To book a holiday to Disneyland Paris?

[PurpleRains]

Bit of background. DP and I have been together 12 years. Occasionally we’ve taken 2 x 1 week holidays per year, but mostly just one 1 week holiday, to different holiday cottages in Cornwall. We’ve been abroad twice in 12 years, once to Iceland (my dream trip when I came into some money, before DC) and once to a European capital city with friends (without DC). We’ve been to the Lake District, Wales and North Devon each for a week’s holiday, and DP considers that we have now ‘done’ these locations. Each time we’ve been somewhere other than Cornwall I’ve had to persuade DP to go. He doesn’t enjoy flying at all, but really enjoyed Iceland when we went, so flying is a possibility.

This year we both want to go away twice. He’s suggested two different UK locations for a holiday cottage (1 is Cornwall). I would like to spend one week doing something more exciting. DS1 is 7 and DS2 is 1 (he was a lovely surprise!). I think it’s time DS1 goes on a plane, sees something more of the world, gets to do something that he’s asked to do. He’s asked to go to Disneyland Paris, but he’s not desperate about it. DP doesn’t want to go there, says DS1 will be happy wherever we go, and that we can’t do anything like that whilst DS2 is so young. I don’t want DS1 to wait till he’s 13/14 to go abroad, just so that DS2 is ‘old enough’ I think we just need to bite the bullet and go.

It’s driving me crazy! I know I can’t force DP to go somewhere different, and if it’s a complete nightmare it’ll be my fault, but I also think what if it does work out and we all had a lovely time?

AIBU to keep pushing a holiday to Disneyland Paris?

YANBU about getting DS abroad, but I wouldn't bother with DLP this year. Half of one of the parks is boarded up for Frozen land construction until 2026. We're going to go to Efteling in the Netherlands I think!

Thank you - I had no idea about that!

Eurostar to Paris from London is an option to consider given a dislike of flying. There have been direct trains to Disneyland Paris but I think they have ended or are about to.

Better to stay in Paris and get the local train to Disneyland Paris for a day.

YANBU at all, I'd hate to go to the same place every year on holiday. Disneyland isn't for everyone (although it is for me!) but I agree with you that it's good for kids to see a bit more of the world.

Efteling is fantastic. Much more chilled than DLP! We went on the ferry from Hull, a stay in the Loonsche Land hotel, then a week at TerSpegelt Eurocamp. DS was 7 at the time and loved it.

YANBU. It’s a good idea to stay travelling abroad with your DCs, and getting them used to flying and other places.

DLP isn’t the best, so I agree with the pp who suggested staying in Paris and going for the day. Or a sun holiday with a pool, kept mine happy for days

There’s Legoland in Denmark too. And I’m sure others will have lots of suggestions!

You could also take your DCs, or even just the older one, yourself if your DP isn’t interested. I took mine a few times myself

Yanbu. Although Disney is under construction at the moment as the other poster said. I'm going to suggest you look at Eurocamps. We love the one by Paris and have used it as a base to go to Disneyland Paris (much cheaper) before. It's a great campsite with so much to do. Also have a look at Duinrell. Both easily driveable from the ferry or euro tunnel too.

We went to PortAventura in Spain last May half term, with DS6. Flew to Barcelona airport and stayed on site. Highly recommend! One of you could stay by the pool with the youngest if you wanted.

Brussels, Amsterdam, bruges etc all accessible by Eurostar. You could do a bit of a city break and visit a couple of places like that ?

Have a look at beekse bergen, efteling and duinrell (the spelling of the last is probably wrong).

Yes, I’ve looked at that. We’re quite a way from London, so we have extra journey time to factor in. I was favouring flying so as less transport changes and less time with DS2 sat on our laps. But I’m not against it.

i was also looking at splitting our week between DLP and Paris itself. DS1 would love to see the Eiffel Tower.

I’m open to other suggestions, but in case we don’t go abroad for another 6 years, I’d like DS1 to tick off a major landmark (blame Go Jetters 😂)!

I took my boys to DLP a couple of times at that age. I took my eldest when he was 2.5 but my youngest was only 18 months when we took him. He was a little bit young, it’s tough when they are not walking as you need to carry them through every queue. 2.5 was perfect, he adored the characters and could stand up and have a little dance with them. Old enough to shout out the names of rides and characters and appreciate the photographs etc.
We went a couple of times after that but nothing matched that trip with a toddler, they really suck up the magic at that age

We go every year, usually stay at a eurocamp an hour away from Disney and have trips to Disney and Paris. We drive over from lancs, super easy (especially the French side) kids also get to go on ferry or tunnel. The eurocamp is a brilliant base

I always travelled from the time my children were babies so YANBU with respect to travelling. Ive never found my children any less/more difficult on holiday and if youre going to be travelling anyway cant see any difference being at home/abroad

In saying that we did DLP when our youngest was 18 months old. Was a great holiday and she loved it at the time but she doesnt remember it at all so wants to go again. In hindsight I should have waited another year or two as my other DD still would have been young enough to appreciate it as well. Its an expensive trip and no my cup of tea (something we did for the kids) so dont relish having to repeat the experience😆

What does your DH like doing in Cornwall and on other UK holidays? Would he be more easily swayed by something like that? Should you be looking for a beach holiday or watersports near a landmark?

Ibis Hotel at Val D'Europe shopping centre is a great budget option for DLP

Take the red RER train from Paris, hotel is next to train platform, and it's just one stop to DLP

If this is one shot at getting your DH abroad (and possibly with hope of convincing him on broadening his holiday horizons for the future) then I'm not sure I would pick DLP on its own, I would mix it up with other things and make it 7-10 days minimum. I would be tempted to drive but the plane would be more of an experience for DC.

Doing DLP on its own whilst fun it's exhausting and no downtime if travel there/back with no other days or activities factored in.

We have a trip to DLP booked this year but in my mind it's not the same category as a holiday as such.

Oh I wish it was as simple as that! 🤦‍♀️
DP likes being near the sea, he doesn’t like sand (obviously DC do!). DP doesn’t do water sports now (previously surfed a little), DS1 does not like being in the sea.

When we go away we do local attractions, preferably out of season so not too many people for DP. It easily costs us £100 a day by the time we’ve spent on admissions and snacks etc. I feel we’ve exhausted Cornwall, at least until DS2 is old enough to do them all again!

What's his obsession with Cornwall? There's so many lovely places to go other than that!

Holidaying in the UK is expensive and the weather can be miserable, we never holiday in the UK, for me it's a waste of money. We have a similar age gap with our 2 DC, our youngest is 2.5 and she has been to Cyprus, Greece and DLP. Our eldest is well travelled for his age. I'm with you, go abroad, why is partner against foreign travel?

Cornwall is lovely but not every year

I'm going to go out on a tangent and suggest you go somewhere abroad that's like Cornwall but better, so he can get something of what he likes but physically sees there's much better out there (and much better weather) too. After that perhaps he will be keener on flying and exploring more places.

Northern France and Belgium have beaches and decent sun in the summer. You can even get a ferry to both thus saving the flight

Thank you, that’s exactly what it is! And I think I’m hesitating and seeking advice because I know I’m prioritising DS1’s excitement above DP’s want/need for a relaxing holiday.