anyone else already planning a christmas trip?

[susannah365]

i know, it's not even summer yet - but, as you've heard already, we won a trip to disneyland for 2 nights so now i need to tell them when we want to go! we haven't been yet at christmas so we've agreed that will be the season we go but have got no further than that. i have a few questions for anyone who can help:

1. does anyone know when exactly the christmas season starts?
2. since it will be during school term time, we're planning on getting the eurostar across on the saturday morning and coming back monday evening (only one day off school). has anyone else done this - at christmas or any other time? we've not used eurostar before!
3. how busy is it really during the weekends in november/december? for example, i know we will want to queue to see santa - how long does that normally take?
4. are all the characters in christmas outfits? would love to meet winnie the pooh as santa!
5. what are your must-do's for a christmas time visit?
6. what are the normal opening hours at christmas and when are the parades and fantilusion and tree lighting ceremonies?

very excited to start planning!!

 

[tennisfan]

i know, it's not even summer yet - but, as you've heard already, we won a trip to disneyland for 2 nights so now i need to tell them when we want to go! we haven't been yet at christmas so we've agreed that will be the season we go but have got no further than that. i have a few questions for anyone who can help:

1. does anyone know when exactly the christmas season starts?

Hasn't been defiantely confirmed but it usually starts just after Bonfire season which finishes on the 7th Nov this year

2. since it will be during school term time, we're planning on getting the eurostar across on the saturday morning and coming back monday evening (only one day off school). has anyone else done this - at christmas or any other time? we've not used eurostar before!

I have used Eurostar for a daytrip, went from Ashford very straight forward & only slightly delayed coming back but we were half through the journey when it happened

3. how busy is it really during the weekends in november/december? for example, i know we will want to queue to see santa - how long does that normally take?

I think weekends in general are busy so take that into account. Not sure about queues for Santa as I have never done that.

4. are all the characters in christmas outfits? would love to meet winnie the pooh as santa!

No they are not, I have been Christmas season and many of the characters are normally dressed, I think with the exception of Mickey & Minnie

5. what are your must-do's for a christmas time visit?

Watch the tree lighting ceremony

6. what are the normal opening hours at christmas and when are the parades and fantilusion and tree lighting ceremonies?

Normal park hours tend to be 10am-6/7pm maybe longer on the weekends. The tree lighting ceremony is usually just before the park closes. Fantilusion isn't on all the Christmas season, may only start in December

very excited to start planning!!

I have managed to answer some of your questions, I'm sure others will be able to correct any mistakes

 

[DLPdaft]

Pooh does change his outfit for the season - you can just see his Christmas jacket here -

here he is in his Halloween outfit too -

I would avoid all weekend dates to be honest, it really is such a different experience from midweek in termtime. You have to plan so much more of your day. Are there Francillien Pass only blackout weekends in November/December? That would make it a quieter weekend altogether.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Are there Francillien Pass only blackout weekends in November/December? That would make it a quieter weekend altogether.

Blackouts are as follows

Classic - The 1st, 5, 11, 12, 13,19, 26 and 27 november
The 3, 4, 10, 11 and the 17 to the 31 décember included

Francillien - The 1st, 11, 12, 13, 26 and 27 november
The 3, 4, 17 and 18 décember, and the 26 to the 31 décembre included.

Fantasy - The 1st november
The 3, 4, 17 et 18 décember, and from the 27 to the 30 décembre included

The 1st and the 11th are public holidays so the 31st of October will be really busy as well no doubt, plus it's Halloween

French school holidays are 22nd of Octobre - 3 November

 

[tennisfan]

Pooh does change his outfit for the season - you can just see his Christmas jacket here -

here he is in his Halloween outfit too -

I would avoid all weekend dates to be honest, it really is such a different experience from midweek in termtime. You have to plan so much more of your day. Are there Francillien Pass only blackout weekends in November/December? That would make it a quieter weekend altogether.

Never knew other characters changed outfit. I've never seen Pooh in Halloween of Christmas outfit & I have been in both seasons

 

[DLPdaft]

thanks Carrie Cat - susannah I'd say 12th and 13th November would be a good weekend to choose - definitely Christmas season, and the cheaper 2 annual pass blackout dates, so less local guests in the parks.

Hopefully on those dates you would have a better chance at avoiding the terrible weather which delayed/cancelled flights at the end of last November and into December too.

Both times I've been to DLP in November, the main park has been open until 9pm or 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

[kizzabel]

Hi Susannah,
Im also going for the start of Christmas season.
Cant be of any use as regards your questions.
Am really hoping fantillusion will be on though!

 

[emanlu]

Fantillusion has run throughout Xmas season for the last couple of years - we went in Nov 08 and Nov 10 and have seen it on both occasions.

We only queued for about 40 minutes for Santa last year - we just happened to be in the right place at the right time we joined the queue just around it's opening time.

Make sure and bring plenty of warm clothing - this was were we slipped up badly this time - we had been in November before and it was very mild - this time the forecast said mild but omitted to mention the biting winds which really put a dampner on things.

 

[jothp]

We went last year Friday and Saturday 17/18th December. Even that close to christmas the Friday was really quiet (queues of 15-20 mins for BTM mid morning), but the Saturday was much busier. It was probably a lot quieter than it could have been because it was snowing.

Even though it was quiet we still queued for about an hour for santa so I would advise you to get there early.

Fantillusion was on just before park closing during our stay and I really wanted to see it but we were all far too cold to stay in the park long enough to watch

 

[Mum to Belle]

I still have my planning bits from last Christmas which includes the show & parade schedule if that's any use? If you PM me your email address I could send it to you.

I also have lots of Christmas Disney images & colouring sheets that I found, autograph covers, etc to get you in the festive spirit!

 

[DLPdaft]

susannah I've just seen your winning clip on the current DLP TV advert

 

[susannah365]

glad you spotted the clip - all 3 seconds or so of it! my kids were very excited though, DS couldn't beleive he was on tv!

mum to belle - always love anything to aid my planning, i am addicted! thanks.