First visit this April - crash course pretty please

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

WE are heading to DLP for 2 days, 3 nights, over a weekend (eeeeeek) in April. From 20-22 April (inclusive). We have visit WDW twice before and DL once and are excited to see another Castle.

I've booked accom at the Explorers Hotel, still haven't purchased tickets because they are so expensive it's taking me a while to digest this news before buying .

We will arrive at the hotel in the morning on our first day as we are transferring from an apartment in Paris over via private transfer.

Could you experienced DLPers give me a quick crash course on:-

2-4 must eat places, and if they need bookings, and if so how to book

2-4 must see shows/experiences, if they need bookings and if so how to book

top 5 favourite rides

A general cheat sheet on how to get the best out of our days would be an enormous help as I am running out of planning time and hours in the day.


Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated,thank you thank you thank you

 

[shushh]

I'll let the experts fill you in as to booking windows and how best to spend your day as we went in low season and mostly on weekdays. However I hope you don't me sharing what we thought were good places to eat and must see/dos as someone who've been to the US Parks.

We enjoyed Walts and Inventions. The Blue lagoon wasn't too bad but I'd rate the other two over it. Annette's while fun you can probably give a miss. Burgers and fries are done better in the states and you've just been there.

The character interactions at the character meals are ok but probably not as good as the states. What you do get however is the opportunity to see characters that are not easy to find in the US parks! Don't bother lining up to get photographs/signatures at the park unless you want some rugby practice.

Cinemagique and Animagique are unique and very good. Definitely see those. The space mountain is the best of all the parks but I do t think you'll be going on that!

I've current got a mental blank as I'm rushing for a parent teacher night!!! But will come back and write some more.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thank you so much Shushh.

If I had to choose Walts or Inventions, which one would you say was better for our family of 4 with the 14 yr old, 11 yr old and the grandma?

Are Walts and Inventions character meals? Or did you do these elsewhere?

I think I remember that you were going to do Buffalo Bill show? Was it worthwhile?

How exactly do you go about booking all of this dining and shows? Is it on the Disneyland Paris website as with WDW and DL?

Sorry for all of the question, I really do appreciate any help you can give.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Restaurant reservations are either made by phone or at your hotel or city hall or at the restaurant. You can make one from 60 days before so you are too early yet for your dates.

Have a look through the restaurant sticky with menus and photos of the food/decor

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1181765

Walt's is a t/s without characters

Inventions is a buffet with characters at dinner and without at lunch

If you want the best meal at Inventions you could do the Sunday brunch which has different themes and offers the best food of the Inventions meal choices.

I like Walt's and Agrabah best. Agrabah is a buffet with more Middle Eastern type offerings.

In c/s I like Hakuna Matata, Toad Hall, Fuento del Oro used to be not bad but I haven't been in a bit and of course EoS.

For park tickets you have the flash sale that's running atm until the 24th of Feb - If you wanted tickets for your dates it would be 41€ pp per day and that will be the cheapest you are going to get - That's almost half of what gate price will be

Have a look at the thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3061230

You just print them off at home as they are e tickets

BBWWS has cheaper tickets too but you will have to wait until end of March to buy them as they will change with the next season.

My favourite rides are Crush in the Studios - unique to DLP
BTM, POTC and Phantom Mannor in the main park which are a bit different to the US parks

hth

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Restaurant reservations are either made by phone or at your hotel or city hall or at the restaurant. You can make one from 60 days before so you are too early yet for your dates.

Have a look through the restaurant sticky with menus and photos of the food/decor

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1181765

Walt's is a t/s without characters

Inventions is a buffet with characters at dinner and without at lunch

If you want the best meal at Inventions you could do the Sunday brunch which has different themes and offers the best food of the Inventions meal choices.

I like Walt's and Agrabah best. Agrabah is a buffet with more Middle Eastern type offerings.

In c/s I like Hakuna Matata, Toad Hall, Fuento del Oro used to be not bad but I haven't been in a bit and of course EoS.

For park tickets you have the flash sale that's running atm until the 24th of Feb - If you wanted tickets for your dates it would be 41€ pp per day and that will be the cheapest you are going to get - That's almost half of what gate price will be

Have a look at the thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3061230

You just print them off at home as they are e tickets

BBWWS has cheaper tickets too but you will have to wait until end of March to buy them as they will change with the next season.

My favourite rides are Crush in the Studios - unique to DLP
BTM, POTC and Phantom Mannor in the main park which are a bit different to the US parks

hth

Hi CarrieCat,

Thank you so much for jumping in with all of this information. With the flash sale, it looks like it won't apply for my April dates, it says visit until 27 March. What a shame.

I will keep my eye on the BBWWS tickets because if I can get them cheaper that would be excellent.


Do you have any thoughts on best way to spend our 3 days, in terms of which park to hit which day. We are there for a Sat/Sun/Mon as we don't fly back to Australia until 11pm the Monday night.

