Time from landing at CDG to sighseeing

Seems reasonable. And, especially since you are only doing carry on, you could just take the RER into Paris. It's so easy.

Yes! Maybe. We were just there and we checked into our hotel (via taxi and with checked luggage) within 2 hours of arriving at CDG. (But don't book any scheduled ticket times based on that!) Remain flexible. There's always a chance of plane delays, immigration delays, etc. Also, is this during the Olympics, in between the Olympics and Paralympics; during the summer? That's all going to impact everything. You never know, but hopefully you'll be sightseeing at noon.

Jetlag is real, and I'm not sure where you are traveling from, but the absolutely best gift you can give yourself when arriving that early in the morning is to book your hotel room for the night before and then let the hotel know when you will actually be arriving (so they don't think you are a no show.) The extra expense is well worth it to be able to get into your room, freshen up and then get out and about. Much nicer to be able to access your hotel room at 10am rather than the usual 3 or 4 pm check in, under the circumstances.

Also, definitely take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. At CDG after immigration, follow the signs at the airport to the official taxi line. Before you get to it, there's an area accessible to the public where all sorts of people will try to talk you into getting a ride from them...ignore. The official taxi line operates smoothly, efficiently, professionally and is a flat rate.

Over multiple trips to Paris landing at CDG, I generally figure 3 hours from the time I step out of the plane until I step out of the taxi at my hotel. Since Covid it's mostly been a lot less than 3 hours but I still have that in my mind so I can gauge my "You're in Paris!!" walk, lol. I will add that my international hub is Seattle so I am getting in in the early afternoon which may or may not affect road traffic.

So, yes, I'd say unless your flight times are changed or delayed or there is some kind of strike action or it's the Olympics, you could easily be on the ground by noon. I, too, would not book any timed entries for that afternoon either.

Have a wonderful time. I'd love you to do a Trip Report especially on how your daughter enjoys the My Way!

Does the hotel have an early check in or at least a bag storage room?

Thank you all! We are flying direct from Raleigh, NC. The hotel does have a luggage closet. I'm undecided on exactly how to get to the hotel, I know taxi is most expensive but it'll drop us right at our hotel, which might be a nice luxury after an all night flight. A friend also suggested the roissy bus. I think I will do a trip report. Since Rick Steve's recommends a journal anyway, maybe it'll be shareable!

Although I'm a huge fan of trains, I always take a taxi from the airport to my hotel when arriving from the transatlantic flight. Finding your way and keeping your belongings safe on the train can be very challenging when you're jet lagged. Give yourself a break with this one splurge.
And by the way, the poster above has given you great advice about your arrival day. Get to your hotel, freshen up (or shower if you can), and then spend the rest of the day out and about. Avoid napping, eat an early dinner, then go to bed. You should wake up the next day ready to go! It also helps to drink a lot of water.
Have a wonderful time!

Since you're traveling for the first time a taxi to the hotel is a worthwhile luxury. On future trips when you know what you feel like after a flight to Europe you can decide the best way for you to travel after arrival to the hotel.

For jetlag you might want to get outside without sunglasses for a day or two since UV light into your eyes helps reset your internal clock. See for example https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12781-jet-lag And you might want to ask your doctor for a prescription for a sleeping pill such as time-release Zolpiden in case you need it since you don't know how you'll sleep. I remember my first trip (to Paris incidentally) and I was tired during the day and then couldn't fall asleep at nite. These days I take a sleeping pill the first 2-3 days after going to Europe.

As for a journal, what I've been doing the past few years is sending myself a few emails a day using the voice recognition on my phone. Then back home I paste them all into a file for my trip journal. I have an inexpensive data plan (Google Fi) so I can do it anytime, otherwise you can do it when around wifi if this is something you're interested in.

I, also, just figure in the cost of a taxi from the airport into my budget. It depends on where you are staying as to whether the Roissy bus or the train is convenient. The neighborhood I stay in would require 2 changed on the Metro after the train and I’m just not up for that with jet lag and even my light bag.

The taxis are fixed rates, 56€ to the Right Bank, 65€ to the Left. I have my full hotel address typed onto a 3x5 card with the taxi fare written out beside it so the driver knows I know..blah, blah, lol. Before I get in the cab I show my CC and ask OK? And show him the address card.

"I am traveling for the first time" = take the taxi!

You'll have plenty of time to figure out public transport on your visit, but upon arrival set yourself up for convenience and success. Take the taxi from the official taxi line at CDG.

The other thing to do is to download the G7 taxi app. You definitely do NOT use it for the taxi line at CDG, but if you are out and about in Paris, and find yourself lost, tired, hot, metro and bus confused, you have immediate back up. It's user friendly just like the uber app, except it's the official, professional taxi that will arrive right where you are, and take you where you need to go.

Everything KD said. Except that, where are you staying? If it is anywhere near the Opéra Garnier, I would take the Roissybus. It leaves right outside of arrivals and goes right to the Opera for €13 per person (last I knew). If you are staying anywhere else, I would take a taxi from the official line only (also right outside of arrivals). No G7, no stranger approaching you, and no need to pre-arrange a ride. if the line looks long, don't worry—it moves very fast. Either a taxi or the bus also allow you to actually see the city on your approach rather than tunneling underground. For a first time visit especially, this will be much preferable.

P.S., I presume "Sighseeing" was just a funny typo.

hahaha, I didn't even notice the typo! We are staying near the Montparnasse cemetery, pretty far. I think we'll take the taxi. Thanks, everyone! Based on suggestions I need to rearrange our itineraries, so I don't have timed entries on the first day. The countdown begins!!!

OP, when are you taking this tour? We are on the one that starts June 18 in Paris.

Noon sounds right for a weekday arrival. I arrived on a Sunday and both the airport and Paris traffic was so dead that I by 9:00 a.m. I had stored my luggage at my hotel, freshened up and was out the door.

Hi naalehuretiree, we are on the same trip! Looking forward to meeting you in about a month!