How many days in the Park? About This Page:

[westie22]

How many days would you say would be good to visit the park? We're staying 4 nights at the Sequoia Lodge using DVC points and part of this time will be touring Paris. I was thinking at least 1 full day in Disneyland Paris. Would this be enough?
I guess it depends on how much time we need to spend touring Paris. I'm open to suggestions!!

Thanks so much,

[westie22]

Forgot to mention. We'll be going July 20-24. Not sure how the crowd levels will affect our touring plans right now.

[chezp]

Ok, if you've got four nights, does that mean you have three or four days, if that makes sense?

If you have four days, then I'd spend two days enjoying Paris and two days in the parks, as that seems like a good division of your time. We can do the parks in a day, but we've been a number of times before. I'm trying to remember the first time I went and I've got a feeling that I did them in either two or three days and there was certainly plenty to occupy us. I would say two days is the minimum amount of time you need.

I think the schools over here break up on that Friday (the Olympic torch is passing through our area on 19 July and I know the schools are still in at that point...) so you may find an influx of British visitors - and they are probably the biggest market for Disneyland Paris. I'd be tempted to hit the parks on 20 July to try and combat that. Weekends do tend to be busier than weekdays as well.

[westie22]

So maybe the 20th, depending on arrival time from London. Or the 23rd, which is a Monday might be better for our park days. Since DVC lifted the restriction of having to buy length of stay park passes, we're trying to figure out how many days to do the park vs. touring Paris and surrounding area.

[Disneybine]

Yeah, July will be pretty crowded so you might need more time than usual to see everything you want to see in the parks.

I'd say the minimum would be 1 full day at Disneyland Park and half a day at Walt Disney Studios Park. However, since the latter has so many attractions that can't be found at any other Disney park, I'd definitely set aside a whole day. Of course 3 or 4 days would be ideal to make sure you have enough time... That said, the city of Paris is quite interesting as well!

You could always do half a day at the parks and then explore Paris in the evening one day? Disney offers an evening excursion as well.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by westie22

So maybe the 20th, depending on arrival time from London. Or the 23rd, which is a Monday might be better for our park days. Since DVC lifted the restriction of having to buy length of stay park passes, we're trying to figure out how many days to do the park vs. touring Paris and surrounding area.

I think Friday would be good. I'm not sure about Sunday, as now I think about it, just about everything closes down in France on a Sunday. I'm assuming the major attractions in Paris are still open, but I would definitely check that. We've been caught out before even finding somewhere to eat - it's a heck of a culture shock for Brits and Americans!

Out of curiousity, how are you getting from London to Paris on 20 July? Are you taking the Eurostar? By then, we'll really be gearing up for the Olympics, as the torch will be nearing London and the games start on 27 July!

[westie22]

Yes, planning on taking the Eurostar out of London. I see they have one direct train daily to DLP. Any idea what time it departs London? This is our first trip EVER to Europe so we're really excited. Lots to plan and work out though.

[Disneybine]

Check www.eurostar.com to see what time the direct train departs

[Ashli]

I was not aware of what ChezP said about a lot of Paris closing down on Sunday, but I do know that Versailles IS open on Sundays, so if you wanted to visit the palace, that might be a good day to do so.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by westie22

Yes, planning on taking the Eurostar out of London. I see they have one direct train daily to DLP. Any idea what time it departs London? This is our first trip EVER to Europe so we're really excited. Lots to plan and work out though.

I seem to recall it gets in late morning - I know that's why we haven't used it when we've had a day over there, as it gets in too late if you're going for a day trip.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by Ashli

I was not aware of what ChezP said about a lot of Paris closing down on Sunday, but I do know that Versailles IS open on Sundays, so if you wanted to visit the palace, that might be a good day to do so.

It's not so much Paris - it's France in general that shuts down. You'll struggle to find any shops open on a Sunday certainly outside of Paris and that's why I raised it, as I didn't know how much that applies to Paris itself... it's something worth checking and worth being aware of if you're travelling around France, as it was a very rude awakening for us.

[westie22]

It's a very good tip! Thanks Cheryl! The Eurostar direct appears to leave London at 10:17 in the morn and it's about a 2 1/2 hour trip. I'm thinking of going ahead and getting 2 day passes for DLP. Thinking of using the rest of that day to tour the park and then return on either Sunday or Monday. We can do a break between tix, right?

[Disneybine]

Yep, multi-day passes can be used at least within 7 days (sometimes longer, depends on the tickets, but 7 days is the minimum) so you're good to go

[WishIwasinDisney]

Originally Posted by westie22

Since DVC lifted the restriction of having to buy length of stay park passes, we're trying to figure out how many days to do the park vs. touring Paris and surrounding area.

Really? We no longer have to purchase length of stay passes? I just noticed it still says we do on the points chart. We are going to Paris next year and were thinking we'd have to leave DLP for a couple nights since we would not need passes for the days we were touring Paris. Is there a place on the Member site that says that?

[westie22]

They informed me on the phone that as of January they dropped that requirement!!! Score!!!!