A Disneyland Paris trip is a fantasy land experience, but heavy crowds can sometimes make it a little less fun. For the shortest wait times, least amount of hustle, and all-around smoother experience, quieter periods are the way to go. The good news is that planning your trip during certain periods of the year will get you away from the crowded season and make the most out of your visit. Here’s a guide to the best times to buy Disneyland Paris tickets for fewer crowds.
January and February: The Quietest Months
The absolute best time to visit Disneyland Paris if you want to avoid crowds is during the winter months of January and February. It has just passed the holiday season, and most families have returned to their regular routines, which makes the parks very quiet. Additionally, since these are considered off-peak, tickets tend to be less expensive.
The winter months may get pretty cold in Paris, but this time of year guarantees a lower number of visitors such that you spend lesser times queuing up to be taken around and on most of the rides and attractions.
Only remember to wear your best warmer and ensure to identify ride shutdowns, maybe during seasonal maintenance that take place at this time of year.
Mid-Week Visits During March and April
Another perfect time to visit Disneyland Paris without the crowds is from the very beginning of March until mid-April. You may have a much more relaxing trip if you can schedule your visit in the middle of the week because weekend days, even when months are considered less crowded, tend to be busier.
The weather will be warming up by the beginning of spring, and yet the parks are not yet as crowded as in the summer. This is the sweetest spot before the bulk of the summer crowds arrive.
May and Early June: The Sweet Spot Before the Summer Rush
If you want nice weather and tolerable crowds, May and early June are great times to visit Disneyland Paris. Warm weather prevails without reaching extremely high temperatures, ideal for strolling around the park or taking in outdoor shows. And most European schools have yet to close down, which keeps the attendance lower compared to the crowds during summer holidays.
The weekdays during these dates are particularly quiet, although weekends aren’t nearly as mad as they will be later in the summer. To get the most out of your visit, it is best to visit on a midweek date, and avoid the last week in May, which falls at the same time as several public holidays in France so you can expect to share the beaches with larger crowds.
September: Post-Summer Quiet
Another peak visitation period would be September. Since the schools reopen all over the continent, the parks really go quiet after the school holiday in the summer. Therefore, visiting in the first two weeks of September allows for even smaller crowds and shorter queues and nice fresh air to enjoy everything there is to see at both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
In addition to smaller crowds, September is also a fantastic time to experience special events and seasonal shows that are typically available after the height of the summer rush.
October (Before Halloween)
Early October is also a relatively slow period to visit Disneyland Paris, particularly before the full swing of Halloween celebrations start. Halloween season at Disneyland Paris generally begins mid-October, making it an exciting time of the year to visit for seasonal decorations and special events, although it does bring larger crowds closer to Halloween.
If you want to get to the park before the crowds from Halloween but still experience some of the holiday spirit, try to go the first two weeks of October. That way you’ll get some of the season without the crowds of the holiday itself.
Avoiding School Holidays and Major Events
School holidays are among the largest determinants of the number of people that can be found at Disneyland Paris. To stay clear of crowds, try to stay away from the park during these times:
Summer holidays, July-August: The summer holiday months are usually the peak time, and this is when all local and international tourists rush into the park. These are also the highest peak seasons, when the prices for tickets are very high.
- Christmas and New Year’s: Parks are decorated festively for Christmas and New Year and are very crowded.
- Easter holidays: Easter holidays, weeks before and after Easter, are very crowded, mainly with families and children.
- French public holidays: there is an elevated level of visitation of Disneyland Paris on French Public holidays like Bastille Day (July 14) and Armistice Day (Nov. 11). Do consult the local holiday calendar while traveling.
Conclusion
You can save yourself from long queues, but you will also get time to take in the park at a leisurely pace if you visit Disneyland Paris during its less busy periods in the year. Consider visiting during off-peak seasons: January, February, early March, May, September, or early October, for a more enjoyable time without crowds and often, at lower prices.
Mid-week visits during these times are your best bet in terms of small crowds, and you avoid major school holidays and public events to be immersed in the Disneyland Paris experience without the stress of crowding.
