Disneyland Paris/EuroDisney - Questions & Answers

emweaver

cd02 wrote: »

What are everyone's thoughts on the half board meal vouchers ? Me and the girlfriend are going in September and can't make up our mind if these will be any use to us?

We're going for 3night 4days (monday to thursday). One night we want to go to buffalo bill's show, the monday we'll be too tired to get up to much which only really leaves one day to use them. Any thoughts or ideas ?

Also, I still haven't sorted out insurance, any ideas where to look? I've checked out my bank / post office and they both want the best part of £30 plus but then you've got these sites on moneysupermarket and comparethemarket which offer insurance for £7. Any advice welcome.

My friend came back last week and she said its def worth getting half baord as the food is has increased in price plus the poor exchange rate.

Im not sure if you can use half board in buffalo bills tho www.disboards.com is the place to ask, under the disneyland paris section

emweaver

cd02 wrote: »

What are everyone's thoughts on the half board meal vouchers ? Me and the girlfriend are going in September and can't make up our mind if these will be any use to us?

We're going for 3night 4days (monday to thursday). One night we want to go to buffalo bill's show, the monday we'll be too tired to get up to much which only really leaves one day to use them. Any thoughts or ideas ?

Also, I still haven't sorted out insurance, any ideas where to look? I've checked out my bank / post office and they both want the best part of £30 plus but then you've got these sites on moneysupermarket and comparethemarket which offer insurance for £7. Any advice welcome.

Forgot to add dyou HAVE to buy 1 for each night of your stay. So if you dont intend to eat the first night then there will be little point as that will mean using 2 in 1 day on your last day and trying to squeeze in a big lunch before buffalo bills on day 2

cd02

thanks for the info emwearver, i'll check out your links.. aren't i right in thinking though that france has reduced its vat on food, by something like 12% so it should be getting cheaper now ?

pulliptears

Hopefully this will come in useful for some!!!

Expedia

This is the major Be aware!!

If you book via expedia, flying through Easyjet be aware that the flights are just that, flights. No luggage is included in this and when you get to the airport they will charge you £60 for the carriage of 2 bags there and back. This was not until very very recently made clear on the site, so if you have booked via expedia its worth checking you have paid for your bags.

If you chose the airport transfer option on Expedia and your hotel is in the region of DLP the money paid is not enough. Expect to pay an additional 50 Euro's each way!! It is in very small print on the terms and conditions that the transfer is to hotels in the Paris area. We argued the toss with the company and managed to pay 50 Euros in total rather than the 100 they originally wanted.

Hotel

We stayed in Torcy in the Citea Torcy. This place was good value for money really and came equipped with a microwave, 2 ring electric hob, fridge and coffee perc. Rooms were clean and tidy with the bed made every day and fresh towels and loo roll etc provided. Think budget travelodge and you get the idea! Staff spoke some English and were always helpful and friendly.

Torcy

I liked Torcy, and despite reading some comments that the train station was best avoided at night I didn't find that to be the case at all. There were gangs, but in fairness we encountered groups of teenagers all through Paris and the Torcy boys were just the same. Just kids hanging out really and not bothering anyone.
The area itself is nice. Around the corner from the hotel is a small Spar shop which is useful as well as a lovely bakery. Bay 1 is a 2 minute stroll from the Citea and is full of restaurants, most of which have English speakers. I highly recommend the Indian, its expensive but the food is lovely! The Greek Kebab house is also great value coming in at 11 Euros for 2 Doner's, chips and cokes.
Bay 2 is a massive shopping center and easily missed. Its across the road and not necessarily seen from the streets of Torcy. The shops are expensive in line with the rest of Paris, but worth a wander round! There is also a Carrefour supermarket there. That place is enormous, even the staff wear rollerskates. It sells everything you could ever need from electrical items and books to clothes, camping equipment and fresh Rabbit Stew! The Cafe over there is fairly reasonable and there is also a large Toys R Us and a few smaller food outlets.

Travel

Torcy is 2 stops from DLP and 2 adult one way tickets cost 5 Euros 60. We wanted to explore Paris itself as well so some days we opted to buy a Zone 1-5 Mobilis ticket. This gives you unlimited travel throughout the metro system and bus system, including the funicular at the Sacre Coure. This was around 16 Euros a day so offered great value if you wanted to explore. The Metro system is easy to understand and trains are regular. Paris itself is around 25 minutes from Torcy.

Be aware - Beggars work the trains, they carry cards with English writing informing you they are homeless. Simply ignore them or just say No!

Be aware - If you choose to sit near the doors keep hold of any bags when the trains pull in the stations. A common trick is to snatch bags at the door alarm sounds leaving you on the train and the thief long gone.

