First trip this summer... help!

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We will be spending a month in Greece this summer and I have convinced my husband to add on 4 nights in Paris. This may be the only chance we have to visit Paris, so I am trying to figure it all out. I would LOVE any advice you all may have for me. Here are my first few questions:

Dates- We are looking at going on our way to Greece (mid July) or on our way home (mid August). I figure both will be crowded, but is one better than the other?

Hotel- We are looking at doing the 4 nights/5 days with 2 nights free promo. As a family of 5 our hotel options are limited. I see rooms at Newport Bay Club and DLH, but DLH is out of budget. We love staying onsite when we visit DL in California, but I am wondering if we are better off staying in the Val d'Europe area?

Activities- While Disneyland Paris is a good chunk of our visit, we do want to see the Eiffel Tower, take a cruise on the Seine River and spend some time exploring the city. Is it advisable to just stay our four nights all in Disneyland Paris? we could do a split stay with 2 nights in the city, but with the 2 free nights promo for onsite, I figured cost wise it may be better to stay.

A little more info about us... We are coming from Oregon, USA and it will be the first time out of the country for my kids. My husband and I have never been to Paris. I have anxiety and am a little nervous, epspecially about taking public transportation. Any advice is very much appreciated!

 

[A Small World]

How old will your children be when you travel? Your signature says one is aged 2 but Im not sure how up to date that is. If one is under 3 you can have 5 people in a normal room at any of the DLP hotels.
If not you could look at the associated hotels which are very close to DLP and have a free shuttle bus - Explorers has rooms which sleep up to 6 people but Im not sure if they qualify for the 2 nights free

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

How old will your children be when you travel? Your signature says one is aged 2 but Im not sure how up to date that is. If one is under 3 you can have 5 people in a normal room at any of the DLP hotels.
If not you could look at the associated hotels which are very close to DLP and have a free shuttle bus - Explorers has rooms which sleep up to 6 people but Im not sure if they qualify for the 2 nights free

My boys will be 10, 7 and 3 by the time we go. So unfortunately my little guy will count towards occupancy. It sure was nice when he didn't!

The only onsite hotel seems to be the Newport Bay Club. I had my heart set on the Disneyland Hotel, but it is too far out of budget. I will look into partner hotels. Being DL regulars, we just really enjoy being able to walk from the hotel to the parks.

 

[choppee]

A little more info about us... We are coming from Oregon, USA and it will be the first time out of the country for my kids. My husband and I have never been to Paris. I have anxiety and am a little nervous, epspecially about taking public transportation. Any advice is very much appreciated!

I've been to Paris many times, and I can tell you that it's really quite easy getting around on the public metro. There's even a website that you can go to...I believe that it's accessible in English, and if you want, I can certainly help you with understanding the navigation of the city! Try this website: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

Also, if you find anything that is in French and you can't translate it, let me know. I'm fluent!

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

I've been to Paris many times, and I can tell you that it's really quite easy getting around on the public metro. There's even a website that you can go to...I believe that it's accessible in English, and if you want, I can certainly help you with understanding the navigation of the city! Try this website: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

Also, if you find anything that is in French and you can't translate it, let me know. I'm fluent!

Thank you so much! That website is perfect for figuring out how to get around. They even have an app. I really appreciate the help!

 

[rafiki]

We are going to do something similar this year; we're going to DLP for the first time in September, then spending a couple more days in Paris, before traveling elsewhere in Europe. We took our 2 daughters to Paris and Europe in 2001 when they were about 9 and 11 and we have been back a couple of times. So, a few thoughts.

Many, if not most, Europeans take their vacations in August. I don't know how that would affect DLP attendance (my guess is that it is busier in August, but don't really know), but I think it would be better to visit Paris itself in July.

I don't know if you have used subway systems in the US, but public metros anywhere in the world function the same way. Even if you haven't used one, it takes very little time to figure out how to get around on any metro, IMO. I also don't think language would be any issue for using the metro in Paris. Even the ticket machines, like most ATMs, usually have English as a language choice. Just watch out for pickpockets on the trains (and in any tourist area).

