Help for some Americans?

[BRC6C]

Hi all!!

We're thinking about a trip for this summer that might include DLP. We would be flying over from Washington, DC traveling around a little (Germany mostly we think) then heading for a few days at DLP before making our way to Dover to catch a trans-Atlantic cruise back to New York.

There are lots of variables in this one, but at the moment I'm worrying about how best to book for the DLP part of the trip. It seems that everything is set up for easier booking for those in Europe or the UK. Anyone have any advice? Also, what's the best way to get from DLP to Dover? We're talking late June/early July for this trip, anything I should know about crowds at that time?

We have spent a lot of time at WDW and some time at DL in CA. Knowing those parks, I'm having trouble figuring out if two days at DLP will be enough or if we should spring for a third?

I'm sure I'll have more questions if we go through with this plan, so thanks in advance for any help you can offer!!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Hello,
There is the high speed train and the stop right at DLP. It is fast and economical.

Two days will be enough time if you are use to WDW and DL in the States. I would say lower your expectations on service. It is not the smiles and "happiest place on earth". It is DLP not owned by Disney.

Take time to notice the attention to detail that is not in the US parks. The castle is amazing. Some rides better and some not so. I have taken over a year to put my finger on what made it so different for us and it was the interaction with the CM's or lack thereof. We are use to smiles, chatting and happy people. We did meet a few CM's from the States who explained how the work attitude is different at DLP.

Enjoy the parks, the detail, the castle and look for the good. The haunted mansion is the best!

 

[chmurf]

2 days are enough
You need to put DLP into perspective as compared to WDW.

To give you the idea, both parks in DLP share the same parking lot. You can get between the 2 parks in a 2 or 3 minutes walk, and Disney Village (relate to DTD) is located between the parks and the parking lot.

So as you may realise, it's not like WDW and if you're on a 2 park/day tickets you might even hop between parks more often than you'd think.

try to imagine that, except for the turnstiles, going from one park to the other is similar to going from a land to another in MK

2 days are definitely enough.

Also, as was mentionned, don't get your expectations too high, and don't expect to get a WDW or DL kind of service. As a French myself I'm quite ashamed when I compare DLP to WDW, but you can still find the Disney magic, don't worry

To go to Dover, one option would be to catch the train between DLP and Paris Gare du nord, then eurostar to Ashford, and then a train to Dover, but there might be easier ways

 

[Princess Clayre]

Sounds like an exciting trip you have planned

2 full days will be enough to see the parks. Try and stay in a onsite hotel and then you will hopefully be able to do EMH which start at 8 in the main park rather than the normal 10 o'clock opening. This will get you ahead on the crowds. 3 days might just easy the pressure on you depending of what your hoping to see.

There was a thread not so long back where Americans had booked on the UK site with no problem. Hotel confirmations are by email now and you just collect park tickets went you arrive.

For the getting to Dover part, I would look into either train from Marlee Le Valley (Disney's station) to Calais (try SNCF's website) then a ferry across to Dover or as someone said before the Eurostar to Ashford. Our train this week went direct from DLP to Ashford so you might not have to go into Gare Du Nord. You could also hire a car to drive yourself to Calais and then catch the ferry.

Happy Planning