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

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Original poster

Going with a one year old to Disney Paris

24 replies

MimiDaisy11 · 31/01/2022 11:20

Anyone any experience? I know they won’t remember it but would they enjoy it? Would it be difficult for us? I know they do rider switch service which allows us to queue together and take turn on rides.
We are thinking of going when he will be 1 year 3 months but could delay it until he’s 1 year 9 months - would there be much difference?
I know each child is different but I’m interested in hearing others’ experience.
Thank you.

OP posts:

itwasntaparty · 31/01/2022 11:27

I don't think a one year old will get much out of it tbh. It's very dated, the queues are long, things break down.

We took dts when they were six and were really underwhelmed. One of the best things was the character breakfast but lots of the little kids that were there were scared by the costumes.

I'd save the £££ and go to Peppa Pig world / Paultons park.

HermioneWeasley · 31/01/2022 11:29

If you want to go for you and happen to have a 1 year old that’s one thing, but if you’re going for the baby I really wouldn’t bother. 2.5-3 is probably the min age for them to enjoy it

Muchtoomuchtodo · 31/01/2022 11:30

While they’re still having naps in the day I wouldn’t bother.

Mischance · 31/01/2022 11:30

Too young. Took mine at age 9 and they really enjoyed it.

Pinkdelight3 · 31/01/2022 11:32

Not much point. Wait till they're three or four and would enjoy it. There's a lot of schlepping around involved, loooong walks through shopping areas etc between rides and a DC that little would probably just zonk out in the pram.

CPDubs · 31/01/2022 11:36

I took my then 10 month old to DLP (in an attempt to quash my need to go to disneyworld). She had a lovely time as did we.

Didn’t work though and we ended up going to Florida for my 30th when she was 15 months old. Again, she had an awesome time!

FionnulaTheCooler · 31/01/2022 11:40

We took DD when she had just turned 2 and she loved it so I'd wait until your child is closer to that age if possible. I have some lovely pictures of her hugging Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse with a huge smile on her face, and she was fascinated by the singing dolls in Its a Small World.

Hightemp · 31/01/2022 11:43

Wait until at least three. Definitely not old enough to understand,enjoy,remember.

Jisforjuggling · 31/01/2022 11:47

We went with a 5 and 3 year old. It was freezing, they wanted to spend the whole time in the hotel swimming pool, and really had no interest in any of it. And it was insanely expensive - £25 for 2 coffees and a piece of cake. Save your money.

2tired2bewitty · 31/01/2022 11:53

We went when ds was 18m, but have two older kids. He had a great time, though was not very keen on the full costume characters. He doesn’t remember at all though so we plan to go back so he can have the full experience (we were booked for 2020).

TheCraicDealer · 31/01/2022 11:56

We went to Disneyworld when DD was five months and had an amazing trip. I have ride photos of DD in the carrier on me on the Haunted Mansion, the Frozen ride, etc., her first lick of something other than milk was dole whip, she went swimming for the first time, she loved watching all the people and the fireworks- and we didn't pay a penny for her because you don't pay for kids under two or three. She won't remember any of it, but DH and I loved that trip. I'm so glad we did it because we got back just as lockdown was kicking in and we've not gone on holiday since.

We're going to DLP in March when she'll be 2.5. Whilst I know she'll love it when we're there I don't think she'll remember most of it, but that's not the only reason we're going. I went to Disneyworld at 5yo and don't remember that holiday at all- if you hold off until they can remember it you'll be waiting til they're 7 or 8, and then if you have another child you'll be in the same quandary.

Basically if you can afford it and you and DP want to go for yourselves as well as DS I would do it.

Ladyrattles · 31/01/2022 12:14

We went with DS 17mths, DD 3yrs, DD 6yrs. The older two really enjoyed it and had a great time as they understood where we were. The youngest spent a lot of time asleep and although it did bring smiles occasionally he was too young to get a lot out of it. None of them remember the trip now they are adults but we have a lot of lovely photos which they like looking at.

zafferana · 31/01/2022 12:33

The problem is that there will be very few rides your DC can go on, so you'll spend the whole time going on rides on your own and then holding the DC while your OH goes on them on his own. All of which isn't much fun. Much nicer to wait and be able to enjoy the rides as a family.

GeneLovesJezebel · 31/01/2022 12:34

We did and it was a mistake, he can’t remember it, should have gone to a beach instead.

