Disney Paris booking query

[stilletoe]

Just read some of the threads about disney paris and I think I would like to go at the end of Feb for my lo's 4th birthday. It sounds wonderfull.

Not been in a position to go on a trip with hubby and lo before, so don't really know where to start to organise this.

Where would be the best place to book this, Thomas Cook, First Choice or another route??

Any advice would be a grate help to get the ball rolling.
Thanks

I booked direct with Disneyland online. Depends if you want flights etc included I think.

Have you had a look at the website?

Hi, I prefer to phone Disney myself, and book with them directly. The prices are the same as booking online, but you can ask any questions at the same time.
Phone 08448 008 111. Press 1 to speak to a Disney operator. The calls either go through to Paris or Florida, but the cll charge is the same.5p per minute from a UK landline.
You can book online on the Disney website,
www.Disneylandparis.co.uk
Or book with a preferred Travel Agent like Thomas Cook.
If you book with a TA, any changes or additions you may wish to make later, must be done through them.
If you book directly with Disney, you just phone them to change anything.
You can check the current special offers online, or ask the Disney operator over the phone.
There is a forum just for Disneyland Paris on www.tripadvisor.com
People there can help you with any questions,give you tips and advice, and help you to plan your trip.( I spend a lot of time on that forum!)
I have been going to DLP regularly since it opened, and am off for my annual summer trip tomorrow.
Yippeee!

Forgot to say, all the Disney call operators are usually very nice, and speak English, but if you get through to the Paris switchboard, ask for Chris. He is a very friendly helpful English chap.

Just to say, if you book with a Travel Agent, they should phone Disney to get the current price, including any special offers. Make sure they do this, not use the brochure price. Some add on their cut as well, so you end up paying more than necessary.

If you book with Disney, they can also book your flights, Eurostar, or ferry.If you stay in a hotel in resort, it will include your breakfast, and park tickets to cover your whole stay, including arrival and departure days, so worth arriving early, and leaving late.
The direct Disney Eurostar goes once a day from KCSP and Ashford.( usually around 10am, arriving in Disneyland at 1.30pm) It leaves Disney once daily at around 19.50 usually).If you book Express Checkin ( free), they give you your documents and park tickets at Ashford station, or on the train. You can then hand your luggage in at the Disney Luggage desk when you arrive at Marne La Vallee Chessy ( Disney) and go straight into the parks. They take your luggage to your hotel for you.
You do this in reverse on the last morning, and collect your bags about 45 mins before your train time.
This service is available on ordinary Eurostar trains as well, where you have to change at Lille, but there is a charge for adults.

Forgot to say, at off peak times, the Direct Disney train does not run on Tuesdays or Saturdays now.
In holiday time, Chip and Dale ( Tic and Tac in France) are usually at MLV station to greet people near the Disney Luggage desk.
there is usually a Disney band playing at KCSP before departure,and the play the Mickey Mouse song when they announce boarding, and you go to the train.
My sons disown me, cos I sing along.
Rather loudly!

If you look on Trip Advisor, the Disneyland forum is under Marne La Vallee ( where Disneyland is situated).
Try this link.
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g226865-i2224-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html
If it doesn't work, just google ' Trip Advisor Marne La Vallee forum' and you should be able to find it.

Thanks for your advice. Figgygirl, I know you are on your hols at present, but I am hoping you will get this when you are back, I'll keep checking from time to time or failing this, I'll just start another post.

I've looked at your links on Tripadvisor and no one seems to have gone in February. Is this because the whether is rubbish and the nights draw in too soon?

I wanted to go at the end of feb for 4 days, but am wondering whether to go during a different month. At present my lo does not go to school till sept 2011, so I suppose if I don't do this for lo's birthday in feb I could do it any other month (don't really want to go at peak times though).

When is a good time to go aside from school hols?

I've been in February! It was a couple of years a go... we were staying in Paris and took the train out for the day. I remember it being mild... but it did snow and we weren't prepared. Dd1 left wearing every kind of Disney paraphernalia . I have a pic of dbil standing in the snow wearing his t-shirt. That's a hard-man pic and not only what he was wearing.

