From America- Considering Disneyland Paris in a few years!

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I have been talking for awhile and we were thinking of doing Disneyland Paris in a few years with our friend to celebrate when he graduates pilot school. We are also hoping to start a family soon, so it's possible we may have a toddler with us! Obviously we are in the extremely preliminary stages of planning but I had a few questions:

1) How tough is it to get there from the airport? Is there a Disney method of Transportation we can take like in the States? Or would we need to arrange out own transport?
2) How many days should we plan on going there if we want to see everything there is to see?
3) How much will the language barrier affect us? I speak German but I know absolutely zero French. Will this be a problem for us? I've been to Paris before (the city, not Disneyland) but it was with a tour group the entire time, so I'm not sure how much not knowing French will affect us at Disney.
4) How would dining reservations work there? I've heard it isn't nearly as cutthroat as in the States but is there anywhere we would want to reserve well in advance to make sure we get it?
5) What time of year should we go to have the least crowds? I'm not sure how school breaks are in France, and I'd hate to unwittingly book a time in the middle of their school breaks or something.

*Any other advice for traveling to Paris from the States would be greatly appreciated as well!

 

[ashley0139]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I have been talking for awhile and we were thinking of doing Disneyland Paris in a few years with our friend to celebrate when he graduates pilot school. We are also hoping to start a family soon, so it's possible we may have a toddler with us! Obviously we are in the extremely preliminary stages of planning but I had a few questions:

1) How tough is it to get there from the airport? Is there a Disney method of Transportation we can take like in the States? Or would we need to arrange out own transport? There is Disney transportation that makes it very easy - Magical Shuttle. It only goes directly to the Disney hotels, though. If you are planning on staying off site it will take you to the train station/shuttle station where you will have to transfer from there. It's 20 Euros pp.
2) How many days should we plan on going there if we want to see everything there is to see? I felt three full days was plenty, but there was a lot closed when I was there. I still think you would be fine with 3.
3) How much will the language barrier affect us? I speak German but I know absolutely zero French. Will this be a problem for us? I've been to Paris before (the city, not Disneyland) but it was with a tour group the entire time, so I'm not sure how much not knowing French will affect us at Disney. Everyone there spoke a decent amount of English. You shouldn't have any problems at all.
4) How would dining reservations work there? I've heard it isn't nearly as cutthroat as in the States but is there anywhere we would want to reserve well in advance to make sure we get it? I didn't make any dining reservations, but you do have to call. You can't book them online. To avoid calling internationally call the WDW line and have them transfer you to DLP. I had to do that a couple times to book room only rates.
5) What time of year should we go to have the least crowds? I'm not sure how school breaks are in France, and I'd hate to unwittingly book a time in the middle of their school breaks or something. I don't know the answer to this as I am in the US as well.

*Any other advice for traveling to Paris from the States would be greatly appreciated as well!

My answers in red. I traveled to DLP for 3 days from the US in May (as part of a bigger European trip). I had a fabulous time even though it was raining 100% of the time and there was a lot closed. There were absolutely no lines for anything in Disneyland and only for Crush's Coaster and Ratatouille in the Studios. I highly recommend staying onsite, especially if this is a once in a lifetime trip. I stayed at Santa Fe and it was worth it to be able to walk to/from the parks or take a short shuttle ride. I came back to the hotel every afternoon to get out of the rain and change clothes/shoes and rest. It was a lifesaver. Plus, of course, you're in the Disney bubble. All the onsite hotels (not sure about offsite) include breakfast as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

My answers in red. I traveled to DLP for 3 days from the US in May (as part of a bigger European trip). I had a fabulous time even though it was raining 100% of the time and there was a lot closed. There were absolutely no lines for anything in Disneyland and only for Crush's Coaster and Ratatouille in the Studios. I highly recommend staying onsite, especially if this is a once in a lifetime trip. I stayed at Santa Fe and it was worth it to be able to walk to/from the parks or take a short shuttle ride. I came back to the hotel every afternoon to get out of the rain and change clothes/shoes and rest. It was a lifesaver. Plus, of course, you're in the Disney bubble. All the onsite hotels (not sure about offsite) include breakfast as well. Let me know if you have any other questions.

THANK you! This will help me tremendously! We will definitely take your advice and stay onsite- I'm a big fan of staying in the Disney bubble! Thanks for the tip about calling WDW first then transferring to Paris to avoid the international charge- very helpful! I'm getting so excited to start planning now!

 

[Kitchensink]

Hi,
Ditto the above poster. we also went in May 2016. The schools were still in session, so the crowds were very low on the weekdays. The weekends were a bit busier, but not bad. There are a few guide books (check Amazon type of sites), and some are fairly up to date. They actually mention good times to visit. I highly recommend staying on-site, especially as a first timer. I'm currently writing my trip report on this board so feel free to check it out. We had hotel fast passes (1/day) for all four of our days and only needed to use our passes once, the rest weren't even needed.