You definitely should see the iconic sights with kids the ages of yours. So, Eiffel Tower, Arc d' Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. There are lots of people and long lines to go up the Tower or to go into Notre Dame, but they are worth it. A boat trip on the Seine is a good idea too. I think you could see all three sights and do a boat trip in a full day. (If they haven't seen it, your kids should watch the Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame movie before going.) I always recommend that people see Sainte Chapelle as well. It is a much smaller church/chapel, and not as old as Notre Dame, but absolutely beautiful with "walls" that are basically entirely stained glass. Even if your kids aren't as wowed by it, I think you will be and it's your trip too. It doesn't take long, relatively speaking, but you may not be able to fit in to a day trip. Although your 10 y/o might appreciate the famous museums like the Louvre or Musee D'Orsay, I think the museums would be too much for all of them. And the crowd around the Mona Lisa painting, for example, is ridiculous.

Whether to split your lodging between DLP and Paris is a more difficult question to answer. We are splitting our time, but it's just the 2 of us now (4 nights at DLP -- the first night is our jet-lagged arrival night -- and 2 or 3 nights in Paris). If we were trying to do both DLP and Paris with our kids, and had 6 or 7 nights, I think I would recommend that you split lodging. But you have fewer nights and I suspect you probably will spend at least 2 or 3 days at DLP. Ultimately, I think it depends on how you are splitting your time. If you are only going to spend one day in Paris, I would stay near DLP and commute to Paris for that day. If you think you will spend 2 days in Paris, then it is a closer question. Financially, it depends of course on how much you are effectively paying per night at DLP. I haven't started my research for a hotel in Paris, so I don't know right now how the price currently compares to DLP with the discount or to the DLP partner hotels. My guess from prior trips is that Paris is more expensive than the DLP partner hotels, and maybe also more expensive than the DLP hotels with a discount. It also depends on how well you think your kids and you can handle a 20 or 30 minute train ride into and out of Paris each day you visit, if you stay at the DLP area. On the other hand, moving locations on the train and metro with the luggage and 3 younger kids is a hassle too (I suppose you could take a much more expensive taxi). Personally, I like the feeling or ambiance of staying in the heart of a city I am visiting, but that is especially true for the evenings, which you may not experience as much with a 3 y/o.

Hope this helps some. Like choppee, I'm happy to answer questions if I can.

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

We are going to do something similar this year; we're going to DLP for the first time in September, then spending a couple more days in Paris, before traveling elsewhere in Europe. We took our 2 daughters to Paris and Europe in 2001 when they were about 9 and 11 and we have been back a couple of times. So, a few thoughts.

Many, if not most, Europeans take their vacations in August. I don't know how that would affect DLP attendance (my guess is that it is busier in August, but don't really know), but I think it would be better to visit Paris itself in July.

I don't know if you have used subway systems in the US, but public metros anywhere in the world function the same way. Even if you haven't used one, it takes very little time to figure out how to get around on any metro, IMO. I also don't think language would be any issue for using the metro in Paris. Even the ticket machines, like most ATMs, usually have English as a language choice. Just watch out for pickpockets on the trains (and in any tourist area).

You definitely should see the iconic sights with kids the ages of yours. So, Eiffel Tower, Arc d' Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral. There are lots of people and long lines to go up the Tower or to go into Notre Dame, but they are worth it. A boat trip on the Seine is a good idea too. I think you could see all three sights and do a boat trip in a full day. (If they haven't seen it, your kids should watch the Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame movie before going.) I always recommend that people see Sainte Chapelle as well. It is a much smaller church/chapel, and not as old as Notre Dame, but absolutely beautiful with "walls" that are basically entirely stained glass. Even if your kids aren't as wowed by it, I think you will be and it's your trip too. It doesn't take long, relatively speaking, but you may not be able to fit in to a day trip. Although your 10 y/o might appreciate the famous museums like the Louvre or Musee D'Orsay, I think the museums would be too much for all of them. And the crowd around the Mona Lisa painting, for example, is ridiculous.

