first timer at disney

[claireybella]

hiya my name is claire and im 20 years old from east sussex, uk...i am going on my first ever holiday with my partner of 4 years and my little girl (15 months old) to disney land paris.
we are catching the euro tunnel on the 28th october and driving from calais to paris.
basically i just need to prepare both mentally and physically for this trip , as we have never been to disney before we dont knwow hat to expect lol..so we are disney virgins :rotfl:
we are staying at the chenyenne (sorry on spelling) hotel for 3 nights and we unsure on how to plan.
so just need genereal basic information on disneyland a toddlers, rides to do etc etc etc
anything really ..also need a bit of info on the drive from calais to paris..are there toll roads etc etc etc
if you could share any tips of advice much would be appreciated
:flower3:

[ukstitch]

Hi,

There is a total of 2 toll booths in each direction. The first one is "free" - you simply drive up to the gate, take the ticket and drive out again.

Once you reach the second which is near Paris, you pass the ticket you collected at the first toll to the person in the booth and they will then ask you for €19.50. Once you've paid that, you can drive onward to the magic.

it's the same on the way back, but the tolls are switched so you pay the €19.50 when you get close to Calais.

The road itself is motorway almost all the way, with either 1 or 2 speed cameras on the way. The speed limits are roughly the same as UK limits, so the journey usually takes us about 3 hours in total, but I suspect it can be done quicker if you know how to not go via Charles de Gaulles (we've never worked where to turn off) and if you don't stop at the services along the way!

[claireybella]

thank u its nice to know as not sure on how much cash i should take with me for the journey...do u get a driving map with your tickets or do u have to work it out yourself? i do have sat nav but i wouldnt trust it in a place i dont know..i know that sounds silly but my sat nav is rather tempremental at times lol

[ukstitch]

We use our SatNav and it works reasonably well, although it's not as good as in the UK because the maps are a bit out of date in France now, meaning that it gets rather confused occasionally - especially near Charles De Gaulles which is why we can't work out the turning.

As far as I know, you don't get any sort of map with your tickets. However, it's a fairly simple drive as you just kind of drive in the general Paris direction, then I believe once you reach Charles De Gaulles, you should get special Disney signs. If not then I seem to remember you either follow the signs for Marne-La-Valee if they're available, or Metz-Nancy if not.

As I said before though, it's motorway all the way, so it's fairly easy to get right.

According to Google Maps, the directions (from Eurotunnel, France to Disneyland Paris) are as follows:

1. Head northwest
0.4 km

2. Turn left
2.3 km

3. Merge onto A16/E402 via the ramp to E15/A26/Calais/Lille/Reims/Paris/Bruxelles
Continue to follow A16
6.6 km

4. Take the exit onto A26/E15 toward Saint-Omer/Arras/Reims/Paris
Partial toll road
105 km

5. Take the exit onto A1 toward Arras-Est/Paris
Partial toll road
155 km

6. Take exit 6 to merge onto A104 toward Lyon/Marne-la-Vallée
10.5 km

7. Take the exit toward Lyon/Meaux/Chelles/Marne-la-Vallée/Mitry-Mory/Villeparisis
0.9 km

8. Merge onto A104
14.5 km

9. Take the exit toward N34/Lagny-sur-Marne/Coulommiers
0.7 km

10. Merge onto D934
7.2 km

11. Turn right at Rue des Fermes
0.6 km

12. Turn left at Boulevard du Grand Fossé/D344
Continue to follow D344
0.7 km

13. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Zone de Service
Go through 1 roundabout
0.5 km

14. Turn left to stay on Zone de Service
0.5 km

Disneyland Paris
Coupvray, France

[silverka2002]

Try viamichelin for printable road directions.
We used our sat nav which worked well but I also had a copy of the viamichelin map and it actually shows the road signs so you know where you're heading.

Best map I've seen for a long time.

CLICK HERE FOR Viamichelin (http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm?ck=OK)

Fill in the details for driving directions.

May be an idea to print them for the return trip too as we got confused at one junction :headache:

[Ware Bears]

Hi Claire, welcome to the DIS! :welcome:

Have a look at this thread here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=26667025#post26667025) which I'm sure will help. :goodvibes

[tennisfan]

Word of warning, there may only be a couple of speed cameras but they use the time it takes you between tolls to see if you have been speeding. Don't be surprised to see loads of police sitting by the road when you exit the toll roads.

