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Original poster

Is it possible to have lovely day in Disneyland Paris without paying fast pass?

40 replies

kavalkada · 30/06/2022 07:38

Inspired by the other thread about fast passes.

I don't mind them, but I can not afford them so I'm asking if it is possible to have enjoyable day in Disneyland Paris without paying extra for the rides.

Little bit of background. I'm taking my 8 year old next february to DLP. I'm going with my friend and her son and we're splitting cost of hotel room. We're staying two nights in Seqoia Lodge with breakfast.

I have downloaded DLP app and I have been checking it for the last few months to get an idea about waiting linea. This is the plan to skip (or almost skip) lines so it would be very nice if somebody who has more experience tell me if it is possible or I'm just kidding my self and I'll spend three days waiting in lines for four rides (in a rain and cold if I'm not lucky).

day 1 - Disneyland Park

8.30 - 9.30 Magic Hour - Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, Big Thunder Mountain.
9.30 - 10.30 Walk to Discoverland - I have noticed rides open a little bit later - Autopia, Hyperspace Mountain, Star Wars, Orbitron, Buzz Lightyear - I know I will not be able to them all, but two would be nice
10.30 - 12.00 - Walk through DLP from Frontierland, then Adventureland, Fantasyland - checking the app times for waiting lines
12.00 - 13.00 - Walking attractions like Alice's Curious Labyrinth
13.00 - 14.00 - Lunch at Disney Village (less people then in parks)
16.00 - 16.20 - Swimming pol at Sequoia Lodge (or rest, what kids want)
16.30 - Return to park, wait for parade

After parade, pick rides according to waiting lines on the app, pick a spot to watch illuminations, try to ride Big Thunder Mountain one more time before closing time.
Have dinner at Disney Village.
Return to hotel and rest.
I have a similar plan for Walt Disney studios the day after but I will not bother you with that.

So any tips? I want be able to return to DLP for at least four or five years before Arendelle opens and my little girl is old enough to enjoy it.

I want it to be special time for my little boy. And me. So help me.

OP posts:
Langsdestiny · 30/06/2022 07:41

From my experience you are overestimating time needed for lunch and underestimating time needed to do 3 rides for example.

SavoirFlair · 30/06/2022 07:44

I want it to be special time for my little boy. And me. So help me.

Fast Pass.

Am sorry, but it does make a difference.

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 07:47

Thank you. I have been checking google maps for walk time between attractions and waiting lines together with duration of rides (Peter Pan 2 minutes, Dumbo 90 seconds!!!!) but I'm aware that in reality it is something different.

OP posts:
kitcat15 · 30/06/2022 07:47

Fast pass needed

Sisisimone · 30/06/2022 07:53

We took dd a few years ago to DLP. Also have been to Disney Orlando. Didn't have Fast Passes for either and had a brilliant time. DLP we went in July, school holidays, and honestly don't remember any big queues for anything, and I detest queuing so would remember. I do remember that the Saturday was a lot busier than the week days, to be expected I guess. I wouldn't have thought you'd need fast passes in February, I imagine that's a quiet time of year in the park.

motogirl · 30/06/2022 07:55

February isn't too busy and some rides will be shut, that's partly why it's cheaper then. I refuse to pay extra! When we went you didn't pay for fast passes but you only got one at a time. It will be lovely but try to think about the who experience rather than planning with military precision. Is it just one day you are there, I thought staying in the hotel you got arrival and departure day, we certainly did

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 30/06/2022 07:59

We went June a few years ago. Longest wait time was an hour. (Crushes Coaster)

We didn't bother with lunch, just had snacks in the queues.

If its just one day, don't waste time going back to hotel.

Grumpycatsmum · 30/06/2022 08:07

Sounds like a good plan to me.Crush's coaster had the longest queues. Even in magic hour, so worth getting there early for magic hour. And similar for Ratatouille.
Big Thunder Mountain queue was long too, so again worth doing early.
Queue for Star Tours started about 30 minutes before the ride started.

