Parents' guide to Disneyland Paris
Enchanted at Disneyland Paris
Monday, 06, Apr 2009 12:00
The kids are frothing with excitement, you're laden down with bags and buggies and then there's the heaving, exuberant crowds...
A trip to France's fabulous Disneyland Resort Paris offers a world of thrills and treats for all the family - the trick is to know your way around the park and how to beat the queues. Follow our top tips to ensure you enjoy a fun-filled and stress-free adventure without tears.
Top tips for Disneyland Paris
1. Try to avoid the weekends especially in summer. The locals come out to play en masse on Saturday and Sunday, and the crowds will be more manageable if you can visit Monday to Friday.
2. Make an early start. Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios open at 10:00, so be there at least 15 minutes before so you are at the head of the queues. Mornings are pretty stress-free but by the lunchtime and afternoon the park fills up and the most popular rides amass long queues.
3. Hit the star attractions first. Experience the newest rides, the superb Crashes Coaster and the Tower of Terror, and then work your way around the other big favourites including Space Mountain, Peter Pan, Star Tours and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
This way you can plan your day and explore the smaller attractions and shops in the afternoon and early evening.
4. If you're visiting during school holidays and you and older children are determined to sample all the big rides and hair-raising attractions, ensure you don't miss out or get stuck in queues later in the day by taking advantage of the resort's fabulous Fast Pass system.
Simply put your park ticket in the machine at your chosen ride and you'll be allocated a time to come back. Fast pass is available for all the most popular rides as indicated on the park's maps.
5. If you have toddlers and young children rather than teenage adrenalin junkies, you can bypass the coasters all together and head straight for the ultimate playground for little people - Fantasyland. This is the busiest area of the park and has the slowest-moving queues, so make the most of the morning.
6. All the fast food outlets offer great value for money and you'll find the biggest choice of lunch stops in Disneyland Park. If you do want a sit-down lunch, book a table in advance to avoid yet more queues.
Cafe Hyperion is one of the most affordable restaurants in the park and has an extensive menu for adults and kids.
7. Pace yourselves. It's essential to take breaks, particularly if you're with little ones and the weather is hot. Take a little boat ride on Le Pays des Contes de Pays - or head to the New York Hotel's lobby where kids can watch cartoons in air-conditioned heaven while you enjoy a drink - with them in eye shot from the cafe directly opposite.
8. On hot summer days, take some time out and visit Disney Village.
The restaurants here are far less crowded and you can walk around Lake Disney or take your waterbabies out on a pedalo. For a big treat, take a ride on the Panorama Magique - a tethered hot-air balloon that offers fabulous views over the park. But pack up before evening when Disney Village itself gets packed out.
9. Enjoy the first shows of the day or wait for the last one. Those in between can draw some huge crowds - which means that you'll invariably need to queue for more than half an hour before a performance to ensure you get in.
Show times are displayed on the board at the entrance of the park.
10. The kids have had fun so why not give yourself a treat? Visit the neighbouring Val d'Europe shopping centre, a vast and glorious mall with smart cafes and associated discount outlet centre of La Vallee - there are some serious big-name bargains up for grabs!
Where to stay
If you are thinking of taking a holiday in Disneyland Paris with the kids, why not stay at the P&V Val D'Europe residence.
It's located right on the doorstep of Disneyland, and its self-catering apartments make a cheap alternative to paying park hotel and food prices. If you are worried about getting the kids and your gear to the park, fret no more - there is a free shuttle bus daily from the residence, to the park.
P&V Val D'Europe have a range of apartments, which can sleep a range of people, from small families up to groups of eight. On-site there is also a heated swimming pool- if the kids have enough energy left to play!
P&V also have many short breaks in Paris on offer with up to 50 per cent off on some apartments, visit the website to find out more.
Chris O'Toole