Our Adventures by Disney Family Journey

Traveling through Europe with kids can feel overwhelming—but Adventures by Disney made it seamless, engaging, and genuinely magical. Over 10 days, we explored iconic landmarks, enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access, and balanced rich history with kid-approved fun across London, Paris, and Disneyland Paris.

Here’s how our adventure unfolded—day by day—followed by our biggest takeaways.

Day 1 : We’re Off!

We departed Atlanta on a late-night overnight flight to London Heathrow. A quick stop in the Minute Suites pre-travel made waiting for the flight a breeze. Everything went smoothly, and the excitement of the trip ahead made the long flight worthwhile.

Day 2 : Welcome to London

We arrived mid-day and were met at baggage claim by Adventures by Disney, then transferred by private car to the Kimpton Fitzroy London. After dropping bags, we powered through jet lag with lunch, a ride on the London Eye, and a stroll through the city to King’s Cross Station and Platform 9¾ (but the crowds were too big for a photo). An early dinner and bedtime wrapped up our first full day.

Day 3 : Peppa Pig, Shrek & the London Dungeon

An early start got us photos at Platform 9¾ before the crowds. We explored London on a hop-on hop-off bus, enjoyed lunch aboard the Peppa Pig Afternoon Tea Bus, then headed to the Shrek Adventure and London Dungeon. That evening, we met our fellow travelers at a Disney welcome dinner—complete with a surprise visit from Sherlock Holmes with a mystery for the kids (aka the Watsons).

Day 4 : The King in the Countryside

The official Disney-guided portion began with a private, before-opening tour of Hampton Court Palace. We had lunch in Windsor, explored the town, and tried longbow archery at the Dorney Estate. Back in London, we ended the day with an evening bus tour of London.

Day 5 : The King in the City

We toured the Tower of London privately with a Beefeater, including the Crown Jewels, before the public arrived. The day continued with a thrilling Thames airboat ride (James Bond style), a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral (but there was no feeding of the birds), a quick stop at Buckingham Palace, and a split dinner—movie night for kids (Ratatouille of course), quiet dining for adults.

Day 6 : A Tale of Two Cities

We woke up in London and arrived in Paris by afternoon via the Chunnel—with most of our luggage magically transferred ahead by Tinkerbell. We headed straight to Montmartre, wandering the artist-lined streets and taking in views of the Eiffel Tower before a private dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7 : So Parisian

Lunch inside the Eiffel Tower kicked off the day, followed by climbing to the second level. In the afternoon, we attended a hands-on macaron cooking class, then wrapped up with a casual dinner of pizza and escargot (a first for my kiddo).

Day 8 : Parisian Royalty

A full day at Versailles included touring the palace, walking the gardens, lunch under the arbor, and biking through the grounds. Back in Paris, the kids burned off energy at the Tuileries Garden, followed by a Seine River dinner cruise (complete with an Eiffel Tower chocolate dessert) and an evening return to Montmartre for characatures.

Day 9 : Farewell, Paris

We started with breakfast at a Parisian café, then toured the Paris Opera House, Notre Dame, and the Louvre(highlights only as the kids were soooo bored). After a leisurely walk through the gardens and some well-earned ice cream, we ended the trip with a farewell dinner in a historic Parisian apartment.

Days 10 & 11 : Mickey Mouse in Paris

We closed out the trip at Disneyland Paris, staying at New York – The Art of Marvel Hotel. Over two days, we explored both parks, enjoyed Marvel-themed experiences, and rode everything we wanted (twice) thanks to fast passes.

Top 10 Travel Tips from Our Trip

1. Arrive early for international flights and consider airport Minute Suites for overnight departures.
2. Upgrade your flight seat if possible—Comfort Economy is worth it for overnight travel.
3. Pack for comfort, especially for flights (layers, slip-on shoes, eye mask, neck pillow).
4. Don’t nap on arrival—adjust immediately to the local schedule to beat jet lag.
5. Pre-purchase skip-the-line tickets for major attractions whenever possible.
6. Dress in layers and plan for mild (aka if it is hot outside it will be hot inside) European air conditioning.
7. Use public transportation—it’s affordable, reliable, and often faster than cars.
8. Mix tours with hands-on activities (cooking classes, biking, archery) to keep kids engaged.
9. Plan for breaks and playgrounds—kids need downtime just as much as adults.
10. Stay on-site at Disneyland Paris and book fast passes and special experiences early.

Adventures by Disney: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Completely stress-free planning and logistics
• Kids travel and bond with other kids (which allows for kid free time)
• Exclusive access and private or early-entry tours
• Excellent balance of education, culture, and fun
• Knowledgeable guides who handle every detail (and can manage kids)

Cons

• Very full itinerary—add buffer days before or after
• Premium price point

Final Thoughts

This trip was more than a vacation—it was a memory-making experience that allowed us to fully enjoy Europe without the stress of planning every detail. If you’re looking for a family-friendly, immersive, and seamless way to travel, Adventures by Disney delivers.