Disneyland Paris with Kids

Just a short train ride from the heart of the Paris, lies a place where dreams come to life, and fairy tales are reality. Disneyland Paris, often referred to as the “Happiest Place in Europe,” is a realm of enchantment that welcomes visitors of all ages to embark on a journey beyond imagination.

From the iconic fairytale castle of Sleeping Beauty and beloved characters to thrilling rides, this magical destination is an experience like no other. So, grab your Mickey ears and get ready to feel nostalgia for all things Disney, except this time – in Paris!

I have compiled a list of the three A’s: Accommodations, Adventures, and Appetite!  If you have any questions about Disneyland Paris or our trip please send me an email!

Accommodations

We stayed at the Moxy Val d’Europe near Disneyland Paris, a magical experience that enhanced our trip. This trendy and vibrant hotel offers a unique blend of comfort and style, making it the perfect base for your Disney adventure. My girls in particular enjoyed the kid’s playroom and Alice and Wonderland table, where we sat and did puzzles together. We also shot a few games of pool while waiting for our dining reservation.

The modern and playful decor creates a welcoming atmosphere, setting the tone for a fun-filled stay. With comfortable rooms and a welcoming staff, the Moxy Val d’Europe ensures that your visit is not only convenient but also filled with moments of relaxation and enjoyment after a day of excitement in the park. After checking in, we went up to the room to get settled. We stayed in a family room which was spacious with a king size bed and pull out couch. The room was modern, clean, and so much fun – with welcome notes written by staff on the mirror. There was also pink toilet paper which thrilled my daughters.

Its close proximity to Disneyland Paris allows for easy access, making it a fantastic choice for families, couples, and solo travelers looking for a memorable and convenient Disney experience. We enjoyed the buffet breakfast that had everything you could possibly need to fuel the start of your day. There is an on-site restaurant with some of the best food we had in France, but more on that below!

Adventures

Disneyland Paris : Disneyland Park

We only had one day to explore, so we chose the larger park: Disneyland Park. This park is VERY similar to Magic Kingdom, both in terms of layout and offerings. The greatest difference is the castle, which is Sleeping Beauty’s (and a few of the rides are different as well). We arrived at park open and stayed until close – and we were able to see it all! If you really wanted to spend more than one day here you easily could – but that was all we needed.

I was pleasantly surprised with the attendance at the park, but that is the benefit of going in the off season on a weekday. We did not have a fast pass and most waits were roughly 15-25 minutes, a max of 45 minutes on a few bigger rides, not bad for Disney! There was no language barrier – everything was said in French and English. This was particularly fun in Mickey’s PhilharMagic! Our family’s favorite ride was Big Thunder Mountain, which we went on at night, just when you thought the ride was over it kept going – adding to the thrill! The fireworks at Disneyland Park are at 10PM, yes… it is late. There were projections, water effects, and fireworks also. This was where the crowds were the biggest – and people were snippy with each other (could be the late night and tired kiddos putting everyone on edge!).

I had read in several blogs that the food was not great. We didn’t take too many risks and had cheeseburgers from Café Hyperion and hot dogs at Casey’s Corner, and they were reasonably prices and good. This is also the only castle park that allows alcohol sales outside of sit-down restaurants. I had to get the champagne in the souvenir cup since we were in France – bit pricy but added to the experience!

We rode the train one stop from Val d’Europe to get to the parks, and thought we were smart by purchasing return tickets (we figured there would be a huge line after the parks close). WRONG. The park closes at 10PM, and much to our surprise – the train station was closed! This was a huge shock to us, and truthfully doesn’t make sense, and there were a lot of people equally stunned and had no idea how to get back to their hotel. Luckily we were only 2 miles away, so we walked!

Despite the rough ending to the day, we absolutely loved Disneyland Paris and had a *magical* time!

Appetite

Bistrot 51 – Dining at Bistro 51 at the Moxy Val d’Europe is a culinary experience that compliments the vibrant atmosphere of the hotel. This stylish and contemporary restaurant offers a fusion of French and international flavors that cater to all tastebuds, the diverse menu has something for everyone (yes, even kiddos!). The cozy yet chic ambiance creates the perfect setting for a relaxed meal with family or friends – not to mention the food was incredible. We were traveling for 2 weeks throughout Europe, and my husband had his favorite meal here (try the duck!). I had a delicious steak, paired perfectly with a French red wine. Our children both got kid’s meals and they were both visually appealing and mouthwatering (my kids ate every bite!). Leave room for dessert, the chocolate crème brûlée was AMAZING!

Until next time…