kalnalcl

I've traveled with my daughter her whole life, and actually did Paris in Dec when she was 6! As much as I am not a Disney fan, it was enjoyable for even me at Christmas time, beautifully decorated and so much fun for my daughter. I find Disney in Paris to be much more focused on the Princesses than the US parks.

If you could go to Germany first for a few days before Paris to catch the Christmas markets you should. My daughter still talks about them. It really is a unique and special experience.

As far as safety, I found myself uncomfortable on trains later at night because it was common to be around drunk young men. I don't know if there was a particular event going on when I was there (train from Germany to Holland) or if it was just the time of year when people are out celebrating. Normally this wouldn't really bother me too much, but with a young girl (it was just us) I was a little uncomfortable.

Like those who posted above I find night trains to be horrible for sleeping. There are stops and I found it noisy. I also think it was a valid comment above to consider the political situation, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my daughter on a night train in this climate, but I may be more cautious then others.


Good for you for sticking with this thread and taking it in stride, it can sometimes get a little condescending on this board, but there's always gems of good advice to be found as well! Have a great trip!

marvelousmouse

Oh, yep! Those will work, and they are adorable. The laces really will help with stability and it doesn't have the "ugg" typical sole.

If you haven't been to a live nutcracker performance, definitely consider going! The set and costumes are usually magical and it's a great way to introduce live theater or dance to kids- because a lot of the audience are kids and there are kids as part of the cast as well. We went every year into my teens.

http://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/nutcracker/

(But I am sure there are performances in other cities. This is a very popular show for ballet companies to put on annually)


Eee... I may have to break out my holiday attire and go in London because the royal ballet set looks stunning!

wunderbar2

I may have missed this but did you pre-book tickets for the Eiffel Tower? It will save valuable time and long waits in line if so.
I love the little pink boots!
Have wonderful travels wherever you go.

janisj

>>Did u really have to comment again lol @janis someone made a comment to me saying that mostly everyone that was commenting was from Europe so that is where the statement I made came from.. You are not helping anyone by insulting them FYI.<<

It was me who posted >>Do realize that every single person who has posted trying to help you <u><B>either</B></u> lives IN Europe or travels there multiple times a year.<<

Then you thought I meant those ornery folks were Europeans >>I just feel a lot of people were being very rude, maybe this is common in Europe <<

So I just came back to let you know the ones you think are rude are not European, but American. That's all I was trying to clarify

justineparis

The boots look good.

The plan still ambitious.

You may realize but private cabins in trains are not cheap, and the shared ones have bathroom down the hall, and they get nasty dirty after a few hours. If in the less expensive shared cabins, they can and will put strangers in with you, and yes that can be strangers of opposite sex. If you need to go to bathroom in middle of night you will both have to go( for childs saftey ) which means you will have to be sure to take all your valuables with you. Not sounding quite as fun now. If with another adult you can see it would be easier, but with a child different ball of wax. I would only consider a night train if i got a private cabin , period.

quitagg

@jamikins those photos are amazing!!! Lots of love in Paris I see lol.. I can't wait to eat other food and just be in an entirely different environment!!

@marv the nutcracker looks amazing as well.. I will definitely plan to attend one of those.. as far as NYC we've been there. My daughte doesn't remember so that is why I decided to fly back through NYC... Toronto was cheaper but wanted to stop in NYC to stop at statue of liberty.. Copenhagen had cheapest flights to nyc on the 2nd.

@kanal, where in germany do you suggest the christmas markets? I did google that, I actually didn't learn about that until this thread. I did read usually dec 23rd it is over.

@wunderbar I did not book that yet. I was looking at the deals on viator site a while ago.. do you suggest another site to use? I saw some package that included a boat ride and eiffel and other stuff..

@envier Italy sounds amazing..


@justine thanks for the insight on the night trains..

@bufer and @heim thanks..

I am looking at links provided now..

Places I would want to make sure we go to are Paris and Italy for sure.. I am thinking through this and will propose a schedule in the next day or too.. like a rough schedule.. There is so much on the thread I have to read again lol..

nytraveler

A couple of notes.

NYC SoL - I don't think your daughter is old enough to ascend to the Crown - look at the web site but I think she would have to be older/taller to attempt the 27 flight climb. Sorry - just checked and the tickets are now selling for Jan - Dec is fully booked. I fear you will run into a lot of this on your trip since you don't seem to have done any planning and you will be running into multiple holidays, lots of closures and delays and time is passing rapidly.

Overnight travel in europe. There are actually very few overnight trains. I mean you can always get from one place to another overnight but it often requires 3 or 4 changes of train in the middle of the night and sitting/not sleeping in the seat the rest of the time. You need to check each of the legs you are looking at to see if there is a real overnight sleeper train and if there are rooms for just 2 people or if you would need to share with others.

And what if your daughter can't sleep on the train - with the movement and the noise?

In fact, at first I thought you were a troll since this idea is so ridiculous. But now I think you will be actually putting your daughter through this.

