Need Help with our 3 country Itinerary
 

I would love feedback/help on our itinerary for July for my family of 5. I would love to shorter the trip down to 2 weeks. Would it be possible to take out the stop at Colmar? Does anyone have any other recommendations on how to shorten it? Thanks so much in advance!

Day 1 - to Munich
Day 2 - Munich
Day 3 - Private driver to Lucerne with stop at Neuschwanstein Castle
Day 4 - Lucern & train to Lauterbrunnen
Day 5 - Lauterbrunnen
Day 6 - Lauterbrunnen
Day 7 - Lauterbrunnen
Day 8 - to Colmar
Day 9 - to Paris
Day 10 - Paris
Day 11 - Paris
Day 12 - to Disneyland Paris
Day 13 - Disneyland
Day 14 - Disneyland
Day 15 - Disneyland/ to Airport Hotel
Day 16 - Fly home

Welcome to Fodors. Just VERY quick -- even if you are real Disney fanatics (and I can cop to that) 3.5 or 4 days at DLParis is waaaaaaay overkill! Two nights which would give you almost 3 full days would be more than enough.

Take out Lauterbrunnen completely for me

Given that you'll have only a little bit of jet-lagged time in Munich, you might drop it.

There are trains too between Munich, Fuessen (Neuschwanstein) and Lucerne.
For example:
Munich dp 7.39 - Neuschwanstein castle ar (by bus) 9.53, dp 13.45 - Lucerne ar 19.25

UNLESS you have been to Europe tens of times before, and plan tens of times more (when you can see the more "cultural", less "playful" Euro-sites), I'd TOTALLY rescheudule.
Counting Neuchschweinstein as a "Disney" day, that's a 16 day trip comprised of 5 Disney days, 2 Paris days, 2 Lauerbrunen (waterfall? peak-watching?) days, 1 Colmar day, and 8 travel days.

You''d see more of Europe getting some Rick Steves videos from the library than from this trip.

Maybe this is the trip OP wants? it is their trip, not yours. We all travel for different reasons, tomboy.

While DIsney Paris is not extensive as the parks in the US so while I agree having as many days there is not necessary, perhaps this is what the OP wants.

Thanks for all your feedback! I'm rethinking how much time we spend at certain locations and what to take out.

Indeed! But the OP asked for help figuring out ways to cut the itinerary back. It seems to me that tomboy's post is well within the spirit of that request. JMO.

I respect that. But did not need to be so harsh, almost insulting the OP in the process.

The itinerary is both fast and slow. I think if you wanted to do this in fewer days, the problem is right there in the thread title. "... 3 country itinerary." Considering the travel times and logistics involved, this would be a pleasant 3-week trip, not 2-week trip.

Do you have an estimate for the private driver from Munich to Neuschwanstein to Luzern?? It's nearly 6 hours one way, not counting time spent at the castle, and then you pay for the driver to return to Munich. You might also have to pay for a hotel room for the driver because they won't want to drive (and/or may not be allowed to drive) for 12 hours in the same day. Because of the size of your group, plus your luggage, the vehicle would have to be a van, and that will add to the overall expense. This part of the plan doesn't seem realistic, but very expensive, if all you want to do is spend an hour or two at the castle.

Less than a full day in Luzern. Less than a full day in Colmar. Too rushed for me, especially if any in the group are little kids. Sightseeing, meals, everything takes longer with a group.

If you're comparing Disneyland Paris to Disney World in Florida, it's only a little over 1/3 the size. It will be mobbed, especially if your dates include July 14th.

If you haven't purchased the air tickets yet, I'd rethink the entire trip. Try to eliminate some of the overall distance between the itinerary's start and finish. If you can give up Munich and the castle, fly into Zurich.

I definitely don't think you should drop DisneyLand Paris. Despite what some might think - it is not 'Anaheim East'. Even if you've been to DL or DW several times, it is enough different to be fun for the whole family. I may be the only one on this thread who has actually visited DL Paris. All I meant was you don't need nearly that much time there. Have you been to Paris before - and how old are the kids?

Unless you've been to Paris multiple times I'd plan about 5 nights minimum IN Paris and 2 nights maximum at DL. The park is close to central Paris so the 'travel day' from your Paris hotel to the DL hotel only takes about 40 minutes so with 2 nights you would have 3 full days at DL which is more than enough. (Sure hope Firecracker doesn't think I'm being rude! >) )

janisj, certainly not. There is something to be said about delivery of feedback.

But since I apparently offended you all for calling out something, I shall move on. Have been quickly reminded why I limit my time here.

I hope OP enjoys their "Florida of Europe" trip.

Perhaps you could have commented on tone at first? That was not clear to me. Instead, it seemed to me that you were criticizing someone for doing exactly what the OP requested.

Colmar but no visit to Strasbourg?

But the comment was deleted by the moderator?

It's still there -- post # 7.

I don't think Firecracker's relevant post was deleted.