Hello (From a newbie)...

[mum2threemonsters]

Hi Everyone, just wanted to take a moment to say hello.

I have just booked our first ever trip to DLP 2 adults, DD 7, DS 5 and my 5 month old son! Originally we were due to go to the Holiday Village in Benalmadena but I got rushed into hospital for major surgery and 2 weeks before had to cancel the holiday losing £440 on the insurance :-(... After several weeks of sulking we had the brainwave of going to Disneyland. We never thought we could afford a decent amount of time here to make the most of Paris and Disneyland but have managed to book 3 days at a Eurocamp in Paris and 5 days at the Explorers Hotel...

We are over the moon and apart from losing the excess on the insurance and are actually pleased we are getting this opportunity to visit DLP and glad things turned out the way they have.

However things are very overwhelming and we could do with as much beginners advice as possible. Iv bought a 2010/2011 Disneyland guide off Amazon and am working my way through it and Im so scared Im going to miss things... Id like to know what things you advise are neccessities... Our only limitation now would be spending money. We can manage perfectly well camping as we are staying on site mainly and visiting Paris one day taking a packed lunch but I can see eating in Disneyland is going to be expensive for 4 of us. Any suggestions of cheapers restaurants? I think for 5 days we will have around £500-£600.

Also as we arrive in Paris on the 2nd June we are hoping to nip to the park to buy an annual pass (originally planned to get the Francillien but I can see the 2nd is a blackout day so Im presuming I cant buy one on this day)... We were going to go on Space mountain as I see it is closed for maintenance the following week. Then we will go to the campsite for 3 days before returning on the evening of the 5th June to check into our hotel for 5 nights and spending 4 days at the parks. Does this sound possible? Any advice on the Francillien pass and whether I can buy it on a blackout day even if I am prepared not to go in till the 6th June?

Sorry for the long message, Im trying to piece things together but there's just so much to learn!!!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

You can buy and use a pass on a blackout day. You would then have to wait 2 days before using it again as you planned.

Depending on what you are looking for with the pass there is an even cheaper option now than the Francillien (119€) and that's the Classic (99€)

 

[DLPdaft]

the good news about your Francillien annual passes is that you can buy them on a blackout date (its the only time you can actually use an annual pass on a blackout date - the date you buy it ).

You can do Disney on a budget - as you are driving, take loads of snacks, drinks etc with you, and use these for lunch (you are allowed to take food into the parks with you). Grab a pizza or some fast food in the Village or at your hotel (the pizza station at the Explorers isn't too bad for price) for dinner, and you're sorted.

If you're thinking of Disney souvenirs and money is a concern, buy Disney bits before you go and surprise the kids with them when you get there. Or give them a set amount to spend, tell them you'll do your shopping on your last day at DLP, and they can then decide what to spend their pennies on.

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Wow Thankyou for all your help... Im shocked that they allow you to buy and use the pass on a blackout day! Thats perfect for us!

Im a little confused about the 'Classic' for some reason I presumed this was only available to shareholders? In the real world this might be the only time we visit this year as I return to university in Sept to train as a nurse and they are strict with dates we have off however in an ideal world my OH and I would like a trip back alone to do the big rides and enjoy the evening cocktails and then it would have been perfect to return in the spring with the kids next year.

As were spending 4 days in the park anyhow it looks like an annual pass is the best option. As for the discounts Im sure it wont add up to much to make a more expensive pass worth the price. Iv already started browsing ebay for Disney clothes/memorabilia to take with us. For all I know we may get the insurance money back in time so we dont have to worry about money but as Im using my emergency savings to pay for this trip Im scared of being caught short with no backup!

The advice is invaluable as I dont want to sound like a bore for the week worrying about money hehe

 

[Carrie_Cat]

The Classic is a new one this year. It was "tested" out nationally end of last year but on in an invitation through the mail basis :lol:

It's on sale for everyone now though and as I said ^^ it's 99€

There are 88 restriction days compared to 65 with a Francillien and you get -5% off restaurants/shops instead of -10%

It really does depend what you are looking for

You can see it here on the Idf site - If you don't read French run it through one of the free translation sites

http://idf-offres.disneylandparis.fr/passeport-annuel/non-adherents/classic/index.xhtml

Hth

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Remember to take parking costs in to account. As you are camping I am assuming you are travelling by car and the parking is free with the Dream (not sure about the middle one) which saves a lot. You only need to have one family member with this pass to receive the free parking concession, as well as other discounts on shopping, restaurants etc as well.

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Thanks Carrie... Ill have a good think through and look at the restrictive dates!!!

Cherry were camping for 3 days but these are the days we are staying away from the parks and visiting Paris etc... Then we are heading to the Explorers so get free parking so again this is a pull if you are staying off site but doesnt give us any advantages...

My kids have around £100 between them in spends for the shops which means Ill only save £5-£10 in discount in the shops(well Im hoping so as long as I dont get carried away)!

Oh there is so much to consider its soooo hard!!!

 

[Brummig]

As previously said food can be very expensive in the park so be creative. You can probably take something from the campsite with you for the first night. If you have a kettle you can can take pot noodle/ instant mash type things. You could even take some salad and things in a cooler that will be good for a couple of days. We take snacks from home like crisps, fruit (a rare find on the park), juice to dilute, small packs of sweets (for distraction while queuing!). Decide which restaurants if any you really want to do - we really enjoy Cafe Mickey, but eat simply most of the rest of the time, eg rolls from the shop at the station, chips to share with a drink we have taken in. As we can't go to the bar on an evening we always take our own wine for a drink in the room in the evening.

Whatever you do - have a great time!

 

[Mum to Belle]

We're there the same time as you I think (6th-10th June) - one month to go!!!

Ebay is great for picking up Disney bits before you go and Asda usually have a nice range os Disney clothes for your little ones!

I am working on my planner for our trip at the moment, I could send you a copy if you PM me your email, if that would be helpful?

Happy planning!!

 

[mum2threemonsters]

We're there the same time as you I think (6th-10th June) - one month to go!!!

Ebay is great for picking up Disney bits before you go and Asda usually have a nice range os Disney clothes for your little ones!

I am working on my planner for our trip at the moment, I could send you a copy if you PM me your email, if that would be helpful?

Happy planning!!

Yes Im sending you a PM now this would be useful!

Thanks everyone for your tips Im getting excited now, less than 4 weeks till we set off