A Few Questions - I hope I am not repeating....

[Peach Pot]

Hello

I am new to this board and have a few questions that I hope will not annoy or offend (I am sure they were probably asked before so I hope you dont mind answering them again)

Little Background: We are going to DLPR in 3 weeks. We will only be in Paris for 2 1/2 days. We were going to go to DLPR for 1 day and into Paris itself for the other. We are going with my husbands in-laws & their kids. Our DD was 2 in May and looking forward to it.

My questions are:

Is 1 day enough for a 2 year old ? I have been over the site map and outside of Fantasy Land I am not sure that there is much else of interest to her at her age (She is princess mad so have booked the Princess Lunch). The others are going for the full 2 1/2 days we will be in Paris and I am wondering if I am actually being unrealistic by only having my dd in the Park for 1 day.

Will staying at a Disney Hotel make all the difference to our experience ? We have found a place quite close (self catering appts) that runs a shuttle bus to the park. I am asking mostly because of catering - My DD is big into Fruit & veg (unlike me !!) ....Again, If we went to the park for the 2+ days and stayed in the hotel, what is the major advantages ??

Guys I appreicate any help here - I am in a dilemma....

Thanks in advance to any help

PP

 

[Bolanette87]

Hi there.......

I personally find that one day isn't long enough to see everything in the parks, but if your DD is just young that might not be such an issue. You will just have to make sure that everything you want to see/do is on for your one day in the park. It might be a bit of a rush to cram it all in though, even though she is just small.

The major advantage to staying on site at the moment is that you get EMH (Extra Magic Hours). These are only for Disney Hotels (And I believe another at Val D'Europe) and enable you to get into the park two hours earlier in the mornings (From 8am) which means you have the park only with other hotel guests, making it a lot quieter. I personally find that the Disney hotels do make the visit really magical, plus they would be handy with younger children, because if they got too tired through the day you could bring them back to the hotel for a rest. At breakfast time they have various fruit salads that your DD would probably love! Getting a shuttle bus is all very well, but I have heard reports that these are often very cramped, especially in the evenings when the park closes, but it has an advantage in that you can get away from it all in the evenings (Which can be nice if thats what you would like). Why not have a look in the 'Hotels' sticky at the top of this board? That might help you with your choice.

Hope thats helped a little.

Bob xoxox

 

[davewasbaloo]

Hmmm difficult one because we are all addicts. We just got back from 6 days with our 3 and 5 year olds, and we still did not do everything. DLP is not like any other theme park in Europe. But we took time out for a swim and rest every day (the park was open 10am to 11pm with 2 hours for hotel guests only between 8 and 10)

1 day, if you plan in advance, will give you a flavour, but personally with a 2 y o I think you are being super ambitious. I would either do Paris or DLP, and with a 2 year old, I would opt for DLP.

Your daughter is likely to like more than just fantasyland. Mine have been going since they were 12 weeks old, and they also love Buzz, Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor (both are dark and may be scary for some kids), they love the train, the Tarzan and Lion King shows, the boats in Frontierland and meeting the characters.

One big perk on site is extra Magic Hours - last week on days where we did not use it, we went on about 9 attractions a day (we like nice long meals too). Using EMH we managed 12 in the 1st 2 hours of the day. so for such a short visit, it can be worth while.

But staying off site can be fun too.

I have probably confused more than helped, but having taken my kids to the US twice, and 8 european countries by the age of 2, I have learnt to take it in their stride and slow down, it's less stressful that way.

 

[A Small World]

I would also be tempted to do more than 1 day if possible - doing the Princess lunch may take at least 2 hrs which is a long time out of the day (but very worth while)

You may also find there are some longish queues for some of the rides although it should be a bit quieter when you are there as its outside holiday time

 

[MinnieMouse73]

I would do more than one day. At 16 months, on her first visit, my daughter enjoyed all of fantasyland, the train, Phantom Manor, Pirates, the parade, meeting characters (which can take quite a bit of time!), the playground, the 'big boat' ... that's all I can think off the top of my head but definitely a lot more than just the fantasyland rides.

 

[beltane]

One day isnt very long but as long as you plan where you want to be at certain times you can get a lot packed in!
As your daughter is a princess fan (same as my little one!) then make sure you see the main parade, as all the princesses feature in it and if the meet and greet is on the castle stage then I would recommend that too. You get to sit on the throne and have your autograph book signed by the princess of the day and her prince.

 

[torsie24]

I would say staying on site will help you get a lot done!!

EMH are amazing! And the only time we braved fantasyland during our trip as it gets the busiest land during the day!

We walked onto all the fantastland rides during EMH and when we looked at times during the day they were all over an hour (peter pan and the carousel being 2hr sometimes!!)

Also, be aware that the snow white ride is very menacing and scared me and my 23 yr old bf!

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi Peach Pot, welcome the DIS!

I'd also suggest you spent all your time at Disney and visited Paris another time.