Bonjour! As many of you know, we’ve been going all out for the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris with unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including beautiful drone shows in the sky, special Disney treats, exclusive character appearances and more.
To continue our coverage of the Resort’s 30th, I recently went on an adventure of a lifetime – traveling from the U.S. to France – to find unique things Disney Parks Blog readers need to see and try at Disneyland Paris. So if you’ve planned a trip to Paris or you’re in the area, here are 12 great reasons to visit before the anniversary celebration ends on Sept. 30, and even some unique experiences offered all year round!
1. Easy Train Ride to the Parks
My adventure began in the city of Paris, where I visited some major tourist attractions before heading to Disney. If you’ll already be in or around Paris, Disneyland Paris is just a short train ride away! The Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy train station is the perfect gateway from the city into the parks, as it sits in the middle of the esplanade area connecting Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
This makes it a breeze to go into the city for the day and come back for the fireworks at night — or spend the day in the parks and head over to the Eiffel Tower at sunset to watch the twinkling lights. It’s a game changer for exploring all that Paris has to offer.
2. A Can’t-Miss Drone Spectacular
And when the sun goes down, the drones go up! Disney D-Light, a nighttime spectacular exclusive to the 30th Anniversary celebration, is a can’t-miss show above Sleeping Beauty Castle that features magnificent drone light choreography.
We got a behind the scenes look at how these drones bring the magic to life, and it was incredible to see it all come together in the sky!
3. Mickey-Shaped Pizza
One of the most unique eats at Disneyland Paris comes in the form of Mickey-shaped Pizza! You’ll find this must-try over at Pizzeria Bella Notte in Fantasyland or Colonel Hathi’s Outpost Restaurant in Adventureland. I also really enjoyed the pasta and garlic bread at Pizzeria Bella Notte — so much so that I ate here twice during my trip. If you’re looking for a quick service meal with a memorable twist, this is the spot for you.
4. 30th Anniversary Character Experiences
Some of my favorite experiences exclusive to the 30th Anniversary Celebration are the characters you can spot throughout the parks! When I first stepped inside Disneyland Park, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were there to greet me at the Main Street, U.S.A. train station, dressed in their 30th Anniversary best. Sometimes they’ll even perform a choreographed dance to “Un Monde Qui S’illumine.” You’ll also find Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Chip and Dale decked out in special 30th Anniversary costumes. Talk about a fun photo op!
Of course, character greetings are also part of the year-round fun at Disneyland Paris, so you won’t want to miss encounters with Super Heroes at Avengers Campus, Winnie the Pooh, or friends from “Alice in Wonderland.” I recommend checking the Disneyland Paris app for specific appearance times on the day of your visit.
5. A Disney Champagne Cart
Your trip to Disneyland Paris isn’t complete without a visit to the Boardwalk Candy Palace! Sip champagne as you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. or snack on some macarons — it’s the perfect treat whether you’re celebrating something special or waiting for the fireworks to begin. Plus, the flute is yours to keep!
6. Exclusive Attractions
Amongst the five lands of Disneyland Park — Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland — there are a few beloved attractions you can only find at this park. I particularly love Phantom Manor and Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.
At Walt Disney Studios Park, you’ll want to make sure to stop by Worlds of Pixar. This land is packed with attractions exclusive to Disneyland Paris such as Cars Road Trip, RC Racer and Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin. Crush’s Coaster is a standout thrill: you really do feel like you’re cruising through the EAC!
Of course, you’ll find plenty of classic Disney attractions at both parks, too. Board the wildest ride in the wilderness at Big Thunder Mountain, step inside a haunted elevator at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or join a swashbuckling crew at Pirates of the Caribbean. I love the perfect balance of iconic and innovative.
7. Limited-Time Snacks
If you’re on the hunt for something more grab-and-go, you’ll find plenty of unique snacks exclusive to the 30th anniversary celebration! Sample the Mickey 30th Shortbread Coin, the 30th Anniversary Muffin, 30th Anniversary cake pops and more.
My personal favorite was the Groot shortbread at WEB Food Truck in Avengers Campus. It was almost too cute to eat!
8. Exclusive Daytime Shows
The heartbeat of Disneyland Paris are the magnificent performances that ignite Main Street, U.S.A. Coming into this trip I already had the Dream…and Shine Brighter! soundtrack memorized, so I could not stop smiling and dancing during the 30-minute set. If you’re planning to catch this daytime show, I recommend watching from the Hub to get the full 360 experience.
You also won’t want to miss Disney Stars on Parade: your chance to catch characters like Crush, Buzz Lightyear, Elsa and Maleficent as they wind through the park. Talk about more toe-tapping tunes that will get stuck in your head! While Dream…and Shine Brighter! is exclusive to the 30th Anniversary Celebration, Disney Stars on Parade is here to stay.
9. Meet Magician Mickey
You may know that you can catch Magician Mickey Mouse in action at the Disneyland Paris-exclusive show Mickey and the Magician — but did you know you can also chat with him one-on-one? In Fantasyland, you’ll have the chance to step into his dressing room, snap a photo with him and peek at some of his magical props. This is one of my favorite greetings in the park and a can’t-miss — plus, it’s a year-round activity!
10. Miniature Dining Experience
Worlds of Pixar is also home to Bistrot Chez Rémy. In this unique culinary dining experience, you’ll shrink down to the size of our favorite chef and indulge in a 3-course meal complete with the famed dish, Ratatouille. If you have time for a sit-down meal, the food is magnifique.
11. A Special Nod to Walt
Another stand-out dining selection is Walt’s — an American Restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A. This location pays homage to Walt Disney, with tons of family photos and nods to his apartment at Disneyland Park in Anaheim. The food is tailored to Walt’s favorite dishes as well, so it’s no surprise that there’s a take on Walt’s famous chili on the menu!
You’ll also find a nod to Walt at Walt Disney Studios Park. The main entrance takes you through a Hollywood “soundstage,” and at the end of it you’ll find the iconic Partners statue with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. It’s a great photo spot and a grand welcome into the park.
12. Uniquely Photo-Worthy Spots
To commemorate your trip to Disneyland Paris, don’t forget to stop by some of the parks’ most photo-worthy spots. Of course you have to snap a shot in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, but you’ll also want to pose in front of the Water Tower at Walt Disney Studios Park, Cinderella’s carriage at the Auberge de Cendrillon restaurant and the Stark Wall at Avengers Campus. And no park photoshoot is complete without a picture with a Minnie balloon on Main Street, U.S.A.!
No matter where you are in the world, one of the best parts about traveling to a Disney park is that bubbly feeling when you scan your ticket at the gates — and it’s even better when you’re crossing a new Disney park off your list. Are you planning on visiting Disneyland Paris soon? Let us know your must-do’s!
To take part in the 30th Anniversary Celebration on your own adventure of a lifetime, make sure to visit before September 30. And stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more Disneyland Paris news — including tips for your visit!