First time family of 5

[Disfamily55]

We are Disney World veterans and have gone atleast once usually twice a year. Our son is turning 2 and we’ve decided after pricing out options DLP is our next trip this summer. We are not set on any particular dates so I’m watching airfare and keeping an eye on rooms.

Our current plan is 2 nights/3 days before moving onto central Paris for another 4 nights. We will use the magical express for ease and bc I miss it here! I’ve been twice before (not to DLP and not with children)

Children will be 8, 6 and 2. They would like the DLP Hotel and it seems like moderate price for DW and we are used to paying that?! We always buy whatever fast pass system is happening but I see ILL is more commonly used. Thoughts on that?

What else do I need to know? Recommendations, changes welcome!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

There is no need to pay the over inflated prices for the Disneyland Hotel. There are multiple other onsite hotels and all have the same perks. All the onsite hotels have access to the early entry, the breakfast buffet and all are walkable to the parks.

Ive stayed at Santa Fe multiple times and at Sequoia Lodge.

You will find it difficult to get a room for 5 people. The majority of the rooms are for 4 people. There are limited amounts of family rooms.

There is no need to get the premier pass. Just use the pay as you go individual lightening lanes.

You do not have to use the default American version of the website. You can use any countrys website. The American version of the website is nearly always more expensive.

Hotel packages are room and park hopper tickets for your arrival day, departure day and all days in between. When you buy a hotel package you can buy the meal plans.

The food in the park is mainly burgers, chips, pizza and hotdogs. The food in Disney village is a bit better and the hotels have good buffet restaurants. The food at Disneyland Paris is mainly French version of American theme park food.

Restaurant reservation's for onsite guests open about 12 months in advance and many places book out early.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

I agree with Bad Pink. We almost always opt for new port bay the walk to the park it's really not that long and it's pleasant as it passes through the Disney Village.
And yes food is not good at all...

 

[starry_solo]

DL Hotel is deluxe prices, not moderate, every time I've checked it out.
Marvel Hotel is also deluxe prices, but not as expensive as the Disneyland Hotel.

You can book packages only via the DLP website (room + tickets).
You get tickets for the day you arrive and the day you check out, so if you're spending 3 nights there, you get 4 days of park tickets. So, depending on when you arrive, you may only have a half park day the first day you are there.

 

[Disfamily55]

DL hotel is something my little girls want! The theming is just unlike anything at DW and some of the amenities are right up their alley. I won’t say this is a once in a lifetime trip because I hope it’s just the start of our overseas travel but it is their first time so I don’t mind. I will look through the other options and price them out to see if we can make better use of the funds for other adventures on this trip.

Good info on the food and lighting lanes! We’ve done just about every character meal at DW so I’m not overly concerned about getting a reservation.
Is there one that stands as a must do? Any areas around that we should see before making our way into Paris?

 

[Disfamily55]

There is no need to pay the over inflated prices for the Disneyland Hotel. There are multiple other onsite hotels and all have the same perks. All the onsite hotels have access to the early entry, the breakfast buffet and all are walkable to the parks.

Ive stayed at Santa Fe multiple times and at Sequoia Lodge.

You will find it difficult to get a room for 5 people. The majority of the rooms are for 4 people. There are limited amounts of family rooms.

There is no need to get the premier pass. Just use the pay as you go individual lightening lanes.

You do not have to use the default American version of the website. You can use any countrys website. The American version of the website is nearly always more expensive.

Hotel packages are room and park hopper tickets for your arrival day, departure day and all days in between. When you buy a hotel package you can buy the meal plans.

The food in the park is mainly burgers, chips, pizza and hotdogs. The food in Disney village is a bit better and the hotels have good buffet restaurants. The food at Disneyland Paris is mainly French version of American theme park food.

Restaurant reservation's for onsite guests open about 12 months in advance and many places book out early.

I will check about the room but I’m hoping it’s the same as DW and my youngest is not counted since he’s still considered an infant at 2. I will also check prices on different country websites. My US Disney planner got me the quote but the now I’m curious if I can find it cheaper!

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I went on a family and friends trip to Disneyland Paris in October 2023. My niece was 8 years old. Seriously you potentially over spending by thousands of Euros to stay at Disneyland Hotel because your 6 and 8 year old want it??? Thats insane. We stayed at Santa Fe hotel, my 8 year old niece had the time of her life. She was so exhausted each night she just needed a bed. Its utterly ridiculous to stay at Disneyland hotel.

 

[Disfamily55]

I went on a family and friends trip to Disneyland Paris in October 2023. My niece was 8 years old. Seriously you potentially over spending by thousands of Euros to stay at Disneyland Hotel because your 6 and 8 year old want it??? Thats insane. We stayed at Santa Fe hotel, my 8 year old niece had the time of her life. She was so exhausted each night she just needed a bed. Its utterly ridiculous to stay at Disneyland hotel.

