Disneyland® Paris is a truly magical place to visit. As the only Disney Park in Europe, it’s brimming full with all the classic Disney fun you’d expect but with a twist – bags of French charm! Ooh la la! It’s smaller than its US counterparts, but there’s a lot to be discovered here.
As well as incredible rides, spectacular shows, and fantastic themed areas, there are some little touches and hidden gems that add to the European resort’s appeal, setting it apart from the other Disney resorts. There are some things here that you just can’t do at any other Disney Parks…or anywhere else in the world!
Read on for our pick of the best unique experiences that you can only have at Disneyland® Paris.
Summary – unique things to do at Disneyland® Paris
- Discover the dragon beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle
- Explore Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
- Get a haircut on Main Street, U.S.A.®
- Meet animatronic Tigger
- Toast to a special occasion
- Learn the spooky story of Phantom Manor
- Enjoy French cuisine at Bistrot Chez Rémy
- See glass blowing in Sleeping Beauty Castle
- Stay at the world’s only MARVEL-themed resort
- Indulge in some French snacks
- Play in the snow
- See the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty
- Explore 20,000 leagues under the sea
- Search for hidden treasure on Adventure Isle
1. Discover the dragon beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle
Of course, Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland® Park is iconic, but there’s a hidden secret lying beneath it - La Tanière Du Dragon (The Dragon’s Lair). A sleeping dragon calls the castle home! Sleeping Beauty Castle is the only Disney castle to have a dragon beneath it.
You can walk through the dimly lit castle corridors and past the animatronic dragon, but watch out! The dragon occasionally wakes up and does not take too kindly to visitors – she puffs green smoke and growls to warn you off.
The dragon was the largest animatronic ever built when the park opened in 1992, at around 89 feet (27 metres) tall, and is still an impressive feature today.
The castle itself is unique. Although there is a Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California, the two are completely different. The Paris castle’s design is inspired by various castles throughout Europe, including Mont Saint Michel and Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
2.Explore Alice’s Curious Labyrinth
Alice’s Curious Labyrinth in Fantasyland in Disneyland® Park is completely unique to Disneyland® Paris – there’s nothing like it in any of the other Disney Parks across the world.
Inspired by the original animated Alice in Wonderland film, the labyrinth is a hedge maze filled with dead ends, interactive features, colourful Characters, and unexpected surprises – watch out for the water jets – with the Queen of Hearts in its centre!
3.Get a trim on Main Street, U.S.A.®
Feeling a little scruffy? If you’re in need of a haircut, pop along to Dapper Dan’s Hair Cuts on Main Street in Disneyland® Park. This is a real working barber’s that offers traditional trims or close shaves.
The barbershop is full of authentic decor. It was inspired by small-town 1900s America, and some of the decorative pieces here came from a Chicago barber who was retiring at the time the park was created. It is thought that this is a nod to Walt Disney’s father, who was a barber by trade.
Don’t feel like you need a close shave? Check out your reflection in the mirror outside, and you might just be surprised!
4.Meet animatronic Tigger
The Disneyland Paris Storybook Store is next to the City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A.®, at the entrance to Disneyland® Park. Inside, you’ll find Disney-themed stationery and books. You’ll also find a familiar (if somewhat bouncy) face.
There’s an animatronic Tigger (from Winnie the Pooh) waiting to greet you! He sits in an old-fashioned cash booth and turns his head from side to side, greeting customers as they arrive.
5.Toast to a special occasion
One of the best things for adults in Disneyland® Paris is to have a champagne toast in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is a fantastic way to celebrate a birthday, an engagement, or just a fun day!
The champagne cart is located to the side of The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour on Main Street. Be sure to snap a pic of your bubbles in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle to remember this special moment. Cheers to that!
6.Learn the spooky story of Phantom Manor
Phantom Manor is a firm favourite ride amongst Disneyland® Paris visitors. Ok, so it isn’t completely unique – it is based on the Haunted Mansion rides at the other Disney Parks – but it has its own story, which is darker and spookier than the others.
Phantom Manor is said to be haunted by Melanie Ravenswood, the ghost of a bride whose groom didn’t turn up for the wedding. On the wedding day, a mysterious phantom appeared and lured her husband-to-be to the loft, where he met his untimely demise.
After the wedding guests left, Melanie was driven to insanity as she searched the manor for her lost lover, keeping her wedding dress and bouquet. What a tragic tale!
