To Paris or not?

[Dimplenose]

I'm off to DLP at half-term with DH and our 2 teenagers. We're staying 3 nights and are torn between spending all our time at the parks or adding in a day trip to Paris. DH and DS have never been to DLP. DS and DD have never been to Paris (DH and I haven't since the 1970s!)

So is it worth the time and cost to go to Paris itself?

Libby

 

[nbodyhome]

Paris is the most incredible city I've ever been to. I skipped Disneyland this time around (I plan to go for part of a day this trip). But I can't imagine not going to Paris and not going to Paris itself!

 

[Ware Bears]

It took us our 3rd trip to get into Paris!! We had to virtually drag our DDs away from the parks but they thoroughly enjoyed it, especially going up the Eiffel Tower. We took the RER in and then did a couple of hop-on/hop-off tours so we saw all the major sights from the bus and got off to spend a few hours at the Eiffel Tower. I think it was well worth the money and will definitely do it again one day as I would like to spend time at Notre Dame.

Perhaps wait and see how you feel when you get there??

 

[Petal]

Been to Paris many times it really is a beautiful city and I too could not imagine going to the area and not visiting Paris!

The parks are very busy at the weekend so we took a day trip to Paris on Sunday and that worked well for us as Paris was quieter too!

 

[Dimplenose]

I'm still unsure - we want to buy our park tickets before we go so we'll have to make up our minds soon. We're travelling to DLP on a Sunday so won't be in the parks at the week-end.

I assume we'll use the RER if we do go but I did see that Disney run a coach trip themselves so maybe we'll do that although I don't know how good that is. I suppose I'm rather nervous of travelling in to Paris without speaking French (well I can ask for directions but I don't understand the answers!)

Libby

 

[nbodyhome]

The first time I went to DLP, it was with friends, I was there a week, and we went into Paris for one day (I stayed at the Sequoia for the week). I was too nervous to go in myself, and I really regretted not spending more time in town. Turns out, another guy in our group wanted to go into town more too (and he speaks some French).

The next time, my husband and I went last year for 4 nights, we went to DLP for 1/2 a day, and Paris the rest.

This past September, we went to Paris for 5 nights, and didn't get to DLP. This next trip, I'm also there 5 nights and only plan to spend 1/2 day or so at DLP.

I am a Disney fan, but there is SO much to see in Paris. I love the city, LOVE it. The museums are amazing, the people are wonderful (for the most part), the Eiffel Tower and taking a boat ride along the Seine...wonderful!

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

We have been to DLP a couple of times and never been into Paris, but we go next weekend to DLP and plant to go to Paris on Tuesday.
Go on the train and use the Hop on/off bus service.
Really fancy the trip up the Eiffel Tower.....
It will be cold but worthwhile....

 

[ralfrick]

Don't get me wrong, my 3 favorite places are Maui, Yosemite and DL (the original). However, we will be visiting DLP in July because we will be in Paris, not the other way around. Going to DLP and missing one of the world's great cities is about as appealing as going to a great restaurant with no intention of eating there.

A bientot.

 

[piglet33]

We will be in Paris in August. Our plane is supposed to land around 3 pm on August 15. This is our first time in Paris but we only have 2 1/2 days there, because we have to travel to Barcelona for our Disney Cruise. We are planning on going to the parks but also want to do a little sightseeing. How late are things open? Other than the Eiffel Tower, what are the "must dos" of Paris? Do you think we would have time to see things on the day we arrive or should we split a day in the Parks and sightseeing?

Thank you for all your help.

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Libby,

IMO your decision should be based on wether you have been to DLRP before.

If this is your first trip and considering its half term you will be pushed to do all the rides and see all the shows in your 3 night stay.

If you have been before and know what you want to see and do then I thoroughly recommend taking a day out to explore Paris.

Its soooooooo close it would be criminal not to do the 40 minute train journey and see just how beautiful and cultured the capital is.

Disney or Disney/Paris Im sure you will have a magical time.

 

[ralfrick]

The Tower and Arc are open pretty late, and there are night boat cruises. Many museums have a late night or 2 (Wed. and Fri. for the Louvre), but most are not open every day. You may want to spend some time here:
http://en.parisinfo.com/

A bientot.

 

[Dimplenose]

Thanks for all your replies. I definitely want to see Paris but this might not be the trip to squeeze it into. I'm going to look into a couple of nights there later in the year (before Eurostar leaves Waterloo) before I make up my mind completely. This was meant to be a cheap break - but as always the costs are going up and up!

Libby

 

[nbodyhome]

We will be in Paris in August. Our plane is supposed to land around 3 pm on August 15. This is our first time in Paris but we only have 2 1/2 days there, because we have to travel to Barcelona for our Disney Cruise. We are planning on going to the parks but also want to do a little sightseeing. How late are things open? Other than the Eiffel Tower, what are the "must dos" of Paris? Do you think we would have time to see things on the day we arrive or should we split a day in the Parks and sightseeing?

Thank you for all your help.

