Transportation

[Sparkygeezer]

Hi All,

I have been learning lots about DLP from these forums which I would like to thank all involved.

I am due to go to DLP / Paris with my family (5 of us) at the end of May for a week(ish) we have 5 days booked at the Davy crocket ranch (we chose this as we like the centre parks look) and we are also planning a couple of days in Paris. Initially we had planned to drive from the UK to DLP and then pop into Paris after however I have noticed that the Eurostar have cheap tickets at the moment and so I am tempted by this. If I choose this option I will need a hire car as there is no bus to DLP from the Davy crocket ranch. I feel my 2 main options are:

a) Drive from UK in my own car to DLP using it to travel between Davy & park each day and then leave the car at DLP for a couple of days while we go to Paris. Then return to DLP to collect car and drive home.

b) Go to Paris on Eurostar stay for a couple of days. Get a hire car and drive to DLP, use the hire car for travel between Davy & park and then drive back to Paris to get Eurostar home.

Now option A is cheaper but more time consuming and tiring. Option B is easier but includes driving in central Paris and a possible waste of money on hire car.

Your views will be very much appreciated.

 

[DLPdaft]

what about amending option b, taking the eurostar to Paris, having your time in Paris, then taking either the local RER train or shuttle transfer out to DLP? You could then hire a car at DLP train station for your time at Davy Crocketts, and then take the Eurostar direct (or indirect via Lille) from DLP home?

 

[markpsych]

a) Drive from UK in my own car to DLP using it to travel between Davy & park each day and then leave the car at DLP for a couple of days while we go to Paris. Then return to DLP to collect car and drive home.

Welcome to the forum

Personally I''d stick with option a.

When you do Paris, you get free parking anyway at DLP right next to the train station, and there is a very good value 2 day rail & metro ticket for Paris.

We usually make the most of the 1st day by having an early night, setting the alarm for the early hours, and having a quiet drive to the Eurotunnel for an early crossing.

Then a nice leisurely drive to DLP (setting your clocks ahead 1 hour), where you can get some shopping out of the way here: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...e_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html before checking in to your cabin (earliest check in time is 3pm).

Have a fantastic time

 

[Sparkygeezer]

what about amending option b, taking the eurostar to Paris, having your time in Paris, then taking either the local RER train or shuttle transfer out to DLP? You could then hire a car at DLP train station for your time at Davy Crocketts, and then take the Eurostar direct (or indirect via Lille) from DLP home?

I have considered that however I was partially justifying the hire car against the saving made by not paying for train tickets between Paris and DLP.

 

[Sparkygeezer]

Welcome to the forum

Personally I''d stick with option a.

When you do Paris, you get free parking anyway at DLP right next to the train station, and there is a very good value 2 day rail & metro ticket for Paris.

We usually make the most of the 1st day by having an early night, setting the alarm for the early hours, and having a quiet drive to the Eurotunnel for an early crossing.

Then a nice leisurely drive to DLP (setting your clocks ahead 1 hour), where you can get some shopping out of the way here before checking in to your cabin (earliest check in time is 3pm).

Have a fantastic time

I do feel I am leaning more towards driving from the UK however I am a little nervous about driving a UK car in France, also a little paranoid about doing something wrong and getting a fine by the police.

I have been looking at prices and by Eurostar & hire car would be approx £450 and driving would probably be about £400 once I have got the car ready including RAC cover, car insurance, etc.

 

[markpsych]

I do feel I am leaning more towards driving from the UK however I am a little nervous about driving a UK car in France, also a little paranoid about doing something wrong and getting a fine by the police.

I was nervous the 1st time too....but have driven over about 30 times now

On an extended holiday, we were pulled over once by the police in the Bordeaux region, but it was just routine, and they just looked at our documents and waved us on.

The drive is really very straight forward, and there is a great thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2802801

Only thing I'd add to 'suggested items' is a satnav if your sense of direction is anything like mine

 

[Sparkygeezer]

Yes, I have read that link its very informative

If I decide to take the driving option I may look at hotels just outside Paris and stop on the way to DLP

 

[garethradio]

I've done both Eurostar and drove via Eurotunnel and found driving so much easier and relaxing.

Yes the Eurostar drops you outside the gates, but before that you have to get to London with all your suitcases by a certain time and then leave at a certain on your return trip.

When you drive, you have so much more freedom to do what you want. Eurotunnel is SO easy to use and the drive flys by and of course you get to see so much more when driving.

 

[tennisfan]

I prefer driving as I find I can get better crossing times and not restricted with luggage. I'm lucky as I live in Kent so it only takes 40 minutes to get to tunnel and then only 3 hrs drive once in Calais

 

[Lisa_C]

We've done all three. We live next to the Ashford International Eurostar and while its convenient to take the train (literally roll out of bed and we can walk it), we drive.
Eurotunnel is my favourite as you dont have to get out of the car. We're about 10 mins from the chunnel so it's almoat as convenient as Eurostar. Yet we like to make the most of the journey and last time drove to the Canadian War Memorial on the way.

I have to admit though, they drive with no care and consideration like we do. I just hide away on the toll roads as we were in the middle of road rage dueling cars who kept overtaking each other and slamming on the brakes to scare the other one. Cars do not indicate as we do either so just keep your eye out. Luckily my Pirate doesn't scare easy and will quite happily drive.

The ferry is a nice option in Summer though. We used it in August as the water was calm and it was boiling hot. We sat and watch the white water horses gallop behind us and waved Dover off. It was just DD and I and we had a packed lunch too

I think for us price plays a big part. We usually do Disney on a budget so we can go several times a year, and we dont usually buy our travel till the day before. We went tunnel in October and got a £25 ferry back, as we drove home after park closing at 10pm and boarded the 5am ferry. We live so close the other side it doesn't usually matter if we drive late at night as once we dock, we're literally there.

 

[Sparkygeezer]

Thank you all for your input.

I think we shall drive as it leaves us more money to spend at the park and gives us a bit more freedom.