A mum has shared the reality of travelling to France with young children – and how to tackle Disneyland Paris.
Leah Goulis travelled from Australia to France with her kids in tow, and revealed what she learnt from the journey.
Leah wrote in kidspot: ‘A European getaway with kids is a tough ask. I get it, it’s why it took me 10 years to actually do it!’
She said that her children were old enough to sit for the duration of a flight – and appreciate the history and culture France has to offer.
She added: ‘A trip of a lifetime turned into a great opportunity that anyone travelling to Europe with kids could learn from.’
The first challenge? Navigating Paris.
Leah explained that despite being told the underground train system was easy to navigate, taking the metro with kids in tow was difficult.
Instead, she recommends going on foot – with the added bonus of being able to discover hidden gems on the way.
A mum shared what it was like navigating France with her children in tow (stock)
The Paris metro, while well-connected, can be difficult if travelling with kids
Alternatively, you can take an Uber, which is cheaper than a taxi – but beware of traffic.
Leah also said the ‘arrogance’ of the French towards tourists is common – but responding with politeness helps the situation.
She suggests: ‘Greet shop and cafe owners with a simple “bonjour” (“good morning”) and “merci” (“thank you”).
‘Yes, most French locals speak English, but it’s always a nice touch to at least attempt to make an effort – even if high school-level French is all you can muster.’
Instead of hotels, Leah advises, Airbnbs are often the best choice in France to see what it’s like for locals.
Especially if travelling with children, she says this can be a way to guarantee a homely stay and means you can adapt to your children’s routines.
Naturally, a trip to France included a visit to Disneyland Paris for Leah’s family.
Disneyland consists of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Disneyland Paris is a must-see attraction for families travelling with children
There’s lots to see and do – and Leah says you can do it in one day with older children, but might require two days for younger ones.
Tackling the parks isn’t easy, and Leah shared some top tips.
Firstly, in terms of getting to the park, you can either hop on a free shuttle from selected stop-offs and partner hotels or catch the metro train network – using the RER A train line.
Taking an Uber to get there, while pricey, also means you have flexibility.
Leah also suggests you download the Disneyland app in advance, save things you want to do and book in advance so you don’t miss out.
Plus, booking a restaurant can save you hassle and queues later on.
Finally, she advises staying until the end of the day when the park closes, at 11pm, for the Disney Tales of Magic show.
