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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

Anyone been to Disneyland Paris in Dec

22 replies

frostyfeb · 01/05/2023 17:35

Am I mad for considering it ?

It would be our first time going and youngest will be 9 but I am worried it will be cold and wet and we won't enjoy it ?

Also trying to decide between Davy Crockett or the centre parcs and wondering what the best choice will be as it's Dec?

Thanks

OP posts:

Fivemoreminutes1 · 01/05/2023 19:59

If you wear the right clothes (thermal base layers, fleece, down-filled jacket, hat, gloves and winter boots) then the weather isn’t too much of an issue because lots of the ride queues are undercover and there are plenty of indoor attractions. It’s extra-magical in the run up to Christmas but everyone else thinks so too and therefore the queues can be colossal. If you go prepared to queue, then you’ll be fine.
Regarding where to stay, it depends how many days you’re going for and whether you’ll be driving or not.

Original poster

frostyfeb · 01/05/2023 20:44

Thanks @Fivemoreminutes1

Yes will be driving
Not sure how many nights, was thinking Mon to Thursday or Friday ?

OP posts:

Pearfacebananapoop · 01/05/2023 20:51

Yes it's freezing but it's magical! I prefer it at Xmas to summer.have only ever stayed on site though so can go back for a warm if needed!

Motherhubbardscupboard · 01/05/2023 20:54

Several years ago but we went in November and it was absolutely freezing! We all had the right gear, kids wore under layers etc, but it was still very very cold being out all day. Still had a great time but just be prepared. We may have had a particularly cold week of course, and I feel that recent winters haven't been as cold. We stayed at Davy Crocketts (twice in fact). I wouldn't stay at center parcs unless you're going to get full benefit from the facilities, which you won't if you're out all day at Disney.

blametheparents · 01/05/2023 20:54

We went for New Year when our kids were 9 and 5.
It was cold!
Salopettes and really good boots for the kids, and obvs winter coats. It was ok, but there were times when it felt a bit chilly!
Overall worth it, I’d say. We were lucky and had no rain, just ice!

Fivefootoffun · 01/05/2023 20:58

We were there in December just past - it was wonderful! The decorations and Santa himself were just unforgettable.
it was cold but not as cold as I was expecting. The Christmas market stalls on the studios were lovely.
We didn’t get rain which helped but I honestly think you take that risk anytime of the year. We were there in the June of last year too and found it really unbearably hot at some points - I definitely preferred December.

littleripper · 01/05/2023 20:59

Yes, so so so cold!!!! We had a great time but it was brutal!

KitKatLove · 01/05/2023 21:01

Went in January, it was freezing. Wrap up but there’ll probably be whinging.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 02/05/2023 09:18

Idk I just went in April and there was lots of rain and cold

shysquirrel · 02/05/2023 09:21

We went in February and it was freezing and raining. Yes lots in undercover but it was still lots of walking in freezing rain. However, I think the Christmas magic of Disneyland might outweigh that.

wingingit1987 · 02/05/2023 09:22

We went twice in December and it was wonderful. The festive season at Disney is lovely. What I would say though is pay the extra and stay in an on-site hotel, especially in winter. Sequoia Lodge would be lovely at that time of year plus park closes early at night so we liked taking the kids to the pool before bed. Look into their golden forest rooms- they offer nice wee extras.

Zola1 · 02/05/2023 09:28

We went for Christmas about 6 years ago, flew out on 23rd and came home on 27th. It was unreal, just absolutely magical. Christmas day itself wasn't too busy 🤣 but the other days were. But DLP is busy all year round anyway.
We did layers, it was fine, not really that cold but might have just been a funny year. All the Xmas decorations and parades etc were fab and we did Xmas dinner with the princesses.

