Pre-Trip An incroyable Surprise!

Hello!

Let me just preface this PTR by stating that I have NEVER done one before, but you've all done such amazing ones so I wanted to give it a try. Let me also add that the trip I will be talking about in this PTR wasn't even in existence (at least to my knowledge) until roughly 8:00 pm last night.

So...without further ado, here we go!


As mentioned above, I never had any intention of writing the PTR because there this trip didn't exist.

Ryan (my hubby) and I have been throwing around the idea of possibly going to Europe this summer as a way to celebrate my birthday - a milestone birthday quickly approaching I might add. As we always do when a "trip idea" pops up, we slowly started saving small chunks of money here and there into our trip fund. However, like MOST "trip ideas" nothing actually occurs and we end up spending the trip fund the following year or so.

So we kept throwing a "euro trip" idea around, but as expected it always got put on the back burner. We'd talk about it here and there and look up prices, realize it's not quite feasible yet and place it again to the back of our minds. OR SO I THOUGHT.

For anyone who followed along until the end of my Honeymoon Trip Report, I had mentioned that we DO have our next Disney Trip booked for December 2017. I also mentioned that I was having a difficult time with some personal items and found myself in a slight state of depression - nothing alarming, just needed to work things out.

So I came home yesterday, fell into our normal routing of making and eating dinner and Ryan DROPS.THE.BOMB.

Conversation went something like this...

"So, your birthday is approaching and we haven't done anything in regards to the Euro trip we've been talking about"

"Yah. It would be nice"

"Hmm, you know how one of the items on your bucket list is to visit every Disney park?"

"Yes"

"Well, I'm determined to help with that. So I found some great prices on flights today and took it upon myself to book the Euro Trip. We had enough in our trip account to cover it all and I just want to you have something special to remember from this summer"

"Wait....what?"

"Yup, I've included Disneyland Paris in our trip plans. You'll be that much closer to checking that item off your bucket list. I sent an email to your manager to see if you could get the time off and she said absolutely. So we're going. No excuses. It's booked"

Cue the tears....from excitement, from nerves, from the thought he took the time to do all of this AND BECAUSE I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS! Heck yah! But really....HOW amazing is my hubby.


So here we are. We are heading on a Euro Trip including DLP in September 2017 AND THEN heading back to WDW in December 2017 for Christmas. I couldn't be more excited!​

 

[amjt660]

Now before I get any further into the PTR.....is this even allowed to be here? I know it says WDW Trip Reports, so I'm not sure if I should be moving this thread to another section? Any thoughts?

Secondly, if I am allowed to keep this here, does anyone even want to hear about this trip?

Let me know!!​

Keep it here - you will get more "foot traffic" than if you put it in the DLP forum

Max

 

[amjt660]

We went to DLP in 2011 and found it to be a beautiful park - especially Sleeping Beauty's castle

Did not ride Ratatouille because it did not exist but hear it is great
You will want to ride Crush Coaster in the studio park

Max

 

[mlegerto]

Have I done that quote right?! I think I'll tag you just incase @mlegerto

I have to say PotC is better in DLP as it seems newer and has more up to date effects on it but my ALL time favourite from DLP is Ratatouille!! It is epic!! We also ate at Chez Remi but if you're going to do that, make sure you get an early evening reservation because we thought we'll get a park closing one and be able to do loads of pictures with no one in it.. but that doesn't happen in France. We were escorted by a CM to the side exit.

The parks are a lot smaller than the WDW ones obviously but they're still jam packed with things to do and see!

I would also recommend eating at the Disneyland hotel in "Inventions". It was a buffet but not your average buffet food and the characters came round about 4 times and actually spend quite a lot of time with you! We also got a Castle view table (I'll try and find the photo)

It's much easier to hop between the two parks and the shopping area as they're all within walking distance of each other so not as much planning needs doing before hand which is nice!

We didn't really stop for any shows except the parade and the Christmas Fireworks which were amazing!!!! (dare I say better than Wishes ) I think just because it's a lot newer, the technology has advanced dramatically since WDW opened! I'm hoping the new "Happily Ever After" is going to be something similar to DLP.

Anyway....sorry for waffling on!!!!!

If I think of anything else I will post it.

Never waffling on....feedback and comments are always extremely welcome!

