1st Timer - Feedback on trip plan, PLEASE!

[GuardMusic]

Bonjour from the United States!

Last week my best friend (BF) and I booked our Paris/London flight (on Delta SkyMiles). Neither of us have ever been to Paris, and only I have been to London.

We have an initial plan (developed from our WDW experience, interests, the Fodor's "See It" books, and most importantly, the Brit Guide to DLP). However, we would very much appreciate this board's feedback on our plan (below). I've also included some questions at the bottom you might be able to help us with?

Tues. May 26 - Depart Indianapolis to Cleveland to Paris (CDG).

Wed. May 27 - Arrive CDG 7:25am
- Take VEA shuttle to DLP (I expect we'll be too tired to try to traverse the train.)
- Check-in at Sequoia Lodge (wanted lowest priced Disney hotel with air conditioning, plus BF loves Wilderness Lodge and this is the closest thing to it. I'm sacrifing Newport, as the Beach Club is my fave!)
- Find food at hotel or Village; perhaps do to movie if we want to nap and room isn't ready
- Take quick nap
- Easy evening somewhere in DLP

Thurs. May 28 - DLP
- Have picked out favorite attractions/restaurants, will develop a more detailed plan in the spring

Fri. May 29 - Paris
- Train from DLP to Paris (Chatelet Station)
- Eiffel Tower (arrive by 9-9:30am)
- Musee d'Orsay (We will have pre-ordered the museum pass.)
- Musee Rodin
- Arc de Triomphe
- Sacre Coeur
- Train back to DLP

Sat. May 30 - Paris
- Train from DLP to Paris (Chatelet Station)
- Louvre (arrive just prior to opening)
- Musee Orangerie
- Notre Dame
- St. Chapelle
- Evening Boat cruise on Seine?

Sun. May 31 - DLP
- Cover all the attractions/restaurants we didn't get to on Thursday
- At DLP today because of Whit Sunday & expected all Paris attractions to be closed.

(QUESTIONS ARE AT BOTTOM, BUT IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LONDON, HERE'S THE REST OF THE TRIP!)

Mon. June 1 - Transition from DLP to London
- Train to Lille Europe and transfer to EuroStar (We don't want to wait for the direct train in the evening.)
- Arrive at St. Pancras and Tube to hotel
*We haven't chosen a hotel yet and are having trouble doing so!
Currently we are looking at Marriott County Hall, Rubens at the Palace,
and K&K George. Any and ALL opinions on choosing a hotel are eagerly
encouraged! We need separate beds and adjustable air conditioning. We'd
like it to include breakfast, but it's not a deal-breaker. Keep in mind we
are used to "larger" American hotel rooms, but also would like to keep the
costs around 150-175pounds per night.
- Possibly ride London Eye

Tues. June 2 -London sites
- Westminster Abbey
- Parliament
- Guards Museum
- St. James Park
- Buckingham Palace
- Kensington Palace
- Hyde Park
- Harrods

Wed. June 3 - London sites
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- St. Martin - Fields
- British Museum
- Wimbledon?

Thurs. June 4 - outside London
- Train to Windsor & Eton
- Train to Oxford???

Fri. June 5 - open
- No plans as of yet. Possibly dinner & theatre?

Sat. June 6 - return to US
- Train? Bus? to Gatwick
- Depart LGW at 11:25am

QUESTIONS
- What is the best Paris train/metro pass(es) for our plan?
- Will Whit Sunday and Monday impact anything with DLP, Rail Europe, EuroStar?
- Recommended London hotels???
- What is the best London tube pass(es) for our plan?
- Which is better to go to Gatwick - bus or train?
- Anything else we missed or should know?

I really appreciate ANY and ALL insight you might provide!
Thanks in advance! And Merci!
Gayle

 

[Cyrano]

Can't help with London even though I've family there as it is not a place I visit. There will be more posters on the UK Community board who will be able to help with this part so will move this to there.

We would all be happy to help with the DLP part of your trip

I'd expect DLP to be busy on Whit Sunday

 

[mandymouse]

Sorry, I can't help you with your questions, but your plans sound great. I hope you have a fab time

 

[natalielongstaff]

Hi

Ive stayed at the Sequoia Lodge before and its a lovely hotel We didn't do any but there are character meal options at DLP

You may struggle with your london hotel, rooms are small and expensive i personally would sacrifice space for spending less cash !

 

[mark&sue]

The parks will be very busy as it is half term and you have only given yourselves one day there. Sequoia Lodge is a great hotel you can get a good idea from our trip report when we went in July

You can read my trip report here

day 1 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1904503

day 2 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1904564

day 3 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1904623

day 4 http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1904778

day 5 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1904819

day 6 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1904829

Hope you have a great time


susan

 

[scottish mum]

Sorry not much help but i do know how to get to gatwick from london. There is a direct train from Victoria train station right to gatwick airport. They go every 30 minutes i think.

 

[wils]

County Hall is an excellent location close to the London eye, Big Ben etc. Stayed there one New Years Eve but It was in the Travel Inn part which I'd say was more a budget hotel than the Marriot.

The Gatwick Express https://www.gatwickexpress.com/index.asp?SID={B0FBCE9B-7753-42BD-B974-30A86756AF00} runs every 15 mins from London Victoria and takes 1/2 hour

 

[~Piglet~]

To reply to your London Tube question, most of your London sites (with the exception of Wimbledon) are in price zones 1-2. You can buy an all day tube ticket for £6.80 (zones 1-2) or £8.00 (zones 1-3, which would include visiting Wimbledon).

There are a number of different ticket combinations on offer, more information found here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

 

[GuardMusic]

The parks will be very busy as it is half term and you have only given yourselves one day there. Sequoia Lodge is a great hotel you can get a good idea from our trip report when we went in July

Hope you have a great time


susan

Half term? We did a ton of research to specifically avoid the school holidays!!! Where did we do wrong?

Also, we have two and a half days at the parks - half day on May 27 (Wed), and full days on May 28 (Thurs.) and May 31 (Sun.)

Gayle

 

[Dimplenose]

UK have a bank/public holiday on last Monday in May (used to be tied to day after Whitsun but that changed years ago) nearly all the schools have a week off starting with the bank holiday. The French schools are still tied to the church holidays so they are off a week later, but a lot of visiotrs to DLP will be British.

Paris (the city) is noticably busier on a Saturday. Work out how many metro trips you will be taking - we found buying a carnet of 10 single journey tickets was better value than a travel pass for our trip.

Does your Museum pass include St Chapell? We were unable to visit here as the queue for tickets was closed nearly an hour before last entry because so many people wanted to see it. (On a Friday in May).

Don't underestimate travelling/waiting time. I wouldn't try to do both Windsor and Oxford on the same day and get back to London, but you know how much stamina you have.