Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 Hello! As I plan to make my first trek to Europe, I, of course, have my heart set on a trip to DLP. I'm having trouble finding any really helpful websites about it, though. My usual Disney resources, LP and allearsnet.com, have some updates, but that's about it. Can anyone recommend any sites, or give me information from personal experience? Specifically, I'm trying to find out the cost of tickets, and good off-property hotels to check out. I am on a limited budget, so value is the most important thing on the hotel. It *has* to be clean, but I would like to find cheaper accomodations than the on-property hotels. I know you guys are the ones to help me!
Originally Posted By u k fan Hi Christie, check out one of my faves. I can't remember the link, but it's something like DLPinfo. If you Google DLP Info Guide you'll find it. Sorry I have it on my favorites list! They have lots of info and news and a very useful forum. For offsite lodgings try one of these 2 first either The Holiday Inn or Kyriad (French Chain) at DLP. Both are the equivalent of the "Good Neighbor" hotels and have a free shuttle. Both are great value for money, but The Holiday Inn just edges it. If you really want budget there are some great options nearby as DLP is very well connected to the local area by train. One stop down on the train line (Val'd Europe) there are several self catering apartment hotels one of which only opened this year. They are Pierre et Vacances and Residhome Prestige (the newer of the two). Pierre et Vacances also has the free shuttle service. I have stayed there twice and really like their rooms. Any of these can be booked direct or by going to <a href="http://www.hotelclub.net/" target="_blank">http://www.hotelclub.net/</a> I have used this site countless times and never had a problem. I haven't stayed in a Disney hotel for years, but do visit regularly so feel free to ask any questions. If you want to email me my address is in my profile!!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Don't Google much, eh? Try this one. <a href="http://www.dlp.info/Guide/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dlp.info/Guide/inde x.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I advise staying at a hotel in Paris ... you can get solid 3 star (by USA standards) hotels on Priceline.com for as little as $75 a night (US) and taking the RER train in. It's only 35 minutes from the center of Paris. The DLP resorts are overpriced, mismanaged and varying states of disrepair. The last part is changing, but slowly and much of the changes are cosmetic, no more.
Originally Posted By Zarniwoop Those 75 USD hotels are usually far from center or RER lines. It'll take most likely over 50 min one-way to DLP. Good off-property hotel? Holiday Inn next to Disneyland Paris. Free shuttle to park. <a href="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/pardi?rpb=hotel" target="_blank">http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h /d/hi/1/en/hotel/pardi?rpb=hotel</a>
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I recently stayed at the Mercure in the Defense area and it took no more than 40-45 minutes to get in there. FYI, at the same time, the least expensive room at the Holiday Inn was about 130 Euros. A big differnce. And a 4-star Sofitel right off the metro Balard station was about $110 (US) and VERY nice.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Personally, I always recommend the Holiday Inn if on a budget. It is better than many of the DLP hotels for a much cheaper price. Staying in Paris is ok, unless you are travelling alone. The RER has some trouble at night, and therefore suggest you travel in at least pairs. Also pickpocketing is very common on the RER. UKFAN is the king of DLP bargain hunting and highly recommend his advise. As much as I like DLPinfo, it is quiet there these days. Another excellent resource is <a href="http://www.photosmagiques.com/forum/" target="_blank">http://www.photosmagiques.com/ forum/</a> Any other questions, let us know.
Originally Posted By u k fan Thanks for the kind words Dave (I owe you an email!) Also agree with you on the other link!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No problem amigo. I will try to give you a call this weekend (though it's Jessie's 2nd birthday, so we may have a lot of family engagements). Also, another one worth looking at is the Dis Boards DLP thread, it's very active.
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 Thanks for your help guys. I'm very excited about this trip, and hope everything goes according to plan!
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 I'm going to try to hit DL and WDS in one day each. In the interest of seeing as much as possible, what attractions would you give a miss?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Depends, what parks have you been to before? For me, the do not misses for a 1st timer: DLP Phantom Manor Pirates of the Caribbean Star Tours (skip if you have been to a Disney park) It's a Small World Big Thunder Mountain Space Mountain Buzz Lightyear The Castle including the Dragon in the dungeon The Nautilus Walk Through Lion King Tarzan Studios: Cinemagique RNR COaster Moteurs Action Armageddon Tram Tour (Possibly Cruch Coaster, but as it has not yet opened, I do not know for sure).
Originally Posted By u k fan I agree with Dave's list for DLP 100% and would only perhaps also add Adventure Isle (and on a repeat visit or if you had time - Alice's Labyrinth) However as much as I love The Studios for a first timer with only a day to spare I could only recommend Cinemagique as a must see. I would recommend seeing them all on a 2 day tour, but Armageddon and Moteurs Action (my next two must sees) eat up a lot of time that could be better spent elsewhere IMHO!!!
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 I should have been more specific. I've been to WDW several times, so I'm primarily interested in attractions that are different. (ex. I know to hit Phantom Manor, even though I've been through Haunted Mansion.) I love thrill rides, but I have no problem with dark rides, or even walkthroughs. I'm pretty much game for anything. Shows, shops, rides, whatever.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo My list still stands. All the e-tickets are unique (except for Star Tours which is the same but in French. Other things to hit are the Passage de Aladdin, Adventure Isle, Discovery and Liberty Arcades and Alice's Curious Labrynth. Also Storybookland.
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 I'm so excited! I don't speak much French (just enough to get by--classroom stuff.) How much will this effect my enjoyment?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Not much at all. DLP is officially bi-lingual - English and French, and the attractions tend to use more music than language.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Sometimes the onsite hotels are a good deal (I prefer to stay in Paris at the Hotel de la Porte Doree', but maybe try onsite for a night or two next time as well). If you are getting a ticket package, it can actually be surprisingly affordable.
