Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Disneyland Paris - how did you do it?

69 replies

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 08:00

I'm trying to persuade DP that a holiday to Disneyland Paris would be a good idea next year to give us all something to do each day and excitement. The party will be made up of me, DP, his 2 DC (early teens) and our baby DC (who is due in Dec). Now we can't book until the dates are released later this month and I would wait until after baby is born in any event but I can't work out the best way. Is it better to book through Disney direct stay with them? They have shuttles but what about baby, do I need to take our own car seat? Would we be better to drive and arrange our own accomodation and buy tickets separately?

Does any one have any tips? I know baby will not get anything out of the holiday but as DP's DCs get older it is harder to entertain them with the simple life and I thought this would be a good idea (plus I've never been )

OP posts:

EmpressJewel · 07/10/2019 08:03

Shamelessly place marking, as I'd like to book to go too.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 07/10/2019 08:04

Have done DLP several times. Never got a shuttle. These days we stay at Davy Crocket ranch and drive in. Book it all separately: we drive and use Tesco vouchers for eurotunnel crossing; package with Disney direct (try to get 25/30% off deal plus half board); I have an annual travel insurance policy. We spend 5-7 days there at a time and yet to go over £1000 all in for 2a 2c. We do go off peak though.

MrsW85 · 07/10/2019 08:07

Are you on Facebook? The Disneyland paris for brits group is fantastic. I've booked with a local travel agent, who go direct to disney. We're flying and using the magic shuttle coach. We're staying onsite so able to walk to the park in 10 minutes.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Days out

Whoops75 · 07/10/2019 08:09

Second Davy Crocket ranch but our kids were younger. The pros are we weren’t in just one room. There’s a pool in the park, you can hire family go-carts, the buffet restaurant isn't awful. There are transfers but we drive in & out.

If yours want to go the the park without ye it might be better to be closer.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 07/10/2019 08:11

We're flying and using the magic shuttle coach.

Yeah, we did that once.

Original poster

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 08:11

Thank you. I'll look up separately. I didn't think about half board but that would work well. Driving would be easiest with the car seat etc and pram and other bits we need. I would like it to be special so a Disney hotel would be a bonus.

OP posts:

Original poster

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 08:13

Not on Facebook. Could I go to tui or similar travel agent. 10 min walk would be ace! I wouldn't allow the DC to walk off to the park by themselves... I simply don't trust other people.

OP posts:

Isthatrightaye · 07/10/2019 08:14

Magic Breaks tend to be the cheapest. Don’t book flights with them though.

StylishMummy · 07/10/2019 08:16

Book through magic breaks after Christmas, they have excellent offers including meal plans.

We flew with 2 DC aged 1 and 3, stayed in Newport bay. Had breakfast in the hotel at 7 then into the park for 8.15 ready for opening, nice 10 minute walk through the Disney village.

if money is no object, stay at Disneyland hotel, it makes it 10 times easier as you're right at the park gates. Can easily nip back if you forget something for the baby

Boobiliboobiliboo · 07/10/2019 08:17

Magic Breaks tend to be the cheapest.

Have never found that to be the case.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 07/10/2019 08:19

I would like it to be special so a Disney hotel would be a bonus

I don’t find any of the hotels that special. Would rather go several times than once for the same money. The ranch is lovely. We’re only really there to sleep anyway.

Original poster

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 08:23

That's very true Boobili, money would be better spent having a great time whilst there being able to enjoy what is on offer and the hotel would be for sleeping. My concern is the baby and having naps etc. I am a FTM and I don't know if it ok for the baby to sleep in the pram in the park. Silly perhaps but I've not had children so I'm not sure.

OP posts:

PrincessSarene · 07/10/2019 08:32

If it’s easy for you to get to London, we got the Eurostar over to Disney. It was brilliant. No luggage restrictions, mo hanging around in an airport for ages, and no need to worry about transfers as the Eurostar station is right next to Disney. We stayed at Sequoia Lodge in one of their club level (Golden Forest) rooms so we got a nice relaxed breakfast, free drinks all day (can pick some up to take with you to park, saves buying them there) and a free snack in the afternoon. Plus the pool is great. And easy walking distance to the Disney village/parks. Probably not the cheapest way to do it, but it was so easy. Definitely a bonus as it was my first time taking DD abroad (she was nearly 3 at the time).

