Unexpected visit, couple of questions...

[Suzanne1979]

Hello all,

I haven't been on the Disboards for a while, but quite unexpectedly the BF agreed on going to DLRP for 5 days

My last visit was Santa Fe 2009, but the BF never went before, so this is going to be very special...

We're going Mon Aug 27 to Fri Aug 31, so we'll just be able to see the new fireworks and parade, yay!

Been browsing the boards and my old Brit Guide but was hoping I could pose a couple of questions here, grateful for all help!

1. Cityrama Tours. Positive feedback in general on the Disboards, but on their own website very negative reviews. Anyone had any recent experience? Daytour and night tour both...
And is it at all possible to book on the spot (on the day we would go on the tour, or maybe a day or two beforehand), either with our own (off site)hotel concierge or the concierge from HNY, as I understand the bus stops there? Or do you alsways have to book in advance?

2. We can get great deals from both Magic Circus and Dream Castle hotel, so it's going to be either one. Prices are the same, both have swimming pools, similar facilities, similar distance to the parks, good breakfasts according to most reviews, reviews on booking.com are about the same (7.7, 7.6 so fine for both)... Do any of you have any recent experience with one or both of these hotels?

I'm leaning slightly towards Magic Circus, but since it's just the two (age 30&32) of us, I'm thinking it might be loud, attracting more children than Dream Castle. Is DC more for adults, or am I totally wrong? Is DC (slightly) more within walking distance of the parks, is the pool in MC slightly bigger, or ...

As you can see, help much appreciated!

3. Last question: we'll be arriving Monday, and spending Mon afternoon, Tue and Wed or Tue and Thu in the parks (Wed or Thu in Paris). I'm a big fan of Les pays des contes de fees (The Storybook Ride), but read somewhere that it's often closed Tue-Thu. Found it closed many of the days of our 2009 visit as well.

Have any of you recently "been there, done that"? Should I rush to the back of Fantasyland and catch it first thing Mon afternoon? Or have you found it open during the week?

Already very much looking forward to my visit....

 

[elstoleno]

I can't help with most of your questions, but since you're going in August i'd imagine the storybook ride will be open most days if not every day I usually go in August and have never seen it closed, but it does open later and close earlier than the rest of the rides.

 

[Wuzefelix]

Hello all,

I haven't been on the Disboards for a while, but quite unexpectedly the BF agreed on going to DLRP for 5 days

My last visit was Santa Fe 2009, but the BF never went before, so this is going to be very special...

We're going Mon Aug 27 to Fri Aug 31, so we'll just be able to see the new fireworks and parade, yay!

Been browsing the boards and my old Brit Guide but was hoping I could pose a couple of questions here, grateful for all help!

1. Cityrama Tours. Positive feedback in general on the Disboards, but on their own website very negative reviews. Anyone had any recent experience? Daytour and night tour both...
And is it at all possible to book on the spot (on the day we would go on the tour, or maybe a day or two beforehand), either with our own (off site)hotel concierge or the concierge from HNY, as I understand the bus stops there? Or do you alsways have to book in advance?

2. We can get great deals from both Magic Circus and Dream Castle hotel, so it's going to be either one. Prices are the same, both have swimming pools, similar facilities, similar distance to the parks, good breakfasts according to most reviews, reviews on booking.com are about the same (7.7, 7.6 so fine for both)... Do any of you have any recent experience with one or both of these hotels?

I'm leaning slightly towards Magic Circus, but since it's just the two (age 30&32) of us, I'm thinking it might be loud, attracting more children than Dream Castle. Is DC more for adults, or am I totally wrong? Is DC (slightly) more within walking distance of the parks, is the pool in MC slightly bigger, or ...

As you can see, help much appreciated!

3. Last question: we'll be arriving Monday, and spending Mon afternoon, Tue and Wed or Tue and Thu in the parks (Wed or Thu in Paris). I'm a big fan of Les pays des contes de fees (The Storybook Ride), but read somewhere that it's often closed Tue-Thu. Found it closed many of the days of our 2009 visit as well.

Have any of you recently "been there, done that"? Should I rush to the back of Fantasyland and catch it first thing Mon afternoon? Or have you found it open during the week?

Already very much looking forward to my visit....

Welcome back to the boards!

1. I've never done the tours.
But I can recommend spending a day in Paris on your own instead. The RER line A travels from the station in front of the parks directly into downtown Paris. You should buy day passes that will also give you unlimited rides on the Metro. With some planning it will be easy to hit all the major sights at your own pace. To me this is the much more enjoyable option.

2.
Both Dreamcastle and Magic Circus are very nice hotels. I can highly recommend them, they're much better than most Disney hotels. If the price between the two is the same, I suggest you go for the Dreamcastle. Yes it feels slightly more adult though there will be plenty of families staying there, too. The rooms and facilites are a tad better in the Dreamcastle. The breakfast used to be a lot better, too, although I heard some contradicting reviews lately. I liked the pool in the Dreamcastle a bit better, too.
Both hotels are right next to each other and have the free shuttle bus to the Disney parks every 20 minutes. You can't go wrong with either one.

3.
In the summer season (until 2 September 2012) your chances are good that the Storybook Ride will be open. Having said that, I've seen it closed at times and it usually it also closes early in the evening. If you're a fan of this ride it might be good to just check if it's open as soon as you can.

Have a great trip!

 

[DLPdaft]

In August I'd imagine the storyboat ride would be open every day (maybe not all day, if its not open all day you should see a sign around that area to tell you when its open/closed). It does close in heavy rain though.

There really isn't anything to choose between the Dream Castle and the Magic Circus - both get lots of families (the rooms are the same configuration and design).

They are owned by the same company too, so the facilities and prices etc are similar. So it really depends on which theme you like best. They are situated right next door to each other, the Dream Castle would be maybe 2 minutes closer if you're walking.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Ask Wuzefelix says I'd go into Paris on your own for the day

A Mobilis pass giving you a days unlimited travel in zones 1-5 on RER, Metro and Bus costs 14,20€ per adult

You could always do a Foxity tour which is a new low cost version of the Cityrama one and is great fun. They aren't crowded too which is a +

http://www.foxity.com/en

After that you have a better idea of how Paris is laid out and what you might want to go and look at better.

The RER from DLP to Paris runs from very early until late at night so you could even stay and do a Bateau Mouche river trip to see the city lit up for 11,50€ - it's the same price as in the daytime

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/en/peniches-paris/hours-13.html

 

[Suzanne1979]

Thank you all,
I was considering travelling to Paris by ourselves on the RER (I've done it before so no hassle), I think y'all talked me into that now

Hotels...ah... @Wuzefelix, you mentioned the arguments exactly in favor of the DC, so I am even more confused now...
Must think about it some more I guess...

 

[Wuzefelix]

Hotels...ah... @Wuzefelix, you mentioned the arguments exactly in favor of the DC, so I am even more confused now...
Must think about it some more I guess...

Haha, I'm sorry! It's just that in my opinion the Dream Castle is a little bit better. It's also usually more expensive which may be another indicator. However, they both belong to the same company and they are both really good. Chose the one you like more.

Have a magical trip (with less rain than today )

 

[kizzabel]

I would also second the Bateau Mouche. It was a very serene way of seeing the beautiful city. We got glimpses at some of the sights that we just didn't have time to get to explore properly yet plus from the water is a different and lovely way to see the sights especially around Notre Dame. Hope you have a fantastic trip.

 

[kizzabel]

also try alpharooms for prices on MC and DC. We saved an extra €30 on the MC and to be fair even the 1st price was a great one.