Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Paris Premier Access: Are Fast Track Tickets Worth Buying?

Discover if Disneyland Paris fast track tickets are worth the price. Learn when to buy Premier Access for maximum value on your trip.

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Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Paris Premier Access: Are Fast Track Tickets Worth Buying?

Summary (TL;DR)

  • Disney Premier Access is the paid “fast track” service at Disneyland Paris, replacing the old free FastPass. It comes in two types: One (per ride, per person) and Ultimate (once per included ride, per person). Official
  • Prices are dynamic. Premier Access One starts “from €5 per person per ride”; Ultimate starts “from €90 per person per day,” varying by date and demand. Official
  • It saves substantial time on the busiest days and for high-demand rides, but often isn’t necessary on low-crowd days if you rope drop, use Single Rider, or Extra Magic Time.
  • Best value: one-day trips, school holidays/weekends, late arrivals, or families aiming for multiple headliners. Worst value: midweek off-season visits with early starts and flexible plans.
  • You buy and manage it in the Disneyland Paris app (Ultimate can be purchased in advance; One is typically day-of after park entry). Official app

What Is Disney Premier Access? Disney Premier Access is Disneyland Paris’s paid service that lets you enter a dedicated, faster queue at select attractions—replacing the former free FastPass program. It doesn’t “skip the line” entirely but typically reduces wait times versus the regular queue. Availability is limited, and access times can sell out on busy days. Official

Types of Premier Access (One vs. Ultimate)

  • Disney Premier Access One

    • What it is: A single-use entitlement for one specified attraction at a selected return time (per person). Buy as needed throughout the day.
    • Price: From €5 per person per ride, varies by date, attraction, and demand. Official
    • When to buy: Typically only on the day, after you’ve entered the parks, via the app.
    • Best for: Targeting one or two must-do rides with long waits.
  • Disney Premier Access Ultimate

    • What it is: One-time access per included attraction for the day (per person), using the next available time slot in the app for each ride.
    • Price: From €90 per person per day, dynamic by date. Official
    • When to buy: In advance (website or app) or on the day, subject to availability. Official
    • Best for: Short trips on peak days when you want to do many headliners with minimal waiting.

Which Rides Are Included? The lineup can change. Eligible attractions commonly include top rides such as:

  • Disneyland Park: Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Star Tours, Indiana Jones™ et le Temple du Péril, and more.
  • Walt Disney Studios Park: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Ratatouille: The Adventure, Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, Crush’s Coaster, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, and more.

Always check the current official list before you buy, as inclusions may vary by season and operations. Current list and details

How Disney Premier Access Works (Step by Step)

  1. Install and log into the Disneyland Paris app
  • Download, create/log into your Disney account, and link your park tickets for your whole group. Official app
  1. Choose your product
  • Premier Access One: Select the attraction you want, see the offered return time and price, and purchase for each person in your party.
  • Premier Access Ultimate: Purchase for each person—once activated in the app, you’ll see eligible rides and the next available return times throughout the day. Official
  1. Get your return time
  • The app assigns a return time window for each attraction. Times may vary throughout the day based on demand and availability.
  1. Go to the Premier Access entrance
  • Arrive during your window and scan the QR code or show the entitlement in the app at the Premier Access entrance.
  1. Ride and repeat
  • Premier Access One: Your entitlement is used once for that attraction.
  • Premier Access Ultimate: Use it once per included attraction (subject to availability and operating hours) across the day.

Key Policies and Fine Print

  • Limited availability and not a guarantee of immediate boarding; it reduces wait versus the regular queue. Official
  • Pricing is dynamic and can change by date, time, and attraction. Official
  • Each rider needs their own entitlement (including children who will ride). Height and safety restrictions still apply.
  • Generally non-transferable; refunds are limited and subject to terms and attraction interruptions. Review terms in the app or on the official page before purchase. Official
  • Attraction availability can change at any time due to weather or technical reasons.

When Is Premier Access Worth Buying? Best-value scenarios

  • One-day visits or short stays: Maximize headline attractions without spending your day in queues.
  • Peak dates: Weekends, school holidays, summer, Halloween, and Christmas seasons drive higher waits.
  • Late arrivals: If you can’t rope drop, Premier Access helps offset arriving after crowds build.
  • Families with kids: Minimizes long standbys that can be tough on little ones.
  • Must-do lists: If you need several headliners in one day (e.g., Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Crush’s Coaster, Tower of Terror, Ratatouille, Spider-Man).

Lower-value scenarios

  • Off-peak midweek visits in low season with early starts and flexible plans.
  • Groups comfortable with Single Rider or splitting up for some attractions.
  • Repeat visitors who don’t need every headliner each trip.

