From the moment we planned our first trip to Disneyland Paris, staying in the newly refurbished Disneyland Hotel, excitement was high. Anticipation grew on the Eurostar journey over as we scanned the Disneyland app and the rides we wanted to jump on first and on the short journey across Paris to the park.
Pulling up outside the pastel pink, palatial Disneyland Hotel, reopened after a four-year, five-star refurbishment, we felt as if we were literally checking into the Disneyland Castle. And this is the idea. Enter the foyer, designed like a library, with a sweeping staircase and a large crystal chandelier with the Sleeping Beauty Castle at the centre, it feels fit for a royalty and it wasn't long before we met a real-life Disney Princess.
The Disneyland Hotel experience is designed to immerse you in the world of Disney and allow guests to get up close with the famous characters. Meet-and-greets happen in the foyer and in the restaurants, so there are plenty of selfie opportunities. We excitedly grabbed selfies with Rapunzel from Tangled, Cinderella, and Goofy, not yet realising how special this was. It can take hours of queueing in the park to get the same photo memento.
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Already immersed in the Disney world, we were keen to make the most of our time in the park, so we dropped our bags and immediately headed out in search of fun. We didn’t have to go far. The Disneyland Hotel boasts by far the best location of the park hotels, positioned next to Walt Disney Studios and at the entrance to the main park. This makes it an easy pit stop to rest or fuel up during the day, which we did frequently, as we averaged 20,000 steps a day, cramming in all the sights and rides. We also headed back for dinner to re-energise before heading back out for the not-to-be-missed highlight, the end-of-evening drone show and fireworks.
There really is something for everyone at Disneyland, whatever your age, or if you’re a theme park novice or veteran Disney fan (and we met plenty who were as enthusiastic as us novices). From meeting your childhood favourites - Winnie the Poo anyone? To adrenalin spiking rides for hardened thrill seekers - Avengers Assemble and Tour of Terror were the scariest we tried. Or for rollercoaster newbies, Coastal Crush and Indiana’s Temple of Doom fit the bill. We also found it hard to resist the Disney merch in the boutiques in Main Street. You’ll find everything from soft toys, key rings and hoodies to Mickey mixing bowls, ice trays and whisks. There’s even a barber!
The Disneyland Hotel is the perfect place from which to experience the full Disneyland magic of the park and get up close and personal with your Disney heroes. And one thing is for sure, there’s no other five star destination quite like it!
The Disneyland Hotel is for those who like their theme park to come with 5 star comfort and perks, from the proximity of the hotel, it straddles the park entrance, to the extra ‘magic’ hour allowed for hotel guests. We got up early to make the most of this extra hour, entering the park at 8.30AM to be first in line for the rides, before it opens to the crowds at 9.30AM. We also had the Premier Access Pass that gives one fast pass access to each ride, allowing you to enjoy as many rides in the speediest time possible. Perfect for anyone on a tight schedule.
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With 487 rooms it is a large hotel, but for those that prefer a more boutique or VIP immersive experience you can check into The Castle Club, a hotel within The Disneyland Hotel. It offers unique royal vacation experiences with 41 rooms and 18 themed suites. You can stay in the bespoke Frozen or Beauty and The Beast suites, impressively decorated with costumes, paintings and tapestries from the stories. You can also have pancakes with a Princess at breakfast, in a unique dining experience.
We stayed in a deluxe room (below) that felt super comfortable with two plush double king size beds and Disney character themed decor, from the pictures on the walls to the design motifs, the carpet design featured Snow White's apple and Belle's red rose. A light up, colour changing canopy above the beds added a touch of bedtime magic. All box fresh after the refurb, it felt like a sanctuary to retreat to after long days in the park. With feet up, we turned on the TV hidden, behind a mirror screen, to watch some Disney classics. (Disney+ streaming sadly not included, so you’ll need to cast your own subscription on screen).
With so much action on the doorstep, we also needed some downtime. On Sunday morning we headed to check out the pool and jacuzzi. More of a relaxation pool than lap variety, we spent an hour chilling in the jacuzzi and the sauna. There’s also a Hamman and Clarins Spa offering facials, massages, mani/pedis, blow drys and makeup touch ups.
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When it comes to refueling, you won't find the burger and chip style variety you get in the park, but a variety of different dining experiences. We preferred The Royal Banquet, a four course help yourself feast, with salads, meat and cheeses starters, a seafood bar and carvery for mains, an array of Disney inspired deserts (below), plus we couldn't resist the fourth course - a French cheese buffet! And with a table overlooking the park, we caught a glimpse of the electrical sky parade, and got to high five Mickey, Minnie and Goofey who come to join the guests for dinner.
A French cuisine experience is on offer in La Table de Lumiere restaurant, designed to replicate Belle and the Beast's ballroom scene, which offers table service and an a la carte menu. We found it a slightly curious mix of gourmet style food and Disney theming, and while it wasn't a hit on the food front with the kids, for ardent Disney fans it's another experience to tick off the list.
More suited for kids is the The Royal Dream dress up experience, where they get to live out their Princess or Knight fantasies with costumes hair and makeup and a keepsake portrait to finish. It's these type of immersive experiences, plus all the hedonistic fun on the doorstep of the hotel, that made had it a magical weekend and we came home with some great memories and plenty of photos we're still reminiscing over.
Enjoy a one-night stay at Disneyland Paris from £250 per person, including accommodation at Disneyland® Hotel with unlimited access to Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park for two days.
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