Have you ever thought about visiting Disneyland in the winter? A few years ago, I took my daughter to Disneyland Paris for the first time.
Our first visit to Disneyland was in February, during the cold winter season. Today I am offering 5 tips for visiting Disneyland in the Winter.
When we visited the Disney park in winter the weather was super cold.
We had to wrap up wearing hats, gloves and scarfs. Despite the cold winter weather we had a magical holiday, staying in the warm and cosy Santa Fe Hotel and we had a magical time.
So here are some top tips for planning a trip to Disneyland in Winter.
Top Tips for Visiting Disneyland This Winter
Disneyland Winter Hours
Tip One: Wrap up warm as you can spend hours outdoors at a time.
It’s good to be prepared and to know what to expect whatever month you choose to visit Disneyland. I’ve often heard people ask does Disneyland Paris close in winter?
The answer is no!
Disneyland Paris is open all year round, although opening hours do vary from season to season.
During the winter the the Disneyland Winter park hours are open from 10am until 10pm.
You can visit either the Disneyland Park or the Walt Disney Studios Park during these times. However you may enter the parks as early as 8.30 with extended park entry.
Disneyland Paris Hotels In Winter
Tip Two: Find a Hotel close to the Park
I’d recommend staying as close to the Disneyland Parks as possible. Sylvia and I stayed in the Santa Fe Hotel, which was a 5 minute shuttle Journey to and from the park.
Winter in the Parks can be very cold and you may want to return to your rooms for a small break during the day or return in the evening to have a warm hearty meal before returning outdoors for the laser show.
The Santa Fe hotel is warm and toasty and we made great use of the warm bath and shower facilities at the end of each day.
Best Food At Disneyland In Winter
Tip Three: Whether you have a dining plan or not book family meals in advance
In the winter you need to book well in advance, often the a day or two before your meals if you plan to eat in the parks. The weather will be cold and people will be wanting warm filling meals. Booking in advance was essential.
Food and Drinks can be very expensive at Disneyland. You can either go half board, full board or choose to eat meals whilst in the Disney Park. Prepaying for food can really help on the budget.
There are plenty of stores, restaurants and places to purchase warm food and drinks in the Winter at Disneyland.
Going half board meant we had breakfast vouchers which entitled me and my daughter to a hot or cold drink within the park in the morning. We took advantage of this and it really helped in the cold weather.
On one occasion we chose to dine at the hotel Santa Fe. We ate warm croissants, porridge, cheese and hot chocolate before heading out to the Parks.
We also really enjoyed eating in La Cantina, in the Santa Fe Hotel and visiting the Davy Crockett Ranch.
Make sure you plan and book your evening meals early each day when visiting the Disneyland parks. If your full board then thats sorted for you, however if your going to choose from a selection of restaurants, book early.
People want a break from the cold air and often spend a good amount of time in the warm toasty restaurants.
If you leave it too late as I did on our first day, you may find yourself struggling to find somewhere warm to eat.
Get an Early Start When Visiting Disneyland In Winter
Tip Four: Start early so you spend less time queuing in cold winter weather.
If your staying in a Disneyland Hotel, you can visit the Park two hours earlier than others. This is a fantastic opportunity in winter as this can reduce the time standing outside in the cold waiting to go on rides.
Later on in the day, take advantage of the Fast Pass rides, where you can get a ticket in advance and return at a certain time.
You could then try going to other activities such as an indoor show to break up your time outdoors.
We loved the Disney show Animagique and also enjoyed visiting several other indoor options such as Buzz Lightyear’s Laser Quest.
Visiting the Disney Princesses can take time but is a great way to keep warm during the day when you need a break from the winter weather.
I would plan indoor activities part way through the day to break up the time you are indoors and outdoors.
See Our Disneyland Cinderella Photo Shoot Here!
Wrap up Warm When Visiting Disneyland In Winter
Tip Five: Prepare for cold weather but take a backpack in case the weather warms up.
You will need to wrap up warm when visiting Disney Land in the February or during the winter months.
I wore warm trousers, a jumper and a coat. My daughter wanted to wear her Disney dresses and so she wore warm clothing such as a jumper and leggings underneath Disney outfits. She then often her coat on top when needed.
