Disneyland Resort Paris

Must have caught busiest day in autumn on a saturday in november, regarding previous reviews.. FPB awaiting his big birthday present, horrible crowds everywhere, medium rides none under 45-60 min waiting, so finally managed to get on four rides for £55fee.. ( but judging of other queuing toddlers screaming and fighting, others didnt even get that far).
12womens toilets at main attraction site, queue all the way into the yard, and what makes things worse, no one seemed to care about two of these loos being blocked, overrunning and disgusting. Two nappy changing tables on the same site, although only one accessible at the time, about 4-5 toddlers waiting screaming.
45 minute wait for something really expensive and barely edible, people jumping queues all the time(even when fenced off)...
summary:do not long to get there, its nothing like the advert. Have seen much better parks in UK.
sorry any disneyland freaks, you should have shared that particular day.

We had good weather at the end of August which, along with all the offers DLP do for Parisians, especially students, probably explains why the parks were so busy and queues for rides were all at least 30-40 minutes (except Its A Small World - but 3 times a day is enough for any parent!). Even at the toilets we often waited over 10 minutes which is not fun with a 3yo who needs to go NOW! My 5yo son is sensitive and easily scared so we knew we would not do any of the bigger rides but I was disappointed at how few "gentle" rides there were, even Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Buzz are in the dark and he couldn't cope with them (though my 3yo dd liked them). Fastpass is not available for most of the smaller rides, was often not working and when we tried it the return times were about 2-3 hours later so you couldn't do many in a day even if you were going on the bigger rides. The horse-drawn tram on Main Street does not run every day. The railroad is good, avoid Main St station and Frontierland if the theatre has just finished.
My 3yo dd is princess mad - I wanted her to experience seeing the castle and meeting the characters whilst she still believed in them. Whilst the parades were amazing (we all loved them though not the timings as apart from the studio one at 5pm they were a bit late for little ones, also the students tend to push right in front of you at the last minute and obscure your view) there was virtually no opportunity to meet princesses unless you paid for an expensive meal. My daughter and I did queue for over an hour to meet Belle in the pavilion but you get no choice about who you meet so could queue again only to spend 30 seconds with the same princess. We did see a few other characters (Goofy, Captain Hook, Pinocchio) whizzing along the walkways (no photo opportunities there!). But on our last day we came across the Ugly Sisters - they were fantastic, really good with the children and with a "minder" to organise the queue; just what I had thought Disney would be like, such a shame there were not more like this.

Playhouse and Stitch shows were great and the waiting areas with screens to amuse kids very good - just check which shows are in English.
Tarzan show was breathtaking and very enjoyable. Cinemagique was very clever (though no good for ds).
Low washbasins in the toilets great (wish all children's attractions had them).
Staff friendly and helpful but sometimes hard to find without queuing for a ride.
The Pirate and Pocohontas play areas were a relaxing respite for us - a few more play areas/slides/toddler or smaller children rides would be a great improvement
Overall, although my daughter is desparate to come back to meet Cinderella, we will wait until the children are much older and I have forgotten about the bad bits!

We had been warned that the hotels weren't great and the food was extortionate but were happy to prove everyone wrong! We stayed in the Newport Bay Hotel which was HUGE but clean, the staff were helpful and polite and the pool was amazing (you can swim outside too). Staying in the resort means you can access the park from 8am-10am before it opens to the public which is great - the queues are minimal, the shops deserted and there are often characters around to say hello to without queueing. The food is varied and reasonably priced but do be sure to book your evening meal as soon as you can as the restaurants do get booked up with people on the 'full board' options. Look out for water fountains to refill drinks bottles and the misting stations near the toilets which are great to cool off in when the weather is hot. All round a great trip.

Great time had by all.

So much to keep Smalls happy and as long as they were happy so were DH and I. Would go back in a heartbeat!

Our third trip to Disneyland Paris in three years.

Overall, if you have kids aged 4-9 who like theme parks, they will love this. It is horribly exhausting the first time if you go without acquainting yourself, so it is worth reading up on everything.

Things to just accept, because you really can't change them:
1) The food is very expensive for what it is. If you go into any of the larger restaurants in the park, budget for

Amazing. Absolutely made our holiday.
DD broke her wrist on the first day of our French holiday and it rained, a lot, but coming to Disneyland really made up for it.

It was all we expected and more, very busy as it was the summer holidays but still running fairly quickly, the longest we waited was 45 minutes.
DD was a little disappointed as she couldn't go on all of the rides because of her wrist but we cued up to meet Cinderella who signed her cast and made her holiday.

