Disneyland Paris Trip

[disneydad7281231]

Back Story!
I have a wedding in Portugal in July. Looking at flights it is cheaper to fly into Paris so it sparked the idea to do DLP. I have NEVER been to Europe and I am a history guy so I at least want to go into Paris 1 day and see the Eiffel Tower and explore. My son who is 4 is bummed because he is tall enough for Big Thunder when we got to Disney World in January but it will be closed by that point so instead he will get BTM in PARIS!

We are thinking 2 park days and 3-4 nights. To save money I was looking "offsite" at the Grand Magic Hotel or something similar with free transport to parks.

I am traveling with my wife, two sons 4 and 1, and my in-laws to help with kids.

I am thinking using Magical Shuttle to get from Orly to hotel.

Car rental would be about $800 so think Magical Shuttle and public transport is cheaper and easier.

Questions:
What is the best way to get to Eiffel Tower with littles? Train for 1.5 hours?
Would it be better idea to spend a night in downtown Paris and use taxi/uber instead of traveling from DLP to Downtown and back to DLP?
Recommendations to offsite hotels? Argument for staying onsite?
Any tips?

 

[o&smom]

Can’t answer many of your questions because we have always stayed in Paris and taken the train to DLP. Your plans sound great. The train is very easy. We first went when DD was 3 and DS was 9, so a little older, but it was very easy. BTM at DLP is the BEST! You start out in Frontier Land and then go underwater to an island in Rivers of America where the majority of the ride is. It has seemed to us to be faster moving than WDW or DL. The Eiffel Tower experience has changed a lot since the terrorist attacks years ago. It will also be VERY crowded in July. Make sure that you prepurchase tickets if you want to use the elevators. Our family secret is to take the stairs to the first level. There are places to get food, a little shop and an exhibition area about the Eiffel Tower. We have also walked up to the second level. You will need to use the elevator if you want to go to the third level. Would highly recommend taking the Batobus that is just in front of the Eiffel Tower. It does a circuit through Paris. You can just stay on or hop off at any of the stops to see other sites and then hop back on. You will go by the Orsay Museum, the Louvre and Notre Dame, as well as all of the beautiful bridges. The views of Paris are amazing from the river and it is very inexpensive. Have a wonderful time with your family.

 

[disneydad7281231]

Can’t answer many of your questions because we have always stayed in Paris and taken the train to DLP. Your plans sound great. The train is very easy. We first went when DD was 3 and DS was 9, so a little older, but it was very easy. BTM at DLP is the BEST! You start out in Frontier Land and then go underwater to an island in Rivers of America where the majority of the ride is. It has seemed to us to be faster moving than WDW or DL. The Eiffel Tower experience has changed a lot since the terrorist attacks years ago. It will also be VERY crowded in July. Make sure that you prepurchase tickets if you want to use the elevators. Our family secret is to take the stairs to the first level. There are places to get food, a little shop and an exhibition area about the Eiffel Tower. We have also walked up to the second level. You will need to use the elevator if you want to go to the third level. Would highly recommend taking the Batobus that is just in front of the Eiffel Tower. It does a circuit through Paris. You can just stay on or hop off at any of the stops to see other sites and then hop back on. You will go by the Orsay Museum, the Louvre and Notre Dame, as well as all of the beautiful bridges. The views of Paris are amazing from the river and it is very inexpensive. Have a wonderful time with your family.

Exactly the feedback I am looking for! Thank you!

I think for me it is just seeing the Eiffel Tower. I don't need to go up lol.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I did a multi generation family and friends trip in October 2023. Some of the party flew from Ireland to Charles de Gaulle with Air France. Some of the party flew from England with EasyJet to Orly.

We stayed onsite at Santa Fe hotel and did a hotel and park ticket package. In the room I was in we had 1 x 8 year old child and 3 x adults.. We had 1 queen bed and 1 bunk bed room configuration. Other party members had 2 queen bed room configuration. Some of the party added on Full Board dining package, some of the party added on half board dining package. We used Magic Shuttle for transport.

This is my in depth trip report with lots of photos and price breakdown. https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...-disneyland-paris-app-and-premier-pass.393328

Questions:
What is the best way to get to Eiffel Tower with littles? Train for 1.5 hours?

