How to plan a day in Paris from Disneyland with teenagers? I need advice on transportation, itinerary, and family tips.

Hi Violeta,

Let me tell you about our Parisian adventure from Disneyland with two teenagers. Between complaints like "this is boring", "another bridge?" and races to grab the last souvenir, they ended up saying, "Okay, this is cool," and started posting photos on their socials like professional influencers.

If you’re thinking about planning a getaway to Paris from Disneyland without losing your mind, here's the story of what worked for us (and what didn’t).

We left early from our hotel at Disney, backpacks full of snacks and a clear mission: to conquer Paris in a day. The first challenge was transportation. For the journey there, we took the RER A train from Marne-la-Vallée station (the same one for Disney). We bought tickets from a machine with an English option (€5 per person), and in 40 minutes we were in the heart of Paris, at Châtelet. The kids complained a bit about the train's jolts but got distracted watching the suburbs... until the younger one fell asleep against the window. Temporary victory! And some time to finalize our one-day Paris itinerary with teens.

We arrived in Paris, list in hand, with must-sees prioritized for notoriety and speed. First stop: the Eiffel Tower. We’d booked tickets online (a must!), so we avoided the ridiculously long queue. We went up to the second floor, and something magical happened: both teenagers were silent. Between selfies and videos for their socials, even the coolest one admitted, "This is actually pretty good." Then, recalling the hotel waitress’s suggestions on what to do in Paris to rest a bit without breaking our planned Paris itinerary, we opted for a boat ride on the Seine (Batobus, €19/person). It was a breather for our legs and a total hit: we saw Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and even some love locks on the bridges. But be warned, my daughter's phone died halfway through... bring a portable charger!

For lunch, we headed to Le Marais, a neighborhood with a young vibe that was supposed to help us save a bit. Although to us, it felt like an impossible mission to save money in Paris with teenagers! We grabbed falafel at L’As du Fallafel (€6, quick line) and sat on a bench. The teens, usually not fans of "weird food," devoured the wraps as if they were burgers. Second miracle of the day, no complaints and at a decent price!

Next, we moved to our stop in the Paris must-sees list, the Louvre… but just for the photo with the pyramid. I knew if we went inside, we'd end up lost among endless halls and 17th-century paintings (and the kids would kill me, they'd already seen it from the boat 😂). I remarked that you should always leave something for the next visit to Paris. My wife smiled at me and whispered so the kids wouldn’t hear: "Already planning our next Paris getaway?😉"

Following our itinerary, we strolled down the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. There, they claimed their freedom hour and dashed off to check out clothing stores, while we enjoyed a coffee on a terrace. After this brief period of peace, we climbed the Arc (€13), and the sunset view left them speechless. Well, almost: the older one said, "This could be a TikTok spot."

The return was crucial: after 10 hours of walking, our legs begged for mercy, and we forgot about saving money in Paris with teenagers. We took an Uber XL from the Arc back to Disney (€65). In 35 minutes, we were back at the hotel, and although the cost stung a bit, it was worth every cent. The kids collapsed into bed, and we... well, we lived to tell the tale.

What we learned from our experience that might help you: the RER A is economical, but if you're heading back late, a private transport can save family peace. Booking in advance and online is essential (Eiffel Tower, boats…), queues are for the brave. It’s okay if you don’t enter the Louvre on your first visit. Paris can be enjoyed even from the outside.

And by the way, if your kids are into flaunting photos, the Arc de Triomphe at sunset is their star moment. Mine posted a story with the Eiffel Tower backdrop, and the likes poured in. The next day at Disney, they were already asking when we’d do the next Paris getaway... Mission accomplished!

A friend recommended a full excursion (round trip from Disney + tour). We didn’t try it, but it's a good option if you don’t want to manage schedules, routes, transit, ticket purchases. It’s great for a guided, economical plan and if your kids need stories to keep from getting bored. The mystery and crime one is really engaging! With these outings, you’re sure to get back to Disney without getting lost, and the guide handles the tickets… you end up saving time and some stress. But if you opt for an organized tour, make sure it includes the Eiffel Tower, the boat ride, or the things you’d like to visit… don’t fall for empty promises! Our friend, although his experience was good, since he told us that his guide shared historical info in an enjoyable and fun way through anecdotes, insisted on the importance of checking reviews before booking. Also, it’s essential to see if they include a bit of free time. Teens always like to explore stores or trendy cafes on their own.

My wife and I would have loved to visit the Eiffel Tower at night, the logistics were just too complicated… bring some warm clothes and don’t forget a raincoat. Paris is like Forrest Gump, you never know what you’re gonna get.

Have a great time.