Be aware - Not all stations are manned all the time. If you are using the ticket machines there is an English option on them. Not all machines accept notes. Be careful you don't select the option for Bus tickets as that is also on there!

Paris Central

Expensive is the only word to sum it up! Choose your places to eat carefully, go for the smaller open fronted Panini places or even the McDonalds. Souvenirs tend to be mostly tat or very expensive. Be aware that all around the Eiffel tower are street sellers who jump out at you on every given opportunity trying to sell their tat.

Be aware - the guys who work along the seine brading bracelets, they will try and charge 20 Euros!

Be aware - the street sellers with dancing Mickeys and Donalds, especially around the Champs Eleysee. These are on wire and its a trick. They dont work and we watched a dozen tourists pay 5 Euros for a piece of paper!!

Disneyland Paris

Food is expensive so sneak in your own wherever possible. Failing that there is a McDonalds in the village so head up there. The park is supposedly non smoking other than certain areas. Nobody seems to adhere to this though.
Personally, I was disappointed in the park. I spent a week in Anaheim last year and for me DLP was distinctly lacking. We had 4 day passes and only used 2 days in the park itself.

Val D'Europe

massive place, akin to the Trafford Centre but with a freeport type village thrown in. I could have spent 2 days here lol Well worth a visit for some retail therapy! The Sea Life Center entrance is also situated in the shopping Mall.

Top Tips

1. Don't be afraid of the Metro! Arm yourself with a Mobilis ticket and a decent map and explore. Its fun!

2. When waiting for a train don't stand in the middle of the platform, walk to the far end. The carriages at the ends are always much emptier and you can usually get a seat.

3. Buy a copy of Lonley Planets 'fast talk French' before you go. Its a small pocket book that costs just £2.50 and is invaluable for translating menu's etc as well as common phrases you will need.

Have fun!!

giovanni

cd02 wrote: »

thanks for the info emwearver, i'll check out your links.. aren't i right in thinking though that france has reduced its vat on food, by something like 12% so it should be getting cheaper now ?

Even if it has the exchange rate is so appalling that you'll end up paying more anyway.

Edinburghlass_2

cd02 wrote: »

What are everyone's thoughts on the half board meal vouchers ? Me and the girlfriend are going in September and can't make up our mind if these will be any use to us?

We're going for 3night 4days (monday to thursday). One night we want to go to buffalo bill's show, the monday we'll be too tired to get up to much which only really leaves one day to use them. Any thoughts or ideas ?

Also, I still haven't sorted out insurance, any ideas where to look? I've checked out my bank / post office and they both want the best part of £30 plus but then you've got these sites on moneysupermarket and comparethemarket which offer insurance for £7. Any advice welcome.

I got 2 days insurance in Europe recently via the PO for £7 with £4.85 cashback going via Quidco.

jodie04

Hi,
I`m thinking of taking kids to dlp, either santa fe or crockett....not sure yet.
My prob is i have 4 kids & 2 adults so it`s the travelling that is expensive.
Which is the cheaper option,
were in wales and usually use 2 cars, may have to hire(around 185 for the 5 days were going for) or buy a rubbish 7 seater to drive.
or drive 2 cars to london, stay overnight in tavellodge etc...just to get free parking???
or eurotunnel.
any one know how to work out cheapest way, i`m getting a headache

Thanks

cd02

Edinburghlass wrote: »

I got 2 days insurance in Europe recently via the PO for £7 with £4.85 cashback going via Quidco.

Was that online/in store/over the phone or what as I'm still getting qutoed £30+ for a single trip to france

giovanni

jodie04 wrote: »

Hi,
I`m thinking of taking kids to dlp, either santa fe or crockett....not sure yet.
My prob is i have 4 kids & 2 adults so it`s the travelling that is expensive.
Which is the cheaper option,
were in wales and usually use 2 cars, may have to hire(around 185 for the 5 days were going for) or buy a rubbish 7 seater to drive.
or drive 2 cars to london, stay overnight in tavellodge etc...just to get free parking???
or eurotunnel.
any one know how to work out cheapest way, i`m getting a headache

Thanks

I would get a train to London, then Eurostar from ST Pancras - no parking fees and free transport to the parks. Eurostar is £59 return each. If you go by Eurostar then they'll take your luggage straight to your hotel and you can enjoy the parks as soon as you get there.

emweaver

cd02 wrote: »

thanks for the info emwearver, i'll check out your links.. aren't i right in thinking though that france has reduced its vat on food, by something like 12% so it should be getting cheaper now ?

yes not sure if this has affected disneyland paris prices though as it would cost a fortune for them to reprint all menus for the new prices. even still it only takes a fee £s off the price, many people were thinking it was 12% off the total price of the food