YES you did the quote correctly. Just as a hint (I saw you mention it somewhere at some point), in order to quote multiple people, just do the same highlight, select the +quote button multiple times for each person you would like to quote. Then when you get to the bottom and insert the quote, you'll notice there are multiples and it confirms you want to quote them all!

I've heard PotC is better out there. VERY excited about the Ratatouille ride and to experience the trackless ride technology. In regards to dining reservations.....do you make them in advance (like 180 days) like WDW or are they different?

BETTER THAN WISHES ...sounds like blasphemy to me LOL. But if it's to that caliber, I am SO excited!

I LOVE Iceland!!!! I haven't been since 1997 lol.
It's on my son's top 3 list.

I'm so jealous!! Can't wait to live vicariously thru you!

That's amazing! I know a lot may have changed since your visit.....but what you recommend doing? If there were 1 item that we could not miss (in your opinion) what would it be? Did you rent a car while you were there or how did you get around? SO MANY QUESTIONS LOL!

We went to DLP in 2011 and found it to be a beautiful park - especially Sleeping Beauty's castle

Did not ride Ratatouille because it did not exist but hear it is great
You will want to ride Crush Coaster in the studio park

Max

I was watching some vlogs on youtube yesterday....it looked AMAZING how you could walk through Sleeping Beauty's castle and see the story. So excited!

I heard that the Crush Coaster is really notorious for making people sick ! I have terrible motion sickness so I am a bit worried, but since this may be the only time I go....I'll probably just take the hit and give it a go LOL


















Random question for all of you who may have visited DLP (kind of an embarrassing one as well LOL). I am a bit more pooh sized and WDW is extremely accommodating for us "larger" folks. Not sure that Europe is as friendly. Any thoughts? Do you think I will experience any issues trying to ride any of the attractions? For background, I've never had any issues going on any rides at WDW (I have not yet ridden 7DMT so I cannot include that) and I've never had any issues at any of the Universal Parks - although I haven't been in roughly 5 years.

HELP! I don't want to be embarrassed LOL

 

[PacNWTigger]

One thing to think about when it comes to the coasters is that they are a bit rougher than their American counterparts. I was actually more green riding Ratatouille than I did Crush's Coaster, but part of that could've been due it being the FIRST ride we went on, and we had been travelling for over 12 hours (we landed at 8:30 am Paris time, but we left PDX at 7:30 am) but we needed to attempt to acclimate to the time change. We were fine after walking around for a bit afterwards, but we didn't go on it a second time. Dramamine can be your friend...they have some non-drowsy/herbal formulas now that can really take the edge off.

I don't think you'll have any issues being uncomfortable on any of the rides though.

Be sure to walk through the dungeon of the castle to check out Maleficent...she's pretty darn amazing!

 

[Courtney6682]

Iceland is on my bucket list!!! I wanna goooo sooooo badddddd!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Emadsen]

This is crazy, I feel like you are my travel twin right now! We are coming from London on the 14th going to be at DLP on the 15 & 16. We did Paris for about a week when we were there 5 years ago, so we aren't doing much there aside from the crypts, and probably Musee D'Orsay since we missed it last time. I'm trying to get over my panic of taking the chunnel from London right now. We are flying to Munich on the 17th to go to Oktoberfest with a group of about 12 of our friends (we are all going for our 5 year wedding anniversary, since we all went for our honeymoons).

We are flying out of Amsterdam on the 23rd, so just the day after you. We don't get there until the 21st, so we have a quick day and a half to see the Anne Frank house and the Heinekin Brewery.

For Paris, look into going to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and make sure to buy macaron's. They just don't compare here. Sacre Couer is amazing also. We had a hop on hop off bus we did in Paris last time and it got a us a lot of places. The metro is also very easy to use. We are just staying in central Paris, and taking the hour train ride out to DLP both those days. We are meeting one of our friends who is staying out that way at an Ibis that is one stop away.

I'm totally envious about Iceland. We looked at doing the stopover there, but had too much air credit from a cancelled trip to Hawaii to use, to make it happen this time. I have a couple of friends who were just there this past fall and they absolutely raved about it.

BTW, I'm almost scared to ask what dates you are going to DW in December, as we are going there in December as well!

