Some planning questions!

AussieAngel

DIS Veteran
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Apr 26, 2006
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Yay! DH and I are heading to DLP in late June, and I'm only just starting to research it now. Wah! :scared1:

I have my 'Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Paris' to start reading, but I thought I'd ask my trusty friends on the DIS boards for some much-needed planning advice first!

So here goes... Any advice to these questions would be fabulous!

* First up, our hotel. We really can't decide between Hotel New York or Newport Bay. From what I've read, Hotel New York is a bit nicer (and closer to the parks) but Newport Bay is less expensive. Considering we'll be in the parks most of the time or out for dinner, it shouldn't be a huge issue, but we'd like to stay somewhere relatively nice!

* How does one book the Magical Express bus (or equivalent) from the Eurostar train station to the Disney hotel? I can't seem to find anything about it online.

* When we do look at booking our holiday package online, it automatically gives us a 4 day park pass, even though we'll only be going to the parks for 3 days. Is there any way of changing that, or does it make no difference, price-wise?

* Do we have to make dining reservations? I'm so used to making them months in advance like for WDW, I feel like I should!

Hmm, I think that's about it for now. Sorry for the rambles! If you have any other tips for a DLP first-timer, fire them at me! I'd love to hear anything you could suggest. Great restaurants we should try, tips for the parks... anything!

Thanks in advance, everybody! :yay:
 
Yay! DH and I are heading to DLP in late June, and I'm only just starting to research it now. Wah! :scared1:

I have my 'Unofficial Guide to Disneyland Paris' to start reading, but I thought I'd ask my trusty friends on the DIS boards for some much-needed planning advice first!

So here goes... Any advice to these questions would be fabulous!

* First up, our hotel. We really can't decide between Hotel New York or Newport Bay. From what I've read, Hotel New York is a bit nicer (and closer to the parks) but Newport Bay is less expensive. Considering we'll be in the parks most of the time or out for dinner, it shouldn't be a huge issue, but we'd like to stay somewhere relatively nice!
I think most people would choose Hotel New York over Newport Bay - not only is it closer to the parks but it's a higher standard to the Newport Bay with a hot breakfast provided in your booking. The majority of complaints with the Newport Bay seem to be that it's tired and in need of refurbishment, and HUGE (read this as lengthy walks down corridors to reach anywhere) with mass crowds at breakfast. The crowds at breakfast can be avoided by choosing the first breakfast slot or by opting to have breakfast in the park - you go into Disneyland park for EMH and eat breakfast (non-character) at one of the restaurants in the park. This isn't possible to book in advance but can be requested at check-in. You can also avoid the possibility of a lengthy walk to your room by booking an Admirals floor room which has a separate check-in desk, bell and room service, free towel hire for the pool, and (I believe) the rooms are in the main body of the hotel and not in the wings.

We've chosen to stay at Newport Bay this summer - Hotel New York was outside of our budget but to be honest I'd rather stay at Newport Bay anyway as the New York just doesn't do anything for me (sorry, HNY fans :flower3: ) and we all love the look of the Newport Bay. I may live to regret this decision ;) but at least then we'll know for the future.

* How does one book the Magical Express bus (or equivalent) from the Eurostar train station to the Disney hotel? I can't seem to find anything about it online.
It's a very short distance from the Eurostar station - 5 minutes walk to the New York and 10 minutes to the Newport Bay. You don't book the buses - they are very regular and are straight outside the station, you just hop on the one to your hotel. To be honest, if you opt for the New York, it will probably be quicker to walk there provided you have luggage with wheels! :rotfl2:

* When we do look at booking our holiday package online, it automatically gives us a 4 day park pass, even though we'll only be going to the parks for 3 days. Is there any way of changing that, or does it make no difference, price-wise?
Hmmm, it is possible to book a package with more nights than tickets but you'll have to do this by phone and therefore probably won't be able to book through the UK's offer (see my reply to your other post). What you could do is book a 3 night package then book a night in an offsite hotel (Explorers, Dream Castle, Magic Circus or Kyriad - the latter is usually the cheapest, there are some very good prices on its website), these are very close by and serviced by a complimentary bus service too, or sometimes you see room-only deals on Expedia for the Disney hotels.

* Do we have to make dining reservations? I'm so used to making them months in advance like for WDW, I feel like I should!
Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance but unless it's a very busy time ie Christmas you can wait until you get there and book through your hotel concierge or at City Hall - unless you decide on a certain restaurant on a certain day in which case I'd suggest phoning a couple of weeks before you go.

