Disneyland Paris (DLP) Discussion Thread

[Nrthwnd]

We're heading to Disney Paris in September, and I wanted to ask opinions about the resort's

Dining Plan. If we bought into it, we were only interested in the half-board, Standard Plan.

Which would cover one meal per day of our stay, mainly at the buffet restaurants.

 

Is the Dining Plan worth buying? Restaurant reservations, we already know about, and how to

do them in advance. But still...

 

Anybody done this at DLPR? And were you satisfied (or not) with what you got for your money?

[KarlaKoaster]

I'm not sure how expensive it is, but we had it included with our package when we visited. It was brilliant for us. We ate lots at the breakfast buffet (free with the hotel), and then the Halfboard vouchers are valid in pretty much most of the major restaurants in both parks and City Walk. You also get the teatime treat of a cake and drink.

 

If you are planning to eat properly at restaurants I would say seriously consider it and maybe read up on the menus on DLPGuide before you buy just to get an idea of dining options. If you are normally just happy with grabbing fries and burgers then maybe it's not for you.

 

Our favourite meals were at Chez Remé (very limited menu but nice food and great decor) and Blue Lagoon, both of which are proper sit down restaurants and were included on the plan. The buffet restaurant in the studios was good too and we were amazed at the portions at Annette's Diner (by European standards anyway)

 

If you have any specific questions let me know

[Nrthwnd]

^ We enjoy eating in restaurants too, most of the time in the parks or in the Village.

Besides the counter places and food carts. And the Blue Lagoon is our absolute

"must dine there" spot, every time we come to DLP.

 

That said, yeah I'm pretty sure we're going to get The Plan, now. We have the room booking

all paid for, so soon (I have read you can do this, after the fact) we can phone overseas

and get The Plan, then pay for it. Then get the reservations done in late July. Easy!

 

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

[window]

Over at Newport Bay Club...

 

Both inside and outside, the hotel is slowly but surely being renovated. The roofs, balconies and façades are being replaced by new and more durable materials, in warmer shades than before. The dock is sparkling new, and soon the lighthouse, the hotel’s symbol overlooking Lake Disney, will be too.

 

 

 

The restored Newport Bay Club looks fantastic in your pictures. It looked awful when I was last there in June 2014. It felt as if the hotel shouldn't have been open to guests in such an embarrassing state.

 

Are the docks outside each hotel and the the Disney Village ever used? I have only been to DLP twice and both times there were no 'friendship boats' on Lac Disney. The whole area seems like such a wasted opportunity. There is no reason that it shouldn't be as vibrant and lively as Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk.

[BDG]

Are the docks outside each hotel and the the Disney Village ever used? I have only been to DLP twice and both times there were no 'friendship boats' on Lac Disney. The whole area seems like such a wasted opportunity. There is no reason that it shouldn't be as vibrant and lively as Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk.

I don't think these particular docks have ever been used.

In the summer months, you can rent boats and pedal bikes though... but those use a dock near Disney Village, near the balloon.

[Nrthwnd]

I believe the docks were built for ornamental purpose around the resort 'lake,' and nothing more.

Except seating for anyone who wants to just sit down and enjoy their time at DLP.

 

And by the way, everything at a Disney Resort doesn't have to be "busy" with thousands of families

streaming through, everybody noisy, etc. (in a great Disney way, lol). But - some times, it's just nice

to chill out, NOT in a hotel lobby, but in a spot that's still part of the park experience.

 

And I definitely appreciate nice quiet places to just sit,

cool off and get ready for the next several hours of Disney, coming up.

[BDG]

Mark your calendars:

 

 

At this annual event - usually later in the summer - the park talks about the upcoming projects and refurbishments.

 

Speaking of which, the official website has been updated with a new schedule...

 

CURRENT AND SCHEDULED UPCOMING REFURBISHMENTS*

 

 

*Dates of refurbishment periods and ride closures at Disneyland® Paris may be modified. Please check them on a regular basis.

