Disneyland Paris/EuroDisney - Questions & Answers

lindsaygalaxy

Morning

does anyone know of a budget hotel near disney to stay in? we are going over new years, 2 adults, 2 children, on the eurotunnel so will have the car.

All the chains like Ibis seem to only accomodate 3 and I really dont want 2 rooms (though the eldest is 12).

Trying to get to disney for new years eve for as little as possible! With clubard vouchers got tunnel down to £18, now just need the hotel and to book the disney tickets!

Thank you for your help.

purple_cat_2

Hi all, having been back a week now I thought I may share some of our experiences.
We had a wonderful time at dlrp, there were a couple of things that made all the difference, firstly BABY SWITCH what a wonderful idea, it allows one adult to ride with any kids who are big/old enough whilst the second adult waits with the baby or toddler at the EXIT of the ride when the first gets off the second adult gets straight on and can take the child/children that just got off so any kids who are big enough get to ride twice on any ride (or if they didn't like it just the adult), this combined with FASTPASS means you don't spend all day waiting in line, and the best thing is it works on ALL of the rides not just the big ones.

Breakfast in the park has been mentioned a couple of times on here and it is well worth getting up even earlyer for, every day we were there we had to wake the children up but it is worth it even if it is just to see main street deserted, brilliant time to take photos. breakfaast was much calmer in the park and although there was maybe more limited choices for breakfast there were also some better ones such as real yogurts (great to snack on before lunch if you take 1or2 extra), be warned tho we thought we could get on autopia early after breakfast as the queues were always at least 40min in the day but it dosen't open till 11am and we never actually made it on there at all.
FOOD was our biggest headache all week I would say, we are all vegi and there was very limited choice through out the parks and village, if you have a baby take your own jars, although the parks advertise that you can get baby food in teh baby care centres when I went they had NO vegi food at all and only 1 flavour of fromage frais which was strawberry unfortunately our daughter is allergic to strawberrys so we HAD to go to val de europe and decipher the french baby food (which ALL seems to contain sugar and salt),

just a quick note on val, if you go to AUCHAN (amazing place) you are not allowed to take bags in unless security can cable tie them closed, they will not under any circumstances allow you to take small wheeled suitcase type bags in (we figured with the pushchair it would be easier to have a wheeled hand luggage bag to put our shopping in, that was a mistake as my partner had to wander around outside and wait for me), there is a free shuttle to val from the bus depot outside the parks but it has to be the number 54. the single fare on return was E3.20 for 2 adults 1 child which is cheap as chips.

Back to food, avoid macccy d's after the parks have closed as you will wait at least an hour and then realise half the food you ordered and paid for is missing it really does get that busy. The sports bar in the village sells fruit which is always handy to know, and the new york style sandwhich bar next door does lovely baguttes which come with a portion of chips (fat chips not macd style chips), and can easily be taken back to your hotel.
Billy bobs in the village also do lovely vegi chilli on a baked potato with a drink and a brownie for just over E15, the waitress we had was amazingly good rushed off her feet but still took the time to read to us the ingridents on the baby food and heat it up for us, she was spot on.

we booked cafe mickeys on our last day and ordered a bday cake for our boy, the cake was delicious and E22 but I personally felt the atmosphere was lacking they sort of mumbled something instead of his name and didn't give him a chance to blow out his 3 (instead of 7) candles before they all wondered off. on a better note the food was great we had a starter each and shared a pizza whch filled us up, (try the roasted mushrooms they were out of this world), although in all it was very very expensive (E84 for 2 starters 1 pizza 1 kids meal 2 drinks and the cake), but worth it as it was the first time we had seen mickey himself and our boy was over the moon.

we stayed in santa fee and the hotel was clean but basic (although the beds were more comfy than my own at home), it was ready for us when we arrived at around 10.30 even though check in is not really till 3 ( not sure if they took pity on us as I was stood in a very long queue looking harrased after a 4.30am check in and was breastfeeding a very wrigly baby), ther eare vending machines in some of the blocks of santa fe ( they are shown on the map of the hotel you get at check in).
I would recomend walking to the park as it only took us about 10 min and was quicker than waiting for the bus and nicer as well the footpath leadds you right into disney village past the huge balloon.
I would love to go on the balloon again it was amazing (can't do linky things but there is a link back along the thread aomewhere) panormagic I think it was called E30 for 2 adults 1 child and well worth it the view was amazing.