Santa Fe is a non starter for us because we are potentially going in July and it doesn’t have air conditioning.

The same dates are almost $900 more at GF in DW. Feels like a steal to me!

 

[Woodview]

Santa Fe is a non starter for us because we are potentially going in July and it doesn’t have air conditioning.

The same dates are almost $900 more at GF in DW. Feels like a steal to me!

It could be wet in July Or Cold & wet Or just warm

No need for USA style of Air conditioning

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

Regarding character dining, I’ve been eyeing Auberge Cendrillon for our future trip. The setting looks awesome, food looks great, and it actually receives generally solid reviews (particularly when compared to La Table de Lumière).

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Santa Fe is a non starter for us because we are potentially going in July and it doesn’t have air conditioning.

The same dates are almost $900 more at GF in DW. Feels like a steal to me!

I dont know why I bother, but the info may be useful to those reading, even if you think you know better than someone who has been to Disneyland Paris multiple times.

Even in hotels which advertise air conditioning, its not not blast freezer cold American air conditioning. The hotels are designed and made for Europeans, so no matter where you go, the air conditioning will not be like you expect in Walt Disney World Florida.

When someone who has first hand experience tells you that a hotel is not worth the price, isnt it better to save that money and use it to bump your spending money and maybe use it get experiences, merchandise, food etc.

Its a classic American first timer to Disneyland Paris mistake, thinking that you "know" things, because you have have been to the American parks.

 

[Disfamily55]

I dont know why I bother, but the info may be useful to those reading, even if you think you know better than someone who has been to Disneyland Paris multiple times.

Even in hotels which advertise air conditioning, its not not blast freezer cold American air conditioning. The hotels are designed and made for Europeans, so no matter where you go, the air conditioning will not be like you expect in Walt Disney World Florida.

When someone who has first hand experience tells you that a hotel is not worth the price, isnt it better to save that money and use it to bump your spending money and maybe use it get experiences, merchandise, food etc.

Its a classic American first timer to Disneyland Paris mistake, thinking that you "know" things, because you have have been to the American parks.

This is such a weird thing to fixate on. People spend money on things/place/etc that I don’t understand or may find unnecessary but it is their money and what they value is different than what I do. That can be said for all things but definitely everything Disney.

This will be my sixth time to Europe. Four times in the summer so I am well aware of the AC situation as well as what my family needs and values to be comfortable.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

As for central Paris, not sure how you feel about a dinner cruise… when I hear that I think gimmicky and touristy… but every time my wife and I go, we do a dinner cruise through Le Calife https://calife.com/

Outstanding food, and they time it at night to, e.g., hit the tower lights at night. I’d say 50/50 patrons are native French versus abroad tourists.

My daughter who is 4 would love it. Same for quai Branly and musée des arts forains.

Jeez now I’m champing at the bit to go!

 

[Dreams&wishes]

I mean honestly if you have the funds to justify it and are used to a more Deluxe hotel experience definitely give the Disneyland Hotel a try they have just renovated and it's beautiful. If you don't and then you don't have a great experience in the hotel you end up choosing you will always regret it and also how many times do you go to Paris if you have to do it just do it right.

As mentioned before we did Newport a few times and liked it,(we re Deluxe hotel people). We are planning another trip next year and were looking at the DLH the only reason why we re not going for it is that they didn't have 5 sleepers and the cost for two rooms jumped too high.

Do what makes you happy it's your holiday.

 

[drg6654]

Would everyone recommend 2 days 3 nights or 3 days 4 nights? I live in Orlando and do DW all the time and DL once a year so I am starting to save for a 2026 summer trip. Hopefully Pride Rock will be open by then since this will be a one time trip for myself and family.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Would everyone recommend 2 days 3 nights or 3 days 4 nights? I live in Orlando and do DW all the time and DL once a year so I am starting to save for a 2026 summer trip. Hopefully Pride Rock will be open by then since this will be a one time trip for myself and family.

Definitely 3 days

 

[drg6654]

Definitely 3 days

Do the summers there get busy like they do here at DW?

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Do the summers there get busy like they do here at DW?

Yes because all of Europe is on holiday.I would say that July it's probably the worse month.

 

[Karin1984]

Yes because all of Europe is on holiday.I would say that July it's probably the worse month.

I would go for August. As basically France closes down in August and goes on holiday. When I worked for a French company, we didn't bother scheduling anything in August, as 3/4 or more of the French colleagues took the month off collectively.

 

[drg6654]

I would go for August. As basically France closes down in August and goes on holiday. When I worked for a French company, we didn't bother scheduling anything in August, as 3/4 or more of the French colleagues took the month off collectively.

How is the weather in August? The summer is best for me to take time off from work here in Florida.