Disneyland Paris - Advice about different hotels and also how spooky is Halloween period

[EvaLongoria]

Hi

Firstly my DD1 will be 5 on the 28th October and we really want to take her to Disneyland Paris. She is so into the whole disney/fairy thing right now. DD2 is 10 months so will be about 19 months then. DD1 is really dislike anything witches and spooky and even watching Mother Goose pantomime at Christmas found her turning her back whenever she heard or see the witch. She refused to dress up this year for halloween and I cancelled everything. I am now thinking maybe its not best taking her for her birthday but to take her in August instead else I might spoil the whole Disneyland Pink Princess thing for her forever. Its just so much more expensive only because we are off for a month holiday to South Africa next week. Advice please. Would it be spooky or just lovely orange and nice halloweeny but fun.

Secondly I am looking at the hotels. I read lots of reviews. I would really love to book one of the Disney Hotels ideally with a pool but also love the look of Thomas Cook Explorer which is one of the partner hotels. Can anyone tell me what is the disadvantage of booking partner hotels please?
Thank you in advance.

We went at Halloween two years ago and there were pumpkin people and gouly things everywhere... Our kids aged 3 and 5 at the time were fine with it as we only went into the park during the day but they really go to town with the theme. Everything had cobwebs and was decorated in a spooky way rather like the Americans do at Halloween. We had a great time and I think during the day it is quite gently spooky and lots of fun.
We stayed in the Newport Bay hotel which was fine if a little huge! As long as you didn't forget anything from your room as it was a long way back! It was only a 10 min walk to the park, had a pool that we never had time to use, and it was nice to see the characters in the hotel in the morning. The food there was good too.
Hope this helps!

No idea about Halloween, but I can recommend the Cheyenne Hotel. It does not have a pool, but tbh there was no way we would have got the kids out of the park early enough to use the pool.

Do you still get the early bird tickets from the partner hotels, that you get into the park earlier than normal?

With the Disney Hotel you can book to have breakfast in the park, at the Elise ?? Plaza - better breakfast than at the Cheyenne - it doesn't cost extra.

I liked the fact that it was a short but pleasant walk along a little canal to get back to the hotel, so that the kids were able to wind down a bit before bed.

I've stayed at the Newport Bay, Sequoia Lodge and Disneyland Hotel. Predictably enough, the Disneyland Hotel was the best - but it is expensive. Fab though as you are right on the edge of the park, by the turnstiles, so no hassle to go in/come out, if you've forgotten something or want to eat lunch in your room (the breakfast buffet is awesome, it would be rude not to take a few extra for snacks later in the day!). For girls it's also very special - the whole building is pink, very pretty, and there are loads of characters around all the time. There's a nice pool, and a lovely outside lounging area - it was very hot when we went, it felt like a proper holiday, having a swim then sunbathing! There's also a kids' playroom which is ok to fill in a spare hour, and a spa, but I never tried that. Two restaurants - pricey but nice - and lovely shops that will drain your pocket. Newport Bay was fine but enormous, and felt a bit cold somehow - it's also a good 10 minute walk from the lake to the park, which can feel a long way for little legs at the end of the day. Sequoia Lodge we weren't impressed with - I know lots of people love it, but the room felt small and cramped, the staff were generally unhelpful, and the place always felt chaotic. Nice bar area though.

The extra magic hours really are worth going for - you get to do quite a lot before the park opens, which is especially good at busy times like Halloween. Some partner hotels do offer it but I'm not sure about the Explorer, you'd need to check. Have fun!

Hi,
Halloween season was rather different last year - less decorations in the park, no Pumpkin men, and Frontierland was not transformed into Halloweenland.
The first few weeks were not at all scary for kids. I was there with my hubby the first week, and both parks closed at 6pm. It was not busy on weekdays, so most ride queues were very short or walk on.
Weekends are very crowded though, and also after French schools break up for half term.
They have Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party nights for young children, which cost extra as after normal park hours. Certain rides are open and Characters are in the park for Meet & Greet Trick or Treat.
The two Terroriffic Nights in the Studios cost extra, are not recommended for young children, and no dressing up is allowed.
Guests can dress up in the main park, but must not pose for photos or write autographs. Costumes must also not be too scary for young children.
Halloween Night on the 31st also requires extra tickets, with a Halloween Parade with spooky floats and Characters at midnight, so again not recommended for very young children.

There were two good Halloween themed shows in the main park, but in general the decorations were very poor and low key last October. They had more events during half term week. I think Disney were saving money for 20th Anniversary, so hopefully will be better this year.

I stayed in the Explorers just after it had opened with my sister and our 5 children. My boys found it different as they were used to being able to walk to the parks, which is really not feasable from the Associated hotels, but not impossible. You have to cross the road that goes around resort though, and it is quite a long walk.
The shuttle buses can get very busy at peak times, and if you have just missed one you could be waiting for 20 mins for the next. The shuttle buses go less frequently from the Associated hotels, and stop at each one. The Disney hotels each have their own bus, and go about every 10 mins.
You only get Extra Magic Hours staying in one of the 6 Disney hotels, Davy Crockett Ranch, or if you have a Dream Annual Passport.
I stay in Disney hotels because I like being able to walk to and from the parks without bothering with shuttle buses.

The Explorers is a good option for some families as rooms have a double bed with 2 singles, so unlike the Disney hotels. You can add a small connecting cabin room with a set of bunks for 6 people.
The pool in the Explorers is fun for kids with slides and a pirate ship, and when we stayed there the hotel also had an indoor play area. It is a very family orientated hotel.

You can't always have breakfast in the park as this depends if it is being offered when you check in. It is held in Plaza Gardens restaurant or Chalet De La Marionette in the Disneyland Park. The Studios is not often open for EMH so no breakfast in the park offered here.
Breakfast in the park begins from 8.15, so it does cut into your extra hours.
Not all rides are open for EMH - just selected ones in Fantasyland and Discoveryland - usually 7 rides.

Personally I would not stay in a hotel that was not on site, and the best are disneyland hotel, new York, Newport and sequoia. Other like Santa fe too basic and far.

Thank you for all the replies. I have decided that I am definitely not going to go in October. And after reading reviews and some threads on here would love to book a Disney Hotel by Monday. Hope I can sort my finances out do that im not left short before my Cape Town holiday.
Thank you very much.

The Santa Fe and Cheyenne hotels are the two Disney budget ones, but you still have Extra Magic Hours and Characters in the hotels at certain times of the day. They have the free shuttle buses, and take about 15-20 mins walk to the parks depending on your pace. They don't have swimming pools, if that is important to you.
The Santa Fe rooms mainly have two double beds, the Cheyenne has a double and set of bunks. Kids have to be 6 or over to sleep in top bunk so not suitable for you until DD is 6.
A good time for UK people to go is May half term week, as French and Spanish don't have this, so parks are not busy with short queue lines.
Always check French & Spanish school and National Holiday dates, as parks are always busy when they are on holiday.
July & August Summer Time is obviously very crowded, with longer ride queues, but also longer park hours and extra shows/ parades. In the past they have had electrical parade and fireworks from 10.30pm, but this year will include the new Disney Dreams Spectacular show which begins on 1st April for 20th Anniversary. I'm not sure if electrical parade and fireworks will be on this year or not - rumour is they won't be.