Zola1 · 02/05/2023 09:29

We stayed at the dream castle and always have, I don't fancy driving and the Davy crockett is therefore out for me.. don't see the point in CP, you won't use it as you'll be out all the time

toottootpipip · 02/05/2023 09:40

Yes

Stayed at the Magic Circus

It was really cold but we had the right clothes, and things like the Frozen show were much more in keeping with the season

If you want theme park but warmer look at Port Aventura. We have done new year there a couple of times in the port aventura hotel, they did a lovely gala dinner for NYE.

InceyWinceySpidy · 02/05/2023 09:43

We went over New Year and it was superb.

Not even a massive Disney fan, but it was spectacular.

We only went for 3 days, two nights, but booked a suite. I don't know if things have changed now, but this gave us unlimited fast track on to everything and it was worth its weight in gold. We didn't queue for anything more than 15mins so we weren't stood in the cold at all. NYE is the busiest day of the year.

This enabled us to do every ride we wanted multiple times, and two days would have been plenty on this basis. It also gave us a big breakfast which we filled up on, as food around the park on the go is where they rip you off and it's not good standard.

All the French are in salopettes and ski jackets, for good reason. We saw so many poor little girls, in beautiful princess dresses, blue in the face with cold, where they'd been queuing up for things for hours. Wrap up seriously warm, and wear a crown or Mickey ears to feel more Disney.

And take comfortable stomping footwear.

Hopeful16 · 02/05/2023 10:00

Yes and it was freezing - but just go equipped.
We took hand warmers and layers and it was fine. Lots of stops to warm up. Book seats for shows so you don't need to queue - they're magical anyway.
The decorations are fabulous, well worth seeing.
One thing to consider though is that the general day is shorter which suited our younger children but a 9YO might want to stay up later and the last parades and events are earlier.

Appleblum · 02/05/2023 10:16

I have... it was snowing and cold but absolutely bearable if you put on proper winter clothes. Nothing like standing in queue with a warm drink in your hands! The Christmas decorations are really pretty. The crowds are so thin that you don't need an express pass, the longest queue I had to wait for was about 20 minutes.

maranella · 02/05/2023 11:02

Well it could definitely be cold and wet as DLP is only 300 miles south of London and tends to get similar weather. However, with the right clothes I think you'd be fine and there are advantages to going at quieter times of year - shorter queues for one.

When we went we did Sat-Weds, so two travel days, two park days (there are two parks) and one day in Paris (you can get the train into Paris from outside the gate).

YWP · 02/05/2023 11:08

We went and it was amazing! The Christmas themes were great, not too damp. Occasionally rained but easy enough to stay dry. I would go back in Dec for sure!

We stayed in the Disney hotel quite close to the park so got in early which was great, we could then pop back to the hotel for a break in
the afternoon and go back out again late afternoon.

I would have a look at price differences for marvel hotel and the other one that’s super close as it does make a difference being able to pop back to the room.

maranella · 02/05/2023 11:11

We stayed in the Disney hotel quite close to the park so got in early which was great, we could then pop back to the hotel for a break in the afternoon and go back out again late afternoon.

Agreed - stay on site if you can. There are plenty of places to eat and it's nice to be able to pop back and change or just lie down for a bit before going back into the park to see the fireworks.

GoneTillNovember · 02/05/2023 11:20

We've done winter twice - late November and early January. Both very cold, very wet but absolutely brilliant.

Stayed at CP both times and wouldn't stay anywhere else to be honest. Absolutely loved having the best of both worlds. Kids love the pool and all the attractions of CP, we loved the space of the apartment/villa and the convenience of the shops and restaurants onsite. 5 minutes drive to Disney and free parking.

CoolShoeshine · 02/05/2023 19:08

We’ve been a few times for the Christmas celebrations and it was always exceptionally cold (seems way colder than UK despite being further south, not sure why) but also crisp. The Christmas period is glorious, the most festive thing I have ever experienced. If you can go before the schools break up so less crowds.
Also as someone else has said, Sequoia Lodge would we perfect at that time of year, so cosy and atmospheric and only a short walk from the parks and village so you can easily pop back to the hotel during the day for a chill and to warm up.

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