Interesting Disneyland® Facts

Disneyland Paris is the kingdom of magic and the place where childhood dreams come true! But it’s also home to some seriously cool rides and some even more awesome facts. Here are a few of my favorite facts about Disneyland Paris, that Disney fans will love!

1. Disneyland Paris officially opened its doors on April 12, 1992, becoming the first Disney theme park in Europe. It was later renamed Disneyland Resort Paris and then Disneyland Paris.
2. The initial idea for the location of Disneyland wasn’t Paris. Disney originally wanted a warmer location in Europe that would correlate with the warm temperatures like in the Florida and California parks. However, Paris won the bid due to its central location. It’s an estimated four hour drive away from 70 million potential visitors and a two hour flight away from over 300 million potential visitors who live in central Europe.
3. Theme Parks: Disneyland Paris consists of two main theme parks: Disneyland Park (Parc Disneyland); This is the resort’s flagship park, inspired by the original Disneyland in California. It is divided into five themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A.; Adventureland; Frontierland; Fantasyland; and Discoveryland. Each land offers its own unique attractions, shows, and dining experiences. And the Walt Disney Studios Park (Parc Walt Disney Studios); This park is dedicated to the world of filmmaking and animation. It features attractions and shows related to Disney and Pixar movies, as well as behind-the-scenes experiences.
4. Attractions: Disneyland Paris offers a wide range of attractions, including classic rides like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and It’s a Small World, as well as newer additions like Ratatouille: The Adventure. There are also parades, character meet-and-greets, and live entertainment shows throughout the day.
5. Disneyland has a secret network of underground tunnels. Ever wondered how Mickey and his pals seem to be in two places at once? I’m afraid this isn’t a sprinkle of Tinker Bell dust, just underground tunnels! Characters need to dash from one side of the park to the other without the bustle of the crowds slowing them down. Therefor, a network of underground tunnels were built to solve this and are also used to haul equipment as not to tarnish the ‘magic’ of Disney’s image.
6. Entertainment: The resort hosts various entertainment options, including nighttime spectaculars like Disney Illuminations and Disney Dreams! The entertainment schedule may vary seasonally.
7. Every Disneyland Park has a different castle. One of the most interesting facts about Disneyland Paris is about Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, as they are different in every Disney park! You may assume that the castles in the US would be better as they are in bigger parks. However, the castle in Disneyland Paris is actually more elaborate and dream-like. It was thought that as castles are already a big part of European history, it would make more sense to create Disneyland Paris’s castle in a way that made it appear more fairytale-like.
8. Dining: Disneyland Paris has a diverse selection of dining options, from quick-service eateries to fine dining restaurants. You can enjoy French cuisine, international fare, and even character dining experiences.
9. Resorts: In addition to the theme parks, Disneyland Paris offers a range of accommodations, including themed Disney hotels and partner hotels, to suit different budgets and preferences.
10. The original name wasn’t Disneyland Paris. The park’s original name was going to be ‘Euro Disney’. However, research into low visitor numbers found Europeans associated ‘Euro’ too much with finance and work. Americans on the other hand, thought ‘Euro Disney’ sounded glamorous!
11. Shopping: Disney Village is a shopping, dining, and entertainment district adjacent to the parks. It features a variety of shops selling Disney merchandise, fashion, and more.
12. Seasonal Events: Disneyland Paris hosts special seasonal events throughout the year, such as Halloween and Christmas celebrations, which include unique decorations, themed entertainment, and special treats.
13. Disneyland Paris will never be completed. For our final fact and one of THE best facts about Disneyland Paris is in Walt Disney’s own words, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” And Walt wouldn’t be disappointed! Since opening in 1992, Disneyland Paris has expanded by introducing its Walt Disney Studios in 2022 as well as developing three new lands with all new rides: Toy Story Land, Ratatouille The Adventure and the Avengers Campus!
14. Accessibility: The resort is accessible by car, train (RER A), and shuttle bus. It’s located approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) east of central Paris.
15. Tickets and Packages: Visitors can purchase single-day tickets or multi-day passes. There are also vacation packages available that include park tickets, accommodations, and other perks.