Disneyland Paris on a budget?

[Twinkleinmyeye]

My parents, sister and her family are going to DisneyWorld Florida in September this year. We'd love to be taking our DC (who would be nearly 3 and nearly 1 then) but the thought of taking them on an 8 hour plane journey as well as the cost means it's just out of the question.

Can we do Disneyland Paris on a budget? I've had a quick look at the park packages but the Disney hotels are just SO expensive. Anyone found a good cheap hotel (or apartment?) nearby that doesn't cost the earth?

While we're happy to drive and take the ferry, I'm not subjecting other passengers to DS1 on a coach... :)

Thanks for any suggestions!

Have you tried the Thomas Cook Explorers Hotel? although I think it's changed it's name now.

There's also apartments close by but I dont know if tickets are included.

If you take the car then take snacks, drinks etc with you, a lot cheaper than buying there.

At the hotels the buffet breakfasts are great, so fill up then take some croissants and fruit from there.

If you rent an apartment, there's a supermarket close by but again depending on how much room you have in the car you could take some food with you.

We usually take stuff like individually wrapped Brioch, juice and crisps, maybe some bisuits too.

It's been 3 years since I was last there, so apologies for not remembering names of places.

Again depending on the car take a small lightweight buggy for the elder one, he/she will get tired, with lots of walking, although you can hire buggys.

TBH though I wouldnt take a 1 yo, wait another 12/18 months and the youngest will enjoy it more

Most important thing though...have a great time!

Also, try and go midweek, avoid the weekends, and go during term time.

Last time we went it was September, weather was lovely (although we've never had horrible weather)

Thanks, great ideas!

I fear you might be right though and DS2 is just going to be too small to really enjoy the holiday. :( I just feel bad for DS1 who is very close to his cousin (in age, and they spend a lot of time together) so she is going to be full of beans and stories about having met Woody and Peter Pan etc etc...

Maybe I can persuade DH to stay home with DS2 and I can take DS1 to Florida with everyone else?! :o

Are you close enough that you could go for a day or even just 1 night?

That way DS1 would still have stories to tell but probably wont even realise that his holiday was shorter.

I cant wait to go back, but I've already had this years holiday ah well, just have to wait till next year, hopefully

TBH I think nearly 3 and nearly 1 would not get as much out of it as they would when older. Doubtless the nearly 3 year old would enjoy it - but would prob enjoy peppa pig world or similar in UK just as much at that age. I would wait till a little bit older - another year will make all the difference in terms of what they can engage in/enjoy/and their stamina levels. I really don't think your 2 would be missing out by not going at this age - Ijust took my 4.5 year olds they had an amazing time but thinking back to when they were under 3s - I don't know that they would have enjoyed it as much as they did (which was that they loved it to the max) - also being able to queue etc is easier when older, can be queuing for quite a while even outside school hols.

To be honest, I wouldn't take a 1 year old to any Disney park as I don't think they would get the benefit. I took ours first when they were 5 and 3 and they really enjoyed it. Going in a couple of years would also enable you to save up a bit more.

Regardless of how much money you have, I wouldn't both staying at the Disney hotels. I would recommend this place (and I do to everybody):

www.disneylandparis.kyriad.co.uk/

It is near the Explorers hotel so only a 10 minute bus ride away and has some lovely grounds at the back which are great for the kids to run around on a summer's evening.

I have often got rates of ?100 a night for 4 including breakfast. The rooms are small but we literally just slept in them as we were out at the parks all day.

I've stayed at the Newport Bay twice and New York New York and I don't think they are good value for money. As I said, you spend most of the day at the parks and don't really make good use of the room (although the rooms are much bigger than at the Kyriad). The breakfast, however, is no different to the Kyriad and a massive scrum. There are pools but we never got time to use them.

If you want an apartment, this is also a good place:

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

Again, you can often get some good deals at the right time of year.

As for getting there, if you live in the South East I would drive and do Eurotunnel as you can get very cheap tickets.

Does it matter what time of year you go? September will be expensive but if you can go in the off-season (October-March) you will get it for about a third of the price - there's a 2 free nights offer on at the moment (details on their website). If you book the Eurostar as far ahead as possible then you can get it for £69 per adult and £49 per child. They release Eurostar dates over the phone before they're on the eurostar website so your best bet is to call them.

Thanks everyone. I think we will take them to Thomas land at Drayton Manor this year instead so they're doing something fun while their cousin is away and leave Disney for at least a year or two!

Will definitely look up Kyriad though, thanks Bingandbear!

Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts. :o