1st timers to europe AND DLP a few question

[htegler]

Background - want to go this year - tentative dates...
Coming from Portland, Oregon - Leaving Friday Sept 18th arriving Saturday so planned to stay 1st couple of days in Paris - Get over Jet lag and see some sites.
Would arrive at DLP on Monday 21st. We want TI take advantage of the extra day offer. Probably want to stay on site. I
If we go with dining plans any recommendations? that's all for now battery low
Thanking everyone in advance

 

[Isila]

Mostly people don't use half board plans as they don't find it good. They are restrictive and don't save you money. So, I'd rather pay cash and eat where I want

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Have fun planning!

Different countries offer different offers. Even as an American, I have booked on the UK site - as the deal was better - so you may want to check out all the different offers available if you haven't already done so.

For food - I enjoy Walt's, Bistro Chez Remy and buffets like Restaurant de Stars and Plaza Gardens. I love dining at DLRP!

 

[Chuckers]

I just booked on the UK site last week. Got a free night, 30% of hotel and free half board. The only way I would take a meal plan is if it's free. I believe that you don't have to choose the options on the half board plan at the restaurants, you can use the voucher for the cash value and take that off your bill. (At least I hope that's the way it works because I don't care for a lot of the options.)

 

[Aimee810]

By UK site do you mean dlparisdirect? I have been looking at using them also -from US. We are planning for May 2016 so cant make any ressies just yet. Looking to stay 3ni at Dream Castle offsite. We are also staying couple nights in Paris before DL. Looking for a good character meal to have.

 

[Chuckers]

By UK site do you mean dlparisdirect? I have been looking at using them also -from US. We are planning for May 2016 so cant make any ressies just yet. Looking to stay 3ni at Dream Castle offsite. We are also staying couple nights in Paris before DL. Looking for a good character meal to have.

This is the UK site: http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/

 

[chmurf]

Also, consider that if you book on the UK site, you'll be charged in GBP not USD, this may cost you cross-border fees (check your bank fees)

Also check rates on the french site. Currently the Euro is at a all time low vs. the US Dollar, so when you factor in the exchange rates, it might play in your favor.

 

[Joyce_Belle]

I would definitely recommend to stay in a Disney hotel. They are all good, even the "lowest" Hotel Cheyenne and Santa Fe. I would not book the dining plan, as it's not really cheaper and not valid in every restaurant.

Restaurant suggestions:

• Best table service: Bistro Chez Rémy (Walt Disney studios), Annette's (Disney Village), Silver Spur Steakhouse (Disneyland Park)
• Best buffet: Inventions (Disneyland Hotel, with characters), Plaza Gardens (Disneyland Park)
• Best quick service for a hot meal: Hakuna Matata (Disneyland Park), Toad Hall (Disneyland Park), Fuente del Oro (Disneyland Park)
• Best quick service for a cold meal/sandwich: Earl of Sandwich (Disney Village), Market House Deli (Disneyland Park)
• Best character restaurants: Inventions (Disneyland Hotel, buffet), Auberge de Cendrillon (Disneyland Park)

This website provides lots of info on menu's, locations, prices, etc.
http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/dining/restaurant-menus/

Enjoy planning and have fun!

 

[BadPinkTink]

Like others have said I wouldn't do the meal plans. I have been to DLP twice, once as a solo trip and once with my mum and both times didn't do the meal plans.

DLP is far more compact that Disneyland California and alot to get around.

I would definatley recommend staying onsite. I have stayed at Santa Fe which is the budget option and Sequoia Lodge which is mid range. All onsite hotels include breakfast which is very substantial but the general breakfast buffets do not have hot items like sausages or scrambled eggs.

One option for breakfast which many don't know about is that depending on the capacity of the hotels, they often open on of the restaurants in Fantasyland during EMH for hotel guests. This means that you can go straight to the park for EMH at 8 am, have an hour in the relatively empty park, then depending on your breakfast slot time, have breakfast around 9 am in the park.

At check-in you will be given your breakfast time coupon. All you have to do is ask to have one days breakfast in the park. If the option is available you will be given a coupon for whatever restaurant is open during EMH. Usually it is Plaza Gardens.

Also another note about EMH. Before Christmas they stopped character meets during breakfast time in the hotels. As the hotels are open to general public, ie you don't need a park ticket to access them, general public were coming to hotels just to meet the characters. Now the characters are around Mainstreet and Fantasyland during EMH.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Another vote for staying on site. We considered staying off, but were able to get the free half board by staying at Sequoia Lodge and I was so glad we did! We were right there and took advantage of the extra magic hours for a nearly empty park. Plus once we were actually there and saw the layout, it was much better being on than off. We also booked through the UK site.

We loved Agrabah Cafe for lunch. It's a buffet, but offers some great Middle Eastern dishes. We also ate at Hunter's Grill at the hotel. It was fine, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there. We really wanted to eat at Walt's, but it wasn't open Monday or Tuesday during the off season last spring and that, of course, is when we could do it.

This was the same for the breakfast in the parks--it wasn't offered during the off season. I do believe May will fall into this. We were there mid-June.