London, Paris & Disneyland Paris Itinerary with Kids (9 Days)
Thoughtfully Planned. Magic Delivered.
Planning a London, Paris, and Disneyland Paris itinerary with kids might feel overwhelming — but with the right approach, it can become the European family vacation of your dreams.
London and Paris are two of the most iconic cities in the world, full of history, art, and culture that even kids can appreciate. Add a day at Disneyland Paris with kids at the end of your trip, and you have a magical, memorable adventure that balances famous landmarks with family-friendly fun.
As a family travel advisor, I help parents craft trips like this every day — thoughtfully planned, perfectly paced, and designed to feel both exciting and easy. But this one was extra special.
It all started when a mom came to me with a dream: she wanted to take her 8-year-old son on his very first international trip — a chance to see Big Ben, the Mona Lisa, and the Eiffel Tower in person. She wanted him to experience Europe in a way that felt inspiring and magical, while still being relaxed and kid-friendly.
Together, we created a 9-day family trip to London, Paris, and Disneyland Paris — one that checked off all the must-see sights, kept the pace comfortable for a child, and included thoughtful touches that made the trip truly theirs.If you’re planning your own European family vacation with kids, this real-life itinerary is full of tips and inspiration to help you make it magical — and manageable.
How We Designed This Family Trip
Every family trip starts with a vision — even if it’s not fully formed yet.
For this mom, it was about more than just checking off landmarks. She wanted to give her 8-year-old son the kind of experience that would stay with him forever. He’d been learning about Big Ben and the Mona Lisa at school, and he’d just discovered Harry Potter. He was curious, imaginative, and at that perfect age where everything still feels big and exciting.
She pictured the two of them walking along the Thames, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, and maybe even squeezing in a little Disney magic at the end. But she also knew how easy it is for trips like this to spiral into something stressful — too many early mornings, too many lines, too much rushing from one stop to the next.
When she reached out, she already had a list of ideas: London, Paris, Disneyland Paris, plus a few extras like the Shrek Experience and SEA Life Aquarium. She wasn’t afraid of a busy itinerary — she just wanted it to feel doable, and worth it.
What she really needed was help turning all those ideas into a thoughtful plan — one that worked for her pace, her priorities, and her son’s wish list.
That’s exactly what we built.
This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all package pulled from a brochure. It was a fully custom itinerary designed from the ground up — balancing the must-sees with moments to slow down, weaving in hands-on experiences, and making sure each day felt just right.
Because when you’re traveling with kids, the details matter. And so does the way it all feels.
How to Plan a London, Paris & Disneyland Paris Itinerary with Kids: Our Approach
One of the first things we do with clients is share a curated guide that shows what’s possible—what the top sites are, how long they typically take, and what to budget in both time and money. That gives us a shared starting point to build an itinerary that’s completely tailored to them. From there, we designed a trip that hit the major icons and gave them space to explore and experience each city for themselves:
- A thoughtful, well-paced itinerary that hit the bucket list musts and left room to explore and discover
- Matilda on the West End—our pick for a show you can only see in London, not Broadway
- A croissant-making class that made the list after we sent hand-curated options for their love of cooking
- Harry Potter Studio Tour, with transfers and perfect mid-trip timing
- Time-specific reservations for all major Paris attractions to avoid lines and stay relaxed $1
- A one-day Disneyland Paris finale—magical, efficient, and just right
(If you’re planning a trip like this, you might also be considering premium flight options—we shared our own experience comparing Virgin Atlantic Premium vs. Delta Premium Select, though it wasn’t part of this itinerary.)
Trip Overview: London, Paris & Disneyland Paris Itinerary with Kids
Before we dive into the full day-by-day breakdown, here’s a quick snapshot of this custom London, Paris, and Disneyland Paris itinerary with kids — designed for a first international trip, at a pace that kept it fun and meaningful.
- Who: Mother and 8-year-old son
- Length: 9 days / 8 nights
- Cities: London → Paris → Disneyland Paris
- Style: Custom, thoughtful, high-value — balanced for kids and parents
- Trip Type: First international trip, parent-child bonding, bucket list meets real life
This itinerary was planned to keep travel seamless, minimize time in transit, and make sure each city felt like more than just a checklist. If you’re planning your own family trip to Europe, this structure is a great place to start.
