Honeymooning at Disneyland Paris?

[puente0629]

Hi,

My hubby and I will be celebrating our marriage Jan. 2011 and we will be spending 10 days at Disney World and then the week after heading to Paris, France for our extended Honeymoon. Has anyone honeymooned at Disneyland Paris? Where did you stay, how long? We are thinking of doing a split stay...3 nights at Disney Paris and then 5 nights in France...any advice? Anything special to done for honeymooners...upgrades, gifts, etc?

Thanks,

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Once in Paris, it's an easy go from there. There is a train that goes straight from EuroDisney down to downtown Paris. Are you any good in French? I was born, raised in Southern France so I have a good understanding of the system and the kind of people down there. Make sure you can get around on your own with little help, because the type of people down there, aren't ones that will be willing to help you.

Paris is a beautiful city, but I would definitely do 7 days in Disneyland than no more than 3 days in Europe. Don't forget the time change as well. Make sure you are willing to spend the time there, very tired.

 

[puente0629]

Once in Paris, it's an easy go from there. There is a train that goes straight from EuroDisney down to downtown Paris. Are you any good in French? I was born, raised in Southern France so I have a good understanding of the system and the kind of people down there. Make sure you can get around on your own with little help, because the type of people down there, aren't ones that will be willing to help you.

Paris is a beautiful city, but I would definitely do 7 days in Disneyland than no more than 3 days in Europe. Don't forget the time change as well. Make sure you are willing to spend the time there, very tired.

thanks and all I know to say in french is hello, goodbye, thank you, your welcome, my name is, how are you and I'm good/okay. We were also considering doing our complete stay at Disney and then doing tours of Paris and maybe even venture on our own there. I've bought every book under the sun, lol

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Hi, I have been to DLRP about 12 times now ( see my second tag!!). I have stayed at all the onsite resorts too. If you have any specific questions, I am sure I can make a good attempt at answering them for you

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Hi,

I have been to Disneyland Paris many times as it's my closest bit of Disney. To be honest I don't think you will need any more than 3 days there. It is really quite small in comparison to Disney world.

There are 2 parks. Disneyland which is almost identical to MK and Disney Studios which is similar to Orlando Disney Studios.

There is also Festival Disney which is between the parks and the hotels and features several Disney shops and a small selection of restaurants.

I think the nicest hotel is Disneyland hotel, right over the park entrance and slightly similar to Grand Floridian in decor. The other one I would recommend is Newport Bay - think Beach and Yacht club.

I agree with Disneyfairytale about the friendliness of the people. The cast members in Disneyland Paris could do with a few lessons in manners!

I would suggest spending the rest of your time in France visiting Paris. There's so much to see there you will have an amazing time.

 

[puente0629]

Does anyone recommend a hotel with in Paris?

 

[PrincessShea]

Hi, I have been to DLRP about 12 times now ( see my second tag!!). I have stayed at all the onsite resorts too. If you have any specific questions, I am sure I can make a good attempt at answering them for you

Which rides do you recommend running to at rope-drop for both parks?

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Definitely the Disneyland Hotel! But it is really pricey - although completely magical! For extra pixie dust you could book a castle club room which gives you access to the lounge and a direct elevator to the park entrance. For a more affordable option you might try some off site hotels - like Dream Castle, Radisson Blu, Marriott or Magic Circus - seem to be nice quality but a good price and most with shuttles to the parks. I'll be trying out the Magic Circus in June! The area where DLP is located is outside the city - so very relaxing, green, pastoral views - if you want a break from the city a nice place to relax.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Moat popular rides at Disneyland Park are probably the same as MK eg Space and Thunder Mountain (no Splash at DLRP)
At Studios it will be TOT, of course (really worth doing as it is quite a bit different from the one at DHS), also a ride called Crush's Coaster which is also popular. New Toy Story attractions open in September too (a RC ride, green parachute man drop ride and something else which escapes my memory!!) so they will be on everyone's 'to do' list!!
I second what Brer Rabbit says and suggest to anybody who has been to WDW and then visits DLRP that they will find it small and compact - no problems strolling from hotels to park and then park to park!! There is transport from the resorts to the parks if you want it though (except for the Disneyland Hotel which straddles the Disneyland Park entrance). Also, remember that it is not part of the French culture to wait in line, and although this is enforced on rides, you will have to be fairly forceful at things like character signings and parades to ensure they don't push in front of you!!
All the hotels are lovely - Disneyland is a bit like the Grand, Sequoia is a bit like Wilderness Lodge and Newport Bay Club a bit like the Yacht and Beach Club. Hotel New York has made an attempt to look like the Manhattan skyline, (fairly unsucessfully I think but inside it is lovely!!) and the values are Cheyenne (western themed - great for kiddos) and Santa Fe (Mexican themed). IMHO the hotels just off property are not at all up to the standard of the just off site ones in Orlando and can't really recommend them myself!!
Disney Village (used to be called Festival Disney), again as Brer Rabbit says, is way smaller than Downtown and has a few shops and restaurants including a Rainforset Cafe and a Planet Hollywood.
Go to DLRP with and open mind and not expecting it to be like WDW and I think you will enjoy it!!! I love the place!! I also love WDW but see them as two different experiences!!!
Not really sure about hotels in central Paris (although I have stayed in some) but Paris is the most beautiful of cities, and I agree that 3 days at DLRP will be enough to do/see everything. Spend the rest of your time exploring Paris and the surrounding area!!
HTH

 

[gemmybear83]

I agree 3 days at Disneyland Paris is enough!! The prices for the Disney hotels are very expensive compared to the facilities you get at WDW - the rooms are much smaller (however this is true all over Europe) also. You can easily commute in to the parks using the rer train from Paris, it takes about 30 mins and they are very regular.

