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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Disneyland - Advice for someone who doesn't like themeparks

19 replies

ErOutdoors · 10/04/2011 11:21

Hi,
My partner really wanted to take dd (5) to Disneyland Paris. I really wasn't keen - but decided that my dd would love to go, and so would he, so why not give it a go. So we are going for 2 days over Easter.
I would love some recommendations. I hate rollercoasters and rides. I don't like parades. I do love Disney films, like walking, swimming, horse riding?, dressing up (when I was a kid - not now), eating. I'm sure we'll do some of the rides, but what else is good?
Please help - I don't want to be a wingebag and spoil everyone else's fun!
Ceri

OP posts:
ErOutdoors · 10/04/2011 20:04

Any ideas, anyone?

OP posts:
sleepysox · 10/04/2011 20:13

Your daughter will love Playhouse Disney Live in the studios, plus the show 'Animagique'.

The food in Walts restaurant, overlooking main Street in DIsneyland Park is amazing, but expensive.

Cafe Mickey in Disney Village- outside the two parks, is the best place for a character meal.

Pirates of the Carribean is a great ride- brilliant theming, and only 2 drops iirc. IT's more of an 'experience' than a ride, plus you get to meet Cptn Jack Sparrow from the film outside sometimes.

THe Haunted Mansion is also a great ride, but might be a bit scary for your daughter if she's not used to theme parks. IT's only the beginning section that's scary though.

Peter Pan is a good ride, but Snow White is too sinister for littleones imo.

HTH, if you have any other questions I'll do my best to answer.

sleepysox · 10/04/2011 20:14

The train which goes around the park is brilliant, but don't get on at Main Street Station, as it's too crowded there.

shesparkles · 10/04/2011 20:18

I was there this time last year and the year before, and as someone who wasn't fussed about going, before we went the first time, I'd be back in a heartbeat!
For me it was like Christmas, in that I got so much pleasure out of seeing my children's pleasure and wonder at it all (they were 6 and 11 the first time).
I ADORED Fantasyland because for me this was what the Disney of my childhood was about, but I agree with what sleepysox says about the Snow White ride, it's good, but pretty sinister.
Please can I go again?

cupofteaplease · 10/04/2011 20:22

Go for a meal at Auberge de Cendrillion. It is expensive (about 50 euros per adult) but the princesses and their princes come to your table for your dd to get their signature and pictures and they do a dance etc. It is a great place for girls to get lots of princess character interaction.

We LOVE It's A Small World which is a slow boat tour around the 'world', depicted with various models in national dress. Also in Fantasyland are Dumbo, the Carousel, Alice's Curious Laberynth and the Teacups- all fun for little ones and not at all scary.

We are going again in May (for our dd1's 6th time!) and we always have a great time, despite not going on any of the big rides.

I would also agree with Playhouse Disney in the Studios Park, as well as Stitch Live which is fab. You might also enjoy the Backlot Tour which is a tram ride showing film sets and special effects. It is very tame (apart from a firey explosion scene, but it is not scary) and gives you a good chance to rest your legs!

Have a great time.

sleepysox · 10/04/2011 20:32

Apologies for thread highjack.

Cupof tea- are you going in May half term? We have booked to go then.

Would you say that Auberge is suitable for 2 boys? DS is 6 and loves the princesses! and DS2 is 18 months and loves pretty ladies! Would we be the only family with no little girls? I've wanted to go in the past but have been worried it's too girly for the boys.

cupofteaplease · 10/04/2011 20:37

Sleepysox- yes we are going Sunday to Thursday of half term. Where are you staying?

NO! You absolutely won't be the only family with boys! There are plenty of tables with no children at all, some with boys, others girls, mixed up- you name it. The girls loved that it was a fancy restaurant, with lovely crockery and the service was quick and attentive. Another bonus is the unlimited wine Wink I won't be partaking this time as I am pregnant, but I will still try and fit in a lunch there.

