Disneyland Paris during bank holiday weekend...

[dev9aug]

Is it doable with children during bank holiday weekend or am I being daft for even thinking about it?
Ds1 is 3y9m and ds2 18 months.

Where would you go zzzzz?, which is not too crowded etc.

Have you been anywhere you can recommend?

I have no idea about the budget for these holidays because I have never planned one before. Disney was going to cost us about £1000 for a self catering place + travel + food so probably around £1.5/2K, but can be reasonably flexible depending on the holiday.

Thanks zzzzz. probably not dubai, I don't think we can do heat anymore ( and I come from a place where 48 in summer was normal) so will check out somewhere in the med.

yes, travel costs does seem to add up.. I am not sure I would ever want to leave the house if I had 5...

Also when you've been in the UK a while you forget how odd we are about children.

Totally agree with that. We went to India last month to see family and the only difference between ds1 and the rest of the kids were that he is non-verbal. Everybody was pampered and their demands met with little resistance, no strict food menu for kids, sleep when you are tired, not at a time dictated by parents, play video games , watch tv whatever, it was brilliant. Its only then we realised how much pressure we put on our kids just to make our lives easier.

The reason I chose disneyland was because it will be busy. I am a bit worried I won't have many things to do with ds1 if we went on a quiet relaxing holiday.

Not long back from Disneyland. It is amazing but IMHO your kids are too young to appreciate it (I mean that in the nicest, nicest possible way). I also vote to stick 'em on the beach, they will love it, you can sit down and chill a bit and save the sights/sounds/thrills for when they are older. My two are 8 and 10 and they absolutely loved it.

Hi dev, we have been a few times and always enjoyed it, but I know it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.
Last time was two years ago; DS had just turned 4 and DD had just turned 2. DS really loved it - he was able to go on a fair few rides, liked the shows, parades etc. Much of it went over DD's head, but she seemed to enjoy it too.
It is very noisy and busy though. I've never been at a bank holiday, but I think I recall reading somewhere that it's busiest during French public holidays. It was a couple of weeks after we got back from our last trip that DD's difficulties were identified - but of course they would have been there before, I just didn't realise. She was grand though; she seemed to like it, and was happy. I had brought her pushchair, so it was easy to get around. However, I can see how the noise, visuals and crowds could be overwhelming for some DCs (and adults!)
From what I understand, there's an easy access pass that visitors with disabilities can use; I think it means that you can get on the rides at the exit, and avoid the long queues. This might make things much easier if you do decide to go!
I hope you have a lovely break wherever you decide to go.

Thanks marchduck, I am glad your dc liked it. I know ds2 will be over the moon when we visit, but I am not sure what ds1's reaction would be. But as zzzzz pointed out, it is important for dc to take part in adult led activities as well.
I am a great believer in trying things. If you didn't have the experience, how could you ever know if you liked it or not. Thanks again for your helpful advice.

Yep, I'm also a believer in trying things. DD isn't routine driven, but does like sameness, if that makes sense. She is a home-bird; but anytime we go away, she seems to have a real burst of development - more engaged, more receptive.

We went for a wee trip at Easter - just one night at the North Coast, walked on the beach, amusements etc. We live in a seaside town, and none of these things are out of the ordinary for her, but the change of scenery seemed to work wonders - I can't work out why, but a good reason for more trips!