 

[Emadsen]

Oh and side note about the restaurant reservations, Paris takes them like California, only 60 days out. I also found out if you call into the normal dining reservations line, they can get you to the Paris reservations, so you don't have to worry about skyping, etc. If I remember right, you can't make them online, but I could be wrong. Are you going to do the Ratatouille restaurant? (I'm ridiculously excited about that place)

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Fun surprise! DLP is a great experience.

 

[mlegerto]

One thing to think about when it comes to the coasters is that they are a bit rougher than their American counterparts. I was actually more green riding Ratatouille than I did Crush's Coaster, but part of that could've been due it being the FIRST ride we went on, and we had been travelling for over 12 hours (we landed at 8:30 am Paris time, but we left PDX at 7:30 am) but we needed to attempt to acclimate to the time change. We were fine after walking around for a bit afterwards, but we didn't go on it a second time. Dramamine can be your friend...they have some non-drowsy/herbal formulas now that can really take the edge off.

I don't think you'll have any issues being uncomfortable on any of the rides though.

Be sure to walk through the dungeon of the castle to check out Maleficent...she's pretty darn amazing!

Wow info! Thanks for all of this, so appriciated! I've noted to go to the dungeon and have MUST GET DRAMAMINE as well LOL! I don't THINK I am too pooh sized for the rides ( I wear a 16-18 usually), but always have this fear!

Iceland is on my bucket list!!! I wanna goooo sooooo badddddd!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Keep following along! SO much more to come!

This is crazy, I feel like you are my travel twin right now! We are coming from London on the 14th going to be at DLP on the 15 & 16. We did Paris for about a week when we were there 5 years ago, so we aren't doing much there aside from the crypts, and probably Musee D'Orsay since we missed it last time. I'm trying to get over my panic of taking the chunnel from London right now. We are flying to Munich on the 17th to go to Oktoberfest with a group of about 12 of our friends (we are all going for our 5 year wedding anniversary, since we all went for our honeymoons).

We are flying out of Amsterdam on the 23rd, so just the day after you. We don't get there until the 21st, so we have a quick day and a half to see the Anne Frank house and the Heinekin Brewery.

For Paris, look into going to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and make sure to buy macaron's. They just don't compare here. Sacre Couer is amazing also. We had a hop on hop off bus we did in Paris last time and it got a us a lot of places. The metro is also very easy to use. We are just staying in central Paris, and taking the hour train ride out to DLP both those days. We are meeting one of our friends who is staying out that way at an Ibis that is one stop away.

I'm totally envious about Iceland. We looked at doing the stopover there, but had too much air credit from a cancelled trip to Hawaii to use, to make it happen this time. I have a couple of friends who were just there this past fall and they absolutely raved about it.

BTW, I'm almost scared to ask what dates you are going to DW in December, as we are going there in December as well!

Crazy traveling sister! We are planning on being in DLP the same days (well at least the 16th)....maybe our paths will cross !

I haven't even looked into or noted the crypts, but that sounds AMAZING. I'm going to research it right now! Our current list we have the Louve, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Luxemburg gardens (but you'll hear more about this when we get to the Paris part of our plans to come VERY shortly!).

We are also planning on Anne Frank house and Heinekin Brewery when we are in Amsterdam...this is getting really weird LOL!

By the way....we're going to WDW for Christmas week to just past NY....you?

Oh and side note about the restaurant reservations, Paris takes them like California, only 60 days out. I also found out if you call into the normal dining reservations line, they can get you to the Paris reservations, so you don't have to worry about skyping, etc. If I remember right, you can't make them online, but I could be wrong. Are you going to do the Ratatouille restaurant? (I'm ridiculously excited about that place)

I have NO idea which restaurants yet, but the Ratatouille one keeps coming up from suggestions so I'm most likely gonna have to give it a try LOL! Thanks for the timeline in booking....I really wasn't sure.

Fun surprise! DLP is a great experience.

Such a great surprise. So much excitement and fun to come.

 

[mlegerto]

Last I left off I was going through our plans and general plans for Iceland.

Since that post, I've done some more research and realized just how expensive being in Iceland is LOL - seems getting there is cheap, being there not so much.

