One of our business travel consultants for our corporate travel agency Good Travel Management recently returned from a wonderful trip to Paris. Visiting both Disneyland Parks, Lisa and her husband were apprehensive about a Disney Adventure at first, with their daughter being just 2, they weren’t sure if she would be too young.
Looking into this further and seeking advice from one of the team here at Destina, Lisa found it to be the perfect time and age to take her daughter. Not only do under 3’s receive free entry into Disneyland Paris itself, but she was still able to go on most of the rides too!
There is plenty to see and do in Disneyland Paris and Lisa wanted to experience as much as she could on her family holiday, here are her favourites:
#1 The Iconic Castle
The Sleeping Beauty Castle is one of the most iconic Disney attractions and a real dream come true for all who visit. Boasting soaring spires, turrets, stained glass windows, regal rooftops and tapestries, this 167-foot high spectacular invokes pure magic, as well as giving a nod to classical French architecture. We were all in awe of the castle, taking home many snaps of us in front of the square trees!
#2 Fantasyland
An enchanting world awaits you in Fantasyland. It’s perfect for Under 5’s and situated in the heart of the Disneyland park, here our fairy tales came to life. We discovered Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs took a trip on Peter Pan’s flight and rode along with Dumbo as he took us high in the air, celebrating different cultures from around the world.
My daughter is a massive Alice in Wonderland fan so we absolutely had to visit Alice’s Curious Labyrinth! It was a fantastic experience and we even took a ride on the Mad Hatters teacups before making our way to meet the characters.
#3 Parades and Lightshow
The Disneyland Parades are renowned all over the world and at Disneyland Paris, there are 5 areas to see them from (list here)
We saw the parade on both days and it was amazing! There’s so much work that goes into its creation, the floats were fantastic and the cast members were just magical.
At night when it gets dark and the park closes, there is a spectacular firework display and light show that runs every night and is a must see. The show itself is situated around the castle and the fireworks light up the sky. The show lasts about 20 mins, just remember to wrap up warm in the winter as it can get very cold.
Lisa’s Top Tips for surviving Disneyland Paris with a toddler:
#1 Take snacks – I packed a box with both healthy snacks and sweet treats to keep my daughter amused in the queues.
#2 Sticking to a budget? Then pack a lunch! Anyone with a fussy toddler will know how painful it is to purchase food that’s expensive and them not eat it.
#3 Take entertainment for the queues – Patience and queuing are not normally toddler strong points so I took a backpack with an IPad, some small toys, mini colouring books and stickers.
#4 Take or hire a pushchair. – It’s a lot of walking for adults (wear your trainers!) meaning those with little legs will tire easily. Another tip would be to take a bike lock for pushchairs to avoid the unhappy mishap of a lost or stolen pushchair.
#5 Research which attractions, shows and characters you want to experience. Disneyland Paris is so big it can be overwhelming trying to work out where to go and what to do upon arrival. The parades, shows and the firework display are out of this world so forward planning of the best times as well as where to stand means you get the best possible view and experience!
With so much to explore, Disneyland Paris is the perfect family holiday and appeals to all ages. “Laughter is timeless, Imagination has no age and Dreams are forever” – Walt Disney
For more information on a Disney adventure of your own, contact Destina:
