Disneyland Paris - Help
Discussion
Hoping the wonderful world of PH can help on this one.
Looking to book Disneyland Paris for next year (never been) with our two girls 11 and 8, around easter school holidays but need a little guidance as never been before.
We want to fly from Newcastle or Edinburgh and want to book as a package ideally.
Looking to go for 4 nights.
Who would you recommend booking through? Disney holidays seem the easiest/logical choice but seem pricey. Magic Breaks seems a little cheaper. We want to embrace it as much as possible but equally dont have endless funds
We want to stay in a Disney hotel - Any hotels you'd recommend staying in and equally that we should avoid? We like the idea of the Disney Hotel Cheyenne.
Any suggestions/recommendations/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Looking to book Disneyland Paris for next year (never been) with our two girls 11 and 8, around easter school holidays but need a little guidance as never been before.
We want to fly from Newcastle or Edinburgh and want to book as a package ideally.
Looking to go for 4 nights.
Who would you recommend booking through? Disney holidays seem the easiest/logical choice but seem pricey. Magic Breaks seems a little cheaper. We want to embrace it as much as possible but equally dont have endless funds
We want to stay in a Disney hotel - Any hotels you'd recommend staying in and equally that we should avoid? We like the idea of the Disney Hotel Cheyenne.
Any suggestions/recommendations/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I've been a reasonable number of times with my teen daughter but never stayed on site in one of their hotels. Reviews are generally not too amazing and not to the standard of the US on site hotels - do check out reviews. Interested to know what appeals to staying on site? The lower end of their range of hotels will be fairly basic but the higher end places are pretty expensive! Personally I would recommend an apartment in the Val d'Europe area which is a few minutes on the metro away or about a 30 mins walk if you're feeling energetic! Much better for the money, lots of space and lots a great food options in the local area. If you want more of a 'disney experience' to your stay you could always pre book a couple of character dining breakfasts at one of the Disney hotels or park restaurants, even if staying off site, tho they are expensive but kids might like it. I've always booked the elements (travel, accommodation, tickets) separately and works out at a better price. Would recommend two days in the parks at least if your first time, or possibly three days if you want a more relaxed pace. If you go down the apartment route, I could recommend a couple via booking.com
I’ve been a couple of times and staying in the Disney hotels is definitely worth it. The park is open until late so being able to pop back to the hotel for a couple of hours or go back for the fireworks is really helpful with younger ones. The hotels are vast, and breakfast is a bit like a UN famine relief operation but generally the experience is good with things like character meets in the hotels every day.
If I was going again I’d probably look to stay at Marvel as it’s an easy walk to the park, Newport Bay is walkable too but a little further. The shuttle buses are regular enough though. I’ve always driven, but there are regular shuttle buses to CDG that drop off at the hotels.
I booked with Disney Holidays because they included park tickets for your arrival and departure days - takes the pressure off having to do everything in very long days.
If I was going again I’d probably look to stay at Marvel as it’s an easy walk to the park, Newport Bay is walkable too but a little further. The shuttle buses are regular enough though. I’ve always driven, but there are regular shuttle buses to CDG that drop off at the hotels.
I booked with Disney Holidays because they included park tickets for your arrival and departure days - takes the pressure off having to do everything in very long days.
Some fantastic help above so far! Thanks so much.
We are now thinking...
Les Villages Nature Paris, (off site) as it seems really nice with the pool and water park etc. But others are an option still.
2 or 3 days of park tickets with a mix of disney park/waterpark one day
1 day in Paris to enjoy shops/tower etc etc. - My oldest daughter loves fashion so has it in here head to visit all the posh shops
We are now thinking...
Les Villages Nature Paris, (off site) as it seems really nice with the pool and water park etc. But others are an option still.
2 or 3 days of park tickets with a mix of disney park/waterpark one day
1 day in Paris to enjoy shops/tower etc etc. - My oldest daughter loves fashion so has it in here head to visit all the posh shops
We went last year and stayed at the Grand Magic. This year the experience of that means we are staying on site...
The hotel was nice enough but most people stay for the fireworks etc which means tens of thousands of people all leaving at the same time. The single bus which goes round about 6 hotels is a total free for all and is nicknamed the "hunger games bus" for good reason. With there now being two separate nighttime shows to see, the pain would be doubled so we decided to stay within walking distance.
