Has anyone been to Disneyland Paris?

[sherry]

I just received my vacation magic and rooms include length of stay passes. Now, I am daring to dream, my family could go during Christmas break. My questions are what airport should we go to in Paris, suggestions on how to get from airport to hotel, how to get the best airfare, and approximately how much food would cost per day. Sorry for so many questions, but any help will be greatly appreciated.

I wish I were in Disneyworld!!!

 

[kem330]

Disneyland Paris is located in Marne la Valle pretty much directly east of central Paris. Roissy Airport (Charles de Gaulle) is northwest of DP and a taxi ride or shuttle van should be no problem. Most major airlines fly into CDG. I have gone by DP, but never visited (there is so much else to see and do in France), so I don't know prices in the resort. Keep in mind the weather in Paris at that time is usually rainy and in the 40's. (Of course Orlando can be a bit chilly also!)France is a wonderful country to visit,so leave some time to see the sights. You can travel to central Paris via train(RER). There are often good deals for flights in Dec. Air France, United, American and many more carriers will run specials in the fall, so be patient.

 

[Penny12]

Hi Sherry

Have you checked the DLP website?

DLP Info

Go to this page and click on the drop-down menu "Access & times" & choose the Aiports.

Here you'll find the info for the Bus Transfers that run from both Paris Airports. CDG is slightly nearer.

Alternatively, you can look at the public transport option taking the RER from either airport - however you would need to take the train into Paris and change to a different line to go back out of Paris to DLP (I can give you details of which train lines and stations you'll need if you want) but personally I'd stick with the Bus - it would be quicker and probably cheaper- certainly easier! It is 85F.

You could always take a day trip into Paris from DLP to check the city sites - it takes about 35 minutes on the train and costs about 80F return for an adult. The trains are good and run to schedule. Also, a short bus/train ride away (literally 5 minutes) is Val D'Europe which is a Shopping Mall - it's major plus point is it has an Auchan Supermarket - believe me (and I know this may sound a bit strange!) but French supermarkets are a great places - the cheese counters alone are huge! A good way to get a 'feel' of French life There is also a Sealife centre just opened there if you felt like a break from the Park.

Yes, it would be pretty cold at that time of the year, but I've heard the decorations are very pretty. DLP is a very pretty park - in many ways better than the MK - so what some say it lacks in charm, it more than makes up for in looks and better quality rides, IMO. It's just different, that's all

Hmm, I've gone on a bit about this haven't I and talked about loads of stuff that you didn't even ask about, LOL! Any other questions, just ask or mail me. I'm in the UK - but I came back from DLP just this last weekend so everything is fresh in my mind

Penny!

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[jeanneg]

Actually, my husband and I were there the first month it opened and we will be returning with our 4 children in 2002. I remember very specifically that public transportation goes there directly from the center of Paris. If you're willing to switch trains with all your luggage you could do the whole thing just using the metro. I understand they have shuttle buses from both airports that run every 20 or 30 minutes, so that's probably the route we'll go.
The Disneyland hotel is amazingly beautiful -- similar to Grand Floridian -- and actually situated inside the park.(there's a special turnstile to get in and out). The food is extremely expensive. Continental breakfast was $20/person, a full breakfast was $35/person and it cost us about $200 for dinner (nothing special) inside the park --- and this was nearly 10 years ago!!
It's definitely something worth experiencing and some of the attractions are superior to those in the states -- Pirates is much better and the castle has a neat dragon that lives beneath it. Indiana Jones was not open when we were there,so i look forward to trying that. My worst experience was that many of the people did not have any waiting line etiquette. They consistently tried to squeeze ahead filling every available space and as a result the lines were incredibly tight. If you tried to say something they would act dumb and reply in a foreign tongue!
As long as you're willing to accept it as a new and different experience, you should have a wonderful time. Our trip will be over a year from now and already I'm starting to do some planing. Good luck!

 

[juju]

we were there last May and rode the train in from Paris. Worked out great. I thought that the other guests were fine, didn't have a problem with the lines, but the backwards Indiana Jones ride was a trip. For our friends with two small kids, the park was the highlight of their vacation.

 

[slindamood]

We have been to Disneyland Paris and also to Paris at Christmas. But not DP at Christmas. I think it would be nice.

There are busses from Charles de Gaulle airport, where most US planes land, to DP. The busses are frequent and clearly marked. You will be able to find them. Just walk up to one, they will put your luggage underneath, and pay.

We went to DP for a daytrip from the airport when we had an unexpected 8 hour delay in a flight. A great way to spend the waiting time! DP is about 15 minutes from the airport by bus. Do not take the RER (suburban rail) back into town and back to DP. Not worth the hassle and the trouble.

As to cost - - I would stay at a hotel in Paris and choose a good day to go out to DP, taking the RER out (about 45 minutes and cheap). Our family of 3 stays in a charming traditional style Paris hotel, nice beds, baths, and balcony overlooking the street (once we looked over Notre Dame) for about $70 a night total, including breakfast. There are even better bargains in the winter, and the dollar is strong right now.

There is so much to do in Paris at Christmas. The department stores are like nothing in the U.S., and the decorations stay up until Jan 6. You will have warm sunny days (in the 60s) and also some rain. We have never found it cold. On rainy days, we go to museums, which are almost empty that time of year. One rainy day we went into Notre Dame and listened to a choir of nuns practicing. No crowds, and Paris is beautiful and romantic even in the rain.

But -- on a nice day, go out to DP.

About food prices, we find prices in restaurants on the left bank to be cheaper than WDW. We do not eat in Michelin rated places, but nice neighborhood places with great food beautifully presented. $12 - 15 buys a very good 3 course meal with table wine. You can find for less, also more. We also like to shop the grocery stores for many meals and spend no more than at home. In DP, we only ate lunch and I do not remember it being any higher than WDW.

I have looked at the DP hotels and think the price is high (figuring at $10 per point). Sometime I would like to splurge and stay one or two nights, but would not stay for an entire vacation.

Have fun! Paris and Disneyland Paris and Christmas would be triple magic

 

[robinb]

slindamood,

You have to tell me where you stayed for only $70 US in Paris, triple occupancy! We're planning a trip in September so I can say I went to all 4 Disney parks in 1 year. We went to Disneyland Tokyo in October, WDW in November and Disneyland California in April (two more weeks!). Of course, a return trip to WDW is also planned for this summer .


-- Robin

 

[CarolA]

I stayed at the Disney hotel last November. While I had thought about commuting I decided just to spend my last day at Disney and then fly home. I recommend staying on site in the winter simply because it was COLD and it was nice to be able to go back to my room, warm up and put on more clothing!

The park was beautiful and the Christmas parade had real reindeer! I want to go back!

CarolA

 

[sherry]

Thank you so much for all you help and advise. I really hope my family is able to save (not our strong point)lol, and we are able to go. You guys are great!!

I wish I were in Disneyworld!!!

 

[normr]

You can take the RER train right to DLP, we took the Eurostar from London right into DLP, it was great!r