WDW Vetran considering a DLP visit, any info welcome.

Ok, I feel the need to do the whole background thing...

My partner and I are DVC members and usually hit WDW once a year, but we've never been to DLP as the two times we priced it up it worked out as expensive if not more based of the horrendous prices of the hotels which is hard to swallow when our WDW hotel stay is essentially free (after paying the DVC dues of course).

Well, due to work circumstances we're not going to be able to cover the cost of a WDW trip for 2016 so we looked at DLP again, but using our DVC points to stay at one of the Disney Hotels (I know it's not the best usage of DVC points but it's that or no vacation in 2016).

So we looked at DLP again and with taking off the hotel cost it's actually not too bad.

I think it was £288 for the tickets and less than £200 and Eurotunnel which just leaves food, spending money, and fuel for the car (we'd love to drive there in our own car as we have a left hand drive Smart Car).

But we know nothing about DLP so I need all you nice people to throw be as much info as possible to take this forward.

We'd like to go in the cheapest DVC cost times but try to avoid the worst weather, also the we can take time off during term time but not too much so the plan is to take two weeks off and spend one week at DLP and Paris (during the week the kids are in school) and the other week back at home just chilling while the kids are out (as it's easier to get time off then as my partner is a manager at an Academy).

The Cheap DVC point times for DLP are:

Jan 4 - Feb 14
Mar 1 - 28
Apr 12 - 25
May 10 - Jun 13
Sep 6 - Oct 24
Nov 8 - Dec 19

These are the 2015 lists as the 2016 ones aren't out yet but they should be similar dates.

So, what dates would be best?
Tell me about DLP.
What's the drive like from Calais to DLP?
Anything else I should know?

Any info would be great, even if all you do is point me at other threads I'll be happy (my SearchFu eludes me this morning. )

thanks for posting your question as it has saved me from doing so! We too, are thinking about DLP in the spring of 2016 to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. We are also WDW veterans, more than 150 times, have been ton DL California 6 times and the DCL 13 times so we thought lets do Paris. Just started to look at it ultimately will depend on the flights! We plan on using our DVC points to stay on property, probably in a studio unit. Would love to get more information from anyone who has been to DLP. Thanks

WDBRDWLK, just so you are aware, I looked at the points charts for the DLP resorts (in the Disney Collection) and it's on set of costs per season so I don't think there's any such thing as studio, 1 beds, etc. A room is a room.

I think May - June is a great time to go - nice weather but the parks are not too crowded IMO-

I too have been to WDW over 100 times (lived in Orlando for a bit) - but I do really love DLP as well. It is of course very different in scope and feel but still Disney all the same. I hope you all enjoy your stays!

What I love about DLP - small but quaint - great for park hopping, easy to get around, short travel times.
Great imagineering - the details in the parks are lovely and attractions like Pirates, BTMRR, Small World, Peter Pan, Ratatouille, Animagique really great - Disney always tries to one up itself so to speak so you can see that in some of the attractions.
I like taking DLP slowly - no huge crowds (mostly) so little need for commando park going - rushing from here to there, rope drop etc.
Love the buffet restaurants, table service options - IMO - give the counter service options a miss unless you are starving and that's all you can do.
You may find yourself missing the resorts at WDW - especially if you are used to staying at DVC resorts - AKL/AKV is my all time favourite - honestly nothing like it at DLP - just adjust expectations would be my advice.

Have a great time!

I agree, May - June is a lovely time to go so long as you avoid Ascension Day (and the subsequent weekend) which is May 6th next year.

I second the advice re buffets and table service restaurants over counter service - one of my very favourite things about DLP is the crockery is themed for each individual restaurant.

I would reccommend to have a look at David's website, to rent your points with him and use the cash to book DLP. It's super easy: when I rent my points through him I spent maybe a total or 30 minutes signing the contract and booking the reservation. It's almost hassle free. You could book the hotel AND pay for tickets AND have some money left, doing it this way.

DLP it's a charming resort. Details in the main park are beautiful and almost all rides that exist both in WDW and DLP are better in Paris (BTMRR, PotC, Buzz) or different enough to be worth the visit (Space Mountains, Phantom Manor). The second gate it's not as charming, but it has some unique attractions like Cinemagique and Ratatuille that are very well done.
But be prepared also for some negatives. Maintenance is not top notch and you'll find some run down areas. They've started an extensive refurbishment program, so until the 25th anniversary (2017) you'll find closed attractions and walls everywhere. I think it's always worth a visit, but it's not WDW.

