Disneyland Paris

Holidays by Destination Europe France Disneyland Paris The Hotels 

Staying in one of the extra large Disney hotels will make life a lot easier, particularly with small children who might benefit from a daytime rest. Disneyland Hotel, at the entrance of the park itself, is the most expensive but most convenient, though there are shuttle buses to the others every 12 minutes, 6.30am to 11.30pm. Also useful is that staying in a Disney hotel generally gives an extra hour's access to the park before other visitors.

All the facilities for children were upgraded in 1999, in particular increasing children's activities especially when the park closes earlier in winter.

All hotels have children's menus and video games rooms (small charge per game). Non-park activities are generally only at weekends and in school holidays, and usually from 6pm on. Where details are available, they are given below. Note that while you can use other restaurants, you do not have access to leisure facilities at hotels other than your own.

All the hotels allow up to four to share a room. Child prices refer to 3-11 years. Under threes stay free with cots to be requested on booking. Sample prices are for two adults and two under 12s staying two weekend nights in higher season including park admission.

All Disney hotels offer a babysitting service, push chairs, cots and play pens, supervised childcare and themed restaurants where Disney characters wander among diners.

In addition to those detailed below the park is to get new hotels to tackle the park's accommodation shortage.

A pirate theme hotel has 400 rooms and is being built by MyTravel (Airtours) which claims to be the largest UK operator to the theme park, carrying more than 250,000 people a year. The hotel will be the only one at the park able to sleep families of more than four.

Further hotels, also around 400 rooms, are due from Holiday Inn and En Vergure, due to open spring 2003 and the resort is also discussing a potential fourth new partner property.

Total hotel capacity is 5,800 rooms.

Disneyland Hotel

Right at the park gates so the premium property.
For Children A small indoor pool (busy after park closing) and next to it a play area for children 4-11 years supervised 6 to 10pm Fris and Sats with face painting, and other games. The Disney characters appear in the main hall of the hotel at 11.15am.
Sample Price £650.

Newport Bay Club

Rather more conference focused, but airy and facing the lake.
For Children A children's club next to the indoor/outdoor pool with daily meetings with Disney characters and activities like face painting, balloon sculptor, clown or magician.
Sample Price £414 with two days' entry.

Hotel New York

Manhattan themed with evening jazz and close to the Disney Village of alternative evening options.
For Children On some days children's activities in the Roger Rabbit Corner in reception (Tues to Sat 6-10pm). Sats and Suns Goofy performs rap at 8.30am, 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.30am. Also an indoor/outdoor pool, tennis and in winter a skating rink in front of the hotel.
Sample Price £464.

Sequoia Lodge

In some ways with the most authentic atmosphere, based on the US national park lodges.
For Children An outdoor playground, and on some days activities in the main hotel hall. There are Disney characters at 9am, 10am, 11am and noon and 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm, except Fri evenings. The indoor/outdoor Quarry pool is another attraction with waterfalls, slide and jacuzzi, very busy between 6 and 9pm.
Sample Price £386 with two days' entry.

Hotel Cheyenne

Rooms are in low-rise Western-style buildings.
For Children Tepees in the playground, facing a Fort Apache, and a children's corner on certain days with face painting, colouring etc. The General Store sells some practical items. Disney characters appear in the morning in reception and (weather permitting) there are children's pony rides 8.30am to noon.
Sample Price £384 with two days' entry.

Hotel Santa Fe

Mexican themed but the least convincing of the hotels and a fair way from the park.
For Children An outdoor play area (Indian village themed), and in the reception a children's corner on some days with face painting, colouring etc.
Sample Price £352 with two days' entry

Davy Crockett Ranch

The camping option around six miles from the park with trailer "log cabins". sleeping 4-6 plus tent sites and a shop also selling groceries. You will need a car.
For Children An outdoor playground, Indian camp with tepees, animal enclosure and small farm, supervised archery and bike obstacle course, workshops like face painting and mask making, treasure hunts, pony rides, in-line sakes, and mountain bike hire, the last three at a small charge. Also a pool with waterfall, jacuzzi, slide and wooden bride between large and children's pool.
Sample Price £422.