I learned some French, but seriously just knowing "good day" "thank you" "madam or sir" are all you need, we had no trouble communicating in the parks, signs have English on them. There are a few shows with French, but you can check for English shows. There were a ton of closed rides this spring, but next year being the 25th anniversary of the park I would not expect to see that much in rehab. You mentioned going in a "few years", there are sites to find out what rides are not open during the upcoming months, the list I used pretty much was for 2016.

You can take the Magical Express or the train from the airports. The signs in the airport have English on them. The number of days might depend upon the season you choose to visit. We were there for 1/2 day Thursday, all day Friday and Saturday, and left on Sunday afternoon. We covered everything pretty well, but as I mentioned a lot of rides (big ones) are under rehab and we skipped the rides in the Toy Story play land area. I just went up to them and took pictures. We are two adults -no children with us. We only did rides once and I didn't spend much time in gift shops.

We did not make any dining reservations until after we were there. We went to the hotel concierge each day and made daily reservations with them. Again, the time of the year maybe worked in our favor for this.

Keep asking questions as you plan and someone will chime in.

Karen

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I'm currently writing my trip report on this board so feel free to check it out.

I definitely will!!!!! Thank you! Can't wait!

We did not make any dining reservations until after we were there.

That's good to know. One less thing to worry about!

we also went in May 2016

What was the weather like there in May? That might be a good time for us since our friend would likely graduate in April or May.

Thank you so much for all of your answers! Looking forward to your trip report!

 

[juttawdw]

The only tip i would add if you are with more than 3 adults than a shared or private shuttle will be cheaper and quicker and with a toddler much easier.

 

[Jonas_Swe]

Hi!

Bienvenue!


I'm really excited for you, and I am sure that you are going to love the Disneyland Resort Paris.

My recommendations for you are to save up and stay at The Disneyland Hotel. The only Disney hotel in the world that actually sits on the entrance to the Disneyland park (not counting Mira Costa at Tokyo Disney Seas that's actually inside the theme park).

And plan for plenty of time to hang out at Disneyland, I think that most first time visitors underestimate the time it takes to see it all and the perk to be able to return for favorite rides and attractions. Since they "only" have two theme parks and the Disney Village (Downtown Disney street) between the parks and the other resorts.

DLP is very different from The Magic Kingdom in Florida. It's one of the larger kingdoms Disney has built, the areas are big and I found this to really be a park, with pathways, greenery and lawns.

And the castle is IMHO the most beautiful of all Disney Castles, and the grounds from where the castle literally grows up from the ground, are beautifully landscaped.

The Disneyland Hotel has its own entrance to the Disneyland park and it's a true blessing to be able to just pop up to your room in the afternoon.

If saving up for DLH, I'd highly recommend a room in The Castle Club (concierge). With park view you don't get more immersed in the Disney Bubble than that.

Feel free to ask away, there's so much fun and unique things in the Disneyland Resort Paris that you don't have in either FL or CL.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Hi!

Bienvenue!


I'm really excited for you, and I am sure that you are going to love the Disneyland Resort Paris.

My recommendations for you are to save up and stay at The Disneyland Hotel. The only Disney hotel in the world that actually sits on the entrance to the Disneyland park (not counting Mira Costa at Tokyo Disney Seas that's actually inside the theme park).

And plan for plenty of time to hang out at Disneyland, I think that most first time visitors underestimate the time it takes to see it all and the perk to be able to return for favorite rides and attractions. Since they "only" have two theme parks and the Disney Village (Downtown Disney street) between the parks and the other resorts.

DLP is very different from The Magic Kingdom in Florida. It's one of the larger kingdoms Disney has built, the areas are big and I found this to really be a park, with pathways, greenery and lawns.

And the castle is IMHO the most beautiful of all Disney Castles, and the grounds from where the castle literally grows up from the ground, are beautifully landscaped.

The Disneyland Hotel has its own entrance to the Disneyland park and it's a true blessing to be able to just pop up to your room in the afternoon.

If saving up for DLH, I'd highly recommend a room in The Castle Club (concierge). With park view you don't get more immersed in the Disney Bubble than that.

Feel free to ask away, there's so much fun and unique things in the Disneyland Resort Paris that you don't have in either FL or CL.

Ahhhh thank you so much for your reply! We will DEFINITELY be saving up for the Disneyland hotel now!!! I'm so excited and I will definitely be coming back to you with questions!!!

 

[Jonas_Swe]

Ahhhh thank you so much for your reply! We will DEFINITELY be saving up for the Disneyland hotel now!!! I'm so excited and I will definitely be coming back to you with questions!!!

You're welcome, I'm glad to help.

We are a whole gang here on the DLP forum that has lots and lots of experience put together, and we're all happy to assist you in having the most awesome visit!

Just ask away!