The Best Time To Visit Disneyland Paris And Take Advantage Of This Amazing Perk

There's something quite glorious about entering Disneyland Paris in the quiet, untouched morning light. Experienced fans know that sometimes it's the smallest upgrade that makes the biggest difference. When planning your next visit to Disneyland Paris, consider planning your day around the Extra Magic Time perk to get an awesome head start before the gates open. The best part? It doesn't cost you a dime.

Timing is everything. This is the most visited amusement park in Europe, so if you arrive during peak season at the busiest time of the day, you will have to deal with long lines and packed attractions. But if you visit at the right moment, your experience will be much smoother. Extra Magic Time is one of those secret features that reduces friction and unlocks that elusive VIP feeling of having the place to yourself.

Even if you have plunked down extra money on Premier Access (Disneyland Paris' version of FastPass), there are experiences like character greetings that are not on the Premier Access system, so you could use your Extra Magic Time to head to those first. This is one of the useful tips for first-timers to Disneyland Paris who may not yet be familiar with the layout of Disneyland Paris and its sister park, Walt Disney Studios Park — which in 2026 becomes Disney Adventure World, with the major addition of the "World of Frozen." 

Extra Magic Time is free when you stay in one of the Disney hotels or at Les Villages Nature Paris, or if you purchase a Disneyland Pass Gold. This perk means the gates open for you before everyone else, to give you access to the select rides and character greetings before the general public. The time allowance is usually one hour ahead of opening. The parks' opening hours and the duration of Extra Magic Time may vary, so it is best to check the website or the official Disneyland Paris app to confirm the times and which attractions are opening early.

It's like having a free FastPass for the first hour of the day, and if you strategically make a beeline for the rides and character greetings that you want to see but know are on the most-crowded list — such as Big Thunder Mountain — with this special time you can knock out three or four attractions before most people even make it through the main entrance. Then you can go and enjoy a relaxed breakfast with your main priorities checked off your list. Scheduling chill-out breaks throughout your day can make the visit more enjoyable, particularly if you are taking on Disneyland Paris with toddlers.

With those precious minutes, you can also get the best photos without the crowds and in the soft morning light, and meet the characters without the long waits, such as at the highly popular Princess Pavilion. Be an early bird and show up at the turnstiles about 15 minutes before Extra Magic Time begins. That way you have the best chances to be in the front as soon as they start allowing in guests.

To get the best mileage out of your amazing extra time, you'll want to avoid the heaviest crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather. If you don't mind bundling up, in early January, right after the holiday rush, the park still has that Yuletime glow but without the manic dash. There are also a few weeks in April and May, after the Easter school break, where you can get fantastic sunny days and shorter lines, especially if you avoid weekends. During September and October, the days are getting shorter but you get that crisp fall air and golden light, and the air smells of grilled chestnuts and buttery crêpes. Paris in the fall is simply sensational. Plus, in October you can catch the special Halloween Festival fun.

The busiest times to avoid, if you are not a big fan of crowds, are Easter week, as that's when schools in Europe usually schedule their spring break, and July and August, which is the peak tourism time when waiting in line under the scorching sun can make you question your life choices. The same goes for Christmas week, which while magical, is seriously popular. Having said that, if you are visiting during these times, the Extra Magic Time feature will be all the more precious. 

Finally, if you are planning to visit more than once in a year, consider the annual Disneyland Pass Gold, which for around $800 gives you unlimited access to Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios, and includes Extra Magic Time, discounts at the shops and restaurants, and other benefits.