DH doesn't want to go, help!

[lycam]

DH and I are planning our first trip to DLP, which also happens to be our first trip abroad ever apart from a school trip once each. I've already started booking things but now DH doesn't want to go. He thinks as we have 4 kids (7,5,4 and 1) that it will be way too stressful and expensive. Now he'd rather go to Spain for a beach holiday so he can relax.
Has anyone ever been with young kids before as I'm looking for some convincing arguments as to why we have to go and how brilliant it will be. We're supposed to be staying at Adagio Val D'Europe so have self catering facilities and I intend to take sandwiches for lunch, perhaps eat out sometimes though so that should cut the food bill down. I'm under no illusions that it will be cheap but I've budgeted £200-£250 per day for the 6 of us which he doesn't think will be enough.
Also queueing is putting him right off as he says we'll be hours in every queue. We go 14th-20th October, do anyone know if its likely to be super busy then?
Thanks very much in advance for all your help in saving my holiday!

 

[markpsych]

I wasn't very keen before our 1st trip, but have now been back over 20 times

We're also a family of 6.

£200-£250 per day should be far more than you need, particularly if you're doing a lot of self-catering.

Queues can be long when it's really busy, but that's what fast passing and 'baby swaps' are for

IMO, 6 days is the perfect length of time as well. It will give you time to see everything, plus have the occasional lie in, and do something other than the parks if you wish.

I've probably been a little too often now, and it's not really got the same magic as it used to....but have some great memories with the kids, and would love to be a 1st timer again

Hope you can talk him round!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

It can be tiring touring theme parks with kids, especially with 4 of them.
To that degree and the expense I can see your husband's point , your youngest may also be too young to appreciate.
I know we are looking at doing both Disney and Spain next year (never been to the latter).

I think it's hard for others to decide for you, I would have thought your eldest or older children would think DLRP would be more fun than going to Spain, so I think you need to look at things more through their eyes.
I am sure they would rather go to Disney.
So maybe it's the 7, 5 and 4 year old you need to get convincing your husband?

As Florida veterans we have only been to Disneyland Paris once so cannot really advise on how busy it is in October, but would be quieter than summer for sure, I doubt the queue's will be so bad it would stop you from going.

If you do go you may need to think about the rides as you won't all be able to go on them of course.

 

[Ms Poppins]

There is another thread running at the moment about taking younger children to DLP and all are in favour of it In fact it may even be considered child cruelty not to take them

I think you've budgeted more than you'll spend especially if you plan on self catering.

You're going at a good time for crowd levels - we went at a similar time last October - read by Halloween trip report for ideas of how busy it is. It is generally more busy at weekends, but you can take your time and see loads in the time you've got.

Finally, exactly how relaxing would it actually be on a beach with 4 young kids?

 

[lycam]

Exactly what I though - with 4 kids nothing is relaxing but am suspicious that what he means is on a beach he can relax and I'll deal with the kids whereas at Disney he has to get involved.
I haven't told the kids yet as we wanted it to be a surprise - if we had told them it would be easier really as he couldn't back out then.Thinking if I just let it slip to the 7 year old.
Am so glad you think I've budgeted enough as I keep saying this and he says I'm underestimating how much things cost and I'll get a shock when we're penniless after 3 days.
He's also reluctant to use the baby swap as he thinks people will be annoyed as its like skipping the queue. Is it seen this way at all? Do a lot of people do baby swapping?

 

[Ware Bears]

No, lots of people with babies/young children use baby swap so you won't be seen as queue jumping at all.

Another thought to try to convince him is the weather - DLP has been designed for wet weather whereas what will you do in Spain if it rains? I know it's rare but my friends went for a week with their 2 year old one September and it rained cats and dogs every single day, all day long.

Good luck.

 

[Ms Poppins]

As Elaine says, DLP is designed for all weathers - loads to do if it rains or is too cold.

Baby switch is widely advertised and there to be used. Don't worry about that.

