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Original poster

To say that Disney Paris is brilliant with older kids

38 replies

Croissantsetchampignons · 08/08/2023 15:16

Went to Disney Paris for 2 days with 11 & 15 year old.

Everyone said before they were too old & that it’s mainly for young kids that want to be princesses etc but actually it was brilliant and the total opposite.

And loads & loads of older European kids there. We did both parks over 2 days & did everything from the buzz light year ride to thunder mountain & marvel and they loved all of it!

I actually think it’s way better with older kids as they really get it and there’s tons for them to do.

So if you are thinking about it with older kids, do it! It’s great!

OP posts:
minipie · 08/08/2023 15:26

Thanks for this, I’ve been debating for my two age 8 and 11. Definitely both very over the princess phase. Good to know they enjoyed anyway.

How were the queues?

Original poster
Croissantsetchampignons · 08/08/2023 15:31

minipie · 08/08/2023 15:26

Thanks for this, I’ve been debating for my two age 8 and 11. Definitely both very over the princess phase. Good to know they enjoyed anyway.

How were the queues?

Queues ranged from 10 mins to over an hour depending on the ride but we just went with it. You can pay your way in on the very busy ones if you want but we felt we’d already paid tons! We stayed off site too 10 mins away & that was also great & cheaper! Stayed in a premier in type place in Bailly- Romanvillers. Was great! Would really recommend- there were honestly more older kids than little ones!

OP posts:
minipie · 08/08/2023 15:39

Thanks! Yes agree staying off site makes sense.

Whenlifegivesyoulemonsmakelemonade · 08/08/2023 15:44

We just got back from a week at the Villages Nature CP resort near Disneyland Paris with my 13 yo DD and 7 yo DD. They both absolutely loved our two days at Disneyland, definitely the highlight of the holiday for them both and neither are into the princess scene anymore! There are some amazing fast / thriller rides such as the Avengers, Hyperspace Mountain, big thunder mountain etc. And the queues for those rides was significantly shorter than the more family oriented ones! Around 15-20 mins for those rides. Plus the park is open until 10pm!!

Anniegetyourgun · 08/08/2023 15:45

I went there 20 years ago with DS1 who was 18, and DS4 who was 6. They both managed to have a whale of a time. The little one was fascinated with the dragon under the castle and the runaway mine train, which we went on about 7 times in the course of a weekend. The big one carried the little one on his shoulders, took him out in the evening to watch the fireworks and parade when my feet packed in, and went on all the scary rides that his brother was too short and his mother too cowardly to tackle. I was deeply impressed with the haunted castle and enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean - thrilled a couple of years later to see how they'd shoehorned so many scenes into the movie! Despite the weather being abysmal, an excellent time was had by all.

EvilElsa · 08/08/2023 15:47

YANBU. I'm glad you had an amazing time! It's definitely easier with older kids. We go to Florida a lot (although less to Disney now as we all prefer Universal) and my kids definitely enjoy it more now as older teens than as young primary aged children.
I have to say I unfortunately absolutely hated Disneyland Paris. I was so excited to go and we just didn't enjoy it at all. This was quite a few years back now so obviously things have probably changed but it was full of people smoking in the ride queues (I got burned in the Ratatouille line!) and the food area was dire (and full of real rats!). I found the staff rude as well. Maybe I'd hyped it up too much in my head before visiting!

Original poster
Croissantsetchampignons · 08/08/2023 16:01

@EvilElsa ha, I think they have banned smoking in the queues now or anywhere onsite bar a few places. It was way cleaner than I was expecting and I even had some vegan food choices which is near a miracle in France for me!! It was all really positive thankfully! Maybe they have cleaned their act up!! I had heard horror stories myself!

OP posts:
cheezncrackers · 08/08/2023 16:07

I agree OP. The first time I went to Disney I was 17 and I LOVED it! At that age you can go on everything and the big rides are just brilliant for teens, but I liked Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World and all those ones for younger kids too. Ratatouille is fabulous for all ages (my DF in his 70s absolutely loved it and went on several times as a single rider Grin)

Original poster
Croissantsetchampignons · 08/08/2023 16:10

@cheezncrackers YES!! We loved Ratatouille too and Pirates!! And Spider-Man and buzz light year. The Star Wars simulator was awesome too!

