Traveling day before

[Djtrax]

Hi, we have just booked our next trip to eurodisney for the 2-4 April 2020. Just a short break, but booked just before the end of the free dining offer. Two plus one 6 year old, in the Disney Hotel.

The conundrum is getting there, I was thinking to do train, but they don't run on the 2nd, so back to driving again, which we did two years go. Last time we stayed near Dover, and got an early ferry, and was thinking the same again, then though, as staying near, thought why not chunnel it, as I won't need the ferry to break up the journey.

Then again, after looking at other posts, the suggestion of travelling all the way on the 1st, and staying near, then we get a full first day in the parks on the 2nd.

So, firstly, does that sound like a good plan? Secondly, recommendations on hotels, they could be a bit out from disney's to get best value, but then again, we can get a decent hotel for about £100 - £130 very near anyway.

Also, bearing that in mind, when looking at booking.com, we had on-site hotels like Sequina and the lodges coming up at about that (no park tickets obs), Now that sounds even better, thinking - dinner in the village to get in the mood. Also, the forest(club) rooms in Sequina comes out at £200 for the night, so free snacks/breakfast too... would we get the Hotel fast passes then?

Decisions, but seriously considering Sequina, to get a full first day. Any suggestions? Has anyone done similar?

Ta

[Gill H]

Direct trains may not run but indirect (changing at Lille) is easy.

Or go via Gare du Nord and get the RER.

[baggers]

We’ve driven twice, both through the tunnel. Once we stayed in ashford then took an early tunnel the other we drove straight through she stayed just outside disney. The second time was much better. We went to the village for a few hours and walked round and had food there. Then we went to Davy Crockett to pick up tickets ready for checking in to stay the day after. It meant that even though we weren’t staying onsite that night we could still use the extra magic hours and get the free parking the day after.

[Djtrax]

Originally Posted by baggers

We’ve driven twice, both through the tunnel. Once we stayed in ashford then took an early tunnel the other we drove straight through she stayed just outside disney. The second time was much better. We went to the village for a few hours and walked round and had food there. Then we went to Davy Crockett to pick up tickets ready for checking in to stay the day after. It meant that even though we weren’t staying onsite that night we could still use the extra magic hours and get the free parking the day after.

See more...

Checking in the day before to get EMP? Didn’t know you could do that, that makes staying near even more attractive.

[Gill H]

We stayed in the Ibis Val d’Europe last time. £200 for 3 nights. Easy to get to the parks, the RER station is right outside the hotel and it is only one stop. Took us 10 min door to door.

[baggers]

Originally Posted by Djtrax

Checking in the day before to get EMP? Didn’t know you could do that, that makes staying near even more attractive.

See more...

Yes it was great, I found out from The Dibb 😀.

[princess allie]

We usually stay in an off site hotel the night before. We have stayed at various hotels about 5-10 minute drive away, our personal favourite is the Novotel. You can then get all day at the parks on that first day and also gives you a bit longer holiday. We have in the past, stayed at Ashford and travelled down in the morning, but even with an early start you never seem to get in the parks before lunchtime, after checking in etc., so we definitely find it better to stay close by the previous night.

[kk20]

We have almost always stopped elsewhere either the night before or on disney check out day, we choose a cheap hotel to maximise disneytime and sometimes get cheaper flights or ferries.

Train doesn't work for us due to our location but the overnight ferry from Hull is good and flights are fine for us. Driving isnt an issue but it depends where you live. My personal preference would be to get there and sleep close to disney and maximise disney time -afterall, that is why you are going.

Cheap hotels could be explorers (nice pool, cheap food, soft play area for young ones, nice rooms and access to disney village). The newer 'bnb'hotel (access to village). Val d europe is an rer stop away (or a short uber ride when the strike closes the station), ther are many options in val d europe and plenty to do for an afternoon.

[Djtrax]

Thanks for all the responses, looks like staying near is the best option, maybe onsite in sequina too. Never though of last night as well, which someone mentioned. Makes a full day and two half days into a full three days...

[Elodie]

Originally Posted by baggers

We’ve driven twice, both through the tunnel. Once we stayed in ashford then took an early tunnel the other we drove straight through she stayed just outside disney. The second time was much better. We went to the village for a few hours and walked round and had food there. Then we went to Davy Crockett to pick up tickets ready for checking in to stay the day after. It meant that even though we weren’t staying onsite that night we could still use the extra magic hours and get the free parking the day after.

See more...

I agree with this. We drive down from the north, and we’ve stayed in Ashford once, and near DLP twice. Staying nearby was definitely better. We had no choice the time we stayed in Ashford (set off straight from school, and it was already gone 9pm by the time we got to Ashford.) We got an early train the next morning, and checked into the Disneyland Hotel at lunchtime, but it was a shame to miss that first morning.

We usually pay around £50 per night near DLP, which is well worth getting the extra day. We also do the same on our final night. We once went all out and booked a princess suite at Explorers on Christmas Eve (we’d won a local treasure hunt and had £2000 burning a hole in our pockets, so £200 went on the suite!) That was lovely - the children loved the pool, and adored the room.