Would I be mad??!!

[Minniemousemad]

Hi all, haven't been on these boards for a long time but we've decided on a trip to DLP this year So I have 2 questions..... 1st is would we be mad to go in August?? Is it crazy busy?? Last time we went was 2 years ago Feb half term and it was mad!!! And secondly we are now a family of 6 and are trying to do this trip on a budget, last time we went by Eurostar and stayed in DLH, this time planning on driving and staying in DCR, anymore tips for staying on a tight budget??
Many thanks!!

 

[Dingdingding]

I can't really say anything about august but when doing a budget trip you may consider the partner hotels. They don't have the early magic hours but they do have very frequent buses going to the resort. You can at least consider it for the first (and maybe last) night, as you pay for the tickets for that day when you're staying in a DLP-hotel (as we did last week; we had two nights at Sequoia but booked our first night at B&B for 50 euros a night). That way we could drive to the parks on Saturday, get there in the evening, went to Sequoia next morning to check in for our early magic hours, then go into the parks on sunday, monday and tuesday. We go back in September on a budget and will book four nights at B&B or Kyriad for about 200-250 euros.

 

[A Small World]

It is busy in August but in some ways its less noticeable than in the winter months. As the weather is nice (hopefully) people are spread about more - sitting outside etc. In Winter months people tend to sit about for longer inside the restaurants, in the shops etc. which makes them seem really crowded.
Also the hours are much longer - the main park probably won't close til about 11pm so people have more time to do things so will often break up the day with a swim or rest back at their hotel which thins out the crowds a bit.

DCR is lovely in Summer - its got the best pool of all the DLP hotels and you will have space to spread out in the cabin. As you say you are now a family of 6 I assume you have younger children which might mean you are going back to the ranch earlier in the evenings - its much easier at DCR to get the children settled and then be able to sit outside enjoying a drink - in a hotel room you are more squashed and feel you have to tip toe round the sleeping children.

As you are driving you will be able to take some food and drinks with you especially snacks and possibly breakfast items. This will help you on a budget. The cooking facilities aren't brilliant in the ranch but you could even prepare some easy meals there as well to save money on eating out all the time.
How old are your children? Did you know under 3s eat free in the buffets? Ive never eaten there but the buffet at DCR is meant to be very good

Enjoy and make sure you spend time back at the ranch relaxing away from the madness of the parks

 

[markpsych]

The cooking facilities aren't brilliant in the ranch but you could even prepare some easy meals there as well to save money on eating out all the time.
How old are your children? Did you know under 3s eat free in the buffets? Ive never eaten there but the buffet at DCR is meant to be very good

Enjoy and make sure you spend time back at the ranch relaxing away from the madness of the parks

Yes, you can eat really well at a fraction of the cost if you stock up via the Auchan supermarket at Val d'Europe...and if you can afford a buffet meal at the DCR tavern, I'd highly recommend it. Consistently good food, and lovely being able to walk there and back from your cabin.

Best thing about the summer in the parks is the long evenings, so I'd recommend leisurely starts, after a morning swim in the DCR pool (which is often empty during the mornings and much busier at night) and perhaps even having lunch at the cabin.

Driving in a little later also means that you'll generally find a space at the front of the car park (just snake your way around the cones until you get to the front).

Have a fantastic time

 

[Minniemousemad]

Thank you all for your lovely advice, we are going to go for it!! Very last week of August eeekkk!!! Doing a dummy booking is working out about £1200 with free half board which we've never had before, are the French schools on holiday also?

 

[elena_n2o]

Thank you all for your lovely advice, we are going to go for it!! Very last week of August eeekkk!!! Doing a dummy booking is working out about £1200 with free half board which we've never had before, are the French schools on holiday also?

Yes, they go back to school on the 4th of Feb