Disneyland Paris with a toddler

[Jaffacake007]

Hi!

Considering Disneyland Paris for 2 nights at the end of August. My DD will almost be 2 and a half.

Has anyone else taken a child this young? Any advice on hotels, travel (we're thinking Eurostar), food etc?

Thanks in advance

@Chanel05

Definitely not too young! I went to Disney World with my 17 month old this year.

Disney Paris isn't too far of course - lots of bright lights/characters and weather to enjoy. Have fun!

Thanks!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you travel there and what did you do for accommodation? Partner is still really keen to go and I'm 50-50

I think our DD was three, DS 8 and we had a fantastic time. We did the Eurostar, stayed at the Cheyenne hotel so could walk to the park.
She did some rides, napped in the buggy, loved the parade, great memories.

We did Disneyland Paris for my eldest 2nd birthday. He loved it and it cost less than a weekend at the Cbeebies hotel!

We are going again in June when he will be 5 and my youngest just turned 3.

If you want to go then go! I’m sure you will have a great time. I would always recommend staying onsite. It’s much better value for money than off site and park tickets, and much easier that you can walk in. The shuttle buses are chaos.

We went every year from 2015-2020 before lockdown so our DD has been going from 2, DS1 has been going from 6 months and DS2 hasn’t been.

Your toddler will be fine. They can see the characters and go on a few rides. I forget the name of the one next to the princess pavilion but that one was a hit with my toddlers!
Make sure you take a buggy. We’ve always flown and then got the magic bus from Charles de Gaulle airport.

I don’t understand why people say don’t go as they won’t remember it.
They won’t remember anything!! Do people just sit in the house until they’re an age to remember?!

@RussianSpy101

I don’t understand why people say don’t go as they won’t remember it. They won’t remember anything!! Do people just sit in the house until they’re an age to remember?!

Haha I agree!

I understand how the cost can deter people but even if this was the only time DD ever went to Disney Land, I'm sure we will have lots of other memorable experiences when she's older!

@Turtles4543

I think our DD was three, DS 8 and we had a fantastic time. We did the Eurostar, stayed at the Cheyenne hotel so could walk to the park. She did some rides, napped in the buggy, loved the parade, great memories.

Thank you

Will look up that hotel now!

@Jaffacake007 you absolutely will! Plus seeing her enjoying something will mean the world. So whether she remembers it or not, you and your partner will!
The one tip I would give you is to pack whatever she snacks on at home so you can take them in with you.
Even if you book a meal plan, snacks are expensive and may not be want they want.
I tend to take sandwich bag for each child for each day with snacks in for them but then mine are quite picky eaters.

If you go, I would definitely advise the Eurostar as you can get it direct from St Pancras to the station at Disney. I took (just turned) DS2 on the Eurostar to Paris and back and it was so easy and comfortable. Also, children under 4 or something are free if they sit on your lap, but the people at both ends were really kind and moved us so we had a whole 4 seat table to ourselves each way, even though I only paid for me (this was in Business Premier if that makes a difference).

The flight to Paris is obviously easy enough but Charles de Gaulle airport… 😱😱😱

We’re just back from DLP with our just turned 3 yr old and 4 year old.

It was extremely expensive for what it was- we’re in NI so don’t have the U.K. theme parks within easy reach anyway, but it is £££ in comparison. We stayed off site at The Explorers Hotel which was fine but nothing amazing.

The kids had a ball- they loved the rides, there’s plenty to do for little ones. We brought a pram even though we’ve not used one for over a year, and both kids were extremely glad of it.

I don’t think 2.5 is too young- a lot of the rides have no height restriction and I loved seeing our train mad 3 year old’s face light up when he got to get on the steam train around the park.

Just don’t go expecting it to be like Disney World- the food in Paris is crap, as is the merchandise and general customer service isn’t incredible. DH and I love Florida, but it didn’t even scratch the itch 😩, so plans for the US are afoot for next year.

@Jaffacake007 we flew direct with BA into Orlando International. We booked the flights the day after the USA opened up in November and they were only (only - all relative, I know) £500 pp, which is a steal for direct. The prices are now upwards of £2500 direct 🙈. We would definitely go indirect in future though and always did this pre dd. We stayed in a villa with a private pool and hired a car.

It’s incredibly easy to drive to DLP and works out much cheaper , with the added bonus of no luggage restrictions so you can take snacks , drinks etc and bring home loads of goodies . We generally stay at the Disneyland hotel but that is closed at present and my next preference is Sequoia Lodge , but pay the extra to get a room in the main building .

Mine were 1 (nearly 2) and 3 and loved it so much. There are lots of rides woth no height restrictions and the both loved all of them. Dumbo, Peter pans flight, they even loved pirates of the carribean which they wouldn't be allowed on in the UK! They aren't fearless kids either. The atmosphere was great etc however I will add that we went in January and the queues were short and the prices cheaper. So I'm guessing that massively impacts the experience. When we did have queues we did Snacks and played games etc.

We ate at plaza Gardens for lunch which was big buffet and got nugget take away for dinner. Super easy. Eurostar there, also very easy. Much easier than when we drive a long way in the UK somewhere

I’m all honesty I’d wait at least another year if not two. I’m going with a 5yo and 3yo later this year and think it will be great for my eldest and a year too young for my youngest. It isn’t a cheap trip and I’m a bit worried about how she’ll be. If you are going to do one with a younger one, try and do it out of school holidays unless you’re tied to them for work. I’ve been scanning the queues and they are pretty long. Also illuminations won’t be on until 11 in the summer which will be a challenge for you with a toddler.

I’d also say my 5yo is princess obsessed, knows all the characters etc. my 3yo doesn’t really care, is a pain still re eating and I fear she is going to be hard work. Even with Peppa pig world, we went at 21/2 and my little girl was mega overwhelmed and didn’t really get it as much as the older one. Basically though the eldest really enjoys those sorts of days out but the youngest is still a bit unpredictable, gets more tired etc. I’m sure we’ll still have a lovely time but in hindsight waiting a year would have probably been better for us.

We took DDs on the train from Paris. They didn’t care for it and neither did we. They never asked to go back - thank God. We bribed them by having fantastic beach holidays and going on a family safari. They do rent we turn but didn’t go as toddlers. All holidays cost money but sandcastles and the sea are just as good at that age.

Do it! Took a 6 month old and a 3 year old and they loved it, lots of rides we could all go on and 3 year old went on everything apart from the really big rides. It was brilliant seeing their faces light up