 

http://holidays.disneylandparis.co.uk/eep.html

[window]

And by the way, everything at a Disney Resort doesn't have to be "busy" with thousands of families

streaming through, everybody noisy, etc. (in a great Disney way, lol). But - some times, it's just nice

to chill out, NOT in a hotel lobby, but in a spot that's still part of the park experience.

 

 

And by the way? No need to be condescending. I only asked a question.

 

Any idea what the wooden dock and old queue area outside Cirque Du Soleil is for? I always thought it looked like the perfect place for getting off a boat from the hotels?

[Nrthwnd]

^ Sorry. Wrong choice of words. My Bad.

[BDG]

The new Frozen area is nearing its completion.

 

"Frozen Summer Fun" starts next week (June 1) and lasts until September 13.

 

The main attraction is a new sing-along-show in Frontierland's Chapparal Theater, and the surrounding area has been given a little Frozen makeover, with the shops now selling ice cream and merchandise. In addition, both the parade and the Disney Dreams! nighttime show have new Frozen scenes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And an older photo revealing a little bit of the stage...

 

There will be 6 shows a day during the week in June and September, and 12 in the weekends.

In July and August, there will be 12 shows a day, every day.

 

 

 

 

photos: DisneylandBerry & InsideDLParis

[StealthFan]

Yay for more Frozen themed things! I do like Kristofs sleigh that you can have your picture taken it! I do hope all the shop staff have to dress up as Wandering Oaken and say "Yoo-Hoo, big summer blow out" to everyone who enter the shop!

[Nrthwnd]

Darnit. It's going to end just two weeks before we get there in September.

Oh well. Maybe there will be "reduced-price" FROZEN souvenirs and merchandise

available by then. "Big Summer Blow-Out" indeed, heh.

 

And - I got us the 1/2 Board (Standard) Dining Plan for our trip, the other night!

It will definitely help us in eating at the parks, without spending more $$$. (ha ha)

And we are definitely going to have a meal here. (o: (Photo from DLPR Website)

[KarlaKoaster]

Bistrot Chez Remy is really nice and does great food! The menu is very very limited (to help with throughput basically) but the food and theming is great.

[BDG]

The full Frozen show...

 

[BDG]

Official details of the many refurbishments and make-overs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: Disneyland Paris via ED92

[bbomser]

Interesting that I see this today.

 

Regardless, a question for everyone. The fiancée and I have been planning our honeymoon, and included is a short stay at DLP after our cruise. We're planning on going in May 2016. That being said, how many days should we allow at DLP?

 

We would be arriving on a Wednesday and could stay until Saturday, but we also want to check out some of the sights in the City (Lourve, Champs-Elysees, Eiffel Tower, etc) while we're there. How accessible is the transportation from DLP to said sights?

 

I'll take any advice I can get!

 

Thanks in Advance!

[BDG]

we also want to check out some of the sights in the City (Lourve, Champs-Elysees, Eiffel Tower, etc) while we're there. How accessible is the transportation from DLP to said sights?

Everything in Paris is connected by subway, including Disneyland, which has its very own station.

(RER-line A; Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy)

 

A very detailed guide here: http://parisbytrain.com/rer-train-paris-to-euro-disney/

 

It costs about $10 for a single trip from Disneyland to Paris.

Getting around downtown Paris is much cheaper at $2 per trip.

There are also unlimited passes available, from $10 for a 1-day-downtown-pass to $60 for a 5-day-full-pass. (more info here)

 

As for visiting the parks, 2 days should be enough in May, but you might want to consider 3 days, to have a more relaxed experience.

[coasterfreak101]

I went in November 2013, and while May might be a little bit busier (I realized when I was there that Thanksgiving crowds weren't swarming in because, well, no Thanksgiving!) I have a hard time believing you couldn't do all of DLP in two days. The Studios park is barely worth spending half a day in, unless it's packed and you're stuck in line. That gives you over a day to spend in the Parc itself, which was plenty of time for us to see everything at a pretty calm pace.

 

With that being said, like the guy above me said - transportation is super convenient. The ride to the Châtelet – Les Halles station is about 45 minutes, and from there you're right next to Notre Dame and the Louvre, with a bunch of Métro stations nearby to get you anywhere else you want to go. Europe is awesome!

