brookebradshaw3386

Well, I'm glad to finally be free!

So we love Disney World/Disneyland and usually go here in the states every year. When we lived in Florida, we were able to go much more but now we live in Chicago so it's a lot further away (17.5 hour drive or a flight). That's normally one our vacations, but this year decided to branch out and leave the kids with their Nana to have time to ourself. I think we'll enjoy 2 days at Disneyland Paris. Sorry, I'm sure you can tell by now we really enjoy Disney! haha

janisj

You may get some shade from a few fuddyduddy Fodorites re 'wasting' two days at DL Paris -- but I've been and you'll have fun

Welcome to Fodors

brookebradshaw3386

That's okay, if we all liked the same thing and did the same thing then this world would be really boring! ;-)

bhuty

Most people will tell you that this is to much but you need to know what you want out of your travel and how you want to travel. So the answer may be yes and it may be no depending on you.

These are the reasons why its not too much but if these reasons are not you then it will be too much - I hope that makes sense

1) You can take some time out of Paris and give it to some of the other places...unless by Paris you also mean more than just the main sights of Paris and you have ideas of how you want to spend your time that means you need that extra time (eg day trips or doing shows etc)
2) You can finding 1 and 2 day itineraries on the internet for all of those places - even Paris but certainly for those other places.
3) If your goal and interest in each of those places is not to EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING but to sightsee enough to get a broad idea of what its like there, some history and to tick off your curiosity of those places or something from your bucket list. Quick note: There are plenty of people here who shudder at the thought of doing a city just to tick it off your list - but those people are NOT YOU. What they think is based on their life and a reflection of them just as much as this list is a reflection on me.
4) if you enjoy seeing things just for the joy of seeing them. This might sound weird but let me give an example.... in Paris you have the Notre Dame (which is actually closed but you can see the outside of it for free. You might just enjoy walking around it for 30 minutes, feel like you have seen everything there is to see about it and be ready to go to the next big thing. That's cool and if that's you then you can fit it all in.
5) You are actively mobile - either by being able to walk 8 to 12 miles every day, willing to take taxis or able to ride the hire bikes or motorised scooters around.
6) You decide to see all of the public FREE things very very early in the morning. Again, as an example in Paris, if you go for the sunrise up to Place du trocadero and to Sacre Coeur then you can fit more in for your day....plus you get photos without the crowds in them.
7) if you book in for the busiest sights (and sites) on a timed ticket entry and even more so if you book in for first entry or last entry of the day.
8) if you can not waste time working out where to eat either because you pre book it or because you are flexible with when and/or where you eat - I don't think this sentence make obvious sense to anyone but it does in my brain.
9) you're able to time your train rides in a way that maximises your sightseeing times (eg at night etc)

There are probably more reasons and ways to fit it all in but this is what comes to mind right now.

On that basis then I would recommend the following itinerary (again only if the above describes you);

(June 4th arrival to Munich)
6/4 - 6/8 Munich, Germany
*6/8* Travel by train
6/8 - 6/10 Salzburg, Austria
*6/10* Travel by train
6/10 - 6/13 Zurich, Switzerland OR SOME OTHER PLACE AND NOT ZURICH
*6/13* Travel by train
6/13 - 6/18 Paris, France
(June 18th flight back to states

There's an argument for adding more time to Salzburg but its only an argument.
Zurich is not my favourite place to see in Switzerland. I hope you do better than that, but you might have good reasons why its important to you so that's none of my business

janisj

bhuty: If you'll read the OP's more recent posts you will see their plans have changed significantly.

bhuty

I just did some reading through the thread - not too much. I don't like getting distracted or bogged down by everyone's comments but I do notice that you have a new plan so i apologise for not speaking to that new plan.

I assume that flying into Munich is based on schedules and pricing and so that's why you're starting there - so I'll base my comments on that assumption.
Firstly I'll share my itinerary for Salzburg - for context we're driving so it'll be a bit different for those without a car (advanced sorry for the CAPS)

Day 1 SALZBURG
Felsenreitschule Amphitheatre, MOZARTS HOUSE, RESIDENZ CASTLE, ST PETERS ABBEY, SALZBURGER CATHEDRAL SALZBURG

Day 2 SELF GUIDED SOUND OF MUSIC TOUR
Schloss Leopoldskron, Frohnburg, Row of Trees, Stift Nonnberg, Mirabellgarten

Day 3 SALZBURG TO INNSBRUCK
Leave early morning to see THE EAGLES NEST, VISIT TOWN, SALT MINE then on to Innsbruck

We know with this plan that some of these sights will be basically a drive past - and that's ok for us. But we also have built in flexibility so that we can see anything we missed on days 1 and 2 on day 3 but I'm hoping we can get to the eagles nest first thing. But honestly I think this is stacks of time....I can let you know in a couple of weeks

I'm not suggesting that you do this plan -but I wonder if people have talked you out of seeing something in switzerland when you still can see something.

