Disneyland Paris (again!) - Davy Crocketts Ranch

thrifty · 2010-03-03T18:12:18+00:00

Hello, Looking at a trip to Disneyland Paris and wondered if anyone had stayed at Davy Crocketts Ranch? Is it far from the park, I notice it says no transportation available, does that mean that you have to drive there and to the park? would it be better to pay more and stay in one of the hotels? all help and advice appreciated.

BariatricObama · 03/03/2010 18:15

snort @ davy crocketts ranch

Leslaki · 03/03/2010 23:07

It's about 20mins drive away and you do have to drive. We stayed at a campsite near it - les etangs de fleuris which was lovely. A nice break from all the Disneymania!

worzella · 03/03/2010 23:12

We stayed there in October 07 with 3dc (then aged 1, 3 and 6 and two grandparents. It worked well for us as the kids slept in one room and we could lounge in the lounge! it's fairly basic in terms of decor. The breakfast is french bread and jams etc. with orange juice. We hired a car and headed to the local supermarket - this cut down the food bills. The swimming pool was great too - and there were a few characters around as well.

Original poster

thrifty · 04/03/2010 07:16

thanks :-) do you have to pay to park at eurodisney?
When you drove from the site was it hard to get parked/a long walk into the park itself?
The ranch appeals to me because of its outside space. I read on another thread that you can swap your hotel breakfast for vouchers so that you can have breakfast in the park instead. Does anyone know if you can do that from the ranch too?
Thanks again.

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SparkleandShine · 04/03/2010 07:38

I would go to a hotel onsite, as it is a 15 min drive plus walking in from the carpark. Parking is easy and free but you are still off site. We would have liked to have popped back to the hotel but were stuck in the park as it would take an hour to get there and back IYSWIM

plus there were rats - go for the hotel!

3andahalfmonkeys · 04/03/2010 07:51

we have been three times over the last few years and have always stopped ay davey crocket. we found the time away from the park great. the swimming pool and outdoor area is just what dc need. breakfast id croissants french bread, Orange juice,coffee. yes, milk. we used to have enough to do breakfast and lunch

Original poster

thrifty · 04/03/2010 07:56

thanks :-) do you have to pay to park at eurodisney?
When you drove from the site was it hard to get parked/a long walk into the park itself?
The ranch appeals to me because of its outside space. I read on another thread that you can swap your hotel breakfast for vouchers so that you can have breakfast in the park instead. Does anyone know if you can do that from the ranch too?
Thanks again.

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Original poster

thrifty · 04/03/2010 08:03

oops :-) thanks for your replies. We are planning to go first week in june. How long did you stay for? I've a feeling 2 nights won't be enough.

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greygirl · 04/03/2010 17:40

fwiw we loved the ranch, and will stay there again. the parking is included as you are in a disney hotel, and you also get the 'magic hours' too. The swimming pool is the biggest of any disney hotel, with slides and rapids - it's rather good. and the outdoor stuff is great, to take you away from disneymania. we made lunch from our breakfast, because it was so generous, and the kids loved going to collect it. and there is a bath in each caravan (because that is what they are) and 2 bedrooms in ours - fab to talk after kids had gone to bed. and the caravans were not cold (it was january). i loved the flexibility and the 'outdoor stuff', i find hotels can be a bit constraining on small children (but don't know about the disney hotels).

Eve · 04/03/2010 17:43

we enjoyed it.. though 2 years ago the caravans were a bit tired.

Nice outdoor things to do.. small petting farm and pool is great

Original poster

thrifty · 04/03/2010 18:24

Thanks for all your replies. I'm really keen on staying in the Ranch, its just the drive thats putting me off at the moment. how long did it take you to drive there, and did you find that you were too tired to go to the park on the day that you arrived?
It says 4 nights/5 days (have upgraded my quote!!) does that mean that you get 5 days entrance to the park? I mean, if you don't get there til afternoon on day 1 and have to leave to get the crossing home,I wonder if a 5 day ticket is wasted IYSWIM.

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SparkleandShine · 06/03/2010 20:15

You can get one day taken off and get a 4night/4day price (it is a bit cheaper - you have to phone up)

Also it is a pretty long drive, 3 hours from Calais. I did it with a screaming 6 month old and never again! If kids are a bit older probably OK although am going to take DS on Eurostar soon, it is great only 2 hrs from StPancras to Disney!

QueenofWhatever · 08/03/2010 09:51

I'm also toying with the idea of Disneyland at Easter (now that I've picked myself up off the floor having looked at the prices). It would be me and DD (5) and I've also been tempted by the ranch, especially the outdoors stuff and pool.

However I will not have a car (probably flying from Bristol). How could I get to Disneyland as the shuttle buses don't run? If we do stay in a hotel, we would be sharing a room and DD goes to bed at 7.30. What do you do with yourself of an evening - go to bed then as well?

I've heard the Santa Fe recommended and it is cheaper. Any thoughts?

SparkleandShine · 09/03/2010 10:22

you need a car with day crockett - definitely not do-able without.

racmac · 09/03/2010 10:57

Ive just booked Davy Crockett Ranch for the first week in June so i may see you there!!

I prefer caravan type thingy for the kids and having 3 children - lots of the hotels wont accommodate in 1 room and Im going with my mum so didnt really want us all in the same bedroom -she snores and it drives me mad

What i was wondering this morning - we will get to Davy Crockett about 12ish but you cant check intill 3pm - but if i want to go straight to the disney park how do i get the tickets if i cant check in?

Whats magic hours?

SparkleandShine · 11/03/2010 07:40

racmac - yes you go to davy crockett to get disney tickets, go into disney then come back to check in later

SparkleandShine · 11/03/2010 07:44

magic hours - if you are in a disney hotel you get to go in earlier than ordinary folk! its much quieter an you get to go on lots of rides.

PS make good use of fastpass,it is superb! You 'book' a very busy ride like buzz lightyear or peter pan and come back at the appointed time without having to queue (or at last to queue much). So go in early, get fastpass for buzz, thn go on the rides like flying elephants, orbitron then go on buzz at appointed time, then get next fastpass, etc.

QueenofWhatever · 12/03/2010 10:34

I am soooo excited. Asked my friend's advice about the packages I was looking at and the cost as she has been loads of times.

Her friend works there and they are going for five days at Easter with their caravan and staying in the garden. And, despite never having met her friend, I and DD have been invited to!

All I have to pay for now is flights and ticket. The friend who works there says an annual pass works out cheaper but can't find it on the website. Any advice?

Original poster

thrifty · 02/05/2010 09:56

just coming back to this.

Queenofwhatever, did you go? was it fab?

racmac - we have also booked for the 1st week in june ;-) hoping its going to be warm and sunny by then.

we are getting the ferry across (loads cheaper) and will hopefully arrive at davy crocket around 2ish in the afternoon.

does anyone have any advice for essentials to take? i.e. when you stayeds there was there something you thought you could have really needed?

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Hulababy · 02/05/2010 09:58

I have stayed there about 3 years or so ago, for 5 nights.

Yes, you do have to drive - takes about 15 min, and you get free parking.