Knights and Lights -- May 2009

[Christyvoltron]

We signed up for this trip and we were wondering if some of you had some suggestions or could answer a couple of questions: 1. Do the hotels have outlets to charge our American electronics or do we need a converter? It has that information on the hotel in London but not Paris and not Paris Disneyland. 2. Do the guides recommend or have "connections" to get good reservations for meals on the off days? 3. We have one pre-day in London (I MUST go to the British Museum) and then were thinking of two days at Paris Disneyland -- is there that much to do there? Any recommendations about which hotel is the best? And what about meals at Paris Disneyland? Our current plan is to get up on the last day of our Paris stay and spend the day in Paris and then go to Disneyland Paris for that night and then spend the following day at Disneyland Paris -- will we be disappointed for not arranging more time -- keeping in mind that we live in Southern California and spend a LOT of time at the Disneyland Resort. Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any advice. We are SO excited -- I think I've printed off a ream of paper with information from the internet about London and Paris. And it's still 266 days to our trip! Have any of you gone to Vinopolis in London? Sounds like a blast to me.

 

[Christyvoltron]

Oh and one more question -- we have a five hour layover in Heathrow on the way back from Paris -- is that time to do anything besides sit in the airport and if so what?

 

[WeLoveABD]

We're going on the Knights and Lights this December (xmas in Paris, in fact)--and like you, are from Southern California. We are doing a two night add on at the end to Disneyland Paris, and from what I have read on various web sites and in travel books, there is plenty to do in those two days (and relax a bit at the hotel). The ideal place to stay at the park--but very expensive--is the Disneyland Hotel, much along the lines of the Grand Floridian at Disney World, and right next to the entry gate. We got a deal at the Hotel New York, which is a little futher away from the gate but walkable. I have not heard great things about the other hotels--and the New York one has been described as much more corporate/business like. With xmas in our mix, we may end up on that day at the park--and if that happens, we may take a train out from the park during one of our two days there (but no clue what to go do--suggestions sought!). We are flying in a night early, staying at a hotel at the airport--probably not enough time to go anywhere, so our plan is to use that to recover from jet lag. Disney will pick us up at the airport the next day. This is our third ABD trip--and the shortest, so I know it will be a great trip but probably wiz by far too quickly. We are also looking at things to do on our free time in London--British Museum for sure, maybe Windsor.

 

[WeLoveABD]

Oh...and as to guides, we have found them (and the designated local guide) to be very helpful with restaurant and other activity recommendations for free time. They hold "office hours" at a desk in the lobby, and have books, maps etc available to help out. No worries there! As to converters--while Disney picks top hotels (and the front desks often have converters if the rooms aren't western-wired), still best to bring your own converter kit. And as to your layover at Heathrow--no suggestions; with 5 hours, maybe you can arrange a quick private car tour somewhere--I get too nervous re traffic and other unforeseen delays when out and about that I don't usually do anything other than shop at the airport shops!

 

[KLondon]

We did Knights & Lights last Summer, so feel free to puruse our trip report (link below) and see if it gives you any ideas. As for what to do with a 5-hour layover at Heathrow: Windsor Castle is actually about 20 minutes from Heathrow. If you can arrange transport, you could spend a few hours touring the Castle grounds.

Other random thoughts.... The British Museum is very close to the hotel ABD uses in London (10 minute walk). It has free admission, as well. Disneyland Paris is only a 40-ish minute subway/train ride from the heart of Paris (we actually did DLP as a day trip from Paris). You can absolutely spend a day in Paris visiting the sights, shopping, etc. I also (vaguely) recall that there was some kind of escorted day-trip into Paris arranged via DLP (maybe a Concierge service?).

As I said, we did DLP as a day trip. We actually booked an extra night in Pairs via ABD for this purpose. You can easily spend 2 days at DLP, but we were able to do a *lot* of stuff there in just 1 day.

 

[sosolly]

Your experience sound so interesting! I like it!

 

[Christyvoltron]

KLondon we read your blog -- it was very helpful and interesting. I think you have more energy than my husband and me but it certainly did give us some ideas -- I know I could not walk up 700 steps. But thank you so much for the suggestions and WeLoveABD thanks for your suggestions too! The people on this board are so nice -- I know some of my questions were repetitive. We are SO excited for this trip I wish I could go tomorrow. But I guess planning is part of the fun of the trip. Thanks so much!!

 

[2RGR8]

Hi KLondon -

LOVED your trip report and your sense of humor! Thank you.

Christy - you sent me an email saying you are on the June 22nd trip but another post looks like you're going in May?

 

[KLondon]

Hi KLondon -

LOVED your trip report and your sense of humor! Thank you.

Well thank YOU (and everyone else) for your kind words! I'm glad you found it entertaining and useful - and avoided commenting on the fact it's WAY too long!

 

[SailingBeagle]

We are going May 2009 also, we are on the adults only, which one are you going on?

 

[plantman]

I am also going on the adults only in May 2009. I also noticed you were from NJ, so am I.

 

[SailingBeagle]

I am also going on the adults only in May 2009. I also noticed you were from NJ, so am I.

Yippie another Dis board member and the 2nd from NJ.

 

[Christyvoltron]

I'm giving everybody incorrect information -- I said we were going on the October 2009 Backstage Magic trip -- we're actually going in 36 days so October 2008 -- whooohoooo but we are going in May 2009 to Knights and Lights on the same trip as SailingBeagle. SailingBeagle is a wealth of information so just ask her any questions. LOL

 

[Katieinwonderland]

I was browsing through these posts and spotted your questions, so thought I'd try to be helpful. Now I haven't done the trip but I'm originally from England and I thought I'd mention that for the most part, you might need a converter for your appliances. Because the voltage over there is greater, a lot of American appliances can't handle the voltage and I've had mine blow up before which wasn't any fun! You really need a voltage converter as well as an adapter, but you might be able to buy one over there!

 

[dinks4disney]

Just found this forum as I was searching the web for information on the Knights & Lights ABD Tour. We too are going on the May 09 (Adults Only) tour & I look forward to meeting everyone.
We have also read KLondon's blog & found it both informative & humerous (being a fellow Canadian also helps)

 

[Christyvoltron]

Welcome to the trip! You are from Wayne Gretzky country! (I think.) We were big fans of his when he played in LA. We just completed our Backstage Magic trip and it was unbelievably wonderful so we are now looking forward to London and Paris in the Spring!

 

[SailingBeagle]

Welcome to the Adults only May 2009 Dis K & L group.
This should be a great group.

 

[dinks4disney]

Wayne's hometown is about 20 minutes from here. We are definitely looking forward to London & Paris in the spring. This is our first ABD tour but we have been to Disney World numerous times & the Disney Cruise as well so we know all accomodations, meals, tours & guides will be first class.

 

[dinks4disney]

Just wondering if anyone has checked to see how full this tour is?

We are in the middle of a winter storm with almost a foot of blowing snow & winds gusting to 30 mph. The snow plow just dumped about 3 feet of snow in my driveway

I can't wait until Paris in May

Hope everyone has a Healthy & Happy Holiday Season

 

[SailingBeagle]

Spoke with ABD supervisor today
16 people registered and that is enough for it to go.
They have done one's with less