Val d'Europe is a good alternative as the station is literally on the doorstep of the park and takes a few minutes. The shopping centre there is huge too which could tick off some of that aspect.
The hotel was nice enough but most people stay for the fireworks etc which means tens of thousands of people all leaving at the same time. The single bus which goes round about 6 hotels is a total free for all and is nicknamed the "hunger games bus" for good reason. With there now being two separate nighttime shows to see, the pain would be doubled so we decided to stay within walking distance.
Val d'Europe is a good alternative as the station is literally on the doorstep of the park and takes a few minutes. The shopping centre there is huge too which could tick off some of that aspect.
quinny100 said:
I ve been a couple of times and staying in the Disney hotels is definitely worth it. The park is open until late so being able to pop back to the hotel for a couple of hours or go back for the fireworks is really helpful with younger ones. The hotels are vast, and breakfast is a bit like a UN famine relief operation but generally the experience is good with things like character meets in the hotels every day.
Last time wife took our grandchildren she stayed in Sequoia Lodge and did some Forest? Level thing that had includes a separate room for breakfast and afternoon tea (which she said was good). Hotel also has a good pool.I have no idea how much it cost but she thought it was well worth it.
Apparently the hotel is being refurbed this year so may affect things.
John87 said:
the "hunger games bus"
indeed!I stayed in one of those hotels quite some years ago and it was carnage on the bus. Never again. Val d'Europe area via train is a far more civilised experience!
Village nature has had mixed reviews but I can see the appeal to make it a bit of a holiday with more on offer than just the parks. Not sure if there are any public transport options to Disney tho?
I went Feb half term and used these to book it who where great and can change things to make it work for you-
https://www.haystravel.co.uk/personal-travel-consu...
They do deals all the time I think it was under £1500 for 2 adults a 5 year old flights and bed / breakfast at Campanile Val de France.
Flew from Liverpool to CDG - Was longer in the line at passport control to get through after landing than the flight. We then got the train to Paris and spent the day there before heading to Disney and our hotel. The train stops at Disney entrance. (IF you get the train from CDG to Disney its 10 minutes rather than a few hours going to Paris and then back out) Alternatively you've transfers you can book but do take about an hour.
Campanile Val de France was a short free shuttle bus away, had a little farm on it and did what we wanted. It was a warm place to stay and a bed. Breakfast was ok but my little one has a gluten intolerance so we took her breakfast with us.
Once dropped off you walk to the gates and then go to the part you want / or have tickets for. 1st Day we did the main park.
Main Park - Really good lots to see, you need to see a show in the main area later in the day before you walk through the castle. Warning where ever you go be expecting a large wait for rides like an hour per ride wait unless you've a fast pass. You'll notice that anyone under the sun who can will claim disability to get passes to get on sooner. (its all over the facebook groups asking how to get them sadly)
Food is not cheap at all - again we couldn't eat it so took our own which was a shame as they do special Disney stuff.
Merchandise is only in stupid sizes but the same in most shops - again expensive.
The smaller park with pixars stuff is good but we found it really small so was done by mid afternoon & the ratatouille stuff was all closed
You have now also got Frozen in the park so it will be heaving.
It was great for the little one, not my cup of tea and I wouldn't rush back at all. At least I've done it now.
Oh and take warm clothing and wet weather gear as not much shelter in the place.
https://www.haystravel.co.uk/personal-travel-consu...
They do deals all the time I think it was under £1500 for 2 adults a 5 year old flights and bed / breakfast at Campanile Val de France.
Flew from Liverpool to CDG - Was longer in the line at passport control to get through after landing than the flight. We then got the train to Paris and spent the day there before heading to Disney and our hotel. The train stops at Disney entrance. (IF you get the train from CDG to Disney its 10 minutes rather than a few hours going to Paris and then back out) Alternatively you've transfers you can book but do take about an hour.
Campanile Val de France was a short free shuttle bus away, had a little farm on it and did what we wanted. It was a warm place to stay and a bed. Breakfast was ok but my little one has a gluten intolerance so we took her breakfast with us.
Once dropped off you walk to the gates and then go to the part you want / or have tickets for. 1st Day we did the main park.
