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Original poster

Disney Paris…for a non-Disney fan?!

12 replies

Farrings · 03/12/2025 16:56

I’m thinking of taking my 5 and 8 yr olds to Disney in January…

I know it will be v cold and potentially rainy, but we’re hardy sorts and will probably stay on site so can escape to hotel room when needed.

I hope my kids love it (it’s a surprise!) but I’m a bit worried that I’ll hate it! I’m not usually a fan of fakery/plastic/fast food/naff-ness/crowds/queuing/ or being trapped somewhere where everything is ££££….

So my question is, is Disney Paris worth it? Will the kids be enchanted? Does the authentic Disney experience have a charm all of its own?!

We’re taking them out of school for it for a couple of days, and the internet says its possibly the quietest time of year to go…but does that still mean standing in godawful queues in the cold for hours?!

As you can see I’m struggling to commit to my original plan, so would really appreciate some honest Mum-to-Mum advice about whether it’s worth the money and effort… thank you so much

OP posts:
user2848502016 · 03/12/2025 17:13

We took our DDs last February

They were 10 & 13 then so enjoyed the older kid/adult rides more than the cutesy Disney stuff but they had a great time and the atmosphere really is good.

We stayed in a Disney hotel which made things convenient so I would recommend it, breakfast was a bit hectic so would recommend making the effort to go early.

Yes it was freezing but we were lucky to have no rain, take warm clothes, hats etc.

The queues were long but not awful, we were there in our half term but are in Wales so were a week later than most English schools and Disney classed that week as low season. The longest we queued was 45 mins. If you download the app it tells you how long the queues are so you can plan which ride to go on next, with staying in a Disney hotel you will get magic hour each day you’re there (including your check in day) so make the most of that and go on the popular rides then. What we also did was choose 2 rides each that we really wanted to do and prioritised them, try and build a plan for each day so you’re not wasting time walking around.
Also queues are a bit shorter at lunchtime if you can eat early/late, and during the parade so if you’re there more than one day see the parade one day and the other days head for a popular ride then, the rides aimed at younger kids are also quieter later in the day.

The food isn’t great but not awful, what you’d expect really - mass produced and expensive! I’d recommend including breakfast at the hotel and filling up there.

We didn’t do anything like character meet & greet or anything as the DC weren’t bothered.

Overall we had a great time but yes it is busy and you will be knackered by the end.

Original poster
Farrings · 03/12/2025 21:53

user2848502016 · 03/12/2025 17:13

We took our DDs last February

They were 10 & 13 then so enjoyed the older kid/adult rides more than the cutesy Disney stuff but they had a great time and the atmosphere really is good.

We stayed in a Disney hotel which made things convenient so I would recommend it, breakfast was a bit hectic so would recommend making the effort to go early.

Yes it was freezing but we were lucky to have no rain, take warm clothes, hats etc.

The queues were long but not awful, we were there in our half term but are in Wales so were a week later than most English schools and Disney classed that week as low season. The longest we queued was 45 mins. If you download the app it tells you how long the queues are so you can plan which ride to go on next, with staying in a Disney hotel you will get magic hour each day you’re there (including your check in day) so make the most of that and go on the popular rides then. What we also did was choose 2 rides each that we really wanted to do and prioritised them, try and build a plan for each day so you’re not wasting time walking around.
Also queues are a bit shorter at lunchtime if you can eat early/late, and during the parade so if you’re there more than one day see the parade one day and the other days head for a popular ride then, the rides aimed at younger kids are also quieter later in the day.

The food isn’t great but not awful, what you’d expect really - mass produced and expensive! I’d recommend including breakfast at the hotel and filling up there.

We didn’t do anything like character meet & greet or anything as the DC weren’t bothered.

Overall we had a great time but yes it is busy and you will be knackered by the end.

Thank you, it's nice to hear the atmosphere is good. I don't want to by cynical about it, I want to lean into the full Disney-ness.. it's just very out of my normal comfort zone!

Glads to hear staying at a disney hotel is worth it, it does seem sensible especially with the little one

45 mins sounds sooooo long to queue... not sure any of us are up for that, so I'll definitely get the app, thanks for the tips :)

OP posts:
PointeShoesandTutus · 03/12/2025 22:03

We took our DC last year on the busiest week of the year. I was not a Disney fan. DH is even less of a Disney fan. We decided we'd take the kids, it would be a one off trip, and we could say we'd ticked that box. It blew us away, the magic and the atmosphere was so special that even old cynics like us were feeling it, and the kids were in their element. So much so that we've planned to go back. The food is pretty shite but everything else - even the queues, were fine. It might surprise you!