Also they may have other speed traps in place, where if caught you wil be fined on the spot & depending on your speed could even have your car confiscated. I'm not saying this to frighten you but to make you aware as they are tougher then over here.

The speed limits on the toll roads are 130KM/H in the dry weather & 110KM/H if the roads are wet.

Take your Sat Nav if it has european maps on it but also take a print out of te route just in case.

[cookie334]

Hey Claire. I can't help out with the road thing as we flew, but my advice for the little one is to definitely make the most of the EMH as most of the rides your daughter will go on are open then. Another tip would be not to worry too much about seeing and doing everything. We had our first trip in June and were there for 6 days and still missed loads :scared1: The Cheyenne is fantastic though, I'm sure you'll love it. We had planned on staying at maybe the NY on our second trip but after staying at the Cheyenne and loving it so much we're going to stay there again next time.

[claireybella]

aww cool guys thanks..espically the speed traps etc as i know what i will be like when i see the disney land paris sign i may happen to 'accidently' put my foot a bit harder on the accerlerator lol..so i wont be doing that now
i just want to make the most of it becuase everyone on here has so much knowledge and i have really no idea..like what are hidden mickys and what are these collector pins ..im just in a bit of a bubble right now being sooooo excited and i just want to do and see everything lol..
the trip is also in celebration of my 21st so i really am wanting to make the most of it as i have had a difficult year and we really need this holiday..
i have even planned my second trip but gonna book it after i finished paying this disney trip off at end of august..gonna do the disney hotel next time..just coz it looks so beautiful :)

[Cyrano]

Hi Claire and welcome to DLP DIS board :wave2:
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each :goodvibes

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1477038), DIS posting guidelines can be found here (http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm).

I'm sure you will have a great time.
There are a few things you should make sure you take with you regarding driving that are compulsary - red warning triangle, set of spare bulbs, vehicle registration, paper licence as well as photo. At spot checks you can be asked to show that these are in the car. Also get some light deflectors otherwise when you are driving in the rain or dark with your lights on you will get some angry reactions as you blind oncoming traffic.
I forgot to take mine off coming home and got a few flashes :rolleyes1

We didn't have any maps with us and the TomTom coped well :thumbsup2

[tennisfan]

Hi Claire and welcome to DLP DIS board :wave2:
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each :goodvibes

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1477038), DIS posting guidelines can be found here (http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm).

I'm sure you will have a great time.
There are a few things you should make sure you take with you regarding driving that are compulsary - red warning triangle, set of spare bulbs, vehicle registration, paper licence as well as photo. At spot checks you can be asked to show that these are in the car. Also get some light deflectors otherwise when you are driving in the rain or dark with your lights on you will get some angry reactions as you blind oncoming traffic.
I forgot to take mine off coming home and got a few flashes :rolleyes1

We didn't have any maps with us and the TomTom coped well :thumbsup2


Just remembered having read Reid's list of what you need. It is now the law to carry a high visability jacket in your car when driving in France. If stopped & you don't have one they will fine you.

[claireybella]

ok that cool as my parents live in belgium and same sort of road side rules then really

[Cyrano]

Just remembered having read Reid's list of what you need. It is now the law to carry a high visability jacket in your car when driving in France. If stopped & you don't have one they will fine you.

:eek: I thought this was just Spain so had not added this to our list.
Appreciate the heads-up :thumbsup2

[claireybella]

if same as belgium i am under the impression that you also have to carry a one litre bottle of water with you as well..not to drink but for your windscreen etc

[ukstitch]

:eek: I thought this was just Spain so had not added this to our list.
Appreciate the heads-up :thumbsup2

Indeed. We had no idea of this when we went last week and would have probably continued to have no idea until our luck ran out and we broke down, receiving a nice fine in the process. So thanks :) :thumbsup2

[stonfiesta]

dont be worried about the drive. The roads imo are safer than over here. its well sign posted once you get to the first mickey sign.......i would say its easier to get to dlp than it is to get manchester. Just make sure you have all the safety/breakdown equipment.

