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Holidays

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

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Original poster

Disneyland Paris with 2 year old worth it?

33 replies

Jellybeans13 · 26/12/2022 13:59

Hi all

I'm due back to work in January from maternity leave and to make it a little more bearable I'm thinking about plans for the year ahead with LO. Holidays specifically.

One thing DH mentioned he'd like to do is a Disneyland Paris holiday. I was thinking maybe Christmas when she's 3 (year after next) would be best but he is was wondering whether next Christmas would be possible. This is my first and we've been a little cautious with travel due to a combination of being shiny new nervous parents but also COVID etc.

I was wondering how others with toddlers had found this journey/holiday? Has anyone taken their 2 year old? Would they get much from it or would it be better to wait until DD is a bit older? Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:

Moonsweet · 26/12/2022 14:09

We had a 15 month old and a 6 year old when we went this year in August. I would say the youngest did enjoy it but we specifically went for the 6 year old and she got a lot more out of it and should remember it when she’s older!

The youngest could go on most of the younger rides with us so your 2 year old could too- but she wasn’t really keen and we had her in the carrier with an UV umbrella all the time walking etc as it was really busy and hot. We are hoping to go back when the youngest is around 6. On the flip side if you just have one child then it’s probably a better experience for parents and you could go on some rides separately/take your time a bit more. Also, you could go outside of school holidays which would make it a lot more affordable and less busy- the queues can be a lot for little ones to cope with and you can’t queue with prams etc. Hope that’s helpful- just our perspective with a younger and an older child x

Nocutenamesleft · 26/12/2022 14:13

I’m taking my kids this year. But they’re 8 and 10. We waited this long specifically for them to remember it. My husband went when he was 3 and remembers nothing at all

Nocutenamesleft · 26/12/2022 14:13

Plus so they’d be tall enough because they’re both huge rollercoaster fans!

MajorCarolDanvers · 26/12/2022 14:19

Waste of money at that age IMO

AmySma1 · 26/12/2022 14:22

I'd wait until 5 or 6 if you can, they'll still love all things disney, but with little ones you'll spend more time queuing for toilets or nappy changing as so many take kids that are too young. Plus they won't be able to have full memories.

Thelongwayround · 26/12/2022 14:24

I took my 14mo and they got a lot more out of it than I thought. Enjoyed the parades, the Christmas lights, the rides, general exploring. But I’d only go if you and your DH know you will enjoy it too.

HaggisWurst · 26/12/2022 15:37

I'd wait personally. They won't remember and will get more out of it when they're older.

ArnoldArnoldArnoldRimmer · 26/12/2022 15:40

My 2 year old got way more out of it than my 4 year old (who whinged the whole time) so depends on the child. 2 year old loved the rides and still talks about it now (a year later).

Fathercrossmas · 26/12/2022 15:42

We went a few times with DD under 3, she enjoyed it at the time but what I would say is don't go during the school holidays while you can avoid it. When she hit 5 I was kicking myself we hadn't been away more in those years whilst it was cheap to do so!

PuttingDownRoots · 26/12/2022 15:42

I'd think they could fun, but it won't be a lifelong memory and could have similar fun at a small UK theme park.

FlounderingFruitcake · 26/12/2022 15:43

I went at 4 and have zero memories except a big falling out with my cousin of the same age because I was slightly taller and could go on more rides so he was upset, then he got a consolation ice cream, then I got upset that I didn’t get one 😂 I also put my 2YO on one little ride at winter wonderland and he cried and hated it! If you’re big Disney fans and want to go for you then fine but it could be a big let down if you’re expecting magic for a child that young. I’d have no qualms about the journey though, mine both did long haul flights before the age of 1 and it was fine!

december212 · 26/12/2022 15:44

Go at 2 and if you love it as much as most do, go again when she's older too. We went with my 5 year old and it was fab but could see rides she'd have loved when she was younger as well as some she'd probably like more when she's older. Different experiences for different ages but all good is what I'm trying to say.

We're not a disney fanatic family at all (my OH is definitely not into Disney!) but we all had a great time when we went in October and would definitely go back.

Hotsweatymomspagetti · 26/12/2022 15:46

We have done this holiday with a nearly 3 year old. It was amazing. We weren’t fussed not to go on rollercoasters and they could go inmost rides. We stayed in a Disney hotel which for that age is a must, then you can pop back to the room for an hour or two during the day and head back out later. The Christmas lights and decorations/ music it was lovely. I would 100% do it again at this age.

but as other have said going back when they are older and you don’t need a pram / can go on all the rides is a bonus. Reason in my
head to go more than once…

december212 · 26/12/2022 15:47

One thing I'd say is Christmas is usually really busy at Disneyland Paris - we went mid-October so all the halloween decorations were up but it wasn't the half term holidays and there were still some big queues. I'd maybe suggest a non peak time for a first visit.

