Disneyland Paris: 4 night Break

[richard3330]

We booked to go to Disneyland Paris back in January. We have visited DLParis before back in 1997 and decided to revisit. We have been to WDWorld, Tokyo Disney and DCalifornia before but even after visiting them all still love DisneylandParis. In '97 we stayed in Newport Bay Club and really enjoyed our stay. Anyway we left on July 17th and travelled from Waterloo directly to Disneyland Paris on Eurostar, (if you have an american express card you can upgrade to castle class FREE! with deluxe first class seats!). The journey only took a couple of hours and when we arrived we took our baggage straight over to our hotel for the 5 days: The Disneyland Hotel. We decided to choose the Disneyland Hotel as it looked really nice in the brochure and couldn't have been better situated, standing majestically at the entrance to the disneyland park. By the time we had checked in and left our bags it was about 12 mid day and we decided to just have the day chilling out at the hotel. We had to book 2 rooms as the rooms only sleep a maximum of 4, but this was no problem because the rooms were inter-connecting. DW hit the large 'galerie mickey' shop while me and DS' hit the pool. The one area in which dissapointed us was the pool : It was fairly small and had no slides, unlike Newport Bay Club and Sequioa Lodge. Anyhow by the time we had all finished it was nearing 6.00pm and we went to our rooms which had small balconies overlooking main street USA. We booked a meal in 'The California Grill' it was really expensive but delicious! and the waiters/waitresses were superb. The next day we decided to visit Magic Kingdom. We woke up at about 8am and went to 'Inventions' for breakfast. Then we went down the private elevator which takes you directly in to Main Street USA. We first went to Discovery Land and visited Space Mountain, Etc. Then we got some fastpasses for Peter Pans Flight and Big Thunder Mountain. The DisneylandParis Big Thunder has to be the best of them all. Then we just went on different rides as they came along. The next day we went to Disney Studios and went straight to Rock'n'Rollercoaster first. The queue was only 10 minutes!. Then we went to see Armageddon and just went around the park choosing which attractions to do - Disney Studios is very small and you can easily be 'all done' by about 4 or 5 pm, depending on the queues. That evening we went over to Newport Bay's Yacht Club restaurant for dinner and then just relaxed at the hotel. The next day we just took the train to Paris and spent the day having a look aroun there. Then we went back to the hotel for our final night. The next day Eurostar didn't leave until the late afternoon, so we spent the day in Magic Kingdom again after a long sleep in. We just each chose our fave attractions and visited them. Everybody had different ones in mind, so we had to do nearly the whole park again . We then jumped on the Eurostar and arrived back in Waterloo ready to wait for the train back to Windsor.

 

[bengunn]

Thanks for the useful tip about the free upgrade on Eurostar with an Amex card.

 

[richard3330]

Your welcome, Richard

The name of the AMEX service is 'Service Magique' and the upgrade is only available if you book your holiday directly with Disneyland (from one of their official brochures).

There may be other tour operators that also do 'Service Magique' but I think its own DLparis direct.

'Service Magique' Includes:

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: To a VIP reserved viewing area for the afternoon parade.

WELCOME PACK: Including souveneirs and gifts.

A FREE SOUVENEIR PHOTO: Taken at Space Mt.

20% OFF: At Buffalo Bills Dinner Show

10% OFF: Rainforest Cafe, The Steakhouse, On all purchases in any Disneyland Shops.

FREE LUNCH: for a child at annetes diner in disney village.

 

[bengunn]

Thanks Richard,

Even better - I am printing this for future reference.

 

[richard3330]

Have fun when you visit Florida; I'm sure you will.


Only 15 days for you to go!!
you must be really excited!

Have Fun,

Richard

 

[richard3330]

Whops,

I nearly forgot.

AMEX Card holders have there own dedicated telephone hotline for any information you may require or to make a booking

telephone: 08705 03 03 09

 

[bengunn]

Thanks Richard,

We are really looking forward to this trip - last one was 10 years ago and the children can hardly remember it. This time they are 17 and 20 and should appreciate it all much better.

The time does seem to be slowing down now though, probably due to excitement. We must start planning - currently the only things on the plan and booked are an Illuminations cruise, Discovery Cove, and the Serengeti Safari at Busch Gardens in our 3rd week. Have not done much planning yet as DD (20) has only just come back form University and was keen to have a say in what we are doing. We do have all our tickets for the parks though, so I suppose that is a start.

 

[richard3330]

The Illuminations Cruise at EPCOT is amazing, you will really really enjoy it, the view is magnificent.

Discovery Cove is absoloutley breathtaking, I am sure your whole family will love it. It is a day we will never forget. Swimming with the dolphins is just such an amazing experience. Plus the other things to do there are also really fun, especially the snorkelling with the tropical fishes in the reef. On the day make sure yoy arrive very early to get your moneys worth. You get checked-in like at a hotel and get your photograph taken for your personal ID and charger cards. Then you get a guided tour and a free family photo taken. Also, when you get checked-in you get told what time your dophin swim is and which cabana you'll be in. If you are in Sand Dollar Cabana and have Flip as your dolphin, say hi!

We have never done serrengeti safari at Busch before, coudl you tell me about it when you get back and say wether it is worth the extra cost - it does look pretty good.

Have Fun .

Richard

I have to wait till next August (2003) for my next holiday, we just booked it, the waiting is the worst part!

 

[bengunn]

We have not seen Illuminations at all - I don't think it was on 10 years ago. We are sharing the cruise with two other families from the UK DIS boards.

We are looking forward to DC and will look out for Flip.

The Serengeti Safari sounds good - feeding animals from the back of a truck - and it is not too much extra to pay (well not relative to DC and a Florida holiday in general) I will try to do some trip reports when we get back.

You are right about the waiting - we booked this holiday about a year and a week ago.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for the fab reports - luv reading them!!!