This summer, Disneyland Paris looks more like a ghost town than the usual fairytale world. In the middle of summer, as crowds head for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Marne-la-Vallée theme park is experiencing an unexpected desertion. Why this Olympian calm, and how can you enjoy it?
Olympic magic: Disneyland Paris becomes the park for people under 30,000
Disneyland Paris is quiet as can be, with attendance well below normal standards. The park seems to have been struck by a temporary curse. Attractions are seeing their waiting times melt away like Olaf in the sun. A dream come true for visitors!
Less waiting, more fun: attractions in Premier Access Ultimate mode
With such low attendance, visitors can say goodbye to the usual long waits. Rides move at breakneck speed, with waiting times reduced to levels never seen before. Famous iconic attractions offer an accelerated experience. So it’s the perfect time to take full advantage without counting the hours. Waiting times for Big Thunder Mountain, Crush’s Coaster and others have plummeted. No need to invest in Premier Access Ultimate! Visitors are in for a treat.
Competition from the Olympic Games: Paris and the park in “desert” mode
The massive presence of the Olympic Games in Paris diverted the attention of foreign visitors. Sports fans left the theme park in the shade. Forecasts indicated a substantial drop in attendance, between 20% and 30%, and these figures seem to be confirmed. And yet, who hasn’t heard: “Oh no, I’m not going to Disneyland during the Olympics, it’ll be too crowded”?
Is the Olympics solely to blame?
Fickle weather : This summer’s weather hasn’t been particularly kind, with periods of rain and unpleasant temperatures.
Soaring prices : Disneyland Paris has raised its prices considerably in recent years. With an undated ticket costing €130 for both parks, plus €30 for parking, the total cost of a magical day out can be a deterrent for some families.
Work in progress : Studio Park, in particular, is overrun by palisades. With more fences than visitors, the construction work visible in many areas disappoints regular visitors and deters newcomers. This ongoing work not only has a visual impact, but also limits the park’s accessibility.
Lack of new attractions : Visitors are also faced with a notable absence of new attractions or special events for Summer 2024.
Disneyland Paris: victim of its internationalism
With over 50% of its clientele coming from abroad, Disneyland Paris has been particularly hard hit by this drop in summer attendance. International visitors, attracted by the Olympic Games, largely preferred to concentrate on the sporting events rather than the attractions at Marne-la-Vallée. On the other hand, competing parks, such as Parc Astérix, which attract a more local clientele and are less sensitive to major international events, are seeing increased attendance. Parc Astérix, for example, is benefiting from its predominantly French clientele, with visitor numbers well above expectations.
What’s more, Disneyland Paris can’t count on regular visitors to make up for this drop. Bronze annual pass holders are currently subject to restrictions. For their part, Silver pass holders will face visiting restrictions from August 3 to 11. These additional constraints further reduce the park’s ability to compensate for the absence of international visitors.
Enchanted opportunities: promotions and discounts galore
To counter the drop in visitor numbers, Disneyland Paris has introduced a range of attractive promotions. Here’s a detailed overview of current offers:
Discounts on dated tickets: Disneyland Paris offers a €20 discount per ticket for dated tickets purchased in advance. This offer is valid for tickets for visits until September 1, 2024. Discounts are available for bookings of 4 to 6 tickets, making the visit more accessible for families.
Special Disney+ offer: Disney+ subscribers benefit from a 20% discount on combined stays including accommodation and admission tickets.
Dry night rates for Annual Pass holders: Annual Pass holders also benefit from exceptional discounts, especially on dry nights. Discounts are available until September.
Friends tickets: This offer enables annual pass holders to benefit from reduced ticket prices for friends and family.
A return to normal: Halloween and Christmas in sight
This period of calm is probably temporary. The ever-popular Halloween and Christmas seasons should bring a resurgence in attendance. What’s more, the planned opening of World of Frozen in 2025 promises to revive interest and fill the park’s aisles. In the meantime, existing visitors can enjoy a rare and privileged Disney experience, far removed from the usual hustle and bustle. And as past experience in other cities hosting the Olympic Games, such as London and Rio, has shown, a rapid upturn in visitor numbers can be expected once the events are over.
In the meantime, it’s a unique opportunity to discover Disneyland Paris from a new angle. Fewer people, more magic. And above all, the chance to make your stay even more unforgettable. Make the most of it!