It's that time of year again when I think about booking our Disneyland Paris break to take the children.

We visited in March this year and we had such a great time!

We travelled from Ashford and we stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn Ashford, which also included the car parking (FREE!) and we got a taxi to the Eurostar terminal no more than 5 minutes away from the hotel...was just perfect start already. It was really easy whilst at the terminal and same as waiting for any normal train once through security.

We went standard premier class (which is first class) and worth paying the extra for the space and the breakfast we all got. We were on there 2 hours then arrived at Disney. The Eurostar terminal is right at the Disney Village so if we wanted we could have gone straight to the park (as our luggage was taken to our hotel for us), but we wanted to get checked in. So we got the Free shuttle to our hotel, which was the Disney NewPort Bay. This was lovely, tired in some places and very big but we all enjoyed it. The hotel was only a 10 minute walk to the park and a lovely walk too.

We want to stay in the Sequia Lodge next time as this looks lovely too.

Everything about our weekend was lovely and our three year old loved it!

Here are some pointers to consider:

Paying extra for the character Breakfast is a must!

Eating early rather than at 7pm/8pm is recommended as the Disney Village just goes crazy with people trying to get in restaurants and waiting times are ages. So don't make the same mistake that we made. After that we dined at between 5-6pm. Hotel restaurants won't be as busy.

If you are travelling with a baby then take full advantage of the baby switch service, this is great for a family of four with a baby. It means that while mum or dad go on with one child, the other parent stays with the baby, but then can wait by the exit of the ride and when the other two come off you can then go straight on..usually with the other child that has just been on, so they get two goes. It's such a good and simple idea.

It can be expensive in the parks, but it wasn't as expensive as everyone had warned me it would be. But still more pricey than most places.  So take lots of snacks away with you in your luggage for the parks. We also made up bread rolls at breakfast to take. This may sound tight, but everyone was doing it and worked out well.

We stayed for 3 nights but we could have easily have got away with staying 2 nights. Before I had gone, I would not think this was long enough at all. But when you arrive you have all afternoon to spend in the Disneyland or Universal Studios, you then have the next day to spend all day at either park and then all the last day. The train doesn't leave until 1937 coming home and your luggage can be taken to the terminal for you, so you are left to enjoy the last day without having to worry about your luggage... this was perfect. Hence why 2 nights/3 days is enough I think..

The Characters do a parade twice a day which leads to the Main Square out side Cinderella's castle. Everyone will run to the characters to try and get autographs. They will not sign anything until they have reached their designated spots in that area. Once you have seen this once you will easily figure out where they all go. So I would advise to stand in the spots where they go before they arrive there as that way you will get their autographs and pictures with them much quicker than following them. They are only there for 15 minutes before the car horn will sound, this is then the call for all the characters to go back to the car and to start the parade back.

The main parade of the day is at the end of the day and this is just lovely and my daughter still watches the recording I took. The best place to stand we found was on the curbs right by where the parade begins, by the big double gates. This was perfect and at the end, as it is finishing they are more likely to come over to you as its right where it ends too.

Hope this is all good advice for you. I would have found this useful to know before we went so thought I would share it.

Now here is a superb offer for you!!!

Disneyland Paris

March 2012 for 2 Nights staying in a Disney Hotel with Breakfast

Direct Eurostar from Ashford

3 day park Passes

Total cost for a family of 4 £527 (based on children under 12)

PLUS 

Exclusive Offer just for those booking from The Best Of Lowestoft website - see the Special Offer tab:

All children on a booking receive a wrapped Disney related present from me when I deliever your tickets.

To secure your booking with 10% deposit call me on 01502 572748 or email me donna.bidwell@travelcounsllors.com

This must be booked by 30th September, subject to price & availability. Please contact me for other dates you would like checking, durations or if the party number is different from stated. If you have under 4 year olds the price should be cheaper.