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?

Based on your update OP please keep on with trying to book something different, Cornwall is lovely but there is so much more of the world to see if you can afford to.

I got very fed up with how much daily costs can be on those types of holidays in the UK when we were actually trying to do it on a budget and self catering etc. We can often go abroad for less, with no self catering and far better weather.

I appreciate you are starting from a position where doesn't sound like your DH had much interest in going abroad before DC though, so maybe not the easiest.

Also what's the reason for 1 week holidays - is a 2 week holiday an option? It can make so much difference

Please book somewhere abroad!! Travelling really broadens children's minds. There's absolutely nothing mine enjoy more!
DS (just turned 7) has done Mallorca, Menorca, Salou, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Disneyland Paris x 4, Florida, DD3 has done all of this but half the DLP trips and not Mallorca.
This year we've booked Interrailing passes and are going to France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. This would be a great option if not keen on flying.
I'd definitely recommend Efteling in Holland like others have done, but also wouldn't be put off Disneyland Paris at the moment either, it's one part of one park being refurbished. You really wouldn't even know the Frozen Expansion was happening. It's still amazing and magical. DD had her first trip at 15mths, DS at 18mths, perfect for those ages.

You can do both though.

You obviously have a decent holiday budget if you're going away twice a year - Cornwall is so expensive! I can't imagine not using some of that to make sure my children could see a bit of the world.

Sounds like your DH might find DLP genuinely unpleasant and stressful though, so I think you need a more general conversation about holiday priorities and what you want the children to experience. Then do DLP as a one off one year, if your DH thinks you'll be wanting something similarly full-on every year he'll only dig his heels in I suspect.

Ugh I’d hate this ! Disneyland Paris - could just you and older son go for a long weekend? And do a different family holiday?

i don’t agree with the argument of waiting til older no one is older -
my 7 month old has been on 15 flights already (4 of those long haul)

my older daughter was in Japan at 20 months and we had an amazing time - she went to Disneyland there and we had a blast

would you start travelling without your husband? I love trips with just me and my kids if my husband can’t get the time off !

It’s not too far, we don’t have to spend half our holiday travelling. We run our own business which remains open whilst we’re away, therefore if anything happened we could easily get back if we needed to (we never have!). He knows where everything is.
🤷‍♀️

Just to add I travel with the kids on my own too when my husband can't make it - we stagger annual leave to help with school holidays, we have holidays together but I also take our DC abroad on my own when it's just me off work, they are 7 and 8 and have been doing that a few years now, different types of trips to when we are all together but always had a great time.

I think minimum age for a child to actually enjoy and make the most of it is about 7. I really don't see the point in taking younger children and would consider how the experience will affect your 1yo as they may feel overwhelmed by the crowds and noise. We took our DCs when they were 11 and 13 for 2 days and was more than enough. The queues are ridiculous (most are anything up to 2 hours) and unless you are Disney obsessed are not worth it. We will never go again. Efteling in Netherlands or Tivoli in Denmark much better for younger kids. Or if you prefer Paris then go to Asterix.

Thank you all for your time and comments, lots of options to consider. To answer a few questions…

DP never went abroad as a child, and has done a few holidays abroad as an adult but not many (now 45). He’s generally anxious about things going wrong, but obviously can deal with it easier when in UK. However, once he’s been abroad and got back ok he’s enjoyed the experience.

Two week holidays are not possible - we run a hospitality business so are busiest during school holidays. We take DS1 out of school at the moment, this will obviously get harder.

I agree with PP By the way. 1 is too young to enjoy Disney and you'd be constantly struggling with queues and crowds. It's a kind of exhausting place to be honest! I don't think it would be much of a holiday !

Another vote for Eurocamp near Paris. Loads of activities for kids to enjoy and close enough for day trips to Disney.

1 is definitely not too young to enjoy Disney. Both of mine have been at age 1 and imo it's the absolute easiest holiday to do at that age. Mine absolutely loved it, they love the rides, the shows, parades, characters, so much to see and experience. I know lots of friends who've taken toddlers too and had the most amazing time.
They went to Florida 2mths ago at 6 and 3 and had the best time of their lives.