PinkWaferBiscuit · 31/01/2022 12:41

Another voice here saying its a complete waste of time unless you're also taking older children.

Also a small side not but how old is he now? I would have booked something similar up to when DS was about 10 months old with grand expectations that he would love the lights, sounds and rides.

However as he's grown older, he's now 2, its turned out he's totally overwhelmed by rides, fairs, parades etc and he's not the only toddler I know who finds it all too much. So it would have not only been a waste of time because he wouldn't remember it but also probably left the poor lad traumatised.

Original poster

MimiDaisy11 · 31/01/2022 12:59

@HermioneWeasley

If you want to go for you and happen to have a 1 year old that’s one thing, but if you’re going for the baby I really wouldn’t bother. 2.5-3 is probably the min age for them to enjoy it

Sorry I should have been cleaner as I realise a lot of people go for the kids. We’re going for ourselves as we think we’ll enjoy it (big kids I know 😂). We meant to go before we had a child but never got around to it. We’ve both been to other Disneylands but never the Paris one. So we’re not looking to create memories for our son but I’m just trying to think if he’ll be ok out in the park all day (obviously we’ll have stroller).

OP posts:

TheCraicDealer · 31/01/2022 13:03

OP, the only practical thing I would suggest is get a hip seat from hippychick. You have to leave the pram outside the rides so you're holding them as you queue. We used an ergobaby sling for the trip when DD was 5mos, but this time I'll take the hip seat for when she's messing/wants held. Oh and BYO snacks!

Bandol · 31/01/2022 13:30

If you're going for yourselves then it's absolutely fine with a one year old and there are baby care facilities. If you were wanting your child to remember and get lots out of it as a "once in a lifetime" trip then I'd have said wait.

There's plenty of rides that you can enjoy together with a one year old:
Tea cups, Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a small world, Casey Junior, the railroad, Dumbo, the carousel, payes contes des fees, slinky dog, plus the parade and character meets.

If you enjoy Disney then Disneyland Paris has a really nice feeling just to enjoy the atmosphere without spending all day on rollercoasters.

Original poster

MimiDaisy11 · 31/01/2022 14:21

@TheCraicDealer

Thanks! That’s helpful to know about having to leave prams. I hadn’t come across that before.

OP posts:

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 31/01/2022 14:42

If you’re going for yourselves and don’t mind the inconvenience of having a one year old with you then go for it. If you’re going for them I really wouldn’t bother.

At best they won’t get much out of it, and at worst it’ll be a nightmare with an over tired tantruming tot.

If you’re going for them I’d wouldn’t really bother taking a child under about 6 or 7. The queues are very long, there’s actually not many rises tiny kids can go on and the ones there are have insanely long queues. It’s a great trip with older kids, but just seems like expensive, pointless stress with toddlers and very young children.

A54A21 · 31/01/2022 14:42

Good to read that trip can be done with such a small one. My DD will be 6-7 months old when my husband wants to go with extended family as a holiday... There will be other kids who are older and will enjoy it but I'm anxious about managing DD there. Any tips??

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 31/01/2022 14:44

Sorry. Missed the update. I see you are going for yourselves.

Then I’d say go for it, but remember having a one year old with you may well be a giant pain in the arse.

Unihorn · 31/01/2022 22:13

Have you thought about annual passes? They're cheaper than 3 day tickets anyway, and get you EMH and discounts.

We had them when ours was 2, so took her three times before she turned 3 and had to pay for her (our proximity to the Eurostar helped). We were the same as you, it was primarily for us to get a fix of Tower of Terror more than anything

CoolShoeshine · 01/02/2022 18:42

We’ve been when ours were tiny: 10 months, 18 months, 20 months, 2.5 and 3 (not at the same time!) and I have to say that apart from the 10 month old, all the pre-school ages were pretty perfect. From my experience (and I know that it’s not like this for everyone) the kids became shyer around the characters as they got older. We took loads of video footage because they wouldn’t remember and we enjoy watching it back occasionally. The Paris parcs are very compact and you can easily walk from one to the other, also hotels are all walking distance from the parks. Quite a few fun rides for little ones plus shows and parades. Some of the happiest days of our life, If you love going to Disney I would highly recommend Paris with pre-schoolers as a warm up for Disney world when they are older!

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