Considering taking my 8 year old son to Eurodisney for a 3 night break. (There is an offer on at the moment)
On a tight budget, so looking to get value for money.
Unsure as to what accommodation to go for (2 or 3 star) and whether to go half board or breakfast only.
All a bit daunting, so any views/tips/suggestions from Eurodisney veterans on accommodation and how to make the most of our time there would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Comments
We drove there (early ferry) and were unpacked and in the park by about 2pm, this meant we turned a 3 night trip into a 2 night trip which may save you some money. We left at about 4pm on the 3rd day and found that was plenty of time.
We had B&B in one of the Disney hotels as the deal we found was free park tickets if you stayed in one of their hotels. Nothing special but good enough as we only used the room to get our heads down. This meant we also got 2 hours in the park before the hoi polloi were let in which was invaluable (little or no queues).
Plenty to eat around the park (restaurant 'village' type area) ranging from good old Golden Arches to Rainforest Cafe type places. The meal and show to meet the characters is outrageously expensive but we went to lunch at one of the diners where the characters were all around.
My boy (5 on our first visit, 6 the next time) loved it.
Staying in the park to get the free park tickets and build in the meals for the cheapest (if not the tasiest) way to do it.
I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel last September. The whole thing was brilliant and my daughter loved it. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Also if you buy 20 shares in EuroDisney you can join the shareholders club and get 20% off all your food, drink and merchandise while you're there. I saved fortunes this way. Also you can go into this place just for shareholders called Salon Mickey where you get free hot drinks and pastries before 12 every day.
I wanted to eat at one of the big buffets which are really expensive at Disneyland hotel but would have been a waste because my daughter doesn't eat loads so we we just got Mcdonalds on 2 out of our 4 days there. The Wild West show was really good but the food you get with it wasn't brilliant so if you're on a budget I wouldn't advise that.
I would try to go on school days if possible so the parks aren't as busy.
It's definitely worth the effort to go!
Lot's of people stock up with rolls from breakfast to take round the park during the day as well<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Stayed for 3 days (2 nights ) over Christmas. I would reccomend one of the 3 main Disney hotels - We stayed at Newport Bay and got a decent deal on this. This entitles you to enter the park 2 hours before it opens - not all but selected rides are open and it is great to be able to get on them with no queues, Great for younger kids as they are the sort of rides they love. Breakfast at the newport bay was help yourself to as much as you want continental - no sausages and bacon but cerials, rolls, bread etc... and nice selection of fruit, cold meats and cheeses. You can really stuff yourselves here and have a lighter lunch if you want to save money.
Don't go on weekends- it gets very busy to the point it can be more frustrating than enjoyable . As for food - It is expensive and not brilliant. There is a McDonalds there that gets very busy but is reasonably priced compared to most alternatives. We also went for the Disney barbeque in frontierland which is a 3 course and a drink McDonalds type resteraunt -coyboy barn, but also one of the special character resteraunts where they come up to your table. 25 Euros each but food wasn't too bad and very filling - Salad or Chile con Carne starter, Nice Burger and desert and large drink - all given to you on a tray to take to your table at the same time. Been to Cafe Mickey (which has characters) before but didn't think the food was as good and was more expensive although you do get a table service.
I drove and got the train to cross the Channel. Quite an easy journey with a sat nav but tolls of @20 euro each way. The advantage of taking your car is a) at this time of the year it is cold so it makes an excellent fridge - drinks are really expensive there but we brought our own. Also brought crisps sausage rolls beers etc... and had a snacky evening meal in our room which saved a few quid. and b) You can stop off at the hypermarket on the way back. Quite a nice swimming pool in Newport Bay too, if you are not in the Admirals Suite- take your own towelsas you have to pay for them otherwise.
Oh, and any money you do save will be spent by your misses/kids in the shop. There are so many shops there and from what I could see, they basically sell the same items but arranged differently. Everytime I moaned was told I was the Grinch and had to shut up!
I've twice taken 50 school kids there in January - virtually everything is open and you'll queue for 10-15 minutes as an absolute maximum, even for the best rides. This means you get round to everything in no time and you'll have a lot more spare time to do other things like visit Paris (if that takes your fancy) or just have more goes on all the rides!
The only drawbacks are that in the winter, the events at the hotels don't run, so the Cheyenne, for example, doesn't do all the wild west shenanigans that I believe go on in the summer. Also, in the parks, it's likely that they may be building a new ride or repairing/maintaining an old one, so there may be one or two out of action. But there are plenty to choose from.
As others have said, food is ridiculously overpriced, but just stock up on the stuff you get gratis in the hotel in the morning, or bring stuff from home, then your restaurant spend will be manageable.
Enjoy!
I took my two year old in October. I found it was easiest to go by Eurostar. Theres one train a day and they check you on whilst you are on the train. There is a luggage drop off at the station so you can go straight to the parks.
The Santa Fe is a decent, child friendly hotel. The all you can eat breakfast will set you up for the day and you get in the parks an hour early.
My little one got to dance in the parade with Piglet and walk down main street with the mouse. I would also recommend pre booking the restaraunt in the Disney village for a character dinner.