Back in October 2022 I put a deposit down on a break away for my birthday to Disneyland Paris. I had really wanted to go for my 40th birthday in March 2023 but I couldn't financially manage it unfortunately.

We went for 3 nights Sunday, Monday (birthday Monday) Tuesday, leaving 4pm Wednesday. I picked an early flight Sunday to get the most out of our time there. For this, we slept at a hotel the night before. So that was 4 nights away. In hindsight that was too much with such an action packed few days. It should have been 2 nights and 2 days, that would have been better.

We flew from London Heathrow, the flight to Paris is only 45mins long. The journey to Heathrow just over 2hrs, it made the best sense to do it this way. Because our flights were first out, last back it meant security was pretty much non existent. Of course, I could have got special assistance and if I thought I really needed it I definitely would have done that, but on this occasion I didn't think it was worthwhile. We always get to the airport with the minimum time we can get away with. And this has been the first time Charlie had flown since October 2022. Although it was a positive experience he has said he doesn't want to fly short haul again it was too much for him. This I feel sad about, however he does say he will travel to Japan one day!

We stayed in the Sequoia Lodge. I wanted to stay there because it looked peaceful and serene and was overlooked by a forest. But we only used the Disney magic day pass once while we were there, so to me it wasn't worth it. However, the partner hotels were coming up at a similar price and at least we could walk to the park from the hotel which was often easier and quicker than the shuttle bus.

Sunday and Monday were good days. We got round so many rides. Checked in at the hotel around 10.30am on the Sunday and headed to the park. Our bags went in the luggage store so we were free to do as we pleased. Charlie had a ride access pass which meant all of us (4) got on the rides with him. Only 2 people were able to join him for shows and only 1 person was able to join him in a parade.

I think initially the experience was pretty overwhelming, as we caught 2 mins of a parade and Charlie thought that was it!! He had seen a parade, not quite son. So thinking back now he probably was overwhelmed. The pass made a huge difference to those days in the park. We barely queued really and could take turns sitting out rides if needed with no real issues.

Tuesday was a bit more challenging. We used the pool, which wasn't in the hotel but slightly off complex. In hindsight, I would definitely get one within the hotel as Charlie really struggled to navigate through that and became seriously dysregulated and he struggled to balance himself, but eventually he did.

Wednesday the final day, was a transition day and Charlie really struggled with this. Transitions are always very difficult but this was to the extreme. Challenging behaviours purely down to the anxiety of transition and the day. However, we pulled it back around lunchtime headed for the park and still got a couple of rides in. Then the rain fell so we headed back to the hotel for our transfer (€80 euros each way). I am incredibly grateful to be able to have a private transfer as the thought of putting Charlie on public transport and then back on the flight really concerned me.

Just in case any of you wanted to know the break down of our break:

4 x Adult park tickets and accomodation (Disney park) - £1,200

Flights - £380 rtn for 4 people, flying with BA from Heathrow. BA have a very generous luggage allowance of hand luggage + 10kg carry on!

Transfer - €80 each way.

Drinks - we took our own water bottles and filled up in the hotel in the day. If we came back to the hotel (in the afternoon for a sleep sometimes) then we would refill before going back out. Took the little juice bottles with us (50ml) to add some flavour.

Food - we didn't have a food package, but we ate at McDonald's, Earl of sandwich, Casey's, Annette's and rainforest cafe. Meals varied massively but there was a place within the backlot of Disney studios that did breakfast for €7 you got a coffee/hot chocolate, drink of orange juice and a pain of chocolate. We also went to Annette's for breakfast and that was €15 for a full English breakfast, coffee/hot chocolate and orange juice. We did try and eat at a variety of places and always found something to eat on the menu for everyone.

This was our 5th time in Disneyland (Charlie's 3rd) going in 2007, 2009, 2013, 2015 & 2024. I've noticed a huge difference in the volume of people and the lack of characters walking around. I'm imagining it has something to do with COVID but the lack of characters was really noticeable and for that, I'm grateful to have attended in those early years and have those experiences.

Myself and Charlie are going away in September to a log cabin in the woods with a hot tub. Doubtful we will get a pool this year so I am really excited about that!

Georgina x