Canadians Heading to DLP via Dover ... Logistics Help Needed Please!

[disneymath]

My apologies in advance for the longish post ... lots to figure out!

Considering adding a few days at DLP after our Norway/Iceland cruise next summer. We're sold on the idea of visiting a a new Disney Park, but overall cost and "ease of getting there" will be the determining factors.


I could use some help wrapping my head around some of the logistics.

Travel party of 8 includes 2 over 60, 3 adults, and 3 children under age 9.


1. a) What would be the most economical / efficient form of public transportation to get from Dover (when the Magic will disembark) to DLP?

b) As far as I know, we should be off the ship by 9:00AM or so on a Friday ... can we get to DLP using public transportation that day? (I think I read that the Eurostar only departs London in the morning? Are there other options?) If we wanted to spend a day in London, are there options to head to DLP in the late afternoon or early evening?


2. Assuming we stay onsite (NOT Davy Crockett Ranch):

a) What would be the most economical / efficient way to get to the airport (CDG) at the end of our stay? (Renting a car is not an option.)

b) If booking a private shuttle would be cheaper than the TGV or VEA, does anyone have any shuttle company recommendations for a group our size?

c) Can someone confirm that Canadians can book through the UK or French sites ... the current Early Booking Special seems ideal for one room of 2 adults and 2 six-year-olds. And free nights are something for the room of 3 adults and 1 eight-year-old. That said, can a reservation be modified, without penalty, if an offer that included kids under 12 free comes out later? Is this type of offer even likely for mid July?


3. The Marriott l'isle de France seems like it could be an attractive alternative to staying onsite since all of us could stay in a 3 bedroom villa.

a) Can someone confirm the current DLP shuttle fee from the Marriott ... I have read that it is 4 euros ... not sure if that is one way or round trip.

b) If we stay here, what our our options for getting to CDG to fly home? The hotel website is a bit confusing ... it says there is no airport shuttle but that transfers are available? Do they mean transfers to the train / bus station?


Thanks in advance for any input you can share!

 

[limace]

I can just speak to the Eurostar-it travels to Paris all day, and it's a very easy transfer from Paris to Marne La Vallee if the train you're on doesn't go there. The Eurostar website is easy to use.

 

[addverbaan]

Considering adding a few days at DLP after our Norway/Iceland cruise next summer. We're sold on the idea of visiting a a new Disney Park, but overall cost and "ease of getting there" will be the determining factors.


I could use some help wrapping my head around some of the logistics.

Travel party of 8 includes 2 over 60, 3 adults, and 3 children under age 9.


1. a) What would be the most economical / efficient form of public transportation to get from Dover (when the Magic will disembark) to DLP?

Are you sure non of you could drive? This would make everything much easier and cheaper for you. You could get the tunnel or ferry straight from Dover this way and be in DLP by early afternoon. Otherwise I think you will have to double back into London to get the Eurotunnel or fly from there.


b) As far as I know, we should be off the ship by 9:00AM or so on a Friday ... can we get to DLP using public transportation that day? (I think I read that the Eurostar only departs London in the morning? Are there other options?) If we wanted to spend a day in London, are there options to head to DLP in the late afternoon or early evening?

See above^

2. Assuming we stay onsite (NOT Davy Crockett Ranch):

a) What would be the most economical / efficient way to get to the airport (CDG) at the end of our stay? (Renting a car is not an option.)

Private shuttle would be easiest and cheapest option for you. You need to book in advance and I can personally reccomend ezy shuttle for a fantastic service.

b) If booking a private shuttle would be cheaper than the TGV or VEA, does anyone have any shuttle company recommendations for a group our size?


See above ^

c) Can someone confirm that Canadians can book through the UK or French sites ... the current Early Booking Special seems ideal for one room of 2 adults and 2 six-year-olds. And free nights are something for the room of 3 adults and 1 eight-year-old. That said, can a reservation be modified, without penalty, if an offer that included kids under 12 free comes out later? Is this type of offer even likely for mid July?

You can book through any country site you would like with no problems. All info from Disney is sent via the email. If you are looking to change at a later date, you will probably have to stick to new offers coming from the country you booked with - i don't think you could for instance book now with a UK deal and then try to swap to a better french deal at a later date. The under 12 offer has not been around so far this year I'm afraid and never is normally for the peak times. It tends to have been for jan-march in the past.

3. The Marriott l'isle de France seems like it could be an attractive alternative to staying onsite since all of us could stay in a 3 bedroom villa.

a) Can someone confirm the current DLP shuttle fee from the Marriott ... I have read that it is 4 euros ... not sure if that is one way or round trip.

