Negotiating Disneyland Paris with young children can be challenging but a Disney Premier Access pass enables you to live the dream without the hassle, as Haniah Day finds out
As any parent will attest, the words “family city break” can strike both excitement and a certain kind of logistical fear into your heart – especially when it involves two young daughters, aged four and seven, and a suitcase filled with sticker books and emergency snacks. But when the opportunity arose to visit Disneyland Paris, we couldn't say no. And I’m so glad we didn’t. What unfolded was a day of enchantment, nostalgia and yes – just the right amount of sugar-fuelled chaos.
My four-year-old had been counting down the days and kept reminding me, in that incredibly serious way only a child can, that “Disneyland IS where the magic begins.” She was right. No arguments there.
We were staying in Montmartre – bohemian, beautiful and bustling – but it was just a 35-minute train ride away from the land of talking mice and dancing teapots. Mickey and Minnie t-shirts on, anticipation high, we boarded the train, not entirely sure who was more excited: the children or the adults.
Armed with Premier Access tickets and the Disneyland app (a lifesaver, truly), we breezed through the gates and were soon walking toward Sleeping Beauty’s castle. The look on the girls’ faces – it was one of those moments where you can feel the magic happening around you. My heart might’ve melted a little and all logistical fretting evaporated. We were officially inside the dream.
Okay, let’s talk about those Premier Access passes. Because, let’s face it, with kids, the last thing you want is to spend half your day in line, especially when you’re trying to hit all the big attractions. The Disney Premier Access allowed us to skip the regular queues, which was a lifesaver. We got to enjoy the rides without the usual waiting time, and that made everything feel so much smoother. I mean, I get it – Disneyland is busy, and those lines are part of the deal. But I’ll admit, having the Premier Access made us feel a bit like VIPs, and I’d 100 per cent recommend it.
We kicked things off with It’s A Small World – a pastel-hued boat ride that delivered an instant hit of childhood nostalgia for me from my own childhood. With scenes from every corner of the globe and that familiar tune looping cheerfully, floating through colourful exotic scenes charmed all of us and flooded me with memories. The girls loved it so much, we rode it THREE times. (At least I can say we definitely got our money’s worth.)
Next came The Lion King stage show – a spectacular medley of singing, dancing, acrobatics and pure theatrical joy. There’s something deliciously surreal about watching Broadway-quality entertainment while clutching a popcorn bucket shaped like Minnie Mouse. The performers gave it everything, and the audience, from toddlers to grandparents, absolutely loved it. It felt so intimate, even though it was clearly a huge production. Even my husband sang along (a rare and beautiful sight).
From there, it was on to the heavy hitters: Dumbo (obligatory), Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Crush’s Coaster and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. Somewhere in between, we acquired candy floss roughly the size of Dumbo himself—a sugar bomb that kept the girls bouncing all the way to the Disney Parade. Hyper? Yes. Worth it to prevent a 4pm meltdown? Absolutely.
Nothing screams “Disney” like that magical procession of characters. There were vintage stars – Mary Poppins, Mickey, Minnie, Aladdin, Alice, Goofy—and the newer icons, including the Toy Story crew and the Frozen royal family. Elsa’s passing prompted a stunned silence from my girls, followed by enthusiastic, frenzied waving. It was like Beatlemania, only in tiaras
Then came the pièce de résistance: The Disney Tales of Magic show. This was a real highlight. A technicolour nighttime spectacular of fireworks, projections and emotional soundtrack that turned the castle into a shimmering stage for every story, blending moments from classics like Beauty and the Beast to Pinocchio. The air sparkled, everyone gasped “wow” and “that's amazing”, and the girls, by now curled into our arms, whispered one word: “Again?”
We didn’t want the magic to end either.
But what I really loved about this trip was the balance. The day wasn’t just about the rides, the characters, or the shows (although, let’s be real, they were all epic). It was about how everything came together – the way the girls’ faces lit up at each new experience, how we all found ourselves singing along to the parades, and how by the end of the day, we were all happily exhausted. It was magic in the purest sense.
So, if you’re thinking about taking your family to Disneyland Paris—do it. You might go in expecting one thing, but you’ll leave with memories you never thought possible. And while there might be a few moments of chaos (because let’s face it, it’s Disney), the magic always outweighs the mayhem. The Disney Premier Access just makes it that much more fun, giving you the flexibility to enjoy the park without constantly checking your watch for when the next ride will open up. It’s like Disney learned how to make things easier for families, and I can’t thank them enough.
By the end of the trip, I think we were all on the same page: Disneyland Paris is where the magic begins, but it’s also where memories are made—and where a family’s bond gets a little stronger in the process.
