Is Disneyland Paris doable as a Single Parent?

[PurpleBurtle]

Have wanted to take DCs to Disney for so long, they go back a little later than normal this year and the 1st weekend of September falls on my birthday and my DDs birthday is a few weeks after mine so it can be a double treat, plus she is getting to that age where if I leave it much longer it won't be as magical for her, she will be 11 this year. So it seems the perfect time.

Im just thinking of a long weekend, 3nights. Its also just about affordable for me. Only problem is I have nobody to come with me and will be the only adult. I'm not sure if this a very wise challenge to take in a big park like that in a foreign country. I have also never taken them abroad before and never been abroad as an adult either.

My parents said they would come with me so I went ahead and spent money sorting our passports, now they have changed their minds and say maybe we could do it next spring instead. I don't know what my circumstances will be at that time and I'm worried it won't happen. I'm so upset they have let me down and thinking shall I just go for it on my own?

The kids also think we are going somewhere now as they know I got the passports! Though I haven't mentioned Disney, now it looks like we won't be going anywhere at all this year, and i feel like a failure.

Would they miss out on certain stuff in terms of not being able to split myself in two with age different things, DS is 14, DD is 10.
I think I would be a little nervous about travelling there and back as like I said never been abroad before ?

It is so easy to get there, we flew then got the train straight from the airport to Disney land. Incredibly easy! Once there you don't even need to leave the 'Disney bubble' if you don't want too.

Go for it, you'll all have a brilliant time!

Honestly, just go!

I'm a lone parent and go all sorts of places with my two and they're younger. You'll have a blast.

Just do your research before you go and it'll go swimmingly.

I did it last summer with a 10 year old and 7 year old. It was absolutely fine and totally doable. Your 14 year old is old enough to go on rides by himself or wait whilst you go on with your youngest. Its a fantastic place and obviously very family friendly. You don't mention how you will get there or where you are staying but I drove and we stayed at a budget hotel about half an hour away. If you can afford it I would try to stay on or close to the resort as the hotel being far just added to a long and tiring day.

I've done it on my own with a 4 year old. You will be fine - your children are quite old!

What specifically are you worried about? Maybe we can help :)

I took dd when she was 7. We stayed in a hotel in Paris and got the train to Disney - it's easy. We also saw the sights in Paris, eat great food and had a ball.bit was just the two of us and a great trip away, 3 days

I'd go again in a heartbeat on my own the DS as DH only wants to do Florida now. Planning is key but I'm sure you will have a good time.

Wow thanks for the replies, makes me more confident in trying to achieve this.

I've looked at prices for the Hotel Santa fe, which has a shuttle to the park and I assume quite close? and its an extra 300 odd quid with eurostar included, the only problem is the train leaves at 7am so might be a bit of a battle getting to Paddington by that time in the morning.
I guess my main worries are finding my way around once I get off eurostar, making my way back to come home etc, I struggle with the london underground at the best of times! Not had much experience with travelling. Also paying alot of money and the kids not being able to make the most of it if they are having to wait around for whatever the other wants to do alot of the time as there is not another adult they can go off elsewhere with and do what they want. I suppose trying to squeeze everything in could be stressful.

Im not sure if there are many rides that my 14yr old can go on but may need to be accompanied by an adult, if thats the case I wouldn't be able to leave my daughter.

Am I right in thinking currency wouldn't be too much of a problem, I have read I can just use my normal debit card to withdraw euros while there?

Ride wise they should be big enough for everything there, my DD was at 6. It's a part of life isn't it, waiting around for others and compromising so I wouldn't give it too much thought!

If you have that hotel you are best off walking to the park. It's 10 mins and saves time waiting for the shuttle. Also you get 2 hours in the park before the general public are let in so can go on the big rides then. We went with an 8 yr old and a 10 yr old and they went on all the roller coasters in those 2 hours each day. How many nights are you staying?

I think I've got the right hotel there. Sequoia lodge and the New York one and a couple of others are round the lake at the edge of the park and walkable in a few mins.

We stayed at the Santa Fe - the shuttle bus is very easy and you just get the bus back from where you get off outside the park.

The Eurostar leaves from St Pancras, not Paddington! But it's very easy to get from one to the other - you don't have to change tubes. Also your children are old enough to help navigate.

Unless your 14 YO is unusually short, he won't have to have an adult to go on any of the rides (actually most of the rides the kids will be able to go together). Also lots of people go in odd numbered groups.

There is a really good and helpful disneyland paris forum: www.disboards.com/forums/disneyland-paris-trip-planning-community-board.77/ full of Disneyland fanatics which is an excellent source of information.

You can use your debit card to withdraw cash but it's quite an expensive way of doing it. I'd take some Euros with you (maybe £50 worth?) so you've got some to start with

Where do you live, as if the train leaves at 7, then I believe you need to be at the station at least an hour before. (Probably more if you're not sure of where you are going)
Once you are at Disneyland it is incredibly easy, the park is easily walkable from any of the Disney hotels, or there are frequent shuttles from the partner hotels a mile or so away.
The eurostar station is between the park and the hotels.