Disneyland, Paris - A 3-year-olds trip!

Cassius's 3rd birthday...This year we chose not to get Cass any presents...poor choice or tactical spending for a child who gets a days fun out of new toys and would much rather a giant cardboard box to play with (I know that's super cliche but it's true!). He had presents from family and a great little BBQ at home with his best friends...Any need for presents from mum and dad? I think a trip to Disneyland a little more worth while, plus we had such an amazing time in disney world I was feeling Disney mad at the time!

We got an amazing deal, since it was the 25th anniversary, there were some great offers flying around! we took our own advice from america that a whole package was a lot easier and a bit cheaper...so for about £425 each (cassius was classed as a 2 year old as we started the trip the day before his 3rd birthday, and it was free for him! Saving of around £150!) we had...eurostar return from St pancras, a 4* hotel in the park...NEWPORT BAY CLUB....park tickets for 3 full days, and full board premium...so a service breakfast and 2x sit down meals a day! These were very high quality and most restaurants in the park accepted the meal plan...advised to book a table in most sit down restaurants because the food is high quality and they get busy and booked quickly! You can do this at reception in your hotel, call or go online. Cass didn't have a meal plan as a 2 year old, but he eats like a pigeon so we asked for an extra plate to make him a little meal, as he never finishes a kids meal.

There was a swimming pool in our hotel, we used this in the mornings, it was really warm and pleasant and had a giant ship! And lots of inflatables! The room was smart but disney themed, comfortable and 2x double beds, cass had his own but we asked for a crib as he tends to roll off!

Since we had visited Disney at xmas we were accustomed to how busy it may be and how to PLAN the attractions! At this time of year it wasn't too busy and it was mid week, so we didn't suffer too badly, and the weather was a little chilly, we took a buggy as there is a lot of walking, but you can always hire one. We had lots of fun in the toy story themed area, there is a giant buzz, a slinky ride, a toy solders ride, and a few more but cass was under the required height....queues were 20mins tops....we again went to a lot of character spots, these are the best and worth a 10min wait!

Next morning, Cassius's birthday, we had breakfast with disney characters! Thi was £16 extra each after substituting our included breakfast, we also paid 29 euros for a birthday cake! Staff brought the cake out singing happy birthday, he was ecstatic, food was perfect, lots of choice, fruit, pancakes, bacon, eggs, cereals, juices, pastries. The perfect start to his special day! Definitely worth the extra, the characters take the time to come to each table and spend a few mins with you.

We wen inside the castle and on a few of the classic disney rides, the queues were 5-10 mins, pizza planet was closed which was a shame, a few attractions were also closed, but it was a fairly quiet time. Cass decided to have a huge 3 hour nap as he was exhausted from the busy morning so we had a nice walk and lunch! In the evening the buzz lightyear ride was very quiet and we managed to go on it continuously for about 45mins! It was the best! And a little chilly outside so wasted some time until the fireworks started!

The fireworks/luminations were spectacular, some in french and some in english, let it go was in french, but me, win and cass all sang along at the top of our voices, it really is a wonderful thing that the happiness is so universal! A few lion king songs were played, it honestly nearly had me in tears! 'Can you feel the love tonight' and 'the circle of life' with projected motion across the iconic castle, it really makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and a feeling of genuine happiness floods you....it may sound silly, but the emotive childhood memories of happiness really get to you! It's just the best feeling!

I will visit Disneyland again, this was our first, and I would love to take Cass at christmas, it really is a magical place, not quite as good as Disney World, but a fantastic and heartwarming blast from the past...really really worth the visit! Plus there is a direct train from Pancras to disneyland park, you can be there within a few hours. There are options to pay bit by bit for your trip, which can make it more manageable, definitely worth a look.

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