Any "must go there first" then that second, fastpass this and that, don't miss, etc????

You definitely seem to be the resident expert so I would be so grateful for any advice.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

You do qualify - look at the 2nd link in that post

• 1 day/2 park ticket: 35 € on a weekday and 41€ on weekends/public holidays/school holidays

Adult or child it's the same price. For entrance to both the main park and the Studios. Ticket non refundable, not exchangeable, dated entry

Must be used on a fixed day that you choose at time of booking between the 28/03/2013 and the 14/06/2013

http://www.fnacspectacles.com/place-...LASH-MI307.htm

http://www.spectacles.carrefour.fr/b...ash-mMI307.htm

Re the other questions - I'll answer late on when I've finished working

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh gosh, I'm an idiot, thanks Carrie. So I would need 3 tickets is that correct? We are a family of 5 so I should get 5 tickets for each day, so a total of 15 tickets??

I just want to make sure I don't make another mistake

 

[shushh]

My thoughts...

If you want a character meal or to check out the Disneyland Hotel, go to Inventions. Otherwise, I think it may be better to head to Walts, for a couple of reasons. It is on Main Street so you can eat there when you're at Disneyland. The ambience inside is lovely and the food wonderful.

As for BBWWS. It is a lot of fun but you can something similar in the US (ie dinner show type venues like Medieval Times etc). The only difference is that its not Disney themed. If you can get discounted tickets go for it, otherwise I don't think its quite worth the money nor your time as you've got heaps to pack in.

I love Crush's coaster but I'm not sure if you'll cope...its a spinning coaster! IF you can brave it, go for it. NOthing like it in any other Disney park.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

As you are going possibly 3 days it might be worth your while getting AP's - A Fantasy AP from a site like CEM or Promoparcs is 125€ and you would get discounts of 10% of all food and drink - c/s-t/s-buffet plus 10% off souvenirs.

Ok there is a one time joining fee and postage (although Zanzibar138 got her AP's emailed to Australia from Promoparcs) but divided between the 5 of you it's a few €'s and you could save far more.

You also importantly get the EMH than onsite guest get so you could be in the park doing certain rides in Fantasyland and Discovery land from 8.00 am.

This gives you more time after seeing as you are going on a weekend to concentrate on the rest

Here's a page from DLRPMagic explaing a bit more about AP's

http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/booking/annual-passports/

 

[Carrie_Cat]

If you don't care for character meals but still want to eat at the DLH why not go for breakfast ?

It's 14.60€ and you get a great spread that will keep you going until dinner or tea depending on when you go.

If you get an AP you also get the 10% off this meal and you could go after EMH at 10.00 for example so you'd be avoiding the crush when the park opens to all.

Anybody can go and visit and eat in any of the hotels wether they are staying there or not so you could always visit the bar in the evening and have a drink or a snack if you didn't want to pay for an expensive meal.

They also offer Mickey waffles with cream in the afternoon if you wanted a break from dashing about

 

[shushh]

Carrie Cat's idea of AP is a great one!

If you want to save on postage, perhaps you can get pick it up whilst you're in Paris or get it sent to your apartment/hotel?!?!?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Carrie Cat's idea of AP is a great one!

If you want to save on postage, perhaps you can get pick it up whilst you're in Paris or get it sent to your apartment/hotel?!?!?

You can't pick them up at that price, you'd have to pay full fee so it wouldn't be worth it.

I'd also be very wary of sending anything to a rented appartment/hotel as it is sign for mail so they couldn't go and pick it up for you without your id

See with Zanzibar how she communicated with Promoparcs and if they would email them to you or go with CEM and they will send them to you for 6.90€

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

My thoughts...

If you want a character meal or to check out the Disneyland Hotel, go to Inventions. Otherwise, I think it may be better to head to Walts, for a couple of reasons. It is on Main Street so you can eat there when you're at Disneyland. The ambience inside is lovely and the food wonderful.

As for BBWWS. It is a lot of fun but you can something similar in the US (ie dinner show type venues like Medieval Times etc). The only difference is that its not Disney themed. If you can get discounted tickets go for it, otherwise I don't think its quite worth the money nor your time as you've got heaps to pack in.

I love Crush's coaster but I'm not sure if you'll cope...its a spinning coaster! IF you can brave it, go for it. NOthing like it in any other Disney park.

I think the Buffalo Bill thing if we get a discount would be a weird and unique experience that my DS would adore. There appears to be 2 prices, so I assume one is better seating. Where did you sit Shushh?

Crush's Coaster might be a bit much but I think I would do Space Mountain, god help me

As you are going possibly 3 days it might be worth your while getting AP's - A Fantasy AP from a site like CEM or Promoparcs is 125€ and you would get discounts of 10% of all food and drink - c/s-t/s-buffet plus 10% off souvenirs.

Ok there is a one time joining fee and postage (although Zanzibar138 got her AP's emailed to Australia from Promoparcs) but divided between the 5 of you it's a few €'s and you could save far more.

