My FIRST Trip to DLP (and I'll be solo)!

[ladyandtramp]

Hello folks,

I just found out I'll be making a 2 day stopover in Paris so I'm going to Disneyland!

This will be my very first time there - and to be honest, I'm a bit nervous. I'll be all by myself, and I don't speak a lick of French. Will I have a great deal of trouble since I do not speak nor understand French -- or will this pose any problems at the airport, shuttle, hotel, or park?

Reading through these threads it looks like there is a great deal of experience out there, so I hope you folks will help!

I'll be flying into Charles DeGaulle and will likely take the one of the shuttles mentioned in other threads. I'd love to stay at the DisneyLand Hotel - but I priced it out, and including tickets, it was US$1300.00 for 2 nights! Eek! Sante Fe was only US$500.00 for 2 nights including tickets (still, EEK!), but at almost 2/3rds the price).

How long is the trip from the airport to the hotel?
Anyone know of anyway to get a discount on the hotel?
I'll arrive at the airport at 2:00 - I figure by the time I get luggage, etc., and get to the hotel, it will be 4:00 - and the parks close at 8:00 - so I don't suppose it would be worth the price of a ticket to go in for 4 hours? Do they offer any "evening" tickets for something like this?

I was thinking of getting a 3-day parkhopper - since it is good for a year - in the hopes that my next business trip will allow a layover (there is always hope!). But I didn't necessarily think it a good plan to use for 4 hours.
Then I have the whole next day (its a Sunday), and then I fly out of Charles DeGualle on Monday at 1:30 P (so no time for an am visit to the park - they don't open until 10:00 that day!).

So, I've read through most of the threads on the first few pages, but any tips/tricks folks can offer, I'd be grateful.

I'm a pin trader when I go to WDW - does anyone recommend taking a few pins for trading at DLP, or isn't there much of that going on?

I am just TOOOO excited!

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Jan and welcome to DLP DIS boards We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any thread.

If you have a number of questions it is best to start a new thread for each one as you'll get more people jumping in with offers of help.

You will not have any bother not speaking French, but a simple Merci and S'il vous plait will go a long way with the CM's

Shuttles can take up to 1 1/2 as they go to each terminal at CDG and then to each of the hotels.

There is no way to get discount at the on-site hotels, but off-site such Holiday Inn offer a cost effective solution.

No evening ticket is offered instead, but you can visit park on date of departure.

Have a look at this thread for tips.

You'll find plenty in to pin trading. As long as they are official Disney pins i'm sure you'll have plenty interest

 

[Bexx]

I visited recently with my 5 year old DD, so I was as good as by myself in the help department!!!

As long as you've got a good idea of where to go in CDG airport you won't have a problem - so have a look at this thread. And once you're in DLP you'll be fine, even if you don't know any French.

 

[ladyandtramp]

Hi Jan and welcome to DLP DIS boards We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any thread.

If you have a number of questions it is best to start a new thread for each one as you'll get more people jumping in with offers of help.

Thanks Cyrano!!

I'll do that.

And the pins are all from WDW, so they should be okay!

Bexx - wow! I think that would be harder than going solo!! Thanks!

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

I can appreciate you concern over the difference in cost. We stayed at Seqoia Lodge (Feb2002) and at the Disneyland Hotel (Oct 2004), believe me it's worth every penny. We were made to feel so important, the position to the park means you can go back for a break without having to walk miles and the minute we came out of our rooms we were forever bumping into the characters. If I couldn't stay at the Disneyland Hotel I'd rather not go, it was brill.

 

[NIK]

Hiya Lady!

I went to the Parks on my own the first time and my French is hugely rusty. I managed though. All the CMs seem to speak beautiful English and when I did try a few words of resurrected school girl French they instantly swapped into English - my accent must be as bad as my old French Mistress claimed

Going on your own isn't a problem either although I did have to plump up my courage a bit and not mind feeling a bit silly going on some rides on my own. I still won't go in Phantom Manor - not without a friendly hand to grab on to I went on the Indiana Jones ride first trip out and the very nice Frenchman next to me thought he'd got saddled with a mad woman!

Going on your own is great! You can do stuff at your own pace and if you want to ride POC half a dozen times in a row you can do just that! [assuming you can get on it of course!]

Enjoy

 

[ladyandtramp]

It is always nice to have someone to share the excitement and joy with, but as that is not possible this time, I am still planning on having a good time. My DH and I go to WDW at least twice a year - but he lets me drag him whereever I want to go so the pace will likely be about the same. The best thing he does for me is to "keep me goine" so I don't "over"! dawdle!!

Thanks to all for their support and encouragement. I am SOOOOO looking forward to this, even if I am a bit apprehensive!

 

[SandraVB79]

I went a couple of times alone to the original Disneyland, and I liked it just as much as going in compnay. Actually, I prefer going by myself

As for the price: I could look up the price if you go by yourself and book through Thomas Cook or Jetair in Belgium, I think it will be cheaper, though that also depends on the exchange rate.

IMO, you don't need to spend the huge amount of money for the DLhotel, but it depends why you go: to enjoy the parks or to feel important at a hotel.