Tips for a first time driver to DLP...

[CherryPie3]

(this is my first ever post on these boards )

My husband and I are planning on driving to DLP next year, staying offsite and using AP's.

We have never driven abroad anywhere - does anyone have any tips for us?

I am looking into tolls and channel crossing options but I know nothing about driving in France apart from it's on the right side of the road and there are certain items you must have in your car - that's all sorted, the husband is on it.

I imagine my husband will do the bulk of the driving as I'm not the most confident driver in unfamiliar places - although I'd love to help him out as it's a long drive from West Yorkshire.

Is it an easy drive?

Any tips are gratefully received!! Many thanks

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Hello and welcome to the boards

You can have a look at the useful information sticky on driving and I'm sure that you will get people along with their own experiences

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2802801


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=46132130

I obviously don't drive to DLP from the UK but I'm on French roads nearly everyday so know a bit about driving here in general.

To get you started here's a post about radars and road signs

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45613208&postcount=14

 

[CherryPie3]

Thanks

I'll bookmark those threads so my husband can read them too.

So nervous about driving in France!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Don't be, most people seem to think that it's nicer than driving in the UK.

You can find other threads by doing a search on the forum

 

[CherryPie3]

Don't be, most people seem to think that it's nicer than driving in the UK.

You can find other threads by doing a search on the forum

Thanks, I'll do a search once I know my way around the boards a little better

 

[tennisfan]

Don't be, most people seem to think that it's nicer than driving in the UK.

You can find other threads by doing a search on the forum

I'm one of those people who prefer driving in France. I have gone to Disney on all forms of transport but prefer driving for many reasons, its very straightforward, no luggage restrictions & you can nearly always get better travel slots then if you were flying etc.

I live in Kent so its an easy options for me, its only about 3 hour drive once you are in Calais

 

[IsobelJackmummy]

Hello

We have driven to Disney 3 times from the north west, and we are doing it again in feb. it is so easy, as carrie said, the roads are easier than the uk, and there are so many stopping points too, great when travelling with children.

We have looked at every option each time we have booked, and driving always wins based on price, convenience and so much easier than thinking about luggage restrictions etc!

We save money too by taking lots of bottled water, snacks etc for while we are there.

There is lotś of info on the sticky thread, but if you have any questions, just ask!

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi CherryPie3 to the Disneyland Paris Trip Planning & Community Board.

This is a friendly board, please join in on any thread or if you have any questions please start a new one of your own.

If you haven't had a look yet, the DLP DISboard posting rules are here and the DIS posting guidelines can be found here.

Hope this thread will help.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Hi

Another thumbs up for driving to DLP here!

If you have a digital speedometer remember to switch it to kilometres from miles per hour before setting off and if you have a SAT NAV it is a legal requirement to turn off the radar warnings. Remember also that in wet weather the auto-route speed limit goes down from 130 kmh to 110.

Bonne route!

 

[Nubbedy]

Hi and Welcome!

Another vote for the ease of driving in France. It's very straightforward, the only place we have ever really needed the Satnav is around CDG airport area. I love the way the French really have it sorted with rest areas, they are so frequent, unlike the motorway service areas in the UK.

Don't forget European breakdown cover. We forgot earlier this year (can't even work out how!) and typically ended up on our way home with a puncture. Despite my terrible French speaking skills, we were helped by some lovely people in the service area, and everyone who assisted us after that were fantastic. A costly mistake, but luckily not too traumatic!

And you'll have room in your car for lots of souvenirs!

 

[CherryPie3]

Absolutely awesome replies, thank you so so much!!

I have been informed by my husband that I will under no circumstances be doing any driving in France - I don't know whether to feel offended or relived!

I haven't had chance to read all those recommended threads yet but once the kids are in bed today I'll have loads of time (the ironing can wait!).

I've been recommended to travelling by eurostar rather than ferry as it has better motorway links at Calais? This would make sense really as we were planning to stay overnight at Ashford travelodge then catch an early channel crossing to make the best of daylight (although we are travelling in July so daylight won't be exactly scarce...).


Thanks again, I love these boards

 

[MissSkellington]

We'll be driving in the morning...Only 4 hours but fingers crossed!

I for one won't be driving...good thing DH likes to drive!
Lots of good info in here, thanks for asking that!

 

[tennisfan]

Absolutely awesome replies, thank you so so much!!

I have been informed by my husband that I will under no circumstances be doing any driving in France - I don't know whether to feel offended or relived!

I haven't had chance to read all those recommended threads yet but once the kids are in bed today I'll have loads of time (the ironing can wait!).

I've been recommended to travelling by eurostar rather than ferry as it has better motorway links at Calais? This would make sense really as we were planning to stay overnight at Ashford travelodge then catch an early channel crossing to make the best of daylight (although we are travelling in July so daylight won't be exactly scarce...).

