First time visiting DLP as an adult. Am I doing this right?

[Stealingsilver]

Hi Guys,

I have not been to DLP for around 20 years and my SO and I are going for our anniversary celebration in January. However our funds are quite low and we are trying to do it on the cheap as possible.
Below is what I have got, any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Accommodation
I was thinking of the 5 day 4 night offer that is currently on. Out of the 2 budget hotels I was thinking Cheyenne Lodge as I like cowboys more than cars at Santa Fe.

Food
My SO disagrees but I was thinking of getting the half board deal and mainly gorging ourselves on buffets as so we would only need 2 meals a day. Am I correct in thinking that you can use the meal tickets for either Lunch or Dinner? Any other suggestions on saving money on food would be appreciated.

Travel
We were probably going to drive via Southampton- Le Havre as we thought it would be cheapest (we live in Berkshire) But any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Others
We probably wanted to go into Paris on 1 or 2 of the days. I assume this is fairly easy and not to expensive on the train.

Any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[cdnxpat]

We have been very happy with half board on our visits and have used the vouchers for both lunch or dinner. More often than not we eat breakfast at the hotel and then have an early dinner. Personally we could never do full board as it is just too much food for us. We will undoubtedly have a snack during the day but nothing substantial. There are a few places in the village for around €5 if necessary (Earl of Sandwich?).

 

[Stealingsilver]

Thanks PAT,

I assume you have to eat breakfast at your own Hotel?

I have actually started to have second thoughts about half board. The saving does not seem that much and maybe not committing to half board would give us more freedom. However the food in DLP (and also France) does seem expensive and being able to save a little would really help.

 

[DLPdaft]

Thanks PAT,

I assume you have to eat breakfast at your own Hotel?

I have actually started to have second thoughts about half board. The saving does not seem that much and maybe not committing to half board would give us more freedom. However the food in DLP (and also France) does seem expensive and being able to save a little would really help.

you don't save money with any of the dining plans at DLP - they are only really of any use if you want to pre-pay your main meal of the day, and you're happy to restrict yourself to the restaurants where you can use your vouchers.

Otherwise, just put the money you'd pay for half board onto a pre-pay travelcard and use that to pay for your food at DLP .

 

[kel0709]

I agree I don't think it's worth paying for the vouchers. Both times we have been we have managed to budget our meals. We go out early for EMH and just take a cerial bar to keep us going then go back for breakfast at 10.30 and fill up on breakfast. Grab a snack for lunch or take bits into the park. The shop at the station is much cheaper and has a good selection and then Earl of sandwich which is really tasty. We also shared pizzas and garlic bread at Cafe mickey which as far as you can get it at DLP was good value. We also ate at annettes which were decent portions and not too expensive. Have u looked at buffalo bills? If you can get the cheaper tickets its worth it and you get a meal with that. The food isn't too everyone's taste but I always enjoy the chilli starter.

 

[HFJohnson]

I definitely wouldn't bother with the vouchers, especially if you're planning on travelling into Paris once or twice. You can save money on eating by sharing a pizza at cafe mickey, eating at the counter service restaurants or trying one of the restaurants at Val d'Europe.

 

[madmish]

I agree I don't think it's worth paying for the vouchers. Both times we have been we have managed to budget our meals. We go out early for EMH and just take a cerial bar to keep us going then go back for breakfast at 10.30 and fill up on breakfast. Grab a snack for lunch or take bits into the park. The shop at the station is much cheaper and has a good selection and then Earl of sandwich which is really tasty. We also shared pizzas and garlic bread at Cafe mickey which as far as you can get it at DLP was good value. We also ate at annettes which were decent portions and not too expensive. Have u looked at buffalo bills? If you can get the cheaper tickets its worth it and you get a meal with that. The food isn't too everyone's taste but I always enjoy the chilli starter.

That is our plan for brekkie on our trip next month, or hopefully getting breakfast in the park as it's never been available on our previous trips.

 

[Stealingsilver]

Thanks for the food tips.

So how about Cheyanne vs Sante Fe?

 

[HappyPanda]

Thanks for the food tips.

So how about Cheyanne vs Sante Fe?

They are both of an equal standard. One main difference is that the Cheyenne has one queen size bed and a set of bunk beds. Whereas the Santa Fe generally had two queen beds.

They are an equal distance from the parks, so it really comes down to which theming appeals most to you.

 

[Jules1212]

My input on this thread would be to carefully look at pricing up your crossing.... I have never found a Southampton or Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing which can come anywhere near the deals I pick up for Dover to Dunkerque or Calais.

If you are driving from Berkshire, then going to Southampton/Portsmouth is not considerably better than Dover. I drive from Wiltshire.

If you buy at the right time, then you can pick up a crossing very cheaply! I am sailing tomorrow (Well, early Friday morning really) and for 2 adults, 2 'kids' 1 dog and a people carrier we are paying £78 return (bearing in mind that £30 of that is the flipping dog!) in August at the height of the season. For just us and the car it was £29 one way and £19 coming back. I cannot get near that on any other crossing. It is not significantly longer to get to the port on this side and a very straightforward journey on the French side.

Having said that, I will only go Eurotunnel outside of high Summer! If you shop at Tesco you can get great erductions on fares using your clubcard points.

 

[Stealingsilver]

My input on this thread would be to carefully look at pricing up your crossing.... I have never found a Southampton or Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing which can come anywhere near the deals I pick up for Dover to Dunkerque or Calais.

If you are driving from Berkshire, then going to Southampton/Portsmouth is not considerably better than Dover. I drive from Wiltshire.

If you buy at the right time, then you can pick up a crossing very cheaply! I am sailing tomorrow (Well, early Friday morning really) and for 2 adults, 2 'kids' 1 dog and a people carrier we are paying £78 return (bearing in mind that £30 of that is the flipping dog!) in August at the height of the season. For just us and the car it was £29 one way and £19 coming back. I cannot get near that on any other crossing. It is not significantly longer to get to the port on this side and a very straightforward journey on the French side.

Having said that, I will only go Eurotunnel outside of high Summer! If you shop at Tesco you can get great erductions on fares using your clubcard points.

Thanks Jules!

The prices would be the same for me for both crossings (£75) If I take the Portsmouth-Le Harve I would cut down on driving time by almost 2 hours each way. My SO shops at Tesco all the time, What type of offers can you get?