Traveling across the pond in June - Belated 25th!

[gtrist4life]

Okay,
Looks like our delayed 25th wedding anniversary trip to Disneyland Paris is going to happen this June.
Will be looking over the threads for info to help plan. But here's the tenative schedule so far

Me and DW -
Leaving Sat Jun 2 arrive/check in Sun Jun 3
Deciding between Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay hotels - Any suggestions?
We'll be checking out Sat Jun 9 to fly back.
Being there 6 nights, We want to see Paris and perhaps Versailles, but will need to check out the tour/train options for what will work best for our schedule.

Let the planning/recommendations from others commence!
Thanks in advance for your helpful hints and tips to make a couple of Yankee lovebirds trip spectacular!

Peace and Cheers,
G4L

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi, congratulations on your 25th what a lovely trip to celebrate it.

The Newport Bay is a huge hotel whereas the Sequoia Lodge has a more cosy feel plus it's got the advantage of refurbished rooms. Although I've not stayed at either I've visited both and personally I prefer the Newport Bay but I realise I'm in the minority on here as the majority of posters seem to prefer Sequoia Lodge.

There is now a day trip to Versailles running from DLP we're going to visit there this summer too although as we're staying in Paris for a couple of nights before DLP we'll take the train from there. Paris is very easy to visit from DLP - just 40 minutes on the train so if you did want to visit Versailles on your own it would be very doable.

 

[gtrist4life]

Thank you! I think we're leaning towards Newport, but still comparing.
Can't wait for our trip!
Peace and Cheers!

 

[DLPDreams]

Wow, sounds great

I'm not sure how set in stone your travel plans are but it is half term holidays in England & Wales that week so the parks will be busier than say the week after that.

The French & other Europeans are not off that week, but there are a few of us (me included) on the board here all going the week you mention, and I'm sure there are many more people too.

The CM I spoke to on the telephone last week told me it was going to be very, very busy, but I honestly can't see that just with English & Welsh school kids being off. But, if you could alter your travel slightly i.e not tied to that week, then it might be an idea....

I was looking at staying at the SL but just missed out on a 30% off offer, so I'm holding fire or looking at another hotel at the moment.

Good luck planning!

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks! - We probably will keep the dates, but thanks for the heads up on the holiday info.
As we get closer, I'll post more of our plans and wishes.
Peace and cheers!

 

[DLPDreams]

No worries. I don't honestly think it will be too much of an issue, but if you could have moved the date to say the next week you would have a) got a much better hotel deal (the Disneyland Hotel was showing a great price for that week a week or so ago) and b) had less crowds.

The CM I spoke to at Disney tried to tell me that hotels may sell out half term week . Everyone I mentioned it to on here also thought it was totally unlikely. I mean if DLRP can cope in the summer when all the schools are off, it's not likely to cave in when England & Wales are off .

Happy planning anyway - look forward to hearing more as we get closer .

 

[gtrist4life]

Well plans changed a bit. Called DVC member services today to book our room,
and surprise the week of June 3 is all booked up at Newport/Sequoia.

The next week Newport was booked, but we were able to get in a Sequoia. Yay!! So we'll check in Sun Jun 10, now to plan. - Should be a blast!
Peace and Cheers!

 

[gtrist4life]

Hello all, Can you give me your top recommendations for:

Disneyland Paris
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets, and not Auberge de Cendrillon
2. Best counter service

Walt Disney Studios
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets
2. Best counter service

Disney Village
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets
2. Best counter service

Thanks!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Hello all, Can you give me your top recommendations for:

Disneyland Paris
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets, and not Auberge de Cendrillon
2. Best counter service

Walt Disney Studios
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets
2. Best counter service

Disney Village
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets
2. Best counter service

Thanks!

Disneyland Paris
1 - Walt's
2 - Toad Hall if you like Fish and Chips, Fuente del Oro or Hakuna Mata for something different to endless (bad) burgers and co or Colonel Hathis for the decoration and the calm

Walt Disney Studios
1-There isn't any sit down t/s in the studios. Only the buffet Restaurant des Stars
2-Café des Cascadeurs but it's rarely open otherwise you have the Blockbuster café which is better than the other offerings but I'd be going back to the main park. It's a 5 minute walk betwen the 2.

Disney Village
1 - None of them for me - It's very poor imho
2 - EoS

I'd rather be going and eating in a hotel rather than in the Village

There are some very nice restaurants and not all of them are buffets.

Hth

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks Carrie Cat! - Will definitely look at getting a meal at a Hotel spot or two.

 

[torsie24]

Disneyland Paris
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets, and not Auberge de Cendrillon - Walt's
2. Best counter service - Victoria's Homestyle (we like the views, and the decor)

Walt Disney Studios
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets - N/A
2. Best counter service - Backlot Express

Disney Village
1. Best sit down meal, no buffets - Never actually eaten there as hotels are better.
2. Best counter service - EoS

California Grill in the Disneyland hotel is the best DLRP meal we've ever had.

