Taken DC 2 + 4 to Disneyland Paris and they’re being nightmares

[Cheepcheepcheep]

Probably should have NC but sod it.

For Christmas we booked for DH, me, and DC 2 + 4 to go to Disneyland Paris. We don’t have stacks of spare cash and really prioritised this as they’re both in love with all things Disney. They’ve been talking about it all of Jan.

It’s been a bit of a disaster of a trip…

Arrived on the ferry lunchtime Monday, the kids were so good and loved the ferry. A smooth drive to an Airbnb near the park. Due to a few logistical issues with getting into the Airbnb they were late to bed (by an hour, adjusting for the time changes) but god. They were up for a further 2 hours, awful but put it down to holiday and over excitement.

Today, wake up, super excited for Disney. We get to the park and within 10m 2yo has a meltdown. Not unusual, I’ve had some concerns about ND but he was inconsolable. Then 4yo has one too. Very unusual for her. Screaming, crying, corpsing “I want to go home I don’t want to be here”. No amount of lovely chatting about Disney castle and meeting Mickey and Minnie could help. So we admitted defeat after all of 30m and went back to the Airbnb, have been here all day bar a quick trip to the supermarket for dinner (had planned to eat at the park).

They’re now “in bed” (8pm here) with a view to them sleeping nicely ready for an attempt to go back to the park tomorrow but up and down and shouting. They have their moments (which 4yo and 2yo don’t, potential ND issues aside) but I feel so defeated that we didn’t even manage to do anything, we literally walked two screaming kids up to the castle and back again. No rides, shows or even a meet with characters.

For the record I’m not a Disney adult, far from it. Frankly if they told me they wanted to go do a cultural city break I’d be delighted. I’m just gutted we’ve spent the best part of £1k (when costs are very tight) on something I know they’d love but tantrums and screaming have me on the RER in tears. DH and I being snappy with each other (albeit with appropriate apologies when it’s calmer) because we’re just so deflated and yelled out by the two kids.

4yo was apologetic about tantrum and appears to be trying to be better. 2yo doesn’t have a huge amount of language but accepts he needed to be kinder today.

Am I over optimistic? I’ve never bought into instagram parenting and accept there may be lows but god, I’d like to be one of the parents we saw today with kids of the same age who weren’t screaming so hard they had to leave.

Hiding in the Airbnb bedroom drinking a glass of wine while DH tries to settle them…

This is a lovely tip, thank you. Filing this for future adventures, ND or not (time will tell 🙂)

eg https://fr.pinterest.com/pin/796222409114071251/

They're too young.

We all live and learn…but there’s a good reason why uk holiday parks are so popular when you have young kids, if you ever want to see your kid in awe and transfixed by a Disney princess, go to a holiday park with entertainment! Under 5 most kids just want a playground and perhaps a beach or a pool to splash around in…keep it simple, save the big travels for when they are primary and above. Pre school age out of school hols, both Bluestone and Centre parcs are cheapish , we had some amazing holidays at bluestone but once school years hit, far too expensive.

Some of the kids behaving will be like my DS4 - now 6. We went to Paulton's Park and Legoland first so he got the whole theme park concept. I second going to something like the Frontierland playground first tomorrow and avoiding any character meets with queues.

I do think 2 is young. You might have to divide and conquer a bit. One take The 4 year old off to do some of the Buzz Lightyear/Autopia stuff.

Disneyland in winter is grim. Sorry, OP. Summer only here.

My LO is clearly ND. We took her when she was 4. We spent two days going on the same four rides over and over. She loved the holiday and now wants to make it a yearly tradition.

Our LO always has huge emotions when there’s a significant change of routine. We’ve thrown away significant sums of money leaving things early but she’s happy and that’s all that matters.

I suggest start with the train around the park tomorrow, not that busy first thing and not a far walk.

Peter Pan, flying Dumbo's or the Carousel. Snow-white is surprisingly scary for that age group!
Also, if the activities are hard to queue for, do things like the exhibitions within the park. (Nautilus boat, dragon under the castle, Aladin walk through...) Even the art is gorgeous!

Take bubble blowers (what's the word in English?) to have them entertain themselves in the queue. Take superinefficient candy that takes forever. (Big lollypops? Those candy necklaces?)

Thing is, any trip with kids that young is imposed on them, even if it is for them. Out of routine, different food, travelling etc. Then you take them to a place filled with bright colours, crowds and noises and it is inevitable that it will result in some meltdowns.

I remember a trip to peppa pig land when ds1 was 4. We camped thw night before and he loved the site so much that he stayed up late. Of course trying to get him to enjoy anything the next say was impossible as he was over tired and not where he wanted to be. Live and learn.

There are play parks in Disneyland my youngest had a look round them when she was 2 years old while the eldest was on rides. If your kids are easily overstimulated having an approximate plan and keeping it slow and chilled is probably the best bet to have good memories from the trip. I would definitely make sure you have a buggy or rent one. And maybe head to a ride that you know they will like - dumbo, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pinocchio. Or head over to studios and do ratatouille, webslinger or slinky dog. They also have the shows your kids might enjoy. I really hope the trip improves for all of you!

Edited

Wrong thread

Don't worry OP. When I went this summer it was DH who had the meltdown and went back to sit in the car all day!

There's some play park areas around the Pirates ride that they might enjoy early doors as something they 'know' which will be less overwhelming.