Yes the train, The train station is on Disneyland Paris property and its direct to Paris city centre.

Would it be better idea to spend a night in downtown Paris and use taxi/uber instead of traveling from DLP to Downtown and back to DLP?

Its not called "downtown Paris. Its called central Paris or Paris city centre. In Europe, people who want to visit Paris city centre and visit The Eifel Tower, The Louvre, The Opera House etc etc stay in Paris. Those who want to visit Disneyland Paris, stay at the parks.

There is a direct train linking Disneyland Paris and central Paris. When I did the friends and family trip in October 2023, some of the party had a few days in Disney and then took the train into Paris and spent some days there before flying home. Europeans use trains as the normal public transport. Getting a taxi is a very expensive way and only done in an emergency when there is no alternative transport.

Recommendations to offsite hotels? Argument for staying onsite?
Any tips?

While offsite hotels may seem cheaper, there are a lot of disadvantages to staying offsite.

Offsite Partner Hotels

1. Don't get access to the early opening hour. People staying offsite can only enter the park from general opening at 9.30am, while onsite can enter from 8.30am. That hour makes a huge difference.
2. Can not book meal plans
3. Can only book restaurants 2 months before arrival, while onsite can book restaurants 12 months before arrival
4. Can not use the merch delivery service from the shops in the parks to the hotel.
5. Are not walkable to the parks. You need to get the free shuttle bus. The free shuttle bus picks up at multiple offsite hotels, so depending on the hotel, the bus may be full when it gets to you and you will have to wait for another bus.

 

[MsChristy12]

We just got back from DLP. Advice on hotels - if you book a DLP vacation package, both parks admission are included from the day you check in through check-out day. Depending on the rates at the time you travel, worth it to check if it's worth it to do a vacation package vs offsite hotel and to buy park tickets. DLP resort guests also get ONE HOUR of extra magic hour. The only DLP resort that's not walking distance to the parks is Davy Crockette Ranch. We stayed at the Newport Bay Club (dup of Yacht Club) and won't recommend it unless you don't mind a outdated room and really love the YC vibe. They are in desperate need of a refurb, like ASAP! We actually visited all their resorts since we could walk to all of them. If we ever go back, I would choose Hotel Cheyenne. The wild west theme plus Jessie & Woddy are just adorable! Their rooms also seem to be updated. The only plus for Newport Bay is that, it's one huge building all connected so if there's increment weather, you can access all the amenities without going outside. The down side for Cheyenne - if your room is in one of the further back buildings, it's a bit of a long walk to the lobby/main building. I would LOVE to stay at Disneyland Hotel but it's pricey. For our 3-night stay, it would have been more than double the price of Newport, $1200 vs nearly $3000! I can and will splurge a times, but this definitely wasn't one of those times....

For Magical Shuttle, make sure you check their schedules before booking especially because you're flying into Orly, they don't run as frequent as to/from CDG. I had to cancel mine to CDG because our airline changed our flights from PM to AM, and their first shuttle leaving Disney is around 7am, that was the time we needed to be at CDG already. I booked it through our DLP vacation package and thank goodness they were very understanding, gave me a refund.

Also, agreed that BTM at DLP is better! If the weather was better (it was a bit chilly and very misty) we would have gone on it a couple more times!

 

[disneydad7281231]

I did a multi generation family and friends trip in October 2023. Some of the party flew from Ireland to Charles de Gaulle with Air France. Some of the party flew from England with EasyJet to Orly.

We stayed onsite at Santa Fe hotel and did a hotel and park ticket package. In the room I was in we had 1 x 8 year old child and 3 x adults.. We had 1 queen bed and 1 bunk bed room configuration. Other party members had 2 queen bed room configuration. Some of the party added on Full Board dining package, some of the party added on half board dining package. We used Magic Shuttle for transport.

This is my in depth trip report with lots of photos and price breakdown. https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...-disneyland-paris-app-and-premier-pass.393328


Yes the train, The train station is on Disneyland Paris property and its direct to Paris city centre.