Day-by-Day Itinerary: London, Paris & Disneyland Paris with Kids
When you’re planning a London, Paris, and Disneyland Paris itinerary with kids, the biggest question is usually: how much can we fit in without overdoing it?
For this family, we settled on a pace that felt just right: three nights in London, four nights in Paris, and one magical night at Disneyland Paris before heading home. It gave them plenty of time to see the highlights, experience each city’s personality, and still have space to slow down and enjoy the trip.
Here’s how it all unfolded — day by day.
Days 1–3: London with Kids
There’s nothing quite like seeing London for the first time — and with kids, it feels even more alive. Double-decker buses, royal guards, bridges over the Thames that sparkle at night — the whole city feels like a storybook come to life.
For this family, London was all about balancing iconic sights with playful, personal moments — and making sure their first few days in Europe felt exciting without being overwhelming.Where They Stayed: Strand Palace Hotel
London gave them the perfect blend of British pop culture, royal landmarks, and favorite movie moments—from whimsical afternoon tea to Big Ben and the Tower of London. It was a city that brought history to life—and made their favorite movie moments feel even more magical in person.
📍 Where They Stayed: Strand Palace Hotel
Their home base was the Strand Palace Hotel, just steps from Covent Garden and the West End. For a first-time family trip to London, it struck the perfect balance of location, comfort, and value — close to landmarks, easy to pop back to for breaks, and surrounded by plenty of dining and shopping options.
Day 1: Arrival, Tea & Big Views
After arriving at Heathrow, they took a private transfer straight to the Strand Palace, checked in, and settled in. Keeping the first afternoon light, they started with a whimsical Charlie & the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea — perfect for easing into the trip without too much walking.
That evening, they headed to the London Eye, timed for sunset. Pre-booked fast-pass tickets meant no long lines, and the view of the city lit up below was unforgettable.
⭐ Why this worked: After an overnight flight, they kept day one light but memorable — easing into the city with just enough magic to set the tone.
Day 2: Royal Moments & West End Magic
The second day began with one of London’s most iconic traditions: the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Afterwards, they walked through St. James’s Park and Hyde Park for some fresh air before lunch near Covent Garden.
After a short rest back at the hotel, they capped off the evening with Matilda the Musical on the West End — a show you can only see here, and one that quickly became a highlight of the whole trip.
⭐ Why this worked: They got to experience royal pageantry and big-city theater at a pace that worked for both mom and son.
Day 3: The Wizarding World & Covent Garden
The next day, Mom & son stepped into the magical world of Harry Potter with a full-day tour of the Warner Bros. Studio. With transportation from Central London included, it was easy to get there and back without hassle. Seeing the sets, costumes, and props from the films brought the series to life — a dream come true for her son.
After returning to London in the late afternoon, they wandered through the city and enjoyed a leisurely dinner.
⭐ Why this worked: The slower pace of the studio tour paired perfectly with some unstructured evening time, giving them one more big memory from London without feeling rushed.
Day 4: Tower Tales & Covent Garden Wandering
On their final full day in London, they visited the Tower of London for a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour. The engaging guides brought the history to life in a way even an 8-year-old could appreciate.
After lunch nearby, they explored at their own pace — walking to see Tower Bridge, the Monument to the Great Fire of London, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. They ended the evening with an unhurried dinner and a final wander through Covent Garden.
⭐ Why this worked: This day struck the right balance of can’t-miss history and free time to explore — a relaxed close to their London stay.
What We Loved About This London Itinerary
✔️ Centrally located hotel for easy access & midday breaks
✔️ One or two big sights per day kept everyone happy
✔️ Unique touches — like themed tea & a West End show — made it feel special
✔️ Plenty of flexibility so the trip never felt rushed
Get in touch and we’ll help you craft the perfect itinerary — designed around your family’s pace, priorities, and dreams.
Days 5–8: Paris with Kids
If London felt like a storybook, Paris was a dream — art, light, and little moments of everyday magic.
This part of the trip was about more than checking off landmarks. The family explored iconic sights, wandered charming neighborhoods, and even learned how to bake the perfect croissant — all while keeping a pace that felt relaxed and meaningful. Their base was the Hotel Le Notre Dame, a boutique property with stunning views of the cathedral and the Seine. With its central location and plenty of Parisian character, it gave them easy access to the best of the city while still feeling like a special retreat.