Kiwibella, did the weather/snow stop you from enjoying the disney park?

can you remember whether all of the park rides/areas etc were open in february or where some of them closed off due to the season?

Do you think it would be better to go a month or two later to get better weather?

no, it definitely didn't spoil our day. I would just be prepared for all weathers! I don't remember there being closures around the park either. I've just been on our family website and relived the pictures :)

Thanks Kiwibella.

Hi,
Back from our latest trip and had another super time, although the parks were heaving of course being the summer holidays.
Disney do close some rides outside peak season, but not all at once! These are the times they can do maintenance and refurbishments, but you can check which ones will be closed on their website.January and February can be cold months, and possibly have snow as they did this year. Only some rides will be affected though, as most of them are inside or under cover.
If you are on a bit of a tight budget, this is a cheaper time to go - like most places, prices go up in the holidays. The parks will close around 6pm, so you can book dinner in the Disney Village or in one of the Disney hotels.If you are staying onsite in a hotel with a pool, you can swim in the evenings.The Disney hotels pools are open until 10pm.
The advantage of February ( apart from half term week) is that you should have hardly any queues for most rides.The downside is that it could feel a bit flat, as there is more atmosphere when the parks are busy, and there is Fantillusion parade and fireworks at night.( longer ride queues though!)
If you get cold, you can go into the Disneyland Hotel over the DL Park entrance, and go upstairs into the bar/ cafe/ lounge area for a while to warm up. You may see Characters in the lobby/ reception area as well.
The next busy time after Christmas/ New Year will be Easter.

It is always worth checking the French Public Holiday dates, and their school holiday dates. Many Spanish visitors go to DLP, so it is worth checking their school holidays as well, and try to avoid them.
You can look these up on Google quite easily.

Hi Figgygirl, Good to hear you had a really nice time at DLP again.

It's reassuring to hear from you about DLP, as you are definately an expert on this topic and you can answer the questions that the brochures don't.

I've been doing some more research in line with what you said before you went away and now that you are back and have confirmed the sort of weather I can expect in Feb, I am now looking at may/june.

Having said this, I did'nt think about the french holidaying in DLP, so will look into this as well, to make sure it dose'nt clash with the dates I'm thinking of.

You mentioned fireworks and the fantillusion parade, what month does this all begin? and also is the Buffalo Bill show a boy thing, or would little girls be interested in this also do you think?

Fantillusion is on during the Christmas celebrations, but not fireworks. They have fireworks at other times of the year on special dates like Bastille Day, New Years Eve, St Patrick's Day,possibly Halloween Night, ( they have a special Halloween Parade at midnight on the 31st October) but not necessarily Fantillusion. You can buy tickets for Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party which is in the parks after normal opening hours, on certain dates in October.
They have fireworks and special effects to music over Lake Disney on 3rd, 5th, 8th November this year. Both Fantillusion electrical parade and fireworks are on every night during the summer season, which this year is from 2nd July to 29th August.
We have seen BBWWS many times, and saw it again last week - it now has Characters in the show. It lasts about 90 mins, and you can book 6.30 or 9.30 show. The earlier one is more expensive.There is no need to pay extra for 1st category seating unless you want to be nearer the ringside, as there are only 6 rows, and they are well tiered. They serve your meal while you watch the show. Tell them when you arrive if you need a vegetarian or non pork meal.
My two boys have always enjoyed it but it depends if girls are interested in cowboys and indians really - the Characters are only in the show occasionally for singing and dancing. It can be very loud in there, as lots of clapping, stamping, banging metal spoons on metal plates, and lots of yeehahs! waving your cowboy hats ( which you keep)
The French Francilien site is selling BBWWS tickets for ? 29.( 9.30 show) Much cheaper than from Disney or buying at the show box office. You can buy and print the tickets online.The show is not on Wednesdays or Thursdays.Click on where it says Diner Spectacle from ? 29 as that means BBWWS.
www.billetfrancilien.com/
I have been going to DLP once or twice a year since it opened in 1992, so I should know it pretty well by now!

Thanks for all your advice Figgygirl, I'm much clearer about booking this now.

You are very welcome.