Is Disneyland Paris just a glorified Legoland/Chessington?

[jenesaisquoixo]

Hi all,

I have 3 under 5 and I was recently thinking of taking them to Disney for a 2 night/2-days in the park trip. I really want to give them this magical experience when they're still young enough to believe in all the characters and the magic. I have managed to get it down to about £1500 in early September (Eurostar, hotel and park admission inclusive) but I still feel like that's super steep especially as they won't be tall enough for many of the rides (the eldest two are just over a metre). I could just as easily spend half that money for a number of days out and about in the UK.

Would love some thoughts on this, thank you so much x

No not at all. We go to all the uk theme parks regularly and been to Paris twice. First time was for 2 days second time for 4 days and 4 days was much better. So much to do and very magical. Make sure you stay late for the illuminations! I cried first time I watched them. It's honestly worth every penny.

No Disneyland is great and not comparable to Legoland at alll, but I'd wait until they're a little older and stay a bit longer personally, whilst it will cost more it'll be better value, 2 days will be very rushed and pretty exhausting with 3 under 5...

Not even close to comparable in my opinion. Everything is so much better, cleaner and more enjoyable.

Honestly yes. It’s lovely and we loved it when we went for 3 nights/4 days but I’d hold fire for another couple of years if you can. I took DD when she was 6 and she still believed, but was tall enough for most of it

Disney do things differently. The attention to detail is almost unparalleled. I'm speaking on experience of Florida though . I've never been to to the paris park

My review on that place is never popular on here....went about 8 years ago on a student trip as there was an Animation event so we took students for that. we found the accomodation was ok but walls paper thin, maintenance going on so never slept, drilling and banging in rooms next to us for days, awful junk food..."princess burgers" at high prices, that sort of thing, agressive security at gate. to be honest nobody looked happy, was the most depressing 3 days I spent there, we left the camp as early as poss each day and returned late to avoid it. Maybe it's improved, i would never go back even if i had small children.

It is a different league
But I also think you shouldn’t feel under pressure to take them that young as older kids (and adults!) love it too! We went for the first time with kids aged 7, 11 & 14 and they all loved it and want to go back.

Honestly the Disney magic is something else even at the Paris one, my mum went from being 60 to 5 in front of me, and practically pushed me out of the way when her childhood favourite came towards her and gave her a hug.

Go during February half term when it is quieter and dress for the weather. Fit in meals with the characters instead of wasting time standing in line and go to the Princess/ Prince makeover place (you can take your own costumes) before dinner with the princesses.

The rides at Disney are almost an afterthought to the other experiences, shows and themed environments.

My nephew was too short aged 5 for a lot of the rides at the Florida one. I would wait.

We have been both to Legoland and Disneyland Paris a few times and I think your kids are still too young to fully appreciate Disneyland (and as you said go on all the rides). At their age Legoland is great,plenty on offer and you can do it in one day or to make it extra special you can stay overnight at the Legoland Hotel. I would wait until both reach the minimum height for the rides at Disneyland , it will be a far superior experience (considering the cost!).

They would probably prefer Paultons Park (where Peppa Pig world is) at that age tbh.
Or just a playpark 🙂

Not aimed at you really. For kids its magical.

We loved Disneyland Paris - we went with kids aged 15, 12 and 8 and all would go again.

We stayed at a campsite nearby, so went for the day.

We had fast passes, so didn't have to queue for many rides, which is always a bonus.

The best part of Disney was the evening fireworks display, which meant we didn't finish until around 10.30pm - perfect for older kids, not so great for little ones.

I think they are slightly too young TBH.

I took my DD for her 9th birthday and it was perfect (apart from the rain!). She was young enough to take delight in the magical elements like the Peter Pan ride, but old enough to appreciate the slightly more sophisticated/technological aspects too.

I forgot about the parades - they were also magical and wonderful!

The parades, dances, characters in costume and firesworks made it a magical experience.

we noticed nobody looked happy, even the kids, we joked that they should put ecstasy in the food and drinks....!!

we noticed nobody looked happy, even the kids, we joked that they should put ecstasy in the food and drinks....!!

Right...nobody at Disneyland was happy confirmation bias, you made your mind up and saw what you wanted to see.

We first went when the kids were 8 and 6. Maybe mine were just particularly cynical even then (and they're ND) but weenjiyed it about as much as Lego land and didn't really get the Disney magic thing. Wedidn't have any interest in the dressed up characters and it was slightly odd for people to be saying 'it's the real snow white' when it is an actress in a princess dress. Some of it was also looking a bit uncared for which was a bit of a surprise.

I’ve been to Florida 10 times and Paris twice. Sadly Paris is really crap compared to Florida. It’s not good. Staff is just staff, nothing extra like in Florida. I so wish it would be good as it’s closer, but it just isn’t. People smoking everywhere too.

And accomodation was horrible. Thin walls and cramped.

That’s the thing about Disney though, it is aimed at every age group. Not just kids.

French parents screaming at their kids, I mean why..saw so many unhappy kids. Even my teenage kids commented.

I don't know why people need to bring up Florida on DLP threads, very different holidays (with very different cost points!) OP is asking about DLP, not Florida.

I find it much better than Chessington etc but your kids are too young at the moment.

Fair enough.