DisneyLand-Paris - Expert Please Needed...

[John L]

I am still running through all of these threads but thought I would open a thread seeking any specific advice in the mean time...

I am planning a Paris trip for four. Travelers will be Myself, Wife, and 2 Daughters... Their trip of a lifetime for them if I pull this off correctly.

I think their ideal trip would be 2 days travel, 1 full day at Disneyland Paris, and 3 full days of seeing Paris... so 6 days total.

We are planning to get our Passports right away and also put together our package to fly from Dulles Airport (Wash DC) to Paris on the first week of March, 2015.

I am a member of AAA, Costco, Sams Club, BJ's, etc. Also hold annual passes at Disneyland Anaheim, and also Disneyworld Orlando. I'm just now starting to look for packages but the many choices and prices are making my head swim. Cheapest I've seen thus far is regular old Expedia.

I know nothing about hotels in Paris and would rather not be at mercy of internet reviews and ratings. Would anyone here have any advice for me to find the best available options, hotels, flights, etc.

 

[noodlesmum]

Hiya,

I'm sure you will find all the help you need here!

With regards to dlp if you are able to squeeze two days in your itinerary to do this I think it would be worthwhile. The paris parks aren't open late into the evening like the American ones so the park time can be significantly shorter.

Are you looking to stay in one hotel for the whole trip or a hotel at dlp and then another in central paris?

If in central paris is there a particular arrondissement ( area) you would like to stay in or are you open to suggestions?

What's your rough budget per night for your hotel?

 

[Danauk]

If you could do 2 days at DLP that would be much better, perhaps staying at a hotel in Paris for a few days and then move to a Disney hotel (or a hotel closer to Disney). Early March is quite a slow season at DLP so the parks will probably not be open as late (last year the Studios closed at 6pm and the Disneyland Park at 8pm) so you would probably need 2 days to get everything done without rushing around.

Travel between the centre of Paris and DLP is really easy. You take the RER line A4 from the centre of Paris and the train station at DLP is located right at the park gates.

 

[John L]

All very new to us. We are experts at both Anaheim and Orlando, but this international stuff is completely unchartered waters. I am appreciative for any advice.

Good tip about the park times. I just assumed things were open late like in the states most nights.

I am still unsure about geographic location of our hotel. My initial thought was to either stay at a hotel just outside DLP and train into Paris for those days -OR- stay in Paris and train to DLP for a day or two. But is this even practical thinking? I worry about "wasting" valuable, limited time checking out and checking in again for a move also.

If it helps... in Florida we love The Grand Floridian, in CA we enjoy Paradise Pier, but those are both much longer durations and of stay for us (family traditions at this point). Looking online, I am worried similar accommodations in Paris are going to break any budget I can put together for this. I suppose like everyone, we would like a balance of accommodations that are CLEAN, insect free, atmosphere, nice view, American guest friendly, and also affordable price.

Absolutely am open to advice on which arrondissement to stay at. My girls (mother and daughters) are all, very much, romantics and also absolute Disney addicts. As testament; Early in our lives, I proposed to my wife atop a fake Eiffel Tower at a Virginia amusement park. Our honeymoon was later spent at Disneyworld. My daughters are 13 and 19 years old. I want them all to see some of the things they have seen in their favorite movies and also enjoy the many attractions of DLP.

We don't really see the hotel as THE destination in our ideal because we will only be there for the night usually. Just the same, we can't comfortably rest a little for the next days fun with any worry or issues at the hotel. I prefer to use a chain that Ive heard of but they do seem to charge more.

For this amount of money and commitment, I just want it to be as nice for my wife and girls as can possibly be. Thanks again for any advice.

 

[noodlesmum]

Hi John,

I'll reply properly tonight once the kids are in bed and I can think straight!

I just wanted to mention that another difference between ours and the American parks is that the onsite hotels include length of stay tickets - so when you are looking at cost you need to consider a stay at a Disney hotel as a hotel + 4 adult tickets (you get the days either side of your stay - so one night = 2 days tickets and both your girls will be considered adults). Often whilst the hotels seem expensive on the face of it they are cheaper when you factor in the cost of buying the tickets separate to the hotel booking. Also whilst DLP is close to Paris it is still a reasonable train ride - for example I've just done a quick check on the RATP (Paris Metro) ride calculator and a typical journey - Disney to the Arc De Triomphe is 56 mins one way. So whilst you would waste time checking in and out of one central hotel to a Disney hotel you could argue that being in one place and travelling may chew up just as much time.

Personally as your girls are not babies/toddlers and will cope with the travelling/re-packing I would seriously consider splitting your stay over 2 hotels - one in Disney and one in Paris.

I have some Paris hotel recommendations but like I say I will get back to you later....

 

[Danauk]

If I were you I would still probably go for a split stay option. Like Noodlesmum said on site DLP hotel stays include your park tickets and breakfast, so whilst they may seem expensive, they may be the best option for you. If you like The Grand Floridian and Paradise Pier then you would probably like the Sequoia Lodge, Hotel New York or, if the budget allows, The Disneyland Hotel. AT WDW we like the Beach Club and at DL the Grand Californian and I would stay in any of those 3 DLP hotels. If you stay in Paris first then travel to Disney on the Metro you can drop your bags off at your hotel, pick your park passes up and be in the parks quite quickly so you would not be wasting any time. DLP is similar to DL in that the 2 parks are located close together and you can get from one to the other very easily.

One other tip for Paris itself, if you want to do things like climb the Eiffel Tower make sure you book your tickets on line beforehand. Advance ticket sales sell out quite far in advance and the line for on the day sales gets very long!

 

[SWofDisorder]

Hi,
As the resident expat living in Europe we had AP to WDW Fl for years and spent at least 4 holiday there each year.

DLP can't be compared to WDW or even DL. It is DLP and in Europe. The attention to detail in the park is amazing. There are nice covered walkways to keep out of the rain and places to stay warm.

The castle is amazing it is nice to go to the top and look at the windows. With Europe tradition, each window tells a story. Make sure to go under the castle and have a look!

The CM's are not the same and don't expect the service you get in WDW or DL. Try to be nice, smile and be a good guest. Lower your voice while in Paris. It is always obvious who the American is on the metro because they are so loud.

Feel free to ask me more questions if you need.