Disneyland Paris- need help! Please

[RapunzelFloyd]

we are going end of september early october to still catch the 20th anniversary and maybe some halloween? So is the train by the airport too? If I do the paristrain website and book train can we just walk to it? Planning on the sequoia for hotel

 

[Itinkso]

we are going end of september early october to still catch the 20th anniversary and maybe some halloween? So is the train by the airport too? If I do the paristrain website and book train can we just walk to it? Planning on the sequoia for hotel

If the 20th Anniversary is still being celebrated, go to the Disneyland Paris website and check the ticket prices. We went in July and were able to get a 20% discount on tickets.
When checking the train schedules, look for the RER A line. I would also suggest buying a touring book for Paris as that will describe all the transportation options.

 

[A Small World]

Have a look at the Useful Information threads at the top of the page.

There is a thread in there about travelling to DLP by plane and transportation options from the airport.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1004423

Although the quickest way appears to be by TGV sometimes its as quick and cheap to book a private shuttle

The private shuttles will meet you at your terminal and take you right to your hotel whereas you will have to either walk to or get a shuttle within the airport depending which terminal you land at to the train station and then get another shuttle or walk with your luggage at the other end to your hotel. You will often have to wait for the TGV as well as I think you book for a specific time so need to err on the side of caution in case your plane is delayed.

Also note the RER train which has been mentioned is totally different and will involve you going into central Paris and changing lines so will take approx 2 hours

 

[sky13]

You definitely don't need to speak French to be able to get around in Disneyland Paris, in Paris, or in France.

In particular Disneyland Paris is great at catering to people who don't speak French as it's such a major tourist destination. I've only ever encountered one CM who didn't speak English. And I've had a good few encounters where a CM starts speaking to me in French, sees that I don't understand, and switches to English... Announcements are also made in several languages (I remember recognising Spanish and Dutch in addition to French and English), and a lot of places have both English and French (e.g. Madam Leota in Phantom Manor switches between the two).

It does helps to know a few phrases like "bonjour", "merci", "parlez vous Anglais" and "je ne comprends pas" (the last two are very useful especially if people start speaking to you in French)!

If the weather doesn't go too weird you're really not likely to need air conditioning around Halloween as the weather should be quite cool...

Would add my vote for the TGV from Charles de Gaulle airport if the times fit with your flights - it really only takes 10 minutes by TGV from the airport station to Marne La Vallee station (which is about a minute's walk away from the security entrance to the park).

Disneyland Paris is extending the 20th anniversary celebrations to the end of September, so Disney Dreams (night time show with projections on the castle, fireworks, etc that was created for the 20th anniversary) should be running every night until then. Don't miss it if it is running while you are there, it really is one of the best night time shows Disney has ever created! http://www.dlrpmagic.com/calendar/season-dates/ has season dates but note that this is not an official DLP site (however it is one of the best planning sites for Disneyland Paris so definitely worth taking a look around on it).

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

we are going end of september early october to still catch the 20th anniversary and maybe some halloween? So is the train by the airport too? If I do the paristrain website and book train can we just walk to it? Planning on the sequoia for hotel

The parisbytrain website is really good at giving instructions on how to use the TGV train - I followed the instructions and was able to get through with little difficulty (I had never done this before and was also coming from Texas on Continental through Houston) - they even have a photo tour on the web site so you know what to look for - I found this helpful.

If you take TGV - the train will leave from CDG terminal 2 - many flights from the USA come in at Terminal 1 I think so if that is the case you would need to take the CDG transport to terminal 2 - but it is really easy - and again there are instruction on the parisbytrain website. Also once you are at DLRP you can walk (may be 15 minutes) or take the Disney bus to Sequoia Lodge. If it is possible I usually take the smallest wheeled bag possible - so I can walk anywhere I might need to go - just makes things easier but if you have bigger bags you may want to do the Disney bus to the Sequoia Lodge.

All in all - I have found things very walkable at DLRP.