You also importantly get the EMH than onsite guest get so you could be in the park doing certain rides in Fantasyland and Discovery land from 8.00 am.

This gives you more time after seeing as you are going on a weekend to concentrate on the rest

Here's a page from DLRPMagic explaing a bit more about AP's

http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/booking/annual-passports/

Carrie, I think this is a fabulous idea, I am so excited about this option. I think it fits perfectly with us. I've had a look at the dlrpmagic link and this looks like the go for sure.

So let me see if I understand correctly. I need to go to the Promoparc website, sign up for a fee? Purchaes the AP's and they will post them to me in Australia for a fee?

If you don't care for character meals but still want to eat at the DLH why not go for breakfast ?

It's 14.60€ and you get a great spread that will keep you going until dinner or tea depending on when you go.

If you get an AP you also get the 10% off this meal and you could go after EMH at 10.00 for example so you'd be avoiding the crush when the park opens to all.

Anybody can go and visit and eat in any of the hotels wether they are staying there or not so you could always visit the bar in the evening and have a drink or a snack if you didn't want to pay for an expensive meal.

They also offer Mickey waffles with cream in the afternoon if you wanted a break from dashing about

I do quite like a character meal, probably more than my children . Who are the characters that go to Inventions?

Carrie Cat's idea of AP is a great one!

If you want to save on postage, perhaps you can get pick it up whilst you're in Paris or get it sent to your apartment/hotel?!?!?

It is a great idea isn't it. She is a gem.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

You can't pick them up at that price, you'd have to pay full fee so it wouldn't be worth it.

I'd also be very wary of sending anything to a rented appartment/hotel as it is sign for mail so they couldn't go and pick it up for you without your id

See with Zanzibar how she communicated with Promoparcs and if they would email them to you or go with CEM and they will send them to you for 6.90€

So did Promoparcs email them to Zanzibar? Will she have to pick up hard copies at the parks?

Would be happy to pay 6.90euro if the proper annual passes would be sent to me in Australia.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

So did Promoparcs email them to Zanzibar? Will she have to pick up hard copies at the parks?

Would be happy to pay 6.90euro if the proper annual passes would be sent to me in Australia.

She received them by email afaik

Ask her as I see she is on line posting on your boards

Wether you receive them by email as etickets or by post as tickets they all have to be made out into permanent laminated AP's in the park.

They take your photo and you just take your passport as they need photo id for each person.

 

[zanzibar138]

Hi Ms Shuttergirl

With Promoparcs, I did a dummy run for buying tickets before I signed up, to make sure it would work before I forked out the 14 euros or whatever it was. At that stage they were happy to send to Australia. Unfortunately we ran out of money before I got around to actually purchasing the tickets, and by the time I got back on, the option to ship to Australia had disappeared! I just sent Promoparcs an email outlining my situation and they were very helpful. Got back to me within the day and had it all sorted out in a couple of days. There was a bit of to and fro, but they were patient and happy to help. They just got me to enter one of the countries available for postage and select the email option. They also asked for the names for all the passes and whether I wanted any free kids ones, and they were emailed the next day. No postage costs and very quick and easy

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Hi Ms Shuttergirl

With Promoparcs, I did a dummy run for buying tickets before I signed up, to make sure it would work before I forked out the 14 euros or whatever it was. At that stage they were happy to send to Australia. Unfortunately we ran out of money before I got around to actually purchasing the tickets, and by the time I got back on, the option to ship to Australia had disappeared! I just sent Promoparcs an email outlining my situation and they were very helpful. Got back to me within the day and had it all sorted out in a couple of days. There was a bit of to and fro, but they were patient and happy to help. They just got me to enter one of the countries available for postage and select the email option. They also asked for the names for all the passes and whether I wanted any free kids ones, and they were emailed the next day. No postage costs and very quick and easy

Thank you for that You must be getting very excited as I see your departure date is nearly here

Re free childs AP - it's for children under 7 .

The joing fee for Promoparcs is 14€ that gives you the right to then buy these cheaper tickets

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

She received them by email afaik

Ask her as I see she is on line posting on your boards

Wether you receive them by email as etickets or by post as tickets they all have to be made out into permanent laminated AP's in the park.

They take your photo and you just take your passport as they need photo id for each person.

Ahhhh okay Carrie, so regardless we will have to get something more permanent done at the parks. I definitely think it will still be worth it.

I will email Zanzibar now.

 

[shushh]

I think your DS would enjoy BBWWS, your DD would probably die from the indignity

There are 2 classes. You get a decent view from most places in the arena. We sat in the top row. 2nd class.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I think your DS would enjoy BBWWS, your DD would probably die from the indignity

There are 2 classes. You get a decent view from most places in the arena. We sat in the top row. 2nd class.

Oh yes, my DD14, I think it's worth the price of admission to watch her embarrassment alone.