If your planning to take your child in winter, take Disney costumes that are larger than your child so they can fit over the warm clothing without being too tight.
Have Fun When Visiting Disneyland Paris
Disneyland in Winter can be wonderful. The nights get dark when it’s still early and younger children get to see the fabulous lights which create the magical atmosphere of Disneyland.
You can still see this in summer but you don’t have to wait as late and then have the option of taking younger children to bed earlier after an exhausting day.
Disneyland is simply an amazing adventure one that can be enjoyed in all seasons. It’s such a magical place during the winter season and I’d love to return again during the colder winter months.
You may also find the following posts useful!
Meeting Moana At Disneyland Paris
DIY Mickey Ears The Kids Will Love
Hot Air Balloon Ride At Disneyland Paris
I miss Disneyland and I went there during summer time. It was hot as hell. Looks like you guys had a really good time despite the weather being too cold. Thank you for sharing this, I might consider going to Disneyland in winter time.
Oh Disneyland is amazing. I would love to take Sylvia back there one day…she was so young last time and would remember more. She could also get autographs and do some of the older experiences a second time around.
We are planning a trip to Florida in the spring so these are useful tips.
Great! I’m glad you found the post useful!
Great tips Angela. I think it would be quieter in winter so would be easier to get around everything, and being from the UK we are used to the cold weather lol 🙂
Debbie
Thanks Debbie. Winter is a great time. If we went again it would be in the february school holidays.
These are great tips. We’ve never been to Disneyland, but we hope to one day 🙂
Louise x
Oh it is a lovely place. I never imagined we would go but managed to do so before I married- a last girls adventure! Angela x
Sounds like you guys had a fab time, Angela! There are always advantages to Winter holidays, usually cheaper prices and smaller crowds too
Yes Winter holidays do tend to be a little cheaper I agree.
I LOVE DISNEYLAND! I cannot wait for my daughter to be old enough to bring her there. Funny, I’d have always avoided going in the winter but you can clearly still enjoy it and find ways of keeping warm and dry 🙂 Looks like you guys had a blast!
Yes When i took sylvia she was 4 so would be nice to go again one day now she is older!
I think if I went, I would prefer winter so when it gets dark earlier, I can see the lights more and see everything all lit up x
Yes seeing the beauty of the lights and the whole atmosphere was just wonderful and I’d never seen something so amazing. I just wanted to share it with everyone!
Even Mary Poppins is wrapped warm. Very good advice, thank you for sharing
Lol yes! Her costume was quilted and warm. I wonder of they have different outfits for different seasons?
Great tips! We are thinking of going at some point in the next few years – probably at October or February half term so your tips will come in useful!
#TheList
Oh wonderful! We had an amazing time! I hope to write a second post on preparing for Disneyland too! It’s a fab adventure!
Sound advice, especially about the meals. It’s best to have a good itinerary when visiting Disney.
Yes… meals are very expensive. The cheapest place for me was going to mcdonalds and giving my child a happy meal but the restaurants can be very very dear…we didnt have the budget to eat fancy everyday but if you can afford it…it is nice.
Great advice! I’d LOVE to go to Disneyland again, especially in the winter time – your pictures look fantastic and I love wrapping up warm!
Thanks. It’s one of those things I never imagined id do in this lifetime but just incase I ever returned to new zealand I decided to take my child. It turned out we ended up staying in uk permanently.
I’ve never been to Disney Land and have always wanted to go. Love the idea of going in the winter! Imagine how magical it would be if it snowed?! xxx
OOH That would be great. I wonder if some of the rides would be closed. I guess light snow would be lovely!
We went to Disneyland Paris a few years ago too but in Summer. I bet Winter there is even more magical. I would love to go at Christmas. It’s such a lovely place to go isn’t it. I was more excited than my little sister who I took. Now I have Evie I can’t wait to get to go again in the future. x
Oh yes it is amazing! It must be great all year round but i’m a big fan of winter myself!