I've been to DLP 8 times and stayed in all the Disney Hotels. It's quick and easy for me to get there as I live in the UK. It's great for a Disney fix but as mentioned it's no WDW.

If you do the Magic Hours, unlike what I've experienced in WDW only two sections of the park in Magic Kingdom are open and the second park doesn't run any magic hours.

If you like your pictures taken with characters then I would suggest sticking to the organised ones with queues because if a character just appears it's horrible trying to get your photo with them. The minders don't organise any sort of line and I have seen grown adults pushing kids out the way to get their photos taken.

Also the level of customer service isn't the same as in WDW. I once asked a member of staff were a meet and greet was being held as the characters were late arriving and I was just told to consult my map.

I have been in September and November doing both Halloween and Christmas. November is very cold in the most part. September was also a bit chilly but we did have days were we were out in just pants and a T shirts so the weather can be a bit temperamental.

Food can be quite expensive. Normally it's just me and my mum that goes and we usual split meals and take snacks from home. Last November we took my dad and brother as well so 4 adults and wow did we notice just how expensive the food was. This October when we go (were staying in the New York again) we have been given the Disney Dining plan as part of our booking. It's not something I've used before at DLP and we haven't had to pay extra for it so I couldn't confirm if it would be worth it for you.

We went in September a couple of times; from 2nd week September onwards, it was always a lot cheaper than high season (in September, even the French kids are back in school again - except weekends obviously, so avoid those). September is also great because the summer shows/parades etc. are still there (until end of Sept)

Jen,

I got back to the States yesterday from a 2-week London-Paris-Riviera trip which included a day trip on a Tuesday to DLP from Paris. I've been to WDW almost annually for a decade. This DLP trip was actually my 3rd but the prior one was 16 years ago so only this most recent one is helpful. We only did the MK at DLP this trip so that's all I will speak to and address your request for DLP info in general.

There were both good and bad points about DLP. Some rides are better like BTMRR. Space Mountain has been closed since January for a major do-over. Pirates is the old traditional style without Captain Jack Sparrow (it has a restaurant off to the side at the start like Disneyland in California's equivalent does). The Indy Jones rollercoaster had no demand and I can see why. We walked right on it. The Phantom Manor (Haunted Mansion) is more lame than I remember. The Doom Buggies do not have speakers in them so there is no story and narration. OTOH, it does a better job than Orlando of presenting the story of the wedding bride. But they throw in a spook Western town at the end which feels like it doesn't fit the story line (the Phantom Manor is in Frontierland which is why it was probably done).

The DLP Railroad is maddening. It loads so few and so slowly and sits at the stations for minutes before moving on to the next.

We bought adult tickets in advance for $64 for one-day one-park in advance on the DLP.com website and took the RER out to Marne la Valee and walked to the ropes at 9am. They were letting in on-site guests for early hours admission and at 930am they let us into Main Street down to the circle in front of the castle but we had to wait till 10am for the rope drop into the lands to ride rides and things. By 630pm we were done riding what we wanted to ride and see so we left (earlier than we expected).

Being American, we were expecting the counter service food places to open by noon for lunch but that wasn't the case. We were starving by the time we got lunch.

My son who was with me put it very well: we have been spoiled by the Orlando MK in that they move people along so efficiently. Queues move easily. High capacity rides funnel people. French Cast Members aren't as outgoing and interactive with guests as Florida CM's are. That's not there fault - I think it is more cultural.

Fantasyland seemed to be the most popular and crowded while we were there. It has the Casey Jr little circus train slow coaster like California. Peter Pan is, to me, even less of a story in Paris. The carousel was closed for repair/maintenance. The castle has a walk-through upper level where the restaurant is in Orlando that tells the Sleeping Beauty story in stained glass windows that I thought was done quite well.

DLP has the old paper Fastpass system as fyi.

Bama Ed

PS - come back with any DLP-MK questions and I'll try to help.

zavandor said:

I would reccommend to have a look at David's website, to rent your points with him and use the cash to book DLP...

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Never been happy with renting my points out. I'd much rather take the costing hit and use them myself.

The drive to DLP is very easy to do, we drive there 3 or 4 times a year. We prefer to us the tunnel as we find it quicker and more convenient. It is a 3 hour drive and almost all motorways. There is one toll which when we last drove at Easter cost 21.70 Euros each way.

