To say that Disney Paris is brilliant with older kids

[Croissantsetchampignons]

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!

@SherlocksDeerstalker yes I had a bit of eye rolling when the crepe stall at ratatouille got my order wrong - obvs it was my fault 😂

Thanks for this OP. I’ve been looking at taking DS as a surprise next year for his 10th birthday.
Do you think 2 days in the park is enough to do most of the rides? I was debating going for 3 days but it’s over £200 to add an extra day for the dates I want which seems too much

@Littlebean13 yes, I think 2 days is fine & we did most of what we wanted to do! Parks are open late until 10/11pm so you can do 2 long days if you wanted to!

Excellent intel, thank you @Croissantsetchampignons and @Whenlifegivesyoulemonsmakelemonade . Will abandon messing about with half days. I hadn't thought of going to a non-Disney hotel either, will check out Villages Nature!

No one is too old for Disneyland!!

We’ve just been with our 17 year old who has ASD and our 12 year old
They absolutely loved it and the Disney staff are amazing with people with disabilities

What did you think of the Villages Natures, been looking at it but the reviews seem very mixed? I do much prefer having an apartment or similar than all being in one hotel room though so it is appealing to me!

We went as adults pre kids! And still love it with a 15 year old. Much easier without toddlers.

I love nearly everything about disneyland Paris!
Only thing Is when the fireworks come on people scramble onto all the side bits you're not supposed to stand on. So our disability friendly seats were no longer with people all stood on the wall in front of us 😔. Frustrating noone told people not to.

I went there with a bunch of mates when we were about 17 and we had a great time! Admittedly that was 30 years ago, but I think if you like white-knuckle rides and the whole mad theme park spectacle of it, you'll enjoy it whatever age you are. You don't have to want to hug Goofy or anything.

I also would have thought that older kids will benefit from actually being tall enough for all the rides - also, more able to be on their feet all day and stand in queues, and less likely to get lost or throw a massive tantrum because you won't buy them a giant cuddly Dumbo. Also you wouldn't have to constantly try and gauge whether something might be too scary for them.

Just wanted to add that the parks aren't always open till 10/11pm, those are peak time hours. It varies depending on the time of year and day of the week. I went in March when both parks closed at 9. We did 2 full days, plus a bit of time the day we arrived and the morning of the day we left. We did everything we wanted to, and didn't feel like were rushed. We also at sit down meals in the middle of the day. If we'd had quick service meals we'd have been able to fit everything in 2 full days I think.

We have been at various ages and it's been really good at each one in a different way. We had to cancel an activity holiday this year and 17 yo DS asked to go to DLP instead, unfortunately DS2 15 is scared of nearly all rides so just a bit expensive really. We will save for Florida I think as that's great for adults.

I have been several times just adults also, so much fun!

Yes we went out of peak season as I wouldn't manage til 10pn so wanted the fireworks earlier!

@HotDogHotDiggityDog We really liked it at Villages Nature, the pool is amazing (over 7 different slides plus lazy river, climbing wall, toddler areas etc) and there is even a farm with pony rides and a fab soft play for rainy afternoons! Plus some nice restaurants and delicious bakery on site. It's a 25-ish min bus trip direct to Disney but it isn't bad at all, very frequent bus service which runs late into the evening. I've also stated before at the Newport Bay hotel on site and whilst that was very nice too, I do prefer for us all to be under one roof with our own space for a longer stay.