Never Been to DLP

[DW2DH&DS]

Hi all,

I live in California, and we are headed to Europe in 2010 for a Disney cuise. Naturally. we would love to hit DLP as well. I have a few questions...

1. Do all the hotels have rooms with 2 beds? If not, which ones do? Should we avoid any particular hotel?

2. Are the 2 parks large? DL is small relative to WDW. Need to plan whether to park hop or do one park at a time.

3. How long does it take to get to Paris from DLP? I know I need an RER A train that I can catch from the park. Are the fares reasonable? DH snd I have been to Paris before and would love to return with the kid!!!

I have lots more-I'll just start with a few.

Thanks in advanced for any answers/advice. It will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[torsie24]

Every Hotel has rooms with 2 double beds. I'd say 90% of the hotel rooms are like this - other than the Hotel Cheyenne which has a double bed and bunk beds in each room.

I think it's about 20 mins on the train to the centre of Paris.

The Paris Magic Kingdom is the biggest of all the MKs I believe, but the studios is a rather small park, and can definitely be done in a day. If you stay on site though you will automatically get hopper tickets. We found it best to spend most of our time in the main park, and then popped in and out of the studios when we fancied a change.

Unlike WDW it's very easy to get from the main park to studios (similar to at DL California) so you can go back and forth as often as you like.

Welcome to the Disneyland Paris boards!! By the time you go you'll be an expert!!!

 

[Danauk]

I'm just agreeing with Torsie. Park hopping at DLRP is as easy as it is at Disneyland. The only difference really is that at Paris the parks are side by side as opposed to opposite oneanother. Also similarly to Disneyland most of the on site hotels are located at the far side of the Disney village, with the exception of the Disneyland hotel which is located over the main entrance to the Disneyland park, so it is even quicker to get into the park than it is when you are staying at the Grand Californian (we have stayed at both and they are equally as good as oneanother.)

Also unlike at California you do not need to be at the gates 30 - 45 minutes before early entry begins, and there is not the huge morning run to get into the park!! Several times I have got pictures of an empty Main Street on a morning, even when I have visited at busy times!

As for getting into Paris it takes 30 - 35 minutes on the RER. It is really easy though as the station at Disney is inbetween Disney village and the parks. The fares are very reasonable, you just get a ticket that covers the zones you wish to visit that day.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Not much to add, other than I recommend subject to finances, you stay at either the Sequoia Lodge, Hotel New York or Disneyland Hotel (the only one that is a similar quality to the DL hotels - ok the NY is a little like Paradise Pier). Alot depends on what time of year you are going (the Paris parks close early in the off season compared to WDW and DL). The DLH is the only one that offers Grand level facilities.

Also, do not miss Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, unique to Paris, and for me, one of the finest shows Disney has produced in my 34 years of obsession.

DLP is about 1/3rd bigger than DL, but has less attractions. There are a number of walk through attractions though to really enjoy.

WDSP is about 4 minutes further walk for park hopping than DL to DCA. Size wise, it is about the size of HPB and Flik's at DCA. That said, the quality here is the shows - be sure not to miss Cinemagique and Moteurs Action.

Often we tend to do one or 2 full days in DLP, 1 full day at WDSP (popping to the village for a table service lunch) and then one day for hopping. But we are considered wierdos (given we often spend about 2 days DL and 2 days at DCA with a day for park hopping).

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Thank you so much for your responses. Extremely helpful.

We are DVC members and will be using points. We do have enough for 4 nights no matter which hotel we choose. Which hotel do you choose??? My choices are

1. Disneyland Hotel
2. New York Hotel
3. Newport Bay club
4. Sequoia Lodge

Disneyland Hotel (assuming is the equivalent of the Grand Floridian) is on the high end of the point spectrum and Sequoia Lodge on the low. Are all the hotels nice. Is the Sequioa similar to the Wilderness Lodge(WDW) and Grand Californian(DL)? We like to stay at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge when we go to the WORLD. We are local to DL so if we stay the night we just grab a room at the Disneyland Hotel.

Does DLRP have a shuttle to the hotels or do you just walk? Is the Village the same concept as Downtown Disney...shops, restaurants, etc? Speaking of restaurants...how is the food quality in the park?

 

[wintergreen]

Beth,

(BTW, we will be on that cruise with you!!) We have stayed at both the Disneyland Hotel and the Newport Bay Hotel at DLRP on points. We really liked both, but the Disneyland Hotel was nicer and more convenient. We lucked out and got a corner room, which was pretty big, with two double beds and a day bed. The room in the Newport Bay Hotel was pretty standard for a Disney Hotel. Both hotels had nice pool areas. Breakfast is included. We have not stayed at the Sequoia Lodge, but I don't think that it is quite on a par with either the WL or the GC. We did eat dinner there one night, which was great.

You will love DLRP. Parks are close together, and there are lots of attractions that you cannot find anywhere else. Crush's Coaster in the Studios is fantastic! Remember, that I you book on points, you HAVE to purchase length-of-stay passes.