Being a WDW veteran going to DLP for the 1st time I am not sure I would recommend you to go next year. Next year the Disneyland Park (it is not called the Magic Kingdom in Paris) is having a major overhaul ready for the 25th anniversary in 2017. Several of the main rides will be down for significant parts of the year to prepare for this and I don't think you will get a positive opinion of the park. This page tells you what rides will be shut and when http://holidays.disneylandparis.co.uk//eep.html
A previous poster commented on the lack of narration in some attractions, this however is due to how multi lingual the park has to be due to the amount of tourists visiting from all over Europe. Some of the shows have showings in English or French.
I find Disneyland Paris very charming, it has a good mix of unique attractions, classics and attractions from Disneyland that are not at WDW. I live that it is much smaller and that the 2 parks are easy to hop between. I also love the Dreams fireworks/laser/projection show at the end of each day.
If there is anything more specific you would like to know, just ask.

Danauk said:

A previous poster commented on the lack of narration in some attractions, this however is due to how multi lingual the park has to be due to the amount of tourists visiting from all over Europe. Some of the shows have showings in English or French.

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I was the one who commented and again the lack of ANY narration was a negative. Having been to DLP the year it opened (1992) and in-between (1999) it's easy to hope that Disney could add a French/English narration (short segments of each) for major rides. The park was multi-lingual in 1992 and I understand that we have European visitors from any country visiting DLP potentially - but they (DLP mgt) have taken the easy way out by offering us nothing.

All things considered, DLP has its charm (loved the Sleeping Beauty stain glass walk through in the upper level of the castle), the old Pirates (no Jack Sparrow), the different Haunted Mansion (miss the Vincent Price narration), and the BTMRR (better at DLP than WDW).

Bama Ed

I'll try to give you some more info that previous posters haven't mentioned yet.

To make it easy: I would say one third of your time should be spend in the Walt Disney Studios, the other two third in Disneyland Park. Disneyland Park really is the main park with most shows etc. In Disneyland Park, you can see Disney Magic On Parade (daily, most of the time somewhere between 4.30 and 6 PM, time and route stated on program/park map) and Disney Dreams! (daily, at closing time of the park by the castle). For other entertainment you should really check the program by the time your trip is nearly there. There will be meet and greets in both parks. The parks and hotels are quite nearby eachother. From the enterance from park A to park B is a few minutes by foot. Disney Village (where you can shop, dine, etc.) is just as close.

On this page you can check info about restaurants and their locations, general opening hours, menu's and pricing:
http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/dining/restaurant-menus/
For some Table Service restaurants you should make reservations. If you choose Auberge the Cendrillion, Café Mickey, Inventions, Bistro Chez Remy, Walts, Silver Spur, Blue Lagoon, I would recommend this. You can do this by phone 60 days prior to arriving or during your stay at your hotel concierge or at City Hall in Disneyland Park. For other restaurants, just show up.

January, February and September are the absolute lowest seasons for DLP. There are no special events, and it will be quiet in the parks. Especially in January right after Christmas season.
From March to June there will be Swing into Spring season in Disneyland Park. There will be nice decorations, special meet & greets and special shows. Other parts of Europe, besides France, do have school vacations in this particular period, so you should check Google to find the different European holidays. Take notice of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and UK.
October is Halloween season, which is great too. Plan to go as early as possible in this month.
Starting the second week of November, there is Christmas season. If you plan on going during that, go as early as possible and try going weekdays. Last year they had to close the gates during the weekends (starting from the second weekend of the entire season), because parks reached capacity.

Every Disney Hotel is great. It's just your taste and your budget that should decide. If you are staying in a Disney Hotel, you can use the Extra Magic Hours. Normally they are just in Disneyland Park from 8-10 AM. There are meet & greets there too, as there aren't any in the Disney Hotels anymore. I would say try using the EMH at least once during your stay.

Good luck planning, and if you have any more questions just ask.

DLP is very charming. Please don't head there with the idea that it's like its US counterparts, however, because it's just not. They are quite different, which I personally appreciated.

We went in June and the weather was lovely, the crowds were slow and we were able to do everything we wanted in two days. We stayed at the Sequoia Lodge, which was a nice hotel, but the beds were not. All the hotels have great proximity to both parks.

I hope you go!

I'm so curious about the differences and similarities between DLP and MK at WDW. I'm looking forward to taking in how beautiful the park itself is, and the differences in the rides. I know IASW will be closed while I'm there in October (DF is so disappointed.. ) and the story themed boats which I am a little disappointed about.