Disneyland??

[MrsEricBana]

Last night my ds (11) said wistfully "It is a real shame we never went to Disneyland and now we are almost to big" (dd is 9). Clearly this does not amount to deprivation but it did make me wonder if I would regret not having gone and thought I would at least look into it, though imagine anything more than Eurostar to the Paris one might be a deal breaker cost wise. [I am terrified of flying so we have managed to fly from Bristol to Nice twice but otherwise not flown since 2000 (after a bomb scare on a transatlantic flight, not long before 9/11). I am prepared to give flying a go if required for the sake of rest of the family.] SO! Any thoughts please on which of the Disneylands to go to, where to stay, what to book etc etc as I have no clue where to even start! Thanks

I am a complete Disney World (Florida) addict and can strongly recommend it. I was desperate to go from the age of about 12 and made my first trip at the age of 28 and loved it! There are so many places online to research - probably too many and tend to be for the slightly obsessed - like me! Maybe try the DIBB - which is a UK site or the DIS Boards which I think are the best and have a UK section and include Paris info.

Have a magical day

Thank you! Will try those.

Been to both Paris and Florida - there is no comparison Florida wins hands down but there are some buts. if you do in school hols it is mobbed and you will wait ages for rides. we went for the middle two weeks of December. Like the grave for the first 12 days then the schools broke up and it was 140 mins wait for the most popular rides! So they are still young, pull them out of school for a couple of weeks and go to Florida. Theres also universal there (good for older/more adventurous 9+) we stayed in a villa 10 mins away and flew with BA or Orlando. Best thing we ever did.DLP - wet and cold. could only spend 3 or 4 days max here. buy the 2012 unofficial guide to WDW and go for it. Private message me if you want any more info. only been back a month and would love to go again (and i hadnt flown for 15 years due to incident)

Yeah mummymesiter another Unofficial Guide reader

Good lord, they're not nearly too big, we spent 3 weeks in Orlando with Ds's 16 and 19 and they loved it.

2nd dibb / dis / unofficial guide.

Paris is great too, much more manageable and less of a daunting trip.

My sisters and I went to Eurodisney when we were early to mid-teens and we loved it! I don't think you can be too old, there's something for everyone.

We did go both in December and in the summer, much better in December when it's quieter and you don't spend half the time queuing for rides. That and it had snowed so everything looked like a really bizarre dream (icicles on the pirate rides, snow in Baghdad).

Another here adding to the recommendations for the DIBB and The Unofficial Guide. Got the UG right next to me now, planning our next trip.

If you can, try to go to Florida. WDW is incredible.

Damn this thread getting itchy feet now!! Went for honeymoon in 2009 and family hol in Jan 2011 and need to go again. DH bought me the 2012 Unofficial Guide for Christmas and then seemed surprised that I thought he was giving me a big hint for our hols this year Anyway he doesn't want to go back until we have kids so need to get on with the TTC!

I love the Unofficial Guide.

Even got a shout out on their podcast [basks in glory]

@ Clayhead

Another vote for Florida - it's AMAZING!!!! A holiday of a lifetime and worth saving up for.

I don't think they're too picky about who they mention, I just e-mailed in a comment and they read it out some time later!

The Unofficial Guide appeals so much to my inner nerd, it's untrue. Last time we went I subscribed the the website and printed off touring plans specific to the days we wanted. We went with PIL and there were six of us and never a cross word about where we went, just a case of, 'What's next on the list?'. Even listening to myself I can see how nerdy it sounds but those plans really worked!

Clayhead so with you! Early mornings at MK with not another person around

I was so annoyed I couldn't use their Lines App due to lack of Wifi anywhere at WDW! Sometimes daily when I am fed up I look at the app to see how busy my favourite place is

Sorry for hijacking your thread OP!

I went to Disneyland Paris for the first time as an adult - would have been 30y I think. I wasn't too big! :) Have since been to both DLP and Florida a few times. They definitely aren't too old for a long time yet!

Thank you so much for all your replies and recommendations. I will definitely have a look at the unofficial guide. Also confirmed my thoughts about not going in the school holidays in terms of queuing times etc. Went to travel agent and she said don't go in August as searing hot, long queues and lots of electrical storms can mean rides are frequently shut (hadn't thought of that one!). Funny about the touring plans Touring - I would love that as am list mad but maybe dh won't be too impressed (planning, what's that?)! Also good to hear that fear of flying overcome for this trip Mummymeister - maybe this is the incentive I need. Thanks again all.

The last week of August/first of September are actually quieter as US schools have gone back and it can be done - you just have to get to the parks early and leave by lunch for some waterpark/pool action after lunch before heading back in the evening for the fireworks etc.