Given you have to go during termtime, I'd be getting as much done now as you can.

Ours were 2 and 5 when we went to DLP. Both thoroughly enjoyed and I'd say both got a lot out of it - the only difference is that several years later, only ds1 remembers it.

In your shoes I'd wait a year until the smallest was 2 - ime they get far more flexible every passing year with food, bed times etc so I'd wait just a bit.

We went the week before England's May half term and DLP was quiet! Most of the rides (exceptions of things like Crush) were 20 minutes or under. Good weather too.

I'd still skip at the moment. Bug Thunder Mountain is closed until late in the year.

Age 7 is perfect for DLP. Age 2 is still old enough to be excited by some of the little rides and characters. I think under 3 year olds may go free but I'm not 100% sure.

I love DLP. I've been twice with my children and we have always had a fabulous time.

A week is probably a bit long. I'd do 4 - 5 days at Disney staying in a Disney Hotel if at all possible and then finish the holiday with a couple of days in Paris.

I also love Cornwall and the other UK places you have been but it's nice to do something different and memorable as well when you can.

If.youre having 2 holidays, I think it's fair that he gets to pick one holiday and you get to pick one.

It's your life too OP, travel is a beautiful thing and DH is being a bit of an arse to veto nice things you want to do with the kids because of a vague 'doesn't really like flying' (who does?).

Sounds like Disney is worth a swerve for 12 months but definitely go & have an adventure outside of the UK.

Isn’t DLP always under construction though? After the Frozen land finishes they’re planning to add a Lion King area. I think large areas of construction are unavoidable if you want to visit in the next few years.

www.disneylandparis-news.com/en/disneyland-paris-will-welcome-the-worlds-first-attraction-and-immersive-themed-area-inspired-by-the-lion-king-and-reveals-that-world-of-frozen-will-open-in-2026/

Not like this with a full park rename and remodel. Recent TripAdvisor reviews have commented that so much is closed, including the Hollywood dining area at the entrance, that everyone feels extra crammed in. It's fair enough if someone's going regularly but I don't think taking a reluctant DH just now gives the best impression. It's not like it's any cheaper.

Another vote here for the beaches in Normandy. Drive, take the Eurotunnel and find a campsite with a pool and waterslides - I reckon you could do it cheaper than Cornwall and you wouldn't need the days out for entertainment.

Take the kids on your own . Don’t waste their childhood waiting on your husband to make a decision. .

Should it be better after Frozen is open? I’m curious as we’re also not sure whether to go October this year or wait until 2026 due to the construction.

For OP - I agree with @Suzuki76 I think it’s better if you’re both on board, you don’t want a holiday where your partner may feel resentful at being there when they didn’t really want to go.

IMO DLP is really special. We have taken our DCs at various ages, youngest 5 months. Your 1 yo will be fine as its geared up for kids. Personally I prefer staying in a DLP hotel, we have just got the train into Paris when we have wanted, it's dead easy, only ever spent a day in Paris though as prefer to be in Disney.

I was looking at the app the other day and there aren't loads of rides closed due to the work. They are doing a refurb on a couple but that is always the case.

The new Marvel hotel is fab also!

I think it will be. The problem isn't closed rides, it's just giant screens and cardboard corridors. This video at about 3 mins shows it pretty well. It's just not very magical.

I went last year and tbh was really meh about it - Except for the fireworks/drone show (which your 1yo def would not appreciate)

go to Efteling instead, it’s ace. And can be combined with Amsterdam or any Dutch city. And you can take the train instead of flying. (We took the overnight ferry which was a bit of an adventure that the kids loved)

Definitely go abroad. Definitely don’t go to Disneyland Paris. DC2 is too young to appreciate and it might put your DH going abroad ever again!

I’d maybe get a gite in France somewhere where you and DC1 could maybe do a day trip either to DLP or somewhere else fun, like a big zoo or water park. If your DH likes Cornwall he might like Brittany or Normandy. But the big bonus is that you can drive so if you definitely want to fly maybe Portugal or Greece?