Disneyland Paris is the most visited theme park in Europe — welcoming over 9 million visitors in 2019 — and with the planned expansions expected featuring popular properties including Star Wars, Marvel and Frozen, more visitors of every age are expected to turn up at the park to enjoy the magic of Disney.

If you’re considering a visit, one of the easiest ways to get to Disneyland Paris is actually to drive and there’s no better way to get the best of the best than by combining a Benelux sightseeing trip with a visit to one of Disney’s most beautiful destinations!

Photo by Patrícia Ferreira 

Selecting A Vehicle

Before embarking on your journey, take a look at the type of car that will be most useful during your trip. You’ll be driving on paved roads all the way, so a standard car is adequate for your needs. But if you’re traveling with the family, you will require a bigger vehicle, depending on the number of passengers and their luggage.

Photo by Jonas Denil

To narrow down the choice of cars if you’re renting or even borrowing from friends, compare vehicles across models to determine which has the best mileage, leg room and boot space. In general, it’s not a good idea to drive large car; it will be really difficult to park it in towns across Europe. Unlike countries like the parks in the US where spots are typically plentiful and large, parking spaces in Europe are often tight and frequently limited in number.

At Disneyland Paris, while there are big parking areas, you’ll find that spaces are cramped once you start making your way to stop and visit other attractions along the way. Moreover, with the exception of highways, rural and even urban roads are often narrow, making compact vehicles a wise choice for dealing with jammed spots.

Getting To Disneyland Paris

From Belgium

If you’re leaving from Belgium, the journey will cover about 160 miles and will last a little over three hours depending on the traffic. Note that driving on French roads often require tolls, so be prepared to carry loose change or a credit card before approaching booths to avoid wasting time!

Taking the A3 and A4 from Charleroi, stop at the Parc Naturel Regional des Ardennes to stretch your legs or visit museums and fortified churches. At Chateau-Thierry, explore REAL castle walls and admire the 15th-century Saint-Crepin church. Not to be missed is Chateau-Thierry American, a monument overlooking the town and wonderful champagne vineyards.

Photo by Daniël van der Kolk

From Luxembourg

The trip will last under three and a half hours covering 210 miles. Before reaching Disneyland Paris, stop in Reims, the capital of Champagne, the wine-growing region. If you have enough time, go for a champagne tasting and tour in the area.

From Amsterdam

Those coming from Amsterdam via the A1 will have the longest drive: a bit over five hours for 313 miles. The best stop will be in Lille, the capital of Hauts-de-France. Marvel at ornate palaces, historic squares, and well-curated museums. It is also known for shopping, and you’ll find clothes, décor and souvenirs to satisfy your whims. Maybe not a lot with Mickey and Minnie on them, though!

Photo by Eirik Skarstein 

See it for yourself

The Benelux region offers incredible sightseeing opportunities and a trip to Disneyland Paris is an exciting journey for visitors of all ages with tons of opportunities for exploration abound for your European adventure!