THE magic begins the moment you tell them? so when are you going to tell them?" is the hook on the TV advert for Disneyland.

Most parents know that to tell a three-year-old they're going to meet Mickey Mouse on any other day than the day they're actually going is asking for trouble.

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Children of that age have no concept of time. As soon as you mention any sort of treat they think it's going to appear, immediately.
But when I told my son Maxwell we were off to Disneyland Paris on that very morning, he went into a state of shock.

This is the biggest deal - ever - for a child of three, and he didn't actually believe me until he saw the suitcases in the hall.
Our trip coincided with the opening of the Disney's Magical Moments Festival, an extravaganza in personalised memorable moments such as photoshoots with the characters and exciting new productions like Mickey's Magical Celebration show.

Walking into Disneyland Paris is like entering a life-size cartoon where everything is neon-bright, scrubbed clean, smiling and dancing.
The entrance is down Main Street USA, a replica of an old-fashioned American street, which was buzzing with brass bands in the town square, restaurants, and shops bursting Disney paraphernalia.

At the end of the street is the iconic fairytale castle of Sleeping Beauty, which is pink with many turrets and sparkles with diamond lights as darkness falls.

The park is split into five magical lands: Mainstreet USA, home to horse-drawn streetcars; Frontierland with the Big Thunder Mountain rollercoaster; Adventureland which has the movie-themed rides like Pirates Of The Caribbean and Indiana Jones And The Temple of Peril; and Discoveryland for Space Mountain: Mission 2.
Our first stop was Fantasyland which is a joy for little ones. Maxwell had to be literally dragged off the Dumbo The Flying Elephant ride after his fifth go.

His other favourite was It's A Small World, a train ride which travels through the countries of the world with dolls in traditional dress singing and dancing to the never-ending tune of It's A Small World - a song which will still be in your head on your journey home on the Eurostar.

Peter Pan's Flight was next, where riders get to soar through a twinkling midnight sky on a minitall ship.

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In Fantasyland, we had a spin on the Madhatter's Tea Cups and Le Carousel de Lancelot (merry-goround, to me and you). In Discoveryland Maxwell and I had a shooting match on the fantastic Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, where we shot all sorts of targets to score points. Of course Maxwell "won", even using me as a target sometimes.

Maxwell is obsessed with trains and was so excited when we boarded the Disneyland Railroad, a small steam train which gives mums and dads a much-needed sit-down.
We then headed to Walt Disney Studio's Parc where Toy Story Playland was the hit of the day. The Slinky Dog Zig Zag Spin ride is a thrilling mini rollercoaster.
The entrance to the Playland is through Buzz Lightyear's legs and when touched he announces: "Hello space rangers" and many other greetings.

After that it was off to the Production Courtyard to watch Playhouse Disney Live. Maxwell could not believe his eyes when we found ourselves inside Mickey Mouse's Club House.

For some fast and furious action we watched the Moteurs? Action! Stunt Show Spectacular feat uring Lightning McQueen.

This is where daring stuntmen put on an amazing performance of cars, motorbikes, near-misses, shoot-outs and baddies catching fire.
The biggest attraction for children is meeting the characters. When Maxwell met Mickey, he proudly announced: "You're my favourite person in the world!" and proceeded to kiss him on his bottom!

Mickey still happily posed for a picture and gave us an autograph, along with Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Aladdin, The Genie, Abu and Pluto.
The character parades are also so much fun. I would advise getting your spot early as they are very popular.

But Disneyland isn't all about the children. I enjoyed a little "me" time with a go on RC Racer, a very fast semi-circle train ride.
There are food outlets everywhere at Disneyland. I would recommend Agrabah Cafe in Adventureland, a full-on Moroccan experience.
We stayed at the amazing New York hotel which has the atmosphere and look of Manhattan. The rooms are spacious with Mickey Mouse toiletries in the bathroom. Even the TV cabinet had Mickey Mouse ears.

The Disney experience never stops from morning until night, making a trip to Paris one huge, magical, memory-making moment.

FACT FILE
EUROSTAR operates a daily direct service in each direction to Disneyland Resort Paris (daily direct services to the resort do not operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays except during school holidays). Fares cost from £69 standard class return (adult) £44 return (child aged 4-11). Children under 4 travel free (not allocated a seat).

Connecting fares to Disneyland Paris are available from more than 100 stations in the UK. Tickets are available from eurostar.com or from Eurostar's contact centre on 08432 186 186.

DURING Disney's Magical Moments Festival in May prices for a two-night, three-day package including return travel with Eurostar, start from £753 per adult, £281 per child (aged 7-11) and free hotel and park tickets for under 7s. Price includes two nights' accommodation with breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel and three-day hopper tickets for the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.

The same package staying at Disney's Newport Bay Club starts from £541 per adult, £281 per child (aged 7-11) and at Disney's Hotel Santa Fe starts from £423 per adult, £281 per child. Call 08448 008 111 or visit disneylandparis.com.