Disneyland Paris/EuroDisney - Questions & Answers

money

skateykatey wrote: »

Having just returned from DLP as a first time visitor, I thought I'd post my thoughts.

We went as a family group with 5 adults and my 10 year old niece and stayed at the Santa Fe. It's a nice enough hotel but, the breakfast menu gets a bit tiresome after a while. It's very much a continental style budget breakfast buffet so think rolls, cubed cheese and cheap processed ham. We didn't mind it but after 3 mornings I was feeling seriously carb loaded! We walked in and back most days as the weather was glorious and it's a nice walk along the river-only took about 15 minutes. The one day we got the shuttle coach back I nearly passed out as it was so cramped and hot. I don't think all the schools in France had broken up for half term as it wasn't as busy as I expected. That said, we still had to queue for over 45 mins for each ride/attraction. They do put approximate waiting times at the front but tbh these were hopelessly optimistic; as a rule of thumb add about another 20 mins on top of that.

Additionally, 5 rides broke down so we had the choice of either waiting (which we did on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and 4th occasion) or leaving by the escape routes. I understand that if there is a hint of any mechanical failure they absolutely have to stop the ride but the number of occasions that it happened and the demeanour of the staff led us to believe that it's actually a pretty common occurance. Some of the queuing was inside (a vastly overheated building) so this just added to general peed offness of it all. By the middle of our 2nd full day we were all disneyed out!
Money wise; some good news. Me and the OH took about 130 euros each (this was for 2 full days in the park and a day either side for travelling) and came home with about 70 euros each! This was about the same for all of our party. To be fair we didn't go mad in one of the, many, shops selling merchandise as there was nothing that was DLP exclusive which was a shame. We did get my niece's face painted though. We ate out on the 2nd evening, at ludwigs restaurant, which was a great meal and pretty reasonable. The service was pretty shambolic but we did get a free round of drinks by way of apology. What bumps up the cost considerably is drinks, both soft and alchoholic. We used the water fountains which are everywhere. Pause and play is another place to get cheapish food. Hot dog, chips and cold drink for 9.99 euros.
The highlights are the things that Disney does best; the productions and attention to detail. The fireworks show at park closing time was spectacular and worth staking out our spot ahead of the start time. The stunt car show was also great and the studio tours ride was unexpectedly brilliant. (again this broke down so we queued for 45 mins despite joining the queue pretty much near the front)
All in all, I'm glad that I went but I probably wouldn't go again; you really have to embrace all things disney I think and I'm just a tad too cynical and miserable for that!

Hi, which rides broke down?

cdsmiler

Lara wrote: »

We're here in Disney. It is absolutely freezing. If you are coming I would suggest very warm clothing. My granddaughter has her thermals on, thick warm sheepskin boots and thick coat, gloves and hat. If children have a ski suit, bring that! Lots of children around wearing them.

Lots of rides/shows are closed. We had lunch with the Princesses today. Belle and Prince Charming, Cinderella and Snow White were in attendance. Parades have been super but somehow Paris doesn't hold the same appeal to us as Florida. Although 4 year old knows no different and is enjoying it.

Will write more on our return home after the weekend.

Lara wrote: »

Should have said we cancelled Cafe Mickey as bursting at all times hence our lunch with the princesses. GD loves the Princesses so we felt this a good one. Food not really for children though but she loved seeing Belle dance right in front of our table. Left the men with 18 month old so worked out good! Lol

Hi Lara,

Thanks for this! We've planned for the cold and have bought layers all ready to go in a week and a half!! After all, we're going in December, with the Christmas theme, it's supposed to be cold!! lol

So glad the lunch with the princesses was good as we've just booked to do that after umming and ahhing for ages!

The rides that are closed - are they the ones that are publicised as being closed, or additional ones? (Like here: http://www.dlrpmagic.com/calendar/closures-refurbishments/)

Can't wait to hear more when you're back!

Clare x

Rachie_B

nikmondo wrote: »

Blimey, i'm off to DLP tomorrow with my daughter and i feel a little deflated now after reading that.

aww hope you have had a good time despite the cold.

We went in Dec one year and yes the Xmas stuff was great BUT too cold for me

and so we much prefer the milder Halloween season. Which is still great themed :T

Don't think i'd go Dec - Feb ever again. Just tooooooo cold even with loads of layers and ski stuff on

it's the waiting around in the cold ( and damp if raining too ) that isn't fun

Lara

nikmondo wrote: »

Blimey, i'm off to DLP tomorrow with my daughter and i feel a little deflated now after reading that.

No idea why you felt deflated after reading my post. I was just telling people to make sure they are wrapped up for the cold! It was absolutely freezing and we have come back with colds! Although several rides were closed even more were open. All depends on which park and how old your daughter is and what she would want to go on. Remember we had a 4 yr old and an 18month. They absolutely loved the rides they could go on!

Some rides were closed for a day and then opened the next day. They seemed to work like that.

Lara

Quote:
Originally Posted by cdsmiler
Hi Lara,

Thanks for this! We've planned for the cold and have bought layers all ready to go in a week and a half!! After all, we're going in December, with the Christmas theme, it's supposed to be cold!! lol

So glad the lunch with the princesses was good as we've just booked to do that after umming and ahhing for ages!

