Am I mad to consider a first birthday at Disneyland Paris?

[anxiousmum2b]

Just need some advice / moral support as an over anxious first time mum! We are considering going to Disneyland Paris for DS first birthday and staying in either the New York Hotel or the Newport Bay Club. We are planning on flying there on Easyjet, five adults and DS.

I am worried about how easy it is to get from the airport to Disney, whether we'll need a car seat if we could go by train to Disney? Also what the food is like as DS has had no junk food as yet!

Any tips, advice or help greatly appreciated - or I may spend the next two months worrying and trying to tell myself to get a grip!

Totally, totally sensible reasons, then

How about hiring a cottage somewhere (could be UK) for a long weekend - less stressful (more flexible for you to work around los routines) and could still be really memorable.

But slzslak is right, first birthdays are about your memories rather than theirs, so what you want is key here. I'm just concerned that lots of stuff about eurodisney could make your lives harder rather than easier.

Thank you funnypeculiar! Have been thiunking about that too, but may need to be a plane trip away from some people to stop them following us!!!!

If it's just for you to get away there must be loads of nicer places you can go for that money! We've taken ours for their sixth birthday and they loved it. I wouldn't bother taking a baby. Could you not choose a nice weekend break instead?

We took dd to Barcelona when she was about that age - brilliant time had be ALL!!!

Can't you do something like that? A treat for you, dh and dd!!!

We took myself DS when he has about 18m old, he absolutely HATED it. Too young to enjoy the rides, too noisy and too crowded. I thought the only thing he may be able to enjoy would be the little boat cruise of "the small world" good heavens, he could have jumped out of the boat in order to avoid so much input.

We ended up counting the minutes for our shuttle to go back to paris...

Avoid it if you can, he is certainly NOT going to enjoy it.

Hi anxiousmum2b
Sounds like you need and deserve a break so I would say go for whatever you feel will help you. Disney would be more for yourself than his benefit at only 1 but hey if you can afford it and you will enjoy taking him then go do it. Whatever you decide have a great trip and enjoy your sons 1st birthday.

Need to add that DS enjoyed PAris much more than Disneyland. He loved it (everyone making a fuzz of bebe!)

Two words for you Center Parcs

mumtofour - you are a wise woman!

My best friend adores disney it gives me a headache. I love exploring new cities it gives her a headache.

Whatever makes you happy, within reason, will make your child happy too. My dd almost certainly loved Barcelona so so much simply because we did!

DO what will make you happy with your little one and it wil be lovely!

P.S sorry I called your ds a dd - it is because he has such beautiful eyes!!! (That is what you are supposed to say when you get it wrong He he!!!)

Didn't read all post, but at age 1 you are doing it for you not dc. If you'd enjoy it then why not. I have heard from friends that it is huge and overwhelming and am finally considering taking dd next year for her 5th birthday. At least they get some benefit then.

One option for a baby friendly place abroad (it's owned by a MNetter's parents).

If you don't know yet about Baby friendly boltholes, then you will be delighted by what they have to offer, both in the UK and abroad.

here

Amazing villas, cottages and farmhouses all kitted out brilliantly for kids. We went to one in Wales at Easter which DD still referes to as the "lovely,lovely cottage".

OR, treat yourself to a family room for a weekend at Babbington House - what bliss.

Good luck, you will get a great little break away from the stresses and strains of home with the same money as you would spend at Disney.

yes. you are a nutter. he won't give a damn about it all and would rather be at home with a nice cake.

what will you do for his 8th birthday, hire Elton John at Wembley Arena?

I really think that if you fancy it, go for it! (See my earlier posts)

Maybe it is because we are Disneyland Paris fanatics (!), but I cannot understand all the negative opinions about the place?

It is aimed at children, even at that age they can appreciate the colours and the scenery etc.

I'm sure everyone else disagrees with me, but we have actually done the Disney thing on numerous occassions with a baby and a toddler, in the hight of summer and in teh winter-it CAN be done, and it CAN be enjoyed!

Please don't be put off!

we have just come back from eurodisney - and stayed at Hotel New York. Hey look, it depends if you like the rides, etc. Your child is too young - of course at 1 they will be fascinated by the colours and music (a cheap child's mobile you hang up might do the same though. Put the money in a high interest saving account and wait until he's 3 at least. My 3 yr old dd loved it, as did my 7 year old.

You won't be able to take him into the indoor pool at Hotel NY as it's freezing and deep(the largish jacuzzi is warm though). Breakfast is fine (there is fruit and yogurt, fomage frais, cereal, cheese, croissants and rolls as well as the sausage, bacon and scambled egg. I was told by another guest who'd sayed at Newport Bay that breakfact was a rugby scrum but she might have gone in summer. You can buy sandwhiches and cow's milk from the railway station just outside the gates to the park. The restaurants are extortionate (typical price for 2 adult meals and a child meal, around 55 euros (this is not including drinks). Chips are the main carb tho cafe mickey did a pasta dish or two.
Getting from CdeG airport to disney is fine by VEA shuttle - we just paid on the shuttle itself - 17 euros adult one way.

Thank you for the link to baby friendly boltholes - there are some stunning properties there. We are still undecided and getting more so day by day! I've seen a couple of properties that have really good soft play rooms too. Be nice to find a hotel that had a good soft play room and also a lovely restaurant for us.

I understand why people think we are barmy but the major thing is doing something that cannot be spoiled by other people on the day, as we have had enough of that lately and don't want anything to spoil the birthday as we could all do with one special day with no interference. I suppose that's why I thought Disneyland might be good as we would physically be a long way away from the stresses and also it s so detached from reality!

Thank you for all your comments and help so far!

glad the link was helpful. My only worry about you going ahead with Disney is that you won't have the fun or relaxing time you obvious deserve and need. Much better to cosy up in a great hotel or cottage somewhere which has stuff you need for a one year old. Anywhere with a warm pool and some toys, or a swing and maybe some animals? DD fed the donkey, collected eggs etc at the farm we went to at Easter. It was so nice.

I took ds and dd when they were nearly 3 and 18mo and the LOVED it - they had an absolute ball although they wouldn't go near Mickey or Minnie. We went in Dec and it was all Xmassy and amazing. We went back 2 years later and they loved it even more although we wasted half our lives queuing to see characters and princesses! If you want to do it, do it. otherwise go for some sun in the canaries, Morrocco or somwhere similar!

If you want to go to DLP then go, I went without kids and had a great time (we also took in the sights of Paris as well). But if you were thinking of DLP for your DC, then I would suggest you go somewhere/anywhere you want to go for a break.

A 1 yr old is transportable and willbe happy to be anywhere you are

Lille is nice, very pretty, lots of parks, free zoo etc, good for adults and kids.

Benemadena near Malaga is good too. Zoo, cable car, beach,near Malaga for sights/culture.

etc, etc

I am a disney fan, last time I went I was 35 weeks and loved it, taking dd there in April, she will be 2.

Would however agree that Centre Parcs may be better option, very family friendly, dd was 10 months her first visit.

We like the Canary Islands (Feut and Lanarote as breezy so not too hot for dd) dd was 10 weeks first time we took her. No worries then about food as all I needed were my boobs to feed her.

A one year old is pretty easy to take away but it can get very cold there sitting in a buggy. We've stayed in Santa Fe, much cheaper as you only really sleep there. If you have your heart set on it enjoy it.