Budget trip

[Isila]

we've got many things coming along next year but I'd like to have a DLP trip and I think we can manage if we do a budget trip.
I do like a price of 600 eur for 6 nights, but can it be cheaper? Was thinking of ordering APs and staying off site, but kids love morning meet'n'greets. But maybe if it does save us money, it's worth to do it?
So, who will share their thoughts and ideas?

 

[jillrobinson]

I'm after a budget trip too, so shall be watching this thread, I'm also thinking AP's and offsite, I want to take my niece and nephew, I felt so guilty on the weekend telling them about my trip, my nephew loved it so much.
You don't need to miss out on the morning meet and greets, there's nothing stopping you going to one of the Disney hotels, when we stayed at HNY there was often a character wandering around early morning and no queue for photographs or treat yourself to breakfast at one of the hotels, if you'd feel guilty just turning up.

I would like to know where to get the adult AP's and child free from, I've heard those mentioned before, but never taken any notice and would it matter that my niece and nephew have different name and address ?

For my part I liked the Kyriad and wouldn't hesitate to stay there and I liked the Rive Gauche apartment in Val d'Europe, in fact I really liked Val d'Europe and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. The free shuttle's arent quite as regular as they are to the Disney hotels and I imagine they could be very full but we didn't have a problem using them.

And the trains are super easy.

 

[DLPdaft]

check the AP thread ladies , it has links etc for current AP promotions -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3094378

The current AP deal through promoparcs and cemultiavantages is buy a discounted price AP, and get a child's AP of the same type (child has to be aged under 12 when you visit DLP) for 35 euros. There are no free child's AP deals at the moment.
Jill, there is no problem buying child's APs for your niece and nephew, but you need to remember to bring letters of permission with you from their mum or dad if they are not coming along, as DLP will need these, confirming its okay for you to get APs for someone else's children.

I've done off offsite (ie Bussy St george and Val d'europe) and offsite in the associated hotels. I dont mind either, you just have to be a bit more organised with your timekeeping for off offsite, to get the trains etc in and out of DLP.

My DD prefers the associated hotels, for some reason she has no issues at all with the shuttle buses to and from those hotels, but she's not keen on the train stations and the ticket barriers there.
I think its just what you're used to though, in my case we travel all over, by car, bus, plane etc, but she's only been on a train a handful of times in her life.

As Jill says, regardless of where you are staying, you can visit any/all the onsite hotels, to eat there, check out the gift shop, bars, and public areas. This includes taking part in the morning character meet n greets - we did that at the HNY on a trip where we were staying at the Explorers one year, and nowadays we pay for breakfast at the DLH one morning, and so see the characters who are milling around the hotel then.

 

[Isila]

No I have to do my math with all those AP.... so there's a chance this might be cheaper than 600 eur for 6 night trip?

 

[aliscrapper]

We're staying at the Dream Castle for 4 days/3 nights and it is costing us £290 for 2 adults, £69 return each for the Eurostar and we've opted for the Dream Annual Passes which are roughly £171 each with a 15% discount for being a shareholder which if I've done my maths right will cost roughly £145.35(as we get 20% off the shops and 10% off the meals with the Dream Annual Pass).

We're going back to DLP the week before Xmas and have booked the Kyriad for £164 for 3 days/2 nights for 2 adults. This will be a budget trip (as its only 12 weeks after we get back from our September trip!) so will be reading this thread with interest for any budget tips.

 

[Lisa_C]

We're booked in to the Premier Class for another three long visits this year alone - short walk from the station and roughly £30 a night! Two stops from Disney (under 5 minutes) for about €7 return (not sure on this as we have a navigo pass from my Pirate's workplace). Dream passes were about €175 after sponsorship (better for us to get the free year than use shareholders) and we buy snacks from the supermarket on the way (4 bottles of coke for the price of ONE in Disney) and with the kids, choose restaurants wisely......just us and we blow the budget haha! An apartment will give you freedom to cook - though this really only apples when driving, but take a slow cooker!

