Disneyland Paris. Not That There’s Anything Wrong with That.
It was bound to happen. I’d been too smug.
Over a year ago, I wrote a post about why I travel with my son. In it, I talked about why I wasn’t taking my kid to Disneyland Paris. It’s not that I have anything against Disneyland Paris. I don’t. In fact, I’m tempted to start referring to it in Seinfeld fashion: Disneyland Paris (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But I did think with limited time in Europe – and a child who is happy to go exploring anywhere – it wasn’t a priority for our family.
How things can change in a year.
One of Chet’s Christmas presents was a Disney Sing-A-Long DVD that features the Disney Park in Anaheim. He loves it. He likes to watch Goofy cleaning the park. He likes to shake his booty to Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah. He likes to sing along with the songs. And it inspired him to ask me to take him to Disneyland Paris (not that there’s anything wrong with that) so he can give Minnie a hug. Donald, too, if he’s not being a jerkface.
Chet’s request coincided with some great package deals to the park right around his birthday. The fates aligned and how could I resist? I couldn’t, really. And so, just like that, I find that I will be taking my son to Disneyland Paris (not that there’s anything wrong with that) in March.
I’ve been a bit ashamed to admit this. After all, I’m the Mom who believes we should be taking our children to lands unknown not just making do with the exhibits at Epcot Center. But Chet is so excited about our impending trip. And his excitement, I’m finding, is quite contagious.
Travel, for me, is all about exploration, inspiration and transformation. Magic, if you will. Chet, at 4, is enchanted by the throes of his imagination. He still believes in magic – and, yes, that Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen are sentient beings. Another year or two, Disneyland Paris (not that there’s anything wrong with that) will just be another amusement park. A cool one, to be sure, but not necessarily a magical one. (For an example of this, see the photo above).
And so, I find I’m very excited about going to Disneyland Paris (not that there’s anything wrong with that). The same magic that inspires Chet to want to meet *the* Mickey Mouse in the flesh will be the same one that helps him appreciate the art in the Prado or to visualize what life might have been like in Petra hundreds of years ago. And I’m happy to encourage that in any way I can – even if it does involve a trip to Disneyland Paris (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
So, I may have lost some pride today – but I’m going to Disneyland.
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle photo (or is it a chateau?) courtesy of bubble_gum.
February 15th, 2010 | by Kayt Sukel 14 comments
1. Mary Jo on February 15th, 2010
A wonderful example of how travel means different things to different people. You may have lost some pride, but when your son is grown and takes his son to Disneyland, the story of how grandma took him will be one of those irreplaceable memories.
Good on you!
2. GBK Gwyneth on February 15th, 2010
We had a great time there last year — once we got in, that is. We had a terrible time trying to use our “Paris Visite” pass…thankfully, this year’s summer trip is Turkey. No Disney for a change (Tokyo and Paris past two years).
3. Carolina on February 15th, 2010
lol. So do you think that Disney will want to use that last line in an ad campaign?
And for the record, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking the occasional trip to the land of magic. At least he wants to meet Mickey, my son has always refused to get near those characters.
4. Amy @ The Q Family on February 16th, 2010
I had the same notion as you when we visited Hong Kong. Now my husband is still quite disappointed that we didn’t check out Disneyland Hong Kong when we went there. :) I agree that travel is about exploring and there is nothing wrong exploring Disneyland in different countries. I will think we might see some different culture within the park themselves. Will we? It likes checking out McDonald from other countries that provide slightly different menu. :)
5. Beth Blair on February 16th, 2010
Well have fun. Being that we just returned from the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, I have to say watching my kids enjoy the “magic” was surreal and I can’t wait to do it again. Oh, and I will argue that It’s a Small World ride is totally educational.
6. Luciana Bordallo Misura on February 16th, 2010
I never understood why you can’t do both – be the parent that takes your kid to Disney and to far away lands. I think there is a problem when you only take them to Disney year after year and not anywhere else. They can see countries through Epcot and then the real thing in a different trip. And enjoy both in different ways. We travel with our 2 yo daughter since she was born, and she has enjoyed going to the beach in Brazil as much as seeing Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland (which is really cool since she thinks they are *real* at this point). Have a great trip!
7. Shenandoah bed and breakfast on February 18th, 2010
I also have been there lots of time with my family and we have just booked the Holiday Inn Disneyland Paris for two Adults and three children for our next tour of Disneyland. It is really adorable place and has a great deal of attractions.
Best Regards,
8. house of virgin mary on February 18th, 2010
This is a best place for the kids and all family members for holiday.
9. Paris on February 22nd, 2010
I think Disneland is the best place for all children. And the adults become children there again.
10. Lauren @ SuperMom Central on February 25th, 2010
We LOVED Paris Disneyland, but understand that I’m a bit of Disney-aholic so I was thrilled to discover the fun similarities and surprisingly delightful differences between the California and Paris parks.
What takes you there? Are you spending an extended period of time in Paris? If you need any family-friendly Paris activity recommendations, just hollar!
- Lauren
11. Fat Boris on March 9th, 2010
I live in the UK, so booked my Disney Paris trip with Short Breaks. Not sure about your European plans, but I am twinning my stay with a few days in Paris itself midway through my stay. Hoping that Pirates of the Caribbean will be open this time around, and by the time I get to go in the Summer the Next Gen attractions will be live. Here’s a link to a video of the next generation promotion – frustratingly it is mostly CGI and no real footage… http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2010/03/disneyland-paris-new-generation-tv-ad.html
12. Kayt Sukel on March 18th, 2010
Thanks, everyone! I’m happy he’s so pleased – and I do think it will be a memory-making trip.
As someone told me a few days ago, if it were some funky foreign ritual, I’d put on the funny hat and go with it. So, people, I plan to get myself some gosh darn mouse ears and throw myself into it. =)
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