Has anyone used points for Disneyland Paris?

[kpatches]

We just spent 4 nights at the Sequoia Lodge. We needed two rooms and it was 88 points for each room for a total of 176 points for our stay. Free continental breakfast was included. I believe you can book the rooms 6 months in advance. There was also a $95 transfer fee which covered the 2 rooms since they were on the same reservation. We were able to get 20 percent off our park tickets with our train pass. It is about a ten minute walk to the parks and they are right next to each other. Also Downtown Disney right outside of the parks and the train station is on the property also. We found everything to be very convenient.

 

[nyck]

So glad I found this thread! I am booking 2 nights at DLP hotel and 2 nights on cash and thought I had to buy the passes when I booked the hotel with points. The amount of points doesn't bother me, I bought DVC to use on whatever I wanted to do period, not what is most economical. I don't want to have to worry about selling points or booking a vacation for someone else, contracts etc just to make money off something I bought to use.

 

[lilpooh108]

I'm a SoCal local and we go to DLR a few times a month. We also go to WDW at least once a year.

Is DL Paris worth it? We have 4 days in Paris in June and I'm on the fence as to whether to take the time to go. We've been to Paris a few times so sightseeing isn't a priority. I just don't want to spend the money & effort to get out there only to be disappointed.

For comparison, I was disappointed by the size of Tokyo Disney back in 1997 when I visited (haven't been back since, and haven't been to Disney Sea).

Thanks.

 

[zavandor]

DLP is a very nice resort but it is run with very different standards than the US parks.
Many americans are disappointed by:
-it's not perfectly clean (but it's not dirty)
-you might have people smoke in the queue
-interaction with CM is not even comparable (and you can have the occasional rude one)
-peoplw can be rude (pushing and queues jumping)

But:
-the castle is lovely, the walkthough is better than WDW and DL
- there is a dragon under the castle
-Fantasyland is very very well done
-discoveryland (aka tomorrowland) is different (and better IMHO)
-BTMRR is the best version in the world
-cinemagique at the studios is a lovely show
-it has much more intense coasters than the US parks, if you like adrenaline
-it has some rides found only here
-there is Dreams. One of the most beautiful night shows ever created. Mostly on par with Fantasmic and World of Colors. It alone can be worth the ticket

As long as you know what to expect, DLP is worth a visit. To someone who has never visited Paris I would not suggest to dedicate a day to it, but in your case it can be worth.

 

[lilpooh108]

DLP is a very nice resort but it is run with very different standards than the US parks.
Many americans are disappointed by:
-it's not perfectly clean (but it's not dirty)
-you might have people smoke in the queue
-interaction with CM is not even comparable (and you can have the occasional rude one)
-peoplw can be rude (pushing and queues jumping)

But:
-the castle is lovely, the walkthough is better than WDW and DL
- there is a dragon under the castle
-Fantasyland is very very well done
-discoveryland (aka tomorrowland) is different (and better IMHO)
-BTMRR is the best version in the world
-cinemagique at the studios is a lovely show
-it has much more intense coasters than the US parks, if you like adrenaline
-it has some rides found only here
-there is Dreams. One of the most beautiful night shows ever created. Mostly on par with Fantasmic and World of Colors. It alone can be worth the ticket

As long as you know what to expect, DLP is worth a visit. To someone who has never visited Paris I would not suggest to dedicate a day to it, but in your case it can be worth.

Thanks for the rundown. Sounds like a "skip" in my case. We're spoiled by WDW's wonderful CMs and although we frequent DLR, DLR's CMs pale in comparison to the customer service found at WDW. I don't want to go to Paris DL and get "mad". Smoking in line = gross.

I see you're "moving to London." OT, but got any family friendly restaurant recommendations for London? We'll be there in May. We're planning on generic/boring Pizza Express, Wagamama, Prezzo, but are looking for more unique family friendly places to eat in London. Thanks.

