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Disneyland Paris and how to plan for a family trip

Whether going on your first trip or your 21st, planning for Disney always seams like a minefeild. You've booked your holiday, now what?

Disneyland Paris castle 

For me the best thing to start with is the park hours, you can check these out on the Disneyland Paris Website - Park Hours or download the official Disneyland Paris app (which I highly recommend to use while you are there). I suggest writing these down in a grid as follows.

 Monday 20th Tuesday 21st Wednesday 22nd Thursday 23rd Friday 24th
 Extra magic hours DLP 8-10 WDS 8-10 WDS 8-10 DLP 8-10 DLP 8-10
 Disneyland Parc 10-8 10-8 10-8 10-8 10-10
 Disney Studios 10-8 10-7 10-7 10-7 10-9

Once you have done this you can start thinking about what days you will see the parade and Dreams! Dreams is always starts at park closing and the parade is usually afternoon (around 5:30 but this varies so check it out).

Time for table 2, this will be a great help while you are there.
 Monday 20th Tuesday 21st Wednesday 22nd Thursday 23rd Friday 24th
 Special Dreams at 8 Parade at 5:30 Dreams at 8 Parade at 5:30 Luggage drop off by 7:30

Next lets think about food. Disney is filled with tones of amazing and wonderful food. If you have the meal plan then first find out what plan you are on and then head on over to DLP Guide to grab a list of restaurants that you can use your vouchers at. (Don't forget you can eat at other restaurants, such as character dining, and top up with cash if you wish). Write a list of these on a scrap piece of paper ready for the next step.

Finally decided where and when to eat. For us we eat anytime before 6:30 for an 8pm showing of dreams and anytime after 6:45 for a 5:30 parade. Snack vouchers can be used between 3 and 6 so it's a good idea to factor them in to. Don't forget a character breakfast if you want great character interaction but not a hefty price.

 Monday 20th Tuesday 21st Wednesday 22nd Thursday 23rd Friday 24th
Breakfast  Eurostar Hotel 8am
Cafe Mickey - character
 Lay in!
Mc ds or park
 Hotel
 Lunch Eurostar 1:30
Agrahbah Cafe
 12:00
Restaurant des stars
 1:30
Annettes or counter
 12:00
Plaza Gardens
 Snack 3pm 5pm (with parade) 3pm 5pm (with parade) 3pm (then leave :( )
 Dinner 5pm
Plaza Gardena
 7pm
La Grange
 5pm
Annettes diner
 7pm
Chez remy
 Eurostar
 Special Dreams at 8 Parade at 5:30 Dreams at 8
Character breakfast at 8
 Parade at 5:30 Luggage drop off by 7:30
Don't forget to ring and book your reservations. We don't HAVE to stick to this, but it's there if we want it and it means we won't miss anything.

So that's how to plan for Disneyland Paris. How do you plan?