Whether to split your lodging between DLP and Paris is a more difficult question to answer. We are splitting our time, but it's just the 2 of us now (4 nights at DLP -- the first night is our jet-lagged arrival night -- and 2 or 3 nights in Paris). If we were trying to do both DLP and Paris with our kids, and had 6 or 7 nights, I think I would recommend that you split lodging. But you have fewer nights and I suspect you probably will spend at least 2 or 3 days at DLP. Ultimately, I think it depends on how you are splitting your time. If you are only going to spend one day in Paris, I would stay near DLP and commute to Paris for that day. If you think you will spend 2 days in Paris, then it is a closer question. Financially, it depends of course on how much you are effectively paying per night at DLP. I haven't started my research for a hotel in Paris, so I don't know right now how the price currently compares to DLP with the discount or to the DLP partner hotels. My guess from prior trips is that Paris is more expensive than the DLP partner hotels, and maybe also more expensive than the DLP hotels with a discount. It also depends on how well you think your kids and you can handle a 20 or 30 minute train ride into and out of Paris each day you visit, if you stay at the DLP area. On the other hand, moving locations on the train and metro with the luggage and 3 younger kids is a hassle too (I suppose you could take a much more expensive taxi). Personally, I like the feeling or ambiance of staying in the heart of a city I am visiting, but that is especially true for the evenings, which you may not experience as much with a 3 y/o.

Hope this helps some. Like choppee, I'm happy to answer questions if I can.

Thank you so much for your input! Between you and choppee, I am feeling a lot better about transportation. Loved your suggestions about Notre Dame and having the boys watch the movie first. I think it will get them much more interested in it. I am also going to look into Sainte Chappelle, sounds beautiful. I am also debating the Louvre. While I would love to see it, my boys just wouldn't care. I am probably already pushing it with Notre Dame. I know we will do one full day in the city, maybe two depending on what the husband wants.

As for the hotel, I am still at completely lost. I would do a split stay if the kids were older, but it is just too much for the 7 and 3 y/o. I am also having a hard time finding a hotel for 5 in the city that is reasonably priced ($250 range). Location is huge for us, plus a pool would be nice for the kids. Thats why I think I am better of in the DLP area and just taking the train in. Plus when we do Disney, we usually stay onsite and just do Disney for those days. So I don't know if my kids would like not staying near DLP.

Everything you have said though has made me think we should add another night. I don't know if we will ever make it back to Paris, and I don't want to rush things. I know we won't be able to see a lot in just 4 or 5 nights, but I want to be able to enjoy what we do see.

Thanks again! You guys are awesome!

 

[A Small World]

It is really easy to get from DLP to central Paris by metro.
Marne la Vallee (station at DLP )is the end of the line so all RER trains from there go towards Paris.
The RER is the regional commuter train which connects to the metro system in the centre.
You can buy a mobilis ticket which costs approx 16Euros for an adult and this gives unlimited use of the metro for that day as well as return journey to and from DLP
The journey will take about 30-40 mins but does get busy on the way back with commuters so try and time your return journey correctly.
Going back to DLP the line splits so not all trains on that line go to Marne la Vallee so make sure you check the overhead board on the platform and if M la V has not got a light by it then its not the correct train. Just wait and another will be along shortly as they run every few minutes

There are coach tours from DLP into Paris - usually one or 2 days a week but you are then on a coach for a long time and can't always get off to explore when you want to - but its another option to consider

In summer the parks are usually open til about 11pm so if you stay at DLP you always have the chance to pop back into the parks for a few hours after returning from Paris (depending on how zonked you all are by a day in Paris of course)

Another thing to look into in Paris is the Bateaubus - this is basically a river boat where you can hop on and off like a bus so you can go from the Eiffel Tower along the river - see NotreDame then get off for a wander round etc - this hits your river trip without having to then back track to what you want to spend time at next

 

[U2_rocks!]

