To start, we are a young active couple and have done full 12+ hour days at other Disney parks so we plan on doing both parks in one full open-close day here as well. Not staying on site, will be taking the train/metro to and from.
Not staying onsite puts you at a starting disadvantage as you wont have access to EMH. The general opening time is 10am, and the EMH starts at 8.30am. General opening crowds start to gather from 9.am at both the main park and studios. It takes approx 40 minutes train travel time from central Paris to Disney. So if I was you I would aim to arrive at Disney train station at 8.30am. Then you can take your time getting from the train platform, up the escalator, through security check and then join the general opening line.
1) I noticed our trip falls within the Zone A French holiday. How bad does that impact the parks? We've gone to WDW during fairly busy times, but how do the crowds compare? Is it like "spring break/holiday" crowds where everything is 60+min wait?
It depends, yes it is like spring break but at the same time it also depends on what other countries have a holiday or school vacation time. I was in Disney during a Zone A French holiday in February 2016 and the park was not crowded BUT this is because the French go skiing in the February holiday.
2) How early are park hours released? I've noticed during April in past years the parks are open until 22:00. Is that something we can probably count on again?
Park hours are released 90 days in advance. Currently on
http://www.disneylandparis.ie/calendars/park-hours/# the park hours are listed up to 25 February 2018. So just keep checking week by week until 90 days before the day you will be there.
3) With such a long day, would you recommend taking the time for a sit-down restaurant or stick to counter service?
I do long days in
Disneyland California, approx 14 hours. I know by 2pm Im starting to get hangry so I usually take a time out with a TS for about 2 hours. It really does make a difference, a recharge and then Im good to go again until 11pm.
4) With our visit being during the French holiday, do weekdays vs weekends really matter? Trying to decide the best day to go.
Holiday times or not, weekends are always busier. I would try to go either on a Monday or Tuesday.
Any other first time tips? I noticed Phantom Manor and Crush are both closed which is sad, but at least we have the rest of the parks. Merci
I did this plan for another poster on another website, also from USA and staying in Paris and only doing one day at Disney
After security check go straight to The Studios Park. As you say Crush Coaster will be closed when you are there, go straight to the single rider line in Ratatouille. I know you will be with your husband, but trust me the single rider line is far shorter then either the regular standby or the Fastpass Line. Take a look in the shop in the Ratatouille area and then pick one other Studios ride / attraction. Avoid Studio Tram Tour and Armageddon.
On your way out of The Studios take a look at the shops. This should take you to 1pm
Go straight 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.
After Discoveryland would be a good time to have your TS meal.
After you TS meal go to Fantasyland. 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 smartly to Pirates of The Caribbean.
In Adventureland you have Big Thunder Mountain and Indiana Jones. You say Phantom Manor will be closed so dont waste time going over to that side of the park.
Check what time the afternoon parade is and any scheduled character meets. After Adventureland you can then go back to areas or rides you want to repeat.
You will need to check the restaurant opening times and plan to have a quick service meal around 7pm
The night time fireworks/ animation show projected onto The Castle starts at the official park closing time. If the park closes at 10pm, people usually start gathering in front of the Castle / Main Street from 9pm. Fantasyland closes 2 hours before the main park closing time and does not reopen.
After the show the entire park crowd leaves at the same time. The show is usually 20 minutes, so it will be aprrox 10.30pm before you start moving towards the exit. It could take you at least 20 minutes, depending on how deep in the park you are to get to the train station. That means you will not be getting on a train before 11pm. You will need to check the train times. Those late trains from Disney back to central Paris can get very crowded. With an hour approx travel time back to central Paris, you probably wont get back to your hotel before midnight.
Leave hotel in central Paris approx 7.30am and arrive back at hotel in central Paris approx midnight