Food and drink are really expensive in the park. Worth taking in sandwiches and water bottles for lunch.

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 08:09

motogirl · 30/06/2022 07:55

February isn't too busy and some rides will be shut, that's partly why it's cheaper then. I refuse to pay extra! When we went you didn't pay for fast passes but you only got one at a time. It will be lovely but try to think about the who experience rather than planning with military precision. Is it just one day you are there, I thought staying in the hotel you got arrival and departure day, we certainly did

We’re coming 21st February and leaving 23rd. It is the middle of the week. Hoping for a nice weather, but preparing for the worst.

OP posts:
coffeecupsandfairylights · 30/06/2022 08:10

Personally I wouldn't waste time going back to the hotel if you're only there a couple of nights - stay out in the park all day and make the most of it.

You shouldn't need fast passes in February as it's really quiet/off-season but some rides and attractions will be shut for maintenance.

monkeysox · 30/06/2022 08:14

Agree with others don't go back to the hotel. Are you going to see the light show late on? That's brilliant. It's also a good time to go on rides while everyone else is watching it.
Crushes coaster was never open in EMh when I went and it had the longest queue. Best in mind it's really not for little kids even though it's Nemo themed. Do you have a meal plan? Book restaurants.

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 08:26

I'm prepared for attractions being closed because of Februray. I don't have meal plan, just breakfast. I was going through Disney meal plan, but it doesn't seem to be worth of money you pay for it.

I have read that Disney Village is quiet during the day so I thought of going to Annette's one day, but I'm not the only one who decides. I'll decide that with other mum (she is also on a budget so we're happy we have find each other because otherwise we would never be able to afford it on our own).

OP posts:
70kid · 30/06/2022 09:05

I went in Feb a few years ago for 6 nights
full board which was breakfast & 2 x snacks a day and x Disney character meals for lunch and dinner and we stayed at the Disney land hotels so we got early entrance to the parks before everyone else

we had fast pass included in our holiday price for 2 adults and 1 child
we had a really good deal including return Eurostar it was £2500 for half term week

even with fast pass you still end up waiting
and don’t under estimate booking any character meals in advance

when we went we had pre booked all the meals for lunch & dinner but people who were trying to book on the day or even for a the next day had no chance

70kid · 30/06/2022 09:06

I went in Feb a few years ago and it was really warm as in wearing t - shirts and no coat

mummydoris2006 · 30/06/2022 09:34

We have been going to DLP since 2015 and usually go at the beginning of December, although we have been for Spring and Halloween too.

I think it's good you have a plan but don't worry too much about sticking rigidly to it. There is so much to distract you that the rides are just a small part of it. There's shows and parades throughout the day so if the ride queues are too long for you don't worry too much.

We prefer Sequoia Lodge to any other hotel (including the Disneyland hotel), it has the biggest open fire in Europe so is lovely to cosy up in front of when the weather isn't great! Also Annette's is by far our favourite place to eat and we often grab a McDonalds too.

I hope you all have a fabulous time 😊

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 10:24

mummydoris2006 · 30/06/2022 09:34

We have been going to DLP since 2015 and usually go at the beginning of December, although we have been for Spring and Halloween too.

I think it's good you have a plan but don't worry too much about sticking rigidly to it. There is so much to distract you that the rides are just a small part of it. There's shows and parades throughout the day so if the ride queues are too long for you don't worry too much.

We prefer Sequoia Lodge to any other hotel (including the Disneyland hotel), it has the biggest open fire in Europe so is lovely to cosy up in front of when the weather isn't great! Also Annette's is by far our favourite place to eat and we often grab a McDonalds too.

I hope you all have a fabulous time 😊

I'm so glad to hear that about Sequoia Lodge. I picked it because the price was not much higher comparing to Cheyenne and it has pool in case of a really bad weather. And those beautiful sequoias around the hotel - you have a feeling like you're in the middle of the national park.

