First Visit to DLP! Where to start :)

[Azza1987]

Morning All,

I've never been to DLP, having only visited WDW but I get married next year so an expensive holiday to the states is just not feasable.

I got an email the other day about DLP 2 free days if you book 2, so I thought that could be reasonable, as previosuly when I've looked into DLP its always been too expensive for Paris, and I'd preferred to spend the bit extra and go to Orlando.

So I had a look the other day and found 4 nights at Cheyenne for £600 for 2 adults with tickets going 22nd April (Wed) until the Sunday. Is this good value? By no means do I think its a bargain but I do feel its much cheaper then when I've previously looked.

Problem is I have no idea where to start in comparing crowd levels, prices etc! Does anyone have any website they can point me towards?

Is April a good time to go? Last time I visited Paris Mid March it was freezing so Im thinking towards the end of April might be a bit more pleasant! Its also out of the childrens holidays so hopefully wont be that busy.

Can I book FP+ online like with WDW? It is the same or do they still have paper FP that you get on the day?

It is easy enough to transfer from the Airport to DLP by ourselves? I dont want to pay the huge fee's when I could get the train much cheaper and just figure it out?

Any help for a potential first time visit would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks x

 

[OldSchoolReasons]

No option to book Fastpass online but you seriously won't need to. Just grab from the machines as you go. WDW is a completely different ballgame, and you won't need a rigid tour plan like you would there.

Which airport are you landing at? If it's Charles De Gaulle you can get a high speed train which takes ten mins and costs £15 each way if you book far in advance. You can also get a private transfer or a coach (it's similar to the Disney Express but not free) but for two people it's probably not cost-effective.

I haven't been in April so cannot help there I'm afraid.

 

[Isila]

Try different country sites to see the offers, they may vary in price.

You'll have a spring festival in April. Weather is a subject to change, so no guarantees here but it should be warm.

 

[Azza1987]

HI

Thanks for your help

Yes looking to fly from Liverpool straight into Charles De Gaulle direct with Easy Jet. Will look into the rail link, is there a specific site or can I just go via the airport website?

Oh fab, I thought I might have missed the boat for 180 day ADR's, 60 day FP+ selections like WDW. Does anyone know approx crowd levels we might be faced with? Long Q's etc?

 

[Isila]

weekdays should be fine, weekends maybe crowded.

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks

Well I've taken the plunge and I've booked to go 22nd April until the 26th April, staying at Santa Fe ! Got the 2 nights free deal so it includes our tickets and breakfast!

Got my flights with EasyJet from Liverpool direct to CDG for £168 for both of us! So looking forward to a nice extended weekend with my OH!

So do I need to book any dining? It is easy to find places to eat while we are there?

Any advice on must dos? Anything we definitely shouldn't miss! This is our first visit so I certainly want to make the most of it!

I tried to look at booking the fast direct train but it's not open yet, assume my dates will be available a little nearer the time. Then once we get to the main gates from the train do I just take the shuttle bus to our hotel to check in?

Sorry I'll probably ask a million more Q's to date but already it seems a much more relaxed process to WDW with all their times and dates etc! Xxx

 

[OldSchoolReasons]

Thanks

Well I've taken the plunge and I've booked to go 22nd April until the 26th April, staying at Santa Fe ! Got the 2 nights free deal so it includes our tickets and breakfast!

Got my flights with EasyJet from Liverpool direct to CDG for £168 for both of us! So looking forward to a nice extended weekend with my OH!

So do I need to book any dining? It is easy to find places to eat while we are there?

Any advice on must dos? Anything we definitely shouldn't miss! This is our first visit so I certainly want to make the most of it!

I tried to look at booking the fast direct train but it's not open yet, assume my dates will be available a little nearer the time. Then once we get to the main gates from the train do I just take the shuttle bus to our hotel to check in?

Sorry I'll probably ask a million more Q's to date but already it seems a much more relaxed process to WDW with all their times and dates etc! Xxx

You can walk from the train station to Santa Fe in 20odd minutes (and it's a nice walk) or get a bus. It's a much smaller area.

No need to worry about the 180 day window - I still have palm sweats thinking about getting a Be Our Guest dinner Paris is miles more relaxed, though this does mean queuing for characters can be more of a scrum, it also means you won't need such a tight itinerary. The WDW rules still apply though (Fastpass or head straight for Fantasyland before it gets busy, secure your parade spot early etc)

Dining can be booked two months in advance but I normally get the hotel receptionist to book for me on arrival if there's anywhere I'm particularly keen on (Walt's with a window seat at parade time and the Blue Lagoon are my staples).

