Unlike WDW there are no online touring plan tools for
Disneyland Paris.
Be aware that as you are staying off site you will be at a disadvantage as the general park opening time is 10am. The onsite hotels get early opening every day in both parks and all the hotel guests will be in the parks before you
Before you go
Check the park opening times for your visit here
http://www.disneylandparis.ie/calendars/park-hours/
The park hours page will also list the ride and attraction closures
Right now they have park hours listed up to June 21
Early Magic Time June 21 Main Park = 8.30am to 9.30am
General Opening Time June 21 Main Park = 10am
Main Park Closes June 21 = 11pm
Early Magic Time June 21 Studios = 8.30am to 9.30am
General Opening Time 21 Studios = 10am
Studios Closes June 21 = 7pm
You should also check the parade and show times here
http://download.disneylandparis.com/Disneyland-Paris_Shows-and-Parades.pdf
This page is updated weekly so you need to check it the week before you will be in Disneyland to get the correct times and listing for your day. Right now they are just showing times and events for 17 March to 25 March 2018
The main night time show is called Illuminations. It is a fireworks and animations show projected onto The Castle. It is on every night at park closing time. Thats why it is important to check what time the park closes on your particular day. For example on June 21 the main park closes at 11pm. This means that Illuminations will start at 11pm. But today March 23 the main park closes at 8.30pm so Illuminations will start at 8.30pm
You should also go to Google Maps and familiarise yourself with the layout. Disneyland Paris has 2 parks, which are beside each other. I would advise getting a park hopper ticket, even for just one day as there are unique areas and rides in The Studios Park which are not in any other Disney Park.
My One Day Touring Plan
I did this plan for another American WDW vet who was planning a one day visit to Disneyland Paris
For just one day, you need to get there about 45 minutes before park opening for general public. Most likely you should get there around 9am and go straight to The Studios Park. You will have to wait in line until general park opening time at 10am
Once you are allowed into the park, go straight to Crushes Coaster and then go to single rider line in Ratatouille. Take a look in the shop in the Ratatouille area and then exit The Studios Park.
On your way out of The Studios take a look at the shops and get a quick service food. This should take you to 1pm
Exit The Studios and walk with purpose over to the Main park and walk down Main Street. You wont have time to dawdle or browse the shops. Go direct to Discoveryland and either Fastpass Star Tours or Buzz Lightyear. While you wait for your Fastpass window you will have time to do ONE of the following, Space Mountain or Buzz or Star Tours, depending on which fastpass you decided on.
Once you have done 2 rides in Discoveryland, walk with purpose to Fantasyland. Exit Discoveryland and head towards the Wishing Well, Pizza Belle Notre, stage side of the Castle. Find the pathway under The Castle to the dragon. Exit the dragon and come up into Fantasyland. Depending on time, check out the upper walk through area of The Castle.
Pick 2 rides in Fantasyland, leaving Peter Pan as your second ride. Exit Peter Pan and walk with purpose to Pirates of The Caribbean.
After Pirates get a quick service food in Au Chalet des Marrionettes and then head into Adventure Land.
In Adventureland you have Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones and Phantom Manor.
This should take you to around 7pm. Depending on what time the main park closes on that day, you may need to go back out to Main Street and find a spot to watch the night time fireworks and animation show projected onto The Castle. Or you may want to have an evening meal.
Skip table service meals, skip parades, skip character meet and greets, skip wandering about the shops, skip shows and you should be able to fit in my touring plan
