Disneyland Paris - advice please!

[FreddoBaggyMac]

DH and I are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris with our four DCs (all under 6)in the first half of 2010. It is going to cost LOTS so I'd really welcome some advice on how we should spend our money...

Firstly, we are planning on going mon-fri during schooltime (rebels that we are!) in late March or late May. May prices are not available yet, but I'm thinking that we'll probably get a better deal in March so it's likely that we'll end up going then.

We definitely want to be within walking distance of the parks (it won't be much of a holiday if we spend the time getting three small children and a baby on and off mini buses) and we'd like to stay for four nights. As there will be five of us and a baby in one room it seems our only options are a family room at the Disneyland hotel or a room on the Admiral floor at the newport bay Club.

The Disney hotel family room is mega££££ - £2300 for four nights including premium halfboard (and that's in schooltime in March!!!) - Newport bay works out about £500 cheaper.

My main question is - is it worth paying the extra to stay at the Disney hotel? I love the idea of the children seeing Disney characters at breakfast... and I'm thinking that perhaps it is worth the extravagence just to have the whole experience.

We've also thought about going for three nights rather than four to make it a bit cheaper - would that be enough? Would four nights be too many???

We went last year second or third week of September. The longest we queued for anything was about 10 mins. It was brilliant. Went again this year in June and it was heaving, still good fun but a less pleasant experience especially with very young children.

Stayed in Newport this time and loved it although will echo what people say about taking your own cartons of drink/snacks etc. Every meal costs at least £20 and most of it is just junk anyway.

We found the least busy place was Buzz Pizza Planet which has a play area for the children. We stayed in there for about an hour while the kids played and we rested our toes.

Liliputlady - did you use the shuttle with your little ones? Was it OK?

Am having a very hard time making decisions here

No, we didn't use the shuttle. At Davy Crockett we had the car and from Santa Fe we walked each day (one of the highlights actually; a lovely peaceful stroll by the lake in good weather fortunately).

The first time we went (7 years ago so things could have changed) was early May and everywhere was really quiet, so can't imagine the shuttle buses would have been busy. Just before Easter three years ago, a different story - SOO busy - we actually did a days sightseeing in Paris to avoid the crowds! Both times, the parks bacame a lot busier on Fridays as the weekend build-up began.

But both trips were wonderful so I'm sure you'll all love it. Hope that helps!

We stayed at Cheyenne - Mickey posed with the kids outside at breakfast , there were pony rides, zorbing!, the works. Plenty of space, ample brekkie, and not far from the park at all. Still 300 euros a night high season, but better value than the other hotels, I think!

Take stuff like an autograph book or notepad for each of the kids before you get there. The autograph books in the hotel/parks cost way more than a themed one in Tescos!

Message withdrawn

Some great advice on this thread- we have been to Disney many times and stayed onsite and offsite.

We are considering going this year over new year and staying in the Explorers hotel. What is New Year like at DLP? We have been during the Christmas season but in November, I'm wondering if it will be a little 'flat' once Christmas is over? I've never stayed in the Explorers before- hope it's nice!

Yes there is some great advice here - thanks everyone! the thing is each time i come back to this thread I change my mind completely again - last night it was three nights at the disney hotel again... this morning after reading this I'm back at four nights at Explorers!!

MissSunny - our children will be 5, 4, 2 and 10 months when we go - that is why the convenience of the Disney hotel seems very attractive! Given our children are that young do you think we'd benefit from nipping back to the hotel room or do you still think we wouldn't need it? I've heard there are special baby rooms at the park so perhaps I could just use those to feed the baby in if we stayed at the Explorers?

Also, DS1 turns three while we'll be there. Does anyone know anything about the birthday meal with the characters/ birthday cake stuff you can get? Is it good?

I think the shuttle is pretty terrible with pushchairs and small kids. People do not queue up properly and push. With tired little ones it is not nice. With that in mind it may be worth spending the extra to have a relaxing time. I would save Explorers for when the kids are old enough to hop on the bus easily.

thanks Araminta. Right I've decided on the Disney hotel... but that will probably change with the next post

Weekends and Wednesdays (French primary aged DC off school) are much busier - we arrived on Sunday last year and our hearts sank at the queues - come Monday and it was all absolutely fine, right through to Wednesday lunchtime when it got crowded again.

Bookmarking as we are planning to go next year

My head is spinning with all the prices and options.

One thing I am not sure of, The Explorers Hotel. I am assuming that the tickets for the parks are not included in the price?

Also, there are no prices past April 2010 online. Anyone know when next years booking starts?

I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in December.

It really is lovely though expensive. It is so close to the entrance of the park if you do need to pop back during the day. We popped back several times to warm up and dry off as it rained solidly every minute we were there!

The breakfasts were great and the characters were always around which was great as the queues in the park to see the characters can be huge. The evening buffets were also fantastic with plenty choice and great service.

The Rainforest Cafe is also worth a visit.

I've stayed at the Disneyland at Christmas ans it is a very nice hotel. We had a room with two queen/double beds and I have to say the room wasnt huge though very nicely decorated. I dont know if they do bigger rooms ?

have just got a 3 day 2 night package for 1 adult and 3 children, santa fe, feb half term, breakfast lunch and dinner + eurostar for £800, really excited,cant wait to see dc's faces when i tell them, in feb!