There's a 4 nights for the price of 2 deal that's valid this summer - check if there are any eligible onsite hotels that will fit you all within your budget.

http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

It is really easy to get from DLP to central Paris by metro.
Marne la Vallee (station at DLP )is the end of the line so all RER trains from there go towards Paris.
The RER is the regional commuter train which connects to the metro system in the centre.
You can buy a mobilis ticket which costs approx 16Euros for an adult and this gives unlimited use of the metro for that day as well as return journey to and from DLP
The journey will take about 30-40 mins but does get busy on the way back with commuters so try and time your return journey correctly.
Going back to DLP the line splits so not all trains on that line go to Marne la Vallee so make sure you check the overhead board on the platform and if M la V has not got a light by it then its not the correct train. Just wait and another will be along shortly as they run every few minutes

There are coach tours from DLP into Paris - usually one or 2 days a week but you are then on a coach for a long time and can't always get off to explore when you want to - but its another option to consider

In summer the parks are usually open til about 11pm so if you stay at DLP you always have the chance to pop back into the parks for a few hours after returning from Paris (depending on how zonked you all are by a day in Paris of course)

Another thing to look into in Paris is the Bateaubus - this is basically a river boat where you can hop on and off like a bus so you can go from the Eiffel Tower along the river - see NotreDame then get off for a wander round etc - this hits your river trip without having to then back track to what you want to spend time at next

Thanks you so much for all the info! I love the Bateaubus idea! With such limited time, this is way better then doing the cruise.

There's a 4 nights for the price of 2 deal that's valid this summer - check if there are any eligible onsite hotels that will fit you all within your budget.

http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/

This 2 nights/2 day free deal is insane! There is nothing like it here in the U.S. parks! It makes staying onsite the same price as off for us. Love it! Thanks!

 

[stocst]

Just a quick note regarding visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre best to pre-book tickets via the official website http://www.toureiffel.paris/ and http://www.louvre.fr/en. It will save you a lot time queuing to buy the ticket when you are there and is also a lot cheaper than buying from other suppliers. Also if you do visit the Louvre, it is best to get there as early as you can and head straight to the Mona Lisa, if you want to see it, the crowds in this area build up very quickly.

 

[msmama]

Piggybacking off this question as I'm debating a DLP/Paris jaunt while I'm otherwise in Europe, too.

Just personal opinion, but if you were doing (probably 4 because of the deal) days at DLP and then another 2 or 3 in Paris, which would you do first? I think I'd then be flying out of Paris, too, back to NYC if that changes anything.

Part 1 of our vacation is a Norway/Iceland disney cruise out of Dover with 2 days in London pre-cruise. It's just me and my 9 year old (at the time) so any suggestions welcome. No doubt will be back with more questions, too.

 

[petals]

If none of the Disney Hotels suit look at the good neighbour hotels. They aren't far away and have a free shuttle bus to and from the parks.

Regarding going into Paris it is not that difficult to visit Paris from Disneyland. There's a train station at the gates to Disneyland and you can buy a day ticket for like 15 something return for a full day and you can use this on all the trains in Paris. There's details on my blog on our day in Paris Clickie but when you get off the train for the Eiffel Tower you can get boats for the Seine River Cruise across the road from the Tower. It's quite easy to figure your way around just decide what in Paris you want to see and use the trains to get around.

 

[petals]

Piggybacking off this question as I'm debating a DLP/Paris jaunt while I'm otherwise in Europe, too.

Just personal opinion, but if you were doing (probably 4 because of the deal) days at DLP and then another 2 or 3 in Paris, which would you do first? I think I'd then be flying out of Paris, too, back to NYC if that changes anything.

Part 1 of our vacation is a Norway/Iceland disney cruise out of Dover with 2 days in London pre-cruise. It's just me and my 9 year old (at the time) so any suggestions welcome. No doubt will be back with more questions, too.

Personally I would want to end with Disney but that's just me

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

Well, we finally booked it! After going back and fourth we have decided on Sequoia Lodge for August 6-10th. We will being staying in a Golden Forest room so we can get breakfast and the few extra perks. Since my MIL decided to tag along, we were able to get 2 rooms instead of trying to get one room for the five of us. The 2 nights/ get 2 free promotion just couldn't be beat. We booked through the UK website and was able to save about $300 over the US site.

After reading everyone's tips, I feel more confident in navigating our way through Paris for our day trip. Thanks everyone for your help!