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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is it worth taking 4yo to Disney land Paris?

74 replies

DontFundHate · 03/08/2019 17:19

Just that really. He loves Disney, but will be be able to do enough? How long would you stay? Or wait til he's older? Got some time off next year and wondering whether to do this or not! Thanks!

Yabu - don't bother
Yanbu - yes take him!

OP posts:

CocoLoco87 · 04/08/2019 07:54

I'm early 30's and still remember going to EuroDisney when I was 4 and 5. I'd go! I can't wait to take the DC when they're all old enough to remember.

avalanching · 04/08/2019 08:12

@Wiltshirelass2019 it only cost us about £2000 all in including spending money in half term (4 of us), that is just the cost of a holiday for us, do you not do holidays at all until you are certain your child can remember? Do you not buy them toys because they will forget? That's not what life is about!! Even if my son forgot I will NEVER forget the look on his face walking down Main Street USA, that'll be with me forever, the memories aren't just for them!!

Wiltshirelass2019 · 04/08/2019 08:14

avalanching that’s a good point! Sounds like you had a lovely time. I suppose I’ve just heard from my sister who said it was a waste of money 😂

TheGoogleMum · 04/08/2019 08:24

I plan to take my DD around that age in the year before she starts school so we can go term time. My niece has been aged about 2 and 5 I think and loved it

AwfulFuckingHair · 04/08/2019 08:29

I'm taking my 3 year old next month. I'll let you know!

raindropsonwindows · 04/08/2019 08:38

We took our DC aged 3.5 and just 6 and they both loved it. Yes, they couldn't do a few of the rides but we were so busy doing all of the others that it didn't matter.
They loved the rides, loved the parades and loved the character meal we did. We went in late November so the queues were manageable and the park shut around 6pm so the DC were able to see the fireworks and things without having to stay up late. We took the pushchair which was great not just for DS but for snacks, coats etc.
We went to Disneyworld in Florida when they were 9 & 6. They loved the rides but the "magic" of Disney had gone. They found the parades dull and the character meal we accidentally did embarrassing & awkward. We still had an amazing time as the rides are brilliant but we could have been at any theme park rather than a Disney one.

sarahkate66 · 04/08/2019 09:34

Absolutely! We went when dd1 was 19 months and again in march this year when dd1 was 4 and dd2 was 21 months. We stayed at the Marriott outside Disney. They have their own shuttle bus that's 10 minute ride and they have apartments so you can make your own food / breakfast. I really recommend earl of Sandwich, they do amazing sandwiches/pasta/soup that is cheaper than in the park (Mickey pizzas for us all was 50 eauros!!!) And is just at the entrance of the two parks. We even did a day trip into Paris itself on mother's Day and the kids loved the Eiffel tower, and there's crêpes / park / big grassy area to run around 5 minutes away from it. It's not cheap, but it's a fab holiday!

sarahkate66 · 04/08/2019 09:36

Also, at 4 they can go on rides like star tours and big thunder mountain. And if you've a younger one, do parent swap so mummy and daddy can both do the ride but then you only queue once. But cos the ticket is for 2 people your eldest can go on with both parents! Just ask the staff at the rides

HeadDeskk · 04/08/2019 12:20

Absolutely go! We had the most incredible time with our preschooler that age. As others posted above, the memories are not just for the child alone and you can do most things with a 4 year old. There's something so incredibly special about taking a young child who still believes in the magic of everything around them. It's so beautiful to watch - and the parks are designed with the whole family in mind, not just children.

The big tip with a preschooler at Disneyland is to start each day with only ONE key thing you want to do. Don't try to do everything - that's what leads to frustration and disappointment. If the kid wants to stop and look at a duck for five minutes (and I don't mean Donald) on your way to the Small World ride - sure! Why not? Admire the cool castle while kiddo is having the time of his life looking at a duck. Eat popcorn and let the little one run joyfully around. You'll get to ride lots and do plenty stuff with him too, promise. If you go with one ride in mind you want to do, you'll feel extra accomplished when you walk out having done eight. Most rides are designed for kids of any height, especially in the main park.

This is such a lovely age for the Disney parks. Do it.