I can;t imagine anything a child would like less than all of those hours on a train, trying to cope in a new city each day with a different language, different geography, different food, different transit system. With the chance to see perhaps one sight.

And how many days do you actually have? Lots of people say 2 weeks but when you remove the day they depart their country, the day they arrive in europe and the day the head home (plus in your case a full day in NYC) I 'm guessing you will actually have 10 days in europe for 8 places.

Really this is just dreadful, almost a Spanish Inquisition, esp for a 6 year old - no matter how good a traveler they may be.

I STRONGLY suggest that today you lay this trip out day by day, including where you will start, what you will see, what travel there will be and where you will sleep. Do NOT assume any overnight train until you have checked the details on bahn.de. And be aware that late Dec 24, all of Dec 25 and Jan 1 will have many thngs closed - as well as lots of locals traveling for the holidays - so trains may be fully booked by the time you get to it.

LuxuryTravelExpert

Do backpacks. You're going to need your hands free, one to hold your child's hand (especially crossing streets) and the other your phone, map, tickets, etc...plus it will be comfy to lean or sleep on when you're on the move and easy for Going up and down busy train stairways. You Can carry on-flights so no loss luggage.

You can both start practicing.. fill backpacks with books and start wearing them everywhere you go. This way your legs, heart, etc will be in shape.

If you head down to Italy...and make it to Venice, there is a wonderful monastery all women hostel. Very cheap & super clean and safe across the Grand Canal from St. Mark's Square..

A past post about drunk young men... I must say, just went van-mping in Alaska and everyone said beware of the bears. Actually it was the drunk/drugged young men wondering around campgrounds that were more to beware of.

Take a photo of your child everyday if she's wearing something different, just in case you become separated, you'll have up to date image of what she is wearing. Especially in theme parks even in USA.

Years ago there were little gypsy kids in Germany/Austria, etc.., unsure what's there now, but they would go in a group and bump into you to distract you while the other ones ripped you off. The less you look like a tourist the better and always carry your passport and $$ in front, I like to use a fanny pack with the pocket in the front.

Get language translation app for your phone. You can pre-record sentences in the language you need and just hit play when you need your phone to say something, works great in taxi's etc..where they don't speak English..

quitagg

@NYTRAVELER I have been doing lots of research and "some" planning.. the planning that is needed now.. I did not start thinking of this yesterday. Started buying our plane tickets in maybe may. piece by piece over the months.

My daughter is tall enough, it is 4ft. I have already bought our tickets. I know she has to be able to climb and I told her if she wants to do the crown she has to climb i forget how many stairs.. she said she doesn't care she wants to do it.. so I booked it already.. the only thing I am worried about is getting our backpacks in. I may have to leave at hotel because it may be to pick to get on the island.. believe me I do research!! throughout the thread I am portrayed as someone who doesn't do research, but again that comes from people not asking me questions but assuming..

I mentioned before I have viewed the timetables and if I saw a stop in the middle of the night I was not doing it.. when I first thought of this experience.. I thought we'd fly everywhere, then I started learning about trains.. and then moved to maybe we can do this on trains.. like I said the middle is not planned all the way.. and can and will be adjusted..

I am coming on the 21st 9am UK and leaving 2nd at 630 from denmark.. we will be away from the 19th-3rd night..so basically 11-12 days.. Maybe you have not read my previous comment(s). I said I am going to think this through with all of the new information I have gathered and propose a schedule..

quitagg

@NYTRAVELER I have been doing lots of research and "some" planning.. the planning that is needed now.. I did not start thinking of this yesterday. Started buying our plane tickets in maybe may. piece by piece over the months.

My daughter is tall enough, it is 4ft. I have already bought our tickets. I know she has to be able to climb and I told her if she wants to do the crown she has to climb i forget how many stairs.. she said she doesn't care she wants to do it.. so I booked it already.. the only thing I am worried about is getting our backpacks in. I may have to leave at hotel because it may be to pick to get on the island.. believe me I do research!! throughout the thread I am portrayed as someone who doesn't do research, but again that comes from people not asking me questions but assuming..

I mentioned before I have viewed the timetables and if I saw a stop in the middle of the night I was not doing it.. when I first thought of this experience.. I thought we'd fly everywhere, then I started learning about trains.. and then moved to maybe we can do this on trains.. like I said the middle is not planned all the way.. and can and will be adjusted..

I am coming on the 21st 9am UK and leaving 2nd at 630 from denmark.. we will be away from the 19th-3rd night..so basically 11-12 days.. Maybe you have not read my previous comment(s). I said I am going to think this through with all of the new information I have gathered and propose a schedule..

quitagg

sorry didn't mean to put twice

wunderbar2

Maybe booking thru Viator would be better if they group together what you want to do, the cost will be more than if you do it yourself but that may work for you with limited time. Just be aware you'll need to get to the pick-up/drop-off point on your own which may be an issue if it's late or not convenient to your hotel. However here are two websites to take a look at. If these links don't work, just google them.

ticket.toureiffel.fr
Tickets purchased online and printed at home are adults 17€ and child 8€

vendettesdupontneuf.fr
This is a River cruise of the Seine, would suggest going at dusk so your daughter could see the city lights, IF she isn't interested in going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, this also goes past the ET and if you time it right you could see the lights twinkling, again, if you pre-book and print you'll get a discount of a few €'s.