Hmm, I think that's about it for now. Sorry for the rambles! If you have any other tips for a DLP first-timer, fire them at me! I'd love to hear anything you could suggest. Great restaurants we should try, tips for the parks... anything!

Thanks in advance, everybody! :yay:
I'm sure everyone will chip in here. My favourite restaurants are Walt's, Inventions and Blue Lagoon. Make sure you visit the resident Dragon under the Castle and also the Sleeping Beauty gallery on the first floor. In the Studios make time to see Cinemagique, it always makes me want to cry!

Happy planning! :wizard:
 
I'm afraid I have to agree with Elaine. I don't understand why people prefer HNY over NPB. I adore the Newport Bay. It's really airy and spacious. I've never experienced the breakfast scramble and we stayed there in July!
 
We stayed in the Newport Bay last June and had no problems. The hotel was clean and the staff were friendly. We always ate breakfast early to avoid the rush. I can't compare with the HNY though I'm afraid as we've never stayed there.

I generally phone and book our restaurants a few weeks before we go because if you are travelling in low season some of the restaurants such as walts aren't always open every day and phoning beforehand gives me a chance to rearrange the plans. Having said that we have never had any problems making changes or booking additional meals even on the same day. :goodvibes

We like Walts too and pizzeria belle notte is good to grab a quick bite:goodvibes
 

* First up, our hotel. We really can't decide between Hotel New York or Newport Bay. From what I've read, Hotel New York is a bit nicer (and closer to the parks) but Newport Bay is less expensive. Considering we'll be in the parks most of the time or out for dinner, it shouldn't be a huge issue, but we'd like to stay somewhere relatively nice!

Oh well, down to me to vote for HNY as usual :lmao: Although I've never stayed at Newport Bay so really can't comment on it. I suppose the location at HNY is so handy - we've stayed there so many times now it just feels like home :goodvibes

* How does one book the Magical Express bus (or equivalent) from the Eurostar train station to the Disney hotel? I can't seem to find anything about it online.

As Elaine says - you walk out from the station and you'll see a large bus stance where all the hotel buses pick up and drop off. Each stop has the name of the hotel - so you just wait at the stop you need. No charge, and no need to show any id. Depending on when you arrive, and if you've booked a Disney package, you have the option of using Disney Express which means you can leave you luggage at the station desk and they will transfer it to your hotel. You will be given your park tickets on the train meaning you can go straight to the parks :thumbsup2 (This is if travelling from London or Ashford)

* When we do look at booking our holiday package online, it automatically gives us a 4 day park pass, even though we'll only be going to the parks for 3 days. Is there any way of changing that, or does it make no difference, price-wise?

I don't think you'll get any price difference. It automatically counts an extra day, so that your full day when you arrive and your full last day count. We only need 3 full day passes this time, but it was cheaper to book 3 nights instead of the 2 that we could of got away with. There was a bigger discount on 3 nights.

* Do we have to make dining reservations? I'm so used to making them months in advance like for WDW, I feel like I should!

Again, as already said unless it's really busy time or there is somewhere special you don't want to miss - you don't really need to book. The only exception I've found is Cafe Mickey as it can get really crowded and Walts due to the limited opening times.

Hmm, I think that's about it for now. Sorry for the rambles! If you have any other tips for a DLP first-timer, fire them at me! I'd love to hear anything you could suggest. Great restaurants we should try, tips for the parks... anything!

Thanks in advance, everybody! :yay:

Hope this helps :goodvibes
 
Wow, amazing!!

Thanks so much for the help everybody!!

Gosh, I love the DIS boards! :banana:

So just to clarify about the buses from the Eurostar station to the hotels... We can definitely just jump on a bus to our hotel without booking? Is it okay to take our luggage on the bus too? Walking sounds like an easy option too. :)

I think we're leaning towards Hotel New York now... I like the idea of it being so close to the parks, and if we get the 40% off deal then the price is a lot cheaper anyway.

I'm sure I'll be back with many more questions along the way! Thanks again, everybody! :yay:
 
Wow, amazing!!

So just to clarify about the buses from the Eurostar station to the hotels... We can definitely just jump on a bus to our hotel without booking? Is it okay to take our luggage on the bus too? Walking sounds like an easy option too. :)

Yes. You can take luggage on the bus and no way of booking even if you wanted to :rotfl: It's a hop on hop off service that runs all day from each of the hotels to the bus stance.
 
Must be Aussies visiting DLP time - we're heading there start of July! Hope you have an awesome time.
 




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