Considering a cheeky trip at end of November - lots of questions! UPDATE: 27/10/11

[Lizzim]

Hi,

I am a big Disney fan, and just got back from Florida on 8th October. I was thinking about whether I could use my airmiles for a cheeky trip before Xmas. I have got a price for the weekend, arriving Fri 25th and leaving Sun 27th.

We would be staying at the Santa Fe and I am just wondering how busy it would be on the weekend? Is there a crowd calendar like there is for WDW?

Also, will it be really cold?

And are there any tips that would make a trip more enjoyable? We have only been to DLP once and didn't enjoy it as much as we liked WDW, maybe we missed something?

 

[chipndalefan]

Hi,

I am a big Disney fan, and just got back from Florida on 8th October. I was thinking about whether I could use my airmiles for a cheeky trip before Xmas. I have got a price for the weekend, arriving Fri 25th and leaving Sun 27th.

We would be staying at the Santa Fe and I am just wondering how busy it would be on the weekend? Is there a crowd calendar like there is for WDW?

Also, will it be really cold?

And are there any tips that would make a trip more enjoyable? We have only been to DLP once and didn't enjoy it as much as we liked WDW, maybe we missed something?

The crowds do tend to be much higher at the weekend, but if you get to the parks early, and do all the popular rides first you can fit most things in. If you could manage to go in the week I would do that instead, as you can take a more relaxed approach to things with the lower crowds.

The weather is pretty much the same here as it is in November, so wrap up warm! Don't let that out you off though. Having visited DLP and WDW at Christmas time I think DLP felt more 'Christmassy' (Is that a word?!) due to the cold weather.

Out of interest how much are you paying for the trip? Sometimes it works out cheaper to stay off site and purchase an annual pass for park access.

 

[Lizzim]

The crowds do tend to be much higher at the weekend, but if you get to the parks early, and do all the popular rides first you can fit most things in. If you could manage to go in the week I would do that instead, as you can take a more relaxed approach to things with the lower crowds.

The weather is pretty much the same here as it is in November, so wrap up warm! Don't let that out you off though. Having visited DLP and WDW at Christmas time I think DLP felt more 'Christmassy' (Is that a word?!) due to the cold weather.

Out of interest how much are you paying for the trip? Sometimes it works out cheaper to stay off site and purchase an annual pass for park access.

The week is out as I have exams and work deadlines so this would be the only date that work unfortunately.

The price I have is £550 for 2 adults and is for flights from bristol, hotel, tickets, car hire and airport parking but I am using some of my airmiles if I go ahead. Still cannot make up my mind whether to go or not?!

 

[chipndalefan]

The price I have is £550 for 2 adults and is for flights from bristol, hotel, tickets, car hire and airport parking but I am using some of my airmiles if I go ahead

Not sure on your flights and parking, but looking on the DLP website the cost is showing as £470 for 2 adults B&B at Santa Fe with park tickets.

You could purchase 2 annual passports (Fantasy - This gives 335 days access to the park, there are certain blackout days) when you get there for €139 each, which is around £255 in total. You could also have 2 nights at the Kyriad Disneyland Paris for £148 via travelrepublic = £403. This is cheaper than the Santa Fe (So you can justify the trip!) and you get an annual pass (So you have an excuse to go again!! )

If you wanted the Santa Fe in particular you could book B&B only via Expedia for £252 then the annual passes = £507 - This is a bit more, but again you get an annual pass

If you have an annual pass you get 10% discount in the shops and restaurants, which is an added bonus!

Still cannot make up my mind whether to go or not?!

Go for it! we went last year in November for the Christmas season, and am going again on the 3rd of November this year.

It really gets you in the festive mood.

 

[Lizzim]

Not sure on your flights and parking, but looking on the DLP website the cost is showing as £470 for 2 adults B&B at Santa Fe with park tickets.

You could purchase 2 annual passports (Francillen - This gives 335 days access to the park, there are certain blackout days) when you get there for €139 each, which is around £255 in total. You could also have 2 nights at the Kyriad Disneyland Paris for £148 via travelrepublic = £403. This is cheaper than the Santa Fe (So you can justify the trip!) and you get an annual pass (So you have an excuse to go again!! )

If you wanted the Santa Fe in particular you could book B&B only via Expedia for £252 then the annual passes = £507 - This is a bit more, but again you get an annual pass

If you have an annual pass you get 10% discount in the shops and restaurants, which is an added bonus!



Go for it! we went last year in November for the Christmas season, and am going again on the 3rd of November this year.

It really gets you in the festive mood.

The £550 is total for both of us and includes flights so sounds like a good deal? The annual passes wouldn't be a real bonus for us as I want to visit Disneyland in California and can't really do both next year

Thanks for your help though Will let you know what I decide

 

[chipndalefan]

The £550 is total for both of us and includes flights so sounds like a good deal?

If the £550 includes flights that is a good deal, as the DLP website is quoting £470 for just the hotel and park tickets.