 

[zavandor]

At the moment I leave in Rome, so I cannot suggest anything for London, yet

 

[nyck]

DLP is a very nice resort but it is run with very different standards than the US parks.
Many americans are disappointed by:
-it's not perfectly clean (but it's not dirty)
-you might have people smoke in the queue
-interaction with CM is not even comparable (and you can have the occasional rude one)
-peoplw can be rude (pushing and queues jumping)

But:
-the castle is lovely, the walkthough is better than WDW and DL
- there is a dragon under the castle
-Fantasyland is very very well done
-discoveryland (aka tomorrowland) is different (and better IMHO)
-BTMRR is the best version in the world
-cinemagique at the studios is a lovely show
-it has much more intense coasters than the US parks, if you like adrenaline
-it has some rides found only here
-there is Dreams. One of the most beautiful night shows ever created. Mostly on par with Fantasmic and World of Colors. It alone can be worth the ticket

As long as you know what to expect, DLP is worth a visit. To someone who has never visited Paris I would not suggest to dedicate a day to it, but in your case it can be worth.

And these are the reasons I am going! I love Wdw don't get me wrong, but life is about trying something new and DLP may not be as "perfect" as Wdw but I think it is worth trying. It is a different culture over there, and while we think smoking is gross, alot of countries think over eatting is gross too so it is what it is. I don't smoke and i eat way too much but i can live with the smoke for 4 days. The culture is different than here so I expect that. I will still have a great time.

 

[tfc3rid]

Agreed that Big Thunder is the best among the Disney Parks... Space Mountain's launch is similar to Rock n Roller Coaster and is a good ride... Crush's Coaster is pretty cool...

The prettiest Fantasyland in all of Disney Parks... The castle is very lovely and very photogenic.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Our daughter broke her foot the week before we left for France. Disney provided a wheelchair for the three days we were there. You DO NOT get to the head of the line...they will give the person in front of you, or tell your group to go through the regular line and the wheelchair person and ONE other will join your party oncè you are ready to board. I liked this idea a whole LOT more than this nonsense in DL and DW where I'm sure over half of the people could wait in this fashion and cut down on those who scam. We had to get a pass at the guest services and it was allowable up to four person, wheelchair (wanted a dr note, but could see the broken foot)' the pusher, and two other guests...lucky for us that was our whole party. Much better system!

We had no issues with steps or ramps, except in the Paris subways...

 

[boswellnakia]

For those comparing cash prices versus point use, do you just check the disneyland paris website or is there better options? I think someone mentioned that they got a better deal using the official website from another country designation, is this just from the exchange rate differences?

 

[zavandor]

At the moment the French website has an offer for 30% off, 35% off for arrives on Sunday.

Www.disneylandparis.fr

The Irish website has an offer for 2 nights free if you book at least two nights. Better offer for 4 nights stay.

Www.disneylandparis.ie

The Italian website has 20% off. The worst in all Europe
So yes, booking with different website can change a lot how much you pay. I know, it's crazy.

All offers include stay free for children under 12yo

Also, all packages include breakfast and tickets for lenght of stay, while booking with points does not include tickets.

You can book with the local website you prefer. You can give any address, just leave the country of the local website. They won't snail mail anything, they only send emails confirmations.

 

[Lizzim]

Unfortunately Disneyland Paris will generally be disappointing to those who have been to either Disneyland or WDW. Although I accept there are some elements which compare well...overall the feel is just not as magical

I would not recommend using DVC points as the cost is far too high....cash bookings are definitely the way to go.

I did a trip report following our short stay in January 2012 - the link is in my signature.

 

[boswellnakia]

Thanks for the links...looking at basic conversions, the Irish site saved me about $200 off a possible date, that's pretty good. I guess I need to check with the credit card company to see what the conversion fee is or find a credit car that doesn't have exchange fee. Anything that I might be forgetting in buying it in a different currency?

At the moment the French website has an offer for 30% off, 35% off for arrives on Sunday.

Www.disneylandparis.fr

The Irish website has an offer for 2 nights free if you book at least two nights. Better offer for 4 nights stay.

Www.disneylandparis.ie

The Italian website has 20% off. The worst in all Europe
So yes, booking with different website can change a lot how much you pay. I know, it's crazy.

All offers include stay free for children under 12yo

Also, all packages include breakfast and tickets for lenght of stay, while booking with points does not include tickets.

You can book with the local website you prefer. You can give any address, just leave the country of the local website. They won't snail mail anything, they only send emails confirmations.