Critique my trip to Paris please

[thetallfairy]

So we arrive on the Sunday after Xmas
CDG and got to get to euro Disney

Monday Disney
Tue Disney
Wed late breakfast make way into Paris
Wed and Thur nights Paris close to champs elysee

No idea what to do New Year's Eve
Fri evening head to airport to fly home

2a 2kids aged 4 and 8

We don't get long in Disney but it is 800 for those two days to enter park
Not staying at the park just 5 mins away

Forgot to say two park tickets will be purchased the week before (maybe i need to do this in November?)

Sounds like a long time to be in Paris with children... What are you going to do during the day with them?

Your kids will be bored, theres not much to do in paris for kids other than disney.

I was going to suggest ice skating at Le Grand Palais but I think they might be a little young for that. There's a big fireworks display at L'Arc de Triomphe but it's really busy and people with children go earlier in the evening when it's not the culmination of the display, so probably wouldn't work either. There are some good museums for kids though: https://parissecret.com/meilleurs-musees-enfants-paris/

Can you squeeze another morning in at Disneyland?

If not, I would:

take DC on a river boat cruise along the Seine

take them up to the top of the Eiffel Tower

get them to try classic French food that children like, such as Croque Monsieur, pain au chocolat, poulet frites. You could also look around Fauchon food shop which is really beautiful and let them choose a sweet or petit fours each.

You could look at the Science Museum (Cité des Sciences) which is a little way out of the centre but has a big hands-on area for children called Cité des Enfants.

Paris is cold at that time of year and not the most child-friendly city. But Disneyland over Christmas is truly spectacular. They will love every minute. I was worried my DC would whine about the cold (it was sub-zero when we went at New Year) but they adored it so much they never complained once.

Is there any particular reason why you want to stay close to the Champs Elysées? It's a very expensive and pretty dull neighbourhood.

Incidentally, Paris is horrifically expensive. So trying to keep DC entertained and warm for two days may cost as much as extending your Disney tickets for a third day. Then you'd only have one day to spend in Paris, which you could easily do with a boat trip and Eiffel Tower (prepare to queue!) or trip to the Science centre.

For NYE you could head up to Montmartre - you can see the Eiffel tower from there, all lit up. Or look up some smaller, local celebrations in one of the quieter, safer quartiers. There's also the Jardin D'Acclimatation. It's just outside Paris beyond Etoile (Arc de Triomphe.) There's a little funfair and zoo etc but that might be quite underwhelming after Disneyland.

Wonderful

So helpful xxx

The hotel worked out quite reasonably

Fair point

Maybe one more day Disney?

Tickets for two days in Disney working out over 800 sterling yikes

These are fab keep them going xxx

Have you shopped around? They used to be doing constant offers. That does seem a lot of money for two adults and two children. Is it including the hotel?

We went to Disney on 27th December, it was the busiest I’ve ever seen it. The queues were gigantic, I’d not commit to a further day. I’d do something else.

Wed 28th is the last day of the giant Christmas market at La Defense so you could squeeze in a trip there on the Wed. It’s only one stop on the RER from Etoile so quick and easy from the Champs-Elysees (or quite a nice but short ride over the Seine through Neuilly on metro line 1). 300 chalets planned for this year plus Father Christmas daily if your kids like that sort of thing.

https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/news/christmas-and-holidays/articles/46516-the-giant-defense-christmas-market-dates-and-program

Imagine seeing Paris as having nothing for kids other than Disney.

It might be cold (and worse wet) but if they have decent coats and gloves and hats they will be fine.

Obvious things are trip up the Eiffel Tower and a boat on the Seine (covered).

There's the Science and Natural History museums which are indoors. My favourite is the Musee d'Orsay - it's light and spacious and as long as you are not dragging kids around they enjoy finding things that catch their eye.

Lots of stops for crepes and hot chocolates to warm up.

@StokePotteries it did not include the hotel !!!!

These are great guys I'm thinking now two days Disney

It will be so busy 😫😫😫

More expensive than I had planned for 😫😫

..

That’s like saying there’s nothing to do in London for kids. Tsk! Jardin d’acclim is lovely. The window decorations in the big department stores are fantastic.

What sort of things are the kids into?

Probably not what you’ll want to hear but I took boys to Paris aged 3&5 some years ago in February. It was sunny but freezing. Euro Disney was not a huge success - big queues and so cold that some rides weee shut. Food was expensive and there was nowhere to sit inside and get warm! They are now young adults and never asked to go back (which I thought was a bit of a result!)

we had 3 days in Paris. As well as Disney we had a day with a relation (dull but fine) and a day in Paris doing Eiffel Tower and a Bateau Mouche. Also had steak and chips and chic mousse in a brasserie. That was a good day.

That might be the silliest thing I’ve ever seen on here. Which is saying something.

Paris is my favourite city and I've been in every season, with and without kids.

I did euro Disney when my 2 were 9 and 6 and it was hard work in summer, never mind midwinter when they are going to be absolutely frozen. Lots of standing about, and getting more and more miserable.

The city again is going to be cold and possibly grey and wet. Most of the sights are outdoor so again, cold and miserable for DC.

Can you go later in the year?

There is the light show at jardin des plantes- really lovely

https://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/fr/illuminations

La villette - kids science parcours - also the submarine to vist
https://www.cite-sciences.fr/fr/au-programme/expos-permanentes/cite-des-enfants/cite-des-enfants-2-7-ans

If not check this list - I reckon you can google translate
https://www.sortiraparis.com/enfant-famille/guides/45396-que-faire-pour-les-vacances-de-noel-a-paris-les-bonnes-idees-sorties-en-famille

Absolutely daft post

@MissScarletInTheBallroom if around champs is boring where do you suggest op stay ?

Re jardin de acclimation it's charming but will stuff be open

Also I've heard the neighbourhood isn't that great ?

@thetallfairy

I spent many years looking into Disney and found buying a year's pass was the best way to get some value out of disney and not be totally fleeces. Getting on rides is an art and finding your way around. It will take a day to get used to the two parks etc.

If you can easily afford it it's not an issue I guess

Otherwise a cheaper and some say superior experience perfect for those ages would be efterling in the Netherlands .
You could combine it with Amsterdam also.
For those ages I think efterling is better anyway

I've done both and Disney at Christmas was buzzy ,busy and fabulous especially the fake snow on main street but by that point we had been about 3 or 4 times on our pass and could navigate rides like pros.

Efterling is a story book come to life ,beats Disney hands down on atmosphere and more magical rides for younger children. The park is stunning at Xmas with extra entertainment and a huge ice skating rink indoors and out filled with tons of Xmas trees. .the accmd and food is far better quality also.