Not staying at Disneyland Paris advice please?

[lynniep]

I wonder if anyone has any advice to offer? Or recommendations?

We?d like to go to Disneyland paris with a 4 day hopper , but not stay there (I want a gite/villa) because I would like the holiday to be nearer a fortnight (mid June ? have from 13th -26th free - the last off-peak holiday before DS1 starts school). We?ll have a hire car but would like to stay in the area (within a 45 minute drive from DLP) and we have a four year old and a 19 month year old (well he will be by then). (does anyone know if the DLP hopper tickets include parking?)

I think we'll fly as I want a short a travel time as possible. (from Stansted or Luton)

I?d like to be somewhere that we can take the children without them wrecking the place, or being in any immediate danger! But preferably with a pool available to us. It needs to be self catering (so supermarket fairly close) and with two bedrooms because me and the kids are very light (and bad) sleepers, and I don?t want to bring any child paraphernalia other than a buggy if I can help it. (although thats probably over-simplifying as I am quite anal about bringing stuff 'just in case')

Is there anything I should know about France with kids, as I haven?t been (other than to Paris for a weekend pre-kids) ? are there any good zoos/ parks/ childrens activity places for littlies? Or events/festivals I should know about? (again, without there being any danger of them wreaking havoc ? they?re kind of,um, ?spirited? boys! )
Does it shut down for a spanish type siesta? Do disposable nappies cost the earth?

Any recommendations would be gratefully recieved

I've just been looking at same thing. Thinking of booking caravan park 'canvas' as prices r very reasonable, but we r gonna drive down.

Hi Lynnie,
I think you also asked this question on the Trip Advisor Marne La Vallee DLP forum, and have had various suggestions given there.
Flojo, you may want to read the thread there as it contains info about camping and caravan sites near Disneyland.
Also see the Top Questions box there about ' where to stay' for more links and suggestions inside and outside resort.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g226865-i2224-Marne_la_Vallee_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html

Hi we have a touring caravan and stayed in a site called les jablines. It was great for visiting Disney but doesn't have a pool etc so not sure it would suit. However there are a few other sites around which may suit better.
We only visited Disney so we didnt need the additional facilities like a pool so it was ideal.
If you find a site try to book direct as it's usually cheaper than using canvas or keycamp etc.
When we went we found we could buy a annual pass for only s little more than a 5 day pass. It gave extras such as free parking so it was worth it for us.

There's a lake with a beach at Jablines, and they have static caravans and a mini-supermarket.

(We're going again this year!)

Hi, and thanks for the responses. Yes FG I asked this on TA and you were extremely helpful. I have decided what I want to do. But the hardest thing is convincing my DH we need to go on holiday (abroad) whilst DS1 is still a pre-schooler, and letting me book before the flights go through the roof (already gone up loads since Monday)

I have decided to travel to Manchester (MIL lives there and loves seeing the kids for short periods only lol - its 2.5 hours but can leave at naptime) Stay overnight.
Fly out next day morning (getting a lift with MIL and hence eliminating need to pay for parking near airport and a shuttle ride) Hopefully not have any problems flying with Air France.
Once in Paris, head for aparthotel 1 night then Davy Crocketts ranch for a 3 day/2 night Disneyland package. I felt this was a better option than staying at a campsite and doing multiple long drives to DLP, because I want to head for La Croix du Vieux campsite for 9 days, probably staying in a 2 bed mobile home as the gite is a bit too much moolah if we're doing disneyland.

Its all worked out in my head. I just hope the credit card covers it :)

Having been once to Eurodisney (in a v cold Feb) with a 3 and 5 year old, I wouldn't rule out going back, but can't say we had a great time. I would probably leave it a couple of years if I was you. However, if you are desperate to go, def go outside of holiday times (probably the case in June?)

Other thing I would say is that if we go back, we would probably stay in a Disney hotel for a night or 2, then go elsewhere (ie south / Loire / Alps) for our holiday. Unless you are into Paris, I don't think it is the most interesting part of France to stay...I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong. Don't know where your camp site is.

On more general points, France is pretty good with small children - better than England I think. Supermarkets sell the same stuff, although I would say on average it is a bit more expensive than here. You should be able to find a municipal pool with a park which allows picnics. Where we go in France, you pay ?8 for the day (2 adults, 2 little boys), have a pool with slides, outside space, place to kick balls and a ping pong table. You bring your own pic nic in and they have tables. I think that this is fairly common in France.

Hope you have fun.

Check the school holiday dates before you book. French schools do not break up until 2nd July, but the Spanish have longer holidays - I think they break up around 22nd June. You can check school holidays and National Holidays on Google. DLP is very busy during school and National Holidays, and at weekends, but parks stay open later.

From 2nd week in Jan, Feb and March are the quietest times in DLP apart from half term week, and usually the cheapest, but this is also the time they do more ride refurbs and maintenance. Although it is good not having long queues for rides, I think that some of the ' Magic ' is missing at this time.

Fantillusion Electrical Parade and Enchanted Fireworks will begin from 9th July until 4th Sept, so you will not see this in June.
Once Upon A Dream Parade and Stars n Cars Parades are on all year round.

There are very few rides that your 4 yr old cannot go on, if they are brave enough, and kids over 1 yr can go on most things as long as they are not going to be frightened. it depends very much on the child and how adventurous they are as all kids are different.
Using babyswitch facility on rides will give your 4 yr old two rides - one with each parent - without queueing twice.

thanks 4 the extra info. dates for dlp would be 14th-16th June which is midweek and hopefully misses all school hols!
as fo the kids - my 4 yr old is a bit of a wimp, but my 1 year old is up for anything!

2nd, 12th, 13th June are Public Holidays in France, so these will be busy.
Spanish Public Holidays seem to be 9th, 13th, and 23/ 24 June.
Our schools in Hampshire go back 6th June until 27th July.
So 14-16 June should not be horribly busy.

www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/pardp-marriotts-village-dlle-de-france/

how about this?

The Marriott Village resort that madeindevon mentions is one of the suggestions for self catering close to Disneyland in the TQ box on the TA MLV forum. It gets quite good reviews in general.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1221082-d282519-Reviews-Marriott_Village_d_Ile_de_France-Bailly_Romainvilliers_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html