OP posts:
SherlocksDeerstalker · 08/08/2023 16:10

I’ve been with older kids both this summer and last. Personally I really enjoyed it, but there are a couple of things that grate for me, the worst being staff attitudes. Having been to most of the Disney parks worldwide bar Japan and Shanghai, I can honestly say Disney staff have never been so rude and abrupt! I was actually shouted at in the queue for ratatouille for not understanding a mimed hand movement, and the woman continually screeched ‘GET BACK!!’ At my group until we were where she wanted us. Just wouldn’t happen in any other Disney park. So, staff aside (and that wasn’t the only incident BTW) my kids and students have an absolute ball. And I’d definitely go back, with a thicker skin 😁

Tiny2018 · 08/08/2023 16:10

I'd love to take mine next year, by which time they'll be 18 and 11. I always promised my eldest I would take her one day but haven't been in the position to do so until recently.

I did secretly wonder if she would be too old, so thank you for this xx

HereForTheFreeLunch · 08/08/2023 16:12

Agree, just did 2 days with my 12 and 17 year old - both loved it.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 08/08/2023 16:12

I just went with two older teen boys and we loved it.
Lots of goes around the spiderman ride to try and beat our high scores.
They quite liked some of the restaurants too - the one in the hotel new York in particular and the seafood buffet in Newport Bay.

Original poster
Croissantsetchampignons · 08/08/2023 16:15

@Tiny2018 tbh there were groups of older students, young adults, couples, teens, all of it!!

OP posts:
dizzydizzydizzy · 08/08/2023 16:16

Me and then 18yo DC went in March and had a blast. We have now been to every single Disney park worldwide. For some reason, Paris, the nearest, was the last one we visited. Only bad bit was that our cash was stolen from our (Disney) hotel room.

DesparatePragmatist · 08/08/2023 16:20

Just realised thread I need, thank you OP! I'm planning a trip for DC 7 and 12 for the first time, and am bamboozled by options.

In a 2 day trip, should i get one day ticket for each park?

is it worth getting there mid afternoon (eurostar) for part of the day, or should we focus on full days only?

Is it worth going for the full/half board meal options in the hotels?

Could recent visitors with similar age children advise me?!

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 08/08/2023 16:22

I went at the age of 21 and loved it!
I always say disney is wasted on the kids as the don't fully appreciate it! 🤣🤣

Original poster
Croissantsetchampignons · 08/08/2023 16:32

@DesparatePragmatist we just booked a 2 day ticket for specific dates & you can move between the parks as you want! We went in both on the 1st day! Focus on full days as you’ll need them with queue time. I would stay off site as you can get breakfast in hotel, take food in and maybe eat an evening meal onsite. There’s a pret at the train station next to Disney too!

OP posts:
Whenlifegivesyoulemonsmakelemonade · 08/08/2023 16:33

@DesparatePragmatist I would get a 2 day 2 parks ticket and do one park each day. You'll definitely need a full day at least for each Park so I'd arrive the day before you're planning to go. I've done half board at one of the hotel a few years ago and it was definitely worthwhile. Why not try the Villages Nature CP with your older kids though and then you get to use the amazing pool there on your day of arrival and the day you leave!

EmmaPaella · 08/08/2023 16:35

I am planning on taking my kids when they are older too. We were too broke and tired when they were little. I first went aged 21 and loved it.

RockGirl · 08/08/2023 16:36

SherlocksDeerstalker · 08/08/2023 16:10

I’ve been with older kids both this summer and last. Personally I really enjoyed it, but there are a couple of things that grate for me, the worst being staff attitudes. Having been to most of the Disney parks worldwide bar Japan and Shanghai, I can honestly say Disney staff have never been so rude and abrupt! I was actually shouted at in the queue for ratatouille for not understanding a mimed hand movement, and the woman continually screeched ‘GET BACK!!’ At my group until we were where she wanted us. Just wouldn’t happen in any other Disney park. So, staff aside (and that wasn’t the only incident BTW) my kids and students have an absolute ball. And I’d definitely go back, with a thicker skin 😁

The staff in Japan are the best!

RockGirl · 08/08/2023 16:38

Oh and if you go to Paris don't overlook Crush's Coaster, it's a great ride!

CouldBeOuting · 08/08/2023 16:38

First time we went to Disneyland Paris DD was two and a half ish. Second time she was four and I was pregnant. Then when DS was three and DD was five. Lots of times since including last year when they were 24 and 19!

You certainly don’t need to be a child to enjoy it!

CouldBeOuting · 08/08/2023 16:42

*That should have send DS was three and Dd was eight (she is five year older).

LunchBoxPolice · 08/08/2023 16:57

We’re going in November (dc 3 and almost 10) can’t wait!