Disneyland Paris with a 3.5 year old

[mayjay11]

Hi
I'm looking for tips on a trip to Disneyland Paris with a 3 year old boy who loves Mickey Mouse.
We are going October half term so I know it will be busy. How many days? Which rides do you recommend? Which parks should I book? I'm bringing a buggy as I know he will get tired from walking, is uppababy too big or should I get a stroller?
We are also planning 2 days around Paris too. I would love any advice please TIA 😊

I'm not sure where you're planning on staying but defo take a buggy. Also pay in advance for a meal deal if staying on site so you can book places to eat - they get sooooooo busy. We used the buffet places as they were easier with the kids.

Thank you.
We haven't accommodation booked either so would love recommendations for that too. I have seen apartments close by that are very reasonable so they might be a good option?
The Disney hotels look very expensive for what they are

We went recently but with older children. They hire out strollers which would save you travelling with one.

There are some good rides at the Studios for little kids and if he's into spiderman etc they do fights on the rooftop of Avengers campus. The Disneyland Paris app is great and lets you filter by rides for little ones.

We did 3 nights/4 days (but didn't use park on day 4). As a NT adult I felt the sensory overload so I can imagine a preschooler would find it a LOT. Take water bottles to refill in the park. Drinks and snacks are pricey so take your own.

Are you teachers, assume so if you have to go in half term. It will be gearing up to Halloween in terms of decor.

There are single rider lanes available for many fast/popular rides if you and partner want to do that!

We stayed in Newport Bay which is a Disney hotel to save on travelling with small children but you're right they are pricey.

We took Dts at that age, stayed in Sequoia. I wouldn't stay off park. The weather was shit. Loads of rides broke down. We drove, did 2 nights. By day 3 they didn't want to go back in the park but stay in the pool.

Definitley get a meal plan.

The park hotels give you early entry and you can go back to the room if you need
Some downtime.

Be prepared to queue. A lot.

Thank you all so much. This is great information, I really appreciate it ❤️

I hope you don't mind me jumping in - just wanted to add a couple more tips from our experience visiting Disneyland Paris with our 3 year old daughter.

We found 3 full days was perfect for her attention span. The Disney hotels are convenient for breaks. Some rides she enjoyed were Buzz Lightyear, Cars and It's A Small World. Live shows are a hit too.

Save money by bringing snacks and refillable bottles. The app is handy, as is the rider swap pass which lets the non-riding parent wait with little ones.

For your two days in Paris, you may consider booking a local guide to show you around. This is the one we used during our trip https://gowithguide.com/france/paris/guides It could give you some good options. A guide can help plan an itinerary tailored to your interests and your son's age. They'll also have tips for family-friendly activities and places to stop.

Hope this helps with planning! 😊

We are also going in October with a 3yr old for the first time! We are looking to stay at the Disney hotel, but I looked at the meal plans and they seem very expensive. I don’t usually eat breakfast, but that’s part of the deal. Half board is £115 and full board is £208 per adult!! That doesn’t even include drinks. I just can’t see us spending over £200 each on food a day. As our child will be 3.5yrs we have to pay for them too which is £110 and there is no way they will eat that much!

We stayed in I think it’s the Santa Fe (whichever one the Cars one was). Handy because the Disney buses go all day backwards and forwards so you can go back for naps etc. October mid term will be the Halloween one so bear in mind it will be all the spooky stuff and villains

The supermarket is a train ride away so I’d recommend going there to buy water, rolls, fruit etc as you’ll never experience anything like the cost in Disney (small popcorn eg a tenner). We ended up eating in McDonald’s or the rainforest cafe (very cool and definitely the cheapest) and basically living on bread rolls. Second time we opted for a meal deal in the hotel for breakfast and filled up on croissants, omelettes, pancakes etc which worked for us. btw Disney hotels you can get a free hot chocolate daily!)

Buy a Disney top or the ears etc before you go as everything there is shocking prices.

Make sure you go on the buzz light year ride where you go along shooting things to gain points. Also it’s a small small world!!

If she loves Mickey Mickey and Minnie stand on the balcony at certain times of the day, there’s also meet ups with certain characters as you go about.

there is soooooo much walking, definitely something will be needed-saw loads of people with buggies I assume we’re at the reception part of eurodisney.

The fireworks are on really late but soooooo worth it (google- they light up the castle). Do not get up early the day after though or you are killing your child😅😅😅

Wrap up soooo warm- it will be freezing there!!

Have the best time!!

He not she sorry!!!

@stayathomer Wrap up soooo warm- it will be freezing there!!

Not my experience at all, October has always been lovely weather when I've been, not been for a few years though.

myself and friend both went then different years in October (mine weren’t in school yet at the time) and there were chilly winds and my kids took gloves because she’d told me her children complained of how cold they were. We wore hats, coats and gloves while there- could have just been the particular years but better to have a warm change and hats and gloves just in case!!

We did 3 nights/4 days in a Disney hotel - really helpful to be within walking distance as the buses can be a crowded nightmare. Didn't bother with a meal plan - buy croissants from a bakery or bring the pre-wrapped ones and lots of snacks, there are plenty of quick service places to eat if it's just for a few days which you don't have to book. Get the park hopper ticket so you can move about as you want. I wouldn't recommend you hire their strollers as they do not look comfortable at all!

What we found with the quick service places within the park was that the seating was outdoor picnic style so no chance to warm up, etc.
We went in December and knew it was expensive but viewed it as we were only doing it at this age once so sod the expense! 🙈

We did September and it was boiling (although threw it down one day) but completely understand your logic for the colder months!

Oh amazing! Thank you all so much, I'm really looking forward to the trip now 😊❤️