When staying at one of the Disneyland Paris hotels, you’re granted a magical perk known as Extra Magic Time (EMT). This exclusive benefit allows you to enter the parks 30 minutes before the official opening time. While half an hour might not seem like much, it’s invaluable during busy times, giving you a head start on the crowds. However, this does mean getting up a bit earlier to make the most of it, but trust me, it’s worth it! Here’s how to maximise your Extra Magic Time in both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
What to Use Your Extra Magic Time on at Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park is home to some of the most beloved attractions, and using your Extra Magic Time wisely can help you tick off some of the more popular rides before the queues start to swell. Here’s where you should head first:
1. Peter Pan’s Flight
- Why: Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular rides in Disneyland Park, with queues that can stretch over an hour during peak times. This gentle yet magical dark ride takes you over the rooftops of London and into Neverland, and it’s a must for families and Disney fans alike. By heading here first during EMT, you can experience the ride with minimal wait.
2. Princess Pavilion
- Why: If you have little ones eager to meet their favourite Disney princesses, the Princess Pavilion is the place to be. This meet-and-greet experience is incredibly popular, and wait times can get lengthy quickly. Using your EMT to visit the Princess Pavilion ensures you’ll have more time later in the day for other attractions.
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Why: Big Thunder Mountain is one of the most thrilling attractions in the park. This runaway mine train ride offers stunning views and plenty of twists and turns. It’s another ride that sees long queues, so tackling it during EMT can save you a significant amount of time.
4. Autopia
- Why: Autopia is a fun, family-friendly attraction where you can drive retro-style cars around a track. While it’s not as intense as other rides, it’s incredibly popular with younger guests. Using your EMT here means less waiting and more time to enjoy the rest of the park.
What to Use Your Extra Magic Time on at Walt Disney Studios Park
Walt Disney Studios Park is smaller than Disneyland Park, which means your EMT is even more valuable. The park’s top attractions can build up queues fast, so here’s where you should head first:
1. Crush’s Coaster
- Why: Crush’s Coaster is the top priority for most visitors during EMT. This spinning roller coaster themed around Finding Nemo offers a mix of gentle scenes and thrilling drops. Because it’s so popular, queues can become enormous, so it’s best to make this your first stop.
2. Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
- Why: This interactive dark ride allows you to join Spider-Man in capturing rogue Spider-Bots. It’s a fun, high-tech experience that’s perfect for all ages. By hitting this ride early, you can enjoy it with minimal wait times and move on to other attractions in the park.
3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Why: The Tower of Terror is a must-ride for thrill-seekers. This drop tower ride, themed around a haunted hotel, is both thrilling and terrifying. Lines for this attraction can get long, so using your EMT here is a smart move.
4. RC Racer Coaster
- Why: Experience the excitement of being a toy car on this giant U-shaped track. It’s a short, intense ride, and getting it done during EMT will save you from a potentially long wait later in the day.
What NOT to Use Your Extra Magic Time on
While EMT is a fantastic way to experience the parks with shorter wait times, there are certain attractions that you shouldn’t prioritise during this time. These are typically rides that either don’t build long queues or are less popular in the early morning. Save these for later in the day when other rides have longer lines.
Rides and Attractions to Skip During EMT:
- It’s a Small World: While a classic, this ride typically has manageable queues throughout the day.
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast: Another fun ride, but not one that needs to be tackled during EMT.
- Star Tours: The Adventures Continue: This simulator ride usually has shorter lines later in the day.
- Alice’s Curious Labyrinth: A walk-through attraction that rarely sees long waits.
- Adventure Isle: A great spot for exploration, but better saved for a mid-day break when the rides are busy.
- La Tanière du Dragon: Located under Sleeping Beauty Castle, this walk-through attraction is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace later in the day.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: While popular with young children, Dumbo often has reasonable wait times throughout the day.
- Art of Disney Animation: More of an exhibition than a ride, this can be explored at any time with minimal wait.
- Cars ROAD TRIP: This scenic car tour typically doesn’t have long queues, making it a good option for later.
Final Tips for Making the Most of Your Extra Magic Time
- Arrive Early: EMT means getting up early, but arriving at the park entrance even earlier ensures you’re among the first to get in.
- Plan Your Route: Know which attractions you want to hit first and map out the quickest way to get there. Time is of the essence!
- Be Flexible: If you see a ride that’s unexpectedly open with no wait, take advantage of it! Plans can always change based on the day’s circumstances.
Conclusion
Extra Magic Time is a fantastic benefit of staying on-site at Disneyland Paris, allowing you to experience some of the most popular attractions with little to no wait. By prioritising the right rides and knowing which ones to save for later, you can make the most of your visit and enjoy more of what Disneyland Paris has to offer.
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