Disneyland Paris/EuroDisney - Questions & Answers

balletshoes

takethemon wrote: »

Good morning. I will do that and I will book the flights after I have spoke to his mother.
Which hotel do you recommend and what board basis?
I think I would prefer to stay inside or very nearby.
My adventurous streak let me drive in Malta. I would add that they drive on the same side as we do. The thought of driving on the opposite side of the road fills me with dread.
You seem very clued up on this subject, and, like others, I am very grateful for your help.
If you spot any offers can you let us know please?
Thank you.

I have never needed to drive near DLP, whether staying onsite or offsite. I get a shared shuttle transfer booked in advance from the airport to our DLP-area hotel (booked through rstransports.com). Onsite definitely has advantages, and if you can get an under-12s free onsite deal it will be just as cheap as staying offsite but nearby. I wouldn't pay for a dining plan for DLP, as its a short-stay destination I'm happy just to fuel-up instead of paying for table service meals each day. Some of the offers include a dining plan for free, if thats combined with a decent discount % offer too then fair enough, it can be a good deal. You can take snacks with you in your luggage, as they are expensive at DLP.
Have a look at all the hotels around (both onsite and nearby, try Trivago to get you started) see which ones take your fancy.

takethemon

Will do. Thanks.

candjsmum

We have stayed in Santa Fe and Sequioa lodge on site. The latter is about 15/20 minute walk into the park and the former about 30 minutes. We returned on Saturday after spending 3 nights there. The advantage to staying on site is that you can go back to the hotel in the afternoons to recharge your batteries ready for another stint in the night. Even our fit 21 and 17 year olds were glad of this, especially as the finale is 10pm most nights.

Having said that I know people who have stayed off site and have loved it too. We had booked a while ago and then when the free half board offer came up, we rang and they amended our booking so we got this too. We all absolutely love the buffet food they serve in the hotel restaurants but wouldn't pay the price they ask.

Oakdene

Stayed in Santa Fe, they took our bags from the eurostar station in the park straight to the hotel which allowed us to go straight into the park which was good! However the downside of this was when we went to check in late afternoon we found out you get 30 minute slots for breakfast & as a result we got the 7.00-7.30 slot which meant early starts!!

balletshoes

Oakdene wrote: »

Stayed in Santa Fe, they took our bags from the eurostar station in the park straight to the hotel which allowed us to go straight into the park which was good! However the downside of this was when we went to check in late afternoon we found out you get 30 minute slots for breakfast & as a result we got the 7.00-7.30 slot which meant early starts!!

those are the best breakfast slots anyway, any later than 7.30 and its bedlam . Those timecards are only guideline ones though, you can go anytime you like for breakfast at your hotel onsite when its included in your room rate, its just that if its very busy you may have to wait to be seated if its not your timeslot.

sarahh112

Hi ya

I don't suppose anyone has any idea as to when the next Under 12's free offer is likely to appear (if there is one). Since my boys both turned 7 (two years ago) we haven't been able to afford to go and I have got serious withdrawal symptoms :-(

Thanks in advance
Sarah xxx

Moosie2007

balletshoes wrote: »

I'd do May half term then, no French school holidays at all at that time, weather lovely and warm, and long park hours. Halloween week is as busy as summer, as again, all French schools (as well as just about all European) are on holiday on Halloween week.

That sounds good to me. Thank you!

Of course, son has now seen that there is Jedi Padawan Training and wants to do that - which is only on up until 4th May and over the Summer holidays. Aargh. Is it any wonder I ended up tearing my hair out trying to plan it, so we have never actually gone! Has anyone done this, what does it involve and is it worth doing?

Anyway, I am going to look at May half term (and potentially disappoint the young Padawan) so how do I go about getting the best deal? Am I right that the steps to follow are:

1) Check the full price for the on site hotels
2) Check off site plus annual pass costs
3) Compare European DLP websites for offers
4) See which is best and go from there, with an option of booking a refundable offsite hotel, and waiting for a flash sale

Husband is willing to go for train trip into DLP, just doesn't want to get caught in traffic in and out of the park as he has been warned it can be a nightmare. Fair enough; so will look at Val d'Europe area.

Oooh, it is exciting. I just want to get it right for my family!

balletshoes

sarahh112 wrote: »

Hi ya

I don't suppose anyone has any idea as to when the next Under 12's free offer is likely to appear (if there is one). Since my boys both turned 7 (two years ago) we haven't been able to afford to go and I have got serious withdrawal symptoms :-(

Thanks in advance
Sarah xxx

no guarantees, but last year at around this time the French site came out with a free under-12s offer.

It does get more expensive once your children reach aged 7 - I add £100 per 7-year old and over to my budget now (as that covers the price of the cheapest annual pass, which can be bought in advance of travel and works really well with an onsite stay booked for 1 or 2 adults).

balletshoes

Moosie2007 wrote: »

That sounds good to me. Thank you!

Of course, son has now seen that there is Jedi Padawan Training and wants to do that - which is only on up until 4th May and over the Summer holidays. Aargh. Is it any wonder I ended up tearing my hair out trying to plan it, so we have never actually gone! Has anyone done this, what does it involve and is it worth doing?

Anyway, I am going to look at May half term (and potentially disappoint the young Padawan) so how do I go about getting the best deal? Am I right that the steps to follow are:

1) Check the full price for the on site hotels
2) Check off site plus annual pass costs
3) Compare European DLP websites for offers
4) See which is best and go from there, with an option of booking a refundable offsite hotel, and waiting for a flash sale

Husband is willing to go for train trip into DLP, just doesn't want to get caught in traffic in and out of the park as he has been warned it can be a nightmare. Fair enough; so will look at Val d'Europe area.

Oooh, it is exciting. I just want to get it right for my family!

you have it sussed .

Moosie2007

Thank you for all the help in pointing me in the right direction. I have also seen that I can get a 15% discount on annual passes if I get 1000 shares in Disneyland and register with the Shareholders Club - this may be possible for me to do with my pension pot that I manage myself. Also gives access to 'Mickey's Salon' from 9am - 12 for four visits in the year, along with guests; plus 10% discounts in shops and restaurants. Staying at the Ibis budget in Val d'Europe, with annual passes would then be only £714.15 for 6 days - pretty good going, so far.


Will now look out for flash sales, and free under 12-s for the May half term :-)


Anyone done the Padawan Jedi training, by the way?