If you plan to visit Paris, itself, you may want to consider actually staying there one or more nights. While, as other posters have noted, it is easy and inexpensive to get into Paris on the RER from DLRP, you might enjoy a night in the City of Lights!

 

[Danauk]

We use DVC points to stay at WDW and used them for the Grand Californian. If you are used to staying at the higher end resorts I would choose the Disneyland (I love having my breakfast looking at an empty Main Street and the castle.) Although the theaming is compleyely different, similar to the Grand Floridian I like it just as much as the Grand Californian. The Sequioa Lodge is not of the same standard as the Wilderness Lodge or the Grand Californian. Similarly the Newport Bay is not the same standard as the Yacht Club at WDW.

For shutles, if you choose the Disneyland hotel you are right over the entrance to the DL park. Also the other hotels are just a sort walk through the village so you do not need one. The Disney village at DLRP is no where near as big as the Village at Disneyland.

For food I would recommend Walts which is located on Main Street and is unique to DLRP. The entrance to the restaurant is a replica of Club 33 at DL, complete with a replica lift. The Blue Lagoon is similar to the Blue Bayou, inside the POTC ride but the theaming is different and IMHO the food is no where near as good. Another recommendation is the California Grill in the Disneyland hotel. The theaming of the restaurant is different to the CG at WDW, but the food qulity is just as good. Plus it has a lovely view of Mian Street and the castle. If you want a good character meal I would recommend Inventions also in the Disneyland Hotel. It is a buffet, but probably the best buffet I have had at any Disney park and the character interaction is very good.

I hope this info helps.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Sequoia Lodge inspired Wilderness Lodge, but is a much much smaller scale. It really is a moderate. And do yourself a favour, and steer clear of the Newport Bay club, 3 elevators (if they are working) service over 1000 rooms and there are not enough cast members - again, although pretty to look at, it is a moderate too. I think DLH offers the best choice (remember your booking includes breakfast and only the DLH and New York offer food items). The beauty of the DLH is you do not have to bother with security checks every day!

There are some great dining choices - I agree Walt's and California Grill are great choices, but also the Steakhouse in the Village (which is shopping and dining) is excellent - like Steakhouse55 in DL. And King Ludwigs is very german, feeling like Epcot. Annette's is fun and good value with roller skating waitresses, but coming from the US, I would skip that one.

We love the Silver Spur in Frontierland, or if you are into the princess thing, Auberge de Cindrillon features a princess ball while dining on salmon, pate, veal, dessert and wine all included.

You can take a bus or walk from any hotel (no busses required for the Disneyland Hotel).

 

[davewasbaloo]

To be honest, I think the SL is a much better choice than the Newport Bay. So my choices would be:

1. DLH
2. New York
3. Sequoia Lodge
4. Newport Bay

 

[davewasbaloo]

Steer clear of counter service, and please be advised to allow about 2 hours for the table service.

 

[sharper_fin]

We're on the same cruise as you!

Of these hotels, my choice would be

1. Sequoia Lodge - fantastic. DLP at its best
2. Newport Bay - excellent, but could've been better. Seems to be missing a few details to bring it up to yacht & beach clob level
3. Disneyland Hotel - nice, but a bit too 'posh' for me, I feel a little uncomfortable there
4. New York - again it's lovely but a little too 'cartoon'

All these hotels are within about five minutes walk of the park entrance. The walk takes you through the Disney Village, which is like a small version of Downtown Disney. More than anything it reminds me of Universal Citywalk

Hope that helps

Shaun

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Thank you everybody for all the wonderful tips and reccommendations!!

Beth,

(BTW, we will be on that cruise with you!!)

That's awesome. are you planning a DLRP trip as well? before or after??

You will love DLRP. Parks are close together, and there are lots of attractions that you cannot find anywhere else. Crush's Coaster in the Studios is fantastic! Remember, that I you book on points, you HAVE to purchase length-of-stay passes.

That I did not know...Thank you!!!

If you plan to visit Paris, itself, you may want to consider actually staying there one or more nights. While, as other posters have noted, it is easy and inexpensive to get into Paris on the RER from DLRP, you might enjoy a night in the City of Lights!

We would like to go to Paris. DH and I honeymooned for 2 weeks and Paris was one of our cities along with London, Lucerne, Venice, Florence and Rome.

We're on the same cruise as you!

Of these hotels, my choice would be

1. Sequoia Lodge - fantastic. DLP at its best
2. Newport Bay - excellent, but could've been better. Seems to be missing a few details to bring it up to yacht & beach clob level
3. Disneyland Hotel - nice, but a bit too 'posh' for me, I feel a little uncomfortable there
4. New York - again it's lovely but a little too 'cartoon'

All these hotels are within about five minutes walk of the park entrance. The walk takes you through the Disney Village, which is like a small version of Downtown Disney. More than anything it reminds me of Universal Citywalk

Hope that helps

Shaun

That absolutely helps. Thanks for the PM reply. Looking forward to meeting you and Alice and everyone else on the Magic!!!