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks again for the recommendations.
We booked our flights over the weekend so no turning back now
Here’s our plan so far:

Sun –Arrive CDG, catch VEA shuttle to Sequoia Lodge – we’ll be arriving aprox 10-11 AM so planning on room not being ready – check bags with Bell services and grab a bite to eat at one of the hotel restaurants or Earl of Sandwich – When room ready, take a short nap, then go tour the other hotels for evening.

Mon – Day trip –tour into Paris – guided tour version – Studios in afternoon/evening

Tue – Disneyland Paris – Eat at Walts for Lunch or Dinner

Wed – Day trip tour to Versailles – Studios/Disneyland Paris evening

Thur – Studios/Disneyland Paris – Counter service

Fri –Day trip Tour to Paris – on your own version – Disneyland Paris evening.

Sat – Depart for Home

Well that's the first draft, have some open spots for meals, will leave some open for spontaneity, tweak and mod others as the weeks/months pass.

Cheers and Peace!
G4L

 

[gtrist4life]

GETTING CLOSER!!
I've updated our plans slightly. Please let me know if you see any gaping traps of tourist disappointment Ore just an opinion on what we should do for Friday Thanks!!!

Sun –Arrive CDG, catch VEA shuttle to Sequoia Lodge – we’ll be arriving aprox 10-11 AM so planning on room not being ready – check bags with Bell services and grab a bite to eat at one of the hotel restaurants or Earl of Sandwich – When room ready, take a short nap, then visit Concierge to confirm reservations/tours/tickets - go tour the other hotels for the remainder of the evening.

Mon – Disneyland Paris – Eat at Walts for Lunch - RESERVED!!!
Tue – Day trip –tour into Paris – guided tour version – Studios in afternoon/evening

Wed – Studios/Disneyland Paris – Counter service

Thur – Day trip tour to Versailles – Studios/Disneyland Paris evening
Fri –Day trip Tour to Paris – on your own version Disneyland Paris evening OR Disneyland Paris during the day/ Paris evening tour

Sat – Depart for Home

Well that's the first draft, have some open spots for meals, will leave some open for spontaneity, tweak and mod others as the weeks/months pass.

 

[torsie24]

How exciting that your plans are coming together now.

On your first day I recon you'll end up in a park for an hour or two. The DLRP hotels aren't newly as 'tourable' as the WDW ones, so I think when you make it to the DLH and you're only a turnstile away from seeing the castle, and you can hear the Main Street music it'll lure you in!

I know it definitely would me.

You'll have an amazing time. And congrats on your 25th anniversary! Xx

 

[juttawdw]

Plans sounds good.
Keep in mind that the Studios are closing at 7.00 pm.
While Disneyland parks closes at 11 pm.

 

[tennisfan]

No worries. I don't honestly think it will be too much of an issue, but if you could have moved the date to say the next week you would have a) got a much better hotel deal (the Disneyland Hotel was showing a great price for that week a week or so ago) and b) had less crowds.

The CM I spoke to at Disney tried to tell me that hotels may sell out half term week . Everyone I mentioned it to on here also thought it was totally unlikely. I mean if DLRP can cope in the summer when all the schools are off, it's not likely to cave in when England & Wales are off .

Happy planning anyway - look forward to hearing more as we get closer .

I think they may be right as when I was looking at possibly upgrading or changing hotel, all the hotels that week were coming up unavailable! it of course doesn't take into account of rooms given to other travel agents to sell & conferences etc. It is busy due to the fact they haven't recognised it as a school holiday, it was pricing cheaper then October half term

 

[jothp]

I think they may be right as when I was looking at possibly upgrading or changing hotel, all the hotels that week were coming up unavailable! it of course doesn't take into account of rooms given to other travel agents to sell & conferences etc. It is busy due to the fact they haven't recognised it as a school holiday, it was pricing cheaper then October half term

For all of the last few years we have been going May/June half term has been priced as low season because it is only the UK that is on holiday wheras in October lots of Europe is off.

 

[DLPdaft]

I don't know why, but I've found that theres limited availability in June midweek low season generally (having checked this time of year, and/or visited at this time of year, for the last 4 years). I suspect its because they overhaul some of the rooms in each hotel at this time of year, so there isn't maximum capacity available to book in the first place.

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks! Can't wait to enjoy the trip/magic!
So from what I'm gathering, the week of 11_June will be crowded!?
I saw where Disneyland stays open till 11 and Studios close at 7, what time do the parks typically open?

Do they have early entry for Resort hotel guests?

One more question, I thought I read that the Fastpass system in DLP works differently than in the US, any details?

Thanks again so much for everyone's input!
Peace
G4L

 

[A Small World]

Thanks! Can't wait to enjoy the trip/magic!
So from what I'm gathering, the week of 11_June will be crowded!?
I saw where Disneyland stays open till 11 and Studios close at 7, what time do the parks typically open?

Do they have early entry for Resort hotel guests?

One more question, I thought I read that the Fastpass system in DLP works differently than in the US, any details?

Thanks again so much for everyone's input!
Peace
G4L

The parks usually open at 10 with EMH (Extra Magic Hours) for resort guests from 8 most days. During these 2 hours most of the rides in Fantasyland and a few in Discoveryland are open.

The FP system is similar to USA but they are strict on return times - you have to return within your time slot not like USA where you can return later if you want (although I understand this has changed in WDW now as well but not DL)