I've spent 2 days so far going through every website I could find for a hotel, hostel or apartment that was well priced. Now I am NOT a hostel girl (I mean I'm used to DVC accommodations), but I was willing to go the hostel route IF we could get a private room and bathroom (I absolutely refuse to do the dorm style with other randoms). Sorry if this makes me sound like a princess, but not sorry. I am a princess and it's my birthday trip LOL.

We QUICKLY realized that private room hostels are just as expensive as hotel rooms - like $190+ a night, so why bother with that route. Hotels that didn't have terrible reviews were $240+ a night. Finally airbnb came to our rescue. Now I've stayed in airbnb accommodations before, but I wasn't the "booker", just one of the guests so I was able to use a coupon for $40 off our first booking (as long as I booked through paypal), which helped (every bit helped).

We found a cute apartment located in a pretty central area for a decent price. We were able to book the 4 nights we needed for $538 cdn. Perfect! They also allow cancellation with 100% refund as long as we notify them 24 hours in advance. Perfect! I can stop stressing, this is a fair price (and it's all ours!) and if we happen to come across a better price in the future, we can cancel.

Here are some photos from the apartment.

It's also conveniently located a 2 minute walk from a 24 hour grocery store - which is amazing as we arrive at midnight with a 4 hours ahead time change, so we can run over there and pick things up upon arrival as we won't be tried and ready for bed at 8 pm LOL - or maybe we will...WHO knows!

One thing checked off!

As mentioned in the last post, we want to go to the Golden Circle. We always go back and forth about guided vs self-guided tours. Both have their pros and cons. But I found this really awesome article about taking a self-guided driving tour (with stops along the way) of the Golden Circle and I am quite intrigued.

BUT RENTAL CARS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. If only I knew how to drive manual.....they are less expensive rentals than the automatics. I also hear that you need to make sure you by the rental car insurance, which really adds up. We're going to put the rental car on the back burner for now because it was stressing me out!

And that's all we really have so far for Iceland researched and booked! ​

 

[mlegerto]

Once we are done exploring Iceland...we move onto Paris.

We have our flight booked for 7:40 am on Wednesday September 13, 2017 - direct flight with Iceland Air.

We should arrive at roughly 1pm to Charles de Gaulle. We are NOT renting a car for this location, so we will rely on public transportation (I have a lot of research to do because I am NOT a public transportation person, but I hear Europe (and Paris specifically) have wonderful systems) and a taxi/cab IF needed.

We will get to explore Paris for 3.50 days - arriving on September 13th and leaving in the evening of September 16th (to catch the RER to DLP)

I'm just starting to search for accommodations in Paris, but I would like to stay somewhere central to the things we would like to see. If any of you have recommendations for something that is reasonably priced (but not budget and gross .... remember Princess status over here!), please let me know!

While in Paris we want to see;

The Eiffel Tower (obviously!)

The Seine River

*we will book a dinner or river cruise, any recommendations from anyone who has done thing?*

The Louvre Museum

The Luxembourg Gardens

Notre Dame Cathedral

@Emadsen mentioned something about the crypts, so I've been researching and it looks incredibly cool so I may have to find time for this as well!

Are we crazy for attempting to do all of the above in 3.50 days? Are there things you would suggest we skip or replace with something else?! ​

 

[PacNWTigger]

Your Paris plans are doable in 3.5 days. My biggest suggestion is to look into the front of the line tours for Eiffel Tower and Louvre because you could end up in line for half a day without them. I think the Eiffel Tower tour we did had a river cruise attached to it. It was PERFECT! When visiting Notre Dame make sure you have your purse right in front of you OR in hand because there are bunches of pickpocketers that shuffle through the line while people are waiting to enter. Use a shuttle service to your hotel in Paris, but honestly use the public transportation when in town. Driving is CRAZY! We actually stayed at DLP, and used the RER to go into Paris everyday. It was only an hour commute, and we could ride the train (RER) anywhere in the city (including Versailles) for the whole day. Feel free to message me with questions, or I'm more than happy to post here for everybody as well.

 

[Emadsen]

You're plans are totally doable in 3.5 days. As @PacNWTigger look for a front of the line pass for Eiffel. I think we actually bought timed tickets before we left the states but cant remember for sure. Look around the Paris Opera area and there are some good rates for that time frame. I'm pretty high maintenance with my hotels due to my princess status as well I believe we are at a Holiday Inn due to affordability.

