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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not see the appeal in visiting Disneyland.

30 replies

CBCB7992 · 15/09/2019 11:28

^^ as above. DS is 8 and DD is 4. Both my mum and mother in law are insistent that they and all children need a bloody trip to Disneyland Paris during their childhood. I would if they would fund it 🤣 (jokes)

I just can’t help think there are plenty of holidays we could enjoy. Somewhere less busy (neither me or DS like busy places). Neither children are massive Disney fans.

I went to Disneyland when I was a kid. I can’t really remember too much but I don’t have these magical memories from going. In fact, the opposite. We only went for a few days, it was such a rush to fit everything in, the queues were awful, it was freezing cold and probably wouldn’t suit our family. We prefer more chilled out Places.

Everytime mil comes over she reminds us to start saving for Disneyland!!

Disneyland is great if that’s what you wanna do and can afford it but my two would love a holiday chilled by the pool, a beach nearby and an amusement arcade.

Surely I’m not the only one who thinks that Disney trips aren’t necessary??

OP posts:
LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 15/09/2019 11:31

Yanbu. Disneyland is my idea of hell and the dc wouldn't enjoy it either.

MyGirlDaisy · 15/09/2019 11:35

We never took ours to Disneyland because they really weren’t in to Disney. I actually asked them a few weeks ago if they thought they had missed out - we were having a general past holiday destinations discussion and where friends had gone - and they weren’t bothered, said they didn’t really get Disney and the appeal of it. Horses for courses I think, some love it and that’s great if it’s your thing - but I don’t think it’s a must for every child! Of course it also depends on your budget - guess it isn’t cheap!

NailsNeedDoing · 15/09/2019 11:35

As you're talking about Disneyland Paris, yanbu. It's really not that much better than any other theme park. Florida is different though, and while it's of course not necessary, personally, I would have been sad if I couldn't have taken my dc while they were children.

PapayaCoconut · 15/09/2019 11:39

I've seen pictures from friends' holidays and I think eurodisney seems extremely underwhelming but Florida is probably pretty cool.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 15/09/2019 11:40

there's an almost identical thread on this at the moment.

Idontwanttotalk · 15/09/2019 11:43

YANBU - that's just your opinion. Personally I can't see the appeal of Disneyland, Paris. I thought it was crap. However, I love Disneyland, Los Angeles and Disney World in Orlando is quite good. I never went to any of these until I was in my 30s.

If you and your DC aren't into Disney then I suggest you just tell your MIL precisely that. No need to keep doing stuff you don't want to do and wasting your holidays.

What do you say to her when she asks you to start saving for it?

superram · 15/09/2019 11:44

We’ve done Disneyland Paris and Disney in la. We had a great time. It is massively expensive. I have no desire to spend two weeks in Florida and it be the focus of our holiday. Horses for courses, just nod and smile.

Aderyn19 · 15/09/2019 11:45

If course it's not 'necessary'. That people think it is, is indicative of a successful marketing campaign and that's all. The same with diamond engagement rings.
I took DD to Disneyland California - the rides were amazing but it certainly wasn't a magical event worth spending money you don't have on. It was crowded and expensive and at times felt like a cattle market. Disney is just a very very good theme park - most of us managed to grow up perfectly happy without it!

1stmonkey · 15/09/2019 11:48

Of course YANBU. You know what your children would enjoy. It's certainly not a "must do" trip as far as i'm concerned though.
We did Eurodisney a couple of years ago with DD and she loved it. Dh and i knew we wouldn't so made sure to book a nice hotel with facilities that we would enjoy and managed to make it work for all of us.
Dd still counts it as her "best holiday ever" but she's 8, what does she know?? 😉

Adreamaday · 15/09/2019 11:51

No, However also nothing wrong with enjoying a Disney holiday. My children have been on Disney holidays, We enjoy them but I don't think children who don't go on them are missing out on something. Many Disney fans talk about "making happy childhood memories" by taking their children to Disney and I really don't agree with them on that. It is simply not true & some parents can't afford to take there children on any holiday and it does not mean they don't have happy childhood memories. One of my children is now almost an adult and definitely didn't need Disneyland for happy childhood memories. It is just a theme park.

TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 15/09/2019 11:54

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3692147-to-not-get-disney

We have this thread every week.

BeyondMyWits · 15/09/2019 11:55

We have been, we enjoyed it, it was a holiday, we had fun...

if you don't want to go, just say you will not be saving for Disneyland, if you are paying you get to choose.

Willow2017 · 15/09/2019 12:03

Of course it's not necessary but if people want to go what's it got to do.with anyone else?

I took my (just) teens to Florida for 2 weeks and we had an absolute ball between Disney and Universal and other places. It's not just dress up characters there is so much more to it. I was like a big kid too. It was a one off trip of a lifetime (we stayed in a hotel between both places not on site to save money and had days just chilling by the pool) but if I won the lottery I would go.back in a heartbeat.

