Originally Posted By u k fan If you can, I would try and stay at one of the "Good Neighbor" style hotels that have transport included. Of the 4 nearest, the Kyriad is generally the cheapest. After that you could try the Hotel Elysee and the Adagio (both in Val d'Europe). They share a shuttle and are very convenient for shopping etc as they are at either end of a large mall. Hotel Elysee has a town/city centre business hotel feel and the Adagio is basic self catering apartments. I have stayed at both and would happily recommend them to anyone who is realistic about what staying offsite entails. I would try and avoid the train as it can be a drag (even from Val d'Europe which is only a few minutes away by train). It's very possible to wait for a train longer than you'll be on it. Literally right on top of the RER station at Val d'Europe are 3 other hotel options. There's an etap budget hotel, a Residhome suite hotel and one other I can't remember. I've stayed in the Residhome and it's similar to the Adagio, but furnished nicer. You will still need to use the train, but they are extremely close to the RER station that is only 1 stop from DLP. A 2 minute train ride. They might be a good compromise. I'll post more on transport later!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan I have only flown into Paris once and there were 5 of us so we booked a shuttle bus which worked out about the same price as the shuttle bus. I seem to remember that the TGV is the best way to DLP if the times work. I recall the trains are few and far between and you have to allow a decent amount of time to get to the station (depending on your terminal). If it works then I say do that otherwise it leaves you changing in the center of Paris. You will need to change from RER B to RER A at Chatellet les Hales. It's a busy station, but I remember the transfer being quite easy, but a bit of a trek within the station. From memory you need to make sure your train is going far enough (especially if you head straight to DLP) as not all trains go to the end of the line. Other then that it's an Ok transfer for anyone with their wits about them. I did it with an 8 year old and luggage and I'm still alive. You can stash your bags in the lockers at the DLP station if you aren't going straight to your hotel. The big ones often get taken by street vendors who use them to store their wares so you may need 2 smaller ones if you have a lot. Of course if you transfer via Paris you can stop at Torcy (or wherever) en route!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan Just guessed a few dates. The Etap is coming up at 75 USD a night. <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g677470-d919455-Reviews-Etap_Hotel_Marne_la_Vallee_Val_d_Europe-Montevrain_Seine_et_Marne_Ile_de_France.html" target="_blank">http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/H...nce.html</a> I haven't stayed there, but it could be a good option!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert This ETAP looks a lot nicer than the one we have stayed a few years ago. It was also near DLRP and we needed a cheap hotel for only one night and so we chose that. What a bad decision. The room was filthy, it was extremly loud during the night and the sheets were dirty. Of course we complained, but it didn't help. Glad we only had one night there.
Originally Posted By u k fan That's why I linked to tripadvisor as i can't recommend it personally. It gets good reviews though. My sister booked to stay there a few years ago, but they wouldn't let her in as there were 4 of them and the rooms sleep 3. Her youngest was an infant at the time and she thought it was ok, but they turned them away!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert If I'm not mistaken, I think we stayed at the Etap Marne La Vallee Chelles. But it seems it has been renovated since then.
Originally Posted By u k fan I've never stayed in Torcy, but I think the Etap is a great location. Right on top of the train station just 1 stop from DLP and opposite the shopping mall so you could visit the hypermarche for snacks and breakfast etc. to very easily keep costs down. I really like Val d'Europe as a town!!!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Oh yes! That's exactly what I'm looking for! I looked at all of the Partner Hotels, but they were still pretty expensive. I didn't know that there were other places in Val d'Europe. >>Other then that it's an Ok transfer for anyone with their wits about them. I did it with an 8 year old and luggage and I'm still alive.<< Haha, that's very reassuring. I like to think that I have my wits about me, so I should be fine. From the schedule I saw, the TGV runs every 30min from the airport, so even if I had to wait a long time for the next train, it would still be faster than going into the city and coming back out again. I would be getting into DLRP around 8pm, so I'd probably just head straight to the hotel area to check in and grab dinner. Thanks so much! I was looking forward to checking out Val d'Europe, so I'm excited that I'll actually be able to make it a part of my trip. This looks like exactly what I was looking for, but just couldn't find anywhere!