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

We were just there at the beginning of March. I speak French but at the parks, restaurants and hotels in Disneyland Paris, I barely used it. The concierge spoke 4 languages fluently right in front of me. Amazing. All the characters we met spoke fluent English to the kids. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and got the dining plan. Our room came with one free fast pass per day which we loved. The dining plan was great and unlike WDW you can make reservations the week before or even the day of for their best restaurants. The public transportation was great and super easy to use. We went into Paris 3 days and did the parks for 3 days. It is such a beautiful park. Amazing detail.

most people are saying the dining isn't worth it. Did you have restrictions and were there any surprises the plan didn't cover? I was thinking it would be nice to not have to worry about using our cc for food but I am unsure. I loved WDW plan this last week, used it and saved a ton. What do you think for two people, is it worth it, did you do full or half?

 

[Adidas187]

I was thrilled to see this post - we live in Germany and will be taking our 1st trip to DLP ASAP and this answered a lot of my questions!

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Another question, does anyone know if they accept disney gift cards or disney reward points in Paris? We have the disney visa and was wondering If I should be using it for the points or if they even accept them in Paris

 

[A Small World]

Another question, does anyone know if they accept disney gift cards or disney reward points in Paris? We have the disney visa and was wondering If I should be using it for the points or if they even accept them in Paris

No they dont accept either

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Thanks, I didn't think so but I thought I would check. Will just save my points then for next us trip.
Has anyone that used the dining plan recently been happy with it. Can you give me some info and what the restrictions are? Thanks

 

[sky13]

I've added on Half Board Plus for my upcoming trip - it will work out nicely with the restaurants I'm planning for us to eat in (including Walt's and Blue Lagoon).

However I don't think the meal plans really save you that much, and the menu choices are somewhat limited (though you can use the vouchers at face value for other options). I've only added it on this time for the ease and convenience of having meals pre-paid as it fits with where I'm planning to have meals.

There's a bit more information at the DLRP magic site on meal plans, and in the DLP brochure http://www.disneylandparis.com/BROCHURE/SUMMER13/E/catalogue/appli.htm
(Think it's around page 51 - it does take a long time to load the brochure though!)

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Does anyone know a phone # that isn't international for people booking in the us, we saw the excursions you can add to the trip on the website but doesn't list the costs and we wanted to talk to someone.
Also how do people feel about cafe mickey?

 

[Chatterbox1169]

LOVE cafe Mickey! Trying to get through now to book table for our May visit but can't get through. Think I'm dialling it wrong.

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

hubby booked us a breakfast and a lunch or dinner there for us when he booked the trip online. I decided the cinderella one didn't seem like one I would enjoy when I can experience the real castle at disneyworld.

Also does anyone know when the halloween holiday starts in Paris

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Does anyone know a phone # that isn't international for people booking in the us, we saw the excursions you can add to the trip on the website but doesn't list the costs and we wanted to talk to someone.

 

[MissSkellington]

Congrats on your upcoming trip!

We're also Americans living in Germany as another poster mentioned. We've never bothered with a dining plan, so I can't say I'd suggest it over here. The food can vary greatly at DLP, so we just look around, browse menus and cross our fingers. Lol. I will say Walt's is at the top of our list, we all 3 love it...both the food and the atmosphere...don't miss out!!

We've also stayed at the SL, very nice! And that time of year, you won't need AC, and the weather should still be warm enough that you won't freeze to death if you choose to walk thru Disney Village to the parks.n
Word of advice.....bring your own wash cloths...you won't find them over here.

I say use your Disney Visa! We also have one and like to rack up the points...the nice thing with paying with a card while dining, they bring the little machine to your table, versus taking your card away. Lessens the likelihood of theft, I suppose.

The unofficial Guide to Disneyland Paris is a decent book that might be worth picking up (I ordered one from Amazon)...it gives you a pretty good idea of the various attractions, restaurants, etc. I know that planning a trip can be difficult, especially from a great distance on another country! Lol

Happy to help answer any questions from a fellow American point if view. But really, everyone on this board is incredibly helpful, they'll all help make your trip a great one.

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Does anyone know if they do pin trading in France?

 

[Lisa_C]

Does anyone know if they do pin trading in France?

Yep, they do pin trading. Not on the US scale though, but CM's do have lanyards around their neck for trading with

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Great, we just got some more pins to trade, we got hooked when we were at wdw in March, collected so many figments

 

[RapunzelFloyd]

Can anyone tell me what kind of plugs they have in the sequoia lodge and what adapters I need to purchase for the trip? Thanks