The food is very expensive but we read several reviews beforehand and took plenty of snacks to keep us going and tried our best not to wince at spending

Very unsure about what this was going to be like, but quite enjoyed it the first time we went (Oct half term about 5 years ago) It was totally halloween though so not so much fun for little kids. Went again this Feb half term and LOVED it this time - both parks are fun, queues not too long, they now organise queuing for characters's autographs too so avoiding that horrible disappointing bundle that the europeans seemed to so enjoy!
Also learnt some tricks this time round ie. doing the naughty 12 ham roll secretion into my handbag at breakfast to cover lunch, and getting food and wine at the railway shops (reasonable wine at ok prices, about 1/3rd of the disney price). We'll be going again next Feb, with lots of jumpers and pot noodles for tea - I'm a convert! Good value for money in so much as the park and facilities are concerned, but if you're on a budget do sort out your own food and drink. We found it best driving there (using the Chunnel) so we could get out to the nearby garage for beer, water etc, but stayed in the main hotel complex so we could get the hotel bus in and out whenever we wanted to.

WE stayed in Davy Crockett Ranch so we drove to the resort. IT was a great cabin, clean, quiet comfy beds and nice to escape the business of disney in the evening. Breakfast was good and included a baguette which we used for lunch.

We have been to Disneyland Paris a couple of times, our most recent visit was in October 2009. We stayed in Paris and got the train to disneyland, we only had one day there, but that was really enough to do the things we wanted to. Our favourite ride was the tower of terror in the disney studios. The park was decorated for halloween which was great. There were loads of people watching the parade so we didn't get a very good view. We ate lunch with the disney characters ina saloon style restaurant, the food was ok but even though we had booked we had to wait ages to be seated and then had to wait ages again to order drinks.

Been twice - once in glorious sunshine, v busy, took us all of our 4 days to go on nearly everything, but the queues were awful. Next time we went i twas pouring with rain so no queues, had multiple goes on lotsa things which our 8 and 6 year old loved. Stayed up so late every night to watch final parade and fireworks that couldn't get up in morning - had late breakfast at hotel Santa Fe - no queues if you arrive late - ate enough to last all day and keep cost down - a good tactic! Definitely make use of Fast Track to avoid queues - or get there very early like we didn't!

We went for Halloween and really enjoyed the experience. Had DD 4 and DS 3 with us and it's the first time for them, 2nd for DH and 6th for me.

Stayed in Hotel Cheyenne which is about 15 minute walk from the main park but found this was not to far for the kids to walk to and from. Didn't take buggy or hire one as decided that we could go back to hotel for afternoon snooze if we wanted to. Good breakfast but grab an early time 7am and be there 5 minutes early or you'll never find a seat. All rooms have towels and soap and also get cleaned each day. You can hire hairdryers and the rooms have a kettle in but no other extras. 1 double bed and bunk beds. You could get your photo taken with Minnie, Goofy or Chip n Dale from 8am each morning.

Favourite ride for dc's was It's a small world. If staying in a disney hotel you get to go in earlier than normal ticket holders so make for this first and then tea cups (weren't busy until after 10.30am), Dumbo and Carousel. or alternately go for Buzz Lightyear and then Orbitron.

Did It's a small world 12 times and nearly as many for tea cups and dumbo and carousel. Buzz lightyear was good but be careful as it sometimes needs to be re-started which means you queue for longer.
Orbitron is faster than Dumbo and you're tilted unless you get to the top and it goes fast.

Stayed for Halloween not so scary party which meant that you had different tickets and could go on rides that non ticket holders couldn't. We did lots of rides and saw lots of characters to that night.

Went via Eurostar and that was easy though both kids and some others found it hard as your ears will pop going through england and under the tunnel. Character (Pluto) waiting to great us at other end.

Went to Buffalo Bills Wild West Show one night which the dc's loved. DS really got into cheering on his team and waving cowboy hat about that I had to feed him as he just wanted to see the cowboys, horses, buffalo and characters. Food was ok, chilli was good but the rest was just so so.

If you want ease then get Half board vouchers as it goes quite a way to making the meals cheaper. If you want peace and quiet then go to a table service restaurant. We did Walts and Steak House (service very slow here). If you want a huge selection of food we did Plaza Gardens, Renedvous des stars and Hotel Cheyenne Restaurant. All have selection of meats, fish, pasta, rice, pizza, chips, VEG, cheeses, soups, breads and lots of desserts.

