Planning Next Trip

[kevankiki]

Despite going at Easter, I am also trying to plan our next trip, and would like to bounce things around.

Since DD finishes school this year I had intended going in June, I even priced up hotels, however, she doesn't finish exams until towards the end of June so we couldn't get the best deal in the end anyway. I've also just read that it can be really hot in June too, and I am not sure hot weather is best suited to me since being diagnosed with MS, so I am turning my attention to October half term (since DD will probably go to college) instead. I also know that she would love to visit during Halloween.

I haven't checked directly with Disney, but My Travel Explorers is coming up as €603 for 6 days which sounds kind of okay to me. I suppose I should also call Disney and see what they quote me, shouldn't I? Certainly when I was looking at June MTE was coming up the cheapest option of all.

We have also decided to use air miles for our next trip (thank you Tesco!), and try flying for a change. I note on the sticky that you can book the train from CDG to DLP on-line, in advance, and this is probably what we would do, but how do you work out which train is the best one to get? More importantly, what happens if you miss it, due to the flight being delayed or something? Will they allow you to take the next train?

Thanks everyone for any help you can give me.

 

[A Small World]

Hi Annette

Nothing like planning another trip is there!!!!

Cant really help with your questions about getting from airport as we've never flown there but wanted to say that we've stayed at Explorers (as well as Holiday Inn which I know you liked this time) and thought it was a lovely hotel- lovely theming and pool.

It will definitely be worth calling Disney though as we've had some really good discounts with AP for Cheyenne at Easter and Sequioa Lodge in July which made it cheaper than the offsite hotels

 

[kevankiki]

Hi Annette

Nothing like planning another trip is there!!!!

Cant really help with your questions about getting from airport as we've never flown there but wanted to say that we've stayed at Explorers (as well as Holiday Inn which I know you liked this time) and thought it was a lovely hotel- lovely theming and pool.

It will definitely be worth calling Disney though as we've had some really good discounts with AP for Cheyenne at Easter and Sequioa Lodge in July which made it cheaper than the offsite hotels

Thanks, I might well give Disney a call, hopefully I won't get the same person as I called twice yesterday about dates in June and July

DD isn't keen on staying at the Sante Fe though, and she didn't particularly like the Cheyenne when we stayed there the first time, something to do with separate buildings rather than one big one. With this in mind, and your comments on My Travel Explorers, this might be the better option for us anyway.

Hopefully someone will be along to advise about booking the train from the airport.

I'd also be interested to hear from anyone who has used Air Miles to book flights, apparently they aren't protected by travel insurance, though you can 'protect' them for 250 air miles - not sure if it would be worth doing this or not?

 

[jillrobinson]

I really envy you, I love the planning as much as the trip itself.

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi Annette,

We booked the TGV from CDG to DLRP, but in the end never used it, as it was during the strikes in November.

For the outgoing journey, I'd add an hour or so to your sheduled flight arrival time, and book the TGV which is nearest to that time. You activate your ticket at a yellow machine on the platform before you board the TGV, and I'm sure I've seen other posts on here that you can take a later TGV if you miss the one you are booked on (you have the option on the website of choosing a flexible ticket), but I've not had to do that yet.

I have taken the TGV back from DLRP to CDG - it can't be beaten - 10 minutes and you're there (and you also get a good hour more in the parks over the VEA).

Elaine

 

[jillrobinson]

Annette you might be better asking the question about Airmiles and Insurance over here http://www.paidtoshop.co.uk/index.php
There are people on there who are constantly using Tesco Clubcard Deals, I suppose it depends on whether you mind losing your tickets and deals in the event of cancellation.
Not sure if the link is allowed, mods please edit accordingly if not.

 

[A Small World]

I love the planning as much as the trip itself.

Me too

 

[BRobson]

That is a great rate for the Explorers Hotel - very tempting

I am getting DLP withdrawl symtoms at the moment

 

[kevankiki]

Hi Annette,

We booked the TGV from CDG to DLRP, but in the end never used it, as it was during the strikes in November.

For the outgoing journey, I'd add an hour or so to your sheduled flight arrival time, and book the TGV which is nearest to that time. You activate your ticket at a yellow machine on the platform before you board the TGV, and I'm sure I've seen other posts on here that you can take a later TGV if you miss the one you are booked on (you have the option on the website of choosing a flexible ticket), but I've not had to do that yet.

I have taken the TGV back from DLRP to CDG - it can't be beaten - 10 minutes and you're there (and you also get a good hour more in the parks over the VEA).