Lovely post! Can’t WAIT until my two are old enough to appreciate Disneyland properly – I may as well start saving now though! Thanks for the tips 🙂
It;s not cheap and I never expected to go but i managed to save and go and it was the dream holiday..well worth the sacrifices and budgeting we did!
This is a great post thank you – I have been to Florida three times but never Paris. I was concerned about the weather but you have made it sound magical! Kaz x
it is cold but things can be done to combat this and make the most of it.
Looks like a lovely and magical time was had. Great tips. We would love to go to Disneyland one day.
yes it is a fab place and the best childrens holiday i have ever been on!
My niece is being a lucky duck this year and is going to Disneyland Paris at the end of the month, I will forward this to my brother for a read, loads of useful tips!xx
Oh how great! I hope your niece has an amazing time! Disneyland is awesome!
Oh great tips here! I would love to take mine to Disney and I think if I did it would be in the colder months, so thank you!
I do think the colder months may be a little more afforadable. It did take a whole year just to save up and then i had four months to save spending money, however we did not have much at all so we did a very frugal/cheap holiday and i’ll be writing about that shortly!
You did this as a single mum, I find that interesting being in that situation myself. So many feel it provides restrictions but it really doesn’t have to does it! I think if I was to ever do this trip it would be in the winter too, I couldn’t cope with so many people in the summer. Looks like you had fun! x
Oh yeah! We travelled everywhere when I was a single mum. I simply budgeted hard core. We also went to amsterdam and belgium and Paris amongst many other places… I have so many stories! I cant wait to blog about it all! – Angela
We’re heading to DL Paris for the third time this January.
Can’t wait!!
ooh so exciting! I hope to go back but maybe once i’m a little more well in health!
Great tip’s, looked like you had a great time x
Oh yes we had an amazing time and loved it so much! Angela
I am so desperate to go to Disney. Thank you for sharing these tips.
Oh Disneyland was our dream holiday and we loved it! 🙂
I love Disneyland! I love it more than my children! Great tips. I learnt the hard way when I found out how much the food/drinks and even popcorn was on our first day there. I had a mini heart attack at the bill and the queue was horrendous as well. So for our next trip to a theme park in Australia, I knew it would be much easier to have a picnic with the food we brought ourselves The first day, I took a quick survey of what snacks they sold and then later that evening I stocked up with the same snacks – doughnuts, popcorn at the supermarket and drinks and brought them with us. So that the kids didn’t feel like they were missing out.
Yes, I could not afford everything and did a lot to make sure we could go on the holiday on a tiny spending budget. I hope to write a few more disneyland posts on these things. It’s a fab place but for those on a tighter budget, the tips will come in handy!
It looks like you had a great time. Good tips, especially about booking for dinner – no one wants to be left out in the cold with a rumbling tummy! #thelist
Thanks Claire. Disney land was amazing for us!
Fab tips, I would love to take Baby, it is a dream 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Thanks so much! it was a dream and I’m glad I got to do this! Just imagine when you move to France it may even be easier to travel there?
I have always wanted to go to Disneyland but have never had the money for it. Your right make sure you plan your meals because tourist resorts are often scary.
They can be very busy but lots of fun! Disney is a lot of money and for us was a once in a life time thing…yet id love to take my daughter a second time before she is too old.
These are some wonderful tips, Angela! I was looking into going with the family & I’d definitely take your advice & stay at the park. It’s handy to be so close so you can get in early or go back to the hotel to rest. It sounds like you made the most of your visit! And Sylvia looks so happy there 🙂 x
Oh thanks Becky. it was certainly a once in a life time dream and I learnt well what works and does not. I hope to go back again before Sylvia is 10. Fingers crossed. It’s a goal for 2018.
hi Angela. We are planning a December 2018 trip to Disneyland Paris. We have children who will be 8, 4 and by then a just over a 1 year old. Are we being crazy in terms of the cold and crowds?
Our trip was super cold and I remember seeing the cold air when we breathed. I think so long as you wrap up warm it will be okay. My daughter was 4 when we went on our trip and she was fine. I have not been with a baby so would not really know about that but there were plenty of families there when we went and they loved it. The crowds are busy but i think it must be even more so in summer.