We also do other holidays where we soak up culture and history so it's not mutually exclusive.

Your kids your choice tell your dm and mil to start saving themselves if they want your kids to go.

Personally, spending money to go lie on a beach is my idea of hell but if that's what someone likes it's their choice doesn't affect me at all.

RuggerHug · 15/09/2019 12:08

Every time MIL says it ask if she's saving to bring them since she obviously feels like she's missed out herself not going. Because you've told her you won't be going.

Septembersunrays · 15/09/2019 12:14

Does one trip to cheaper dlp come at exclusion of any other type of holiday ever?

It does need planning and tbh a few visits to know what your doing. We don't like queues by 3rd visit with a pass we had it down.. Beautiful timing.

We also did it in a very economical way.
I'm not huge Disney fan and never went when I was young. But I do enjoy the films. The park is fun... The rides are fun, the shows and parades are excellent and if don't right it's fun and not a rush and not too ££.

What irritates me, is that people seemed programed into Disney as the only theme park! There are so many other amazing theme parks. The UK doesn't compare in any way.
Puy du foy, no rides just shows, tivoli gardens is the oldest theme park and gave Walt his inspiration for Disney.
Europa Park is good, not amazing but different. Incredible hotels.
Toverland in Netherlands, duinrell in Netherlands and finally my absolute favourite.

Efteling which is truly stunning park, far prettier and more fantastical than Disney.

I do think one visit to one of these places is fun for dc to do. Esp some where like efteling where their imaginations can run free..

Septembersunrays · 15/09/2019 12:16

I also think bucket and spade and interesting beach with Rock pools is best kids hols unless they already live near a beach

BogglesGoggles · 15/09/2019 12:18

My husband suggested taking ours to give new rest. Needless to say he was banned and packed off on a week in the finish wilderness instead.

HairyFloppins · 15/09/2019 12:23

We love it.

Not overly keen on Paris.

But we absolutely loved Anaheim.

Saving to go back next year.

fishonabicycle · 15/09/2019 12:29

Would never have done it for myself, but my parents took me, husband, 8 year old son, my brother and sis in law to Florida some time ago and Disney land was great fun! We went as early as possible and hit as many rides as we could quickly! Such a laugh running around.

CarolDanvers · 15/09/2019 12:35

@HairyFloppins have you been to Florida. How would you compare it with Anaheim if you have? Been to DLP and Florida and enjoyed both and considering California. Worth it?

happycamper11 · 15/09/2019 12:38

I always thought it was unnecessary but DD who isn't in to Disney in any way went with brownies and had the most amazing time. She desperately wants to go back. Kids probably appreciate it more and it's harder to see as adults

Barbel · 15/09/2019 12:41

Disney would be thee worst holiday for my family! I do not see the appeal at all.
Each to their own, I'm sure it's amazing for some people, but not for us xxx

PooWillyBumBum · 15/09/2019 12:44

Been to Paris twice with DD (one trip was gifted to us) and once to Florida. DDs grandparents have also taken her to Florida twice(!) - once to the park and once for a Disney cruise. Spoilt only grandchild!

Pregnant with no 2, 12 year age gap, won’t be bothering with this one!! DD speaks more fondly of other holidays, and her favourite Disney was the one in Paris. And the reason for that was it was just her and I and we had loads of quality time! Honestly I don’t think they’re worth the expense and as an adult I hated it. The crowds, the queuing, the shitty overpriced food, compared to blissful fortnights spent exploring Loire (with DD running/cycling around all day with a gaggle of European kids), or days spent exploring culturally rich cities, or going to North Africa or India and immersing ourselves in another world. As funds and time off are limited we just wouldn’t go again. I only went because I felt we should but in retrospect that was bollocks.

Oh and I went as a child - I was 6 - and don’t remember it!! We aren’t massive Disney fans in this house though. Don’t really find anything magical about people dressed up as them either.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 15/09/2019 12:45

We love Disneyland Paris and have been many times.

However... going somewhere hot and spending a fortnight in a beachside hotel would be my idea of hell.

We are all different.

Glitterpearl · 15/09/2019 12:46

We took our two to DLP when they were 10 and 6. We all had a fantastic time when there, the eldest especially just lit up completely and really loved it.

When we got home and suggested booking to go back for Christmas the following year, both DC said a firm no. We were shocked tbh. But I think that the crowds, the heat and the general go go go nature of it put them off.

So now I think about it as something I am so glad we did, we have brilliant memories, ticked the box, and I fulfilled my childhood desire to go, but we probably won't go as a family holiday again any time soon.

Florida I think is entirely different though. DLP is very small and IMO not worth the price it is now.

(DH and I may do a few weekends just the two of us if we can get a cheap deal, but I am aware that many people understand adults going without kids even less.)