I need some input on planning a trip to DLRP...Please

[mickeysaver]

I am not well travelled, but Gabby has been all over Europe as a child. She didn't care for France much. I do, however, love all things Disney and so does Gabby.

Next year, I will have only a tiny window to try to catch up on some much needed pixie dust. We have considered going to WDW, but to do that I usually like to take about 10 days to do it to my definition of right. Gabby is most likely going to be back in school and will only have a little break from classes and work.

So, I thought that it might be neat to take off for Europe to see DLRP. I have only 3 to 5 days to play. I need to know how this might work. I know the pricing schedule is really varied by day of the week and such. I know that everything is quoted in Euros, but I know where to find a converter.

I have read everything that I can find on the official site and have started collecting data from Mousesavers and other sites. Basically, I want to hear from other people from the US that made the leap over to see DLRP. Of course, I appreciate the input that you folks from other countries can provide also.

I would like to plan on a 4 night/5 day stay for 2 adults. I don't mind working the arrival day to happen such that the rates are lower. If memory serves, France is a day ahead of us. So, if I fly out on Saturday, I arrive there on Sunday....or so I think. I can't even imagine how bad jet lag is going to be. I want to stay on Disney property in a Disney hotel. I would like to stay in what would be considered a moderate over here, if that is even possible. Although, the idea of being able to use unlimited FP is really appealing. Would it be better for one of us to buy an AP over there for the discounts? I would prefer to not rent a car, but is this a mistake? Neither of us speaks even a drop of French...I hate that we will most likely be a bit lost due to the language barrier....maybe I can download a French primer off of Audible.com.

Does anyone know of a travel agent that was just awesome? For once, I think I might need one. I feel like I am as lost on this one as I was back in 2001 when I planned our first weekend at WDW. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the ramble. It's late and I hate it that I can't quite find an easy answer to any of my questions. Thanks. Maggie

 

[marni1971]

Hi, Maggie.

We live in the UK, but spent 4 nights / 5 days at DLP in July 2002. We flew to Charles de Gaulle then took the coach to the resort (Its the DLP shuttlebus - the cost may or may not be included in your package, I think it was 12 euros each) - they leave frequently and the journey is 30-45 minutes.

We arrived at The Newport Bay at about 11am, and checked our bags in since the room wasn`t ready until 3 - once we had checked in we got our passes (included in our package) and were free to go to the parks. Very good service. I`m sure you have heard about the parks elsewhere :animwink: so I won`t go into detail, suffice to say our 3 full days and 2 half days were just about enough time - another day wouild have been perfect.

Anyhow, we spent the Monday afternoon at Disneyland Parc (Magic Kingdom), then went back (the walk isn`t too long and VERY pretty) to the hotel to unpack. Tip - it may be wise to sort out breakfast details here. The Newport held breakfast buffets in its 2 resteraunts and also the convention center (we went at peak time) and had to get our vouchers before the actual morning of the meal - we got the whole weeks all at once to save time. I don`t know if this is the same now, or at the other hotels, but do check.

On the Friday, we shopped at the village, packed, checked out, then checked our bags in again so we could spend the rest of the morning and afternoon at the parks. When the time to leave came, we simply took the courtesy shuttle from outside the parks to the hotel (too tired to walk now!), got our bags, then got the other shuttle back to the airport.

Hope this helps.

 

[marni1971]

Ok... I missed out a few specifics you asked about - Paris is 6 or 7 hours ahead of you timewise, so jet lag may hit you a bit (it gets us after going to WDW, but we have walked round Orlando for 2 weeks!)

I would highly recommend the Newport Bay Resort - Its on a par with, probably higher than, The Caribbean Beach Resort where we stay in WDW. I havn`t stayed at the Yacht/Beach Club but I imagine its very similar (both in design and services) Plus at DLP, it is in their 2nd tier of pricing (same as Sequoia Lodge, just below Hotel New York) We would certainly stay at the Newport again.

See if your package can include length of stay passes - ours did, at no extra charge (since we stayed on property)

If you just want to go to DLP, you don`t need a car. The above mentioned airport shutle bus is fine (big coaches, every 20 minutes or so) - again, see about pre purchasing the return tickets for it with your agent. DLP is more like DLC - the 2 parks are side by side, the Disney Village is infront, with the lake and most of the hotels around it infront of the village. The nice Newport Bay walk is 10 - 15 minutes, or there is the free shuttle (hotel dedicated)

We don`t speak french either (Bonjour, merci, oui and non is our limit) but every CM speaks English (from very good basics to superb, indeed most are multi lingual, and a lot are english) and we never found this a problem. Same with the attractions, food, even signposts - all are either in English or English and French)

I`m working away this week, but feel free to PM me or post any more questions here.

 

[barnum42]

Most flights from USA to Europe are overnighters, so you leave in the afternoon or evening in the US and land at some ungodly hour of the morning in Europe. It's losing a night's sleep that gives you the worst of the jetlag, so if you can sleep on the plane I'd advise you to do so. France is six hours ahead of American East Coast time, though there may be a slight difference as daylight saving time may start and/or end a different week from America.

I visited the Paris parks prior to the Studios and spent two nights - three days there and had a great time. I arrived on the train where the bags were put onto a tram that went straight to the hotel allowing me to go straight to the park for the first day. When the park closed I went to the hotel, checked in and picked up my luggage.

Marni has pretty much covered everything else :wave:

 

[lebernadin]

I would like to plan on a 4 night/5 day stay for 2 adults. I don't mind working the arrival day to happen such that the rates are lower. If memory serves, France is a day ahead of us. So, if I fly out on Saturday, I arrive there on Sunday....or so I think. I can't even imagine how bad jet lag is going to be.

From Atlanta, a direct flight would cost an arm and a leg as there's only a few daily nonstops. You'll most likely be booking a flight that has a single stop either in NY, DC, Newark, O'Hare, or even Gatwick, which is one of London's airports. You're looking at a mid-to-late afternoon takeoff from Atlanta, arriving at CDG anywhere from 7am to noon, local Paris time.

In some instances, when travelling, you can shave off a considerable(hundreds) amount of money by renting a car one way to a bigger air hub. But in your case i don't think it would work to your advantage. But its worth looking into as an option when you're ready to book your flights.

Jetlag from the east coast to europe is nothing and easily remedied. Get some ambien and sleep through the flight. Don't feel guilty about sleeping through the excuse for food on most flights today. Eat what you two like prior to your flight, pop the Ambien, and wake up on the approach to CDG. You're getting there in the morning so you'll be well rested and ready to settle into your hotel and get to the parks that first afternoon.

I would prefer to not rent a car, but is this a mistake?

If you're only planning on doing Disney then no, its not a mistake. If you're planning on seeing Paris at all, then still its not a mistake. But if you'd like to see the rest of northern France, such as the coast, then you'll want one. I personally wouldn't recommend anyone just flying over to do Disney and maybe Paris for a day if they've never been to France at all. Conversely i'd never suggest my friends/family in Europe just going to NYC to get a feel for the United States. So if you can, get up to the coast etc.

Neither of us speaks even a drop of French...I hate that we will most likely be a bit lost due to the language barrier....maybe I can download a French primer off of Audible.com.

English has been indoctrinated into schools in most parts of the world. This doesn't mean that everyone speaks fluent english and will catch any slang terms you may use. But in general, you shouldn't worry about having a brick wall built with every english word that comes out of your mouth. That being said, learning travelers french certainly wouldn't hurt, right? DLP has a higher fluency rate than the rest of France because of its role. If you were to venture to the coast etc then i'd suggest starting out in french towards speaking in english. The reason why many americans continue to see other country's people as rude is because they begin conversations in english without recognizing that they are in someone else's country where english isn't the first language. They never look at the converse, whereby an Italian coming over here asking for help in italian of an american walking by would be given the same looks for not speaking english. So please don't be "that guy."

Does anyone know of a travel agent that was just awesome? For once, I think I might need one. I feel like I am as lost on this one as I was back in 2001 when I planned our first weekend at WDW. Any help is greatly appreciated.

We've never used one to plan out an entire trip. I think we ordered tickets through a local American express travel office and had them delivered once. But nothing in the way of walking into a travel agents office, sitting down, going through all the stuff etc. If you're bent on using one, perhaps asking friends who are local to Atlanta and/or googling travel agents in/around Atlanta.

I typically just browse airlines' sites and the travelocity's of the web for airfare deals. As far as accomodations, virtualtourist is a decent site. But if you're just going to be staying at Disney, then check into what disney may offer for deals.

 

[mickeysaver]

Thanks for all the input. I have no idea what we are doing yet, but at least I have some useful information. Maggie

 

[7L-WDW]

3 to 5 days , don't know about going to the coast that will take a day. driving is on the same side as you , so it would just be the getting lost bit !!. Paris is just 25 minuets away on a direct or local line ( same line just one stops more than the other ) and it terminates at DLP on the way back . From what i remember the Newport is one of the better hotels . and as its been sead , 99% speak English on site ... English is the second language in most European country's and compulsory in some .

 

[Al]

I visited in January of this year, and although it was a bit of rush, we covered pretty much all of the main attractions in both parks. It wasn't busy, which helped a lot. So you should be fine with a few days. As for the language, I wouldn't worry about it. We never had a problem, in all restaurants they have various languages available, although that's only in disney village, I am not sure about everywhere else. Good luck and have a great trip! :sohappy:

 

[Kristofke]

You can visit Disneyland Resort Paris in less then 2 days.

It even works in 1 day if you want.

I'm a passholder and don't understand why people wanna stay for five days. I mean, I would go nuts.

Althouhg it's a different experience when you come from another continent, it's a vacation etc.

My two weeks to Orlando were also great. 10 days disney there were no problem. 2 days disney in Paris, no thanks.

But don't let this scare you, because we do have the most beautiful Magic Kingdom park in the world.