Disneyland Paris and where else? (November)

ncmc

Hi folks, we are planning on taking our 3.5 year old and approx. 4 month old to Disneyland Paris in November this year. We will probably stay 4/5 nights. As it's our main holiday this year, I am hoping to extend it by a few days to a week and stay somewhere else. Paris would be the obvious choice and my original thought was to stay in Paris for 3 or 4 nights, but I am beginning to have second thoughts as I am worried that Paris might be difficult with two young children, navigating the metro etc. And also it could be very cold. I know everywhere is likely to be cold in November, but we are open to renting a car and driving or even taking a shortish flight. All we want is somewhere were we can relax and chill out for a few days, do a bit of sightseeing, and that is kid friendly. Somewhere that wouldn't be freezing cold or very wet would be an advantage!

We are committed to November, as I wouldn't feel comfortable going much earlier with the new baby and I want to see the start of the Christmas season in Disney.

Thanks in advance!

whippet

forget about paris with the kids .. I did it for a couple of days around a trip to Euro Disney ... kids just had nothing to do in the city. Wait until you can get a weekend away without the kids for a paris trip.

Euro Disney will be enjoyable

SeamusG97

ncmc wrote: »

Hi folks, we are planning on taking our 3.5 year old and approx. 4 month old to Disneyland Paris in November this year. We will probably stay 4/5 nights. As it's our main holiday this year, I am hoping to extend it by a few days to a week and stay somewhere else. Paris would be the obvious choice and my original thought was to stay in Paris for 3 or 4 nights, but I am beginning to have second thoughts as I am worried that Paris might be difficult with two young children, navigating the metro etc. And also it could be very cold. I know everywhere is likely to be cold in November, but we are open to renting a car and driving or even taking a shortish flight. All we want is somewhere were we can relax and chill out for a few days, do a bit of sightseeing, and that is kid friendly. Somewhere that wouldn't be freezing cold or very wet would be an advantage!

We are committed to November, as I wouldn't feel comfortable going much earlier with the new baby and I want to see the start of the Christmas season in Disney.

Thanks in advance!

France will generally be cold at that time of year - We were crunching on Ice in Monpazier (It's a lot further south ) during the Halloween weekend a few years ago. However it is a dry cold and not unpleasant like the damp we have at home. Maybe if you rent a car you would be able to do some sightseeing without being at the mercy of the elements. I am no expert on Eurodisney (there once in the summertime) but I would think there would be a fair bit of outdoor queuing up where the kids would need to be weatherproofed? Or is it different in the winter season?
One plus point is that you will have all the touristy places to yourselves which can be nice.

I wouldn't bother with Paris until the kids are at least into their early/mid teens - I took our then 6 and 4 year olds up on the Eiffel tower and the thing they were most impressed by was the view of a fairground carousel in the grounds below.

eeguy

I don't know how enjoyable Disneyland will be for such young children.
There is plenty to do, plenty or shows and the parades are brilliant, but many of the rides have height restrictions and there will be a lot of queuing.

Just bear that in mind. There's a Disneyland Paris Facebook group that's worth a look and a theme park thread here on boards too.

Mountainsandh

It's very very simple and if you book early, shouldn't cost too much : from Eurodisney, you can hop on a TGV to the South.

You could go to Lyon, it's beautiful, but it will still be cold, and it's a big town. It takes 2h10 minutes to get there on the TGV.

For a little bit longer (2 and a half to three hours depending on whether the train stops on the way), you can go to Avignon.

No guarantee about warmth, but certainly it'll be warmer than Paris anyway, and Avignon is a beautiful little town. Here's a little video about it, it's pretty historical so they go on about that a bit, but you'll get an idea of the place https://youtu.be/1GNpTKDzlKc

You could rent a car for a day or two (at the station) and go for a drive around little villages nearby. Provence is famous for the lavender fields (summer) and little chapels, but the "villages perchés" can be visited any time of year, and they're beautiful (built hanging on cliffs or on top of hills).

This link of places nearby is in French, but you'll see the name of places nearby and a pic. https://decouvertes.expedia.fr/france/paca/5-villages-charmants-a-decouvrir-autour-d-avignon/

Provence grow their own veg and fruit (fields of apricot/peach trees...) and the food is Mediterranean with olive oil a staple of most recipes.

I'm from Lyon so if you think you might stop there and I could be of help, feel free to ask. My Mum lives in Montélimar, that's very close to Avignon, so again I might be able to help.

TGV is very comfortable, even with kids (I have done it on my own, with a 3 year old and a months old baby, buggy and luggage, if there are 2 of you it's no bother), and if the earlier you book, the less you'll pay. You can book 6-3 months in advance I think for best prices, you get a reference number and print at home or at the station.

The TGV station is a little bit out of the town of Avignon, the station in the town itself serves local trains only, but there should be shuttles and taxis, and it's a short trip.
The station/stop in Marnes-La-Vallée is right beside the Park.

