US to Belgium - Looking for advice for DLRP

[kathleena]

Hi Everyone

I might be travelling to Belgium for a week soon on business. Likely in July and August. I want to start and end the trip with stays at DLRP and Paris.

Any advice on days to avoid, good days for what park? I'm assuming weekends are busy, but don't know if I can avoid them or not. Possibly when I leave I can stay Sat-Tues, but when I arrive it would be on a Friday or Saturday.

Also, I won't have a car so I will rely on trains and cabs to get around. Any advice on where to stay in Paris that is central and safe. Do people travel on the train with luggage? eg, if I go from Paris to DLRP or from Belgium to DLRP?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Architect]

Your obvious problem is school holidays; some countries (for example Scotland, Ireland, and some of the Scandinavian states) start as early as the beginning of July, with England and France kicking in towards mid-late July. These will push up numbers considerably. My advice would be to get there in late June/early July, if at all possible. And yes, weekends can be veeeery busy. Mondays and Tuesdays we always found quiet.

 

[SandraVB79]

Travel from paris to brussels by train is no problem at all. As a matter of fact, american airlines, airfrance ... flights from brussel to paris are by train!!

Everyone travels with luggage by Thalys/ TGV it's no hassle at all, I have done it MANY times!

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Nancy and welcome to DLP DIS board
We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, posting guidelines can be found here and details regarding help on signatures here

As you state weekends will be the busiest but you will still manage to get through all the major attractions in a few days visits combine with visit to Paris

Others will be able to help you regarding rail travel

DLP hotels are all on site as well as served by shuttle buses. Santa Fe the furthest from the parks is only 20 minutes walk

 

[kathleena]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Looks like I will be travelling June 21st from the US. My plan is to go direct to DLRP and stay thru Monday AM and then hop the train to Brussells. I can't avoid the weekend, as I have to keep the week free for those pesky working days!!!!

I have my travel agent looking into something at the resort and would plan to hit the parks Fri/Sat and then go into Paris on Sunday for a bit of touring.

I plan to read every thread going here over the next few weeks. Normally I would research weeks in advance, but this was just sprung on me last week that I would probably go.

Happy anyway. I think people think I'm nuts - first time in Paris and I'm going to Disney. Yep - certifiable Disney nut here. Paris can wait!

 

[Ware Bears]

No, Nancy, I don't think you're nuts ~ we didn't venture into Paris until our third trip!

Hope you will have a wonderful time!

 

[Cyrano]

No, Nancy, I don't think you're nuts ~ we didn't venture into Paris until our third trip!

Hope you will have a wonderful time!

Inspite of it being my favourite city the troops have yet to make it to Paris.. maybe someday

 

[smoof]

I am not sure if you know this, but you can take the RER, I think C line (???) directly into Disneyland Paris from Paris. As a matter of fact, if you are only taking a day trip, you can even purchase your park pass with your train ticket in Paris. We have never had a car visiting Paris. The train system is fabulous, despite regular strikes. I don't know if the locals think that, but compared to the US, it is. We took the train from Brussels to Paris and back to Brussels, you would be doing the opposite. I can't remember distinctly, but I don't remember it being a terribly long train ride, maybe 4 hours. Paris is tied with New York as my favorite cities, but I am a NYer, so I have to love NY.

As for crowds, I think the experts spoke in the previous posts, but compared to WDW, and specifically the Magic Kingdom, I don't think you can even compare the crowds. I really, dare I say this, can't stand the crowds in the Magic Kingdom anymore. I don't know if we were lucky, but the two times we went, both in the summer, it was not crowded at all. To others it may have been terrible, but when I compare it to WDW, it was not at all crowded.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Looks like I will be travelling June 21st from the US. My plan is to go direct to DLRP and stay thru Monday AM and then hop the train to Brussells. I can't avoid the weekend, as I have to keep the week free for those pesky working days!!!!

I have my travel agent looking into something at the resort and would plan to hit the parks Fri/Sat and then go into Paris on Sunday for a bit of touring.

I plan to read every thread going here over the next few weeks. Normally I would research weeks in advance, but this was just sprung on me last week that I would probably go.

Happy anyway. I think people think I'm nuts - first time in Paris and I'm going to Disney. Yep - certifiable Disney nut here. Paris can wait!

For sure listen to the folks around here with their specialized advice about the holiday patterns etc. I am on business travel in Barcelona, Spain this week and on the way to Paris on Monday for three days at DLP solo (third time to Paris, first to DLP - and yes, I will have two days in the city itself - I am not crazy - well not very). I should have a trip report up sometime before you leave June 21 and may have some tips for "An American in (Disneyland) Paris" Keep a lookout.

 

[SandraVB79]

I am not sure if you know this, but you can take the RER, I think C line (???) directly into Disneyland Paris from Paris. As a matter of fact, if you are only taking a day trip, you can even purchase your park pass with your train ticket in Paris. We have never had a car visiting Paris. The train system is fabulous, despite regular strikes. I don't know if the locals think that, but compared to the US, it is. We took the train from Brussels to Paris and back to Brussels, you would be doing the opposite. I can't remember distinctly, but I don't remember it being a terribly long train ride, maybe 4 hours. Paris is tied with New York as my favorite cities, but I am a NYer, so I have to love NY.

As for crowds, I think the experts spoke in the previous posts, but compared to WDW, and specifically the Magic Kingdom, I don't think you can even compare the crowds. I really, dare I say this, can't stand the crowds in the Magic Kingdom anymore. I don't know if we were lucky, but the two times we went, both in the summer, it was not crowded at all. To others it may have been terrible, but when I compare it to WDW, it was not at all crowded.

Brussels - Paris by Thalys is 1 hour and 28 minutes. Or at least, it was that long/ short last time I went by train! It can be it's even faster now