[bbomser]

^ and ^^ Thanks!

 

I'm leaning more towards the stay at DLP and then train it to the city for the day we would go. I would assume it's just as easy to get to whichever airport we fly out of from Paris (Looking like Orly).

 

Anyone have recommendations on the DLP hotels? I know I'm asking a lot, and I truly appreciate the advice.

[Nrthwnd]

^ We're staying at the Sequoia Lodge in September. Montana Room with lake view. I had planned for this

stay for a couple of years, myself. Staying five nights, parks entry, continental breakfast incl. Six days'

parks entry. 8-10 am in Disneyland every day. Cost me over $2000 Cdn ($1625 US) for it. Later on,

I just added the Half Board Standard Dining Plan for $450 Cdn ($365 US). Gives us one meal a day,

with all the buffets available (yum) and a 'afternoon treat/eat and beverage' 3-6 every afternoon.

 

I also found out, if you are arriving before "Check-In Time" (3pm I believe), you can still check in, get

your stuff needed for immediate entry into the parks, go to one of them (or both) then come back

after 3 and your bags should be up in your room! We are coming from downtown Paris around 10-11am

so we can get a good day or so at the Studios (Ratatouille!) with mid-aft.meal at Bistro Chez Remy.

 

Expensive at first look yes, but when you break it all down, it's still a pretty good deal.

And I do plan to 'TR/review' the stay, once we're there and back.

 

I did stay at Santa Fe lodgings back in 2008, when TPR toured Europe. It was a 15 minute walk or so,

to the parks, which was fine, an easy walk from the room. Room was nice too - definitely for families, as

there were a lot of kids running around all sugar rushed up, screaming and yelling, a couple of late nights.

But that's part of the deal, there. And the Buffet was pretty good. Not anything special. But good variety.

 

Hope this helps you out.

Magic Morning Dumbo credit! (o: TPR 2008 Europe Tour.

[KingRCT3]

Just a small tip I have in mind at the moment: The Walt Disney Studios opens usually half an hour before the official time written on the maps and boards. That means if it says 10:00, show up for 9:30 and the front gates so you'll be the first in line for the attractions. If you enter the park at 10 o'clock, Ratatouille and Crush will already have a line above the hour...

[Nrthwnd]

^ Wow, thanks for that! I didn't even think of that, with DL taking the Magic Morning spots and all.

 

Good to know! (We'll camp out there at 09:00, lol.)

 

Would it better to hit Ratatouille first for a ride and/or FP - then head back to Crush for a ride?

Or do Crush first, then head to Ratatouille, etc?

Oh yeah, and we have to do This (David's first time), and Toy Story Land for the both of us!

(With One New Credit! - Photo taken on the TPR 2008 Europe Tour)

[bbomser]

^ We're staying at the Sequoia Lodge in September. Montana Room with lake view. I do plan to 'TR/review' the stay, once we're there and back.

 

Hope this helps you out.

 

It really does, thanks! It would be both of our first Disney resorts outside of the States. She's only been to WDW, while I've been to WDW and DL before. And I'm looking forward to your TR, especially about how useful the dining plan is. I was trying to figure that out, and was quite confused, haha!

[KarlaKoaster]

I like Sequoia Lodge, Newport Bayclub and Hotel New York. The Disneyland Hotel is very nice but a lot more expensive, while the other hotels are a bit too family-orientated for my tastes. Hotel New York is closer than Newport, but I do love the walk around the lake in the morning Newport Bayclub is about 15 minutes' walk, Hotel New York about 5 and Sequoia Lodge about 10.

[Nrthwnd]

^^ Here's a link to the DLP Guide.com's page on Dining/Meal Plans. Definitely easier to explain, than I ever could, lol.

 

http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/dining/meal-plans/

 

The best part is, if you don't get a Meal Plan at the time of your room booking, but decide later on to add it, no problem!

They take care of adding it to your booking very easily.

 

And when you are ready to make reservations at dining spots, you can do it only starting two months before your arrival.