Newbie going by ferry to DLP

[Alexandria]

Hi all
New to these boards so I hope one of you lovely people can point me in the right direction.
Having suddenly decided to go for 2nights in the easter week (staying at sante fe so get 3 days park access included) our best option of getting there seems to be driving from Cheshire to dover, doing a ferry to Dunkerque, driving to nearby and spending 1 night in a non disney hotel ready to make full use of park access the following day.
My question is can anyone recommend a decent but cheap hotel nearby? Also is there a better port to come into than Dunkerque?
We have never taken our children abroad before (5 years and 18 months old) so wanting to save as much money on journeying and make the holiday itself fantastic (hence driving as we get free petrol from dh's work lol)
Thanks
Alex

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Alex and welcome to DLP DIS board
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here, DIS posting guidelines can be found here.

Can't help witha hotel but if you look at The Very Useful Info sticky there are links to budget hotels close to DLP so you could get a head start.

Regarding crossing, Eurotunnel or ferry to Calais will be shorter and slightly closer to DLP

 

[mulan1]

wouldn't calais be an easier option?

 

[Alexandria]

So if I do folkestone to calais then would it make much of a difference? sorry for ignorance but I really don't know! lol
Any ideas re hotel nearby for the first night?

 

[britchic4]

So if I do folkestone to calais then would it make much of a difference? sorry for ignorance but I really don't know! lol
Any ideas re hotel nearby for the first night?

Sorry, don't know about hotels but the Eurotunnel crossing is only 35 mins and very quick on and off. Then it's 3 hours' drive to DLRP from Calais.

 

[Millies Daddy]

Great. Something I can help someone with. Our last two trips have started with a night in the Travelodge (www.travelodge.co.uk) First time at Canterbury and the second at Ashford. Canterbury to Dover is 20 miles and Ashford is 24 miles.

They are also doing rooms on special offer over Easter. If I had a choice the Ashford Travelodge would be my first option.

We have also used P&O Ferries for both crossings. A very pleasing and easy experience. We have two little ones and the hour and half on the ferry was nicer than sat in the car for more time than is necessary. Also, in our experience, the ferry is better value for money. OK, it takes an hour longer to get to France, but it can work out considerably cheaper.
Hope this helps,
Millies Daddy