Main Park - Really good lots to see, you need to see a show in the main area later in the day before you walk through the castle. Warning where ever you go be expecting a large wait for rides like an hour per ride wait unless you've a fast pass. You'll notice that anyone under the sun who can will claim disability to get passes to get on sooner. (its all over the facebook groups asking how to get them sadly)
Food is not cheap at all - again we couldn't eat it so took our own which was a shame as they do special Disney stuff.
Merchandise is only in stupid sizes but the same in most shops - again expensive.
The smaller park with pixars stuff is good but we found it really small so was done by mid afternoon & the ratatouille stuff was all closed
You have now also got Frozen in the park so it will be heaving.
It was great for the little one, not my cup of tea and I wouldn't rush back at all. At least I've done it now.
Oh and take warm clothing and wet weather gear as not much shelter in the place.
I would say not really. When you stay in an on site hotel you get half hour early access to the parks which is useful (if you are up for an early start) to limit your queuing for the most popular ride (crushs coaster) as that ride will typically be a 90 mins queue during Easter, however if you don't want to queue, and assuming you're not on site, you can always pay approx 15 euros (per person!, per ride) to skip the queue.
Other than that, you lose the abta protection against the whole package, say for example if your flights were cancelled, but easily mitigated via insurance if you're so inclined.
I have only ever booked separately as it's always worked out much cheaper.
Other than that, you lose the abta protection against the whole package, say for example if your flights were cancelled, but easily mitigated via insurance if you're so inclined.
I have only ever booked separately as it's always worked out much cheaper.
My wife generally handles the bookings as I procrastinate too much and nothing gets sorted so I don't have specific info around bookings but know we usually go direct for the accommodation and it's been the Newport Bay with the upgrade to the Compass Club to give a few nice extras.
It's that little bit further out but considerably cheaper than the main Disney Hotel, I'd like to try the Marvel one but the theming just feels a bit too OTT for me but obviously it's very on-brand.
We've driven a couple of times so they've just parked the car for us but we've also stayed off site at a camp site called La Croix Du Vieux Pont as a base for other stuff and done Disney for the day as well as getting the train in from central Paris too. I wouldn't recommend either of these over staying on site, it makes it all feel far more special to just arrive and then be absorbed into it all and I say this as someone who had no interest in the place initially but am now a big fan.
The biggest shame was that they no longer stop the Eurostar at Marne-la-Vallée Chessy on the way so you had to go to Paris then back out again but I don't know if that's still the case and fairly meaningless if you're flying anyway
My biggest regret was on an early visit when my daughter was very young and I'd done very little research in where to eat, she needed food to ward off a tantrum and I was getting to be similar and we found ourselves in the "Auberge de Cendrillon" spending nearly £200 on a themed gourmet lunch with princesses visiting us every few minutes, the food didn't go down well with my daughter and she froze every time we got a visitor. Just afterwards we realised there was a McDonalds on sitecwhuch would have been a better option in the moment.
It really is a splendid experience though especially with older kids that will go in the bigger rides.
It's that little bit further out but considerably cheaper than the main Disney Hotel, I'd like to try the Marvel one but the theming just feels a bit too OTT for me but obviously it's very on-brand.
We've driven a couple of times so they've just parked the car for us but we've also stayed off site at a camp site called La Croix Du Vieux Pont as a base for other stuff and done Disney for the day as well as getting the train in from central Paris too. I wouldn't recommend either of these over staying on site, it makes it all feel far more special to just arrive and then be absorbed into it all and I say this as someone who had no interest in the place initially but am now a big fan.
The biggest shame was that they no longer stop the Eurostar at Marne-la-Vallée Chessy on the way so you had to go to Paris then back out again but I don't know if that's still the case and fairly meaningless if you're flying anyway
My biggest regret was on an early visit when my daughter was very young and I'd done very little research in where to eat, she needed food to ward off a tantrum and I was getting to be similar and we found ourselves in the "Auberge de Cendrillon" spending nearly £200 on a themed gourmet lunch with princesses visiting us every few minutes, the food didn't go down well with my daughter and she froze every time we got a visitor. Just afterwards we realised there was a McDonalds on sitecwhuch would have been a better option in the moment.
It really is a splendid experience though especially with older kids that will go in the bigger rides.