Its not called "downtown Paris. Its called central Paris or Paris city centre. In Europe, people who want to visit Paris city centre and visit The Eifel Tower, The Louvre, The Opera House etc etc stay in Paris. Those who want to visit Disneyland Paris, stay at the parks.

There is a direct train linking Disneyland Paris and central Paris. When I did the friends and family trip in October 2023, some of the party had a few days in Disney and then took the train into Paris and spent some days there before flying home. Europeans use trains as the normal public transport. Getting a taxi is a very expensive way and only done in an emergency when there is no alternative transport.

While offsite hotels may seem cheaper, there are a lot of disadvantages to staying offsite.

Offsite Partner Hotels

1. Don't get access to the early opening hour. People staying offsite can only enter the park from general opening at 9.30am, while onsite can enter from 8.30am. That hour makes a huge difference.
2. Can not book meal plans
3. Can only book restaurants 2 months before arrival, while onsite can book restaurants 12 months before arrival
4. Can not use the merch delivery service from the shops in the parks to the hotel.
5. Are not walkable to the parks. You need to get the free shuttle bus. The free shuttle bus picks up at multiple offsite hotels, so depending on the hotel, the bus may be full when it gets to you and you will have to wait for another bus.

Thanks!
Only offsite disadvantage to me would be the bus.

When I look to book onsite hotel for 3 nights it automatically gives me 4 days of tickets. Can you book just 2 park tickets? Doesn't seem to have that option and that might make the onsite vs offsite price similar.

 

[disneydad7281231]

We just got back from DLP. Advice on hotels - if you book a DLP vacation package, both parks admission are included from the day you check in through check-out day. Depending on the rates at the time you travel, worth it to check if it's worth it to do a vacation package vs offsite hotel and to buy park tickets. DLP resort guests also get ONE HOUR of extra magic hour. The only DLP resort that's not walking distance to the parks is Davy Crockette Ranch. We stayed at the Newport Bay Club (dup of Yacht Club) and won't recommend it unless you don't mind a outdated room and really love the YC vibe. They are in desperate need of a refurb, like ASAP! We actually visited all their resorts since we could walk to all of them. If we ever go back, I would choose Hotel Cheyenne. The wild west theme plus Jessie & Woddy are just adorable! Their rooms also seem to be updated. The only plus for Newport Bay is that, it's one huge building all connected so if there's increment weather, you can access all the amenities without going outside. The down side for Cheyenne - if your room is in one of the further back buildings, it's a bit of a long walk to the lobby/main building. I would LOVE to stay at Disneyland Hotel but it's pricey. For our 3-night stay, it would have been more than double the price of Newport, $1200 vs nearly $3000! I can and will splurge a times, but this definitely wasn't one of those times....

For Magical Shuttle, make sure you check their schedules before booking especially because you're flying into Orly, they don't run as frequent as to/from CDG. I had to cancel mine to CDG because our airline changed our flights from PM to AM, and their first shuttle leaving Disney is around 7am, that was the time we needed to be at CDG already. I booked it through our DLP vacation package and thank goodness they were very understanding, gave me a refund.

Also, agreed that BTM at DLP is better! If the weather was better (it was a bit chilly and very misty) we would have gone on it a couple more times!

Thank you! Package make sense. I couldn't figure out how to do only 2 park passes.

Offsite for 3 night and 2 park tickets is about $2050 for the family and onsite is about $4850 so it is significantly more.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

When I look to book onsite hotel for 3 nights it automatically gives me 4 days of tickets. Can you book just 2 park tickets? Doesn't seem to have that option and that might make the onsite vs offsite price similar.

No both onsite packages and parneter hotel packages have park tickets for arrival day, departure day and all days in between as standard. You can not book park tickets and hotel separate when booking direct through Disney website or with a travel agent.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Offsite for 3 night and 2 park tickets is about $2050 for the family and onsite is about $4850 so it is significantly more.

Which onsite hotel are you looking at? Also which website are you checking? You dont have to use the default website for your country. You can book through any country website, any of the European countries or the UK website. There is a European law that says ticket prices can not be location based.

 

[MsChristy12]

Thank you! Package make sense. I couldn't figure out how to do only 2 park passes.

