Real Family Itinerary: London, Paris & Disneyland Paris with Kids (9 Days)
That first look at the Eiffel Tower—one of those moments first time travelers to Paris will never forget.
Thoughtfully Planned. Magic Delivered.
At Magic Journeys, we don’t just plan vacations—we design trips that feel like they were made for you. As a Dream Vacations agency, we pair exclusive pricing and perks with truly personalized planning. That’s our difference.
We’re not booking you on a one-size-fits-all package. We’re setting calendar alerts to grab those hard-to-get experiences the minute they open. We’re building itineraries that reflect your family, your pace, your travel style. We’re curating activities that go beyond the obvious—like sending a list of handpicked, high-rated croissant-making classes because we know your child loves to bake.
This trip is a perfect example of what that looks like in real life.
Back in November, a single mom reached out with a dream: she wanted to take her 8-year-old son on his first international adventure. He was curious, imaginative, and right at that perfect age where everything feels big and new and unforgettable. His list? Big Ben, the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower. Our job? Help her make that magic happen.
Here’s how we built a trip that balanced his dreams with her priorities—and gave them both a chance to explore, discover, and slow down together.
What They Asked For
She came to us with a mix of ideas—some classic (London, Paris, Disney), some a little more touristy (Shrek Experience, SEA Life), and a ton of heart. She wasn’t afraid of early mornings or long walks. She just needed help shaping her vision into something realistic and incredible.
This wasn’t a pre-set package or a repurposed itinerary. It was thoughtfully built from the ground up—designed around her son’s dream list, her preferences, and the kind of experience they both wanted to have. From the flow of each day to the personal touches throughout, this was a fully customized journey, not just a trip.
What We Planned (Together)
Every custom itinerary starts here—real notes, real research, and real heart behind every recommendation.
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 Studios, 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:
A custom 9-day itinerary from London to Paris to Disneyland Paris—mapped out for a mom and her 8-year-old’s first international trip.
Who: Mother and 8-year-old son
Length: 9 days, 8 nights
Cities: London, Paris, Disneyland Paris
Style: Custom, thoughtful, high-value
Trip Type: First international trip, parent-child bonding, bucket list meets real life
Where They Stayed (and Why)
From a centrally located London stay near the West End to Seine views in Paris, we chose hotels that made the trip feel both effortless and unforgettable.
Strand Palace Hotel, London — Centrally located, comfortable, and close to key sites like the West End, Covent Garden, and the London Eye. It was the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and value for a duo exploring London for the first time.
Hotel Le Notre Dame, Paris — A boutique hotel with stunning views of Notre Dame and the Seine. We chose it for its location, character, and that extra dose of magic that comes from opening your window to see the city’s icons just outside.
🇬🇧 London: Pop Culture, Royals & Theatrical Magic
A whimsical tea, a royal fortress, and a West End surprise—London gave this mom & son iconic moments and playful memories they’ll never forget.
How this part of the trip came to life:
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.
Day 1 – Arrival, Tea & Big Views
Private transfer to Strand Palace Hotel
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory-themed high tea—whimsical and perfect for Day 1
London Eye with fast pass
Day 2 – Royal Moments & Broadway-Level Theater
Changing of the Guard + Hyde Park stroll
Lunch near Covent Garden
Matilda the Musical—an unexpected favorite that became a trip highlight
Day 3 – Royal Treasures & Tower Tales
Tower of London with a Yeoman Warder tour
Lunch nearby before continuing on a self-guided walking tour of highlights including Tower Bridge, St. Katharine Docks, Monument to the Great Fire of London, and a photo stop at St. Paul's Cathedral
Self-guided walking tour of nearby highlights including Tower Bridge, St. Katharine Docks, Monument to the Great Fire of London, and a photo stop at St. Paul's Cathedral
Lunch and time to explore at their own pace
Day 4 – The Wizarding World
Full-day Harry Potter Studio Tour
Evening to wander, relax, or grab dinner nearby
🇫🇷 Paris: Art, Icons & Everyday Magic
From the top of the Eiffel Tower to hands-on pastry fun, Paris gave them art, flavor, and magic at every turn.
How this part of the trip came to life:
Paris was a chance to soak it in. Not just check off the big landmarks—but really feel the city. They hit the must-sees, explored the neighborhoods, and took part in experiences they’ll never forget—from the Louvre to the kitchen. We booked time-specific reservations in advance for all the major attractions to make sure they never had to stress about access or wait in long lines.
Day 5 – Transfer to Paris & Seine at Sunset
Eurostar to Paris
Check in at Hotel Le Notre Dame
Afternoon roaming through the Tuileries Garden
Evening Seine River Cruise to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle
Day 6 – Icons & Impressionists
Eiffel Tower Summit (morning guided visit)
Louvre Museum + walk through Tuileries
Visit to Musée de l'Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies
Day 7 – Baking & Wandering
Croissant-making class—personalized based on their love of cooking
Free time (they visited Père Lachaise Cemetery)
Evening at Arc de Triomphe + dinner on the Champs-Élysées
🏰 Disneyland Paris: A Magical Finale
As much as we love Disney, we rarely recommend building a day at Disneyland Paris into a first-time Paris itinerary—unless there’s enough time to experience the actual city first. But in this case, it was the perfect ending. These Disney-loving travelers had already spent three full days exploring Paris in depth. With museums, monuments, and meaningful wandering under their belt, it made complete sense to close out the trip with a little extra magic.
One magical day at Disneyland Paris—just right for ending their European adventure on a high note.
Day 8 – Disney Day!
Early private transfer from Paris hotel to Disneyland
Disney Express service: drop bags at the train station and head straight into the parks (bags are delivered to your hotel)
Full day at both Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park
Overnight at Hotel Cheyenne—themed, fun, and perfect for one night
You don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy Disneyland Paris. But when the stars align—and you’ve already seen the city—it can be the most joyful way to end your adventure.
🛫 Day 9 – Homebound
Private transfer to CDG
Flight home—tired, happy, and carrying the kind of memories that don’t fade.
Why It Worked
This wasn’t just about checking off major sights—it was about designing a trip that felt meaningful from beginning to end. We built it around what mattered most: a little boy’s dream to see Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Mona Lisa—and a mom who wanted this to be the first of many incredible adventures together.
From carefully pacing each day to booking the best time slots for key attractions, we thought through every detail so they never had to worry about what came next. There were moments to slow down, soak it in, and experience these iconic cities in a way that felt personal—not packaged.
Because when you build a trip around them, not just a destination, it becomes something more.
📩 Want to plan something unforgettable? Contact us at hello@wearemagicjourneys.com or DM on instagram @wearemagicjourneys.
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