[claireybella]

thats alright then lol..btw do you think its possiable to ask for a later crossing with euro tunnel?

[stonfiesta]

thats alright then lol..btw do you think its possiable to ask for a later crossing with euro tunnel?

dont take this as definate but the mrs seems to think you can get there 2 hours either side of your booking and you should have no probs still getting on the next train. Give them a call, there always quite helpful. dont forget you can use tesco clubcard points to pay for the euro tunnel.

[ukstitch]

Most Eurotunnel tickets are flexible and if you turn up late then they will simply book you on the next available train, although they do reserve the right to charge you something for administration etc...

We've done this about 3 times (missed our train each time) and it's always been the next train, with no extra charge. I believe it depends how late you are etc.

[scampbunny]

dont take this as definate but the mrs seems to think you can get there 2 hours either side of your booking and you should have no probs still getting on the next train. Give them a call, there always quite helpful. dont forget you can use tesco clubcard points to pay for the euro tunnel.

i agree - but its only if they have availability. on the way there, we were 1 hr early, but didnt get an offer to change, on the way back again 1 hr early, and got offered the next train - had just enuf time for a pop into the terminal before havin to board!! i wouldnt say do it, but if its cheaper to 'buy' an earlier train, do that, and hope that they can change u if ur 'late'...... not that id do that at all....:rotfl:

[claireybella]

there is a method in my madness as the train meant to leave calais at 6pm on the 31st..but now i know there gonna be a halloween show i was going to try and see if i could get the last train back even if its like 2am the following day if you know what i mean..just so i can spend an extra few hours and watch the halloween thing..obvisley i would check out but what be a great night to finish with if i could get away with it..failin that do they offer an extra night charge at hotels at a fee?

[cap'njack.]

there is a method in my madness as the train meant to leave calais at 6pm on the 31st..but now i know there gonna be a halloween show i was going to try and see if i could get the last train back even if its like 2am the following day if you know what i mean..just so i can spend an extra few hours and watch the halloween thing..obvisley i would check out but what be a great night to finish with if i could get away with it..failin that do they offer an extra night charge at hotels at a fee?

I would say this would be far to late to not have to pay a fee for changing the booking. They usually give a few hours because of traffic etc but as you are looking at 8+ hours they would more than likely charge you for that!

[claireybella]

well i dont mind paying a bit of money to change it coz if i get to see the halloween thing then im well happy :) def worth it

[silverka2002]

We changed our eurotunnel times twice :rolleyes1

First time no charge as the charge was the same as we originally paid.

Second time we had to pay the difference as the crossing we wanted was dearer than the one we were changing it from.

No problems at all with doing it though.

[PJackson]

Can I ask, if you are hiring a car in France do you still need that list of items for the car or do they provide them - not the driving licence though obviously :rotfl:

If we have to provide them is there a comprehensive list anywhere?

Thanks.

[PJackson]

Bumpity bump :)

[tennisfan]

:eek: I thought this was just Spain so had not added this to our list.
Appreciate the heads-up :thumbsup2

It came into force 1st July & they were doing spot checks to start with but with no warning you got the fine if you didn't have one. The fine is 90 Euros, so it could ruin a trip if caught with out one.

Can I ask, if you are hiring a car in France do you still need that list of items for the car or do they provide them - not the driving licence though obviously :rotfl:

If we have to provide them is there a comprehensive list anywhere?

Thanks.

No sure, it might be worth checking with the hire company before you go. Just found this site: http://www.click-parts.co.uk/content/Driving-In-France.php Some won't matter to you such as beam deflectors.

Other articles state you only need a high vis jacket, which I imagine will be for the driver. I really don't think all the passenegrs need one as that is excessive.


http://www.buzzle.com/articles/driving-through-france-stay-safe-and-legal-driving-in-france.html This is another usueful site for anyone driving in France.

[hildasmuriel]

Indeed. We had no idea of this when we went last week and would have probably continued to have no idea until our luck ran out and we broke down, receiving a nice fine in the process. So thanks :) :thumbsup2

Take a look here : http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/countrybycountry.html

The AA would like to hear from anybody who has been fined, as the Dept of Motoring says fines won't be enforced until October.