OJZJ · 04/08/2019 12:24

Lavenderblue THATS because the #makememories brigade are too busy taking the perfect shot of their kids "having fun" to stick on Facebook/instagram/Twitter etc to interact and create some bloody memories in the first place
Unihorn with you on that one.... my friends always say the money is wasted on my son taking him places all I know is he has a blast when he is there and that's enough for me...
OP defo take little one my son was three the first time he is seven tomorrow and we have been ten times in total, we do live 20 mins from Eurostar so takes us 3 hours door to door and cheaper than going up north to visit family. Each time memorable. Go out of season if poss so quieter the Walt Disney studios have lots of shows on that are targeted for the younger audience and inside if it's cold. I love the Xmas lights if you can go beginning of Dec before schools break up. The main park has loads for little ones and you can get time slots for meet and greet. I prefer DLP to UK based theme parks and as cheap tbh plus we take our own snacks and only have one main meal a day, Have fun

OJZJ · 04/08/2019 12:29

WHY do people say about the cost of food? 50 euros for 4 or more to eat out is comparable with the UK if you go to a fast food place like pizza hut or dominos etc
Also the Disney village has a macdonalds and their happy meals are so much nicer that British ones you even get a desert and it's only 4 euros

avalanching · 04/08/2019 12:36

If they have the 25% off and free half board offer take a look, we did that and found the food plentiful for us, we came back with money!

Oysterbabe · 04/08/2019 12:39

We're taking a 2 and 4 year old next year. Last term time holiday before the 4 year old starts school and we're limited to school holidays.

FilthyforFirth · 04/08/2019 12:40

Took DS for his 1st birthday and didnt regret it. We are big Disney fans and the look on his face meeting charecters was magical. We are going to WDW when he will be 3. Go for it I say!

Fragalino · 04/08/2019 12:48

I guess it's whether op can afford it, some people are on limited budgets and it's a fortune to spend.
There are ways of doing it cheaper usually by not entering into Disney opaque pricing system deliberately deigned to confuse and befuddle.
Look at other operators, magic breaks, attraction tix, staying off site and if chance of repeat visit, annual pass.

Out of interest though what else it's there to do with 4 year old aside from rides?

Compared to other theme parks, Disney has very little else to do with 4 year old. Op as example europa Park in Germany has beautiful area with loads of rides for tweenies. And a land called Ireland with loads more rides and a huge indoor and outdoor play area which alone would keep dc entertained all day.

Two amazing splash parks and then more rides and play areas for small dc.

What Disney exels at is the shows and parades. And that buzz around the castle would be memorable.
But in comparison to other places we're were really dissapointed for chill out, relaxing areas.

growlingbear · 04/08/2019 12:51

Yes. Took DC at around that age and they LOVED it. Perfect age, when the magic is still completely believable to them.

MoreSlidingDoors · 04/08/2019 14:26

DD, 3.5, announced loudly on entering the park that none of the characters were real. Didn’t destroy any of the magic - we’ve been 6 times since!

And yes, 25% and free meal plan is the way to go.

Debfronut · 04/08/2019 14:29

My kids have been going to Disney since 14 months old. The baby time experiences are for you the wonder at characters first experiences on the small rides. from 4 ish onward it is for them. He will love it and you again will have brilliant photos and memories. We are to Florida again next week and my 15 and 16 yr old say they are going home as they are familiar and love it and I will have another years photos and different experiences with them. Take him and have a wonderful time.

gemma19846 · 04/08/2019 15:30

4 is a fantastic age! We went in June with a 10 and 4 year old. We had an amazing time. Lots to do for a 4 year old.

Ratatouille
Buzz Lightyear
Casey Jnr
Its a Small World
The story book ride
Are a few rides he would love

TAKE A PRAM! If i could write that a million times then i would!

Also dont miss the parade they are every day at 5.30. Start to grab a place around 4.30. The fireworks are also a must on your last night (they start late)

PancakeAndKeith · 04/08/2019 15:31

I went to Disney in Florida when I was 5. I remember it still 40 years later.

SimonJT · 04/08/2019 15:34

We went in June with my son who had just turned four, he could go on lots of rides (he is tall for his age), he liked the characters etc. He naturally copes well with crowds etc as long as I am there and was happy to approach characters.

He really enjoyed it, but it does obviously depend on the individual child.

gemma19846 · 04/08/2019 15:37

Theres so much to see and do.

Alices Curious Labrnyth
Peter Pans Flight
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Flying Carpets Over Agrabah
Dumbo ride

He will absolutely love it

Mpr63 · 04/08/2019 18:57

Just came back from disney with 4 year old grandaughter, she loved it. Lots of walking so we took a buggy. We went for 3 nights, two day park tickets. If we went again ì would go for four nights, wouldn't have back to back days at the park. A days rest would be better.

Trazemy85 · 04/08/2019 19:36

We took our 4 and 7 year old in Feb. Take a buggy even if you have to buy one from gumtree cheap. Take plenty of snacks with you. We stayed in the Newport hotel and did half board plus. I took a lunchbox and juice bottle from home and made pack lunches from the breakfast buffet and a bottle a juice to put in their bottles. It was perfect! We are going again at Christmas because everyone loved it so much.

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