Neil Patrick Harris turns Disneyland Paris into a family first for husband David Burtka
Synopsis
Neil Patrick Harris turned a clown-school detour in France into a Disneyland Paris first for husband David Burtka — complete with Phantom Manor, hedge mazes, and fireworks. The Tony and Emmy winner's candid Instagram post is a reminder that even Hollywood veterans still get to have a first time at the magic kingdom.
Key Takeaways
Neil Patrick Harris visited Disneyland Paris with husband David Burtka during a trip to France for clown school.
It was David Burtka's first-ever visit to Disneyland Paris .
Highlights included Phantom Manor , hedge mazes, character meet-and-greets with Mickey and Minnie Mouse , and a closing fireworks show.
Harris shared the experience on Instagram , calling it 'a fantastic day of fun.' Harris and Burtka have been together since April 2004 and married in Italy in September 2014 ; they are parents to twins Gideon and Harper .
Emmy-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris traded clown school rehearsals in France for a day of theme-park magic at Disneyland Paris, sharing the experience with his husband, actor and chef David Burtka, in what was Burtka's first-ever visit to the iconic resort. Harris documented the outing on Instagram, calling it 'a fantastic day of fun.'
What Harris Said About the Day
In his Instagram post, Harris described a packed itinerary: a charming encounter with Minnie Mouse, a greeting from Mickey Mouse, a walk through the gothic Phantom Manor, the disorienting fun of the resort's hedge mazes, and a closing fireworks display that he called 'the perfect way to end the night.' He tagged Disneyland Paris and signed off with a note of gratitude to Burtka — his partner of over two decades.
'While in France for clown school (another post, that) we snuck away to Disneyland Paris for a fantastic day of fun. It was David's first time, and we had a blast,' Harris wrote. He added: 'Minnie charmed us, Mickey said hello, Phantom Manor was phenomenal, hedge mazes made us nuts, and the firework show was the perfect way to end the night.'
Who Is Neil Patrick Harris
Harris built his career across television, film, and stage. He first gained recognition as the title character in the medical drama Doogie Howser, M.D., before achieving global popularity as the irreverent Barney Stinson in the long-running CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. He later portrayed the villainous Count Olaf in the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
His stage and screen accolades include a Tony Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award nomination, and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. He is also widely known for playing the title role in Joss Whedon's cult musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, and a fictionalised version of himself in the Harold and Kumar film series. His film credits include Starship Troopers, The Smurfs, The Smurfs 2, and Gone Girl.
Harris and Burtka: A Two-Decade Partnership
Harris and David Burtka have been together since April 2004. In October 2010, the couple welcomed twins — son Gideon and daughter Harper — born via surrogate. They married in Italy in September 2014. The Disneyland Paris outing, a first for Burtka, adds another chapter to a relationship that Harris has documented warmly across social media over the years.
The Clown School Connection
Harris noted in his post that the Disneyland Paris trip was a detour from a separate, upcoming project: a clown school stint in France, details of which he promised to share in a future post. The combination of professional curiosity and family leisure underlines the actor's reputation for blending creative pursuits with personal life in an unusually public and candid way.
Point of View
But it does something quietly effective: it keeps a veteran actor relevant in the social-media cycle without a film release or controversy to ride. The clown-school teaser embedded in the caption is a textbook hook — it guarantees a follow-up audience. For Disneyland Paris, an organic endorsement from a five-time Emmy winner with millions of followers is earned media that no PR budget can easily replicate. The real story here is how Harris has maintained a likeable public persona across three decades by making his personal life the content, not a liability.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Neil Patrick Harris visit with his husband David Burtka?
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka visited Disneyland Paris in France. Harris shared the trip on Instagram, noting it was Burtka's first time at the park.
Why was Neil Patrick Harris in France?
Harris was in France for a clown school programme, details of which he said he would share in a future post. The Disneyland Paris trip was a side excursion during that stay.
What did Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka do at Disneyland Paris?
The couple met Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse, explored Phantom Manor and the resort's hedge mazes, and closed the day with the fireworks show. Harris called it 'a fantastic day of fun.'
How long have Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka been together?
Harris and Burtka have been in a relationship since April 2004. They married in Italy in September 2014 and are parents to twins Gideon and Harper, born via surrogate in October 2010.
What is Neil Patrick Harris best known for?
Harris is best known for playing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., and Count Olaf in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events. He has won a Tony Award and five Primetime Emmy Awards across his career.
