you, then it’s the right way to do it.
Wear comfy shoes, pack a charger, and don’t overthink it. One day at Disneyland Paris really can be enough.
