Disneyland Paris

[Gracie300]

Thinking of taking DD for her 5th bday - anyone know where any good deals can be found?!

Also AIBU to think this is a better idea than a birthday party?!

We have been twice, but DH arranged it,so I've no advice on booking,sorry.
But there are FB groups you can join, where there are people who go, like 3 times a year and they know all the hints and tips. They are good to ask.
The only hints I have are get the app for the rides waits, and the Qbot thing-you can book a slot for some rides thus avoiding queues.
Also, if you get meal vouchers you can use these for room service which we really liked.
We always went in term time so was pretty quiet, avoid Fridays and the weekend if you can.
Its utterly fabulous!

Holy shit yes! Way better than a bday party.

Groupon. Works out cheaper to stay at one of the Disney partner hotels rather than an actual Disney hotel (that's what Groupon does). They have free shuttles to and from the park every 10 mins. We stayed at the Kyriad hotel and it was fine.

3 nights inc flights from London and park tickets to both parks cost us £500.

5 is rather young....

Be prepared for her to be absolutely shattered!

No advice on booking but we took our DDs at that age. They were most interested in meeting the characters and princesses. We found the best ways to do this (to avoid endless queueing) was to book a character breakfast in cafe mickey and to meet princesses in restaurant auberge de cendrillon.

You can also meet some if you stay in Disney hotels as the sometimes have one in the entrance in the morning and you can get in the park an hour earlier and they are often about in the Main Street early.

YY to pp who said they will be really tired, we went last year when they were 10 and 8 and still they were too tired to stay and watch fireworks!! You will have a fab time

Don’t book as a package on their main website it’ll cost double. Avoid weekends and school holidays, particularly the French and Spanish holidays. We’ve been a few times and always book hotel through ebookers or the likes, tickets from picniq and Eurostar the day they’re released as they’re so much cheaper (unless you plan on driving/flying) take more spending money than you think as it’s very expensive, go half board if you can so your meals are always covered. Pre plan everything you want to do, check the map and write an itinerary. It doesn’t have to be followed to the t but it’s very helpful as things like shows can be on only once a day and you don’t want to miss them. It’s a fab place, check out trip advisor forum for any specific advice you need and have a great time!

We have booked for 4 nights after Xmas with DLPDirect.co.uk and it was £2500 staying at Hotel Santa Fe (Cars themed hotel) flights with Easy Jet and Half Board food deals. We've been a few times before but never stayed in Santa Fe Hotel before. My little girl was 5 when we went she is Minnie Mouse mad and she loved it . They are very busy but enjoyable days. I hope you find a good deal x

We have gone every year since my oldest daughter was 2 at lease once a year and ur never too young or old for Disneyland!! We always use Disneylandparis.co.uk and never had problem and they always have some sort of offer running, I will say, I know it looks alot sometimes but definitely choose an all inclusive meal plan u will save a fortune!! And have fun!!

There is a great fb page Disneyland paris tips for bits. You will get loads of information on offers but other really useful tips on there. The current offer is free half board that is due to change at the start of October but it's not known what the next offer will be. We took DD last year before she turned 4 and will take her again next spring when she 5. The character breakfasts are great at that age, the princess one is new and we cant wait try it.

Try booking through magic breaks, we booked through them for our trip earlier this year and had great service. They’re often much cheaper than booking through the official Disney site too.

I’d also recommend the Facebook group ‘Disneyland Paris For Brits’ it has information on absolutely everything on there!

We took our 4, almost 5 year old and she had the best time and asks everyday if we can go back. The days were long and tiring but she had a blast.

I booked with teletext holidays just download the app . it was much cheaper than travel agent . I booked park tickets separate and used the magic shuttle for airport transfer .

I would look at staying in Serris. We stay in an aparthotel near to a huge supermarket and mall and it’s a good escape when you’re all Disney’d out! There’s an aquarium too and the newest apart hotel has an indoor pool. Trust me- with a 5 year old you won’t want to spend all day in the park! Free buses run from right outside the hotel to the park frequently- typically a 15 min ride to the park which is often quicker/nearer than staying in a “Disney” hotel. Get tickets before you go (I’d buy through TopCashback you often get a nice wee payback!).

BellaMamma - we did exactly the same. It also has the advantage that you can get the RER train back if there’s a long wait for the bus. We stayed in the Adagio, which was fine.

I disagree about staying in the parks all day. We went last year for my DD 5th birthday and we stayed from open until close! Don't forget special birthday badge from City Hall/customer services and telephone call from Mickey.

I took my DS and DD when they were 4 and 5 and they completely forgot ever going. I took them again this year age 12 and 13 and they loved it and will remember it properly this time.

If you do go book direct through DLP as both times we went we got 2 free nights and days, the shuttle buses come every 5 minutes and life is just easier that way. We booked cheap easyjet flights to get there and back which was much quicker and cheaper than going by train which we did the first time round although either way of getting there is fine.

It cost £1500 for 3 of us in total incl flights for 4 nights and 5 days incl park entry for all 5 days booked directly through disneyland paris online staying at Cheyenne Hotel in August this year. The Fastpasses are extremely useful. We did stay till about 11pm every evening and didn't make use of the early morning magic hour this time as all wanted a lie in but queues are far less in the evening. Although when they were younger we were all in bed by 9pm and missed the fireworks.

we go a few times a year and am getting annual passes in Jan and going for my youngest daughters 4th birthday. I've looked into it and was amazed that with the discounts you get with Annual passes it is going to work out cheaper booking hotel through booking.com etc! We always stay at one of the hotels (Disney land hotel and Newport our fav although Sequoia lodge and DCR are good fun too) We have stayed off site before at magic circus. Saw some one say 5 is young to be going. it's absolutely not! perfect age although we have taken ours since babies and even they appreciate the atmosphere, colours, characters and music. Join Facebook groups (Disneyland Paris tips for brits is one if many) you are going to love it!!!

We've just booked through the Disney website, the cost of the park tickets is so eye watering I couldn't get it any cheaper doing it separately. They're doing 25% off and half board meal plans at the moment for Feb next year.

Going to use Tesco vouchers for the tunnel so that's free

I booked 6 of us through Easyjet and stayed at the Voyagers hotel (free shuttles to and from park) for £150 each for 3 nights in March. We had a five year old with us and absolutely loved it. Looking at doing it again next year.

*Explorers hotel

My dd was five and absolutely did not want to queue to meet a princess. It was concept not even in her head! She adored waving at them, spotting them... Seeing other characters but didn't buy into the 'hug'.
. We did the Princess dash one day... Queued 20 mins and saw cinders. Dd enjoyed it but didn't ask to do it again.
Much of this is leaned behavior taught by the adults. My dd much prefred big thunder mountain.

If there is any chance you may return.. Look at annual passes and staying at partner hotels. It really is somewhere you need to know to have best time.

Or take her to another truly amazing park which is same distance from UK. Efteling.

Either adaggio hotel is great, there is a swimming pool, and u get a kitchenette which is invaluable. Breakfast included, can order takeaways in reception if u want. take a few emergency rations like a loaf of bread, tin of beans etc. Free shuttle 1 stop to Disney. these w hotels are the same distance as Disney ones by in opposite direction to the park. Will definitely be going to the adaggio again, so much cheaper than a Disney 1. If u book tkts direct get them before 1st April when prices go up a lot!