Eurodisney virgin - please help!

[jussie]

Hello - I'm a newbie on these boards and desperately need advice! Have booked four days at Eurodisney in May half-term for me, husband and 4 yr old son. We're staying at the Sequoia hotel. I want my son to have a fabulous time - it's his first time on a plane, first time abroad, etc but don't really know where to start in planning what we do while we're there. Any advice on must-see, must-do, must-eat at would be much appreciated!

 

[kevankiki]

Hi jussie and

If you look at the stickies at the top you will see there are lots of guides to read through, it's also worth reading the trip reports as you can pick up lots of tips from those too. You are sensible to plan ahead, if there are any additional questions you can ask here, you will get lots of help.

Have a fantastic time at Disneyland Resort Paris - will this be your first visit to any Disneyland Park?

 

[jussie]

Yes - our first visit to any Disneyland resort so I really don't know what to expect. But my son is such a fan of some of the movies (I can't wait til he sees the Buzz Lightyear ride) that we thought we must go! Have been reading loads of threads (and taking notes - does that make me sad?!) for tips. Lots of people talk about booking restaurants and character meals in advance but where do I do this?

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Hi jussie and a warm welcome from me too

When I joined this forum in October last year I had just too many questions to post every one so spent a few hours looking at past posts using the search button above your post.

The restaurant and hotel threads in the sticky section are fabulous if you have any specific to Sequoia Lodge or the parks and village reataurants.

You will get a good cross section of tastes, particularly about the food but from them you will be able to make up your own mind on whats right for your family.

IMHO the 'must do's ' are :-

1. A character Meal at The Lucky Nugget (or another venue if you prefere)
2. See all ther Parades and shows (esp The Lion King)
3. POTC/Buzz/BTM
4. Animagique/ The studio Tour
5. Annettes Diner

The first thing we do upon arrivalis take the train to see what has changed or get a feel for the layour of the park - in fact we stay on twice

I'm sure I have forgotten something buy will get many more suggestions as ther guys and gals log on today.

BTW. There are many compulsive planners on this board (myself included) so you will feel right at home here

 

[Sarah Sarill]

PS I forgot to say, take some chewy sweets for the plane landings and take-off .

Even at 9 my DD cries when her ears pop

Now must get on so much to do

 

[jillrobinson]

In 4 days you'll have more than enough time to do/see everything.

I'd add a Good Morning Fantasyland breakfast to Sarah's list.

Welcome to the boards, enjoy your planning, I'm sure you and your DS will love DLRP.

 

[Cyrano]

Hi jussie and welcome to Disneyland Paris DIS board
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, posting guidelines can be found here and details regarding help on signatures here

 

[mulan1]

Hi and welcome!
I'm going in June and never been before either, so I'm here also trying to get as much info and tips as poss!
When I return I hope to return the favour to all the newbies to come, and hopefully help with the Cheyenne FAQ thread (if that's ok mods, I would like to at least give lots of photos)
Hope you have fun here and when you go.

 

[wendybird7]

Hi and welcome to the boards!

First off, great choice for hotel and length of time staying - as jill said, you'll have loads of time to do everything.

In my opinion, must dos for your son are:

Buzz, of course!
Big Thunder Mountain
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Carribean
Art of Animation
Star Tours
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Also, I'd definitely recommend Cinemagique, your son may not 'get it' all, but he'll enoy the bits he does, but you and your husband will enjoy it all Don't want to give away any spoilers!

If your son likes the characters (some kids get a bit nervous with them), i'd recommend Cafe Mickey, as it plays disney videos and theres tonnes of character interaction, and the food is fab.

My personal top time-saving tip - don't queue! My mum and I have learned after many trips that what is busy during the day isn't busy in the evening, and fast passes are a god send. You'll just get frustrated, and there's so much to see and do in 4 days you'll get everything done!

 

[wideeyes]

I would be wary of Honey I shrunk the Audience, my DD hates it, it prettifies her.

Also get to Fantasy land early one morning to do Dumbo, Kids love it, however the queues become horrendous after the park has been opened a couple of hours.

Animagique in the studios is a must for young children. Also woody and Jessie are usually in the studios for pictures and autographs.

My DD loved Adventure isle, and could spend ages wandering around it, we found it a great thing to do during the time when the queues were at the longest.

 

[jussie]

Thank you so much for all the advice so far. It's lovely how friendly everyone is (she says, having found some forums elsewhere decidedly cliquey!). Son would love to see Woody and Jessie so thanks for that tip, wideeyes! But I am a bit worried about how he'll be with the characters in general - we saw a giant Mr Potatohead in a shopping centre once and it petrified him...!

