Countdown to Magic!

Lets face it, whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning for another dose of Disney magic, the final few weeks before your trip are the perfect time to get organised. We have just got back from our magical adveture, so from recent experience, here’s my guide to making sure nothing gets left behind.

3-4 Weeks to Go: Final Bookings & Essentials

✅ Check your bookings
Now is the time I start checking over the app multiple times a day, making sure our park tickets, hotel booking, and any dining or experience reservations are sorted (I know they are but each day I panic about forgetting something!). I’ve booked all our dining as part of our meal plan and I’ve booked reserved viewing areas for both the fireworks and the parade too. If you’re going and you’ve not done so yet, here’s your reminder to book restaurants, character dining, or shows — popular spots like Chez Rémy and Auberge de Cendrillon can fill up fast!

✅ Travel plans
We are flying this time, if the youngest had been at least 3, we would have driven as it is much cheaper and you can go on your own timetable really! Again, every day I check the airline app, double check times, transfers, and baggage allowances. I’ve also been checking the airport map for Charles De Gaulle so we have an idea where we are headed for our Magical Shuttle bus.

✅ Buy any essentials early
And my god have I been buying ‘essentials’! Here are a few things that I have already ordered and a few that i have yet to order!

Disney ears / outfits / autograph books — You’ll often find them cheaper online than in the parks and that’s exatly what I’ve done. I’ve even had them personalised for each of the kids
Portable phone charger — You’ll use your phone a lot for photos and the Disneyland Paris app so a portable charger is a must for me
Ponchos or compact umbrellas — It’s France; the weather can be unpredictable, as I’ve already mentioned! I made the mistake of not getting ponchos before we went. So, if having official Disney ponchos isn’t important to you, get these off Amazon now!

2 Weeks to Go: Packing Prep

✅ Plan your outfits
Comfort is king. Mornings can be chilly even in summer, and evenings cooler than you expect, so definitely a hoodie or a jumper. Comfortable shoes are a must (trust me, you’ll thank yourself) and do not buy new shoes expecting to break them in around the parks… the same goes for socks, always wash new socks before wearing them around the parks!

Consider packing:

Joggers, leggings, shorts or jeans – I’m opting for a couple of pairs of leggings and a couple of pairs of shorts
T-shirts, hoodies, light jumpers – again, a few t shirts and a jumper or hoodie is what we’ll be packing. It’s the end of July so it’s going to be fairly hot but as with anywhere, it could get cooler in the evenings or it might not be as hot as we are expecting
A waterproof layer (rain is common!) – this is where those ponchos will come in handy
Disney themed outfits or accessories — especially if you want fun photos, I’ve got Disneybounds sorted for me and the girls. I’m not sure if our 10 year old will want to dress up or if he’s too cool for school now

✅ Toiletries & health kit

Sun cream – I rely on SPF even on the cloud covered days
Plasters / blister pads – you’ll thank me later
Painkillers and any medications – you will also thank me later, Disneyland does not sell medication and the nearest Chemist is a 10 minute Uber away
Hand sanitiser and wipes – I took a pack of wipes when it was just the 2 of us, this time, with kids, we’ll be taking at least 4 packs of wipes

1 Week to Go: The Final Checklist

✅ Print confirmations / download apps
Everything nowadays is digital but there’s something about a physical document that makes me feel safer. I know that if technology fails, I have my documents there ready to go. But I do make sure everything is downloaded onto my phone and easily accessible: tickets, hotel booking, travel documents, insurance. And I’ve had the Disneyland Paris app downloaded since we last went, for maps, showtimes, and ride wait times, as well as checking on our bookings

✅ Set a budget for spending money
I have save a nice amount for this trip. Most food is paid for, snacks and additional drinks are not so they will come out of the budget but I have watched a lot of vlogs on the park shops and the stores in Disney Village so I have an idea of a few things that I want to bring home already and I know that my budget covers those and more. Always overestimate how much you want to spend, even if you’ve planned there will always be something that you’ll see and want to buy – don’t leave regretting the things you didn’t do or didn’t buy.

✅ Prepare entertainment for travel
We’ve got books and films downloaded already, there’s nothing worse than being trapped 3000ft in the air in a metal container with 3 kids screaming they’re bored

Last Few Days: Pack & Get Excited!

✅ Pack your bags thoughtfully

Snacks for the journey and park days. This one is mainly for the youngest of our group. She will need constant snacks throught the day to help keep her going.
Refillable water bottles. Water fountains are all over the parks and you can refill bottles at any of these
Sunglasses, hats, and sun cream. We are a fair haired family so we do struggle in the sun. So sunglasses are always handy, but hats and sun cream are necessities
Any pre-purchased Disney bits. We have bought the kids a few bits to wear and take with us so these will be going either in the cases or in our hand luggage
2 backpacks for the parks. We took 1 the last time we went but we didn’t have any kids with us. This time we’ll be needing to carry around at least 3 water bottles, nappies, wipes and cream, sun cream, hats, snacks, spare socks and anything else that we feel necessary with 3 kids!

✅ Charge devices fully the night before
Anything that needs charging, charge it! Yes there will be opportunities at the airport or train station and at the resort to charge things but I promise that won’t be what you are thinking about from the second you walk through the doors of the airport or station depending on how you are travelling.

✅ Leave space in your suitcase
We won’t be able to leave much space going but we will be taking things that won’t be coming back with us, like nappies and wipes. So that will free up some room. I’ve also purchased some vaccum sealed bags for the return leg for our clothes so that’ll help too (because of course we’ll be bringing home some Disney magic, and I’ve been told I’m not allowed to purchase a third suitcase to bring home with merchandise).