Also, slip'm some calpol tomorrow night if you've still got another day there ;) xx

Do you have your pram with you? If not, hire one I took mine when they were two nearly three at this time of year and it was ace. But pram def needed - cosy and shelter / little rest / familiar and you can travel fast! Go back first thing. Warmly dressed - lots of layers and in pram. Have big breakie before you go. Take lots of snacksand head straight for something calm like it’s a small world. Have 3 or 4 kids rides in your mind, (flying dumbo / buzz light year maybe?) plan to see a show as an inside sitting activity and plan to watch a parade. Don’t q for characters but wave to any you see so they see them as friendly and not over whelming. Take their lead on meeting them face to face! Use the shops as a break, and say they can look at any toys they like but you aren’t buying anything til the last day - mine loved “planning” what they woukd buy - and it changed hourly! Give plenty of snacks and drinks and relax - once you get into it, it’s great fun honest!!!!

Oh, and don't make food an activity. Take food with you and use the meal as downtime.

Ah this was our thinking - 4yo is off to school in September so trying to sneak in as many “cheaper” trips before then.

Disney veteran here, been multiple t8mes including with niece and nephew at same age as your 2!

We showed them some YouTube videos of some of the rides - I would consider browsing YouTube now for some of the younger kids rides - It’s a Small World, Dumbo, Casey Junior, buzz light year - watch a few, and decide which one you are going to head for first. Talk about what you are going to see on the way, give them some things to look for. Can they take their favourite cuddly with them? Or could you maybe win them over with buying a new cuddly on the way in that “really wants to see the park” and it’s their special job to take them? Look after little Mickey Mouse and keep him safe?

There is a nice little playground near pirates of the Caribbean. If you get there at opening, it will likely be a bit quieter and Mickey and Minnie will still be at the entry way just inside good way to start characters, as they are up on a balcony so far enough away for a nervous child but also possibly enough to introduce them.

My nephews favourite ride was Autopia, and he was beyond excited to drive his own car! Is that the kind of thing that might appeal? I would say overall, take it slowly and go with the flow, and even break the day up if needed (as in go in the morning, come back for a nap, come back in the evening).

Best of luck, I hope you all enjoy it in the end

Probably too much of a build up- and the kids are too young- Seven is probably a better age to do things like Disneyland.

Maybe a quiet beach where they run around and play- @Cheepcheepcheep We went to the Natural History Museum with a friend and her toddler {Our sons were 7} and the toddler has such a screaming fit amongst the echoey hall that the dinosaurs were in, flopping around on the floor like a landed fish, wouldn't walk, wouldn't be carried, that we had to come straight home.

It was a real disappointment for the 7 yr olds.

Thanks so much - this is the sort of thing I needed to hear. Easy to feel like it’s just us when there are other (no doubt French ha!) beautifully behaved kids in the queue and we’re being screamed at…

I’m so sorry, struggling to keep up with all the replies but thank you so much for all the tips and solidarity - and even the “they’re too young” comments - it’s all helpful and I’m taking it on board.

Back to Butlin’s and Centre Parcs for us for the next few I think. But hopeful tomorrow can be salvaged :)

If they’re not asleep yet- or perhaps the morning might be a better idea… show them videos and photos (even if you have already) so they know what to expect. Talk to them about the days plan and what they’ll see and do etc and let them choose a couple of specific things they’d like to do. This might help them to visualise it and not feel quite so overwhelmed. I understand how disappointing it can feel 💐

Sounds like you gave up very quickly? I think most people would have just put them in the buggy and walked round for a bit til they'd calmed down, gone to get a snack and a coffee etc.

Two young children are hard work but you can't let a tantrum ruin the whole day.

There’s some good parks at Disneyland Paris when mine were younger they loved the pirate play area might be a good place to start first thing most people head for the rides first so maybe a play for
a while they can run around and it’s quiet then suggest having a wander see if they like the look of a ride my youngest was 2 the first time we took her she spent a lot of time asking to go home but we let her chill in her buggy and made most of running around play areas and she soon settled in and ended up loving it

Also - if you do decide to do Disneyland again when they are older I highly recommend staying at the nearby centre parcs. We booked it direct via booking.com and was so cheap, even in July. Stayed there a week and was fab and they had a bus that goes to Disney. Ended up taking both kids (was before had the 3rd) twice and then the eldest one and I went another time the two of us and husband stayed in pool with younger one. Was so much more relaxed having days off inbetween just swimming, biking and playing in the parks.

I have waited until my youngest is 5 for this reason. I also think it is nice for them to remember it when they're older. At 2 we did uk holidays, and they were difficult enough. Last year abroad was amazing, and it is like night and day when they're a bit older. It is too expensive not to all enjoy it.
As other pps have said though, just lower expectations, and do less spaced out. Tomorrow is a new day, and your dcs might settle in a bit more. Things will get better!! Sometimes it is the times when things don't go to plan that we remember the most, and laugh about years later!

Kindly, they are very young. Toddlers are notorious for tantrums and struggles with change, they crave routine and it makes them feel safe. They're going through enormous mental and emotional development. They've only been on Earth 2-4 years, Disney would be so so overwhelming for them.
Also in the gentlest way possible, is it possible you are projecting re the ND and anxiety? It's completely normal for a child of that age to get very overwhelmed in that situation and not necessarily anything to do with your concerns about this.
I have a 2yo and 4yo myself and wouldn't even consider this. My 4yo had a meltdown yesterday because she was tired and I buttered her bread wrong after nursery. Imagine how tired an overwhelmed they feel having experienced so much stuff for the first time, travelling, tiredness.
(I'm teacher with many years experience in the early years, with a specialism in behaviour management and I'm a SENDCO).
I would recommend following Big Little Feelings on insta etc, they share lots of tips for kids aged up to 6, all based on sound child behaviour and psychology theory.
Save the big trips for when they're older and can regulate themselves easier. I hope you are able to enjoy the rest of your trip and you'll hopefully see a big improvement tomorrow.