📍 Where They Stayed: Hotel Le Notre Dame
For their Paris stay, they chose Hotel Le Notre Dame, a boutique hotel with stunning views of the cathedral and the Seine. Its central location made it easy to walk to many attractions, and the cozy, character-filled rooms added a distinctly Parisian touch to their stay — waking up to the bells of Notre Dame and watching boats glide along the river was unforgettable.
Day 5: Eurostar & Seine at Sunset
They boarded the Eurostar train from London to Paris — a quick, seamless way to travel between the two cities — and arrived in time to check into Hotel Le Notre Dame and freshen up.
That afternoon, they wandered through the Tuileries Garden, letting the energy of Paris sink in. As the sun set, they boarded a Seine River Cruise to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle from the water — the perfect way to begin their time in the City of Light.
⭐ Why this worked: The Eurostar kept travel simple, and starting with a quiet afternoon set the tone for an unhurried, magical Paris stay.
Day 6: Icons & Impressionists
No trip to Paris with kids is complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. They started the day with a guided summit tour — booked in advance to avoid long lines — and took in sweeping city views.
Next, they visited the Louvre Museum, making sure to see the Mona Lisa before strolling back through the Tuileries and over to Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies.
⭐ Why this worked: Booking timed entry for all attractions helped avoid unnecessary waits, and visiting two museums in one day gave them a taste of Parisian art without overloading the schedule.
Day 7: Baking & Wandering
For a more hands-on experience, they started the day with a croissant-making class — a sweet way to honor her son’s love of baking.
The afternoon was left open for wandering. They visited Père Lachaise Cemetery, stopped at little shops, and simply enjoyed the city at their own pace. In the evening, they admired the Arc de Triomphe and ended the night with dinner on the Champs-Élysées.
⭐ Why this worked: Building in a slower day with something interactive kept the trip feeling personal and kid-friendly.
Day 8: Disneyland Paris with Kids
As much as we love Disney, we rarely recommend squeezing Disneyland Paris into a first-time Europe itinerary unless you’ve had time to experience the city first. But in this case — after three full days in Paris — it was the perfect finale.
They started with an early private transfer from their hotel and used Disney Express service to drop their bags at the train station while heading straight into the parks. They spent the day exploring both Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park, soaking in one more magical experience before heading home.
That night, they stayed at Hotel Cheyenne, a fun, themed property that worked beautifully for a one-night stay.
⭐ Why this worked: After experiencing Paris properly, this one-day Disney finale gave the trip a joyful, familiar ending without cutting into the city experience.
Day 9: Departure
On their final morning, a private transfer whisked them to Charles de Gaulle Airport for their flight home — tired, happy, and carrying the kind of memories that last a lifetime.
Why This Itinerary Worked So Well
This wasn’t just about checking off sights — it was about designing a London Paris Disneyland Paris itinerary with kids that felt thoughtful and personal from beginning to end. Every choice reflected what mattered most: a little boy’s dream to see Big Ben, the Mona Lisa, and Sleeping Beauty Castle — and a mom’s wish to make it all feel magical, yet relaxed.
Careful pacing, advance reservations, and little personal touches made all the difference — turning a big family trip to Europe into something unforgettable.
Reach out today — we’d love to help you design a trip that’s just as magical and meaningful as this one.
Final Thoughts: Planning Your Family Trip to London, Paris & Disneyland Paris
This 9-day London, Paris, and Disneyland Paris itinerary with kids shows just how magical — and manageable — a family trip to Europe can be when it’s thoughtfully planned.
By building around what mattered most to this family, pacing each day intentionally, and weaving in both iconic sights and personal touches, they were able to enjoy the best of three unforgettable destinations — all without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
If you’re dreaming of your own family trip to Europe, I’d love to help. Whether it’s crafting a custom itinerary like this one, booking your premium flights, or simply advising on the right pacing and hotels for your family’s style, I can help you make it seamless and magical from start to finish.
✨ Ready to start planning? Contact me here or DM me on Instagram @wearemagicjourneys — let’s make your dream trip happen.
Lindsey Rinaudo