Must dos would be: Phantom Manor, Rock n Roll Roller Coaster, Crush's Coaster and Space Mountain. They are all very different to their WDW cousins (Space Mountain is much more intense). Go inside and underneath the castle too.

Have fun!

 

[Isila]

well, I do call in advance. Can't wait till my ticker reaches 60 days to book my meals. It's just a part of all the fun.

And we always take the yellow Disney bus, it's fun to ride a Disney bus

Check closures and refurbishment before going, so you would know if anything is closed on your visit.

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks again! Just seen space mountain will be closed when we're there in April Really sad well miss that one as it's our favourite at WDW!

How easy is it to get to the outlet mall from DLP please? Walking? Train? Taxi? We're not going to bother hiring a car.

How easy it is upgrade our hotel as well? Thinking I might upgrade to Sequoia lodge after reading more about the hotels, would be nice to utilise a pool, sauna and steam room after the parks! Is there a penalty? X

 

[Littlelulu01]

I just booked first visit for daughter and her friend. One thing I had not realized was how early the parks closed so make sure you look at the hours of operation and plan accordingly. They have four day park admission with three nights stay and will actually only get three days in the parks due to my error.

When purchasing the train tickets I paid two euro extra to be able to change the time should they miss the train. Also if you have the train tickets sent to you you'll be fine but if you have to pick up the tickets at the station at CDG it sounds like you need to have the credit card used for purchase to redeem the tickets. I had the tickets delivered to Italy and when my daughter arrived in Italy they were waiting. This way she can avoid the time taken to redeem the tickets at the station.

If looking to upgrade; I booked the girls in a Golden Forest Room at Sequoia Lodge. It sounds like it's a little less hassle as the queuing for breakfast is less stressful, more of , go in at any time vs. assigned time, afternoon treats and drinks available at no extra charge and room location in main building vs. an outbuilding. They also give one anytime fast pass per day but they may do this for all rooms. It was only a few euro total for the three nights so worth it.

People on this forum advised booking some dining in advance. I called and booked Café Mickey for arrival night. I guess its a character dining experience but not buffet style. Figured the girls can save on this meal by dining a la carte as they are not big eaters. It took five times to call as my connection kept disconnecting, which was a little frustrating when calling from the US but when I did get through it was very simple. They just want name, time and place. No credit card hold and no need to provide room reservation number either.

Have a wonderful time. How exciting!

 

[njpyro]

I'm subscribing to this thread in hopes of getting some tips. Just booked a first time trip for August!

 

[Azza1987]

I just booked first visit for daughter and her friend. One thing I had not realized was how early the parks closed so make sure you look at the hours of operation and plan accordingly. They have four day park admission with three nights stay and will actually only get three days in the parks due to my error. When purchasing the train tickets I paid two euro extra to be able to change the time should they miss the train. Also if you have the train tickets sent to you you'll be fine but if you have to pick up the tickets at the station at CDG it sounds like you need to have the credit card used for purchase to redeem the tickets. I had the tickets delivered to Italy and when my daughter arrived in Italy they were waiting. This way she can avoid the time taken to redeem the tickets at the station. If looking to upgrade; I booked the girls in a Golden Forest Room at Sequoia Lodge. It sounds like it's a little less hassle as the queuing for breakfast is less stressful, more of , go in at any time vs. assigned time, afternoon treats and drinks available at no extra charge and room location in main building vs. an outbuilding. They also give one anytime fast pass per day but they may do this for all rooms. It was only a few euro total for the three nights so worth it. People on this forum advised booking some dining in advance. I called and booked Café Mickey for arrival night. I guess its a character dining experience but not buffet style. Figured the girls can save on this meal by dining a la carte as they are not big eaters. It took five times to call as my connection kept disconnecting, which was a little frustrating when calling from the US but when I did get through it was very simple. They just want name, time and place. No credit card hold and no need to provide room reservation number either. Have a wonderful time. How exciting!

Thanks for the info! I can't see that the park hours for April when I'll be there have been released yet so I'll keep checking!
Definitely thinking about upgrading to sequoia lodge, I like the idea of a pool and sauna etc after the parks!

Do you Think I just call to upgrade and pay the extra?

Think we might spend one night in Paris as there's a restaurant we really love just off the RER line from DLP so if we can get a reservation that will be a nice break from the hectic disney parks!