It has real open fire? I could hug you right now. Can't wait to curl in front of the fire with a good book (ignoring the fact that everybody else will probably have the same idea 😀).

OP posts:
mummydoris2006 · 30/06/2022 10:47

@kavalkada honestly the fire is amazing! We stay in the golden forest rooms because it includes a hot breakfast, afternoon tea and soft/hot drinks from 12pm to 10pm. We have stayed at Santa Fe, Cheyenne, Disneyland Hotel and always choose to come back to Sequoia Lodge, this December will be our 4th time at the hotel.
I'm sure you are going to have a great time, it really is magical.

WhereIsVillanelleWhenNeeded · 30/06/2022 10:54

At 8 I’d use the single rider queues to get on the ride quicker.

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 10:57

Thank you, we're so looking forward to out trip. I have already started saving for another one when they finish Arendelle. My daughter is now just three so she'll be the perfect age to visit when they finish. Next time we'll go during Christmas season because I want to see it decorated.
We have also booked golden forest rooms. With free breakfast and afternoon tea it seemed like a really good value, especially with food being so expensive in Disneyland.
Right now we're watvhing all cartoons and movies connected with the rides, I want my son to have lovely time.

OP posts:
PicturesOfLily · 30/06/2022 11:29

Sorry to hijack the thread op but do you have any idea when Arendelle is supposed to open? I was planning on taking dds next May or July for the day as part of a holiday nearby when they’ll be 5 (nearly 6) and 2 but dd1 adores Frozen so maybe we’d be better waiting until the following year?! I have been 4 times but mainly with school trips and never with my dc. It was great when you could get the single fast pass for free but hopefully the queues will be ok for you in Feb. Have a great time!

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 13:01

From what I know it should be open for Olympic games in Paris in 2024, but you never know. Avengers campus was supposed to open last year and it is opening in july this year. Whenever that happens, plans look amazing with the lake and promenade.

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 30/06/2022 13:07

I think you are hugely underestimating the queue time.

Of course you can have a lovely day, as long as you are happy to do what you can and not stress about getting on everything. If your ds will definitely want to do quite a few rides, I'd get a fast pass if you can.

Original poster
kavalkada · 30/06/2022 13:43

Stompythedinosaur · 30/06/2022 13:07

I think you are hugely underestimating the queue time.

Of course you can have a lovely day, as long as you are happy to do what you can and not stress about getting on everything. If your ds will definitely want to do quite a few rides, I'd get a fast pass if you can.

Probably I’m. The only data I have are waiting lines in Disney app. For those who were there, how true are the numbers? Can I rely on waiting lines in Disney app or are real lines much longee? At this moment there are are 20 attractions with waiting line 15 minutes or less according to the app.

OP posts:
Upsideandundergarments · 30/06/2022 13:49

I went in February a couple of years back when it snowed, it was so deep and it was the best fun so don't worry about the weather too much, just bring those foldable ponchos. We didn't pay for fast passes and it was fine. As above crushers coaster was the longest we queued on any of the days. We made sure to build in flexibility so if there was a short queue somewhere we could make a dash. The queues for lots of rides have interesting stuff a long them so an I spy tournament or pick your favourite thing etc will help the time pass. It is what you make of it.

Bunnycat101 · 30/06/2022 13:54

I think you can do it if you make use of the EMH but the odd fast pass might make your time nicer. We did a 4 night trip during half term and didn’t get to do everything we wanted but we did go back to the hotel each afternoon for a rest and pool.

I think the app vastly underestimates the queue times. Peter Pan was a good 30-40 mins even in magic hour. By the time we’d done it it was an hour for the later magic hour arrivals. It wasn’t less than an hour on the app for any other time during our stay and I think that was an underestimate. I’d be surprised if you’d get Peter Pan, dumbo and big thunder mountain done in magic hour for example especially if you also want to take some nice photos etc.

if you can make good use of Magic hour you can get on a reasonable amount but I’d be prepared for a few fast passes in the afternoon if you want to ride the bigger rides.