The rides that are closed - are they the ones that are publicised as being closed, or additional ones? (Like here: http://www.dlrpmagic.com/calendar/cl...efurbishments/)

Can't wait to hear more when you're back!

Clare x
Hi Clare
Your little one will love the Princess meal. Doubt she will eat a lot though unless she likes smoked salmon - not really a children's food for little ones. It is expensive but we sat where Belle and Prince Charming danced, so we could see them very clearly. One little tip - don't let your little girl go running after any Princess, they do come round to each table and speak to each child individually and ask them a couple of questions ie who is your favourite Princess (Belle asked that and the reply was Rapunzel! Lol ). They then ask if you want to have a photo taken with them. Our 4yr old was quite shy but absolutely loved it and having her photo taken with them - they are "real" to them at that age aren't they .

The Princess Pavilion was closed one day but open the next. Son and DIL queued with 4 yr old for 1.5 hrs! They didn't have a choice who to see and saw Cinderella. The other one was Snow White. Both of these were really lovely and it was the same Cinderella at the Princess lunch.

We were booked for 12.30pm lunch but went in at 12 noon - far less crowded at that time.

The Parades she will love and it's very Christmasy. We saw these three times and the Disney castle at 6.45pm once. It was too cold for them to stay out and we also had dinner early.

The steakhouse we highly recommend. The food and service was superb. It is just outside the Disney park, going towards Cafe Mickey.

We also had characters come to breakfast at the hotel as we upgraded after two days and this gave us access to a separate breakfast area. The children saw Pluto, Minnie, Mickey, Goofy and they came to each table. 18month wasn't keen though! Lol

I don't think there is anything else I can tell you. There are lots of rides your daughter can go on and I am sure you will have a superb time. Our one has asked can we go back next year!

Oh Princess Dresses - they are €59! I am sure you have one but we wouldn't entertain paying that sort of money when you can get them at home cheaper. L had two and wore them over all her warm clothing - Grandma is good and buys them at least the next size up! . The children were shivering at the Princess Lunch as they didn't wear clothes underneath which we thought was absolutely stupid in that weather.

Have a wonderful time!

Jessicarabbit1982

Evening everyone,

I'm looking for some advice please! Myself, my hubby and our twins are off to DLP next Sunday. It's our twins 2nd Birthday next Monday so we are there until Wednesday.

Basically we are staying at the New York had have booked the half board meal plan. I am however totally confused (blonde moment alert!!). Of course I assume tha we just have a buffet style breakfast each morning in the hotel? Can anyone advise what food we can expect?

Do the rooms in the New York have baths or just showers?

Moving on to evening meals I understand we can then choose where to eat. Does anyone have any recommendations? Also do we just decide on the day and go to the restaurant or so we need to book in advance?

Ahhh I feel like I have so many questions!! Ooh we have booked breakfast with the characters for the morning of their Birthday, where is this please? Again can you advise what sort of food to expect?

Thanks so much I advance!

Lara

Jessicarabitt - we had dinner one evening at the New York and the food was very good. It's a lovely hotel and a very short walk from Cafe Mickey and parks. My grandson is 18 months old and he loved the rides he could go on, food was fine for him - for what he eats. I don't think you have to worry at all about the twins. They will have a great time and have lots of fuss made of them!

I think you will find baths in all the rooms with a shower over.

We had half board in Sequoia Lodge and could use our vouchers in lots of places. I wouldn't recommend the buffet in Plaza Garden. We weren't impressed at all.

We booked our restaurants in the morning of the day we decided to go and didn't have any problems. I suspect like us you would eat quite early. Most restaurants were open at 6pm and you wouldn't have any trouble for that time.

As for breakfasts yes they were continental: meats, rolls, cereals etc. you could order an American breakfast ie eggs etc if you wanted them but it was an added extra.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Just make sure you are all wrapped up warm. grandson hates hats but even he kept his Thomas the tank hat on! If they are in a pushchair I would suggest a blanket/fleece to wrap round them especially if they fall asleep during the day. Disney fleece blankets over there are €29.99 so again expensive and much cheaper to buy here and take over unless you have cosy toes/muffs they will stay in. HTH.

Jessicarabbit1982

Fantastic thanks Lara! We've got cosy toes on the pram but I'm going to pack blankets, snow suits, hats & gloves just to be on the safe side!

It sounds great, will certainly sample the meals at the New York then, like you say we will be looking to dine early so hopefully won't have problems getting a table.

So excited now! Roll on Sunday!

Thanks again for the advice.

balletshoes

at the Hotel New York your buffet breakfast is hot and cold items, all included for no extra charge.

breakfast with the characters will be at Cafe Mickey - again this is a hot and cold breakfast buffet.

with your half board vouchers you can eat at any park or onsite hotel table or buffet service restaurant, they are not valid in the counter service restaurants, or at some of the restaurants in the Village.

When you check in at your hotel you'll get your meal vouchers - on the back they will list which restaurants you can use your vouchers in.

Jessicarabbit1982

Fantastic balletshoes, thank you. I'm really looking forward to our stay now. Just to get everything packed....