Even rain can’t dampen that Disney magic
DISNEYLAND is inherently magical, but travelling with three children in tow is not. Nevertheless, aware that taking youngsters there is a rite of passage, we packed up and headed for Paris. We travelled by Eurostar, favouring the shorter and easier check-in and direct ‘landing’ into the parks over a flight to Charles de Gaulle.
Eurostar’s greatest asset, though, was the Disney Express facility, which included the hand-delivery of our park entry tickets on board the train and the transportation of our luggage to our hotel, leaving us free to explore the parks from the moment we arrived.
The initial encounter with the iconic Disneyland Castle, perched at the top of Main Street, was magnificent and set the tone for a holiday like no other.
However, within minutes of our arrival, the heavens opened. Prepared as I was with our disposable ponchos, it looked as if a little of the magic would be washed away.
But then my se v e n - y e a r- o l d son restored our spirits by pointing out that things could be worse – we could be at home in the rain.
What swiftly became apparent was that this is not the place to be spontaneous. Park guides give you the times for every show, while a clever app keeps you abreast of queue lengths and ride closures.
As well as the varied rides, the character encounters are not to b be missed. A Admittedly we paid over the odds for the chance to meet some Disney favourites over dinner at the Inventions restaurant, but it was certainly worth the money to avoid queuing.
The next day, our priority was to watch the parade, which travels from one end of the park to the other at 5.30pm. This was a true feast for the eyes and heart.
We kept the kids awake until 10pm for Dreams, a light show and fireworks display, and how pleased we were to have done so, despite the effect one very late night has on three young children. The show was magnificent in its fairytale quality and its grandeur.
At the end of each day we slept soundly at the Newport Bay Club, one of seven on-site hotel options. It boasts a pool and optional Compass Club upgrade, which affords you a better breakfast and free drinks and snacks during the day.
This isn’t a holiday with highlights, because every moment is extraordinary, and even the most cynical adult cannot help but get swept up in the magic.
I’d always envisaged Disneyland Paris being a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I’m already working out the cost of a return visit.