I'm going to Paris for free, and I need advice

[Trena]

I just found out that DH has a business trip to Paris in June. His boss is paying for my plane ticket. How cool is that? I will go to the convention and work with DH a little. The boss (DB=Dear Boss?) said we will have time to see the sights. I don't know if I'll have the afternoons or an entire day or 2. DB is a "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda guy, and I have OPD (obsessive planning disorder).

I am excited to see Paris, and I'm sure you know what else I'd like to see....DLPR. I've been reading trip reports and looking at photos you guys have posted. Its been helpful and fun. I live in Florida and have been to WDW many, many, many times. It would be fun to experience the differences.

I think I'm brave enough to venture out in the city on my own while DH works. He isn't sure he wants me to go to DLPR by myself though. I'm not sure about that either.

How early can I get to the parks from Paris? (I clicked on the link to see the train schedule, but its in French.) Do I need to start learning French? Am I going to be totally lost (in the park, and/or Paris) if I don't speak any French? Is English spoken in the parks by the CMs?

If you only had an afternoon, would you take the train out to DLPR? I could go to the Village (I assume that is like Downtown Disney) shop and have dinner. Where would you eat?

If you had one day, how would you spend it at DLPR? I'd love to spend one night there. Which hotel gives you the VIP fastpasses?

I've seen the Half Board meal program mentioned...is that a little discount, or half price? ...just trying to figure out why they call it "half' board.

What things are really different than WDW? What attractions would you recommend are a MUST see, and which are no big deal when compared to WDW?

What is the weather like in June? Are the parks really busy like WDW is in June?

I've never traveled out of the United States (except for a 3 day Disney Cruise) and I don't speak French, but I could try. Any advice about Paris, or DLPR would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

 

[mika911]

Thanks. I may go for the first time this summer too.

English from what I understand is not a problem at all at Disneyland Paris. In Paris city, it could be bit of an issue some places, also only from what I've read.

I think it would be perfectly fine for you to go to DLP alone, but it would be lonely, so I probably wouldn't do it, but if that is something you do at WDW, you shouldn't feel worst about it there. If you get the metro maps, it's supposedly quite easy to get to DLP on the train. However, during rush hour weekdays I understand these trains are very busy. The disney is at end of a train line that is on one of the busiest train lines on the planet earth.

They say June has no school holidays, but weekdays are always better than weekends.

Just thought I'd chime in a bit, but I'm sure the experts will give you better information soon.

 

[Trena]

Thanks. I may go for the first time this summer too.

We have something in common then!

English from what I understand is not a problem at all at Disneyland Paris. In Paris city, it could be bit of an issue some places, also only from what I've read.

I think it would be perfectly fine for you to go to DLP alone, but it would be lonely, so I probably wouldn't do it, but if that is something you do at WDW, you shouldn't feel worst about it there.

I would prefer to go with DH but would go without him as a last resort!

If you get the metro maps, it's supposedly quite easy to get to DLP on the train. However, during rush hour weekdays I understand these trains are very busy. The disney is at end of a train line that is on one of the busiest train lines on the planet earth.

They say June has no school holidays, but weekdays are always better than weekends.

so, school is "in" during June?

Just thought I'd chime in a bit, but I'm sure the experts will give you better information soon.

thanks!

 

[Disneyfoo]

Hello It is very easy to get from Paris to DLRP, the parks open at 10 o'clock in the morning in June (Unless you have extra magic hours access). The train takes around 45 minutes, so if you left Paris at 9:00am you would arrive around 9:50, trains start running much earlier though and you could be there for 8:00am if you wanted. If you check out this website you can plan your train journey http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php#, simply put Disneyland Paris in the destination and select the place option. If you don't know any French stations use Gare Du Nord as the depature as it will give you some idea of times. Going out on a limb I would imagine the crowds would be fairly terrible in Paris itself in the morning but on the Metro out of Paris they should not be too bad, as you are heading away from the hub.

Not speaking French won't be a problem in the parks, the majority of the CMs speak excellent English, I think saying greetings and thank you in French is nice though . In Paris a French phrasebook will help although a lot of Parisians can speak English, in my experience anyway! I have been to Paris quite a lot and never felt out of my depth even though my French is rather basic. As an aside, I really like the French language and am in the process of teaching myself more complex French in the hopes of taking an A-Level at some point!

If I only had the afternoon I am not sure I would make the journey to go just to Disney Village, it's nicer than it used to be but still very limited in terms of shops. There are some nice places to eat (Chicago Steakhouse, Cafe Mickey) but not a whole lot to do. However that is just my opinion and someone else may feel differently!

In one day I would stick to the main park, unless you really wanted to see the Paris versions of TOT and R'n'R. The must do list for me includes, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Thunder Mountain and Phantom Manor. Having never been to any other Disney Parks I have no comparison personally, however friends who have been have said the DLRP version of BTM and Space Mountain are as good as if not better. I suppose the main thing to do would just be to take in the ambience, which I think is second to none and what seperates Disney from a theme park.

The weather in June will most likely be pretty warm, having said that when we went last year in June we had the most awful weather. We flew back to the UK in a thunderstorm, a nervy time for a nervy flyer! When it was sunny it was very warm though, and even when it was rainy it was still humid. Paris is a lovely city in June, I really wish I could go again this year but have to wait till September. When we went last year the crowds were not too bad, but I believe there is an increase in crowd levels due to offers. I am sure someone else will know more about that than me!

I think only the suites get VIP fastpasses, although the Disneyland Hotel guests enjoy some form of special fastpass. Half board is so called because you get half your meals (i.e lunch or dinner) and essentially you pay in advance for vouchers which you then exchange for a meal in certain restaurants.

I hope I have been of some assistance. and do forgive any glaring grammatical and syntax errors, it is 6 in the morning and I am still half asleep!

 

[Trena]

Thank you Disneyfoo, those were just types of comments and opinions I am looking for.

at 6:00 a.m. I couldn't function well enough to turn my computer on, much less type a response!