Tips For Off-Site Booking

[dlpSteve]

In the past I've seen people mention how cheaply they can 'do' Disneyland Paris by staying off-site but every time I've priced it up I end up with a figure more expensive than staying on site. So, what are the secrets?

I've looked at Hotels like Kyriad and magic Circus, and while the hotel prices do seem reasonable, once you add in the price of tickets then the total price seems to resemble that of booking the whole thing on the official website.

I'm guessing getting an AP and spreading the ticket costs over a few trips is one answer, but if I'm only intending one trip in a year then that's not possible.

Any tips would be gratefully appreciated as this 'DLP a bit cheaper' seems to be a myth to me right now

 

[Ware Bears]

Annual passes are definitely the way to go rather than tickets because you can then factor in the discounts. As there were 5 of us we used to benefit from both family and shareholders discount and this brought the price of APs down a lot.

It always worked out cheaper for us to stay offsite with APs, not only because we've always gone in the school holidays but because we would have needed to either book two rooms or an expensive family room at a Disney hotel whereas we used to book a crew room at the Explorers. Now my DDs are grown up we book two rooms out of choice but it saved us £££ at the time plus the Explorers is a great choice for kids, especially their pool.

We also made sure we got at least two holidays out of each AP and managed this even when only going once a year.

 

[dlpSteve]

I think one big problem is that onsite booking, Lucas is free. Off-site and we have pay for a ticket for him. Plus there are only 3 of us so no need for bigger/more rooms and we may not go more than once in a 12 month period.

 

[Ware Bears]

Yes, you may find it's not cheaper for you. On our last two holidays we've stayed at Disney hotels so have had tickets included in the package. On both occasions we looked at only booking for 2 guests in each room, adding our 5th person at check-in and getting one AP but on both occasions it was cheaper to have everyone on the package as we weren't going back within the year, even with shareholders discount on the AP.

Guess yet again it all comes down to number crunching!

 

[DLPdaft]

I do offsite (the associated hotels) if its cheaper than onsite. If you go through cemultiavantages or promoparcs, and if Lucas is aged 6 or under, you get discounted prices on APs (Fantasy with them is 125 euros each at the moment) and Lucas gets a free AP.

Depending on the season/holidays etc that you're looking at, it can be a fair bit cheaper to do offsite with APs, compared with onsite. Always check trivago, travelrepublic, expedia, alpharooms, hotels.com, ebookers etc etc for the room prices.

Granted, in the past, when we were offsite with APs, I always had 2 trips (at least) out of the APs. For example, in November 11 we were at the Dream Castle with APs, and the following June we were there again, with the APs we'd bought in November.

If you intend only going once a year, its still possible to get 2 trips out of an AP if you work your dates out right .

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks for the links to those websites - the first one looks good as I can get 2 adult annual passes for ¬210 and Lucas for ¬35 - if I bought from them would I then need to get them registered in DLP when we visit as they'd not have photo ID?

Also found a hotel for ¬126 for 4 nights. Add in driving and the whole thing could come to under £500, which is just over half what the DLP website is quoting for the hotel and tickets with no travel.

 

[kizzabel]

I use hotelscombined.com alot for sorting out hotel deals and offers. It may be worth a look.
We're looking at the Kyriad for 3n/4d in October which is €235 and the best offer at the SF is €495 for 2+2 free so 4n/5d.

 

[dlpSteve]

That website is great, thanks kizzabel.

Does anyone have any recommendations or stories about any cheap hotels in the area? I have found a few within 5 miles of DLP that are quoting between €145-200 for the 3 of us for 4 nights. The reviews seem ok, and we won't do much except sleep and wash there!

 

[DLPdaft]

stargatebarbie did a brilliant detailed trip report from her apartment, the Serris Rive Gauche apartments - I'd definitely give that one a try -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1959996

 

[kizzabel]

No probs - its just so much handier then trivago which fools me by giving a per night price and I think wow bargain and then get the big shock when I click thru.

We've stayed at Dream Castle which was fine but pricey compaired to others only a couple of minutes away on the RER. The Elysee at Val D'Europe looks to be in a great location. RER and shopping centre facing different sides. It looks ideal but I didn't check reviews.

 

[dlpSteve]

stargatebarbie did a brilliant detailed trip report from her apartment, the Serris Rive Gauche apartments - I'd definitely give that one a try -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1959996

Just looked at prices for that - £596! Quite oricey, maybe because it's 1/2 term week. This is what I have been looking at on Booking.com: http://www.booking.com/searchresult...arne-la-Vallée;radius=0;order=price_for_group

We would avoid ones with the 3rd person sleeping in a bed that is hanging over the double bed - scary for everyone!

 

[DLPdaft]

my daughter loved her single bed over the double bed at the Ibis budget (was the Etap). She couldn't wait to climb up there and snuggle down . I'm seeing the Serris for £297 for your 4 nights on your link Steve?

 

[dlpSteve]

You may be right there - Lucas would probably see it as an adventure and we'd be so tired it probably wouldn't matter where we were. It's just so cheap at just £147 for 4 nights, it's that price which is making us think a spur of the moment trip could be doable.

When I priced up the Serris it came to £700+ - I must be doing something very wrong somewhere

 

[dlpSteve]

I just showed Lucas a photo of the bedroom and he pointed the top bed as the one he'd want to sleep in!

 

[DLPdaft]

I just showed Lucas a photo of the bedroom and he pointed the top bed as the one he'd want to sleep in!

there you go - decision made!

 

[dlpSteve]

It just seems surreal that a few days ago I priced it up on the DLP website and it came to over £900 with an extra £200 for transport. Now I'm looking at £147 for hotel, £210 for annual passports, £100 for the Eurotunnel and £100 for petrol and tolls. That's £557 - £543 less than staying on site, with annual passports changing the viability of a return visit within 12 months from 'not on your life' to 'it would be rude not to'.

This off site lark is a massive money saver when you start looking at it. Thanks so much for all the help everyone

 

[Danauk]

Years ago I would not have entertained the idea of staying off site. But with the huge savings I am making I am now a convert too! 3 weeks ago I would not have dreamed that I would have 3 trips to DLP booked over the next 8 months knowing I will get at least another 2 more in before next August!

 

[dlpSteve]

All booked!

Where are you staying on your trips Dan?

 

[Danauk]

For our August trip we are staying in an apartment at Residhome Val d'Europe which is right next to the station 1 stop down from DLP. We have booked a 1 bedroom apartment for 3 adults and a child. On our other 2 trips (one with my parents and one just the 2 of us) we have booked into the Best Western Golf Hotel, 2 stops down the line or a 10 minute drive. This is cheaper, and looks slightly nicer, but a hotel rather than an apartment. We are going to wait until we have stayed in both before we book our accommodation for our trips next year.

 

[stargatebarbie]

serris sejours aparts on travel republic 26th /30th may £225