Will be going again in about 18 months but really recommend it. If you have any questions ask me as I'm happy to help.

Really good place to go with or without kids.
all other theme parks in the UK, France pale into comparison. none of the others available to british families comes close to Disneyland Resort Paris.
The standard of cleanliness, the uniforms of 'cast members' (staff), the totally unique atmosphere and the plethera of facilities for families with young children made this one of the best holidays.
it is like visiting another world.
the help at the hotel was fabulous with cot and bottle making facilities supplied.
the rides have a baby switch system so one parent goes thru followed straight away by the other so you don't have to queue twice.
altoghter a fab experience- we can't wait to go again!

Went for 2 days (Monday one week, Tuesday the next) with a 2.3 year old and had a great time. The second week was the last week in June and was much, much busier, so we were glad we'd already been the week before. We took our own buggy and had bought tickets online to save money (was 59 euro on the door for a two park, one day ticket) and time.

The toddler's favourites were the carrousel, Buzz Lightyear and as he called them, the wee boats (it's a small world and pirates of the carribean) and the wee train (Casey Jr). We also did the cars stunt show in the studio (ok, but not much action in the 45 mins it takes!), the Lightening McQueen cars and the flying carpets, but that was all and we left thinking the studios were just ok.

We did a few rides ourselves, but not the second time as the queues were really long and we wanted to use our fastpasses for stuff we could all go on together.

I recommend DLP for a toddler, but one day at a time is enough and you have to be prepared to not get on suff yourself! We took a picnic the second time having been shocked to pay 10 euro for an adult meal (once a burger, second time a pizza, pizza was better value) and 6 euro for a kid's meal. The picnic area isn't that much outside the park, but isn't huge and doesn't have a lot of shade.

I would also recommend lingering about the shortcut from fantasyland to star wars ride (can't remember land) after the character express trains, we met Tigger here and the wee one was very pleased! Didn't bother with Mickey, far too busy and he was happy enough with the soft toy version!

we were very lucky to get glorious weather and hardly any queues in February h/t. We took dd age 12, and as she is a softy in parks, this was gentle enough for her (we usually get "I am NOT going on THAT) It's not too big but wasn't crowded. The staff we spoke to were smiley and polite. We did Florida 5 years ago, and while this doesn't compare, the transport links and the compact size make it good as a taster, or for those who don't like flying, or for just a short break. Can't review food as we didn't eat in park, but Annette's diner in Downtown Disney was excellent and Planet Hollywood wasn't very nice.

We were lucky enough to stay at the Disneyland Hotel which made our trip SO much easier. We were so close to the theme park we could just nip back when my toddler needed a snooze. The whole experience seemed so much easier than cramming in as full a day as possible. The hotel was glorious with 'character breakfasts' which delighted my children (they got well into the autograph hunting). Favourite rides/shows were def 'Buzz Lightyear', 'Honey I shrunk the audience' and 'star wars'. Have been previously when we just travelled for the day from a campsite close to Paris, but the experience of taking the train directly to the hotel and having the hotel on-hand was definitely one I'd recommend.

Sorry to be a bah humbug but not impressed. I wouldnt recommend for kids under 3 as hard work. Buggies had to be left at beginning of queue not end (like at legoland) and holding a squirming toddler for 30 mins quite frustrating. No grassy areas for them to just chill out in.

Streets, castle etc look fab but lots of it is just shops.

Firework display very late at night. Kids exhausted and felt like an excuse to make you spend more.

Went during very hot weekend and stayed at main hotel. Wanted to go to pool during hot afternoon and then go into park when cooler in the evening. Pool had NO SHALLOW END!!! High sides meant water was very choppy so despite armbands kids were swamped. Bubble pool not for kids under 12! But arcade next door....what a surprise. DIdnt want us to relax with kid but spend more money.

Kids enjoyed though! Wont go back till they are much older.

Great park but no where near as good as Florida with regard to staff/service

Great for a short break as not too far to travel and variety of methods make it quick and easy

We visited Disneyland resort in Paris when dd1 was nearly 3. She loved it but it just wasn't as magical as I expected it to be. The characters only come out for short periods, we were only there 2 nights and didn't realise until the day we were due to come home that Mickey Mouse only comes out for photos at 11am, when we got there the queue was already closed and the staff would not let us join.

