Hi,
Firstly, the work beside the lake that people have mentioned, is because they are building a new Earl Of Sandwich restaurant next to Rainforest Cafe, on the Village side of the lake. This is the side that you would normally walk along from the NBC to the Village and parks. At present, you have to turn right when you exit the back of the NBC hotel, and walk along 2 sides of the lake, past Sequoia Lodge and New York hotels, so taking longer than usual.I am checking the progress of that when I am there next week, and when the lakeside walk on that side is expected to be open again, for some of our posters on our Trip Advisor forum.
There is a small land train that goes around the lake, but this costs 2? pp. The alternative is to catch the regular free shuttle bus ( that all the hotels have) which leaves from the front of the hotels about every 10 minutes.The shuttle buses stop next to the railway station, near the other entrance to the Disney Village. It is only a few minutes walk to both parks from there.
Christmas Celebrations end on the 6th January. I have never been at this time, as we always go in the beginning of December, before Christmas, ( and also in July/August for the summer clebrations).It should be quieter from the 3rd/ 4th January, when Paris schools go back, as well as most in the UK.
paris.angloinfo.com/information/6/schoolhols.asp
It can certainly be very cold at this time of year, but most rides are indoor or under cover. We wear lots of layers, and our ski jackets, with hats, gloves, scarves etc. Wear warm socks and waterproof warm boots/ shoes. The Disney pushchairs do not have rainhoods, so you may wish to take your own.
However, the Disneyland Park in particular is Magical at this time of year, especially during Fantillusion electrical parade, when it lights up in brilliant white sparkles.Mickey's Winter Wonderland ice skating show in the Chapparal Theatre in Frontierland is very good, with all the well known Characters, and more. You can visit Santa in his log cabin, in Woody's Village.( Woody meets you at the entrance).Children can write a letter for Santa, and will receive a reply.
The Christmas Parade follows the usual Once Upon A Dream daytime parade, with Santa in his sleigh.
I and other veteran DLP visitors can help you with times of parades and shows, and more information to help plan your trip on the Trip Advisor Marne La Vallee Forum. I just don't have the time to write extensively on two forums, and keep repeating myself!
So, regarding hotels.
Staying in a Disney owned hotel gives you EMH ( Extra Magic Hours) although this may not be every day when the parks are quiet, as not necessary. The ride queues are not long when we go in early December, before schools break up, so it should be similar from the 3rd.Jan.Our schools in Hampshire return on the 4th Jan.
The Disneyland Hotel is perfectly located over the entrance to the DL park, with the Studios Park close by.The furnishings and decor is the most ' princessy' of all the Disney hotels.The swimming pools in the hotels do tend to be rather cold, from other peoples' reviews of them, and also rather deep, although they have jacuzzi pools which are warmer.The pools are open from 3pm to 10pm at present, although we never tend to swim in the winter as the parks close earlier than in the summer. We book a restaurant for dinner in a hotel or in the Village after parks' closing, and are then ready for bed.
The benefit of the DLH is that you can easily go back to your room to warm up, or get warmer or dry clothing if necessary, without having to walk far or catch a shuttle bus. You also avoid the crowds heading for the bus stops at the end of the day. You can pack some snacks and hot drink sachets to have in your room have as well.This is very convenient in cold weather with small children, especially if they are tired.
The New York hotel is the next nearest, situated at one end of the lake, near the Disney Village entrance. It does have very adult theming, as it has a large conference centre, so many of the guests are there on business.Art deco/ minimalist type decor, which children may find a bit boring.The pool is rather adult, and deep.
The Sequoia Lodge is just a bit further from the New York, along the long side of the lake. We like this hotel for Christmas/ winter themimg and atmosphere, but I pay for a Montana room in the main building, to save walking to breakfast from the 5 lodges.You can see my review and photos from last December on Trip Advisor, along with other posters' ones. The Sequoia has a rustic theme, in wood and stone, with a large open fire in the bar/ lounge, and is surrounded by fir trees, so feels very cosy.The rooms can seem a bit plain, with dark wood furniture, but that is the idea of the forest lodge theming.It is not grand like the DLH, nor have the elegance of the Newport Bay.It takes about 10 mins to walk to the Sequoia from the parks.The pool is in a separate building, and has a slide for children.The outdoor pools are obviously closed in winter.
The Newport Bay is a beautiful elegant hotel, with nautical theming,and our favourite hotel in summer.We like walking along the lakeside and through the Village to the parks, but a long walk at present, so you would need to catch the shuttle bus there and back. We usually have a room on the Admirals Floor, with a lake view and balcony.These rooms have a kettle and tea/ coffee, and room service if required.They are also on high floors, with great views, and more central, as it is a huge hotel.The pools are in the East Wing.
The Cheyenne is a budget hotel, themed like a cowboy town. Rooms here have a double bed and 2 bunks, so your 4 yr old would have to sleep on a top bunk.The other Disney owned hotels have 2 double beds.Kids find this a great fun hotel, but it is about 15-20 mins walk,or a bit of a scramble for the buses.I would not really recommend this for you with your aged children, at this time of year, if you can afford a Moderate hotel.
The breakfast arrangements are also different in the hotels.The budget hotels cold buffets are more cafeteria like, and have 2 sittings.You have to find your own table.
The Moderate hotels have a CM who show you to your table, and you book your breakfast time slots on arrival at the Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay ( unless you are on the Admirals Floor).AF guests have a separate restaurant, with hot and cold buffet, and no time tickets- go in when you like.I think this hotel has the nicest pools, with small jacuzzi pools for small children.
New York Hotel ( where I am staying next week for a change)and Disneyland Hotel have hot and cold buffets and no time tickets.
You do not always have the choice to have breakfast in the park- you will be told on arrival if they are offering this. It depends how busy the hotel is. You also miss some EMH time if you do this, as breakfast in the park is from 8am, when EMH begins.
So in short-
Go for the DLH for the convenience, and feeling of luxury.
Go for the Sequoia for a cosy lodge feel, if you are happy to walk or catch the bus.But book a Montana room.
Go for the Newport Bay for the New England colonial style elegance, but book the Admirals Floor, and use the buses or the land train.
Now what about half board dining..........??