Lots of general questions.. First visit to Disneyland Paris..

[aislingii]

I apologise in advance if I have posted this in the wrong place, but I still can't navigate my way around this website...

We are a family of 6 travelling to Disneyland Paris for the first time in July.

I have a few questions that I was hoping people could answer for me or direct me to a page where I could get the answers.

What is the best seating for 6 people on the eurostar to disney?

Our group consists of 9 year old, 14 year old, 15 year old, 20 year old, 27 year old and over 40 year old

We were wondering if we should sit in the family carriages or is it rude to when we only have one child with us?

Also can anyone explain the luggage allowance for us? I have searched everywhere on the Eurostar website and cannot figure out what the size dimensions/weights are?

Are there lockers available in the train station/disney where we can store our bags after check out on the last day while we are at the parks? If so, does anyone have a rough idea of what price/size the lockers are?

I am assuming wine can be brought back in luggage on Eurostar? Can it be brought back in checked in bags with ryanair?

We are staying at the explorers hotel and were wondering where the bus stop for this hotel shuttle bus is located?

On the topic of hotel, does anyone know what the city tax is for staying here? per person per night? and is a deposit taken at the hotel in case of accidents damage? (we have paid in full for hotel already)

When I was reading up about the hotel, people were saying that men have to wear speedos at the hotel pool as part of some french swimwear guidelines.. we are a party of 6 all female, so I was wondering if there were any female swimwear regulations that we should take into consideration when packing our swimwear?

I have posted on the annual pass by mail thread, but just in case, we are a family with 3 different surnames and we were hoping to apply for our annual passes with the family discount. Will the different surnames make a difference? And also is the rainforest cafe included as one of the places where you can get the annual passholders dining discount of 10/15% (not sure if it's 10 or 15% for dining - we would have the francilien passes)

And my last question.. I have searched everywhere on google and forums for this but can't seem to find it anywhere. We would be hoping to buy the photopass plus or similar for park photos. What would be the price of printed photos in the park with the photopass plus? (I know you get digital downloads, but we would prefer to print some of our photos off in the park) or is there a better value programme/deal other than photopass plus if you want photos printed in the park?

Sorry for the long post and all the questions

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Perfect place to ask these questions! Unfortunately I am not much help as I have never used Eurostar, stayed at Explorer's or used the photopass plus (yet). However the one thing I can tell you is that prints (6 x 8 and without frames) are 15.99 euros for the first one and then 5 euros for all subsequent ones printed at the same time. Someone better qualified will be able to tell you if this price applies to those printed from the photoplus pass ticket too.

Oh, and there is baggage storage at the main park entrance which is free with a Dream Pass. I think it is about 8 euros per item otherwise.

 

[aislingii]

Thanks cherrymarzipan

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Hello again

I've just replied on the AP thread for you concerning the family discount.

If you are staying offsite have you checked that there aren't any blackout dates when you go ? as if there is you will need a higher AP than the Francillien as you won't have park acces on these days.

The AP discount is 10% and although the RFC is not listed as one of the restaurants in Disney Village many people have had a reduction. I don't know if you get shareholders discount in there or not

Concrning Eurostar you can sit where you like, I've been sat in the family carriage before now on my own and there was only one family group in there so if you like the look of those seats go for them.

Eurostar say 2 pieces of luggage(under 85cm long) plus 1 hand luggage pp

There are no real weight limits, if you can carry it you can take it I(ve lifted over 30kg before now on and off the train but I doubt you will be taking that much.

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-information/travel-planning/luggage/luggage-allowances

There are lockers in the train station as well as the entrance to the park as Cherry has said.

I'll find you out a thread where you've got all the details.

Swimwear for women is same as anywhere though don't be suprised if you need a swim cap as I don't know about hotel pools but public pools require them.

The bus stop for the Explorers is at the bus depot just opposite the train station and the parks. It is clearly signposted and is the N°54.

The room tax will be 1.10€ pp over 13 per day and you'd have to check with them if they need a cc imprint or not but it is rare here in France that hotels request it.