ErOutdoors · 10/04/2011 20:43

Thank you all - I knew I could rely on you!

OP posts:
sleepysox · 10/04/2011 20:45

Brilliant! I'll book Auberge. Good news about the wine! We're going Sunday to Friday of half term and I'm sooo excited. (Probably more than the boys! LOL).

I decided to push the boat out as the trip is a major celebration for us, so we're staying in the Disneyland Hotel. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we definitely won't be doing it again, so I'll be making the most of it!

Congratulations on the pregnancy. I've done Disney when pg a couple of times and it's very manageable, lots of comfy seats to rest on while the kids go on the rides and plenty of toilets!!

Enjoy! We should tie a ribbon to our bags or something incase we end up in the same queue and can identify each other!

SoundTheOctoalert · 10/04/2011 20:59

Can totally recommend this other forum for answers to Disney questions,

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g226865-i2224-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html

and this one for general Disney info and advice and restaurant menus!

www.dlrpmagic.com/

cupofteaplease · 10/04/2011 21:05

Good idea, we need a MNer's code!

Lucky you stying in the DLH- we are slumming it in the Santa Fe Grin

Enjoy your meal at Auberge!

sleepysox · 10/04/2011 21:15

Hasn't the Sante Fe had a 'Cars' make over? Friends who stayed there said it's really good.

I'll be wearing a red carnation and carrying a copy of 'Le Monde'!

Figgygirl · 12/04/2011 01:14

Soundtheoctoalert - thank you for recommending the TA Marne La Vallee/ DLP forum. I and other regular Disneyland Paris visitors on that forum are certainly happy to answer just about anything that people want to know.
Theme parks do not appeal to everyone, but even parents who hate them can have a lovely time through their children's excitement and happy faces.
The first time we took our son when it opened in 1992, my DH was not really very keen, but was prepared to put up with it for our nearly 6yr old. We stayed for 5 days, and DH had to admit that he was having a brilliant time. Apart from having a good time with our son, he also enjoyed the parades and shows, and the technology behind the rides. After that we went at least once every year, also taking DS2. I still go as often as possible, usually with DS1 who is now 24, although DS2 and DH still enjoy going as well sometimes.

My boys never wanted to eat in Auberge DC but have enjoyed the other Character Dining restaurants. Auberge DC is certainly the best place for interaction, photos and video with Disney Princesses and Princes - ask for a table near the fireplace if possible, as that is where they dance. It is quite expensive 3 course Fine Dining, and the food does not appeal to some children, but the food is not the main reason for kids to go there anyway.
You can see the menu on dlrpmagic.com, and also read reviews and see peoples' photos on Trip Advisor.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g226865-d1479370-Reviews-Auberge_De_Cendrillon-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html

Disneyland was built on previous sugar beet fields in the middle of a quiet farming area, so there is not much else to do unless you have a car and want to explore surrounding countryside and small villages. There is a huge modern shopping mall at Val D'Europe, one stop on the train from Disneyland, where there is also La Village designer outlet shops. There is also a SeaLife Centre here. This land was also owned by EuroDisneySCA until sold recently. There was nothing here before the resort was built.

Be warned - the parks are extremely busy at weekends and school holidays, especially Easter time. The new Magical Moments Festival has just begun, so many people want to see that. Planning your trip is essential to get the most out of it.
I suggest you study the maps of the 2 parks online, familiarise yourself with the layout and where things are, and read about the rides and attractions in both. Then you can make a list of your priorities. You can also see the programme of events online a week in advance, for times of shows, parades, and Character meeting times and locations.
Use Extra Magic Hours from 8am to 10am before the general public are allowed into the park - selected rides in Fantasyland and Discoveryland are open.
It is definitely recommended to make Advance Dining Reservations before arrival if you are going at peak time. Character Dining restaurants especially get booked up very quickly.

