Visiting Disneyland Paris over the Christmas season is my favourite time of year to visit Disney. From the spectacular Christmas decorations, magical Christmas entertainment and shows to the special holiday rides and attractions it’s such a fantastic time.
There are so many great places and things to see, do and photograph during the Christmas season at Disneyland Paris, here are some of my favourites.
Christmas Themed Hotels
Every Disney hotel at Disneyland Paris has a Christmas makeover with fantastic décor. Our favourite hotel is the Disneyland Hotel which is a visual and aromatic treat with its giant gingerbread house, beautiful garlands and amazing Christmas tree in the lobby. I would recommend taking a photo from the first or second floor to capture the lobby from an overhead perspective.
Disney Village
As you walk from your Disney hotel through Disney Village to the Disney Parks, there are lots of Christmas decorations to get you in the holiday spirit.
The Disneyland Park
As you pass through the turnstiles at the gates of the Disneyland Park you will see the huge Mickey Mouse shaped decorations draped just below main street station. This brings such as a warm and welcoming Christmas feeling as you enter the park.
Christmas Trees
The spectacular 24 metre tall Christmas tree that towers over Main Street USA is perfectly decorated with 1,000 beautiful ornaments. In the evening during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony “Magical Christmas Wishes” with Santa, Mickey and Minnie leading the carol singing it is just magical. During the five minute show, the tree showcases all kinds of stunning lighting effects, each time a Christmas wish is made providing memorable photo opportunities.
Christmas Shows
The Christmas shows at Disneyland Paris are some of the best shows of the year.
Disney Dreams
A special Christmas holiday version of the popular after-dark show “Disney Dreams” featuring a different story line, soundtrack, laser effects and fireworks. Featuring winter scenes from classic Disney movies before a Frozen and a stunning fireworks-filled finale. It’s such a fabulous, not to be missed Christmas at Disneyland Paris experience.
Frozen Sing a Long
The very popular Frozen Sing a Long is just perfect for Christmas. In this interactive stage show Anna, Elsa, Olaf and the rest of the Frozen cast lead you through a sensational set of Frozen songs live on stage.
Royal Christmas Wishes
This stage show has the most beautiful backdrop with Sleeping Beauty Castle behind it. The 8 minute show features all of the Disney Princes and their Princesses such as Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Ariel to Jasmine etc. The only Disney Princess who was missing was Moana. The couples dance around the stage, with fountains accompanying the music providing a magical Christmas showpiece.
Goofys’ Jingle Bell Band
Goofys’ Jingle Bell Band show is a hidden gem. Goofy conducts a band that play Christmas music in the Videopolis theatre at Tomorrowland.
Christmas Treats
What is so perfect about Disney at Christmas is the delicious range of Christmas inspired snacks. Before you eat your treat such as a Mickey cookie, take a photo of it in front of a favourite attraction or vantage point. Even if you don’t want to indulge, take a photo of the beautiful range of treats in the shop fronts across Disney.
Christmas Themed Characters
Even the Disney characters get into the Christmas spirit with costumes that reflect the season. In particular I recommend photos with Scrooge McDuck who can be found just in front of Casey Jr and Jack Skellington who is in front of the Haunted Mansion. We took this photo with Scrooge McDuck who was looking so festive in his Christmas outfit!
Christmas themed decor.
It’s the attention to detail that makes Disney stand out from the other theme parks around the world. Every part of the Disneyland park is decorated, every shop, every restaurant .
From a Christmas inspired Main Street USA which has the most beautiful garlands draped from one side of the street to the other to each land of the park having their own holiday themed decoration.
All of which offer perfect photo opportunities to capture close ups of the inspired detail that goes into the Christmas theming of each area of the Disneyland Parks.
Even rides such as it’s a small world gets a Christmas makeover. They have added Christmas decorations to the ride and if you listen carefully as you pass through certain areas of the ride you can hear the dolls singing “Deck The Halls” & “Jingle Bells”.
Snow on Main Street USA
What makes Christmas magical at Disneyland Paris is that at certain times of the day during the Royal Welcome (Anna & Elsa in their carriage), Christmas Parade and the tree lighting ceremony it snows on Main Street USA.
Disney’s Christmas Parade
The parades at Disneyland Paris also capture the Christmas period perfectly, with lots of Christmas costumed performers and of course, Santa and Mickey as well. Standing in the town square entrance of the park provides an ideal backdrop for taking pictures of this fantastic parade with the Christmas tree and Sleeping Beauty castle in the background.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
The Sleeping Beauty Castle looks just magical this time of year, with its roof covered with glistening snow. At night it turns into a beautiful icicle castle providing some of the best photo opportunities of the year.