 

[jillrobinson]

He may prefer to see the characters from a distance and that's fine, I've always found that they take their lead from the children - I remember being worried about my DS, he was petrified of a giant rabbit at a UK holiday park but as long as there was no pressure he was fine at DLRP. Last year aged 7 was the first time he approached characters by himself.
My niece at 3 had her first visit last year and with exception of Baloo and the monkeys from Jungle Book, she was fine, even with Captain Hook and she fell in love with Chip'n'Dale.

 

[Rena75]

Hi and welcome to the boards!

If your son likes the characters (some kids get a bit nervous with them), i'd recommend Cafe Mickey, as it plays disney videos and theres tonnes of character interaction, and the food is fab.

My daughter and I are going to DLP in July for the first time (we are SO excited!!). Thank you to everyone for all your wonderful tips!!

Wendybird, do you have to make reservations at Cafe Mickey or is it a first-come, first-served type of restaurant?

Thanks so much!

 

[tttessa]

Hiya,

I would book cafe Mickey if I were you.

As to what to do on your first trip -our last trip was our first and we are returning in a couple of weeks, so I asked the kids (4 and 6) what they wanted/didn't want to do:

NO was to Honey I shrunk the audience - BIG scary bit in the middle was way to scary for my 2. Also my 2 don't like fire so said no to the Studio tram tour and even to the little storybook boat ride for some reason...Also they said Peter pan was too much wait for a "scary dark ride" though most people think of it as "enchanting"

YES - BTM, small world, carousel, flying carpets, parades and character meetings were the big must dos. Tea cups, train, and dumbo if small queues.

Rides we didn't get to last time, but want to try this time - Buzz, POTC, snow white, pinocchio(sp). I will try out phantom manor, the dragon under the castle and nautilus before judging the likely reaction...

Animagique was enjoyed by all of us, cinemagique by the adults.

I hate rollercoasters!!(there I've said it) but BTM was ok(ish) the kids absolutely LOVED it and want to go on it EVERY day we are there "AT LEAST ONCE A DAY MUMMY" So we'll be taking advantage of the magic hours entry and fast pass system!! My youngest was just tall enough at nearly 4 yrs old.

Tessa

 

[grant1wish]

Hi there,

We have just come back from our first trip, it was amazing. My 3 1/2 and 1/12 both really enjoyed it.

My personal recommendations are:

Eating:

Cafe Mickey for a meeting with the characters. My daughter was a hugging them all like best friends, it was magical.
Rainforest Cafe - the atmosphere in here is great, unless your kids do not like thunderstorms!

Rides:
I would get fastpass for Buzz first, and then go on the Moteurs ride whilst you wait for your slot. Queues for the moteurs ride, dumbo and pinnochio seemed very long when we were there, with only the cars really worth the wait in my opinion.
My kids loved Its a small world, the carousel and Tea cups.

Meeting characters:

As already said, cafe Mickey is fantastic. If you are unsure it may be worth queueing in Fantasyland to see Winnie the Pooh, arguably the 'softest' and very well known. My 1 1/2 took a liking to him , and it definately helped with other characters throught our stay.

Shows:

The Lion King was very good, although we only watched it whilst eating in the videopolis. This was a bonus, we were only looking for some lunch and ended up timing it perfect for the show.

The other must see show for us was Animagique. the kids absolutely loved it.

I am sure you will have a fantastic time.

G1W

P.S. Don't forget the parades!

 

[lainey]

Another vote here for FantasyLand Breakfast...you get to eat IN the park 1 hr before opening, then get on the most popular rides FIRST and its free if you are staying at a DLP hotel, it just needs booking before hand.
Sequioa Lodge is a lovely comfortable hotel, you will not be dissapointed.
Take it all in, as there is so much going on....and have a blast.
Elaine

 

[jussie]

I'm starting to get really excited and we're not going til May! Have been scribbling down ideas like mad from this thread - thank you all for advice! Glad the hotel is good - we picked a bit randomly based on price... Am going to write a plan of action shortly and pin it up next to my list of things to pack (also gleaned from these boards!). Wish we weren't keeping the trip as a surprise for ds - I know I'm never going to be able to keep my mouth shut for another two months!

 

[Cyrano]

Wish we weren't keeping the trip as a surprise for ds - I know I'm never going to be able to keep my mouth shut for another two months!

Hope you can manage. We held firm for a Christmas season visit (November) and it was magical to see the troops reactions

 

[princess_tigerlily86]

I'm starting to get really excited and we're not going til May! Have been scribbling down ideas like mad from this thread - thank you all for advice! Glad the hotel is good - we picked a bit randomly based on price... Am going to write a plan of action shortly and pin it up next to my list of things to pack (also gleaned from these boards!). Wish we weren't keeping the trip as a surprise for ds - I know I'm never going to be able to keep my mouth shut for another two months!

dont worry, im already excited and im not going til xmas (looooong wait in my books!) you will absolutely love it, u cant not! it softens up even the toughest person, and everyone always has a great time
im just jealous u get to go before me - i miss it!
emily x