Originally Posted By u k fan No sweat. I know Dave's not around much, but between me, Dave and dagobert. I think we've stayed just about everywhere!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan When I flew in a few years ago the TGV only ran about 3 times a day so that a much better service. I would recommend doing that then. As I say the transfer in Paris is easy because DLP is the end of the line and the signs generally say where the line terminates if memory serves. Anyone familiar with metropolitan travel should be fine. My problem is that I hate to look like a tourist. I'd rather walk confidently in the wrong direction than look like I'm waiting to be mugged! Not that you will be, but well you know...!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert The metro is easy to use in Paris and so is the RER. I've been to Paris twice and never had a problem. I'm sure you will be fine.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I have been to DLP only once (and quite a while ago at that). There was a mention of Star Tours in one of the recommended touring plans. If there is time, it is worth it, as you will get the old-school trip, and see that Rex... speaks fluent French!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Is there any advantage to buying tickets in advance online? At DLR, you print out a voucher with a barcode, and take it directly to the turnstyles. At DLP, do you have to go to a ticket office to pick up your ticket, or do you go straight to the entrance? It looks like there may be some discount online for getting tickets for specific dates in advance, but I can't manage to find a way to enter dates anywhere. I will be getting to the area in the evening, so I could just get tickets that night, and skip the lines in the morning.
Originally Posted By dagobert Ferret, there are home print tickets at DLRP: <a href="http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/booking/park-tickets/#Print_at_home_E_Tickets" target="_blank">http://www.dlrpmagic.com/plann..._Tickets</a>
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Well, I attended DLP on a rainy Tuesday the 17th, and WOW did I love the place! -The castle is seriously beautiful, and I found the Dreams infrastructure to be non-intrusive. The Dragon was AWESOME. Love that little touch. A very, very impressive AA. -Thunder Mesa and Adventureland were probably the highlights for me. I love how they felt like real places. -Big Thunder Mountain was such a revelation. Definitely one of my all time favorite rides now. -Phantom Manor was an odd experience for me. I loved it...but it left me craving a ride on WDW's Haunted Mansion. The two rides are great compliments of each other, but I think I prefer HM. -Loved the views and narration from the Molly Brown. -Adventure Isle is totally Tom Sawyer Island's cooler younger brother. I probably spent over an hour exploring. -Temple du Peril is such a disappointing ride. The theming for it is terrific, and I think the concept is a viable one if not wasted on a terribly boring off the shelf coaster. -I ate at Cafe Hakuna Matata, and I must say I was very impressed! I had the "African" chicken with rice and a chocolate coconut tart. It was a serious step up from the typical MK counter service. -Pirates. Wow. Completely and utterly blew me away. It's now right behind Spider-man and Forbidden Journey for my favorite ride ever. So many amazing moments and scenes, added to by its wonderful queue. Coming from someone who isn't a huge fan of the WDW Pirates, I was amazed how much I enjoyed this. -Fantasyland here was a revelation. So much detail and layers upon layers. I've always found Fantasyland in WDW to be a sterile, dull environment, but here it felt alive. -LOVED Alice's Curious Labyrinth. Great experience. -Pinocchio may be my favorite Fantasyland style dark ride. Really loved it. Wish we were getting it in WDW. -Pan was terrific here, and just shows how shoddy the WDW version is. -IASW is the only ride I ran into bad show conditions. The outside looked awful, and the inside was even worse. A multitude of broken effects, dead looking dolls, and some working effects that looked like they were being held together by threads. -WDW's Fantasyland will still pale in comparison to DLP's even after the expansion. -Discoverland was a mixed bag. I loved the look of the Verne inspired parts, but I feel Buzz is seriously out of place where it is, and the Star Tours/EO building is unremarkable to say the least. -I loved Space Mountain! What a rush! And great theming. A bit rough, but fun. -The Nautilus is a great walkthrough. -Buzz, while out of place, definitely looks nicer here, even though I prefer the track layout of WDW's -It was great to see Star Tours classic. I prefer it to the new version, to be honest. -I ate at Videopolis for dinner, though not by choice. I was not a fan of how almost all of DLP's counter service locations closed before 6:30. If that was the case, they should have made that more apparent on the signs. Still Videopolis was a decent meal, if not a bit typical of theme park fare. What I did like was seeing all ages engrossed by the classic Disney cartoons being shown there. There is obvious interest in these old cartoons, Disney should take note. With that being said, it seems that stage is wasted on a few screens showing cartoons. Seems like a good place for a dinner show. -I feel like there is some wasted space in Frontierland in the back by the Cowboy BBQ. Is there any plans for that? -Another operations note. DLP, if you say your night show starts at 9:30, don't make me wait until 9:45 for it to start. I could have gotten on another Pirates ride in that time! -Overall I really enjoyed my time there, and I'd love to go back!
