Shell August 2022 Trip Report

Trip Report: First Family Adventure at Disneyland Paris

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*Just on our drive home from a fabulous 3-day break—our very first time at Disneyland Paris! Honestly, I feel like I’ve never given DLP the attention it deserves… Please forgive me, Disneyland!!

We did Walt Disney World five years ago and couldn’t wait to go back, but with Covid and life getting in the way, that just wasn’t possible. So this year, we celebrated our daughter’s 11th birthday at DLP. She dreams of seeing all the castles, so it seemed the perfect way to help with that dream—and give us a much-needed Disney fix!

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Hotel & First Impressions

We stayed at Hotel Cheyenne in a Woody’s Roundup Room, which we found perfect! Decent-sized rooms, really comfy beds, fab shower and fantastically themed—especially for my Toy Story-mad hubby! I’d definitely book here again. It was about a 10-minute walk to Disney Village, which made for a lovely start to each day. The lack of pool didn’t bother us; we were too busy in the parks anyway!

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Birthday Magic & Character Breakfast

We did the character breakfast on our daughter’s birthday and had a cake brought out to her—an absolutely magical moment. The cake was huge (definitely too big for the four of us!), with interesting textures and a tangy orange bit, but still so worth it! Meeting different characters was a highlight—Pinocchio especially was a huge treat for me. Yes, I’m 35 and got teary when Pinocchio sat with me for a hug and a kiss… but hey, that’s Disney magic for you!

It’s not the cheapest breakfast, but the character interaction was brilliant. I’d absolutely book character dining again on a future visit.

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Dining Highlights

We ate at Rainforest Café on Poppy’s birthday eve—amazing atmosphere, lovely food, and fantastic service from our waiter, Matty. Yes, it was a pricey treat (my son saw the bill and said, “Have we even got that much?!” 🤣🤣), but we felt it was worth it for a relaxed meal.

Our little boy is vegetarian and, while there wasn’t loads of choice everywhere, he didn’t go hungry: Mickey pizza, a veggie burrito (ordered while in the queue for Big Thunder Mountain—so convenient!), vegetable pasta at Rainforest, and plenty from the breakfast buffet: beans, scrambled eggs, vegan sausage, waffles and syrup, croissants… We were all stuffed!

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Tips, Tricks & Lasting Memories

There’s so much I could say about our trip, but I’ll keep it (sort of) short! My biggest advice: do what you want, enjoy every moment, and be prepared to wait. Ride queues weren’t too bad, but character meets took longer—2 hours 10 minutes to meet Stitch (totally worth it for my daughter’s smile). Get there early for characters if you can!

A little disappointment: not much memorabilia in the shops—couldn’t even find a photo frame for our family Mickey meet! But… we got the PhotoPass (€75) and found it excellent value for the number of great pictures we got, especially from our Mickey meet. We collected temporary passes and transferred all our photos onto the main pass—super easy.

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Final Thoughts

For anyone still there: enjoy every second!
For anyone going soon: you’re in for a real treat!
And for anyone on the way home—trust me, I feel your pain. Time to start planning the next trip already!
Thank you to this group for all the help and advice. xx

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Thank you, Shell, for sharing your magical trip report!

Planning Your Own Disneyland Paris Adventure?

Not sure where to start or just looking for the latest tips?
Check out these guides to help you make the most of your trip:

• Disneyland Paris Crowd Calendar 2025
  Find the best (and quietest) times to visit!

• Disneyland Paris Planning Tips
  All our best advice for a smooth and magical break.

• Budget Tips: How to Save at Disneyland Paris
  Maximise the magic without maxing out your bank card!

• Hotel Reviews & Comparisons
  Honest reviews of all Disney and partner hotels.

• Dining Guide: Where to Eat at Disneyland Park
  Menus, meal plans, and family-friendly picks.

If you have a question or want to share your own experience, just leave a comment below or join our Facebook group!