PrincessSarene · 07/10/2019 08:34

Ooh, and don’t forget to ask about baby switch for the bigger rides - one of you waits with baby at the exit while the others queue up and ride, then they get off and stay with baby while you get on the ride straight away. Fab system for parents!

wendz86 · 07/10/2019 08:39

I booked through Disney direct and stayed in one of their hotels . Would do the same again . Well worth staying in Disney hotels to get the extra hour in morning in parks ( get on lots of rides quick ) and also if you need a rest easy to go back to hotel .
We travelled by direct Eurostar which was really easy .

getoutofthatgarden202 · 07/10/2019 08:44

I don't know if Eurostar is an option for you (depends where you live)

But we got a great offer from London direct to Disneyland and 3nights accommodation park tickets etc

Have a look on Eurostar website

Original poster

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 08:45

Had anyone travelled with a baby, do I need to take a car seat for them? Or is the pram enough if in walking distance.

How long is good to stay? I was thinking 4 nights then you get a good 2/3 days at the parks.

OP posts:

Original poster

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 08:48

We're South Coast. Portsmouth is our nearest Port so could ferry/drive to Le Harve. But neither me or DP are driving shy so we'll happily travel to get to airport, Dover, Eurotunnel etc. Portsmouth would be more comfy as we'd be cramming 5 in a car.

OP posts:

0lga · 07/10/2019 08:52

I just want to say what a nice person you are to organise all this for your boyfriends kids. I don’t know any men who would go to all this work and spend all this money for their GFs teenage kids.

Make sure that you agree with your baby’s dad about childcare when you are on the trip - he needs to know it’s 50:50. You are not going as the nanny.

PeonyTruffle · 07/10/2019 08:52

Davy Crockett is where we stay, the sperate bedrooms and bathrooms and living area are a godsend.

Note though that there are no transfers so if you stay here, you have to drive to and from the park (5 min drive) but you get free parking. Taxis and ubers won't go there and if you manage to find one that does, it'll drop you at the security gate and if your cabin is on the far side, it's quite a long walk. Don't consider unless you're happy driving each day!

HerculesTheBercules · 07/10/2019 09:00

Ive done it three ways - each time basing myself at Berny Rivière for a longer holiday and it worked out cost effective.

Holiday one - seven nights in a caravan at Berny then four nights staying st Sequoia Lodge. Meals were pricey in the park.

Holiday in Berny then theee days at Disney, staying in a travel lodge type place near a train station one stops way. Fast, quick and affordable self catering accommodation, with shops and restaurants nearby.

Staying st Berny and taking their bus charter day trip to Disney. No travel worries or extra accommodation costs.

Original poster

LighteningRidge · 07/10/2019 09:01

@0lga ha! Thank you. It is for selfish reasons too (I love rides and will utilise parent swap @princesssarene) but it is very kind of you to say. We had activity packed holidays as kids and I loved them.

I'm excited to start properly planning post Xmas when I assume the dates are out. Its a shame you can plan much further in advance.

Would it be awful to buy the baby a different Disney outfit for every day

OP posts:

0lga · 07/10/2019 09:04

Would it be awful to buy the baby a different Disney outfit for every day

Not if it makes you happy. You need to dress your children in ridiculous outfits right from when they are tiny. Because as soon as they can walk, they start having opinions. It’s very annoying.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 07/10/2019 09:25

Some babies will sleep anywhere. Others will need a dark quiet room. But if you get out and about regularly and get them used to pram naps they should, fingers crossed, be fine. If the baby is the nosy sort, take a baby carrier as well so they can look around (there's lots of bright colours)

With young teens they may want one of hotels with a pool. The hotel we stayed in didn't have one, but our kids were younger and exhausted after a day in the park. We had half board (breakfast and one other meal). We had a big breakfast, took snacks for during the day, and then had dinner around five.

Boobiliboobiliboo · 07/10/2019 09:27

Well worth staying in Disney hotels to get the extra hour in morning in parks ( get on lots of rides quick )

It’s a handful of selected rides. Most of the decent ones open at 10am.

Flip

1 2 3