You can find a lot of advice in the Top Questions list on the TA MLV forum page, but please feel free to ask your own questions as well. You can also read through Trip Reports written by visitors with kids of the same age to get some ideas of what they did and didn't like - all kids are different, some are braver than others. The Snow White ride is certainly scary for some children as it concentrates on the darker side of the story.

You should all enjoy Cinemagique and Disney Art Of Animation in the Studios park, and I'm sure that you will find that you enjoy other rides and attractions as well. There is a huge variety, it is not like going to a funfair!

The Santa Fe hotel now has Disney/ Pixar CARS theming in the rooms and on the billboard outside - Clint Eastwood is no longer there.

DLP is a massive subject - too much to reproduce here! We can help you more on the link that was given here.

Figgygirl · 12/04/2011 01:29

By the way, the Snow White ride in WDW Florida has now been closed. Maybe DLP will follow suit in the future, who knows.
They should certainly refurbish it with more happy and cheerful scenes from the story.
I suggest you do the Pinocchio ride next door first - if that scares them don't do Snow White.
If in doubt, as to do Childswitch, ( also known as Babyswop ) so one parent can try it first, without queueing twice. If they think the ride is ok for their child, the other parent and child can get straight on. This facility can be used on all rides, so parents can ride in turn if their kids are too small.
Ask the CM at the ride entrance and they will tell you what to do.

alarkaspree · 12/04/2011 03:39

Figgygirl, are you sure? I was there 10 days ago and Snow White was definitely open then.

Skimummy · 12/04/2011 21:03

Just a quick note for anyone who is going to Disneyland Paris and is pregnant - if you go to customer services you can get a special pass that allows you to skip the queue or get an equivalent fast pass to some rides (and, for example, the train ride that goes around the park). The rides are obviously the pregnancy-friendly ones but these are also good for little ones so worth having!

Enjoy!

cupofteaplease · 13/04/2011 16:21

Skimummy OMG seriously?! I never knew that! (Can you tell I hate the queues at DLP?!) Is that just for the pregnant woman or her party too? Or is that a bit cheeky? Grin Grin

Is that customer services at City Hall? Thanks for the info.

Skimummy · 13/04/2011 20:54

Seriously! Did it with my pregnant sister in March! How many people you can take depends on the ride but we were fine with our group of 6 (inclusive of 2 two year olds). You will get to sit in designated areas at things like Playhouse Disney Live which means no huge rush to get up the front. May as well take advantage!

We went to customer services in Walt Disney Studios but City Hall is probably right as well. They will tell you where you should go in any case.

It's not a huge amount of rides by the way but worth doing I think.

Figgygirl · 14/04/2011 04:20

This is similar to the Easy Access Pass that they offer to disabled guests. They can bypass ride queues with one carer/ attendant or family member who also gets free entry to the parks. They also get the reserved seating in theatres and for watching parades.
How many can accompany disabled or pregnant guests depends on the CM in charge of the ride really - they don't want to split up direct families, but neither do they want groups of people using their disabled/ pregnant friend to avoid queueing.
Medical proof of disability must be shown to get the EAP, so if someone is not heavily pregnant but cannot stand in line for a length of time, it is worth asking your GP for a letter to take confirming pregnancy and stating that it is not recommended that you stand for long periods.
See staff in City Hall or Studio Services.

I read about Snow White ride in WDW closing in the future on a Disney website - Fantasyland is going through a large refurb, and they are building a new indoor Meet and Greet area for the Princes and Princesses, supposedly on the site where Snow White ride is now. I thought this had been done already, but maybe still in the planning stage. I have only seen artists impression drawings so far.
Mickeys house ( where you could meet Mickey ) is also closed or closing.
Quite a few people do complain that their kids were very frightened in Snow White ride, and it carries a warning symbol on the park map. From that point of view, it is not really suitable for a Fantasyland ride, which should be perfectly enjoyable for very young or nervous children.

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