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Snow at Disneyland Paris is rare, so we were delighted when it began to fall on our early January trip.
Soon the park was blanketed in white, and it felt like a whole new world.
Main Street and Sleeping Beauty Castle looked even more beautiful than usual, and we discovered hidden corners of the park where we felt like we were deep in the countryside.
Some rides and restaurants closed, but we didn’t mind because it was such a unique experience just wandering around.
In this post, I share my photos of this magical trip, as well as tips on what to expect if you end up visiting Disneyland Paris in the snow.
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What to Expect When it Snows at Disneyland Paris
We were lucky with two snowy days at Disneyland Paris, and on the day in between, it was so cold that the snow didn’t melt.
Even luckier, we had no snow on the morning we arrived, and it melted on our departure day, so we didn’t have any travel chaos.
Some flights and hotel shuttle buses were cancelled on the snowiest day, so travel delays are the biggest downside if it snows.
We were glad we stayed at Disneyland Hotel, just two minutes from the gates, so we didn’t have to worry about getting to the parks.
It was also possible to walk from all the on-site hotels.
When it snows, not everything runs smoothly in the parks. Openings may be delayed, parades cancelled, and some rides will close.
Outdoor rides are most likely to be closed, and Fantasyland was most affected, with Dumbo, Casey Junior, and Le Pays de Contes de Fées closed. Rides like It’s a Small World were running on and off.
Autopia and Indiana Jones also closed (although I’m not sure snow was the issue with Indiana, as it never reopened).
We were impressed when they opened Big Thunder Mountain. Riding it in the snow was like being on a snowmobile—so fun!
A few restaurants also closed. This may have been because of staff shortages (many were unable to get to work). Toad Hall was closed in the snow, as were all the outdoor stands like Old Mill and Cool Post.
There were still plenty of places to eat, though.
The parade was cancelled when it was snowing heavily, but it ran the next day once it had stopped, despite snow on the ground (they cleared the streets).
Unfortunately, we found the app unreliable for keeping us up to date with restaurant, parade and show closures, but it’s more accurate when it comes to rides.
Of course, if it’s snowing, it’s going to be cold. We had temperatures down to -5ºC (23ºF), but we stayed warm enough with lots of layers.
See my Disneyland Paris Christmas guide for exactly what we wore.
Waterproof shoes (preferably boots) and thick socks are a must if there’s a chance of snow. Wet feet would have been miserable.
You’ll also want shoes with a good grip as the paths do get slippery. While they clear some paths, many remain covered in snow.
I also recommend two pairs of gloves (they will get wet) and a big scarf to protect your face.
You can always warm up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate!
A Tour of Snowy Disneyland Paris
Let me take you on a tour of Disneyland Park in the snow.
Our favourite areas to wander in the snow were Phantom Manor, Adventure Isle, and towards Indiana Jones.
The snow stays more pristine in less-trafficked areas, so if you do get snow, wrap up warm and head off to explore.
Main Street USA
Main Street is beautiful in the snow, but it doesn’t last as long as elsewhere in the park. As it’s a high-trafficked area, it gets slushy quickly. Plus, it gets cleared to make the parade safe.
When the snow was first falling, though, and the Christmas lights were on, it was magical!
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle looks absolutely stunning covered in snow, and we felt so lucky to see it.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland looks lovely with a fresh batch as it resembles a quaint European village.
The canal outside the Peter Pan ride is especially scenic.
And the topiary reindeer outside It’s a Small World was very cute.
The problem with Fantasyland is that it’s a busy area, so once the snow stops, it quickly gets slushy and unattractive.
Adventureland
Adventureland is amazing in the snow. Many parts are quiet, so the snow stays fresh, and all the trees and water make you feel like you’re in the wilderness.
Wandering Adventure Isle (although parts were closed), seeing Pirate Galleon and Skull Rock in the snow, and walking the quiet snowy path down to Indiana Jones were highlights.
Pirates of the Caribbean was our favourite ride to warm up. Lines aren’t usually long, the queue is mostly inside (don’t ride it if the line is outside), and the inside boat ride is fairly long. (It’s also possibly the best version of Pirates).
Frontierland
Frontierland was another highlight in the snow.
Riding Big Thunder Mountain during a heavy snowstorm was incredible—everyone was in a great mood, and it was so fun despite the snow in our faces. It’s nice to see the park from a higher perspective.
Phantom Manor is the best-looking ride covered in snow.
The view from outside the house (just before you enter to ride) is excellent looking down to Big Thunder and the river.
Be sure to walk down to Boot Hill Cemetery on the other side of the Manor. This is always a hidden gem, and it makes an excellent snowy walk.
Thunder Mesa Riverboat didn’t sail when it was actually snowing, but it did on the day in between the showers (although the top deck was closed). It’s a great way to take in all the snowy beauty of the area.
Finally, when we went to see the excellent Lion King show, we discovered that this area of the park had plenty of trees and snow.
Frontierland Station closed during the heaviest snow, but it looked fantastic.
Discoveryland
Discoveryland doesn’t look quite as impressive in the snow as the other areas, but it was still cool seeing Hyperspace Mountain looking wintery.
The pond that houses the walk-through, Les Mystères du Nautilus, was even frozen.
Final Thoughts
We could not have been happier to experience so much snow on our Disneyland Paris trip, especially at the end of the Christmas festivities.
Yes, there are some inconveniences in the park when it snows, and you might not be able to do everything you planned.
But we thought they did a good job keeping the park running as normally as possible. For us, it was worth it to see the park turn into a winter wonderland.
Unfortunately, you can’t plan for snow at Disneyland Paris. It only happens a few times a year, but your best chances are in January or February.
If you do get lucky with snow, throw your plans out the window, dress in all your layers, and enjoy the magic!