Edited by thetapeworm on Monday 4th May 23:20
We've stayed in all the on site hotels. Newport Bay, Marvel and Cheyenne are what I'd choose between based on the prices available (prices can flex hugely even from day to day). All are easily walkable which makes a huge difference when just popping back to the hotel for a break.
Newport Bay is probably the stand out stay for us but view is slightly clouded due to free upgrades each time we've stayed there. The ability to pop back for a swim for an hour when the park gets too busy or tiring is great. You also have a separate security line which can be hugely quicker depending on time of year.
I've always booked separately - the train from the airport is quick and easy. Leave luggage at the disney station and they will transfer to your room if you want to head straight into parks. We've never done more than 3 days in the parks, it's just too tiring and repetitive, so a day in Paris would be worthwhile.
The only other thing to think about is food - everyone is different, so take opinions with a pinch of salt. We only did the dining package once which was fine, but we don't like being tied to times so found it a bit restrictive. Every other time we've just dipped in/out of restaurants as needed which suits us much better.
Newport Bay is probably the stand out stay for us but view is slightly clouded due to free upgrades each time we've stayed there. The ability to pop back for a swim for an hour when the park gets too busy or tiring is great. You also have a separate security line which can be hugely quicker depending on time of year.
I've always booked separately - the train from the airport is quick and easy. Leave luggage at the disney station and they will transfer to your room if you want to head straight into parks. We've never done more than 3 days in the parks, it's just too tiring and repetitive, so a day in Paris would be worthwhile.
The only other thing to think about is food - everyone is different, so take opinions with a pinch of salt. We only did the dining package once which was fine, but we don't like being tied to times so found it a bit restrictive. Every other time we've just dipped in/out of restaurants as needed which suits us much better.
Some more great info above, youre all really helpful and its much appreciated that youre taking the time write such detailed replies.
Newport Bay certainly looks lovely and the location seems handy too. I like the idea of being able to pop back for an hour, a chill and a quick freshen up.
Food wise, my kids dont do fancy, especially the little one) and being tied to times definitely isn't suitable. As above, tantrums can occur and a quick McDonald's is all thats needed. Although something nicer on the evening would be preferable.
Regarding the train from CDL airport, is this something that should be booked in advance? Or can we just arrive, buy a ticket and get on?
Newport Bay certainly looks lovely and the location seems handy too. I like the idea of being able to pop back for an hour, a chill and a quick freshen up.
Food wise, my kids dont do fancy, especially the little one) and being tied to times definitely isn't suitable. As above, tantrums can occur and a quick McDonald's is all thats needed. Although something nicer on the evening would be preferable.
Regarding the train from CDL airport, is this something that should be booked in advance? Or can we just arrive, buy a ticket and get on?
Last time we visited Euro Disney, we decided to stay @ Val d'Europe which is 1 train stop from Disney main entrance.
we had a really nice airbnb 3 bed apartment for 3 nights for £350 was in 2018. The walk to the station was less than 5 mins from the apartment. Free parking also.
Good choice of supermarkets and restaurants too at normal prices, so you can take some food with you if you want to, and you will want to by day 2.
worked really well for visiting Paris also.
One thing which cant be over looked is been able to get some down time from Disney , which cant be done if your in Disney Hotel, the eternal happiness grates very quickly imo.
Disney is great, but they have a way of remove cash from you in ways that you never knew existed.
We manged to pay for the Apartment, food and park tickets for the same price as just the Disney hotel
Re: Train from CDG to Disney - You can book tickets on trainline. I've usually done it the night before, but we've never been there at peak times, and have heard the early trains can sell out, so would advise pre-booking. Depending on demand an Uber can also work out the same price overall, so worth checking.
For snacks, the places at the train station on the way into the park are much cheaper than once you're through the main gates. There's a pret, Starbucks and convenience store there which you can fill up from.
Brasserie Rosalie is my favourite drop in restaurant - lovely view if they'll let you have a window seat upstairs.
For snacks, the places at the train station on the way into the park are much cheaper than once you're through the main gates. There's a pret, Starbucks and convenience store there which you can fill up from.
Brasserie Rosalie is my favourite drop in restaurant - lovely view if they'll let you have a window seat upstairs.
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