Disneyland Paris - is one day enough?

[DoodleNoo]

Am I mad to think that one day will be enough at Disneyland Paris in October half term? DDs are 8 and 5 and we're planning a family trip to Paris for DH & my 10th wedding anniversary (aren?t we being kind, letting the kids come along?!). We?re staying in central Paris and are not wanting to give up more than one of our three precious days in Paris for Disney-themed frolics! (also not really wanting to spend more than on park tickets than on the hotel!)

As you may tell, I?m not a huge fan of theme parks but obviously my kids are more keen than me! Will we be able to get away with only going to Disneyland Park and not Walt Disney Studios? Would be grateful for advice / thoughts from anyone who?s been....

We last took dc when ds was 10 and dd8 and they chose to only spend one day there and do Paris for 2 ! We did a full day - from opening to closure at 11pm - not sure of October hours but they do a Halloween theme. It is a fair trek (45mins or so) from centre of Paris by train. Studios is probably better suited to older overall but there are couple of rides (Magic Carpets, Crush's Coaster) and shows they'd enjoy there.

I would stick to just one park, ie, Disney or Studios, don't try and do both as you will lose too much time walking between the two.

One day isn't enough, but will be a great experience. Plan your day and get there early. Decide what you (or the DDs) want to see and do and try not to deviate too much. That way you will have a full and thoroughly enjoyable, if exhausting day.

If the park isn't open late, which it may not be in October, then you can spend a few hours in Festival Disney and have something to eat there - I highly recommend Annette's Diner. It's all part of the Disney experience.

Even at quiet times, you would struggle to do everything in just one park in one day. A ' hopper' ticket which covers both parks is usually more expensive than a 1 day 1 park ticket, although it depends what Disney are offering on their website.
I assume you are going 25th- 29th October? The main Halloween parade is in the Disneyland Park on the 31st ( at midnight) which requires extra tickets costing £29 pp.This can be too scary for young children.
The Studios Park has Terrorific Night 2 on the 30th.
Disney have something called' Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party' ( known as MNSSHP)This is held after normal park hours and requires extra tickets.£23 pp. This is more suitable for young children.There is a MNSSHP on the 26th October.Tickets are very popular and must be bought in advance.
Many people dress up in Halloween costumes on these nights, and for Halloween celebrations in general.
As others have said, you lose time by going from one park to another, so it is usually best to stay in one park all day, but it does rather depend on what rides and attractions appeal to you all. I suggest you look at the rides and attractions in both parks online, and decide what your priorities are.
There are also cheaper park tickets called Francilien tickets, which you can buy online using your Paris hotel address, but these carry some date restrictions.
I would love to help you further, and can give you lots of useful links, and more information to help with your planning, but it would be much easier for me on the Trip Advisor Marne La Vallee ( Disneyland Paris)Forum, where I can access everything. Other posters there are currently asking about Halloween as well, so we are replying to them.
This is the link where you can find us.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g226865-i2224-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.ht ml

Sorry, trying again.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g226865-i2224-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html

This is the website you need to look at for Francilien tickets. They usually cost €29, but as I said, check the dates they are not valid.
You download them as E-tickets, then take them to the pre purchased tickets booth at the park entrance, with photo ID.
It looks like they only go up to 24th September at the moment.
www.billetfrancilien.com/

These are good sites to read about the rides in both parks, and other information.
www.dlrpmagic.com/guidebook/
And the official DLP website guidebook page.
parks.disneylandparis.co.uk/index.xhtml
My description of the Disneyland Park.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g226865-d189258-r47518930-Disneyland_Park_Paris-Marne_la_Vallee_ SeineetMarneIlede_France.html
My description of the Studios Park.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g226865-d285990-r39003099-Walt_Disney_Studios_Park -
MarnelaValleeSeineetMarneIledeFrance.html
The parks programmes vary throughout the year. You will be able to check opening/ closing times and see the programme nearer October.
Park hours are only up to September 15th at the moment.
news.disneylandparis.co.uk/calendar/index.xhtml?
Shows, parades, Character meeting places and times can be seen here, nearer your trip.They show a week at a time. Up to 6th August at present.
news.disneylandparis.co.uk/UK/EN/Neutral/Images/ShowsAndParades.pdf
That's the basic information. We can help you and anyone else planning a trip to Disneyland Paris on our forum. All welcome.

Whoops! Messed up the Studios review link.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g226865-d285990-r39003099-Walt_Disney_Studios_Park-Marne_la_Vall eeSeineetMarneIledeFrance.html
After I have been next week, I will update them, as things may have changed.

Just wanted to add -
My two reviews were written last summer after our August trip, so this is peak time in the parks, when they are very busy.Even Disney were hit by the recession ( in the USA as well) and had to make cutbacks, hence the difference in the parades and shows that we noticed.
However, when we returned in early December for the Christmas Celebrations, the parades did not disappoint, and there were far more dancers between the floats again. Mickey's Winter Wonderland ice skating show was on as usual.
Fantillusion electrical parade is only on at certain times of the year, like the fireworks, so you need to check this if it is important to you.
Early December is a good time to go for Christmas celebrations, as the parks are not too busy, so ride queues are not very long. It gets busier as it nears Christmas, and when the children break up for the holidays.
It is always worth checking the French and Spanish school holidays as well if you want to avoid crowds.

Forgot to say, it is easy getting to Disneyland from Paris, on the RER line A4 train to Marne La Vallee Chessy.It takes about 40 mins from Chatelet Les Halles, and trains run frequently from early until late. The Disney station is inside the resort, between the parks and the Disney Village, so very close by- only a few minutes walk to both parks.
You can buy sandwiches/snacks and drinks at the shop in the station to take into the park with you, but not full picnics. There are no lockers in either park, but you can pay to leave bags at Guest Services if necessary.

Can't seem to post my reviews for you, so you will have to read them on Trip Advisor.

I have just noticed that the links work now.