First timers

[Wills Mom]

Hi to all on the DLRP board! DH and I are looking into booking our first ever DLRP trip next year. We're not tied to dates as such as DH can take holidays whenever. We have been to WDW a good few times but never made the short trip to Paris so its all completely foreign to me. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you lovely members can help us with. Here it goes:
1. We are due DS2 early February so we wanted to leave it a couple of months after his arrival before we go. What would be the best time of year to go? Would we avoid summer months then? And is midweek cheaper than weekends?
2. We're hoping to make this trip as inexpensive as possible so what are our best options? We're living in Ireland, does anyone know is it best to book direct or is there a third party website that works out better?
3. Are there many (or any!) huge differences in DLRP as opposed to WDW? We won't be going back to WDW for several years so hoping to get my Disney fix closer to home!

If you have any tips or advice on booking, travelling in general, travelling with small kids in particular (is DLRP as family friendly as WDW ie baby care centres?) I'd really appreciate your help! Its all so new to me and seems so much different to booking WDW (which I could probably do in my sleep now lol!)
Thanks a million!

 

[manicdave]

Hey

Welcome to the Board.


Im on trip number 4 from Ireland with my two toddlers. so i can help with most of your questions.

If school year is not a problem go off season, we have been in September and May and its less busy and cheaper. Also been in August and was mental.

Book with Abbey Travel in town, cheapest I have found anyway. you can book on your own but have to pay it all, with Abbey you can pay it off.

WDW v DLP, well my wife has been to both, and she tells me you can fit DLP and its hotels into the car park in WDW. Its not a massive park, but is nice for the size.

with kids, i find it easier to fly Aerlingus, Abbey will try and get you on AirFrance. For me its easier to get in and out of T2 in Dublin and in CDG on the outher side Airfrance is a bus in from the plane to the terminal, and on the way back you will have to carry a buggy down stairs. Its a hassle and Airlingus have tunnels on both side. With small kids its great.

Get the bus transfer in the Abbey package. Its the best way to the parks.

Hotels. We find the Newport Bay the best for what you pay for. bigger rooms. The Santa Fe and the Cheyenne have bunk beds and small rooms which we found too tight for 2 adults and two toddlers and a buggy.

On price, dont expect it to be cheap, 4 days trips for us cost about 2k half board. WE find the half board handy, we dont need to budget as much when we get there.

and enjoy!

 

[tennisfan]

Hi and welcome

Off peak is cheaper then summer. As mentioned May & September are usually a good time to go as the weather tends to still be decent and its cheaper. Weekdays tend to be cheaper and less busy compared to weekends.

I don't have children but many have been and found no problem, the parks have baby facilities and centres.

Booking direct is usually a good deal but book transport separate as many have found it to be cheaper this way. If you book over the phone you can pay it off bit by bit, booking online means you pay it all up front. You are welcome to book using any countries deals that may be on (they are usually mentioned somewhere on this part of the board)

Not been to WDW but i'm of the mindset every park is different.

There are different benefits to what hotel you stay at. Many find the only advantage of half board is that the food is budgeted for but they are not the value it used to be an many find them too restrictive.

I find Disney can be as expensive or budget as you make it. Buffets are very good value, especially as children under 3 eat free in them.

If you have anymore questions feel free to ask as we are a friendly bunch

 

[Wills Mom]

Thanks a mill! You guys have definitely given me food for thought! I have to get a quote thats "decent" for DH to see. Actually one last question - is there a time of year when offers come up like the free dining offers for WDW?

 

[CinderEmily]

Hiya, there was a deal there recently which had free meals , not sure if its still on though, I find that when there is a deal with free food, the cost of the rooms is more expensive and when you have cheaper room deals and you add in the price of half board it's works out the same price as if there was the deal on food. So it all works out around the same anyway .

 

[Lisa_C]

Remember WDW is a resort made up of seven parks - DLP only have two plus the Village, but the actual Disneyland Park (Magic Kingdom to some) is bigger and much prettier than it's Florida cousin.
I personally think the parks are easier than WDW with children (have done both) as the parks are next door to each other (with the Village opposite both), all hotels are within a few minutes walking distance and the Disneyland Park has the most beautiful Castle in all the parks (damn you Shanghai for designing an even better one!).
Facilities are good, and the medical facilities should you need them, are excellent.

 

[Wills Mom]

Thank you all so much! I think I almost have DH convinced to go next September so a while til we can book but at least I have a chance of getting a Disney fix next year!