Original poster
Farrings · 03/12/2025 22:48

PointeShoesandTutus · 03/12/2025 22:03

We took our DC last year on the busiest week of the year. I was not a Disney fan. DH is even less of a Disney fan. We decided we'd take the kids, it would be a one off trip, and we could say we'd ticked that box. It blew us away, the magic and the atmosphere was so special that even old cynics like us were feeling it, and the kids were in their element. So much so that we've planned to go back. The food is pretty shite but everything else - even the queues, were fine. It might surprise you!

Ahh, that's so nice to hear! Thanks for sharing that :)

OP posts:
Radiatorvalves · 03/12/2025 22:54

We went years ago in February and it was glacial, not a great success (they never asked to go again!!). Make sure you’ve got warm clothes. Personally I wouldn’t be keen or advise anyone to go then, but lots will disagree with me. Hope you have more fun than we did!

TheLette · 03/12/2025 22:55

I am not really into theme parks but enjoyed it for what it was. Decor / theme is fun. Queues weren't too bad for small kid rides, I think we queued for max 20 min in the Easter holidays. I'm not interested in adult rides so we didn't bother with any rides with massive queues. Food is expensive and not great, so take a pack lunch and consider staying in the local town rather than the immediate area, so you can find non-Disney restaurants and use the hypermarket.

Having said all of this, my kids enjoyed Paris just as much as Disney, and 1 day was enough for me really (we did 2 days).

PeatandDieselfan · 03/12/2025 23:09

Does it have to be Disney? If not, have you considered Efteling in the Netherlands? I would choose that over Disney every time.

Shivvy1 · 03/12/2025 23:51

We went to Disney last month and it was so magical with all the Christmas lights and fake snow. The weather was actually great for November with the kids wearing shorts and t shirts one day. The queues for the rides were not too bad actually. We stayed in one of the hotels outside the park and got the free shuttle bus, now that’s an experience waiting to get the bus back at night, people don’t care and were pushing the kids out the way to get on the bus! The fireworks and light show at the end of the night is out of this world!! Absolutely amazing. I recommend heading there about 1/1.5 hours before it starts to get a good spot. It is not to be missed!! You can also rent buggies out for 30 euro which was a god send. All the kids loved it and had the best time. It is expensive and the food is just ok. There is a McDonald’s in the Disney village. The only thing we were really disappointed about is the characters, you don’t really see them walking about that much and if you do they have staff with them so you can’t really interact with them. You can book to meet them but you have to been in the park first thing in the morning to book via the app or 2pm as well I think also via the app. We loved it and can’t wait to go back

TeamGeriatric · 04/12/2025 06:59

I didn't think we would be that bothered by Disney, but we've now been to Hong Kong, Paris (twice) and Tokyo. I really enjoy spending time in the parks, watching the parades and the fireworks. The shows in the studios park are great as well for a bit of down time between ride queues. Quite a few of the character meets are now virtual queues bookable on the app, like Mickey, Olaf, Disney princesses as well Marvel characters, but you have to be on the app ready to book at 9:45am on the dot. There is another time slot for bookings at 2pm from memory. There are other characters you can stand and queue to meet too, but the virtual queues are very efficient. Definitely do a bit of research in advance so you don't miss out on things like that. As someone said magic hour is the best thing ever, not every ride opens, but you get on at least 2 or 3 with short queues.

Pricelessadvice · 04/12/2025 07:02

I’m not a Disney fan. I don’t like Disney films at all, but I love Disneyland Paris. It just feels magical with all the lights and music.

Curiousrobin · 04/12/2025 07:23

I always say you don't need to be a Disney fan to enjoy the Disney parks. I've been to Disney 3 times - twice to World, once to Land in Paris. I did not enjoy our trip to Paris (which was only last week) nearly as much, but that's mainly because Disney World is a lot bigger (and American cast members are more friendly than the French!). My love for Disney is pretty much that I used to enjoy the films as a child, that's about it. You go for the rides and experiences!

Pepperedpickles · 04/12/2025 07:24

There is a lot there for anyone, Disney fan or not.

If you haven’t already I really suggest watching some of the many Disney vloggers on you tube to get a taste of what the reality of the parks are like - have a search for Brogan Tate, Adam Hatton and Sam4god. All of them have done a lot of Disneyland Paris vlogs.

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