The Secret Surprise
I’m terrible at keeping secrets, so it was a huge win that this was the only surprise we successfully kept from the girls. When I think about Disney trips — especially the ones in Florida — I get overwhelmed just hearing about the massive amount of planning that goes into them. Fast passes, dining reservations months in advance, maps, schedules… it can feel like a full-time job just to keep up! Honestly, that’s part of why we never took the girls to Disney before — it felt like too much pressure and logistics for a family vacation.
But here’s the cool part: the girls had never been to any Disney park, so they didn’t have expectations or compare it to anything. For us, the idea of pulling just one day from our Paris trip to do Disneyland Paris felt like a perfect sweet spot. We got to check off the Disney experience — and in a way that felt unique and special — without any of the stress that comes with a week-long Florida Disney marathon.
So, when Friday rolled around, we surprised them with this secret plan by borrowing a shirt from my Disney-loving sister that said, “I’m done adulting, I’m going to Disney.” Audrey was totally confused until she read the shirt, and their faces when they realized where we were headed were absolutely priceless.
First Steps into the Magic
We grabbed our first croissants of the trip and walked to the train station, full of excitement. Neither Greg nor I had been to Disneyland since we were kids, and the girls had never been, so we went in with zero expectations. No plan, no rush — just wandering and soaking it all in.
We arrived just as a parade was ending and jumped right into the fun, watching characters dance and sing. It might have been the most unprepared we’ve ever been for a day of fun, but honestly? That made it even better.
Highlights
Our first stop was the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse, which felt like stepping back into my childhood. I was so hungry by lunchtime and overwhelmed by everything happening that the only photo I managed to capture was of the dessert buffet (priorities, right?). Once we snagged the essential Minnie ears, we kept exploring.
“It’s a Small World” was everything I expected — charming, classic, and delightfully catchy. But the unexpected star for me was the Buzz Lightyear ride — hearing Buzz give instructions in French was a total highlight!
The girls had a blast “driving” us around in the little cars, and Reese and I (our family’s official thrill-ride duo) did a roller coaster while Greg and Audrey boarded a Pirate's boat. We did grab a few things at the gift shop. Audrey was disappointed that Woody's draw string didn't have him speaking in French. We caught part of the evening show, but spotting the massive crowd funneling toward the train, we made the smart call to leave early.
Thoughts on
Not planning Disney
Disneyland Paris turned out to be the perfect place
not to have a plan. We could have had a totally different kind of experience if we’d mapped out every ride and show, but wandering was exactly what we wanted. And honestly? It felt very French of us to approach Disney with zero urgency - just vibing our way through the day. We experienced what we experienced. No rushing. No maximizing. No color-coded itinerary. Just soaking it all in as we went.
The Perfect Ending: The Walk Home
One of the reasons we chose our Airbnb was its walkability from the train station — and that choice paid off. After a long day, we stumbled upon a pedestrian-only street filled with painted lanes and games for kids. Reese instantly named it “activity road,” and it quickly became one of the trip’s favorite surprise discoveries.
Mini Tips for Your Disney Paris Day
- No need to overplan: Sometimes the best days are the ones where you just wander and go with the flow.
- The one day pass was great: Yes, we missed a whole park but we had Paris to get back to!
- Download the Disneyland Paris app: It helped us check which rides were open and wait times (most were short!).
- Minnie ears are a must: They’re the perfect souvenir and make magical memories even sweeter.
- Bring a small bag to carry the items your kids will not want to carry. The Minnie ears definitely wound up in the little drawstring backpack we also wound up buying at the gift shop.
- Use public transport: The train goes right to the park entrance, saving time and hassle.
- Leave a little early: Avoid the train crush by heading out before the crowds swell after the final show.