Hope this helps.

quitagg

@luxury what app do you suggest?
These are good ideas. We have actually began traveling with only backpacks and I am having her practice carrying. we do a lot of things on trails around here so I will start carrying it out with us to do things. You are right though, we need to start taking it to a lot more places.

Good idea about the pictures of her everyday. I am going to look up that hostel now.

marvelousmouse

You could have her practice packing too. I think she's a bit young but sometimes kids don't have any idea how heavy it will be and practice can have them pack less so they can shop more

justineparis

Do not use a " fanny pack" wear a money belt UNDER your clothes. You will be the perfect target for pickpockets as you will be flustered at times, and have a small tired child with you, the perfect distracted victim.If with another adult you can split stuff like money and credit cards, alone with a child its all on you( i have sone done solo with a child, however she was 11 not 6) and unlike at home in states replacing your cards is not just a trip to a bank.

Pickpockets are an issue in many places you are visiting, and they are not really much of an issue in the States , pickpockets love tired distracted victims..and yes, they themsleves can be children , or even well dressed adults, be aware.

I am sorry but you WILL be carrying bulk of everything , a six yrs olds back is not meant to be weight bearing .

All studies show a child that young should carry no more than 10-15 % of their body weight , dont believe me , look it up.

I agree back pack good for you , but the childs is going to be pretty much a change of clothes and her toiletries , you will carry bulk . You cannot " train" a child that young to handle more weight .
With a less ambitious plan this wouldnt be such a big deal .

I think Disneyland paris will be alot of fun for your child , however it is 45 minutes outside Paris by train , so even the day you decide not to travel , you will still log 1.5 hours on a train.

I also think you underestimate the extra stress of having the language issue , trust me, not everyone speaks english and you will run into occaisons when you will need help, i especially love the annoucements in trains stations and on trains where they change tracks, arrival times , or miss a stop for some reason , etc and everyone starts moving around and you are like " what the heck is going on" generally someone will help, but its not always a given.


Most of us want you, and most especially your little girl to have fun, we arent wanting your trip to suck, remember our motivation is not to upset a stranger on the internet, we are thinking about the little girl mostly and we are not trying to be mean ( what do we gain by that ) we are giving you some harsh truths and trying to get you to make some major modifications to your plans anf i guess we are being blu t because you just dont seem to understand what we are advocating.

Paris - 3 full days ( remember thats four nights) and of that its really only two full days as one day you will spend at eurodisney. paris is worth two days... even if you decide you only eant to give it two days total ( so one in the city and one at disney) thats still three night s!!!

You need to sit down and pencil in a day by day scedule , and remeber to figure in all the time getting from towns train stations to your hotel, and checking in etc.

quitagg

thanks @justine

I do understand what you all are saying.. yes languages I didn't really fully take into consideration... stuff like that is what I was expecting to get from this sort of forum.. We are making progress in the forum...

but yes I know I will be carrying most of it lol.. just experienced that almost 2 weeks ago when we went to disney and lego land.. she brought a bear from home, and I bought a new one and she one a huge one and small one.. so I had to actually carry EVERYTHING plus a bear in my back pack while she carried candy and a bear lol.. fun times though.. The idea is not to torture my child but allow her to see the world.. I understand that I am pushing it will make adjustments

quitagg

@wunderbar.. thanks for the links! and thank God for google translate

marvelousmouse

For some reason I was assuming you were staying the night near Disney. I'd probably consider doing that if I were you. Otherwise you'd have to deal with taking a tired, cranky child back to Paris on transit after an exhausting day...which doesn't sound like fun.

justineparis

Mouse i sort of agree, except that means moving hotels yet again, and they will have to return to Paris anyways to catch their next flight or train.

marvelousmouse

Yeah, I know. Not fun either way, but I think I'd rather pack and stay even if it means more travel the next day. I don't know. I've done trips with a kid around the same age, and moving every 2-3 days- decided to never do that again. The late nights on transit are the worst parts, hands down, though. The OP is either much higher energy than me or that kid is a trooper or it's going to be a very educational (painful) trip. Can't tell, at this point. The thing with Disney, though, is that it costs so much money for the ticket that you don't want to leave early. So I'm thinking the hotel room is also a good place to retreat to for a break.

I guess that's what gets me the whole way through this, though. The lack of "private time". I am not criticizing you at all, OP, but with all the trains and few chances to settle in, you don't have a place to retreat to when the kid needs a break. I've travelled in a similar manner, and I've found doing that 2 weeks straight is...intense at best and unpleasantly overstimulating at worst.