I wouldn't hesitate to go though, it really is special at DLP at Christmas, more so than WDW in my oppinion.

Theres something about standing on a frosty mainstreet, all the lights twinkling, snow falling (via Disney magic not the weather!) music playing and a hot chocolate in hand which is just magical

 

[A Small World]

You could purchase 2 annual passports (Francillen - This gives 335 days access to the park, there are certain blackout days)

With the Francilien pass you need to remember that you cannot use them for 2 days after they have been activated (ie day 2 and 3 ) so no good for a short trip

OP - have you priced up seperatly or with hotel and flights as a package as its often cheaper to do transport seperatly.
Also when you say car hire is that in France? It may be cheaper to get the VEA or TGV to DLP rather than hire a car which is sat in the carpark all weekend.
If its in England again you are hiring a car to leave at the airport all weekend and paying to park it

Weekends leading up to Christmas are very busy so definitely get into the parks early - this is where being on site is worth it as you can get in early for EMH and get a few rides done and be ready at rope drop for other rides

 

[chipndalefan]

With the Francilien pass you need to remember that you cannot use them for 2 days after they have been activated (ie day 2 and 3 ) so no good for a short trip

My bad, I put the wrong name! It is the Dream passport (That can be used straight away)

The prices I quoted are for the Dream passport, not the Francillen

I should have looked in my wallet to check which passport I had before before posting LOL!

 

[Lizzim]

OP - have you priced up seperatly or with hotel and flights as a package as its often cheaper to do transport seperatly.
Also when you say car hire is that in France? It may be cheaper to get the VEA or TGV to DLP rather than hire a car which is sat in the carpark all weekend.
If its in England again you are hiring a car to leave at the airport all weekend and paying to park it

Weekends leading up to Christmas are very busy so definitely get into the parks early - this is where being on site is worth it as you can get in early for EMH and get a few rides done and be ready at rope drop for other rides

Have only priced the package myself - although chipndalefan has just done a nice comparison for me which suggests the package is a relatively good deal. The car hire is for in France but would allow us to come and go as we please which is a nice luxury to have.

Am still on the fence - will discuss with the other half when he gets back. But a Xmas Disney fix is definitely appealing

 

[Carrie_Cat]

My bad, I put the wrong name! It is the Dream passport (That can be used straight away)

The prices I quoted are for the Dream passport, not the Francillen

I should have looked in my wallet to check which passport I had before before posting LOL!

The price you have there is for a Fantasy

A Dream pass costs 199e and has no blackout dates, it's good 365

 

[chipndalefan]

The price you have there is for a Fantasy

A Dream pass costs 199e and has no blackout dates, it's good 365

OMG! Can't you tell I'm made up with cold?! I dont know what planet i'm on today LOL!

To be clear, the prices I quoted are for the FANTASY pass, and this is the pass i was trying to refer to before getting confudled. Sorry.

 

[A Small World]

Have only priced the package myself - although chipndalefan has just done a nice comparison for me which suggests the package is a relatively good deal. The car hire is for in France but would allow us to come and go as we please which is a nice luxury to have.

Am still on the fence - will discuss with the other half when he gets back. But a Xmas Disney fix is definitely appealing

Not sure what you mean by come and go as you please - apart from travel to and from the airport you are unlikely to need a car for such a short trip. Remember the parks are so close together and the hotels are within walking distance unlike WDW. Santa Fe is the furthest and you can easily walk to and from the parks in 15 mins - through the village so the walk is usually broken up anyhow on the way back in the evening

 

[Lizzim]

Will see what difference the car hire makes to the price, if it is small we may keep it anyway.

Almost sounds like I have made a decision

 

[A Small World]

Will see what difference the car hire makes to the price, if it is small we may keep it anyway.

Almost sounds like I have made a decision

Yes

 

[TheMoonman]

You will not regret a trip during the Christmas season. Next month will be my third Christmas trip in 4 years.

The snow on Main Street, the Christmas song during the parade, the tree in Main Street, the decorations in the hotel, it's all brilliant. Only a relative of Scrooge himself would not love it!

 

[Lizzim]

Good job I didn't book - the other half might have to go on a work trip now. Think we will go in January instead, might be able to get time off for one of the dates covered under the flash sale, so might be able to do trip for £300 plus flights!

 

[Lizzim]

Booked my trip - going mid January for £219 plus flights and transport from airport to hotel

 

[Ware Bears]

Great news and a great price!

 

[Lizzim]

Price was the deciding factor! And now I have something to look forward to when the post xmas blues kick in!

 

[aj2703]

Price was the deciding factor! And now I have something to look forward to when the post xmas blues kick in!

Hi.

Those are the reasons i have booked in Jan. 50% off and something to look forward to after christmas. Not to mention the parks are lovely and quiet. (Infact being honest i am looking forward to this more then christmas as my son is going to his mums for christmas this year)