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Original poster

Disneyland Paris - Disneyland Hotel

15 replies

Tillyboo · 21/09/2006 22:22

We have booked a 3 day trip to DP at the beginning of Dec. We are going with another couple and their almost 3 yr old son. Our dd is a couple of months younger.
Can anyone offer any reviews on the resort and/ or hotel i.e things to look out for, good or bad.
Also any tips on taking children this age ?

OP posts:
hulababy · 21/09/2006 22:26

The children will love it

Only ever stayed at Davy Crocket, with our own car. We spent virtually all our time in the parks though, and didn't really use the hotel type facilities. Couldn't get DD out of the two parks

Original poster
Tillyboo · 21/09/2006 22:42

Thanks Hulababy, we are so looking forward to it. Our dd absolutely loves Cinderella & I can't wait to see her face when she sees the castle and parade etc. She'll be beside herself, it's so exciting ....

OP posts:
hulababy · 22/09/2006 09:35

Don't forget to take her Princess dresses. The little girls all wear them - some all day, sometimes just during the parades. We had DD's in a carrier bag under the pushcahir for her to put on as and when she wanted too.

soapbox · 22/09/2006 09:44

Tillyboo - around afternoon tea time everyday the characters all visit the Disneyland hotel for a meet and greet session.

It really is worth doing the autograph book thing, or the going to see Mickey and Minnie there, as there are very short queues compared to the ones in the park itself.

Check with the hotel concierge as to the exact time of their visit each day.

yeahinaminute · 22/09/2006 09:47

I'm taking your advice on this too - My brother, his partner, her daughters and grand children are taking my DD (3.9) to Disneyland staying at the Davy Crockett in Dec for 4 days
I'll definitely pack her princess dresses - But I am insanely jealous that THEY are taking her and DH and I won't get to see the look of wonderment when she sees it all - We are considering "following" them just so we can share it all with her !!
But actually we going to decorate

codwiggle · 22/09/2006 09:47

my mate said the autograph hting almost killed dher.

hulababy · 22/09/2006 10:08

We have never nothered with the autograph thing (been to Florida twice and DLP twice). Can't see the point and lucky DD was never that bothered. The first couple of times we did the characters and had photos, etc - The studios park next door is easiest tos ee the characters as not as many crowds. The autograph thing just bugs me - it takes much longer than a simple photo and means that less children get to spend time with each character IMO. And parents get so aggressive if you are not careful (certain nationalities at DLP seem worse with this than others from my experiences) and will push your child out of the way.

I would just go for photos with characters, and see them at the designated areas as easier.

The DLP parade is great. Best place to watch we found was up at the start of the park, near the roundabout at the top of Main Street. Facing the castle sit on the pavement to the left of the roundabout. You then see the parade come down the street, and then again as it paces you.

And the studios again is very good for getting excellent places for the parrade as it is much less busy.

afe Mickey in the eating place outside the park is again excellent for meeting Mickey and friends. The food is standard fare and not cheap, but watchign DD with the characters more than mad eup for it for us.

hulababy · 22/09/2006 10:10

How old is your DD?

Measure her just before you go and check the height restrictions on the website. You will then be abe to plan which rides to miss out.

If you and DH, or friends, want to ride the bigger ones - use baby switch.

saadia · 22/09/2006 10:30

We went to Disneyland Paris a few weeks ago and stayed at the Newport Bay hotel. Everything at the hotel was fine - breakfast not great but OK. The dss (4.5 and 2.5) had fun and enjoyed the rides. They weren't familiar with Disney characters and were intially afraid of all the dressed-up people but gradually warmed to them.

My only gripe was with the food. As we don't eat meat it was restricted anyway but four days of pizzas and fish-burgers was just too much. Also the restaurants were very over-priced and there was very little fresh food available. On the last day we found a little stall tucked away selling apples and bananas but that was it.

I think 3-days is about right - we were there for four and I was desperate to get home. It was all a bit too "Truman Show-esque" for me.

soapbox · 22/09/2006 13:40

Oh no Hula - photos with the characters in the hotel gets you out of all the queue busting frustrations! The French don't do queuing well I find!

And at the end of the day if you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel - you might as well make full use of the wonderful luxury it affords!

PatsyJ · 23/09/2006 09:58

Just highjacking this thread - We want to take DD for her second bday to Euro Disney next April. Am waiting for the brochure to come out but have decided on the Disneyland hotel.

Hula - please could you tell me what baby switch is? I know DH and I will want to go on the adult rides but obv can't leave DD on her own?

TIA

calpopscalum · 23/09/2006 12:47

Tillyboo, we're going back again this Dec (dec 4th)for 4 nights and I can't wait!! lucky you staying in the DLP Hotel - we're in newport bay. We took our 2 at 18m and 33months and they loved it!!! thye still remember it and talk about it. they were terrified of the characters though and howled if we took them anywhere near them so be prepared!! This year though we're apparently spending the whole time with Cinderella!! Dd (3) i also apparently just wearing her cinderella dress and plastic silver barbie shoes so she'll be a bit nippy!

Take cartons of juice and snacks etc with you as they are very expensive in the park. Just pop them in the buggy. Lunchtime food isn't great (the Mickey shaped pizzas were vile!) but we had great meals at the rainforest cafe (kids adored it there!) and King Ludwigs.
I also bought cheap wine on the ferry and kept that in the hotel fridge as the drinks prices were astronomical in the hotel. The tv in your room is all in French so if you have a portable dvd we found that handy for early starts!! Stopped them shrieking and playing and waking up the hotel at 5am!
There is also garage near the Santa Fe where you can buy drinks and snacks cheaper than in the park.
Take loads of warm clothes it was really cold in Dec - ours went out for the evening parade in tights, pj bottoms and trousers!!! A buggy is handy cos they do get tired.
Ooh, think that's about it - have a fa holiday and if you see a wee chittering cinderella in Barbie shoes you'll know who she is!!

calpopscalum · 23/09/2006 12:48

babyswitch is when each adult gets a turn on the ride and the other stays with the baby. It saves you from queing cos as soon as 1st adult gets off the ride the 2nd one goes on.

PatsyJ · 23/09/2006 17:18

Thanks that explains it - simple really

Original poster
Tillyboo · 24/09/2006 22:18

calpopscalum - Thanks for the tips, very helpful. We'll look out for you

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