Just be aware that at DLRP people don't seem to queue for buses (but if you stay on site it's all pedestrianised and and easy walk to the parks), characters etc, however I am have never seen any actually queue jumping for rides!

For rope drop crush's coaster is the only thing you need to get there early for! DLRP is much more laidback than wdw no need for touring plans etc, oh and there are only fireworks in the summer ad on special days like new year, bonfire night etc.

I love DLRP the magic kingdom park is waaaay more beautiful than the one at WDW and most of the rides are better too, just be aware of the cultural differences!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Does anyone recommend a hotel with in Paris?

Whilst I can't recommend any specific hotel, I would advise choosing one that's 3* rated or above and I personally would choose one close to a metro station so you can get around easily. Definately worth checking reviews on trip advisor before booking.

 

[sambycat]

theres lots of good info posted here already, but i can tell you my podcast co-host has been there a couple times and was there earlier this year. she swears it is better to stay in paris and make trips - the ticket prices that make the most sense anyway is some kind of "AP" that is for like 3 days BUT you have to do something odd like go the first day and not the second day in a row but after that you can go 2 days in a row. something like that. the metro ride is like about 30 minutes from paris - easy. other pals swear by staying "off property" is none the less magical and much less expensive. and she swears that everyone MUST dine at walts on main street.

have fun! but you must must must see paris proper if this is where you are going!!! and you can do so much in paris! oh lala!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

That would be the "Francilien" annual pass, which only costs 99 euros but can't be used on the two days after the day you buy it.

There's a lot of great info about Disneyland Paris, including info on all the APs, here: http://www.dlrpmagic.com

 

[torsie24]

You could definitely Honeymoon at DLRP! I would personally do 3 nights at DLRP and then 4 nights in Paris itself, or maybe 2 in Paris and then 2 down in the South of France (that way you'll get a little bit of sunshine!)

Definitely stay at the Disneyland Hotel! It's fabulous and perfect for a romantic trip!!!!!

January is a great time to visit. We went last January and didn't have to wait in line for anything (other than Crush's Coaster) for more than 10 minutes all trip! Most of the time everything was a walk on!

Take thermal underwear, hat, scarf, earmuffs and gloves and you will be all set for an amazing time!!!

 

[torsie24]

Also, the blue box in my signature is my January TR, so you can get an idea of that time of year and what we acheived in a 3 night break.

 

[puente0629]

That would be the "Francilien" annual pass, which only costs 99 euros but can't be used on the two days after the day you buy it.

There's a lot of great info about Disneyland Paris, including info on all the APs, here: http://www.dlrpmagic.com

Thanks for the website, it helping out a ton

 

[puente0629]

Also, the blue box in my signature is my January TR, so you can get an idea of that time of year and what we acheived in a 3 night break.

Thanks for the info...we weren't to sure about Jan. and thought about pushing it to October but decided that the lines would be short, less tourists in Paris and according to all the books I read its the best month/season to to experience Paris.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

theres lots of good info posted here already, but i can tell you my podcast co-host has been there a couple times and was there earlier this year. she swears it is better to stay in paris and make trips - the ticket prices that make the most sense anyway is some kind of "AP" that is for like 3 days BUT you have to do something odd like go the first day and not the second day in a row but after that you can go 2 days in a row. something like that. the metro ride is like about 30 minutes from paris - easy. other pals swear by staying "off property" is none the less magical and much less expensive. and she swears that everyone MUST dine at walts on main street.

have fun! but you must must must see paris proper if this is where you are going!!! and you can do so much in paris! oh lala!!!

I totally agree about eating at Walt's and also I love eating at the Blue Lagoon which is situated inside the POTC ride. It's lovely
Can't say I agree about the off-site hotels around DLRP. I have gone down this route twice and both times found their service very short of magical!!! Maybe I was just unlucky!!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We spent part of our honeymoon in Paris and decided at the very last minute to go out to Disneyland for a night in the middle of the trip. The train ride wasn't bad once we figured it out -- the concierge at our hotel gave us bum directions to the station . We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and it was very nice. We probably could've used more than one day in the park but we needed to get back to Paris -- we had kept our room there too so we wouldn't have to drag all our stuff out for one night but we didn't want to pay for double lodging for more than one night. We were there around Halloween and it was very festive -- they really did it up for the holiday.

 

[beach bride 2010]

We're going to Paris in July for our belated honeymoon and doing 2 nights at Disney, 5 in Paris. For the Disney portion we are staying at the DL Hotel. Even with a great discount it is VERY pricey just for a standard room, but to me it's a once in a lifetime trip! The room rates include a daily breakfast and there doesn't seem to be any way around that. As far as meals, I've decided I want to eat at Walt's one day and the other day it is between Blue Lagoon or the meal with the princesses. In the research I've done so far I haven't found any food places at the Studio park that particularly interest me and the tickets we have allow us to park hop. The only ride I've found consistently recommended to do at rope drop is Crush's Coaster.
We haven't booked our Paris hotel yet. It is going to have to be something affordable after the $ we are spending on the DL hotel and I haven't found any particular hotel that is in a good location, nice but also reasonably priced, and has one queen-king sized bed (that's probably the hardest requirement to find but my husband is tall and can't do anything smaller than a queen!). We are very spoiled by the great rates we always get at WDW and DL hotels. You may have better luck than me since you are going in Jan vs July. The travelzoo website has a lot of hotel deals that pop up but they all were for winter and spring. Definitely use tripadvisor and read the recommendations! We have many friends that have gone to Paris and a lot of them recommend looking into renting an apartment in Paris and staying there the entire trip and taking the train to Disneyland. They claim this is the best way to get nice, affordable accomodations in Paris.