Some travel questions for a first time visitor to DLP

[spudwynk]

Hi All,

We've never been to DLP before so are embarking a little into the unknown. We're planning on going 2nd week of Easter Hols 2010.

We've decided to stay in a Disney Hotel as the kids are 3 and 5 and probably choose Cheyenne. Is this a good choice?

We live in Newcastle upon Tyne - should we drive/ferry or fly? I know flying is about £250 for 4 of us + shuttles. Not sure on petrol/ferry costs yet. Anyone got a preference?
Should we do Newcastle-Amsterdam or Dover-Calais? Do ferry companies ever do deals?
If we drive, anyone know a good F1 hotel to stay in the night before? I am making an assumption that the disney hotel/ticket package includes a full day in the parks on our first day?

Assume we get free car parking as a resident in the hotels?!?

And last but not least, I understand if I book now for Easter I pay this years prices rather than next years. Is this preferable to hanging on and hoping for a deal (I assume there won't be any others in school holidays). I notice the get 1 day free offer at the moment has holidays ruled out.

Sorry for all the questions but thanks in advance to anyone who can help by responding

Cheers
Jo

[Ware Bears]

Hi, I can help a little :)

The Cheyenne is a great choice ~ especially given the ages of your children. If you do decide to drive, you'll get free parking at the hotel and also at Disney's car park although it will actually be quicker and easier to either walk to/from the parks/hotel or catch the frequent free shuttle bus. You'll have length of stay tickets so can go in the parks on both arrival and departure days.

I'll now let others who are more knowledgeable on driving there take over ....... :goodvibes

[A Small World]

We live in the North West near Manchester and have flown twice and gone by car several times. I prefer going by car as its easier packing etc and you can take snacks and drinks with you but it does take longer to get there.
We try to treat the journey as part of the holiday. We go through the tunnel. This is good as it only takes 30 mins and although you book a time slot if you arrive early you often get on an earlier one or if you are late you can get on a next one (usually with no extra charge).
We have driven right there -having a snooze in the car at the tunnel terminal and it took us approx 12 hrs. We have also done it by staying at Ashford over night in the travel lodge. If you book in advance you can often get this for £19 or even cheaper if they have a sale on.
The tunnel/ferry costs are per car not person as well. If you collect Tesco vouchers you can pay for your tunnel with these. I suppose the advantage of a longer ferry crossing is that you do get a rest on route.
The drive from Calais is really easy - approx 3 hours. Im not sure what it is like from Amsterdam

[jillrobinson]

Can't comment on driving to DLP, for us it's plane or train but the Cheyenne is a great choice for your trip :thumbsup2

[tiring_day]

We live slightly south of you on the mackem side of the Wear, we have been several times now and found it very easy to fly out of Newcastle and into CDG. I don't mind driving and if I lived closer to the Tunnel we would probably use it, however there is no way I am having half a day of "Are we there yet?". We have used Easyjet the last 2 times and although the flight times aren't great if you book early enough the price can be very good. The transfers from CDG to DLP are not cheap but if you use a private shuttle service like RS Transport they get you there very quickly and no waiting for a bus which might be full and you could end up waiting for the next one.

We have stayed at the Cheyenne once and we are booked to stay again in January, the theming is probably the best of any hotel at the Resort and everyone here has nothing but good things to say about it.

Hope this helped

steve