To check TGVs enter Marnes-La-Vallée Disneyland to Gare TGV Avignon (or Lyon).
https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/tgv

edit : I agree with other posters, and yourself, Paris would be hardship with 2 little ones.

SeamusG97

Mountainsandh wrote: »

It's very very simple and if you book early, shouldn't cost too much : from Eurodisney, you can hop on a TGV to the South.

You could go to Lyon, it's beautiful, but it will still be cold, and it's a big town. It takes 2h10 minutes to get there on the TGV.

For a little bit longer (2 and a half to three hours depending on whether the train stops on the way), you can go to Avignon.

No guarantee about warmth, but certainly it'll be warmer than Paris anyway, and Avignon is a beautiful little town. Here's a little video about it, it's pretty historical so they go on about that a bit, but you'll get an idea of the place https://youtu.be/1GNpTKDzlKc

You could rent a car for a day or two (at the station) and go for a drive around little villages nearby. Provence is famous for the lavender fields (summer) and little chapels, but the "villages perchés" can be visited any time of year, and they're beautiful (built hanging on cliffs or on top of hills).

This link of places nearby is in French, but you'll see the name of places nearby and a pic. https://decouvertes.expedia.fr/france/paca/5-villages-charmants-a-decouvrir-autour-d-avignon/

Provence grow their own veg and fruit (fields of apricot/peach trees...) and the food is Mediterranean with olive oil a staple of most recipes.

I'm from Lyon so if you think you might stop there and I could be of help, feel free to ask. My Mum lives in Montélimar, that's very close to Avignon, so again I might be able to help.

TGV is very comfortable, even with kids (I have done it on my own, with a 3 year old and a months old baby, buggy and luggage, if there are 2 of you it's no bother), and if the earlier you book, the less you'll pay. You can book 6-3 months in advance I think for best prices, you get a reference number and print at home or at the station.

The TGV station is a little bit out of the town of Avignon, the station in the town itself serves local trains only, but there should be shuttles and taxis, and it's a short trip.

To check TGVs enter Marnes-La-Vallée Disneyland to Gare TGV Avignon (or Lyon).
https://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/tgv

Good advice there - TGV is just slightly slower than a plane and tons to see and do in Avignon. Provence is beautiful at all times of the year.

ncmc

Thank you all for the replies. I think I'm pretty realistic with what to expect from Disneyland, I know there will be rides we can't go on, but I think my little girl will get such a kick out of the magic of it, the parades, characters etc. It will be cold, but it's one of the quietest times to go, so hopefully there won't be too much waiting around.

Some great advice about where to go in France, I think we've all but ruled out Paris at this stage. Mountainsandh, we've flown into Lyon twice as we've spent two wonderful holidays in Annecy and the surrounds (probably my favourite place in the world!) but have never seen any of the city itself. Avignon looks beautiful. Definitely some great ideas!

eviltwin

Is that 4/5 nights total or in Disney? If it's Disney it's a waste with kids that age. 1 day, 2 at a push is plenty.

eeguy

You can do everything in Disneyland in 3 days.

We went (2 adults) for two days and only missed a couple of rides. That said these were two full (open to close) days. Don't know what the children's stamina is like, so you may need more time.
Disney dreams is fantastic. Plan everything so you're at the castle when that's on, and try to get a good front and centre spot Also bring your warm clothes since it was quite chilly at night.

SeamusG97

eeguy wrote: »

You can do everything in Disneyland in 3 days.

We went (2 adults) for two days and only missed a couple of rides. That said these were two full (open to close) days. Don't know what the children's stamina is like, so you may need more time.
Disney dreams is fantastic. Plan everything so you're at the castle when that's on, and try to get a good front and centre spot Also bring your warm clothes since it was quite chilly at night.

Is that the projected light show on the castle at night? Best thing ever. The projector is about 1km away and it knocks the socks off anything I've seen. Well worth waiting up for with kids. And adults.

ncmc

I was thinking 4/5 nights just for DLP, I thought with young kids it would give us plenty of time to see the parks especially if we had bad weather, but also some down time with the kids being so young so we could head back to the hotel for a swim etc. We might also do a day trip into Paris to break up the parks since we're not going to be staying there separately. Plus with the way the deals are working at the moment, you pay for 2 nights, get 2 free so it's not any more expensive to stay 4 than 2.

whippet

4 nights would be a lot with young children at DLP .. two days is more than enough

eeguy

ncmc wrote: »

I was thinking 4/5 nights just for DLP, I thought with young kids it would give us plenty of time to see the parks especially if we had bad weather, but also some down time with the kids being so young so we could head back to the hotel for a swim etc. We might also do a day trip into Paris to break up the parks since we're not going to be staying there separately. Plus with the way the deals are working at the moment, you pay for 2 nights, get 2 free so it's not any more expensive to stay 4 than 2.

That's a pretty good plan. Take your time, see the sights.
There's a big shopping center 1 train stop away from the park.
I'd head over there and stock up on water,cereal bars and sandwiches for the daytime. Food, by and large is terrible and overpriced in the park. Having your own supply also gives you more freedom to wander.