First timers to DLP--so many questions

[MickeyReeds]

Hello!

We are planning on flying to Paris from the US and spending some time at DLP before going to London/Southampton for a cruise in July, 2022. We will likely arrive late morning in Paris and I'm sure we will be jet lagged.

Would you recommend we go straight to DLP and hang out until our room is ready and be ready for the parks the next day? Or, is there a better option--a place to stay near the airport and then head to DLP in the morning the next day?

When I look at 3 night hotel/ticket packages on the Disney website, it defaults to 4 park days, which we probably won't need. Is it possible to adjust the number of days for tickets?

Would it be worthwhile to spend 1 day in Paris for some sightseeing?

I appreciate any help and tips you can offer!

 

[Twinkbelle]

Your trip sounds so exciting!

I'm not sure about recommending other hotels nearby, I'm sure that someone else who has more experience with booking hotels off site could tell you more about that I live in the UK so it's only a short flight, and I usually head straight to the parks on arrival. Coming from the US you'll no doubt be exhausted on arrival. I've gone straight to the parks after a 9 hour flight going to WDW. You survive on adrenaline and the thrill of making it but that only gets you so far and after a couple of hours at most accept defeat and head back to the room and go to bed. I would personally still head straight to DLP if your budget will allow for the extra night there, as it has the bonus of when you wake up the following morning you're already there. No changing hotel, no travel even if it's only a short distance, no checking in. Just get up, get everyone ready and go straight to the parks.

Usually the way the package deals work for DLP is that it automatically includes the tickets for the last day, however many nights you choose. You could try looking on different websites for different countries to find the best offer. I've never known this to not be included.

 

[Karin1984]

If you arrive late morning with a jetlag, you'd best push through it till at least the evening. If you go to rest, you will probably wake up in the middle of the night. I wouldnt suggest an airport hotel, as there is absolutely nothing to do in the area, if you do decide you have enough energy to go out.

When booking directly at Disney, you can only adjust the amount of park days by phone. But probably it is not going to save much money.
In July the parks will be open till 11pm.
I would suggest get the package, rest a bit when you arrive and then use your first evening to get familiar with the park, stop and smell the roses, sneak in some rides if there is no wait or do the small things, like the maze or Aladdin's walkthrough.

Going to Paris for one day... it really depends on your objectives for your 4 days before the cruise. Is DLP your main reason to go to Paris? 3 days should be enough in high season to see most/repeat favourites at DLP.
Do you think you will be come back to Paris? One day is obviously not enough, but you can do some highlights.

When July are we talking about, next to it being summer holidays in all of Europe, 14th of July is a major bank holiday in France and one of the busiest days of the year at DLP.

 

[MickeyReeds]

If you arrive late morning with a jetlag, you'd best push through it till at least the evening. If you go to rest, you will probably wake up in the middle of the night. I wouldnt suggest an airport hotel, as there is absolutely nothing to do in the area, if you do decide you have enough energy to go out.

When booking directly at Disney, you can only adjust the amount of park days by phone. But probably it is not going to save much money.
In July the parks will be open till 11pm.
I would suggest get the package, rest a bit when you arrive and then use your first evening to get familiar with the park, stop and smell the roses, sneak in some rides if there is no wait or do the small things, like the maze or Aladdin's walkthrough.

Going to Paris for one day... it really depends on your objectives for your 4 days before the cruise. Is DLP your main reason to go to Paris? 3 days should be enough in high season to see most/repeat favourites at DLP.
Do you think you will be come back to Paris? One day is obviously not enough, but you can do some highlights.

When July are we talking about, next to it being summer holidays in all of Europe, 14th of July is a major bank holiday in France and one of the busiest days of the year at DLP.

Thank you for the advice! We will be there starting on July 7. I think we may try and stay at DLP for the entire time and possibly go into Paris and see a few of the sights. DLP is our main reason for going to Paris for this trip.

Thank you again for the help!

 

[MickeyReeds]

Your trip sounds so exciting!

I'm not sure about recommending other hotels nearby, I'm sure that someone else who has more experience with booking hotels off site could tell you more about that I live in the UK so it's only a short flight, and I usually head straight to the parks on arrival. Coming from the US you'll no doubt be exhausted on arrival. I've gone straight to the parks after a 9 hour flight going to WDW. You survive on adrenaline and the thrill of making it but that only gets you so far and after a couple of hours at most accept defeat and head back to the room and go to bed. I would personally still head straight to DLP if your budget will allow for the extra night there, as it has the bonus of when you wake up the following morning you're already there. No changing hotel, no travel even if it's only a short distance, no checking in. Just get up, get everyone ready and go straight to the parks.