Elaine

Thanks Elaine, that is really helpful! I didn't realise you could book a flexible ticket, so maybe that's the way to go for peace of mind. I did look at the sites recommended for booking (are the prices all the same or is it worth comparing them?) and June was too far ahead to 'book', therefore October definitely would be! Did you get your money back on the tickets you didn't use?

Thanks Jill for the link, will take a look!

That is a great rate for the Explorers Hotel - very tempting

Do their rates change at all? If I booked it then would I get the room at that rate? I noticed you can cancel up to four days in advance anyway, so it's tempting to book it, but then I'd hate to cancel it at a later date (and I haven't organised transport yet!).

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi,

I did get my tickets refunded for the TGV in full - I had phoned the ticket office in London before we went though, as I had read on this site about the strikes.

I think I booked with the Rail Europe site, but they are all about the same price.

Elaine

 

[kevankiki]

Thanks Elaine, you've been a huge help

 

[Ware Bears]

Do their rates change at all? If I booked it then would I get the room at that rate? I noticed you can cancel up to four days in advance anyway, so it's tempting to book it, but then I'd hate to cancel it at a later date (and I haven't organised transport yet!).

Who is this with? If it's with Benotel, yes, the rate is guaranteed and you can cancel on-line without any problems within the time limits.

 

[kevankiki]

Who is this with? If it's with Benotel, yes, the rate is guaranteed and you can cancel on-line without any problems within the time limits.

Yes it is with Benotel, but does the rate change as the rooms get booked up?

i.e. Do you get a cheaper rate if you book way in advance, or will it remain the same anyway?

 

[Ware Bears]

I would say the earlier you book the cheaper it will be. We've always gone in school holidays and the rate has nearly always increased (one time it stayed the same). Maybe it decreases for quieter times but never for the times we've used them.

 

[kevankiki]

Thanks Elaine, that helped me to make my decision, I have booked the hotel for October half term anyway - 6 nights from 26th October, so we can go to the Halloween Party if we like too!

We've never gone for more than 3 nights before, but I'd like to get to the Shopping Mall, plus I think it will make it a more leisurely break.

Now, how long do you think I can hold off, before booking those flights?

 

[Ware Bears]

Great news Annette!!!

Bet you have booked your flights by the weekend!!!

 

[kevankiki]

Ooooh, don't know if I'm that brave, once they are booked there is no chance of changing anything . Flights using Air Miles seem to be readily available as far as I can see.

 

[wendybird7]

Some info about the TGV - we used it in October from CDG Terminal 2 to DLP....and was one of the highlights of our holiday - we found it absolutely insane how quickly we were in DLP, with absolutely no fuss! I believe our return tickets for 2 were around 45-50euros for both of us, and it was so worth it, especially considering it was not a lot more expensive than the VEA. The train was very quiet, and we got into CDG around 9.50, and our TGV was booked for 10.30, which we managed to get in time, even after stalling for a loo break and a *** break for my mum. The TGV station in terminal 2 is wayyyy down between gates E and F or something like that, off the top of my head - allow a good 15 minutes to find it. No one actually even checked our tickets, and I've only found out on this post you're supposed to put it in the yellow things someone referenced! Whoops! If your scheduled flight time is around 11am for example, get the one at 12.15, as I think there is one scheduled for around 11.40 and 12.15, but no doubt you can take the earlier one if you make it.

 

[kevankiki]

Thank Wendybird

We have sort of used the TGV, due to changing at Lille on our last trip, the train stops at CDG airport, so I remember it's a nice train. We just haven't got on at the airport before.

Once we have our flights booked I shall have to investigate and weigh up the costs, when checking prices yesterday it appeared to be cheaper to use a shared shuttle service. No doubt it depends when you travel, and we always travel at peak times it seems

 

[hildasmuriel]

I'd also be interested to hear from anyone who has used Air Miles to book flights, apparently they aren't protected by travel insurance, though you can 'protect' them for 250 air miles - not sure if it would be worth doing this or not?

Inspired by this thread I converted my Clubcard points to Airmiles. They warn that it will take up to 28 days but 3 days later (i.e. this morning) I got an e-mail confirming my Airmiles balance had been amended to include these points. I have just been on their site and booked 2 flights Heathrow - CDG for 7th April, returning 10th April. 1 adult, 1 child was 1425 points. It cost me £60 worth of Clubcard vouchers. .
They offer insurance to cover the Airmiles just before you confirm your order. In the event of my not being able to travel through illness etc then they would reimburse my account with the Airmiles. I had very few Airmiles left so they offered it to me at (I think) £14, but I didn't accept.