When to Start Booking for Summer 2017

[kiapepito]

Wow... I also can't believe that it is included to go arrival and departure.. the other Disney parks should get it on that train...

How about the meal vouchers, I believe that is what they are called?...

From what I was looking at since we have two young girl's, I was thinking of eating at Auberge de Cendrillon and for dinner at Agrabah Cafe and for the other park was thinking Bistrot Chez Remy and not sure what Quick Service for lunch. This is also not taking into account our arrival date and/or departure date. Is the meal plan worth it for the restaurants I mention above?

I also just noticed that there is a Starbucks.... eek! Please tell me they sell the "You are Here" mugs!

 

[kiapepito]

In terms of Disney hotels, I can see they are really going for various parts of the US in theme... what would be the closest feel to the Art of Animation from WDW?

 

[BadPinkTink]

How about the meal vouchers, I believe that is what they are called?...

Honestly I have never used the meal plans, for me they seem a waste of money and I dont like to be told where and what to eat, lol. I always pay as I eat. Dont forget that breakfast is included as standard, you dont need a meal plan for that.

Basically the Meal Plans are divided like this
Half Board - 1 Meal Voucher Per Day
Standard - Counter Service
Plus - Table Service
Premium - Character Meal

Full Board - 2 Meal Vouchers Per Day
Standard - Counter Service
Plus - Table Service
Premium - Character Meal

The prices per day / face value of the vouchers for 2016/ 2017 ( originally posted on Magic Forum) Prices are in Euros and are Adult / Child
Half Board
Hotel DCR/Cheyenne/HSF: 25/15 (note Hotel plan will no longer be offered for guests at DCR from 2017)
Hotel SL/NBC/NY: 32/17
Hotel DLH: 56/30
Standard: 28/15
Plus: 35/17
Premium: 59/31

Full Board
Hotel DCR/Cheyenne/HSF: 39/23
Hotel SL/NBC/NY: 46/25
Hotel DLH: 80/44
Standard: 49/26
Plus: 62/31
Premium: 102/52

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show with Mickey & Friends
Off-peak 53.90/42.20
Peak 63/47
Add 15 for 1st category seating on all dates
Peak dates are 25/3-29/3, 5/8-16/8, 28/10-1/11 and 24/12-31/12 inclusive.

Character Breakfast at Café Mickey
Disney Hotel guests and DCR guests with meal plans: 17
DCR guests without meal plans: 25
Partner hotel guests: 22

Character meals
Auberge de Cendrillon: 69/39
Café Mickey: 42/23

From what I was looking at since we have two young girl's, I was thinking of eating at Auberge de Cendrillon and for dinner at Agrabah Cafe and for the other park was thinking Bistrot Chez Remy and not sure what Quick Service for lunch. This is also not taking into account our arrival date and/or departure date. Is the meal plan worth it for the restaurants I mention above?

Auberge de Cendrillon yes I would do this for 2 young girls. Every trip report I have read from families has said this is worth the expense. The only thing maybe to check is the menu, to make sure that your girls will eat the food.
Agrabah Cafe I haven't eaten here yet, its on my list for next time. I probably wouldn't do this on the same day as Auberge de Cendrillon purely for the fact of the amount of food. You might want to eat light after that.
Bistrot Chez Remy Honestly I don't think its worth it. I have checked out the menu, and seen photos in trip reports of the food. Its basically a steakhouse, very limited menu and far too expensive IMO for the food that is served. The theming is amazing though, you can see into the restaurant as you exit the Ratatouille ride. If steakhouse restaurants are your thing, there are other restaurants I would go to before here.

I ate at Pizzeria Bella Notte very reasonable price and good sized pizza, same menu is at Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost
I also ate at Last Chance Cafe, very good for a quick food stop
In The Studios I ate at Restaurant Des Stars, a buffet restaurant
Plaza Gardens is the most popular buffet restaurant, the menu is different to the American Parks

I also just noticed that there is a Starbucks.... eek! Please tell me they sell the "You are Here" mugs!

I didnt get there this recent trip, but on a previous trip I bought the Paris city mug there

In terms of Disney hotels, I can see they are really going for various parts of the US in theme... what would be the closest feel to the Art of Animation from WDW?

Santa Fe would be the closest, its Cars themed. Its alot smaller in size though and like an American Motel. The themeing is Arizona/ Nevada/ California desert and the bar and restaurant are Tex Mex style.

 

[albertamom]

I am going to write up a trip report, and alot of details will be in that but just for now

I was in a standard room on the 3rd floor. My view was overlooking Fantasia Gardens, which are being refurbished. It was the most basic, just 1 double bed. Breakfast is a buffet, with cooked items such as pancakes, bacon, sausages, scrambled and hard boiled eggs as well as the usual selection of cold meats and cheese, fruit and yoghurt's, bread for toasting and pastries. Tea and coffee were served at the table, fruit juices were part of the buffet.