When I listed the choices, they were in DVC point order. My choices are actually tied for Disneyland Hotel and Sequioa Lodge first. 2nd is New York Hotel (i can see that in Vegas easy enough), and 3rd is the Newport Bay (doesn't do much for me). We are going to call on Jan 2nd for DVC to try to get The Allen House (RCI property) in London (give before and after cruise dates) and then book DLRP after we figure out when we have London lodgings if at all. Otherwise it is Marriott for London. My OCD is causing me to have all this planned out NOW and it is still over 1 1/2 years away.We will probably go with Sequioa so we can have some points left over for another vacation.

I'm a total loser...this trip can't come soon enough.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Steer clear of counter service, and please be advised to allow about 2 hours for the table service.

Is that because dining is very crowded, or because it is France and meals are at a pleasantly leisure pace? We like to sit down when possible.

 

[Danauk]

Is that because dining is very crowded, or because it is France and meals are at a pleasantly leisure pace? We like to sit down when possible.

Meals in Paris are very leisurely, I agree with the 2 hours for a sit down!
I really do recommend the Disneyland hotel over the SL. SL is a moderate hotel not a deluxe, the breakfast offerings are not as good (no hot selection and you are given a time to go where as at the DL you get hot food and can go when ever you want to.)

In regards to the New York, it is nothing like the one in Vegas! We have stayed in both and the Vegas one is so much better IMHO.

 

[Deb T.]

We're also on the same cruise!

We were at DLP last July/August and stayed at Newport Bay on DVC points. It was the only hotel we could "afford" for the number of nights we were there. We were very, very disappointed with that hotel. The rooms were in disrepair and the hallway carpeting was very dirty. We started out in one room (with 2 double beds) but the air conditioning didn't work so they moved us to a second room that had one double bed and a set of twin bunk beds. Turned out that the air conditioning didn't work in that room either, plus the door handle to the balcony was broken off and there was a broken wooden panel to the side of the tub that kept falling off. About the only nice thing we can say about it was the breakfast was good and well organized for large crowds. If you have enough points, definitely stay at the DL hotel! We were very envious of everyone who was staying there!

 

[davewasbaloo]

If you have enough points, definitely stay at the DL hotel! We were very envious of everyone who was staying there!

Well I have stayed in all the DLP hotels many times; as well as the Grand Californian and DLH at DL; and Port Orleans Riverside, Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary, Poly, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. At DLP, the only one that is in the same league is the DIsneyland Hotel with the other lakeside hotels being in the same class as Port Orleans, and Newport Bay as the worst.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

We're also on the same cruise!

I can't wait for our cruise...it is going to be a blast!!!!!

We were at DLP last July/August and stayed at Newport Bay on DVC points. It was the only hotel we could "afford" for the number of nights we were there. We were very, very disappointed with that hotel. The rooms were in disrepair and the hallway carpeting was very dirty. We started out in one room (with 2 double beds) but the air conditioning didn't work so they moved us to a second room that had one double bed and a set of twin bunk beds. Turned out that the air conditioning didn't work in that room either, plus the door handle to the balcony was broken off and there was a broken wooden panel to the side of the tub that kept falling off. About the only nice thing we can say about it was the breakfast was good and well organized for large crowds. If you have enough points, definitely stay at the DL hotel! We were very envious of everyone who was staying there!

Well I have stayed in all the DLP hotels many times; as well as the Grand Californian and DLH at DL; and Port Orleans Riverside, Wilderness Lodge, the Contemporary, Poly, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. At DLP, the only one that is in the same league is the DIsneyland Hotel with the other lakeside hotels being in the same class as Port Orleans, and Newport Bay as the worst.

I am leaning toward Disneyland Hotel with the Sequioa Lodge as my back up. The way the cruise dates fall (leaves on a Tuesday) are not playing in my favor. After the cruise is peak time for DLPR. A pre cruise stay will fall on a weekend. We want to be in Dover on the 5th. I am also leaning towards using Marriott points to stay London...more points to use at Disneyland Hotel.

 

[RCDisneyFan]

We're DVC members going to DLP in March and it was Disneyland Hotel for us, without question. Of course, we live in NYC, so traveling all the way to Paris to stay in a NY themed hotel seemed crazy. Unless you're planning to go to DLP a lot - I would cough up the points to stay at DH (I've heard on this board you won't be sorry if you do!)

 

[DW2DH&DS]

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

 

[piglet33]

I'm on the same cruise as you too!

We stayed at the Sequoia Lodge 2 years ago before the Transatlantic Cruise and liked it. It did remind us of the WL - just not as deluxy. We really liked going to DLP, it was much easier to get around there than WDW since you can walk everywhere. It reminded us of DL. Wish we could add it before our cruise, but we're spending the extra time in London.

Renee