Disneyland paris at christmas! About This Page:

[buttercup1982]

Hello everyone, I want to book Disneyland Paris for christmas but my husband says it will be too chaotic for our 4 and 5 year old. He thinks they will get bored waiting for the rides. Has anyone been christmas week and if so how long roughly do you have to wait? Would you go at that time again? Because of my job I can only take time off when the children are off school which is peak time.
Thanks,
Dani

[Disneybine]

Hi Dani, my hubby and I went to DLP right before Christmas last year (Dec 17-22). The 17th and 18th were ok crowd-wise but that was a Wednesday and Thursday. Starting Friday, Dec 19th huge crowds started pouring in. It was crazy! There were indeed LONG waits for everything. While DLP was decked out for the holidays, and we enjoyed experiencing the parks during the holidays, we definitely won't go back that close to Christmas. It's just too crowded! Plus the weather can be pretty bad (rain and/or snow, cold winds...). So unfortunately, I have to say that I wouldn't go over Christmas, especially not with two little ones.

If you want the "holiday feeling" but without the crowds, I'd highly recommend going in early December AND during the week (as opposed to on a weekend - the parks at DLP are popular with locals, and it makes a lot more of a difference there than at WDW!). If you decide you wanna give Christmas a try anyways, I'd definitely stay at a resort that has a pool (of the Disney resorts, only the Hotel Cheyenne and Santa Fe don't have an indoor pool). It'll give you something to do if you need to get away from the crowds. Also, I'd stay on property to be able to make use of the Extra Magic Hours!

Good luck with your decision

ETA: I just saw your other post saying that you think about staying at the Davy Crockett Ranch. That would be a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle at the parks. Note, though, that it's considered a value-type accomodation (like the Cheyenne or Santa Fe). I'm just pointing that out so you don't end up being disappointed, because it won't be like the Newport Bay. I've stayed at the Santa Fe and Sequoia Lodge so far, by the way.

[chezp]

I'm 100% with Sabine on this one, having spent the weekend with her there. Disneyland Paris was crowded that weekend and the waits were really long for most things by mid morning.

[buttercup1982]

Thank you for both your replies, we have now decided to go for my son's birthday in August. Were thinking of staying in the Newport Bay again and getting the plus meal vouchers. Has anyone used these? We'll be going for 4 nights 5 days and are not sure how much spends to take. As we are half board I said £1000 but my husband thinks we'll need more, any ideas?
Thank you again,
Dani x

[sharon1970]

Hello, We stayed at the Newport Bay at Christmas 2007 with the meal vouchers. We had to stay on the Admirals floor because there were 5 of us and we needed a family room. We ate at the hotel for one evening meal but the other times we actually went over and ate at the Sequoia Lodge as we felt the food and atmostphere was much better.

We went from the 18th-21st December and we absolutely froze. All the fountains and any falling water was frozen and clothes wise we really wasn't prepared for it and like the others have said their were big crowds, but saying that we would definately go back again as we just loved the atmosphere and the Christmas feeling.

As for spending money I really don't know how much would be adequate, I guess it depends on what you are planning on buying or spending your money on. When we went at Christmas for the 4 days we took about £600 and did come back with some money.

I hope you have a lovely time.

[Disneybine]

Well, while August will most likely better weather-wise, it will still be pretty crowded as schools all over Europe will be on break.

We had the plus meal vouchers in December. What we didn't like is that we could only order from a reduced menu, meaning not all items on the menu were included with the meal vouchers. Also, you're limited in your restaurant choices. If you're used to the DDP at WDW, the DLP's version is disappointing. Having said that, you will save money using the vouchers.

I would think that 1,000 pounds will be enough - but I don't know how much you typically spend on souvenirs and snacks.