We have stayed at the Marriott several times and are big fans! However I would not stay here without having my own transport. The shuttle bus needs to be prebooked and can have long wait times and trying to get back from Disney in the evenings is also a pain as the bus only runs till about 8pm I think. You can walk off site and out to the public bus, but again this is not very regular. Not sure of the shuttle bus cost now but 2 years ago when we were last year I think it was 3.50 per person per direction.

b) If we stay here, what our our options for getting to CDG to fly home? The hotel website is a bit confusing ... it says there is no airport shuttle but that transfers are available? Do they mean transfers to the train / bus station?


Private transfer again - you can arrange these in advance no problem.

Thanks in advance for any input you can share![/QUOTE]

 

[disneymath]

limace ... thanks for your input.

I've looked at the Eurostar website, and was a bit shocked by the prices - especially since we will need to make our way to London from Dover first (as far as I can tell).

FWIW, I was looking for dates this July since July 2015 is not yet bookable ... do the prices go up the fuller the train gets / the closer to the departure date you book?

addverbaan ... based on your advice, I will be looking at shuttles for the DLP - CDG leg of the trip. While the Marriott seems like a great resort, I don't know how much savings we would see after all the shuttle fees.

It would be great if DCL or ABD or DLP would run a shuttle from the Port of Dover to DLP for those of us who wish to extend our cruise with a few days in the parks. (It would probably be as expensive as the Eurostar, but likely more convenient in terms of luggage transfer etc.) A girl can hope!

 

[Lisa_C]

limace ... thanks for your input.

I've looked at the Eurostar website, and was a bit shocked by the prices - especially since we will need to make our way to London from Dover first (as far as I can tell).

FWIW, I was looking for dates this July since July 2015 is not yet bookable ... do the prices go up the fuller the train gets / the closer to the departure date you book?

I would advise going from Ashford to catch the Eurostar. It's about 25 mins on the train from Dover and easy. I live in Ashford and all you would have to do is come off of the platform, and go underneath to the International side. You can book a direct train (leaves just before 11am) if you get the logistics right, or there are many other trains which go into Paris or stop at Lille for you to change. It isn't as daunting as it first looks

Fares do indeed go up in price. Book early enough (around 9 months before) and you can get a return for £69. Nearer the time you can be paying anything from £159 upwards......

 

[disneymath]

I would advise going from Ashford to catch the Eurostar. It's about 25 mins on the train from Dover and easy. I live in Ashford and all you would have to do is come off of the platform, and go underneath to the International side. You can book a direct train (leaves just before 11am) if you get the logistics right, or there are many other trains which go into Paris or stop at Lille for you to change. It isn't as daunting as it first looks

Fares do indeed go up in price. Book early enough (around 9 months before) and you can get a return for £69. Nearer the time you can be paying anything from £159 upwards......

THANK YOU ... this helps A LOT!!!

We only need to book one way and I was getting prices of 159 pounds per adult for dates this July! Is it safe to assume that 60 pounds round trip means about 35-40 pounds one way? That seems very reasonable.

Which train would I need to look into to get from Dover to Ashford? Also, do you happen to know of any shuttle companies that could transport 8 ppl and luggage between Dover and Ashford? (Wondering if that might be quicker so that we could get the direct Eurostar to DLP.)

Thanks again!

 

[Lisa_C]

THANK YOU ... this helps A LOT!!!

We only need to book one way and I was getting prices of 159 pounds per adult for dates this July! Is it safe to assume that 60 pounds round trip means about 35-40 pounds one way? That seems very reasonable.

Which train would I need to look into to get from Dover to Ashford? Also, do you happen to know of any shuttle companies that could transport 8 ppl and luggage between Dover and Ashford? (Wondering if that might be quicker so that we could get the direct Eurostar to DLP.)

Thanks again!

I shall do some research and have a look for a company - though 8 people might be difficult (probably two taxis will be needed) and we're estimating about £80 transfer, but I don't mind making some calls over the next few days. There's even a minibus company two streets away from me so I'll ask there too. I make a few enquiries on the train too - I live opposite some of the rail staff

I think it is safe to assume around £40 one way for direct train if booked early enough

 

[disneymath]

I shall do some research and have a look for a company - though 8 people might be difficult (probably two taxis will be needed) and we're estimating about £80 transfer, but I don't mind making some calls over the next few days. There's even a minibus company two streets away from me so I'll ask there too. I make a few enquiries on the train too - I live opposite some of the rail staff

I think it is safe to assume around £40 one way for direct train if booked early enough

Thanks again ... I do appreciate it!