After you’ve ridden Phantom Manor, don’t forget to explore Boot Hill Cemetery next door. This is the final resting place of Melanie Ravenswood and her family, and the graves have some funny epitaphs on them. You might even be able to hear a heartbeat from one of the headstones.
7.Enjoy French cuisine at Bistrot Chez Rémy
One thing that France is known for is its excellent food, so if you want to sample some French cuisine, there’s only one place to dine – Bistrot Chez Rémy in Worlds of Pixar at Walt Disney Studios® Park. This bistro is inspired by the Disney Pixar classic film Ratatouille.
Inside the restaurant, everything is oversized to give the impression that you’ve been shrunk down to rat-size! For example, there are jam jar lids for tables, and giant champagne corks for seats, plus oversized cookbooks, cutlery, and cocktail umbrellas.
The menu is typically French, and you can enjoy a bit of time away from the parks as you indulge in multiple courses. Of course, ratatouille is also on the menu (no rats included!).
8.See glass blowing in Sleeping Beauty Castle
Above the dragon’s lair in Sleeping Beauty Castle, you’ll find Merlin l’Enchanteur – a shop selling glass trinkets. There’s even a Swarovski crystal version of Sleeping Beauty Castle for sale.
In the store, you’ll be able to see a Cast Member moulding the glass over an open flame to create new items, and you can even get your own custom-made glass wand.
9.Stay at the world’s only MARVEL-themed hotel
If you’re a big fan of the MARVEL universe and its Super Heroes, then there’s nowhere better to stay than Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel. This upscale accommodation is the only MARVEL-themed hotel in the world, so you won’t be able to experience a stay like this anywhere else.
There’s plenty of fun to be had here with Super Hero experiences everywhere you look, including:
- Iron Man suits in the lobby
- Metro Pool & Health Club
- The Marvel Design Studio
- Super Hero Photo Stations
The hotel is also home to the world’s largest collection of MARVEL artwork, with over 300 original works to be discovered throughout the lobby, restaurants, bars, and rooms.
10.Indulge in some French snacks
Again, France’s culinary excellence shines through in the snacks on offer throughout the parks. This is the second foodie entry on our list! Keep an eye out for the Pause Goûter stands, which offer a “sweet break” around every corner.
With macarons and crepes on offer, plus Mickey waffles and yummy muffins, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight onto the streets of Paris and into a French patisserie.
11.Play in the snow
Ok, so this isn’t something that everyone can experience, but snow is a possibility if you visit Disneyland® Paris during winter – and we’re talking real snow, not the stuff from a machine.
Wandering around the theme parks in the snow adds another magical element to your experience, and it’s something you can’t get at the parks in the US, as California and Florida have warm climates. Just remember to wrap up warm!
12.See the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty
Head to the Liberty Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A.® for this gem, which really is hidden. While the arcade itself is well worth a visit for its beautiful artworks and Victorian décor, there’s something else here to discover.
You’ll see a large vintage poster advertising the statue’s inauguration. Head to the secret passageway behind the poster, which is hidden behind red velvet curtains.
Down here, you’ll find a scene from the Statue of Liberty’s inauguration. You’ll be standing on one of the steamboats that sailed to see the statue, along with some other people (waxworks) taking in this historic occasion.
It’s only a small area and won’t take long to see, but it’s something quirky to tick off your Disneyland® Paris list.
13.Explore 20,000 leagues under the sea
Navigate your way to Discoveryland in Disneyland® Park to find Les Mystères du Nautilus, Captain Nemo’s historic submarine from Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In this walk-through attraction, you’ll see Captain Nemo’s quarters, plus some seafaring surprises like a giant squid!
14.Search for hidden treasure on Adventure Isle
Explore the landscapes of Adventure Isle and keep your eyes peeled for hidden treasure. Cross suspension bridges, squeeze through narrow passages, and discover gloomy smugglers’ caves.
The North of the island is home to a shipwreck, caves, and the Swiss Family Treehouse, whereas in The South, you’ll find the Pirate Galleon, Skull Island, and hopefully the buried treasure! Don’t forget, X marks the spot.
You may also spot Carl and Russell from Up enjoying a rest by the edge of the water.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about these unique experiences that you can only do at Disneyland® Paris. Now it’s time to tick some of them off! If you’re ready to plan your Disneyland® Paris holiday, then check out our hotel and ticket packages.
