Would you spend your 50th at Disneyland?

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Would this be weird?

I'm definitely not a Disney adult 🤣
My Dd has wanted to go for a few years, by my 50th (just over a year away) she will be 9, and it feels like time is running out to take her and for it to be magical.
As cheesy as it sounds, i'm happy to go as it makes me happy to see her happy. Of course I would rather be on a beach in Hawaii, but can't afford that and love Paris and we can see the sights and show her Paris too

It just seems a bit 😂 to spend your 50th there. The last time I was in Paris was for my 30th when we got engaged

I would certainly spend my birthday at Disney World (Florida) perhaps not one of the others though. I’m not a Disney adult but have enormously enjoyed the 2 times we’ve been to DW.

You deffo sound like a Disney adult. Its up to you. I agree 9 is the upper limit for you dd to go.

There's no way i'll stay at Disney itself, I draw the line there 🤣

😂😂

I thought Disney had big rides that are more aimed at adults as well as stuff for children?
Is that wrong?

I think if you’re tempted you’ll love it. I love theme parks even though I’m not a fan of roller coasters - they are happy, busy, exhausting and entertaining.

As long as it’s not pouring with rain!

My dd loved it at age 10, and I genuinely found the evening light show absolutely magical - definitely worth staying up for (we were there in June so it wasn’t dark til about 10pm and we waited for hours for it!). We were surrounded by teenaged French girls who sang along to every Disney song and it remains one of the happiest days of my life.

Honestly I think it would be lovely to look back and have the memories of a big trip together.

Do I? I have never had an urge to go, but want it for Dd

I've been to DLP three times, took my kids for the first time when they were 9 and 6. We've went twice in April when it's all spring themed and once in October when it was Halloween themed. First time we stayed in one of the further away Disney hotels and the final time in the main Disney hotel itself. We went Mon-Fri first flight out and last flight back. Kids are young adults now and were recently talking about going back.

That actually sounds wonderful...you are starting to convince me.
There would be the Christmas decorations out when we'd be going (if we do)

I took DS2 (aged 10) in February and I was surprised how much I didn't hate it. He had an absolutely amazing time, I quite enjoyed it all as we which was surprising as it's generally not my kind of thing.

We splashed out on a few queue slips and priority access for the fireworks which definitely enhanced it.

In your shoes I'd do something lovely and Paris on your actual birthday and do Disney in one of the days around it.

Gosh, you must really love it!

Nope. Loathe Disney and the alleged magic has passed me by. I saw no reason to take someone else there.

However, I took ds to Universal Studios in my 50th birthday week. It was a day for him, as we were visiting elderly family on holiday. I absolutely LOVED it, it was honestly one of the best days of my life, and yes that’s partly because ds enjoyed it too, but it was v nostalgic for me and just riotous good fun.

So no, I wouldn’t do something I didn’t want to do on my 50th, but I would pick something we would both enjoy.

Also at 10 I felt comfortable letting him go in the single rider queue for rides I didn't fancy - so he got multiple rides in a shorter period and I got to read my book with a coffee.

I'd have loved to have done. I've been to WDW many times when my DC were growing up and we really enjoyed it as a family.
I think as a parent of a youngish child, your best bet for a birthday spent with them will be something they'll enjoy. There would have been no point at all in taking my kids along to a 'me' thing like a beach, because their boredom would have ruined it.

Do you mean me? I’m very well travelled and resisted Disney for a long time (we even booked it once and cancelled as I decided I couldn’t face it). When we finally went (for the dc) I had a great time and will never be snooty about it again. There is a lot to be said for being in a positive, lighthearted environment where everyone is there to enjoy themselves. DW (Florida) is much more than just the Magic Kingdom - MK is my least favourite park. I don’t particularly interact with Disney in my day to day life, so no, not a Disney adult. That said, I’d go again quite happily. I haven’t been to Paris DL (have been to Paris multiple times) or California DL (been there too) but have been to Tokyo DL/DS - despite loving Japan I would choose the Florida park for Disney.

We’re Disney adults and I wouldn’t do it 😂 we have high expectations though and DLP doesn’t cut it.

We did, although its not somewhere I was interested in at all and can't say I'm a huge disney fan either. The kids were keen to go so we thought we'd give it a go and actually really enjoyed it.

The main Disney hotel was the best, it's right at the park gates and you can make great use of the magic hours when you can go in before it opens to the public. There's a few fast food type places and a couple of nicer restaurants that you need to book in advance, probably not as nice as somewhere you'd want to go for your 50th but you could plan for that separately at home if you wanted to.

If I recall you could also book excursions into Paris if you wanted to.

I would. I do like Disney too though so I would actually enjoy it. You could do something outside of the parks on your actual birthday though if it’s not your thing. Could you build in a few days at one of the beaches like Clearwater

edit- apologies I see you mean Paris. Same applies though could you just do something none Disney on your bday like a day in Paris (if riots have stopped)

I've been to DisneyWorld many times (grew up in Florida), and always have fun, as someone says above, there's something very heart warming about being in a place where everything/one is positive and there for old-fashioned fun. DLP though I have to say, leaves me slightly cold - the weather is so grim, and I'd ratehr be in Paris proper. BUT if you've not done DW, then you've got nothing to compare against, and you and your DD will likely love it! Hollywood Studios is good too.

I hate Disney, but this would be my favourite way to spend my 50th.

Spending it with the people you love the most sounds perfect.

To be clear - I’m definitely in the group of people who prefers Efteling and EuropaPark but for ease of travel, for the bonus of being able to pass through Paris - Disney wins for me. Especially if you’ve never been before.

I don’t think you have to be a huge Disney fan to enjoy it. No one is going to make you wear Minnie Mouse ears!

For me, there’s something about allowing myself to enjoy a childish activity which creates a lightness of spirit. I can roll my eyes at a cheesy singalong whilst simultaneously secretly enjoying it. I can marvel at the insanity of standing in a queue for 30 mins for a 2 mins ride, whilst simultaneously suggesting we dash across the park to get in a queue for the log flume before lunch. It’s madness, it’s “not me”, and I love it all the more for that.

Being around people having fun, generally is fun.

This is a great view

I had (a series of) zoom cocktail parties for my Covid 50th. I think I’d do that again in preference to going to Disney. Went once. Never again.

Do it. You sound relaxed about your 50th, so make your DD happy. It’ll be a gift to you both. BTW I didn’t do anything for my 50th, except my hobby and it was just fine, as was my 60th. If I get to 70, I’ll be pleased I made it.

I have just booked DLP for next October as my 50th bday celebration! We are going the weekend after my actual birthday because I wanted to make sure it would be Halloween themed when we get there. I am not a Disney adult and I don't like rollercoasters but I love DLP, have never been to any of the other parks so have no comparison. I've been previously with my daughter when she was 2 and 6, she will be 19 when we return and it will be the first time for my twins who will be 6. I'm a lone parent so my bday does have to work around my children but for me this is the best way I can spend it, with my children hopefully having the best time! I'm already excited and it's a year away 😂 if you do decide to go I hope you have a fabulous time.