Hi, Not sure where to start - help would be appreciated

[MrsJobba1]

Hi all,

my dh and I have been going to WDW for a number of years, we are DVC members. Our next planned trip is 2009, and sitting in the rain this morning we really need a disney fix. We are considering using points to book 3 nights at DLP this august.

I have been through the stickies at the top of the page and my head I must admit is whirring . If we book through DVC our accomodation we need o buy tickets with them - I think.

Is there anything like the disney dining plan @ DLP?

We are thinking about going via at budget airline to Paris and then I've read about the VEA? the bus is this easy to do? is it best to book in advance?

We are thinking about going for my birthday - is there any thing special I could do for it?

Is DLP very similar to WDW?

Sorry for all the questions - my head is kinda spinnning

Thanks

 

[Cyrano]

There are half board and half board plus options for DLP. You pre-order vouchers for the length of your stay.

The VEA shuttle cannot be booked n advance but is easily picked up outside the airport

 

[MrsJobba1]

There are half board and half board plus options for DLP. You pre-order vouchers for the length of your stay.

The VEA shuttle cannot be booked n advance but is easily picked up outside the airport

Thank you for your reply

Is it best to book in advance for your dining as in WDW?

 

[jillrobinson]

The VEA shuttle cannot be booked n advance but is easily picked up outside the airport

Actually you can now book them online at
http://transdev2.netcontrol.fr/index.php

But I don't think there are any benefits of prepurchasing rather than just catching the shuttle at the airport, although I think I'm right in saying that you need the correct money so worth checking the price beforehand.

As for Birthdays lots of us have special meals in our favourite restaurants and have had Birthday Cakes brought to the table, by the CM's and characters if applicable, they will sing Happy Birthday and if you choose somewhere like Cafe Mickey, you will probably find most of the restaurant will join in.

 

[Bexx]

Is it best to book in advance for your dining as in WDW?

Not at all. If you have a particular restaurant you want to eat at on a particular evening, then it's worth ringing dining reservations a week or so before you go, just to be sure. Otherwise you can make them while you're there.

The half board (plus) plan only pays for one table service meal per day, rather than the table service/counter service/snack deal with the DDP. But it's still a good way to save a bit of money and help budget for your trip, should you want or need to.

When you book the hotel on points you will also have to pay for a length of stay pass (and a $95 booking fee too, I believe) Obviously this is more restricting for people who visit often and would prefer to buy annual passes. For a one off trip it works out fairly reasonably.

The VEA shuttle is an easy way to get to DLP, though some people prefer the TGV because the journey time is quicker. There is no need to prebook - just turn up and join the queue.

DLP is only really similar to WDW in that it has a "Magic Kingdom", which is called the Disneyland Park and some of the same rides can be found in there and in the Studios. DLP is much smaller than WDW and has just the two parks, which are situated next to each other, and the onsite hotels are within walking distance of them too. Makes park hopping and popping back to your hotel really easy

 

[Bexx]

But I don't think there are any benefits of prepurchasing rather than just catching the shuttle at the airport, although I think I'm right in saying that you need the correct money so worth checking the price beforehand.

I don't think you need to have the correct money Jill, but it certainly speeds things up if people have sorted out how much to hand over before they get on!!! Also, I don't think they take credit cards any more - is that right?

 

[jillrobinson]

I'm not sure the only time we used it we had tickets included with our package, but I seem to recall reading a Trippie where someone had a problem, I may be wrong though.

 

[Bexx]

I'm wondering if that was the credit card problem I was thinking about?

 

[MrsJobba1]

Thanks for all your replies,

Just wondering if we don't go the DVC route - where is the best place to book, is one travel agent better than an other?

 

[tennisfan]

If you don't go the DVC route. Then try booking direct with Disney as they usually come out cheapest.

 

[Bexx]

If you don't go the DVC route. Then try booking direct with Disney as they usually come out cheapest.

Totally agree, especially if you were already planning to use a budget airline to get there - then you can just book your room and pass package direct with Disney Have a look here on the official website if you want to do a bit of pricing up.

 

[Maribel]

Thanks for all your replies,

Just wondering if we don't go the DVC route - where is the best place to book, is one travel agent better than an other?

I'm also a DVC member and I'm using my points to stay at the disneyland hotel in two weeks from now (yeyyy).
I was just going to suggest to you to check the disneyland paris web site and check out the price of the package they offer for your dates.
At the disney site you also have to purchase the length of stay tickets (it's all packaged together).
When I did the math at how much would I had spent in euros compared to what I was paying on my points, it was a no brainer. I saved thousand of euros using my points.
I'm staying at the disneyland hotel during weekdays and at 46 points that is under $300 per night. (I value my points at around $6). When you compare that to the 500+ EUROS that cost a night at the DLH, well, you see the picture.
I did have to purchase length of stay tickets for the adults (kids under 7 are free), which was about $195 for a five day ticket per person.
I used my visa rewards points for most of the ticket expense, so I ended paying in cash about $150 bucks. When I booked back in January the $95 fee was not yet implemented so I didn't have to pay for that.
In all, this is my math:
DLR 184@$6pp (more or less) for 4 nights in May : $1200
Length of stay tickets: $ 390
No booking fee.
Total: $1590
Same package quoted through DLR web site: EURO 3590 = $5385
Total savings of: $3795
I wouldn't even dreamed about staying at DL Hotel for this long if not because of my points.
For the others hotels, the difference was not quite big, but there was still some savings involved.

 

[Cyrano]

Maribel great to hear of the experiences of a DVC owner.
You have an excellent deal and staying in the Disneyland Hotel will be a wonderful visit