I think it's hilarious how our travel plans are crossing especially out of the county! We are going to DW the first full week of December, so our plans will not be crossing then.

 

[Swissmiss]

As others have suggested, make sure to book tickets to the Eiffel Tower beforehand because these do sell out. And had I known that you could prebook tickets to the Anne Frank museum, I would have done so because we (well, my nieces) decided we weren't going to be in the city long enough to justify a 2+ hour line for tickets. As I've already been and my DD at the time was slightly on the young side for this type of visit, I let my nieces decide, although part of me wanted to push them as they are unlikely to return to Amsterdam.

And the Seine River cruises in Paris ("bateaux mouches"), are a must do, but not necessarily one which serves food - you'll probably find better food for the same or less at any local brasserie - provided you walk a few blocks away from tourist attractions. And you may want to do it twice - once during the daytime and once during the evening - because the lighting differences adds a different perspective.

Personally, I'd skip the Louvre; it's HUGE and overwhelming and there are other museums in Paris that I prefer (Musée d'Orsay if you like impressionist art), l'Orangerie (where Monet's Water Lilies are displayed). If you like modern art then visit the Pompidou - and even if you don't, make sure to walk by it because the sculptures outside are fun. (However, if the style of art at the Louvre is more to your liking, by all means visit it!)

Traffic can be awful in Paris so while many people will suggest the Hop On Hop Off buses, I'd advocate for buying a "carnet" of metro tickets (10 tickets) or walking.

Sounds like I'll just miss you at DLP - we'll be there for the half marathon weekend. As for food at DLP, it definitely isn't WDW. I've not yet been to Chez Rémy, but from what you see getting off Ratatouille, it looks quite good.

Sorry - didn't mean to write such a long post but wanted to give you some of the information you've asked for

 

[mlegerto]

Your Paris plans are doable in 3.5 days. My biggest suggestion is to look into the front of the line tours for Eiffel Tower and Louvre because you could end up in line for half a day without them. I think the Eiffel Tower tour we did had a river cruise attached to it. It was PERFECT! When visiting Notre Dame make sure you have your purse right in front of you OR in hand because there are bunches of pickpocketers that shuffle through the line while people are waiting to enter. Use a shuttle service to your hotel in Paris, but honestly use the public transportation when in town. Driving is CRAZY! We actually stayed at DLP, and used the RER to go into Paris everyday. It was only an hour commute, and we could ride the train (RER) anywhere in the city (including Versailles) for the whole day. Feel free to message me with questions, or I'm more than happy to post here for everybody as well.

Great suggestion - I hadn't even thought about front of the line tickets before it was mentioned to me on here, it is on my MUST DO list! Yes, I am looking for some type of bag that is better for traveling to these places where pitpocketers are in high congestion! Got to find some kind of "safe" backpack or something like that - google, do your damage LOL! Thanks for letting me know I can message you with questions - let's be honest, I will have more haha!

You're plans are totally doable in 3.5 days. As @PacNWTigger look for a front of the line pass for Eiffel. I think we actually bought timed tickets before we left the states but cant remember for sure. Look around the Paris Opera area and there are some good rates for that time frame. I'm pretty high maintenance with my hotels due to my princess status as well I believe we are at a Holiday Inn due to affordability.

I think it's hilarious how our travel plans are crossing especially out of the county! We are going to DW the first full week of December, so our plans will not be crossing then.

Awesome, I will check out the area and see what we find! Darn, too bad we won't be in the same place at the same time - close, but no cigar LOL.

As others have suggested, make sure to book tickets to the Eiffel Tower beforehand because these do sell out. And had I known that you could prebook tickets to the Anne Frank museum, I would have done so because we (well, my nieces) decided we weren't going to be in the city long enough to justify a 2+ hour line for tickets. As I've already been and my DD at the time was slightly on the young side for this type of visit, I let my nieces decide, although part of me wanted to push them as they are unlikely to return to Amsterdam.

And the Seine River cruises in Paris ("bateaux mouches"), are a must do, but not necessarily one which serves food - you'll probably find better food for the same or less at any local brasserie - provided you walk a few blocks away from tourist attractions. And you may want to do it twice - once during the daytime and once during the evening - because the lighting differences adds a different perspective.