Thanks again, I love these boards

Take it you mean Eurotunnel? You can't take your Car in Eurostar. No real difference, in fact I find it easier to pick the motorway up from the ferry port. I go by the tunnel mostly as I get discount due to my uncle working for them plus it's quicker.

Also if you have a diesel car it's cheaper to buy fuel in France then over here. Petrol is more expensive.

 

[IsobelJackmummy]

The euro tunnel is really easy, and very fast. If you happen to collect tesco clubcard points, you can exchange these for vouchers for the tunnel. We haven't paid for any of our crossings!

We stay at the holiday inn express in folkstone, literally a couple of minutes away from the tunne. generally fifty pounds for a family room including a hot breakfast.

 

[CherryPie3]

We'll be driving in the morning...Only 4 hours but fingers crossed!

I for one won't be driving...good thing DH likes to drive!
Lots of good info in here, thanks for asking that!

Have a great trip!!!

Take it you mean Eurotunnel? You can't take your Car in Eurostar. No real difference, in fact I find it easier to pick the motorway up from the ferry port. I go by the tunnel mostly as I get discount due to my uncle working for them plus it's quicker.

Also if you have a diesel car it's cheaper to buy fuel in France then over here. Petrol is more expensive.

Yep, I meant Eurotunnel - not sure why I wrote eurostar as I know the difference - I blame the kids for distracting me! I love the fact eurotunnel only takes a little over half an hour, the kids could sleep through that. <wishful thinking>

And thanks for the info on fuel costs - we'll be taking my car which is a diesel and will fill it up when we get to the mainland.
This might sound like a random question but what are the pumps like in France, can you pay at the pump or at the desk? Do they accept credit/debit cards?

The euro tunnel is really easy, and very fast. If you happen to collect tesco clubcard points, you can exchange these for vouchers for the tunnel. We haven't paid for any of our crossings!

We stay at the holiday inn express in folkstone, literally a couple of minutes away from the tunne. generally fifty pounds for a family room including a hot breakfast.

I do collect Tesco points but not enough to get me a crossing I fear - I just got my latest set of vouchers through this week...£3.

We have priced up a Travelodge in Ashford which for the 5 of us is just £24 for the night which we thought was perfect. Our youngest son will still be under 3 (just!) so he will be in a travelcot.


All fab replies, gonna carry on reading through those threads... Thanks so much everyone.

 

[ManCityMickey]

Hi CherryPie3.

We did our first 'road trip' to DLP last June and, like you, I was a bit apprehensive. We drove down from Manchester on the Saturday, stayed overnight at Ashford Travelodge and got the Eurotunnel at around 7am on the Sunday.

As you exit the train at Calais you join the motorway straight away - its reaaly easy. I found the french roads really easy to drive on. It took me about 3 minutes to get used to driving on the "wrong side" of the road. There are rest stops about every mile, brilliant as we were travelling with 2 kids. The toll points were really well signposted and easy to navigate through.

You may need a sat nav around CDG airport - its a bit like spaghetti junction - with more junctions - but otherwise you will be just fine!

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

 

[CherryPie3]

Hi CherryPie3.

We did our first 'road trip' to DLP last June and, like you, I was a bit apprehensive. We drove down from Manchester on the Saturday, stayed overnight at Ashford Travelodge and got the Eurotunnel at around 7am on the Sunday.

As you exit the train at Calais you join the motorway straight away - its reaaly easy. I found the french roads really easy to drive on. It took me about 3 minutes to get used to driving on the "wrong side" of the road. There are rest stops about every mile, brilliant as we were travelling with 2 kids. The toll points were really well signposted and easy to navigate through.

You may need a sat nav around CDG airport - its a bit like spaghetti junction - with more junctions - but otherwise you will be just fine!

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Excellent advice thanks! We have 3 children so will need the frequent stops! We are also planning to stay at Ashford Travelodge, much cheaper than the alternatives.

Thanks!

 

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

We're driving for the first time next March! It just seems easier now we have 2 children plus luggage!

We've booked a 2am ferry, will leave home around 7.30pm so the children can sleep en route and we'll arrive at Disney for 9am, give or take a stop or two! Ferry booked for 7pm to come home so again the children can sleep.

You do need to carry a European driving kit and breathalyzer (bought ours from Amazon)

 

[CherryPie3]

We're driving for the first time next March! It just seems easier now we have 2 children plus luggage!

We've booked a 2am ferry, will leave home around 7.30pm so the children can sleep en route and we'll arrive at Disney for 9am, give or take a stop or two! Ferry booked for 7pm to come home so again the children can sleep.

You do need to carry a European driving kit and breathalyzer (bought ours from Amazon)

Totally agree. It seems both easier and cheaper!
We're planning on buying annual passes as it's cheaper than getting tickets for the 5 days we'll be in the parks. Plus that's a good excuse to go another few times too.

Was it the complete kit that you got on Amazon? I know you needed to carry them but was unsure where to look for them apart from Halfords!

 

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

Yes it was £16 odd, plus £2 for the breathalyzer.