No....you're not seeing the country by seeing a city but that's not to say its a bad idea. Going to Lausanne, Lucerne, Bern or Konstanz are all good options for a 1 night/2 day or 2night/2 day visit and still gives you time to see the eagles Nest and the Disney castle....speaking of Disney I see that this is why you have the extra time in Paris.

So here is my challenging question:
why are you not driving?
The disney castle (easier to spell than Neuschwanstein) is best seen first thing in the morning due to the crowds....a car gets you to things first thing. Maybe picking up a car in Munich then dropping off to Munich then flying to Paris could work for you???

bhuty

yep - just took a while to respond accordingly

brookebradshaw3386

We personally don't want to drive, because it seems to be a hassle and more expensive (fuel, Daily rental cost, parking costs).. Public transport in Germany, in particular, is one of the best if not the best in the world (can't remember). I would rather spend the money that I would have used on a car (that would sit some days), to do other activities or on food.

We eliminated Switzerland, because after really getting into the nitty-gritty of it, there was more we wanted to see and do in Salzburg/Germany than there. I didn't want to rush, my personal preference is to relax enjoy drinks and the scenery.

I definitely love to hear from people who have experienced the places I haven't, as it gives me an opportunity to learn something about the area before hand or to know something that could potentially help me out while there. With that being said, I don't solely base my decisions for a vacation on others (I'm sure you weren't implying that, but just wanted to add it).

I would love to know how your vacation goes in Salzburg!

BarbAnn

It is very easy to take the train/bus from Munich to visit Neuschwanstein. Train to Fussen and then a connecting bus to the castles. I have done it two times. Neuschwanstein is more impressive from the outside than inside. Do visit Hohenschwangau. The inside tour is wonderful. Make reservation for either/both online well in advance.

I grew up in Orange County, CA in "the shadow of the Matterhorn". I have been to Disneyland Paris. When my husband, son and I where there, all we could think was how Walt would be turning over in his grave. We had fun, but the park was not as clean as DL Anaheim nor as friendly and orderly. We should have remembered that it is in France. Customs are different. I am surprised you did not want to visit the Matterhorn in Zermatt!! That was the first thing I wanted to visit. Love the town so much, I have been back 5 times.

You will love Salzburg! You will have fun. If you have time, take the 150 bus to Wolfgangsee towns of St.Gilgen, St. Wolfgang and Strobl. You take a lake boat between them. There is also a train up to Schafberg from St. Wolfgang along with a cable car up to Zwolferhorn from St. Gilgen. Salt Mine tour near Hallein is very interesting also.

Have fun on your trip.

bhuty

Love your thinking process and how you're building your plans.

I'll post up some little tips or insights if I have them and as I get them

bvlenci

If you look carefully at your proposed itinerary, you really have only one full day in Salzburg and one full day in Zurich.. Changing cities involves more than just the train ride. There's the packing and unpacking, checking in and out of hotels, and getting to and from the station. It's a lot of hassle for a short visit.

I would consider the previous suggestion of visiting Salzburg as a day trip from Munich. I would drop Zurich. It's a big city and you wouldn't have time to see much of it.

You might want to consider a stopover en route from Munich to Paris. Strasbourg is right on the way, for example.

bilboburgler

Strasbourg way better than Zurich

Jean

At post #19, the OP dropped Zurich...

neckervd

Comment to point 19:
"*6/12 - Train to Munich airport & fly to CDG (it was much cheaper this way & shorter)*
June 12th:
Salzburg dp 11.00 - Paris ar 18.16 by train cost 60 USD/pax
Salzburg dp 14.00 - Paris ar 22.13 by train cost 60 USD/pax
if you buy your ticket now in the web.

Salzburg dp 8.00- MUC 10.15/121.10 - CDG 13.45//14.21 - Paris Chatelet ar 14.51 costs 170 USD/pax if you book your tickdt now in he web