One last thing before I end my ramble, we caught the vea shuttle to the hotel when we arrived which was easy and comftable on our return we decided to book a taxi, there are internet acess points in the hotels E1 for 6min 40 seconds of internet time (DO NOT BUY A CARD FROM THE SHOPS THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME 20 EUROS FOR AN HOUR LONG CARD),
I remembered that RS TRANSPORTS had glowing recomendations from various boards and that they charged a very resonable E55 for 2 adult 2kids one way, we decided to ring them as we were already in france, we booked a taxi to pick us up at our hotel at 6pm This time was on there advice as we wanted to be at the airport by 7.15, we were advised that the journey would only take 45min so we had plently of time to navigate the airport ( our pushchair was too wide for some of hte doors etc when we landed and we had to find help to get an alternative route lots of hassle), our check in closed at 7.45 btw. So at 6pm we were outside our hotel waiting and no taxi, by about 10past I was getting nervous, there was a guy wondering around with a card with 2 names on,but they were nothing like our names I gave it another 5 min and thought I would check with him if he was from RS TRANSPORTS, he said he def was not and for him to take us would be E75, we then rang RS TRANSPORTS and they told us the make of van that should be there for us and lo and behold it was the driver who told us he didn't work for them, my partner went and spoke to him whilst he was on the phone with the office and confirmed he was to pick us up and also double checked the price, so we loaded up and then get told that he has to wait for another lady, it is now 6.25 and I am in a major panic, he gave up an left hotel at 6.30 got on the road and says he has to go do a pick up at val d europe, when we get there we get stuck in a traffic jam we tell him our check in time and the trouble we have with the pushchair but he jus shrugged and said tuff basicly, he then turned around and went back to another disney hotel and said he and another pick up to do,it is now 6.50 and I am almost in tears thinking we are going to miss our check in, my partner got out and had 'words' with the guy, who got on the phone to I assume the office and said a diff taxi would come pick us up and take us straight to the airport so we had to unload all our gear and the kids and the 2nd taxi arrived at 7pm, the next driver loaded us up and did in fact get us to the airpport but with literally min to spare I mean this guy was driving at 150kmh and overtaking dangerously all the way to the airport, it was a very stressfull dangerous and dissapointing end to our hol. so DO NOT USE RS TRANSPORT, I would never reccomend them to my worst enemy, and am waiting to hear back from them in regards to all of this.

xx

Rachie_B

lindsaygalaxy wrote: »

Morning

does anyone know of a budget hotel near disney to stay in? we are going over new years, 2 adults, 2 children, on the eurotunnel so will have the car.

All the chains like Ibis seem to only accomodate 3 and I really dont want 2 rooms (though the eldest is 12).

Trying to get to disney for new years eve for as little as possible! With clubard vouchers got tunnel down to £18, now just need the hotel and to book the disney tickets!

Thank you for your help.

have a look at the hotels / apartments in the val d'europe area

if you look on expedia you can search by price, or nearest to Disney

we are a family of 4 ( ch aged 12 and 6) and have stayed in this area ( adagio city aparthotel,using tesco clubcard deals!) we had a car and its literally a few mins drive,or theres a shuttle bus.Train is only one stop away from disney too, and costs a few euros

we are going again in Dec and staying @ the Kyriad http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&itty=new&from=m&shtl=1&htid=1133407&mtxt=&crti=&rfrr=-17016&mcicid=4453742&inid1=1223947&nlid=356&ipos=0

smnb08

has anyone stayed at dlp during the halloween fetival before?
when i have tried to look on the website to try and find times for the parades there all dressed up for halloween.
i hope you still get to see the normal parades!!

wifeforlife

:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j

I'm going on Sunday :eek: and I'm really nervous about going

Please can you guys that have been there before settle me. I'm nervous about getting to CDG and missing the bus, then I'm getting confused with the bus and think I might have to change onto a different bus to get to the Explorers Hotel.

