Basic Help Needed

[Disney Anna]

Hello All:

To my shock and great happiness, I will be visiting Disneyland Paris this October 2011. A work friend of mine moved to Paris last year and has invited me to stay at her home. She says she is 30 minutes from Paris Dland.

So, I can go anytime during the month of October. I live in San Diego, California. I can fly from San Diego or the Los Angeles and Orange County airports.

I am seeking: a) the best flight I can. Would like lowest price.

I think I would fly into Paris and then spend about 3 days with my friend. Then go to Disneyland with her and her kids. I would get a hotel room at Disneyland Paris for 2-3 nites. I would then return to Paris.

So, a) Any ideas on what Disneyland hotel to stay in?

I presume the weather will be cool, but not freezing.

Anything else I should be thinking about?

I already have a passport. I went to France last in 1988.

Looks like I will be flying solo.

 

[zinderella]

ooooooooooh! How exciting for you - lots of wonderful planning to do!

October at Disneyland Paris is brilliant thanks to the amazing Halloween celebrations and theming. You are right, the weather will not be freezing, when we went last year for some reason I packed thermals which were def NOT needed!

As for hotel, what is your budget as they range from basic to very expensive. For a good mid range my vote goes for the Sequoia Lodge. If you want a hot breakfast, slightly closer to the parks and a bit more of a grown-up feel, then lots of people enjoy the Hotel New York. If you can splash the cash then the Disneyland Hotel is right at the entrance to the parks!
http://hotels.disneylandparis.co.uk/index.xhtml?#

Personally I would avoid the Newport bay (even tho' it's so pretty) as it is the biggest hotel, huge breakfast queues and favoured by younger families.

That said, there is nothing wrong with the Santa Fe (budget option) as a place to lay your head. And all of the hotels are pretty close to the parks for walking or regular shuttles.

There are loads of trip reports about the Halloween season to get you in the mood.

Happy planning!

 

[tennisfan]

October weather in Paris is sort of unpredictable, a friend of mine went the week before us and said it rained the whole time, when we went it was warm shorts & t shirt weather! to us anyway That was a few years back.

As the pp stated it all depends on what your budget is to what hotel you stay in. They are all nice hotels onsite & within walking distance

 

[suzybear6]

Oh yes, the weather is very unpredictable in October!

When we went in October 2007 it was freezing ...frost every morning and most definitely warm coat, woolly hats and gloves weather. No rain though and quite a bit of sunshine which made it warmer by early afternoon, but very very cold in the morning and from late afternoon onwards.

It was much colder in Northern France that week than the South Coast of England...we went back into just t-shirts once we arrived back home! lol

I guess it's just a case of watching the weather forcast before you go and listening out on here for what people are saying if they have just got back. I know we were well prepared for the cold weather because of reports I had been hearing on here in the week or two before we went.

hth

Luv Suzy

 

[susannah365]

can't help with the flights from the usa unfortunately.

as for the hotel - as everyone has said it depends on your budget, we would all like to stay at the Disneyland hotel but most of us can't afford it!

the other question is whether you are sharing a room with your friend and her kids? in which case the cheyenne may be a good option as it is the only hotel with bunk beds, which my kids loved! then you and your friend could share the double bed.

 

[Disney Anna]

First, thanks to everyone for your kind input. I am getting more and more excited.

I was considering the Sequoia Lodge, sounds like it is similar to the Wilderness Lodge at WDW or the The Grand California at Disneyland. I love the theming at both hotels.

I haven't even begun to consider the cost. I have no idea what each cost. Guess I should check out the website.

Thanks for the great tip re the bunkbeds. For sure that is where we would go (Sequoia) if we went with the kids.

I'd like to do as many "un-American" type things as possible. I go to Disneyland and DWorld all the time - I'm really wanting to get a European experience. It seems weird to eat at the California Grille since I'm from California.