There's nothing stopping you carrying wine back in your hold luggage but I wouldn't garantee it getting there in one piece.

hth

 

[aislingii]

Thanks Carrie_Cat!

 

[lilacgems23]

Hello again

I've just replied on the AP thread for you concerning the family discount.

If you are staying offsite have you checked that there aren't any blackout dates when you go ? as if there is you will need a higher AP than the Francillien as you won't have park acces on these days.

The AP discount is 10% and although the RFC is not listed as one of the restaurants in Disney Village many people have had a reduction. I don't know if you get shareholders discount in there or not

Concrning Eurostar you can sit where you like, I've been sat in the family carriage before now on my own and there was only one family group in there so if you like the look of those seats go for them.

Eurostar say 2 pieces of luggage(under 85cm long) plus 1 hand luggage pp

There are no real weight limits, if you can carry it you can take it I(ve lifted over 30kg before now on and off the train but I doubt you will be taking that much.

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-information/travel-planning/luggage/luggage-allowances

There are lockers in the train station as well as the entrance to the park as Cherry has said.

I'll find you out a thread where you've got all the details.

Swimwear for women is same as anywhere though don't be suprised if you need a swim cap as I don't know about hotel pools but public pools require them.

The bus stop for the Explorers is at the bus depot just opposite the train station and the parks. It is clearly signposted and is the N°54.

The room tax will be 1.10€ pp over 13 per day and you'd have to check with them if they need a cc imprint or not but it is rare here in France that hotels request it.

There's nothing stopping you carrying wine back in your hold luggage but I wouldn't garantee it getting there in one piece.

hth

Yes you can use your shareholders card here.

 

[Chuckers]

I was reading your post and came to the part about men having to wear speedos? I am a bear of a guy who would NEVER wear speedos anywhere!!!

I can't wear regular swim trunks in the hotel pool? If I have to wear a speedo, I am glad the pool is closed for most of my visit!

 

[mvmarrewijk]

Don't forget that when you buy a francillien annual pass you won't be allowed to use it the next two day after you have bought it!

 

[mc2]

I was reading your post and came to the part about men having to wear speedos? I am a bear of a guy who would NEVER wear speedos anywhere!!!

I can't wear regular swim trunks in the hotel pool? If I have to wear a speedo, I am glad the pool is closed for most of my visit!

I'm glad we aren't the only ones who found this to be the most important piece of info we have ever read on the DIS boards!! Have thoroughly enjoyed taunting hubby with this little tidbit today.

From what I have read online since seeing that, it is often fine to wear board short type suits in private pools (including many hotels), but that the speedo thing is a must for any public pools. This will make for some interesting pre-trip shopping.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Don't forget that when you buy a francillien annual pass you won't be allowed to use it the next two day after you have bought it!

If you order it by post the two days are past by the time you receive it so there are no problems. Thba (Thorsten) has already bought and used one like this.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I was reading your post and came to the part about men having to wear speedos? I am a bear of a guy who would NEVER wear speedos anywhere!!!

I can't wear regular swim trunks in the hotel pool? If I have to wear a speedo, I am glad the pool is closed for most of my visit!

I'm glad we aren't the only ones who found this to be the most important piece of info we have ever read on the DIS boards!! Have thoroughly enjoyed taunting hubby with this little tidbit today.

From what I have read online since seeing that, it is often fine to wear board short type suits in private pools (including many hotels), but that the speedo thing is a must for any public pools. This will make for some interesting pre-trip shopping.

You can wear either speedos or swim shorts which are what my OH wears and looks like these

http://www.decathlon.fr/C-353901-maillot-de-bain-natation

Public pools are all like this and many hotels - it's due to hygiene reasons (eg -people wearing their baggy underwear shorts in the pools) and safety as it's easier to get caught up in the water pumps and the drains.

 

[torsie24]

I never knew that about speedos! I Can't wait to tell DH.

quite the opposite to what you'd see written on the US trip planning board. I almost got the impression speedos arent legal in the states!

