Disneyland . . . the place of dreams. For many of us, Disneyland promises the ultimate holiday, the place where we feel like a child again. It’s the place where we expect to immerse ourselves in a world of characters, parades and unashamed joy. But visiting Disneyland Paris with a big family takes planning and research, and there are many things to consider before booking this fabulous holiday. Where to stay and the best places to eat aren’t quite as easy to figure out. If you need a bigger room or the restaurants just blow your budget, what are your options? Read on to find out my recommendations for big families at Disneyland Paris.
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There are six Disney theme parks around the world, the biggest and most famous being in Florida, USA. However, for those in the UK, Disneyland Paris is the easiest option. Whilst being smaller than its Florida counterpart, it’s a better option in terms of cost and distance. It is also a lot more manageable with young children. A trip to Disneyland Paris doesn’t involve long-haul flights, car hire or unbelievably hot weather during the summer. It can still get pretty crowded, mind you. With good planning, though, you can figure out the best time to visit, and what will work for your family.
Where to start?
There are lots of decisions to be made when planning your Disneyland Paris trip. You will need to consider:
- your budget – how much you can afford will impact all of your other decisions
- where you are going to stay – onsite or offsite
- the best places to eat inside the Parks, hotels and Disney Village
- the price of Park tickets and car parking if you stay offsite
- how busy it will be during each season
- what the weather will be like
- how to get there
- the best travel insurance your family
Top Tip: Kids love dressing up at Disneyland Paris! Take a look at the Disney inspired princess dresses on Amazon.
Where to Stay at Disneyland Paris
Unlike Disney World in Florida, Disneyland Paris has very limited room options if you have a big family. A few minutes’ walk from the Parks are several Disney hotels. These are the onsite hotels. Each one incorporates a different Disney theme throughout the hotel which is reflected in all areas of the hotel. If booking throught the Disneyland Paris website, tickets to the Parks are included as well as a whole load of other perks. If you only want to visit the Parks on certain days, you might prefer to book through Hotels.com, which gives you the option of booking a room with or without Park tickets.
Then there are the Disney Partner hotels and apartments. These are not owned by Disneyland Paris, and are not onsite, but do include Park tickets with each booking and a shuttle bus to the Parks. They do not include all of the perks of staying in a Disney hotel, but are still worth checking out. Some can accommodate five or more people in a room, so are great for big families who are happy to be offsite. These can also be booked through the Disneyland Paris website or Hotels.com.
Alternative Accommodation Nearby
There are numerous other hotels and self-catering accommodations very close to Disneyland Paris. These will often be cheaper than the Disney hotels, but you might miss some of that Disney magic. There can also be hidden costs with staying offsite such as having to buy Park tickets separately and paying to park at the Parks and Disney Village. Some of these offer rooms big family rooms, so are worth considering for your Disneyland Paris holiday.
Where to Eat at Disneyland Paris
There are a huge number of places to eat at Disneyland Paris, both in the Parks and in the hotels. These include:
- Themed table-service restaurants
- Themed buffet restaurants
- Fast-food restaurants
- Snack outlets
Choosing where to eat usually comes down to what you can afford. It’s also worth considering how much time you want to spend at each meal. A themed restaurant can be a lot of fun, but takes more time away from the rides and shows. The fast-food options are quicker, but don’t offer much variety. If you’re staying in one of the Disney hotels, you have the option of purchasing a Disney Dining Plan. This can be a good idea if you want to eat in the more expensive restaurants. However, it will end up costing more in the long run if you prefer fast food and snacks. Big families might find that eating in the themed restaurants is too much of a stretch for their budget. In that case, it would be better to target the cheaper fast-food restaurants.
Dreaming of Disney
So, before you get into the nitty gritty of planning this fabulous holiday, ask yourself a few questions:
- What does a Disney holiday look like in my head?
- What are the most important aspects of this holiday for me and for my children?
- What can I afford realistically?
Disneyland Paris with a big family is possible, but does require some extra considerations. Once you know what you really want for your family, you can start considering how to achieve that goal. It could be that some aspects of the holiday are more important to you or your children than others. There might be some things you’re not bothered about. If you’re desperate to stay in a hotel with a pool, which one offers the best option within your budget? Maybe eating with Disney characters is your thing? Are you mad about the Disney merchandise? Then, maybe consider cutting back in other areas. If money is no object, go crazy! Do everything you’ve ever dreamed of on a Disney holiday. But still do your research and make sure you’re spending that money wisely.
Want to know which optional extras you can add to make your stay even more magical? Check out my guide to the Parks, Perks and Optional Extras.