We've been to Paris 4 times - admittedly two were for 'work' (!) - but I would reccommend it. With younger children, it is so much more manageable to get around. Last time we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel which is mammothly expensive but worth it as it is right by the park, you can easily sneak home during the day for a break, and to eat all the stuff you pinched from the morning buffet at lunch time! If you can afford it, stay on site - you get extra 'magic hours' in the morning which mean you get the chance to go on some rides before the general public. For a 9-year-old there is still loads to do. The Eurostar has a Disneyland Express that takes you straight there, which is great if you live in the South - we actually drove, which was an enormous task as we are in Liverpool, but worth it as we could cram the car with essentials (spare nappies, multi packs of Wotsits, Guinness - the usual!) and cut down on the costs - because it IS expensive. Whatever you think you'll spend, double it! If you possibly can avoid the crazy school holidays - you will get mobbed by French teens. This can also happen on Wed afternoons as they are off school. We for some reason had an earlier Easter than other areas so it was practically empty. I'd also avoid at Christmas - yes it is magical, but the magic wears off quickly as it is so crowded. Florida is fabulous, but it's a long flight, very hot at certain times of year, and I'd say great for teens - so you have plenty of time to do that one! Probably what your son means is that he's too old to believe that Mickey is anything other than a man in a furry suit, but he's definitely not too old to enjoy the rides, the shows, and the generally magical feel that Disney manage to create - I know I'm not, and I'm 42!

If you can swing it, Disneyland California is the best one to my taste. You can go to Disney for a day or two, then off to Knotts Berry Farm (nearby and cheaper) for the bigger roller coasters and thrill rides, then off to the beach (nearby and free!), or LA museums, or Univeral (Los Angeles) or down to San Diego for the zoo and Sea World. Basically you can have as much or as little Mickeytime as you want, without feeling trapped in Theme Park Land.

And agree that 9 is not too old at all for Disney. He'll love it, whichever one you pick.

I have been to Paris, Florida and California Disney's and my favourite is California. Planning our 4th visit to the West coast this summer. It's a longer flight than Florida but you are guaranteed sunshine for the entire time. It's the original Disney too.

Hi MrsEricBana,
I also love Walt Disney World in Florida and have been five times - we took our boys for the first time when they were 9 and 14, which we thought was a good age for going on most rides together. DS2 was still too small for some rides though, like coasters. We usually went for 2 1/2 weeks as there are 4 Disney Parks, 2 Disney waterparks, 2 Universal Parks, SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Centre, Discovery Cove, two more waterparks outside Disney, and Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa.
Agree that you need to pick your time very carefully to avoid massive crowd levels, and avoid the summer months with very high temps and 100% humidity.
October, November ( not Thanksgiving ) April - May are good times to go. Avoid Spring Break like the Plague! Manic!

We were planning a California trip for this September, but has been postponed until next year. I hope to visit all the Disney parks eventually, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo - all very different, but still Disney.

We took our boys to Disneyland Paris ( or EuroDisney as it was originally called ) when it first opened in 1992, and carried on going every summer, and sometimes also in December for Enchanted Christmas. We have either flown or used the direct Disney Eurostar train. We still go regularly and both my sons celebrated their 18th birthdays there, and one 21st.

Now they are adult they want to go with friends or girlfriends, so I go on my own or with DH who still likes going occasionally. I was there a few weeks ago for Christmas season, and have booked again for June. This year is the 20th Anniversary, beginning on 1st April, so new shows and parades are planned.
All the Disney hotels are being redecorated and refurbished, and the main Disneyland Park has been undergoing massive refurbishment for over a year, including repainting the Castle which now looks amazing.

I think that Sleeping Beauty's Castle in DLP is the prettiest one, and it has a dragon underneath.

Guide books are worth reading for general information ( there is now an Unoffiicial Guide for DLP ) but as things change in resort frequently, they can be out of date very quickly. People read guide books and expect things to be there when they arrive, then find they are closed or replaced.

DLP forums can help in that respect, as Destination Experts like myself keep everyone posted with what is going on there, and are always happy to answer questions and help with trip planning. The same plan does not suit everyone, as not all people are the same. Some 3yr olds are braver than some 13 yr olds when it comes to rides!

If you decide to go to Disneyland Paris, we will be very glad to help you on our Disneyland Paris / Marne La Vallee forums on Trip Advisor. The Top Questions lists should help as well. Both forums are linked so posts appear on both.

In my opinion, you are never too old for Disney.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g2079053-i21935-Disneyland_Paris_Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html

Whichever you choose, have a Magical Time!

One thing to bear in mind regarding cost - if you book at the right time, Disneyland Paris have good offers like 40% off with kids under 12 stay and play free.
This means they do not pay for hotel, breakfast, or park tickets for every day including arrival and departure days.
Sometimes they stay, play AND travel free, which means flights/ Eurostar is also included free for kids.
There are some good deals for families if you keep an eye on the adverts and Disney UK website. ( or Irish website which has different offers, sometimes free dining ).
Food does not have to cost a fortune, although this is Europe, not America.
Regarding mechandise and souvenirs, we have an ongoing Prices thread, which posters add to when they return which is useful for budgeting spending money.

One TA DLP poster has just been asking for help with planning a day trip to DLP for two adults with 15 and 17 yr old teens, so 11 and 9 is nothing!

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g226865-i2224-k5114778-o10-Help_wanted_for_seeing_the_most_of_DLP_and_WDS_in_one_day_in-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html