Decisions, Decisions

[angel_nix]

Having been slightly messed around with eurostar, we now can't afford to go with them and using our avios points is no longer an option (it worked out more expensive!) Flights are fine, but the transfer costs push it right up, so it's looking like we will be driving over again, not the ideal situation with a newly potty-trained toddler!

We want to break the journey up a bit, the girls are used to being in the car for a fair few hours and do tend to sleep on the way but it's a good 6 hours travel from our house. So the choice is we stop at Ashford travelodge the night before we go and then catch an early eurotunnel crossing and will hopefull be at DLP by lunchtime. Or we go by eurotunnel the night before and stop somewhere in France.

 

[disneylandarchives]

staying at the travelodge and the eurotunnel and the petrol, is that still going to work out cheaper than the eurostar?

 

[angel_nix]

Yep, Eurostar was going to cost us £372 return, plus travel into London from our house in Oxford, and a night in the travelodge on the Sunday (toddler + tube + commuters on a Monday does not make for a happy me!).

Driving over will cost us about £200 in fuel and tolls, we'll use clubcard vouchers to pay for the eurotunnel crossing and then I've found a hotel for £55 for the Sunday night about 30 mins from DLP. It may cost me my sanity though!!!

 

[disneylandarchives]

It'll be alright, just make sure your all prepared and planned out, itll make it easier, you dont want the stress of not being ready on time or having your toll money ready and stuff, just be all prepared, at least youll get to see lots of countryside and stuff, i wonder what little towns and things you miss speeding straight through on the train. I guess theres some freedom too, you dont have to worry about being there for the train at its time, your more free to leisure it out and stop if ur kids feel sick or want a break, not trapped on a train

 

[zinderella]

I had a similar dilema and have now booked to use the tunnel. I decided to drive up (from Somerset!) to Kent the day before, stay in the premier inn which is 2 mins drive from the Eurotunnel terminal, and catch the 6.00am train. It does mean a stupidly early start to our first day in the parks, but the adrenaline of getting to DLP should hopefully see us through the day!We could be in the parks by about 11am!! Or at least sipping hot choc in Salon Mickey.

I do keep going over my decision in my head, but reckoned that splitting up the drive with a sleep would be good, rather than being on French roads a bit tired, as I am the only driver.

 

[angel_nix]

As it stands, I am having to work on the Saturday before we go, so the plan is that we get going earlyish Sunday morning, stop for lunch around Ashford before we get onto the eurotunnel train to give Neil a break from driving and then it's about 2 1/2 hours from Calais to the hotel. There's no rush for us to get to the hotel and we can take our time. Just hope that the kids sleep!

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

Aww sorry to hear you've had all that messing about. I've given up with the hope of using the Avios points and have just booked Eurostar directly. Thankfully we 'supposedly' got the last two seats priced at £69 ea. (whether or not that's just some sales pitch to make you think eek best buy -- if it was it worked, I bought!).

Hope you get it all sorted but whatever happens, don't let it ruin your holiday x