Also - your kids are at just the right age to appreciate the absolute magic of Disney, especially if they enjoy any of the Disney films. You just cannot put a price on it.

You can have years of beach holidays when they're older - although be warned....you may get the Disney bug and still be taking your 'kids' when they are 17 and 14 like us!

 

[jothp]

We first went when our kids were 6, 4 and 1 and they all loved it. It can be hard work and tiring but it is certainly worth it.

If you look on DLRP magic they have reasonably up to date restaurant menus so you can have a look at what you think you might spend on any meals out. You can save quite a bit of money by taking plenty of drinks into the parks with you as they can be quite expensive. We generally find that a counter service meal for the five of us is around E40 and a table service meal is between E80 and E120. We save our money by letting the kids take birthday/chrismas money to spend so they don't keep asking us for souvenirs

In 4 days we paid for 4 cheap meals (we had the half board meal plan so already had one meal a day prepaid), tips for a couple of our other meals, road tolls in both directions, 2 mugs, a jigsaw, 2 christmas baubles, a tin of biscuits and some sweets and spent less than E400 in total. If you are making lunch and eating breakfast at your hotel I would think that amount of money would be plenty

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

Also, in the argument that you're youngest may be too young to appreciate it (Pah! ), by the time they are 'old enough' the oldest may be at 'the age of not believing' so now is the PERFECT time to go.

 

[princessesmegandaisy]

Also, in the argument that you're youngest may be too young to appreciate it (Pah! ), by the time they are 'old enough' the oldest may be at 'the age of not believing' so now is the PERFECT time to go.

Totally agree with this my 10 yr old boy was not quite so thrilled as my 4 yr old girl who hadn't been before although my 15 yr old daughter was jumping up and down! maybe its a gender thing?

We did baby swap on space mountain last week absolutely no problem apart from the fact I ended up in the front car lol!

Take drinks and snacks in the park have a giant brekkie and we paid around £125 for 3 adults and 2 child dinners at plaza gardens and cafe mickey and £40 for pizza type meals for us. and sort of went without lunch.

My husband was never that keen but he is now and can't wait to go back

have a good time

 

[abbi02]

Hi, stand firm imo it would be more work on a beach holiday than at disney, you will be worrying about the pool, the sea, they will get bored a lot quicker.....Im trying to think of all the excuses i keep giving my other half, I always win so I dont know why he tries for a beach holiday every year knowing it will never happen!! We have three little ones 9, 6 and 3, the youngest was only 6 months the first time we took him and it wasn't a problem at all they are allowed on alot more rides than you would think in comparison to somewhere like Alton Towers. Keep on at him!!!

 

[lycam]

I can't thank you all enough for all your help as I have now won and Disneyland Paris here we come!!!
Now I can get excited for real and get planning. And just to make sure he can't change his mind again I convinced him we should tell the kids (as the anticipation is half the fun) so I have 3 over the moon kids and 1 oblivious baby, although she was laughing while they were jumping about like mad screaming!
The kids finish up for October week on 13th October and we will be boarding the caledonian sleeper that night to arrive in London the next morning for the direct eurostar so kids will be sleeping most of the journey anyway - same on the way back so I think I've already eliminated a huge amount of stress by not flying.
Only thing now is I need to find somewhere for breakfast on the Friday morning in London somewhere between Euston and St Pancras. Any recommendations?

 

[markpsych]

Fantastic news!

One thing to bear in mind though....October might be a little chilly and damp....so make sure you're prepared clothes wise.

Wouldn't want something like the weather to put him off booking another trip as soon as you return.....like the rest of us do!

 

[Ware Bears]

This is great news!! May the planning commence!!

There are lots of places to eat around that area - the McDonalds across the road from St Pancras was very clean if you fancy a good old McMuffin breakfast.

 

[tinkertaylor05]

That's fantastic Make sure you come back and tell us all about it, an October trip is on the cards for us next year

 

[Ms Poppins]

Great news Euston is just a few minutes away from St Pancras and I think there are loads of places to eat once in St Pancras.

Happy planning