It can be as cheap as you make it, I plan a food budget per day and keep this out of the overall cost, otherwise I look and think I could have stayed onsite. But in reality the first trip with passes is always just as expensive, its after trips that hardly cost anything comparison wise But remember, you can book a room for one adult onsite and add your AP holders just before - our fourth trip is in the DCR next year doing just that

 

[Isila]

I have few things...
- EMH - those work out so fine for us as my kids are early birds and we do a lot on EMH and enjoy our time.
- We do go back to the hotel during the day. Kids need a break.
- Pool would be nice. Kids love pool and ask for it.

Do AP's give EMH?

Inventions Sunday brunch is a must do, all other meals can be done on a budget

 

[Lisa_C]

I have few things...
- EMH - those work out so fine for us as my kids are early birds and we do a lot on EMH and enjoy our time.
- We do go back to the hotel during the day. Kids need a break.
- Pool would be nice. Kids love pool and ask for it.

Do AP's give EMH?

Inventions Sunday brunch is a must do, all other meals can be done on a budget

Both Fantasy and Dream now have EMH included

 

[DLPdaft]

I have few things...
- EMH - those work out so fine for us as my kids are early birds and we do a lot on EMH and enjoy our time.
- We do go back to the hotel during the day. Kids need a break.
- Pool would be nice. Kids love pool and ask for it.

Do AP's give EMH?

Inventions Sunday brunch is a must do, all other meals can be done on a budget

you can get all of your 3 must-haves for your trip offsite Isila - as Lisa says, Fantasy and Dream APs give you EMH, no matter where you are staying .

if you're at one of the associated hotels, or in val d'europe or bussy st george in a hotel with a pool, its easy to get back and forth between your hotel and the parks, for a break and for a swim.

 

[netimka]

when you do your math with APs remember you will get discounts for meals and souvenirs so less spending monies needed and if you play with dates you might be able to use APs for 2015 trip as well

 

[Isila]

thanks all

I began my research and counting. Need more info about APs.

Like if I buy the cheap one it might have black out days while we're there right? How do I know in advance?

And kids AP allows 365 access?

 

[DLPdaft]

thanks all

I began my research and counting. Need more info about APs.

Like if I buy the cheap one it might have black out days while we're there right? How do I know in advance?

And kids AP allows 365 access?

check DLRPMagic's information about Annual passes, it has all the blockout dates for 2013 and some of 2014 on it.

Don't buy the Francillien through Promoparcs or cemultiavantages, because it has 2 non-contractual dates (ie you can use it for park access on your first day at DLP, but then you can't use it on the 2nd and 3rd days after that). The Fantasy AP and Dream AP have no non-contractual dates, so you can use them straightaway and then on consecutive dates (check DLRPMagic for Fantasy AP blockout dates).

Kids APs are exactly the same as adult ones - it depends which one you buy, whether it has blockout dates on it or not.

Remember, you get EMH access with either the Fantasy or Dream AP, so in your case I think you should be looking at those 2 .

 

[Isila]

Riiiiiight..... totally confused now.... heading to read some info...

 

[Isila]

Where to look for offsite hotels? Booking.com gives me price for Kyriad higher than DLP for SF or Cheyenne with whole package same with official Kyriad site

 

[HappyPanda]

Where to look for offsite hotels? Booking.com gives me price for Kyriad higher than DLP for SF or Cheyenne with whole package same with official Kyriad site

You could try Expedia? Surprised about the kyriad's own hotel being expensive. It's normally cheaper to book with them direct than anywhere else!

 

[Isila]

well, I get £404.15 for 6 night stay in Kyriad.
And 550 eur for SL or Cheyenne tickets included. Is this possible to beat when looking for a budget trip for 3?

 

[DLPdaft]

It may be a little early to get good winter prices for the offsite hotels but try travelrepublic and alpharooms too.

 

[HappyPanda]

Incorrect advice, sorry!

 

[DLPdaft]

well, I get £404.15 for 6 night stay in Kyriad.
And 550 eur for SL or Cheyenne tickets included. Is this possible to beat when looking for a budget trip for 3?

You are unlikely to get an associated hotel for less than about 60 euros per night. so with the APs you could get your trip for around 600 euros. but remember your APs give you discounts on food and souvenirs. and if you plan your dates well you could get 2 march trips out of your APs, 2014 and 2015. This would mean your price in 2015 would be the cost of your hotel only.

 

[DLPdaft]

Happy i think both Isilas boys are free onsite in march ~ its all kids under 12 free at that time of year regardless of how many adults are on the package.