Adding Disneyland Paris to European Cruise?

[msmama]

Son and I are doing the Norway/Iceland cruise in June. I'm thinking, since I'm already flying all the way to Europe, I may add on a few days at Disney Paris.

Is there an "easy" way to do this? Through Disney (though I'm sure I could do it cheaper myself)? Anyone ever do it and have suggestions?

I speak zero french (unless baguette counts) so I'm a little nervous about doing it on my own so reassurances would be nice, too.

 

[jrabbit]

I have not been to DL Paris - yet.

I don't think that Disney / DCL will have a DLP add on to the cruise.

I just googled "copenhagen denmark to paris france by train" (assuming your disembarkation port is Copenhagen) and it came up and said that it's cheeper and faster to fly than take the train. Flying will take 5 hours, the train 13 (i was surprised by the distance / times involved!)

if you want to get an expert involved in assisting with your planning, try Rick Steves - they have travel planners (for a fee - $50 maybe) that are experts in all things exploring Europe

 

[toontoy]

It can be pretty easy. You can either fly or take the Eurostar train. I have done both. One nice thing is some of the trains from London on the Eurostar go right to the main station at Disneyland. Its a fun park and I really enjoyed it. The studios park is pretty small and basic and I thought was a bit of a disappointment to me.

Once inside the park I thought it was fun and easy to navigate. All the rides are in French, some of the newer ones had English options. i dont speak french. If you have never been to Paris though I would really recommend the city and sites as Disneyland is fun but very similar to our 2 parks here in the US.

 

[AngelDisney]

You don't really need to speak French at DLP. Most CM and visitors speak English. I remember trying to speak French in Paris when buying some macaroons and the server replied in English. Don't worry much about the language.

When I booked in 2013, I booked with Disneyland Paris. They however have different offers for different countries. I had to translate in different languages at different sites to get the best deals. If you check out the DLP Disboard forum, you will find out lots of tips. You can be a Canadian to book through the German site.

 

[jrabbit]

You don't really need to speak French at DLP. Most CM and visitors speak English. I remember trying to speak French in Paris when buying some macaroons and the server replied in English. Don't worry much about the language.

But making the attempt to communicate in the country's language - if only to say that you don't speak it and do they speak English - goes a long way to having a good experience with the locals. When I was in Paris a few years ago, I found them very friendly - unlike the stories you hear about the French! Same in Italy, Germany, etc ...

I had a British person approach me in Paris and ask me if I spoke English, in French. I wish that I was quick enough to answer "Oui!" instead of "Yes"

 

[Flossbolna]

There is a great DLP forum here on the DIS with lots of very nice and helpful people. I would recommend to check this out.

Flying is definitely the way to get from Copenhagen to Paris. You could get a private shuttle from the airport to DLP and back and at DLP nearly everyone speaks English, so your need for French would be eliminated. However, even in Paris itself it has become much easier in the last 20 years to get around with English. Nearly everyone in hotels and other tourist places can communicate in English and in other places, most people will try at least. So, the language is not a big problem.

This year DLP will celebrate its 25th anniversary and it should be a great year to visit!

 

[Imedley200]

We were at Disneyland Paris in November. We booked through the regular site, stayed 3 nights at the Hotel Cheyenne and spent 2 1/2 days in the parks. We also spent a night at Hotel Elysee (partner hotel) because it was extremely cheaper to book via Expedia for a Saturday night. They have a free shuttle to the parks & had a more "American" breakfast (included).
We speak little to no French & it wasn't a big deal. Most speak English, at least the basics, and at DLP it's definitely not an issue. We were in Paris for a business/family trip and rented a car so don't have much help transportation wise.

 

[MUN]

Son and I are doing the Norway/Iceland cruise in June. I'm thinking, since I'm already flying all the way to Europe, I may add on a few days at Disney Paris.

Is there an "easy" way to do this? Through Disney (though I'm sure I could do it cheaper myself)? Anyone ever do it and have suggestions?

I speak zero french (unless baguette counts) so I'm a little nervous about doing it on my own so reassurances would be nice, too.

In that your cruise is out of Dover, I would think you can get a quick train to Paris. Are you planning on spending time in London b/4 and/or after the cruise? I highly recommend doing this.
Enjoy your trip!

MUN

 

[jrabbit]

oh your cruise is out of Dover - I didn't realize that. When we visited Paris after our cruise a couple of summers ago, I thought that we would take the ferry across to Calais and then catch a train to Paris. That was the LONG option. We chose to return to St. Pancras in London and catch the EuroStar - quick and easy!! The hardest part is that for each carriage they really don't have enough storage for your large luggage pieces. But we managed.

With the timing of our cruise we didn't want to try and pick up the Eurostar in Ashford - but I know that many people were planning on this. I don't know if it worked out for them or not.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

But making the attempt to communicate in the country's language - if only to say that you don't speak it and do they speak English - goes a long way to having a good experience with the locals. When I was in Paris a few years ago, I found them very friendly - unlike the stories you hear about the French! Same in Italy, Germany, etc ...

I had a British person approach me in Paris and ask me if I spoke English, in French. I wish that I was quick enough to answer "Oui!" instead of "Yes"

THIS THIS THIS!!!! I almost wrote this myself, but I didn't because I haven't been to Disney Paris. But I have been to France several times over a period of years in multiple cities and this happens to me every time.

When I walk into a store, or walk up to a cabbie, at first they seem distant, sizing me up, but when I break out my Pigeon French (three years way back in High School, didn't really give me much), their mood changes INSTANTLY. They become enthusiastic, patient, helpful. Perfectly happy to speak English to me if they know it, or if they don't we do the charades thing. But because I made an effort to speak French, they are full of goodwill.

Learn a few phrases. Even badly. Look up a few things on Google translate. It will be worth it. It will be fun too.

Actually, sometimes it gets me in trouble in the other direction. I get out a sentence or two, "Where is this... or how much is that..." and I guess I did OK, because out comes a flood of top-speed French from them, because they think I speak the language. So I have to come back with, "Slow down please, I only speak a little French." A French phase I have down pretty well by now.

 

[Flossbolna]

I used an online course to get some basic French. It was really quite good: www.babbel.com

 

[o&smom]

We did this on the same cruise last summer. We spent four days in Paris and took the train out to DLP for the day. Everyone working at DLP will speak English, and most Europeans speak at least a little English and are usually very helpful. We then took the train over to London and spent three days there before taking a train down to Dover the day before our cruise. There was lots of info on the internet on how to do all of this easily. Happy planning and cruising!

 

[maddisney]

The most easy way to reach Disneyland Paris from Copenhagen is definitely by plane. Then, from the airport, take a shuttle:
http://magicalshuttle.co.uk/
I recommend you the hotel Newport Bay Club, if you want to keep the feeling of cruising. Or, for a lower budget hotel, I recommend the Cheyenne. Both has been recently refurbished.
Don't hesitate to compare to select the best offer proposed between differents Disney's european sites.
For instance, my previous stay in Disneyland Paris was last November. I made my reservation through the german site with: children's until 7 years for free, 30 % off and free halfboard. I live at car distance from Disneyland Paris (Belgium) and I'm familiar with the park. Don't hesitate to ask if you have questions about Disneyland Paris.