Train, plane or drive to Disneyland Paris? Travelling from Essex

[PromisingMiddleagedWoman]

We’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris, most likely in the October half term. Children are aged 9 and 11.

I’ve been researching travel options and can’t decide what would work best. We went there six years ago on the Eurostar direct from Ebbsfleet to Disney which worked really well, but is not an option now as trains are not stopping at Ebbsfleet (or Ashford). So I think our options are:

1. Train from St Pancras to Disney, changing at Lille. But it looks like tickets aren’t available much in advance. Plus it feels silly to travel into London by train only to then come straight back out again

2. Flight from London to Paris. But I’d prefer not to fly if possible, plus it looks like Charles fe Gaulle airport is quite a way from Disney

3. Drive and use the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone. I’m hesitant about this mainly as there now seems to be massive delays mentioned on the news every school holiday.

Any thoughts on the best option? Considering it’s not actually that far from where we live to Paris all three options feel slightly annoying, which means I can’t decide which is the best one!

We did this over Christmas, also coming from Essex - although this was before they stopped the direct train from to Disney, the trip was last minute so had to change at Lille on the way there as direct train fully booked but got the direct train back to St Pancras coming back.

Changing at Lille was really easy, just up a lift and the connecting train was pleasant enough. I don’t know where you are in Essex but we are out on the C2C line so came into Fenchurch St, then a taxi around to St Pancras as we had pushchair (4 month old and toddler) and big suitcase etc so London taxi was easier than navigating tube.

CDG is a nightmare of an airport. Bad enough pre kids, hate to thing about doing it with them!

If Channel Tunnel is working then that is probably easiest and means you will have flexibility of having the car - even with fuel and tolls I would also imagine this is the cheapest way. This wasn’t an option for us at the time as baby was too young for such a long journey but this would probably be my preference once they’re older.

We drive from south wales. If I lived closer to Folkestone I’d be there all the bloody time!

Is Eurostar to Paris and then changing onto the RER an option for you?

I flew back in November to CDG, with DH and DD (nearly 3). It was absolutely fine! No issues on either side and we had a private transfer booked which took us straight into Disney which took 45 minutes or so.

Only thing is with flying is if you are unlucky to get hit with strikes. Heard on FB that strikes are going on the French side on 1 May, so 25% of CDG and 33% of ORLY flights have been cancelled.

The train into Disney comes out right by the entrance. If you are staying on site, it will be a 10-20 min walk depending on what hotel you are booked with.

Channel tunnel / ferry do queue but not too bad and not for as long as a coach etc? We went Easter weekend and queued for about 45 minutes so not awful?

Only thing is with flying is if you are unlucky to get hit with strikes. Heard on FB that strikes are going on the French side on 1 May, so 25% of CDG and 33% of ORLY flights have been cancelled.

TBF it's not just flying - the arguments over pension reform seem to be winding down but do continue and over the last few months at some point or other almost all modes of transport have been hit by strikes, including some previously mentioned such as SNCF and RER.

In the context of the OP's question historically October tends to be quiet when it comes to strikes, but no guarantees.

https://www.cestlagreve.fr/

Do you think you would only wish to visit the park for one day? Then stay in Paris, probably Eurostar from St Pancras.

Drive , it’s so easy and most of the delays you read about are on the ferry routes .

Can you fly to Orly? Can get the RER straight down to Marne la vallee from there I think.

Thanks everyone. I think I’m leaning towards driving, it’s helpful to hear that the traffic delays are more the ferrys rather than the channel tunnel.

It’s also good to hear that changing trains at Lille is simple so that’s still an option.

I think I’m ruling out flying - I’ve been reminded by the reply on Charles de Gaulle that I flew from there a few times pre-children, and it was a nightmare every time!

We drove as DH drives abroad for work so it's no issue for him (I wouldn't have the confidence) we got the Eurotunnel.

It was pretty cheap but also it enabled us to stock the car with snacks and bottled water which we took into the park and enabled us to only have the half board package but still spend very little else. We also drove to the Eiffel Tower and to a hyper market which was nice too.

This is all really helpful! Does anyone know if you get free parking if you stay at one of the Disney hotels, or do you need to pay to park there?

Parking at the Disney hotels is free .

We certainly got free parking at the hotel a few years ago but not sure if that's still the case. We didn't need to drive to the park each day as it was walkable, I believe all the on-site hotels are walkable except perhaps the Davy Crocker one?

The Disney hotels are walkable but some are a good 20/ 25 minute walk . They also all have a shuttle bus to the parks . Davy Crockett Ranch is the next junction down the motorway and you have to drive into the normal Disney car park , there is no shuttle bus .AFAIK , people staying at Davy Crockett get free parking included at the parks .

Parking is free if you’re staying on site (and DCR counts).

Join the Disneyland Paris for Brits Facebook page.

Where in Essex are you travelling from? Anywhere near Harwich? Its might be far too long, but could you get the ferry across the Hook of Holland from Harwich then train it to Paris?

This site is usually pretty good:

I would drive. We drove over last may half term on the day that Liverpool were playing some big football match in Paris so the tunnel and ferries were fully booked. We got to the tunnel well ahead of time to get checked in and got on our train no problem. If you're early and there's space they will let you go on an earlier train. The journey from Calais to DLP is really easy too.

We drove in February half term. Coming from Oxford, we stayed in Perone on the way but did it all in one day coming back. It was worth staying over as doing it all in one day then hitting the park the next day would be a lot. We stayed in an Airbnb one train stop down near the val d'europe shopping centre so the teens loved the afternoon shopping (we got there about lunch time). Our accommodation was 5 mins walk from the train and it was only 5 mins on the train. So easy. We saved on travel and accommodation so broke the bank on premier access!

We have just booked for October half term. Travelling from Cambridgeshire, we’re getting the train straight to St Pancras then Eurostar to Paris, where we’ll get an RER train to Val d’Europe (one change on the RER, and I think about 1 hour from Paris). We have an Air BnB booked, which is close to the Val d’Europe station, but about 15-20 mins walk from the parks.

That’s one of the busiest weeks of the year, just FYI.

We went October half term and it was fine, we got loads done at rope drop and staying in the evening.

@GCWorkNightmare figured it would be, but it’s the time of year we are able to go, so we’ll just have to make do!

@Twoweeksandcounting I'd happily go back in October half term again, I love the theming!