My dad wears speedos and I was quite relieved to tell him to get some bigger shorts for wdw!!

 

[Chuckers]

You can wear either speedos or swim shorts which are what my OH wears and looks like these

http://www.decathlon.fr/C-353901-maillot-de-bain-natation

Public pools are all like this and many hotels - it's due to hygiene reasons (eg -people wearing their baggy underwear shorts in the pools) and safety as it's easier to get caught up in the water pumps and the drains.

Oh Hell-to-the-no! Those shorts would be worse than speedos for me.. I am definitely a 'people-who-should-never-wear-tight-clothes' person. I'll skip swimming.. I can do it at home

 

[mc2]

Public pools are all like this and many hotels - it's due to hygiene reasons (eg -people wearing their baggy underwear shorts in the pools) and safety as it's easier to get caught up in the water pumps and the drains.

It's totally a cultural thing (and I respect it - we'll be speedo shopping!). There is absolutely no difference from a hygiene/health perspective once you get in the water - whether you are in a speedo, board short bathing suits (that are the norm in North America), or nuttin' but your birthday suit. And as for safety, I have yet to hear of a single case of a man getting his shorts caught in a drain/filter over here - kids with super long hair, yes (but very rare). Shorts, no.

I think we're all just in a bit of shock - we always knew it was more common over there (there's a very small minority of North American men who would have on the speedo for recreational swimming), but I don't think any of us realized it was an actual rule. No disrespect meant - just honestly and truly a "Haha! Wow! This actually true and I'm not being punked" kind of reaction from it being so opposite to what the cultural norms are over here. In fact, if you were to video tape all of our reactions from the moment when we realized this was actually legit and the speedos need to be bought/packed, it would probably make for some very entertaining viewing!

I am actually having a hard time finding some for my hubby and son!! It's hard enough to find bathing suits in general in rural Canada in the dead of winter , let alone some speedos! If any fellow US or Canadian DISers have any suggestions for websites, pass 'em along!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

We are staying at the Sequoia Lodge, can men wear regular swim trunks there? Hubby would NEVER wear a Speedo.

 

[Isabel]

Well, that answers the question of whether or not to bring bathing suits.

 

[torsie24]

I don't see the big deal? Once you're in the water no one can tell what swimwear you have on anyway?

 

[Chuckers]

I don't see the big deal? Once you're in the water no one can tell what swimwear you have on anyway?

The big deal is walking from the chair to the water.. and then walking back and drying off... to someone with body image issues, that is a VERY big deal.

 

[torsie24]

The big deal is walking from the chair to the water.. and then walking back and drying off... to someone with body image issues, that is a VERY big deal.

Which I would get if normal swimwear covered head to toe. But it's not like looser swimming shorts cover anything extra than the "French" ones?

Men are still completely naked from head to hip and mid thigh to foot.

I totally get people who don't want to be seen in swimwear. Since having my daughter I wouldnt relish the thought of having my stomach on show but swimwear is never the most discreet clothing. We're lucky as females that we can choose to cover our upper body if we want to. Men don't get that choice no matter what the style of shorts. Hence why I don't see the big deal.

 

[Chuckers]

Which I would get if normal swimwear covered head to toe. But it's not like looser swimming shorts cover anything extra than the "French" ones?

Men are still completely naked from head to hip and mid thigh to foot.

I totally get people who don't want to be seen in swimwear. Since having my daughter I wouldnt relish the thought of having my stomach on show but swimwear is never the most discreet clothing. We're lucky as females that we can choose to cover our upper body if we want to. Men don't get that choice no matter what the style of shorts. Hence why I don't see the big deal.

Looser swimming shorts DO cover move upper leg and belly than speedos. Looser swimming shorts also don't accent the spare tire that hangs over the speedo waistband. And, to be as blunt as I can be on a family bulletin board, looser shorts don't accent other "things" that don't need to be displayed to the world.

This is how I would feel wearing a speedo: