Holiday - Disneyland Paris

[MissOrganisedMe]

We're looking at a holiday for 5. Me, DH, DD16, DD14 & DD2. Potentially looking at Centre Parcs Paris with 3 day park tickets or a stay in the Disney resort for the whole holiday.

If you've ever been can you give me your thoughts. Any hints, tips etc gratefully received! Thanks.

Chill depending on budget you might want to include this www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/tours/vip-tours/

Chillyourbeans ring up to book though. I couldn't book seats together online, so we were all sat in separate carriages (although not a bad thing necessarily and you can walk around).

We had breakfast on the train, DD loved looking out the window and we got all our tickets and stuff on the journey there.

A tiny bit of French goes a long way. Even basic school French is fine, I got the impression that the staff really appreciated the effort even when I had to switch to English for more than the basics. I'm no linguist and everyone was really polite to my poor grammar and ropey pronunciation.

We are going to the Newport Bay on 31st May. Last year we stayed in Davy Crockett Ranch. Kitchen facilities are okay, but utensils are limited so this time I’m taking my own. It’s nice being somewhere a bit quieter and away from the parks, especially in the evening.

Food in the park is poor quality and expensive, choices are also limited if you have diet needs, I made food and took it in with me, you’re not meant to but no one checks.

Nicknacky, it really does look magical (like actual elves and fairies and dragons and dark magic) as opposed to Disney magic. Which is also amazing but Efteling looks so earthy and natural! That is on my list now, I have to find a way to go! Do let me know what the dark rides are like, that is so up h street!

Also doing Disney next month and am feeling overwhelmed tbh. There’s so much to fit in and I want to get it just right for the kids.

Iam Will Do And you have summed up what I’m looking forward to, it’s so natural and “unforced”.

Where are you staying at Disney?

Santa Fe, 5 nights. Am getting the Eurostar as we live in London, it’s really easy. Booked the standard food package as I actually sat down and priced every single meal and the mid range one was £46 more expensive for what we’d be having. I’ve prebooked the restaurants and have an Inventions lunch and a character breakfast.

I’m nervous about the travel cot as I can’t remember if I booked one, and the train home as we are stopping in Paris for an extra night. There’s 5 of us. I’m just a worrier really!

Efteling - it is just beautiful as well as being fun, I can’t stop looking at photos!

VIP fast pass is unlimited fast pass access as opposed to the normal club level hotel fast pass which is one per day.

All of the hotels have a pool and room service. I'd argue that Newport Bay is actually nicer than Disneyland Hotel. It was refurbished a couple of years ago whereas the DLH is looking very dated (albeit with old school opulence) and has a tiny pool. Club level at NPB would be a similar price to standard at DLH and would give you breakfast in the lounge (breakfast isn't included as standard unless you have a meal plan), complimentary drinks and snacks in the afternoon, and a dedicated check in etc. However... DLH is literally by the park gates and inside the security perimeter, NPB is a 10-15 minute walk (although there is a shuttle bus).

@SimonJT you know there's no kitchen at Newport Bay? Not even a kettle in the standard rooms (kettle and nespresso in the club rooms). Also, they're 100% fine with you taking food in. When they say 'no picnics' they mean picnic blankets and enormous cool boxes.

Yes, but we’re going on to a lodge for a few days afterwards, so I don’t want to get caught out, I know it’s a bit odd, but then I am. I have no idea if we have a normal or club room, I didn’t book it myself so I’ll look in to it.

Annual pass stay off site.

@SimonJT not at all odd - we've done DCR to DLH twice. I actually preferred DCR - feels like a proper holiday!

We went end of August last year, stayed at Newport Bay, 8 of us in rooms opposite each other, Half Board. Hotel was nice, park was pretty quiet, food was okay (breakfast was the best) Tbh Disney was a bit of a let down for me, I went to Anaheim when I was 17 and it was magical so I was expecting the same vibe but it didn't happen :( Probably just too old and cynical now.

Def no kettle in the room at Newport Bay but we found one left in the hallway outside the Staff door so we adopted it for a couple of days They didn't even tell us about the free (tiny) tea/coffee machine - you get a certain amount of credits on your pass each day to use at the machine so as there were 8 of us I'd use all the kids passes to get my caffeine fix (much needed!) didn't even know about it until the second day though. I found customer service to be a bit shit tbh, gorgeous day and the outdoor swimming pool was shut - no explanation.