There is a lot open very late - Paris comes alive at night, and you'll find the metros often as busy at midnight as they are during the day. At least when I've been. The French often start their meals around 9pm as well.

I think Paris itself is a "must-do". For me, Disneyland Paris is now something to be shoehorned in. As much as I love the park, I just can't wait to get back into the city. A boat ride on the Seine is lovely, and not costly. A walk along the Champs d'Elysee is incredible. We did the Fat Tires bike tour last year at night, and it was SO neat seeing the Arch d'Triomphe in front of us on bikes! The Latin Quarter, Berthillon ice cream, Notre Dame, D'Orsay museum (Whistlers Mother is there, usually - when it's not touring!), the Louvre, the Rodin Museum, and just walking around Paris is one of my favorite things to do. This year I plan to do the bike tour around Versailles (last year we did Monets Gardens).

Again, DLP is a beautiful, beautiful park - not the Studios so much, that is mostly a waste of space (but it's being improved on). But I kicked myself big time for spending too much time at DLP in 2002 and have been making up for it since. I think it is hard not to fall in love with Paris, I just need to rip myself away from it sometimes to see other places!

 

[woody73]

We will be in Paris in August. Our plane is supposed to land around 3 pm on August 15. This is our first time in Paris but we only have 2 1/2 days there, because we have to travel to Barcelona for our Disney Cruise. We are planning on going to the parks but also want to do a little sightseeing. How late are things open? Other than the Eiffel Tower, what are the "must dos" of Paris? Do you think we would have time to see things on the day we arrive or should we split a day in the Parks and sightseeing?

Thank you for all your help.

We have been to Paris many, many times. Must sees:
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Notre Dame
Sainte Chapelle
Musee de Louvre
Musee d'Orsay
Sacre Coure
Pantheon

The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are open late.

You will have time to sightsee on your arrival date, if you're not jetlagged.

Go early to DLP. Spend the day there.

Note that Paris can be hot, very hot in August. It will be crowded with tourists. Service can be slow, as many Parisians will be on holiday in the south of France.

Woody

 

[stonfiesta]

We have been to DLP a few times now, but for some reason I Just have no interest in going out of the Disney Site. Im sure it would be really good though, just not my type of thing.

 

[jillrobinson]

We have been to DLP a few times now, but for some reason I Just have no interest in going out of the Disney Site. Im sure it would be really good though, just not my type of thing.

Me too, last time although I'd bought tickets for Sea Life (not quite in the same league as Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame I know) we still couldn't bring ourselves to leave the park.

 

[woody64]

Hello all,

We are just starting to discuss a trip for Spring Break next year(1st week of April) for the family to do DLP and Paris. It will be me, DW, DS13, DS9 and the IL's. How many days are needed for each and what about a potential trip to Normandy as well? Also any advice on Paris for a 9 year old. Thanks for your help and can't wait to start researching this potential trip.

 

[nbodyhome]

Hello all,

We are just starting to discuss a trip for Spring Break next year(1st week of April) for the family to do DLP and Paris. It will be me, DW, DS13, DS9 and the IL's. How many days are needed for each and what about a potential trip to Normandy as well? Also any advice on Paris for a 9 year old. Thanks for your help and can't wait to start researching this potential trip.

A few hours Disney Studios. At least a day at the MK DLP. A couple of weeks in Paris. Whatever you can get there, there is SO much to see in the city! And what in Normandy do you want to see? Bayeux? Omaha Beach? There is Mont St. Michel in the Normandy/Brittany area, (we have photos of Omaha Beach, MSM, Paris, Giverny, Point Du Hoc, etc. at the website link below). We didn't make it to Bayeux except to drive through.

Take your 9 year old to the museums - there are many different ones, including modern art, the Louvre, the D'Orsay, The Army museum, science museum, pretty much anything you are looking for! The Eiffel Tower, the ice cream at Berthillon, Notre Dame - I bet your 9 year old would find a lot interesting (and it really is history coming to life). Get a museum pass, and you have a lot of places to visit included! We stayed near the Port Doree' aquarium, and that is on the museum pass (and there were a number of really different fish there!) There was also a zoo nearby, but we didn't see it (it also wasn't on the pass). In that area there is a chateau that I hope to see in May. (in other words, there is plenty to do for a 9 year old!)

Oh - and of course, Versailles and Monets Gardens! I plan to do the Fat Tires bike tour of Versailles this year.

 

[piglet33]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I don't know how much we'll be able to see of Paris, but at least now I have some things to do on my list instead of just "See Paris".

 

[nbodyhome]

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I don't know how much we'll be able to see of Paris, but at least now I have some things to do on my list instead of just "See Paris".

Last year, we stayed with some friends of my family in Paris. They also had family staying with them at the house. There were 2 young kids, and the parents had a book on what to do with kids in Paris. I am not sure which one it was - but here is one with good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593600623/ref=pd_cp_b_title/104-4456796-4195963

And there are other books mentioned as well. The parents at the house really enjoyed having a book with items that were kid-specific.