A Simple Time-Value Check

  • Example: If Premier Access Ultimate is €120 and it saves you ~4–6 hours of waiting across the day, you’re effectively paying about €20–€30 per hour saved. Decide if that trade-off matches your budget and priorities.
  • On quieter days, saving might drop to ~2–3 hours, making the cost-per-hour higher and less compelling.

Smart Strategies to Save Time (With or Without Paying)

  • Rope drop and close: Queues are shortest at park opening and again late at night.
  • Extra Magic Time: Disney Hotels and qualifying Passholders get early park entry on select days—a huge advantage. Official
  • Single Rider queues: Available on select attractions (e.g., often Crush’s Coaster, Ratatouille, Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain). Great for teens/adults comfortable riding separately. Official
  • Rider Switch (Baby Switch): One adult waits while the other rides, then they swap with minimal re-queuing—ideal for families with small children and height restrictions. Official
  • Park timing: Do popular family rides during parades and nighttime shows; many families watch entertainment then, easing waits.
  • Weather watch: Outdoor rollercoasters often post shorter waits in light rain; pack ponchos and take advantage.

Who Should Skip Premier Access?

  • Budget-first travelers visiting in low season who can start early and use Single Rider.
  • Big groups who value staying together all day and are content with a slower pace.
  • Guests eligible for priority/easy access due to disability—separate programs exist and may provide dedicated accommodations; check eligibility and apply in advance if applicable. Official accessibility info

Buying Guide: One vs. Ultimate Choose Premier Access One if:

  • You only need it for 1–3 specific rides with the longest waits.
  • You want maximum control over spend and timing.
  • You’re visiting on a moderately busy day.

Choose Premier Access Ultimate if:

  • You plan to ride most headliners across both parks in one day.
  • You’re visiting on a peak day and value minimized waiting above all.
  • You’re celebrating a special occasion or have a once-in-a-lifetime trip window.

Sample 1-Day Plans Using Premier Access

Family with young kids (both parks)

  • Morning (no Premier Access yet): Rope drop Fantasyland for Peter Pan’s Flight and family rides. If waits build, consider Premier Access One for Peter Pan’s Flight.
  • Midday: Park hop to Walt Disney Studios Park; use Premier Access One/Ultimate for Ratatouille and Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure.
  • Afternoon: Nap break or shows; line up lower-wait rides and characters.
  • Evening: Use Premier Access for Crush’s Coaster or Tower of Terror if energy allows; end with Disney Dreams!/nighttime show.

Thrill-seekers (both parks)

  • Morning: Rope drop Hyperspace Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. If lines spike, use Premier Access One on whichever posts 60+ minutes.
  • Midday: Studios for Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, Spider-Man, Tower of Terror. Single Rider or Premier Access to cover gaps.
  • Evening: Return to Disneyland Park for repeats; Premier Access can snag one last headliner before the show.

Money-Saving Alternatives to Premier Access

  • Plan around live entertainment: Watch the second parade or late show; do headliners during the first parade wave.
  • Eat off-peak: Lunch before noon or after 2:30 pm to keep prime ride windows free.
  • Split your priorities: Do half your must-dos via rope drop and late evening, and buy just 1–2 Premier Access One entitlements for the toughest waits.
  • Consider a two-day ticket: Sometimes the cost of an extra day compares favorably to multiple Premier Access entitlements, with a more relaxed pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Premier Access guarantee no wait?

  • No. It provides access to a dedicated, typically faster queue, but not instant boarding. Waits vary by attraction and time. Official

Can I buy Premier Access without the app?

  • You can buy Premier Access Ultimate in advance via the website or app. Premier Access One is typically purchased in the app on the day after entering the parks. Official App

Do children need their own Premier Access?

  • Yes. Each rider needs their own entitlement and must meet any height/safety requirements. Official

What if the ride breaks down during my return time?

  • Operations can change quickly; the app typically updates your entitlement or provides instructions. Check the app and ask Guest Services if needed. Terms and handling are subject to change—review details at purchase. Official

Is Premier Access included with hotel stays or Annual Passes?

  • No. It’s a separate paid add-on for all guests, subject to availability and dynamic pricing. Official

Is Premier Access better than staying on-site?

  • Different benefits. On-site hotels offer Extra Magic Time (early entry), which can rival or reduce the need for Premier Access if you rope drop effectively. Extra Magic Time

Final Verdict: Are Fast Track Tickets Worth It?

  • Yes—on peak days, short trips, and must-do-heavy itineraries, Premier Access can turn hours of queueing into extra rides, shows, and stress-free breaks. Premier Access One is a surgical tool for 1–3 long waits; Ultimate is a time-maximizer for full, busy days across both parks.
  • No—on off-peak days with early starts, flexible plans, and savvy use of Single Rider and Extra Magic Time, you can comfortably skip it and still see a lot.

Before you go: confirm current prices, included attractions, and terms in the official app or website. Disneyland Paris adjusts operations seasonally and by demand. Official Premier Access hub | Disneyland Paris app