Need a Minnie break?
Disneyland Paris is a magical place but, 24/7, it can be exhausting for some. ANNA JEYS finds the perfect balance by combining the park’s delights with a Center Parcs escape
THINK of Disneyland Paris, and you don’t immediately think of an eco-experience or relaxing break. But a collaboration between Disney and Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs, the company behind Center Parcs Europe, offers just that.
For some, the idea of being immersed in the Disney magic 24/7 and soaking up the atmosphere in an onsite hotel is living the dream.
But others, like me, may be drawn to an alternative to the traditional theme park stay and relish the flexibility of self-catering.
Les Villages Nature Paris, just 6km from Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, describes itself as an “innovative holiday village that celebrates the diversity of nature”.
The first thing you notice on arrival is the greenery, especially after the hustle and bustle (and traffic) of the capital if you came via Paris. The eco-village boasts five areas or “recreational worlds” in Disneyspeak, dubbed BelleVie Farm, Extraordinary Gardens, Forest of Legends, Lakeside Promenade and Aqualagon.
The promenade, which acts as the heart of the resort, is home to a supermarket, café, restaurants and a bakery. Although modern and pleasant, the centre feels slightly generic but in practical terms is well laid out. It’s completely detached from Disney, so don’t expect to see characters wandering around or merchandise on sale everywhere.
We stayed in a two-bedroom country premium apartment where the décor had a natural theme filled with floral prints.
There’s a real mix of food on offer, from the Italian-themed Vapiano to the upmarket Cepages restaurant adorned with a huge wall-mounted map of wine bottles and their regions. Those who want to take advantage of self-catering can use the well-stocked, reasonably priced Franprix supermarket.
We loved the daily breakfast delivery – two bags filled with everything you expect from a French breakfast (bread, croissants, pastries and orange juice) would arrive on your doorstep each morning.
But what to do next? Well, there aren’t many activities you can’t do at Les Villages Nature – there’s a packed timetable with everything from pony rides, segway lessons, treasure hunts or wine tasting for the adults, all available at an extra cost. Other quirky activities include an escape room and teddy bearmaking classes.
The Aqualagon, one of Europe’s largest water parks, was a huge hit, filled with seven giant waterslides, play areas and splash pools as well as a Jacuzzi, wave machine and our favourite – the lazy river.
Every day for us included a visit to the pony club at BelleVie Farm to wander around the stables and pet the other farm animals.
But it was the indoor play area next door that stood out, easily one of the biggest and best we’ve visited.
A huge dairy-themed playground filled with slides, ball pits and climbing frames was enough to keep children entertained for hours. It was clean and tidy with a café/restaurant next door to refuel when the playing gets too much.
Visitors are given a “connected wristband” which allows entry to your apartment and lets you book activities. The eco-element of the resort is not overt but subtle touches underline the green theme, from nature trails and activities in the forest area to learning about sustainable food in the organic vegetable patch and greenhouse.
I wasn’t prepared for the much-cited ‘magic’ of the park, being a reluctant theme park mum most of the time...
It’s behind the scenes that the resort shows its truly green credentials: geothermal energy heats the village and pool.
Sticking to the green theme, Les Villages is car-free but you can explore the trails by bike, which can be rented for all the family.
But with the Disney parks just down the road, it would be rude not to visit. There a shuttle bus from the resort which takes around 25 minutes for an extra cost. We visited for one day but most packages include two-day access. We managed to get round most of the two parks in one day but it was an intense experience.
I wasn’t prepared for the much-cited ‘magic’ of the park, being a reluctant theme park mum most of the time, but the ambience is clear as soon as you hear the faint sound of Disney music.
The character brunch at the Inventions restaurant was a highlight. Queues to meet the likes of Mickey or Donald can be long in the park, so this was a way to get up close to Disney favourites all in one place. It can be pricey at around €69 per adult and €39 for a child, but the buffet selection is huge and even the adults get excited when the characters visit the tables.
The Disney Illuminations – a spectacular light show projected onto the Sleeping Beauty castle – is mesmerising. The closing celebration is late, at around 10pm, but despite being at the end of a long day, especially for toddlers, it really is worth staying up for.
It was the contrast of the two experiences –the madness and magic of Disneyland Paris and the serene pace of Les Villages Nature Paris – that made the trip special.
The draw of Disneyland is inevitable for most families but for those wanting to round their experience with something more in touch with nature, Les Villages Nature Paris is an option worth exploring.