The secret spot in Disneyland Paris where your kids can meet the characters WITHOUT the crowds
Brits have been raving about the secret spot near Sleeping Beauty's castle on Facebook
WITH 12 million visitors a year, Disneyland Paris is the most popular attraction in Europe.
While we all know that queues and crowds come with the theme park territory, that might disappoint some little ones (and bigger ones) set on meeting their favourite characters.
But now, Sun Online Travel can exclusively reveal a ‘secret spot’ that UK fans have been taking advantage of to grab photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse and company – but without having to stand in line.
Disney fanatics have been sharing their experiences of the spot on a closed Facebook group for Brits.
Natalie Coles wrote: “Secret spot!!!! Just amazing at switch over for dining with the princesses.”
One member of the group gushed about the spot, saying it’s ‘amazing’ and ‘something they will never forget.’
Another thanked other members for pointing it out, saying their children were so happy they got up close with Mickey Mouse and some princesses.
Located near Cinderella’s Castle, the Secret Spot is a secluded area where characters walk past to enter the stage before shows and sometimes for dining experiences such as Dining with the Princesses in the restaurant, L’Auberge de Cendrillon.
How to get to the secret spot
If you walk through the Castle into Fantasyland, turn immediately right and you will go through a metal gate past Cinderella’s carriage.
You will see another metal gate and fence and that’s where you should wait.
The trick is to stand there for around 15 minutes before a show is due to start for maximum character interaction.
Fans cottoned on to the area in 2017, during the special 25th anniversary stage shows, where characters such as Mickey, Buzz Lightyear and Stitch would walk past and happily interact with any lucky guests who were standing there.
The best times for these sightings are when the stage shows are on at the Castle.
These shows take place during most holidays, including Christmas and Halloween, and there are often special shows such as the birthday celebrations or to launch a new themed land.
Your best bet when heading to the park is to pick up a guide, look up times for any stage shows and arrive around 20 minutes before it starts.
Some guests have managed to get waves, hugs, high fives and even photos with the characters.
Princesses could also walk by at any time of the day when they swap over for breaks for the Dining with the Princesses experience.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the area is a walk past only, and not a designated meet and greet space.
Park guest Gail Debling said of her experience: “We were there between 27-30th November. I was with my daughter and my 19-year-old granddaughter.
“We couldn’t get autographs or talk to them very much, but it was really lovely that we were able to get so close without queuing and they did interact well with any children who were waiting.”
But to avoid hour-long queues and fighting through crowds, it may well be worth your time to seek out the Secret Spot and spend more time on Space Mountain.
Sun Online Travel recently revealed some of the lesser-known experiences you can have in Orlando theme parks.
For example, you can decorate a Christmas tree every day of the year at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
And at Epcot, you can even go scuba diving.