French Holiday

[Tiggertoo]

I've just discovered that while we are in DLP it is a French holiday! We are there from Mon 7th May to Weds 9th May, and as the Monday is a UK bank holiday I thought it might be busy, but now I've discovered that the Tuesday is a French holiday! Am I going to regret this?
I thought I was safe booking Mid week on a school holiday.

[DLRP_bopazot]

yes this May , DLRP expect a LOTS of visitors this year due to the 15th anniversary celebrations go it might be busy .

[Samninetysix]

I reckon it'll be scary on that Tuesday. DLRP gets loads of local visitors at weekends/bank holidays, we've watched them queue up at the entrance to the main car park from our hotel window in HNY, we went into the park and came out after about 30 mins, luckily we were there for 8 days so didn't mind missing a day

[davewasbaloo]

Originally Posted by Samninetysix

I reckon it'll be scary on that Tuesday. DLRP gets loads of local visitors at weekends/bank holidays, we've watched them queue up at the entrance to the main car park from our hotel window in HNY, we went into the park and came out after about 30 mins, luckily we were there for 8 days so didn't mind missing a day

I avoid weekends and especially holidays like the plague. Unless there are fireworks on, I will not even bother with Disneyland Park in Paris when it is heaving. It becomes an unbearable chore and ruins the experience for me. Is there any chance you can move your booking Tiggertoo? I would if I were you, even if an admin fee was involved.

[Tiggertoo]

Aaargh! You're really scaring me now! I don't think I can move my booking, but maybe if I had a plan for the Tuesday.....

I was thinking that as the extra magic hours on that day are in the morning, we will have early breakfast (we are early risers anyway) and get in the park for 8am to do the busy rides in Fantasyland. When it starts getting busy, we can do the quieter rides like the railroad and paddle steamers, then lunch time we can eat in the Village. After lunch DD and I will probably go back to the hotel to sleep for a couple of hours while DH does some of the fast rides (I can't - I'm pregnant) and then late afternoon, we could either go back to the park or maybe the Studios which might be quieter. Or if they are all a complete nightmare then we could always go swimming at the hotel instead or do some shopping in the village.

Also, my DD is disabled, so if she has a special pass does this reduce the queuing time, or do you still have to wait for the same period, but just in a different line for wheelchairs?

Parade we can do on the Sunday (if it is at 4pm) and the rides we have missed on Tuesday we can do on Wednesday (we are catching the Eurostar at 6.30pm).

What do you all think?

[davewasbaloo]

A plan is always good. If you must go during this busy time, then here is how I would approach it:

Go to the park as early as possible and hit the must do attractions before the crowds build up. Book a reservation for lunch in advance at a table service restaurant (only Chef Mickey's and the Steakhouse will do this in the Village) - maybe at Walt's or the Silver Spur. Plan on the Mark Twain and shows later, or head to the Village. Maybe go shopping or to the aquarium in the Val de Europe in the afternoon.

We went during the October Holidays once by accident. The day before the holiday, 5 - 15 minute waits for most things. Holiday waits - 3 hours Big Thunder, 1.5 for Peter Pan. A queue for the treehouse and the toilets - not nice at all. 1 hour for the train. Not my idea of fun. I think that day we did 2 attractions, had a meal and shopped. I did make time for a shave and haircut however, and enjoyed time at the hotel.

As for disabilities, it is treated differently for each attraction. Most is a hop straight on, but do not be surprised if you may have to wait the same period as those standing in line. Sadly abusive guests have meant they had to get stricter on disability perks because of people pretending to get those same perks. So annoying for those that really cannot wait long due to health reasons.

[Tiggertoo]

Thanks for the advice. We definately will want to do Peter Pan, but can avoid POTC, BTM, HM, Star Tours, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones as me and DD will not want to do those rides! I do want to do the Lion King show, but presumably as the park will be full of French people, the English speaking show will be relatively quiet?

Also, I thought if we eat in the Village it might be quieter than in the Parks? Also, we will eat lunch quite early as we will have had early breakfast, and so hopefully avoid most of the lunchtime crowds.

I think we will make a beeline for Peter Pan at 8am, and then hope for the best for the rest of the day. Hopefully Wednesday will be quieter!

[davewasbaloo]

I'm surprised to see potC and HM in your list of not dos. Is this because your daughter is scared or some other reason? Sorry if I am prying.

Lion King Show will be busy irregardless of language, and remember German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish visitors also like seeing the English show. And for the French, tickets to an english showing is better than no showing at all. Be sure to queue for your tickets early.

Also, the Village is often quieter, but the best may to manage DLp crowds is to have a lunch reservation in advance.

Have a great trip!

[Tiggertoo]

Maybe we'll do Lion King on Wednesday then?

I don't think DD will like HM because she doesn't like people screaming and I am sure the stretching room will upset her with the darkness and people screaming. It's a shame because I think she would be OK with the rest of it. As for POTC, I think the pitch black drop with people screaming and perhaps even a splash of water would freak her out! (POTC is my favourite though!)

She is quite a sensitive soul, possibly due to her condition, and if something upsets her, she remembers it FOREVER, so whenever you talk about Disneyland, she will remember the bit that upset her rather than the rest of it, and I don't want her to think of Disneyland like that, so we are going to play it safe and not test her!

[davewasbaloo]

Originally Posted by Tiggertoo

Maybe we'll do Lion King on Wednesday then?

I don't think DD will like HM because she doesn't like people screaming and I am sure the stretching room will upset her with the darkness and people screaming. It's a shame because I think she would be OK with the rest of it. As for POTC, I think the pitch black drop with people screaming and perhaps even a splash of water would freak her out! (POTC is my favourite though!)

She is quite a sensitive soul, possibly due to her condition, and if something upsets her, she remembers it FOREVER, so whenever you talk about Disneyland, she will remember the bit that upset her rather than the rest of it, and I don't want her to think of Disneyland like that, so we are going to play it safe and not test her!

Totally understand - just wanted to help you get the most out of your vacation and PotC and Pm give the best bang for your waiting buck - they are people eaters and I didn't want you to miss out for fears about the pregnancy (those are the two my wife really enjoyed when going on a pregnant visit).

[Samninetysix]

I dont think i've ever heard anyone scream on Phantom Manor :P

[Tiggertoo]

When the lights go out and the lightning flashes in the stretching room, you can get enthusiatic crowds who like to add to the atmosphere. I thought about asking everyone in our group not to scream, but that's not fair really is it.