Tips for a first time driver to DLP...

[ManCityMickey]

Hi CherryPie3.

We did our first 'road trip' to DLP last June and, like you, I was a bit apprehensive. We drove down from Manchester on the Saturday, stayed overnight at Ashford Travelodge and got the Eurotunnel at around 7am on the Sunday.

As you exit the train at Calais you join the motorway straight away - its reaaly easy. I found the french roads really easy to drive on. It took me about 3 minutes to get used to driving on the "wrong side" of the road. There are rest stops about every mile, brilliant as we were travelling with 2 kids. The toll points were really well signposted and easy to navigate through.

You may need a sat nav around CDG airport - its a bit like spaghetti junction - with more junctions - but otherwise you will be just fine!

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

[CherryPie3]

Originally Posted by ManCityMickey

Hi CherryPie3.

We did our first 'road trip' to DLP last June and, like you, I was a bit apprehensive. We drove down from Manchester on the Saturday, stayed overnight at Ashford Travelodge and got the Eurotunnel at around 7am on the Sunday.

As you exit the train at Calais you join the motorway straight away - its reaaly easy. I found the french roads really easy to drive on. It took me about 3 minutes to get used to driving on the "wrong side" of the road. There are rest stops about every mile, brilliant as we were travelling with 2 kids. The toll points were really well signposted and easy to navigate through.

You may need a sat nav around CDG airport - its a bit like spaghetti junction - with more junctions - but otherwise you will be just fine!

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Excellent advice thanks! We have 3 children so will need the frequent stops! We are also planning to stay at Ashford Travelodge, much cheaper than the alternatives.

Thanks!

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

We're driving for the first time next March! It just seems easier now we have 2 children plus luggage!

We've booked a 2am ferry, will leave home around 7.30pm so the children can sleep en route and we'll arrive at Disney for 9am, give or take a stop or two! Ferry booked for 7pm to come home so again the children can sleep.

You do need to carry a European driving kit and breathalyzer (bought ours from Amazon)

[CherryPie3]

Originally Posted by MickeysFavouriteGirl

We're driving for the first time next March! It just seems easier now we have 2 children plus luggage!

We've booked a 2am ferry, will leave home around 7.30pm so the children can sleep en route and we'll arrive at Disney for 9am, give or take a stop or two! Ferry booked for 7pm to come home so again the children can sleep.

You do need to carry a European driving kit and breathalyzer (bought ours from Amazon)

Totally agree. It seems both easier and cheaper!
We're planning on buying annual passes as it's cheaper than getting tickets for the 5 days we'll be in the parks. Plus that's a good excuse to go another few times too.

Was it the complete kit that you got on Amazon? I know you needed to carry them but was unsure where to look for them apart from Halfords!

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

Yes it was £16 odd, plus £2 for the breathalyzer.

[CherryPie3]

Thanks, it appears to have gone up now (unless I'm looking at the wrong thing) as it's now £26. It doesn't matter either way as we still need it.

[tennisfan]

Originally Posted by CherryPie3

Have a great trip!!!

Yep, I meant Eurotunnel - not sure why I wrote eurostar as I know the difference - I blame the kids for distracting me! I love the fact eurotunnel only takes a little over half an hour, the kids could sleep through that.

And thanks for the info on fuel costs - we'll be taking my car which is a diesel and will fill it up when we get to the mainland.
This might sound like a random question but what are the pumps like in France, can you pay at the pump or at the desk? Do they accept credit/debit cards?

I

Pumps are like ours, I know at cite Europe (Carrefour) you can pay at pump, some stations say only French can use them. They take credit or debit.

[CherryPie3]

Originally Posted by tennisfan

Pumps are like ours, I know at cite Europe (Carrefour) you can pay at pump, some stations say only French can use them. They take credit or debit.

Thanks for this, we'll keep a lookout.

Are the fuel stations at the services like over here?

[tennisfan]

Originally Posted by CherryPie3

Thanks for this, we'll keep a lookout.

Are the fuel stations at the services like over here?

Some have fuel stations, some don't. You will pay more for fuel on the motorways. My advice fill up when you get to France at Cite Europe, or if you have enough fill up when you get to Disney at the Auchan at Val d' Europe as its similar price to Calais