Disneyland Paris with kids: what worked for us (and what didn’t)

After three winter days at Disneyland Paris with our children, we came home tired, happy and with a very clear sense of what truly added value for our family.

We stayed two nights, spent three full days in the parks and used the Extra Plus meal plan, which shaped many of our choices. This post focuses on the practical side of our trip, grounded in what we actually did, loved, skipped or would change next time.

For the emotional side and why Disney felt so immersive for us, you can read our main experience story here:
Disneyland Paris with kids: stepping into another world
 

Where we stayed: Disney Newport Bay Club

We stayed at Disney Newport Bay Club, a classic Disney hotel within walking distance of both parks.

The walk takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is flat and easy. There is also a shuttle service, although we never quite figured out where to catch it. Walking worked well for us and quickly became part of the rhythm of the day.

One of the biggest advantages of staying on site is the character appearances in the hotel lobby. Characters appear in special outfits themed to the hotel. At Newport Bay, that means sailor outfits. Waiting times were short and relaxed compared to the parks.

What worked well
• Character meet and greets with minimal waiting
• Easy access to both parks without transport planning
• A calm atmosphere compared to staying inside the parks

What was less ideal
• Rooms felt smaller and more dated than expected
• Beds were relatively narrow and shared bedding was a change for us
• With children in one hotel room, evenings can feel crowded quickly

We are used to more space, separate duvets and separate bedrooms. With children in one room, that comfort matters more than expected.

If we go again, we would likely choose a hotel closer to the park entrance, or Davey Crockett Ranch. Especially for families on a budget, Davey Crockett has clear advantages. More space, separate bedrooms for the kids and a kitchen, which makes it much easier to cook simple meals and control costs.
 

The Extra Plus meal plan: how it actually works

Disney explains the meal plan in a way that feels more complicated than it really is. In practice, this is what we received per person:
 

• 2 breakfast vouchers
• 5 standard meal vouchers
• 2 snack and drink vouchers (typically for mid afternoon)
• 2 drink vouchers
• 1 character meal

Children receive their own vouchers as well. During lunch or dinner, a drink is already included for them, which means their separate drink vouchers can be used elsewhere. 

The drink vouchers were surprisingly flexible and could also be used for drinks like the mocktail we had at Walt’s. Hosts in the restaurants know exactly how the system works and handled everything smoothly for us.

The only part we found disappointing were the snack vouchers. The choices were quite limited, usually a muffin or a cookie, and did not feel very exciting.

Overall, the meal plan removed a lot of mental load. We chose restaurants based on experience rather than price, which made the trip much more relaxed.

That said, our honest tip would be to actually book the more expensive restaurants if you choose a higher meal plan. This is where you truly get the value out of it. You can even book some of them twice, as there is enough variation.

For us, the Extra Plus meal plan cost around 900 euros in total. Looking at where we ate and what those meals would have cost without a plan, we saved well over 500 euros. And that is despite the fact that Agrabah was on the cheaper end and we often chose soft drinks instead of more expensive mocktails.

If you prefer quick meals, fries or the more budget friendly restaurants, a lower meal plan or no meal plan at all might make more sense. The higher plans really shine when you lean into the full dining experiences.
 

Restaurants: where we would happily return

Chez Remy

If you are travelling with children, this is one of the restaurants we would strongly recommend booking early. Along with Walt’s and the character dining options, reservations fill up fast.

The theming is exceptional. Oversized plates, giant cutlery and the feeling of being shrunk into Remy’s world. The children were completely absorbed by it all. One proudly posed with a fork nearly as tall as himself, completely serious, while the other inspected every detail on the walls.

The food quality was genuinely good and child friendly. Even with the limited meal plan menu, we always had multiple options to choose from and never felt restricted.
 

Walt’s

Walt’s was one of the highlights of the entire trip.

You overlook Main Street while dining, which adds a lot to the experience. Inside, it feels like stepping into Walt Disney’s world. Even the children’s menus could be folded into little paper souvenirs, which the kids loved.

The food was excellent, the staff genuinely warm and patient, and the atmosphere calm. This worked beautifully as a lunch stop in the middle of busy park days.
 

Royal Banquet (Disney Hotel)

Expensive, yes. But if your budget allows it, we would absolutely do this again with children.

The setup is impressive. Long tables with starters, separate tables for meat and vegetarian mains, a fish table and a dessert table filled with beautifully presented sweets. Think rose shaped desserts, themed pastries and plenty of choice. The food itself was good, but you are paying just as much for the experience.

What makes it special is the way characters move through the room. No queues, no pressure. Just eating together until Mickey, Minnie or Pluto casually stop by your table for a chat, hug or photo. It feels chique but still completely accessible with children.

 

Restaurants we would not prioritise again

Jack’s Restaurant
Visually very cool, especially sitting near the water with boats passing by. Food options were less suitable for our children and the overall warmth was missing compared to other restaurants.

Agrabah Café
Lovely atmosphere, but the food did not stand out for us. Our children struggled with the cuisine and the experience felt less engaging overall.
   
Shows, rides and atmosphere We skipped most rollercoasters on this trip. Long queues and limited interest from the kids made atmosphere and storytelling a better use of our time.

Unexpected favourites
• Les Pays des Contes de Fées, where we spent the entire ride naming every fairytale we recognised
• Alice’s Labyrinth, which took far longer than expected and was a lot of fun
• Autopia, where steering, braking and accelerating independently felt like real freedom
• The Frozen show, lasting around 20 to 30 minutes. Long enough to feel complete and short enough to hold attention, even for a child who struggles with sitting still
 

The parade: plan ahead

The parade was a non negotiable highlight for us.

People start claiming spots early. The central hub fills up around 45 minutes in advance, while Main Street usually needs about 20 to 30 minutes. Standing along Main Street felt calmer and still offered great views.

A helpful tip is to stand near a fixed object like a lamp post or railing. It reduces crowd pressure and gives children a clearer view.
 

Characters: hotel vs park

Meeting characters inside the parks often means long queues. In the hotel, encounters were relaxed and short.

On our final day, we ran into Goofy in the hotel lobby, the only character we had not yet seen. A perfect, unplanned moment to end the trip.

You can take your own photos, but there is also a professional photographer present. They give you a card so you can decide later whether you want to purchase the photos.
 

Using the Disneyland Paris app

The app is essential. We used it for restaurant reservations, show times and navigating the parks. We did not use paid fast passes. For our pace and choices, they did not add enough value.
 
Would we return?
Absolutely. With a slightly different hotel choice and the same focus on atmosphere over ticking boxes, we would return in a heartbeat.

Especially with the upcoming rebranding of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World, opening in March 2026. A completely new area to explore, including the World of Frozen, new shows, new rides, new restaurants and new Frozen characters to meet.

That alone already feels like a reason to come back. We will be back.

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