Many of us have missed our trips away but as the current situation gradually improves we are actually looking forward to taking a much-needed break, a ‘holiday’, remember those. When we do start travelling, many of us will be looking at destinations closer to home and maybe, for a slightly shorter period of time.
A confession, although we love city breaks, history and culture we have a guilty secret, we love visiting Disney parks. Our son has long since grown up and we still continue to visit Disney as a couple.
So like us, if you are desperate for your Disney fix and are not quite ready to take a 9-hour flight to Florida then why not try a cheeky few days in Disneyland Paris?
Getting There
As mentioned, getting to Disneyland Paris is far easier and quicker than travelling to Orlando. If you are not too keen on flying yet there are many alternatives such as the direct Eurostar service, coach or by driving yourself via the tunnel. Just like Orlando, make sure you research where to buy Disney Paris tickets before you go to get the best deal and to avoid having to buy them at the park itself.
Where To Stay When You Visit
Disneyland Paris is quite compact and not too far away you’ll find a good selection of reasonably priced non-Disney accommodation. Many are in the Val d’Europe area which is only a 10-minute transfer away.
However, if you do want to splash out for a couple of nights and immerse yourself in the full Disney experience we recommend staying at the Disneyland Paris Hotel. A 5-star, Victorian mansion-inspired hotel located at the very entrance to the Disneyland Park, you couldn’t get any closer. Another perk of staying at a Dinsey hotel is the extra magic hours, hotel guests can enter the parks earlier than the general admission time of 10 am.
Another option, especially if you are a larger group or want to explore the city as well as Disneyland is to find a holiday let. To have the most convenient stay in the city, find Airbnb in Paris with Cozycozy!
The Best (And Worst) Rides And Attractions
Disneyland has quite a selection of rides and attractions and they are not all aimed at young children, there are quite a few rides that will even give the grownups a thrill. Family favourites include the classic Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight and currently unique to Paris, Ratatouille.
There’s one ride that needs a special mention, Disney’s ‘It’s A Small World’. The scary little figures and that incessant song will get stuck in your head for at least a couple of days.
‘It’s A Small World’ aside, some of the rides are actually better than Disneyworld as they are updated versions such as Space Mountain, which we far prefer to the Florida version.
Some of our personal favourites are Phantom Manor, Space Mountain, Tower of Terror and Big Thunder Mountain.
Don’t forget the shows and parades, some of these such as Mickey’s PhilharMagic, give you a chance to sit down and have a bit of rest. At the moment there is no escaping Star Wars and of course, in Paris, Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers are all French.
The Food In The Parks
As you would expect from a theme park, the food choice isn’t the cheapest and you will probably end up eating doughnuts for breakfast but why worry? You are on holiday. One of the best places for a snack and coffee is at Café Fantasia at the Disneyland Hotel, they also do great cocktails too.
There are more family options such as Earl of Sandwich, Five Guys, The Rainforest Cafe and McDonald’s in the Disney Village which is only a short distance from the parks. If you want a more formal dining experience you should try Walt’s at Disney Village, just make sure you book in advance.
Like us, you probably can’t wait to get away again, even if it is for just a couple of days. It will be great to forget the last couple of months and immerse ourselves in the fun, magic and even the ‘cheesiness’ of Disney. We hope to see you all back in Disneyland very soon.