Eatentoomanyroses · 26/12/2022 15:51

I absolutely wouldn’t take my 25 month old. I can’t even take her to the local fun fair. She doesn’t like sitting in the pram at length, she won’t walk in a direction that gets you any place you need to go. If you try and direct her she has a tantrum. She likes rides but she can’t understand that once you’re sitting in one carriage you can’t climb out and get into the carriage in front just to see if you like it any better. She also doesn’t understand that if you like a ride you have to get up at some point. I’m fairly sure it would be quite an expensive ( tantrum filed) disaster. You may have a more biddable child though!

Lozzybear · 26/12/2022 15:52

Disney is really magic when they are little and believe the characters are real. For those saying 8 and 10, they may remember it but it’s not the same for you as a parent. My oldest was 22 months when we first went and I will never forget it. My youngest was enchanted by the characters at 3 and 4 but by 6 he didn’t want his photo with Mickey any more. We’ve been to Paris, Florida and California. Love Disney and it is special for any age but they only believe the characters are real when they are tiny.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 26/12/2022 15:54

My youngest was that age and we didn’t think he would get anything out of it. He wasn’t keen on any of the rides except Small World but was totally entranced by the vintage Mickey Mouse cartoons that were showing on a loop in the food hall. He is now 13 and a keen animator!

Alarae · 26/12/2022 15:58

I went in November with my 2.5 year old and while you are restricted on rides and you need a buggy for walking around (as otherwise it is too much) I have the best memories with her. Her face as she watched the parades and shows was pure delight.

We also did a character dinner and amongst the characters she met Pluto. She absolutely loved it! I have a video of her calling out to Pluto when she spotted him from afar and it makes my heart melt.

If you are only going to Disney once, I would say to wait. We went for my 30th and I will probably go back again when she is a bit older so she can do the larger rides.

minipie · 26/12/2022 16:01

I’d take her to Peppa Pig world instead at that age. Or a great zoo - 2-3 year olds love zoos!

Would your DH be wanting to go on the big rides - as if so, that’s a “holiday” of you holding the toddler while he goes on rides alone. Or at best the two of you taking turns to do this. Or does he accept he mostly wouldn’t get to go on the big rides?

Changechangychange · 26/12/2022 16:01

Go for yourself, but your two year old will be too young to enjoy it, or realise what half of it is about.

DS barely knew what a Disney Princess was aged 2, and would have been no more impressed at meeting one than he would at meeting the neighbour (because he wouldn’t have understood that it wasn’t a normal thing to happen). Also wouldn’t have care about rides, castles, etc.

We took him on loads of great trips aged 2.5 (both had a brief work sabbatical), and his favourite things were eating a bagel and watching Paw Patrol on my phone, and the blackboard we found in one of the Airbnbs. Rocky Mountains, ice palaces, walled cities, canoe trips, hot springs, sleeper trains, glass bottomed boats, beaches, whale watching - very little interest.

Even aged 3, he was mostly interested in a) digging in the snow, b) digging in the sand, or c) playing in the hotel playroom/pool. Also didn’t really have the stamina for a full day out without some downtime.

He is 6 now and just about the right age, I would have thought. Knows all the films, old enough to be excited about the environment and seeing the characters.

gogohmm · 26/12/2022 16:04

I wouldn't do a multi day trip at that age, I did take mine at 1&3 to California Disneyland but only for the day off peak.

Lozzybear · 26/12/2022 16:05

They can go on loads of rides when they are tiny. Disney is not Alton Towers. It’s not about scary rides. It’s a family experience. My oldest went on Pirates of the Caribbean at 22 months and loads of other rides.

HermioneWeasley · 26/12/2022 16:29

Took DS for the first time when he was coming up to 3 and it was magical. He didn’t want to leave. He loved going round the castle being told the story of sleeping beauty and then was absolutely thrilled by the dragon underneath- fascinated but scared too. Loved the little rides and had the best time. He doesn’t remember it now but we do!

Blueflag22 · 26/12/2022 16:50

I took my daughter to Peppa world at 2 , she doesn't remember a thing. I went to America at 3 I don't remember a thing. They may enjoy the moment but will not remember it. Depends on you, no one can tell you if it's worth it, your money and time, and your child.

Blueflag22 · 26/12/2022 16:53

Sorry I meant to add to America Disney world Florida. can't remember it.

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