Originally Posted By dagobert Hokie, I'm glad you enjoyed your day at DLP. Despite ts huge financial burden, DLRP is a nice little resort. >>>-I feel like there is some wasted space in Frontierland in the back by the Cowboy BBQ. Is there any plans for that?<<< That's an expansion pad for a future ride, but nothing specific is known. We always hope for a Splash Mountain, but I guess it will not happen. Once there was also a blueprint online that showed Grizzly River Run to be built there. >>>-I ate at Videopolis for dinner, though not by choice. I was not a fan of how almost all of DLP's counter service locations closed before 6:30. If that was the case, they should have made that more apparent on the signs.<<< It's the worst fast food restaurant at DLP, so I'm not surprised. >>>I loved Space Mountain! What a rush! And great theming. A bit rough, but fun.<<< I love SM. It's so much better than its counterpart in Florida. >>>Discoverland was a mixed bag. I loved the look of the Verne inspired parts, but I feel Buzz is seriously out of place where it is, and the Star Tours/EO building is unremarkable to say the least.<<< Unfortunately Discoveryland lost lots of its charme when Buzz replaced Le Visionarium. >>>Fantasyland here was a revelation. So much detail and layers upon layers. I've always found Fantasyland in WDW to be a sterile, dull environment, but here it felt alive. -LOVED Alice's Curious Labyrinth. Great experience. -Pinocchio may be my favorite Fantasyland style dark ride. Really loved it. Wish we were getting it in WDW. -Pan was terrific here, and just shows how shoddy the WDW version is. -IASW is the only ride I ran into bad show conditions. The outside looked awful, and the inside was even worse. A multitude of broken effects, dead looking dolls, and some working effects that looked like they were being held together by threads. -WDW's Fantasyland will still pale in comparison to DLP's even after the expansion.<<< I was so disappointed when I visited WDW and saw the MK, especially Fantasyland. It felt more like a concrete desert. Hopefully the Fantasyland expansion will change that. >>>Temple du Peril is such a disappointing ride. The theming for it is terrific, and I think the concept is a viable one if not wasted on a terribly boring off the shelf coaster.<<< Tempel of Peril is a bit disappointing, but in its defense it wasn't intended to be there for such a long time. However I enjoy riding it, especially when it's dark. >>>Pirates. Wow. Completely and utterly blew me away. It's now right behind Spider-man and Forbidden Journey for my favorite ride ever. So many amazing moments and scenes, added to by its wonderful queue. Coming from someone who isn't a huge fan of the WDW Pirates, I was amazed how much I enjoyed this.<<< POTC is my favorite Disney ride ever and the one in Florida is a bit odd. It just doesn't feel right compared to DLP. It's always nice to read about the impressions of American guests, especially when they enjoyed their trip.
Originally Posted By u k fan Hokie, thanks for your trip report. As dogobert said it's nice to hear from Americans who like our local park! I know Dave commented that IASW wasn't great when he was there a few weeks ago. As DLP was my first Disney park MK was a huge shock to me - especially Fantasyland. I was so disappointed with Space Mtn. - they are the same in name only. I can't wait to go back, and now I want to go even more!!!
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I know Dave commented that IASW wasn't great when he was there a few weeks ago.<<< IASW really needs a big refurb. I don't know if disney maintained the ride between now and 2010, because back then the ride wasn't in its best shape. >>>As DLP was my first Disney park MK was a huge shock to me - especially Fantasyland. I was so disappointed with Space Mtn. - they are the same in name only.<<< Despite its roughness, I still like SM in Paris a lot better than in Florida. That ride gives a better experience in going to outer space.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Yea, Space Mountain in DLP is way better than Florida's, especially considering Florida's really isn't the smoothest ride in the world either. Hopefully I get back to DLRP after Ratatouille opens! But I do need to get to Tokyo as well...
Originally Posted By u k fan On my first couple of trips to MK I didn't bother with Space Mtn. I eventually rode it with my brother who is another DLP veteran and he was so disappointed and quite vocal about how lame it was. I tried to counter argue that it's an older version and a Disney classic etc., but truth be told I was just as disappointed as he was. I've never riden the MK version again!!!