Also I'm afraid that I'm not organised enough and DD wont meet the princesses or get the autographs of the Mickey mouse clubhouse gang

Although I'm very excited, I'm feeling very stressed about going, I dont want to ruin it for DD - also with money too! I've no idea how much spending money to bring and I've been mooching about this thread and DIS boards for 3 months now

Cate

Edinburghlass_2

cathy2702 wrote: »

:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j

I'm going on Sunday :eek: and I'm really nervous about going

Throws Pixie Dust in Cate's direction

Please can you guys that have been there before settle me. I'm nervous about getting to CDG and missing the bus, then I'm getting confused with the bus and think I might have to change onto a different bus to get to the Explorers Hotel.

You'll get to CDG okay, the pilot will know the way , personally I found it difficult to get out of the airport and found the station while I was looking for the way out for the bus and I was staying at Disney so I'm not sure about the Explorers hopefully someone else can allay your fears.

Also I'm afraid that I'm not organised enough and DD wont meet the princesses or get the autographs of the Mickey mouse clubhouse gang

I can't say otherwise, it can be a scrum but there are photo points with some of the characters where you can queue to get a photo and autograph. (Donald Duck and the Rattatoille characters are at the studios) The other thing I would suggest is go round some of the Disney resorts and you'll find that the characters appear there at various times where they have a Cast Member who will keep some order. You'll find a list posted in each resort as to when the characters will be there, from memory at Disneyland Hotel they are there around 4.00 ish and again in the evening around 10.00. We stayed at the Cheyenne and Goofy was there first thing every morning outside for photos and within the hotel in the evening and my daughter has just said that Mickey and Minnie were there too one day. Its also fun to just sit in the lobby of some of the resorts and people watch at any time of the day.

Although I'm very excited, I'm feeling very stressed about going, I dont want to ruin it for DD - also with money too! I've no idea how much spending money to bring and I've been mooching about this thread and DIS boards for 3 months now

Cate

Please don't stress, DD will enjoy it no matter how much stressing you do :j

jimsmum

I'm feeling the same cathy a little

We will be fine, im sure we will :beer:

5 sleeps OMG, well I have 4 and a half sleeps as I have to get up at 3am to get to the airport :undecided

vivatifosi

Hi cathy and edinburghlass,

Wanted to quickly allay Cathy's fears regarding the Explorers. If you are taking the bus from CDG then it should drop you at the Explorers, so you shouldn't have any problems. If for any reason, you don't get a drop off there, or you get the TGV to the Disneyland Paris train station instead, then there is a bright, bubblegum pink bus that goes to the Explorers hotel. You walk across from where the Disney stops are (ie across or more safely around the bus lane area) and its the first stop you get to on the other side. Its a very easy bus journey, lots of people do it with suitcases and the bus is free (or certainly was last time I was there and all previous times).

purple_cat_2

I was very stressed on the first day and my son picked up on it and we had a very rough day so try to chill out it is all very organised at disney and will go a lot easier than you think it will, the autographs are great fun but they are not the be all and end all and it is also fum seeing a group of characters and having to dsash over book in hand when you weren't expecvting it, my son certainly loved it when that happened rather than having to stand somewhere we had scheduled because they were on there way, impromptu is more fun.

the vea shuttle is easy to find and in fact disney stops are signposted throughout the airport and also the staff are more than used to people asking, also the buses are frequent so stop and have a cuppa if you need to cause another will be along shortly!!

as for spending money we took 950euros (sons bday whilst there) for 2adults 2 kids and that was to include money for transfers and we came back with just over 300 euros, try to either stay out of the shops or limit to 1 toy a day and look for big red sale signs on racks and shelves ( great excuse if your flying is that something is too heavy and pilot won't let it on plane)



HAVE A GREAT TIME,

jimsmum

Thanks to you both :beer:

It's helpfull to me too

I'm taking about 700 euros for me and DS for the 5 nights, but I do want to do the ballon flight and I may do the trip into paris which is £100, I should be o.k with that shouldn't I