We also found it really expensive, managing to spend

Our first Disney experience - and it was all good. The park itself is the perfect size for exploring with smaller people - although it has to be said (and please say it very quietly as our trip has to remain top secret for fear that our son will never speak to us again) that we didn't have any smaller people with us, as we were on a strict "adults only"; jolly to preview the latest attraction: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. But more of that horror later...;

The attention to detail, the standard of cleanliness and the general atmosphere in the park is exemplary. (I didn't see a single piece of litter that wasn't in the process of being swept up.) Loved the Americana overload of Main Street - and the way that it leads you in to and prepares you for the fun that lies ahead: it's certainly the prettiest theme park I've ever been to in Europe. The park's centre point is, of course, the castle, which is just fairytale-tastic - to the point that you can quite see why so many little girls are running round in princess outfits, hastily pulled over their jeans and trainers. Who wouldn't want to be a princess in this place? And it's not just the kids that get in on the act - I lost count of the number of adults wearing vast mouse ears or really, really stupid hats. All cynicism and disbelief needs to be dumped at the front gates if you're to make the most of your time here.

There's a great selection of rides and attractions for various ages - although not as many seriously scary ones as, say, Alton Towers. We split our time between the main Disneyland Park and the Walt Disney Studio Park next door, and took in all the biggies and as many of the others we could manage. Favourite rollercoaster rush of the weekend was definitely Rock 'n' Roll Rollercoaster. Essentially, a ludicrously fast coaster, mainly in the dark, with Aerosmith blaring out through headphones built into your seat; it rocked, so we did it six times or so. Thundermountain was cracking fun too - and a really decent length of ride, taking you underneath the lake before resurfacing and whizzing around the island in its middle, then back again to the "mainland";. Space Mountain: Mission 2 is another high-tecchy style ride - very fast, and very twisty - but think the seats could do with a bit more cushioning as we didn't like the way your head gets whacked around...; after the third go it gets a bit much. The less intense rides are of a very high standard too - particularly the Nemo inspired Crush's Coaster, that takes you turtle-style along the East Australian current.

We didn't get to see It's a Small World, because there was an Almighty Big Queue. And annoyingly, we got the timings wrong for the English version of The Lion King show - which, by all accounts, is superb, but not to the extent that I'd want to sit through it in French.

But almost without exception, all the other attractions, from the Studio Tram Tour (which is definitely worth doing for one moment alone) and animatronics of Pirates of the Caribbean, to the daily parades and evening's Candleabration, are top notch. The free Fast Pass system is good too, allowing you to bypass queues on some of the most popular rides: just pop your park ticket into the individual attraction's Fastpass machine and you'll get a designated ride time for later in the day. There's also a very family friendly Baby Switch system - so that parents can take it in turns to have a go on the more adult rides, without having to queue up twice.

As far as food goes, over the weekend we ate at the Blue Lagoon - a creole-style restaurant actually set in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Food was good, setting was surreal to say the least. (Ask for a table near the water's edge to become part of the attraction itself.) We also tried The Steak House in the Disney Village - nice steaks, decent wine. As far as cheaper eats go, there are countless fast food options available throughout the park - along with even more retail outlets. (You know that saying that in London you are never more than ten feet away from a rat? Well, in Disney the same applies for a Mouse marketing summat, albeit of high quality.)

Aside from our Lion King muck up, the weekend's only major disappointment was Armageddon, a special effects simulation of an asteroid shower based on the film. "Is there a way out? Will you make it back to earth?"; asks the accompanying publicity. The good news is yes, eventually you will. But believe me, if we could have done so any earlier we would have.

By contrast, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is everything it's billed to be. Sublimely spooky, set in the "once glamorous, now eerie and abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel,"; it's here that Disney's attention to detail is at its most brilliant. The premise is that on a fateful night in 1939, lightening struck and the staff and guests were never seen again. Since then the hotel has remained exactly as it was on that night, slowly falling into a state of disrepair. It's all very Miss Haversham meets Art Deco - with half drunk cups of tea in the dusty, dishevelled hotel lounge; every clock stopped at exactly the same point, and numerous little nods to the eponymous show in the props used throughout.

The creepiness starts from the minute you're ushered through the gates by seriously deranged looking bellhops with freakish grins and the unsettling habit of rubbing their hands together with ghoullish glee at what you're about to face. The lead up to the ride only adds to your unease - no bog standard queueing here - but finally you're ushered into an elevator where you take your seat. (I have to say that I was bricking it by this point.)

From then on the only way is up - well, for a while it is. Real heart in the mouth, edge of your seat stuff (that, like the TV show, loses absolutely nothing with repeat viewing); let's just say that if you have a fear of lifts, this is probably not the ride for you. But if you like your thrills served neat, then remember these three words:

Don't Hold On.