Personally, I'd skip the Louvre; it's HUGE and overwhelming and there are other museums in Paris that I prefer (Musée d'Orsay if you like impressionist art), l'Orangerie (where Monet's Water Lilies are displayed). If you like modern art then visit the Pompidou - and even if you don't, make sure to walk by it because the sculptures outside are fun. (However, if the style of art at the Louvre is more to your liking, by all means visit it!)

Traffic can be awful in Paris so while many people will suggest the Hop On Hop Off buses, I'd advocate for buying a "carnet" of metro tickets (10 tickets) or walking.

Sounds like I'll just miss you at DLP - we'll be there for the half marathon weekend. As for food at DLP, it definitely isn't WDW. I've not yet been to Chez Rémy, but from what you see getting off Ratatouille, it looks quite good.

Sorry - didn't mean to write such a long post but wanted to give you some of the information you've asked for

Thank you for all of the information, this is wonderful!! My list just keeps growing and growing haha! I appreciate you taking the time to give me so much detail, don't be surprised if I reach out to you for more information and questions LOL!



You guys are all so wonderful! Thank you for all of the information.

 

[TiggerDad]

Your Paris plans are doable in 3.5 days. My biggest suggestion is to look into the front of the line tours for Eiffel Tower and Louvre because you could end up in line for half a day without them. I think the Eiffel Tower tour we did had a river cruise attached to it. It was PERFECT! When visiting Notre Dame make sure you have your purse right in front of you OR in hand because there are bunches of pickpocketers that shuffle through the line while people are waiting to enter. Use a shuttle service to your hotel in Paris, but honestly use the public transportation when in town. Driving is CRAZY! We actually stayed at DLP, and used the RER to go into Paris everyday. It was only an hour commute, and we could ride the train (RER) anywhere in the city (including Versailles) for the whole day. Feel free to message me with questions, or I'm more than happy to post here for everybody as well.

We also stayed at DLP, and took the Disney guided bus tour of the city to see all the highlights. A good way to get a quick overview of the city. The pickpockets were also very prevalent at the Eiffel Tower so be on the lookout everywhere. On a separate trip, I had more time to see the city, and my favorite thing was just to explore different neighborhoods. There is so much to see that is incredible. I would also suggest Sacre Coeur at night. If I remember correctly, the neighborhood around it is very artsy. While at Notre Dame, wander over to Sainte Chapelle - an amazing lesser-known chapel whose inside is breathtaking. We did a side trip to Versailles the last time in Paris, but not sure I would recommend that if you only have 3.5 days. It takes a while to get there and to see it. We only have one day for our upcoming trip.

 

[Emadsen]

Feel free to reach out with any questions, I'm happy to help! When I go to Europe I usually carry a Pacsafe purse and backpack. Thy have clips that make it extremely hard to get into easily and also are lined with something that someone can't just cut the strap or slit the bag open. I have a cross body bag that I use and usually have my hand on my purse at all times. Probably over zealous but also have not had anything stolen either.

 

[PacNWTigger]

I highly recommend any kind of cross body bag/purse when travelling in general. Any time you're able to have your bag directly in front of you is helpful. I also travel with a small cross body purse that only fits my phone, passport, and wallet. That way I can have it under my jacket w/out the straps being accessible to be cut. I don't think @Emadsen is being over zealous especially when travelling abroad.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

Totally going to live vicariously through your life. Such an amazing husband, and trip, and FREAKING DISNEYLAND PARIS. I cannot wait to read everything! My bucket list is to one day make it to every Disney park there is! My friend always jokes with me that we will be the old women traveling together when we are senile.

Maybe I can push up my honeymoon and join you on this adventure?

For real, enjoy the planning! It is wonderful to have such exciting things to look forward too!! I am so happy for you!

 

[Pirate'sLifeForME]

Just stopping by to say that I hope that you have a wonderful time planning your trip! What a lovely surprise from your husband. I read your honeymoon trip report and really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to reading your Disneyland Paris report and living vicariously through you! I have been to Paris twice (though never DLP), and I agree with the consensus that your plans are very doable. Make sure to leave time for just wandering--walking around and stopping in little cafes and bars is my favorite thing to do in Paris!