20 surprising secrets and stories about Disneyland Paris

Think you know everything about Disneyland Paris? Behind the scenery hide details, nods and stories that most visitors never notice. We have lived next to the parks for years, and here are 20 secrets and stories to share in the queues and, above all, to check for yourself during your visit.

The beginnings

1. It was called Euro Disney

The park opened on 12 April 1992 as Euro Disney and later became Disneyland Paris. The second park, Walt Disney Studios, opened in 2002 before being completely reinvented and renamed Disney Adventure World in March 2026.

2. Why Marne-la-Vallée?

Disney considered several sites in Europe, including Spain. Marne-la-Vallée won thanks to its position at the heart of Europe and its proximity to Paris. In 1987 Disney and the French State signed an agreement that gave birth not only to the parks but to a whole new town: Val d’Europe.

3. The Disney name may come from Normandy

According to family tradition, Walt Disney’s ancestors came from Isigny-sur-Mer in Normandy. “d’Isigny” is said to have become “Disney” over time. A lovely reason to say Disneyland Paris is a homecoming.

5. A castle designed for Europe

Europeans know real castles. So the designers imagined a fairy-tale castle more whimsical than the others, inspired in particular by the medieval illuminations of the Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry and by Mont-Saint-Michel. The square-cut trees around it nod to the graphic style of the 1959 film.

6. A stained-glass gallery in the castle

Upstairs in the castle, a gallery tells the story of Sleeping Beauty through stained glass and tapestries made by craftspeople. Many visitors walk past: climb the stairs, it is free and rarely crowded. The view from the balcony over Fantasyland is superb.

Main Street behind the scenes

7. Hidden arcades on Main Street

Behind the façades of Main Street, U.S.A., two covered arcades run the full length of the street on either side. They were designed for the Paris climate: perfect for getting around out of the rain or avoiding the crowds during parades.

8. The windows honour the creators

Look up at the upstairs windows on Main Street: the names painted on the glass, like shop signs, often pay tribute to the artists and engineers who imagined the park. A tradition found in every Disneyland park.

9. A railway around the park

The Disneyland Park steam train circles the whole park and stops at four stations: Main Street, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. It is the most restful way to cross the park, with a few surprises along the way.

The lands of adventure

12. A whole island to play on

In Adventureland, Adventure Isle is a huge playground: rope bridges, caves, Skull Rock, Captain Hook’s galleon and the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse perched in a giant tree. Children can let off steam there for hours, with no queue at all.

Discoveryland, a tribute to visionaries

15. You can visit the Nautilus

By the Discoveryland lagoon, Les Mystères du Nautilus lets you explore Captain Nemo’s submarine from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. A calm attraction, often with no wait, and a surprise at the end.

Fantasyland and hidden details

16. A maze to get lost in

In Fantasyland, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth leads to the Queen of Hearts’ castle, which offers a lovely view. Another attraction unique to Paris, ideal with children.

17. Hidden Mickeys everywhere

The designers hid Mickey silhouettes (three circles) all over the place: in the scenery, railings, paving and rides. Hunting for them is a great game to keep children busy in queues. In the new Disney Adventure World, new hiding places already await the most observant.

18. A hotel above the entrance

The pink-and-white Disneyland Hotel is built right above the Disneyland Park entrance. Renovated and reopened in 2024 with a fairy-tale and princess theme, it is one of the few hotels in the world you walk under to enter a park.

Around the parks

19. A whole town was born of the park

Around the parks, Val d’Europe has become a real town, with architecture inspired by Haussmann’s Paris. In 2005 the area had about 19,700 residents; today there are more than 37,000 across Chessy, Serris, Coupvray, Magny-le-Hongre, Bailly-Romainvilliers and Villeneuve-le-Comte, not counting neighbouring towns such as Montévrain.

20. Louis Braille was born next door

A few minutes from the parks, the village of Coupvray is the birthplace of Louis Braille, inventor of the writing system for blind people. His family home can be visited. Find more ideas in our article on day trips in Seine-et-Marne.

You visit Disneyland Paris twice: once for the rides, once for the details.

Our secret-hunting route

To see as many secrets as possible without backtracking, here is the order we recommend in Disneyland Park:

1. Main Street: the covered arcades and the names on the windows.
2. The castle: the stained-glass gallery upstairs, then the Dragon’s Lair below.
3. Fantasyland: Alice’s labyrinth and its view of the Queen of Hearts’ castle.
4. Discoveryland: the Nautilus, Space Mountain and the Jules Verne references.
5. The train: a full circuit of the park, to rest and spot more details.
6. Frontierland: Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain on its island.
7. Adventureland: Adventure Isle and the Robinson treehouse.

Allow half a day for this route on top of the rides. And keep your eyes open: hidden Mickeys are all along the way.

Go secret-hunting

The best way to discover all these details is to take your time over two or three days. Our 123HOME apartments in Chessy, Serris and Montévrain are perfect for a stress-free stay, with self check-in from 4 pm and cleaning included. Book your stay at the best price.

123HOME

Staying near Disneyland Paris?

Apartments and spa suites minutes from the parks. Cleaning included, self check-in, best price when you book direct.

Check availability See our apartments

← All our articles