Am I being unreasonable to be looking forward to Disneyland, Paris?

[Italiangreyhound]

Am I being unreasonable to be looking forward to Disneyland, Paris?

Lots of people seem to say (on Mumsnet) it's not great! But we have booked to go and are excited.

Plus what to do while there, I mean what especially is good.

And what to avoid!

Thanks!

[kittensandgin]

If you end up hating it, you could always escape to La Vallée Village and buy yourself something nice for enduring the horrors of a visit to Disneyland. Probably cheaper to like Disney though...hope you have fun!

[BabyDubsEverywhere]

We go this summer for the first time and we are beyond excited! We've bought this guide and its great, it had route planners in and tips for making the most of your trip etc. Highly recommend!

www.amazon.co.uk/Independent-Guide-Disneyland-Paris-2016/dp/1516989236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464651587&sr=8-1&keywords=disney%20land%20paris%20guide&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Italiangreyhound]

It's The Explorers Hotel. Anyone been there?

[Littlelondoner]

*is is not exactly "cool"

[Littlelondoner]

Ok so it was the one in Florida but the first time we got took as kids my dad (think big burly biker proper lads lad) was saying how much he will hate it etc etc when we got back said was best holiday ever (he is really well traveled as well) & he loved it. Think part of this was seeing how excited we kids where. But we continued to go there couple more times as kids.

Even the other day he was like I can not wait until have grandchildren old enough to take.

He would kill me for sharing this and would undoubtibly denye it. But my point is I think it is exactly cool to admit you like it so people will follow suit.

Go with an open mind and you will love it

[Ifiwasabadger]

I have zero interest and this thread makes it sound great, sign me up! Why are mnetters usually so awful? Perhaps a stupid question....

[Lea060398]

Might be worth checking the DLP app as some rides/attractions are closed and being refurbed prior to the 25th anniversary next year. Think big thunder mountain may be one and star tours closed earlier this year with a view to a new star wars themed attraction being put in its place. Still loads to do though

[FeckinCrutches]

Disney junior live is fab as well!

[WhatTimeIsItCuckoo]

Not sure if your 5 year old is a girl or not (not that a boy, or an older child, couldn't do it too of course!) but last time I booked a princess lunch for my daughter, 6 at the time, and I. Whilst it was pretty pricey it was also lovely in terms of venue, food and service and the characters were all really lovely to my daughter, and if they were perturbed at our somewhat bedraggled appearance due to Paris enjoying its biggest heatwave in forty years at the time, then they certainly didn't show it!

[PrincessHairyMclary]

You can hire big hertz push chairs, which aren't too expensive, unfortunately DD got a viral infection whilst we were there and this was a life saver and she slept a lot in it (at the time she was 5) even I could fit in it just about (5ft6 size 14). It's great for leaving bags on if you don't want to take them every time you que for rides or for the kids to sit in when waiting for parades etc or if they get tired, there really is a lot of walking

[WhatTimeIsItCuckoo]

We stayed at the New York hotel on site the first time which was great, we just had our older two aged 3 & 2 at the time. Agree with pp the character breakfast was great. Last time was 4 years ago after having had our youngest. Kids were 7, 6 & 1 and we stayed at Davy Crockett Ranch for extra space which was also great. Only slight downside for me there was that you drive in so then miss the walk up to the park from the hotels which I found lovely. There were still plenty of pros to offset the cons though, I think wherever you'll stay it'll be great. Agree with others, Buzz ride is great, also It's A Small World is lovely, Runaway Train is fun and there's a lovely boat ride on the river near there. Haunted House was great and scary and likewise Pirates of The Caribbean. Def get fast passes but pronto as they sell out!

[Welshmaenad]

I took a 4 year old on Crush, he loved it!

[Italiangreyhound]

Dr 5 is not a dr!

[FeckinCrutches]

Where are you staying?

[DramaAlpaca]

We went a few years ago & loved it. Have a great time!

[MaureenMLove]

Yanbu to be looking forward to it. It's fab family fun . However, aibu to slightly regret agreeing to go on the annual school trip, with 40 year 8 kids?

Hope you're not going weekend of 15th July and sorry in advance!

[summeraupair]

For both kids together definitely the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast - get a Fastpasses You sit in pairs in a little spaceship thing and shoot a laser gun at Toy Story themed targets as you go round the ride, all your points get totted up so you can compete with each other. Very fun!

[Ludways]

I've been to several Disneys around the world and loved DLP, I'd be excited to go too. Enjoy!

[birdsdestiny]

If you are staying in a disney hotel you are allowed in park between 8am and 10am before park opens to public so queues are shorter then. My two are 6 and 11, best rides for them were buzzlightyear, andratatouille. We split up quite a bit as obviously crush coaster, etc are not suitable for 5 year olds. But my 11 year old loved some of the younger rides such as small world and Pinocchio. Buzz lightyear was the one we went on most.

[WhatTimeIsItCuckoo]

We love it too, you'll have a great time! Magic hours are an hour before the park opens to the public, and an hour after it closes too I think, for the residents to make use of the attraction without the general public there. If there is a firework display in the evening it is well worth staying for. I was in tears myself watching it! Have a fab time, we've done it twice and are off to Florida next year!

[Italiangreyhound]

Can I ask what are Disney Magic hours?

[Italiangreyhound]

Dr is 11 (not a princess) and Dr 5. Which rides are best for them, please? Dh and I not fussed about rides. It really is all for the kids. The bit for me is not being at home, not cooking, not cleaning and not going to work!

[birdsdestiny]

The one thing I forgot is that security is very tight, you are searched going into the hotel and obviously on entrance to the park. I found this very reassuring.

[Italiangreyhound]

Wow lots of helpful comments. Thank you I am reading them all.

[Floralnomad]

I have visited on over 25 different occasions ( multiple days each time normally ) and I've never encountered any staff rudeness , the only bits I have no personal experience of are the hotels Cheyenne and Sante fe .