How to Make the Most of Your Day at Disneyland Resort Paris

Like all such venues, career criminals and opportunist thieves do operate out of the park. Cameras, phones and other valuable electronics, unattended handbags and wallets, and Disney branded carrier bags containing souvenirs are particularly easy targets. Ensure all bags are zipped closed when carrying them, souvenir bags are kept close and stored in other sealable bags, or the "Disneyland Shopping Service" storage and collection facilities are used where possible. Ensure phones, cameras and other consumer electronics are kept with you, and out of sight where possible at all times. In general, pickpocketing is less of an issue, as there are so many easier targets available. This is especially problematic on rides, shows and eating venues which require you to leave strollers unattended. Strollers should be emptied during this time of anything you are not willing to lose. Similarly, any bags left visible on strollers are easy pickings for anyone walking past during parades and in the dark, and this should be avoided where possible.

Most cast members are French and native French speakers, and while they all usually have a good command of basic English, they can often struggle to understand you, especially if you are upset of angry. If you have a complaint, it is always best to take it to guest relations, rather than to the cast members in question, as cast members there have a much better command of the English language, and there are usually several native English, Spanish, German, and Italian speakers there to help out.

Keep a very close eye on your children. In your own excitement of meeting a character and taking the perfect photograph it's very easy to lose sight of your children. If you realise you have lost a child, tell a cast member immediately. They will radio their colleagues, and usually prevent the child from leaving. Carrying a photograph of your children also helps.

First aid facilities inside the park are first-rate, with trained nurses on site in both parks, however, outside of the park, including in Disney Village are very basic, if not bordering on non-existent —the Disney Village first aid centre, for example, does not open until 2:00 PM. Trips and falls often occur before entering the park, especially as excited children first catch sight of the entrance and run towards it. For minor injuries, cuts, grazes and bruises, if you already have your park entry tickets, it is usually much quicker to enter either park and visit the first aid buildings there than to wait for first aiders to find you. First aiders outside of the park also double as fire and rescue workers and may only have basic knowledge of first aid and less command of the English language compared to most park employees.

Queue-jumping is always unacceptable, and saving spots in line is often frowned upon by other guests. Cast members will sometimes refuse entry to anyone who they spot doing so. If you have a legitimate need to do so (eg, to leave the queue early to use the toilet) inform a cast member at your earliest possible convenience. They may allow you to re-enter at your previous spot, but there are no guarantees.

Ensure you are very clear about any ride restrictions before queueing for these rides. Any warnings or restrictions are posted at the head of the queue, and near fast-pass booths. Height restrictions are strictly enforced. If the rider is even a single centimetre too short they simply will not be allowed to enter.

• Pay close attention to age and other recommendations. It is usually impossible to leave a ride early. If you are warned that young children may be frightened, or those with back problems shouldn't ride, there is a reason for it. If in doubt, always ride alone first before taking children, elderly or infirm riders onto the ride. Cast members will usually accommodate this for children if multiple parents are available, via the Baby Swap mechanism.

Do not attempt to enter the park using someone else's ticket or annual passport. Anyone caught doing so is likely to be declined entry, will have the ticket confiscated, and may receive more permanent bans. Never buy tickets from street vendors or touts.

• Numerous online sellers can offer great discounts on tickets compared to buying them at the park, and a lot of these are completely legitimate. Many do this by taking advantage of legitimate offers not readily available or obvious to those outside of France, offers only usually available to local hotels or travel agents, or simply by buying in bulk. However, take extra care when purchasing tickets from vendors other than Disney or recognised and bonded travel agents. Take time to research them fully, and check out their feedback and terms and conditions. There are many scammers out there, and others which while legitimate sellers, will have conditions which make it impossible for you to use the tickets as intended. For example, some will sell to foreign residents, but will require delivery to a French address. Others will require you to collect the tickets from their stores, not at the park, which can be more than an hour round trip away in central Paris, and may have awkward or obscure opening hours. Most will require more ID than you will be willing or able to carry with you before they let you collect the tickets. Still others will not be available until five or more days after booking, or will not be usable on the day of purchase. If in doubt, it is better to pay a little extra and guarantee entry, than shell out for something which will not work.