With two theme parks, a village with cinemas, bars and restaurants and the opportunity to meet favourite Disney characters, Disneyland Paris is a wonderful destination for a family holiday. Getting there with young children can seem a little daunting so the HolidayTaxis team have rounded up a few tips to make your trip easier and ensure magical holiday memories you will treasure for years to come.
When to go
The weather in Northern France is similar to that of the UK; as many attractions are outside this is worth bearing in mind when planning a trip with young children. Like most popular family attractions, the school holidays will be the busiest times and weekends are more crowded than mid-week. Christmas can be particularly busy so you might prefer to visit earlier in the month when the decorations will already be lit and the resort powdered with snow.
How to book
Many tour operators offer trips to Disneyland Paris but check that they are ABTA protected. You can book packages directly through the Disneyland Paris website – prices vary so shop around for the best deal. Eurostar offer train and hotel packages that can be an economical choice and you can opt to stay in Paris and take a train to the resort for the day – it is just 35 minutes away.
Getting there
You can reach Disneyland Paris by air to Charles de Gaulle: the VEA Navette is a shuttle bus that runs from the airport to the resort every 15 minutes throughout the day. If you travel by Eurostar the train will take you right to the gates of the resort, so you will have no worries about transfers. If you drive, the journey from Calais takes about three hours and free parking is provided at all the resort hotels: the car park at the resort itself is paying.
Where to stay
In the warmer months of the year, a family-friendly option is to camp: Eurocamp’s Val d’Europe site is a good choice mid-way between the resort and Paris. Alternatively, there are 7 hotels on site from which to choose, varying from the clean but basic Santa Fe hotel to the 4-star New York. Staying at a resort hotel means you qualify for vouchers for one meal a day in an on-site restaurant. accommodation can also be found at hotels outside the resort, such as the Dream Castle, which is very comfortable and within easy reach of the parks.
Food and drink
Food and drink in the parks can be expensive and rather restrictive – burgers and other fast-food favourites dominate the menus. Insider tip: there is a large shopping centre just one stop away on the train, where you can stock up with drinks and snacks. Water fountains are located throughout the park. At peak times, restaurants and cafes quickly fill up so it is well worth booking your table in advance.
Travelling to Disneyland Paris is exciting for the whole family. If you are coming in from other countries and you need a peer to peer currency exchange service, make sure to choose reliable companies like Midpoint. The secret to a memorable trip is planning ahead and getting all your resources together to avoid glitch along the way.