Offsite for 3 night and 2 park tickets is about $2050 for the family and onsite is about $4850 so it is significantly more.

How about the DLP partner hotels? I don't think the Grand Magic is one of them? Their partner hotels are more affordable and it also includes park admission and the free shuttle to the parks. Some of them look pretty nice! They look newer and more updated than some of the DLP resort. I don't think they get extra magic hour though.

 

[disneydad7281231]

Which onsite hotel are you looking at? Also which website are you checking? You dont have to use the default website for your country. You can book through any country website, any of the European countries or the UK website. There is a European law that says ticket prices can not be location based.

Was still trying to figure out the site. Got some better options that are MUCH more comparable that make onsite worth it!

 

[disneydad7281231]

How about the DLP partner hotels? I don't think the Grand Magic is one of them? Their partner hotels are more affordable and it also includes park admission and the free shuttle to the parks. Some of them look pretty nice! They look newer and more updated than some of the DLP resort. I don't think they get extra magic hour though.

Which onsite hotel are you looking at? Also which website are you checking? You dont have to use the default website for your country. You can book through any country website, any of the European countries or the UK website. There is a European law that says ticket prices can not be location based.

Was able to get 2 rooms at Santa Fe for 4 nights at $3023 which is definitely worth it! Just $2521 for 3 nights.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Was able to get 2 rooms at Santa Fe for 4 nights at $3023 which is definitely worth it! Just $2521 for 3 nights.

Great, read my trip report and look at the room photos. Theres no AC in Santa Fe, just a celling fan. Also the beds may be smaller than than you are used to in America.

 

[MsChristy12]

Was able to get 2 rooms at Santa Fe for 4 nights at $3023 which is definitely worth it! Just $2521 for 3 nights.

Yay! If your son likes Cars he will be so excited to stay at Santa Fe!

 

[MsChristy12]

Great, read my trip report and look at the room photos. Theres no AC in Santa Fe, just a celling fan. Also the beds may be smaller than than you are used to in America.

No AC?!!!!?!! Challenging would be an understatement for a Summer stay....no way I could do it.... Glad you pointed that out to OP! very important!!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

No AC?!!!!?!! Challenging would be an understatement for a Summer stay....no way I could do it.... Glad you pointed that out to OP! very important!!

AC is not really a thing in Europe. Most homes dont have AC, and its really only new hotels built in the last 5 years or so that are starting to have AC. My local mall does not have AC, only some of the bigger shop units like the grocery stores have AC.

I stayed in a hotel in Ireland last week, no AC in the room.

 

[disneydad7281231]

For Magical Shuttle, make sure you check their schedules before booking especially because you're flying into Orly, they don't run as frequent as to/from CDG. I had to cancel mine to CDG because our airline changed our flights from PM to AM, and their first shuttle leaving Disney is around 7am, that was the time we needed to be at CDG already. I booked it through our DLP vacation package and thank goodness they were very understanding, gave me a refund.

We always use Away We Go in Orlando. Found a private transportation called Easy Go Shuttle that seems similar that is cheaper then Magical Shuttle. Might be safer choice.

 

[steve_rob]

No AC?!!!!?!! Challenging would be an understatement for a Summer stay....no way I could do it.... Glad you pointed that out to OP! very important!!

AC isn’t very common in European hotels unless they were built in the last few years. For example even the Disneyland Hotel with it’s big prices only just got it at the last refurb. (Edit - looks like I cross-posted with Bad Pink Tink!)

Make sure you also check out Karin’s first timer FAQ that is pinned at the top of this forum - so many good tips in there!

 

[disneydad7281231]

AC is not really a thing in Europe. Most homes dont have AC, and its really only new hotels built in the last 5 years or so that are starting to have AC. My local mall does not have AC, only some of the bigger shop units like the grocery stores have AC.

I stayed in a hotel in Ireland last week, no AC in the room.

That was my take. Most do not have.

 

[MsChristy12]

I don't live in Europe but been to Europe 5+ years ago, I wouldn't say AC is not a thing, just not as common as the U.S. All accommodations we stayed at had AC.

Edit-Because it's a Disney hotel, I just expect them to have it.