Tips
Go for breakfast early
Use EMH - characters in the park, signature rides in Fantasyland and Discoveryland open, pick a signature ride to wait for at rope drop at 10am
Use fast passes and single rider lines
Study the maps, know what shows etc you want to see, check which restaurants are open and plan your meals
Pin Trading - not as popular as in USA, best time is during EMH to lunch time
Use the pool at least once


The route 50 from Disney to Hotel E'Lysee / Val d'Europe is free

I can't wait for your trip report! Thanks for the teasers! I didn't realize that the breakfast for basic rooms would include the hot items!

I've got to start a notebook to compile all these great tips. Super that the bus is free!

 

[albertamom]

I also just noticed that there is a Starbucks.... eek! Please tell me they sell the "You are Here" mugs!

I didnt get there this recent trip, but on a previous trip I bought the Paris city mug there

OMG!!! My daughter will be thrilled! On our recent 1st trip to WDW, she was on a mission to collect one in each park, and was successful!

 

[Ware Bears]

I will be flying out from New York and you're 100% right about 2 single flights. When I was using this August to estimate my cost, an one way flight to Paris is almost double of a round trip. I was thinking about taking the Eurostar from DLP to London and back to Paris. The weekend fare is more budget friendly. With 2 girls age 9 and 6 at the time, I'm not sure about making multiple stops at our first European trip. Well, I guess when the time comes I will have a better idea what is best for my family.

Regarding flights - you could also check out airlines that will let you book an open-jaw return (Expedia does this too), we've flown twice like this with British Airways into Canada and out of USA and the cost was way way less than booking two one way flights. Eurostar doesn't penalise one way either - you may pay an extra £10pp than the first leg of a return journey would have cost but it gives you another option to consider.

 

[kiapepito]

Thank you so much for the great information! I look forward to planning our trip and hearing more of other's experiences!

Honestly I have never used the meal plans, for me they seem a waste of money and I dont like to be told where and what to eat, lol. I always pay as I eat. Dont forget that breakfast is included as standard, you dont need a meal plan for that.

Basically the Meal Plans are divided like this
Half Board - 1 Meal Voucher Per Day
Standard - Counter Service
Plus - Table Service
Premium - Character Meal

Full Board - 2 Meal Vouchers Per Day
Standard - Counter Service
Plus - Table Service
Premium - Character Meal

The prices per day / face value of the vouchers for 2016/ 2017 ( originally posted on Magic Forum) Prices are in Euros and are Adult / Child
Half Board
Hotel DCR/Cheyenne/HSF: 25/15 (note Hotel plan will no longer be offered for guests at DCR from 2017)
Hotel SL/NBC/NY: 32/17
Hotel DLH: 56/30
Standard: 28/15
Plus: 35/17
Premium: 59/31

Full Board
Hotel DCR/Cheyenne/HSF: 39/23
Hotel SL/NBC/NY: 46/25
Hotel DLH: 80/44
Standard: 49/26
Plus: 62/31
Premium: 102/52

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show with Mickey & Friends
Off-peak 53.90/42.20
Peak 63/47
Add 15 for 1st category seating on all dates
Peak dates are 25/3-29/3, 5/8-16/8, 28/10-1/11 and 24/12-31/12 inclusive.

Character Breakfast at Café Mickey
Disney Hotel guests and DCR guests with meal plans: 17
DCR guests without meal plans: 25
Partner hotel guests: 22

Character meals
Auberge de Cendrillon: 69/39
Café Mickey: 42/23


Auberge de Cendrillon yes I would do this for 2 young girls. Every trip report I have read from families has said this is worth the expense. The only thing maybe to check is the menu, to make sure that your girls will eat the food.
Agrabah Cafe I haven't eaten here yet, its on my list for next time. I probably wouldn't do this on the same day as Auberge de Cendrillon purely for the fact of the amount of food. You might want to eat light after that.
Bistrot Chez Remy Honestly I don't think its worth it. I have checked out the menu, and seen photos in trip reports of the food. Its basically a steakhouse, very limited menu and far too expensive IMO for the food that is served. The theming is amazing though, you can see into the restaurant as you exit the Ratatouille ride. If steakhouse restaurants are your thing, there are other restaurants I would go to before here.

I ate at Pizzeria Bella Notte very reasonable price and good sized pizza, same menu is at Colonel Hathi's Pizza Outpost
I also ate at Last Chance Cafe, very good for a quick food stop
In The Studios I ate at Restaurant Des Stars, a buffet restaurant
Plaza Gardens is the most popular buffet restaurant, the menu is different to the American Parks


I didnt get there this recent trip, but on a previous trip I bought the Paris city mug there



Santa Fe would be the closest, its Cars themed. Its alot smaller in size though and like an American Motel. The themeing is Arizona/ Nevada/ California desert and the bar and restaurant are Tex Mex style.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Count me in for July 2017 (hopefully)! I never did get used to the current FP system at WDW, so I'm happy to see that DLP still uses the legacy system.