Cross-channel to DLP tips needed!

[SimonV]

Does anyone have any good tips or hints for crossing the channel, either by ferry, Hoverspeed or Eurochannel? I'm currently writing up the DLP book and could do with a bit of extra insight for the 'Getting There' part of the equation.

TIA,

Simon

 

[keith&carol]

Hi Simon,
We went to DLP for the first time last Sept. We were 5 Adults with one being in a wheelchair & not able to transfer. We decided to go from Ashford so drove across the night before & stayed at a Travel Inn.
Ashford was a doddle, multi-storey car park and easy signs to follow. Pedestrian bridge from car park to station check-in which was fast & efficient.
Plenty of seating in waiting area with refreshment stand .
Train was almost on time, journey to DLP fast and very smooth. Refreshment cart came along on the train. The only downside for wheelchair users was that there are only 2 wheelchair spaces per train so you have to book well ahead and they are in Ist class-no upgrade charge for wheelchair & carer but the other3 had to pay to upgrade & we still weren't seated together.
The staff appeared promptly with ramps for off-loading at both ends but at DLP it was confusing where to go next as most people got off the train and went up an escalator. We obviously needed a lift and eventually found it at the far end of the Platform.
It would have been nice if someone had pointed us in the right direction. Coming back was also very easy as there is a bit of a scrum to check-in for the return journey but because of the chair we were pulled out and escorted to the platform- much better.
Having Disney tickets and hotel registration forms passed out on the train (we were staying at Newport Bay) was a great help as was being able to leave the luggage at the Station Disney Valet and be able to walk straight into the Park.
The only other snag with the wheelchair was in the shows where only 3 people are allowed to accompany so 1 of us always had to sit elsewhere because it was rigidly enforced.
Having tried Eurostar I would say that it was such a doodle I'd be reluctant to go any other way- top marks!
Regards,
Carol

 

[Disney owl]

We've only ever been to DLP self-drive (3 times).

Best & easiest way IMHO is the channel tunnel though not the cheapest if booking yourself. Ferries can be booked for a cheaper rate.

There is a Chance to get out of the car & stretch your legs though not a lot of space.

Be warned food prices at the tunnel can be high. Last visit we paid over £20 for 5 bacon sandwiches for breakfast & no drinks!!! Advice next time breakfast in France.

Easy access to Cite de Europe shopping centre to stock up on supplies either on way there or way back.

Once in France make sure that you have a good map Michelin are the best and have planned your route. DLP is easy to get to from Calais an easy drive & you go around Paris not through. But It isn't very well sign posted. Your'e almost there before the signs start. Also to remember you need change for motorway tolls.

Remember that if you've driven down & are staying on site car-parking is free.

 

[GO2209]

Eurostar was quite a novelty the first time, but I prefer to catch the ferry. It makes a welcome break from driving and can be substantially cheaper.

However, I would avoid SeaFrance - worst ferry crossings ever. Food was awful, plus the amusements, toilets and fixtures/fittings seemed to be falling apart.

 

[Scotfan]

Well coming from the frozen north its a bit different for us! Air France and BA fly Edinburgh - Charles de Gaulle and then you get a bus but the flight is v. expensive. What we did was go from Prestwick - Paris Beauvais with Ryanair for the princely sum of £10 per person each way, they put a bus on to central Paris £5 and then got a train out. It was really easy to do and saved us a fortune! Yes it took us longer than the other way but we enjoyed the experience and certainly would do it this way again.

 

[bengunn]

We live near Portsmouth so both times we have caught the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre and had a cabin to sleep in.

Driving to DLP is Ok except that the first time we missed the turnoff for the motorway that bypasses Paris to the south and ended up on the perephique which was Ok at that time of day. On the way back, we got lost both times trying to get on to the southern bypass motorway (sorry am at work so no map to give you the number) - have come to the conclusion that there is no way to get from the motorway from DLP to the southern bypass one.

 

[BevS97]

Like Mo, we live too far North for driving/Eurostar to be a viable option, so we flew.

I shopped around and British Midland fly from Leeds Bradford to Charles de Gualle for £60 which I thought was quite reasonable.
We caught the bus from CDG to DLP and while it's easy enough, I thought it took a very long time - we spent a long time driving around the airport to various terminals, then the drive to the park, and then another trail around the hotels at the park - all in all it took over an hour, maybe an hour and a half.


I have heard that you can get the TGV train direct from the airport to the DLP, but have never worked out exactly how to do it -
If we went back I would look into this further, or take a taxi, but I would be loathe to take the bus again.

Bev

 

[richard3330]

For fastness, Ease and no stress EUROSTAR has to be the easiest way to go. The journey only takes 3 hours from London and 2 hours from Ashford. The train is really well equipped and has buffet cars, etc. I have e-mailed you before about the amex bonuses.