Usually the way the package deals work for DLP is that it automatically includes the tickets for the last day, however many nights you choose. You could try looking on different websites for different countries to find the best offer. I've never known this to not be included.

Great advice! I like the idea of heading to the park for a while and then trying to get some sleep in the evening. Thank you for your help!

 

[FrannyFrogs]

We'll be there for the first time June 29-July 2! Our trip will be a week in Paris followed by DLP for 3 nights, then we fly home. I'd be happy to bounce ideas and advice for our trips off each other!

 

[MickeyReeds]

We'll be there for the first time June 29-July 2! Our trip will be a week in Paris followed by DLP for 3 nights, then we fly home. I'd be happy to bounce ideas and advice for our trips off each other!

That would be amazing!

 

[MickeyReeds]

Just as an update--we are booking 4 nights at Sequoia Lodge July 7-11! We are excited to be making these plans!

 

[FrannyFrogs]

Hooray for the plans! The Sequoia Lodge looks awesome! I found that Expedia has more room types listed for booking (the DLP site only gives me one room type per hotel??) I was hoping for the Disneyland Hotel, but a quick internet search shows, it's probably going to be closed until 2023 at least. Now to investigate the other hotels. We've never stayed club level at WDW because we are always at the parks during food service times, is there any advantage to it at DLP? I think I remember reading (before covid) it gave extra fast passes?

 

[MickeyReeds]

Hooray for the plans! The Sequoia Lodge looks awesome! I found that Expedia has more room types listed for booking (the DLP site only gives me one room type per hotel??) I was hoping for the Disneyland Hotel, but a quick internet search shows, it's probably going to be closed until 2023 at least. Now to investigate the other hotels. We've never stayed club level at WDW because we are always at the parks during food service times, is there any advantage to it at DLP? I think I remember reading (before covid) it gave extra fast passes?

I do not know about the club level and extra fast passes. I found other room types on the DLP site when I selected the hotel.

 

[Karin1984]

Hooray for the plans! The Sequoia Lodge looks awesome! I found that Expedia has more room types listed for booking (the DLP site only gives me one room type per hotel??) I was hoping for the Disneyland Hotel, but a quick internet search shows, it's probably going to be closed until 2023 at least. Now to investigate the other hotels. We've never stayed club level at WDW because we are always at the parks during food service times, is there any advantage to it at DLP? I think I remember reading (before covid) it gave extra fast passes?

Yes with club level came a fast pass per day per person. I don't think we heard yet what will happen when the fastpasses in the park return.
I only stay club level during the run weekends, because then we will make use of the lounge. It was really nice in the afternoon after the runs to relax for a while to get some snacks, some drinks. The breakfast buffet at the lounge has a few more options than the regular buffet.

I think if you are going to be in the parks all day, club level is not worth it. It is a nice add when you spend a lot of time at the hotel.
It's nice to have a sit down during check in, is it necessary... only if you happen to arrive at rush hour, as in at park closure. I hope when online check in improves, lines at check in will disappear completely. But then this 'perk' also disappears ;-)

In general, my opinion is, when you are at the parks from open til close, go for a cheap hotel = a place to sleep.
Disneyland Paris has hotels, not resorts.

 

[FrannyFrogs]

Yes with club level came a fast pass per day per person. I don't think we heard yet what will happen when the fastpasses in the park return.
I only stay club level during the run weekends, because then we will make use of the lounge. It was really nice in the afternoon after the runs to relax for a while to get some snacks, some drinks. The breakfast buffet at the lounge has a few more options than the regular buffet.

I think if you are going to be in the parks all day, club level is not worth it. It is a nice add when you spend a lot of time at the hotel.
It's nice to have a sit down during check in, is it necessary... only if you happen to arrive at rush hour, as in at park closure. I hope when online check in improves, lines at check in will disappear completely. But then this 'perk' also disappears ;-)

In general, my opinion is, when you are at the parks from open til close, go for a cheap hotel = a place to sleep.
Disneyland Paris has hotels, not resorts.

Thanks for the detailed response! This advice makes a lot of sense