We are visiting Paris in July for 5 nights and would love some advice on a couple of things. Our plan is to visit the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland for 2 days and then the usual sights such as the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and so on. What I am wondering is what would be the best option for travelling ( I was thinking the viste pass for zones 1-5 for 5 days) and also what area of Paris would be the best to stay. I have been looking into all of this and feel like I am going around in circles, please please help

So of 5 days, 3 will be outside Paris. As everyone points out when these posts arise, it is your trip. Two days at Disneyland is at least one too many. It is small, and probably forgettable.
Paris Visite is never a good buy.
Just buy carnets of tickets and use them.
With that short a time, Versailles may be too much also.
Have you looked at any of the thousands of posts/threads here for any advice? Do you have a guidebook?

Hello Diangty, You'll find all the information you need, plus a wealth more, jus by using the "Search" box above to the right.

Type in Paris Disneyland.
Then research Paris Visite.

There are two excellent, long threads re hotels - look for Left Bank and Right Bank.
Good luck with trip planning - it should be fun, not circle-inducing!

Since most of your time will be outside Paris the logical place to look for lodging is near where RERs A and C intersect. That will cover Disneyland, Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower. This was easy to figure out by looking at how to get to Disneyland and Versailles.

If you want to spend a lot of money and get little return for your money then you would buy the Paris Visite pass. Otherwise buy tickets to Disneyland and Versailles and then a carnet (book of 10 metro tickets) or two for things you want to see in Paris.

I suggest reading at least 1 good guide book (not Rick Steves) that covers Paris and environs. That will help to ground you.

<<feel like I am going around in circles>>

So why not stay in wonderful Paris and forget all the circling around to other places? I don't understand heading to one of the finest destinations on earth, so rich in history and culture, only to run off to theme parks. But yes, it's your trip. Circle around all you want. And forget the Paris Visite pass, a complete waste of money.

>><i>"I don't understand heading to one of the finest destinations on earth, so rich in history and culture, only to run off to theme parks."</i>

I totally agree 100%. Then again, I don't "get" adults that are obsessed with Disney either..

Your trip is too short really for Disneyland (especially 2 days) and Versailles, especially if you have never been to Paris before.

And as per one of the suggestions above: nice idea, but the RER A does not intersect with the RER C anywhere.

Disneyland Paris is really touristy and full of souvenir shops. Any ride that looks interesting will have long lines. Maybe it would feel different with small children, but I was bored after a few hours and will never go back. Unless you are obsessed with Disney or have at least one small child I can't see any reason to go there for more than one day.

Versailles is slightly more interesting. If you like to look at old palaces, old paintings, old furniture and pretty gardens it will be worth the time and cost. If you have no interest in those things it will be a boring and expensive way to waste a day. I've seen it once and it was okay, but I will not go back.

Thank you for the tips, we are going to Disneyland as we are taking 3 children, not because we are adults obsessed with Disney lol. My question has definitely been answered about the viste pass and I will take everyone's advice and stay away from that and buy the carnet instead so thanks, just still stuck on whether to stay in Paris itself or nearer to Disneyland, with 3 kids just want the easiest way to get around

I believe there may be a specialized guidebook for traveling in Paris with children. I suggest
That you choose ozone or two areas that you would like to stay in and then look for an apartment to rent.
The rental can be done through an agency. We used Vacation in Paris and I know there are others agencies that have been recommended on this Board.

Pat

I don't care how many children you have--youdon't need 2 days at Disneyland. Why are you going to Paris? Wondering.

What Gretchen says..why are you even bothering with one of the world's most wonderful places on earth and sullying it with two days at a theme park? OK, do what you like, but why even go to Paris?

At the very least, stay in Paris. You will miss so much if you don't stay in the city and wake up in the morning and walk to a local shop and let the kids pick out beautiful pastries, and play in Luxembourg Gardens, and stroll the beautiful streets.

"why even go to Paris?"

How would one go to Euro Disney WITHOUT going to PARIS?????

Please, keep in mind, this is DIANGTY's trip, NOT YOURS.

Staying in Paris with Three kids, with the purpose of the trip to take them to Disney is absolutely the stupidest idea I've heard on this Forum.


Diangty,

Given your proposal, I'd recommend getting two hotels and put Disney at either the beginning or end of your trip. A lot depends upon when and where you are arriving, and departing. An example would be to get a hotel in central Paris for your two days in Paris, and the one in Versailles. As has been shown on numerous posts on this Forum, there are some examples where a Paris Visite is actually cheaper than Mobilis and carnet combos depending upon your day of arrival, number of intended trips, and locations. Your proposal begs for Carnets, however.

Here's an example itinerary:

Arrive in Paris, go to central hotel and check-in. Spend three or four nights here. Versailles is a short 32 minute RER C ride from St. Michel. A metro ride from say Champs de Mars station to Montmartre will take in excess of 25 minutes, so don't let anyone convince you that Versailles is too far from Paris - heck the people of France walked out there from Paris to get Louis and Marie Antoinette during the revolution! Depending upon your personal tastes, get a separate hotel for your Disney trip out near the park. Either head out there for your 4th night (or leave Paris after checking out after 4th night there) and be able to go to the Park in the morning. Stay at the same hotel (or checkin for one night if staying in Paris 4th night) and be ready for your last day at Disney.

<< Staying in Paris with Three kids, with the purpose of the trip to take them to Disney is absolutely the stupidest idea I've heard on this Forum. >>

apersuader65 - you just called the OP stupid.

In your previous sentence you stated: "Please, keep in mind, this is DIANGTY's trip."

Diangty was quite clear that he/she is looking for lodging in Paris.

BTW - I can't believe that staying in Paris is more stupid than the people who want to visit 24 European cities in 15 days.

"stuck on whether to stay in Paris itself or nearer to Disneyland, with 3 kids just want the easiest way to get around"

Actually Adrienne, persuader gave quite GOOD advice on lodging IN paris and AT disneyland. As opposed to you just posting to criticize a post.
He/she called the idea "stupid". Personally speaking, I am NOT stupid, but CAN have stupid ideas.

Ok, well firstly id like to thank those of you who have given me advice and been understanding that this is our trip and everyone is looking for different things out of their holiday. It has always been my dream to take my kids to Disneyland and as we are travelling to Europe I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity. I understand that Disney is not everyones idea of fun but for us it is a very exciting part of our trip. As per the advice given by persuader which by the way i am very grateful for I have been madly researching hotels in both the Paris and Disneyland areas and have come up with a few. First i should say that we are travelling on a budget, we are from Australia so this is quite a big trip and rather than anywhere too expensive we would prefer to spend out money on the sights and all the other fun stuff =). In saying that all we really want out of a hotel is cleanliness, comfort, good/helpful/friendly service and convenience to see as much of this beautiful city as we can. I know that the closer to Andronissement 1 as we can be is ideal but i also know that on a budget we are not going to get too close so Im trying not to have unrealistic expectations. I have been reading a forum by someone called passionfruitdrink and have seen how amazingly helpful so many of you have been especially about her first couple of choices of hotels and I thought maybe it would be a good idea to get some of your opinions before i go ahead and book anything, so I would really love to know what you think and if there may be somewhere better that I maybe havent found. First of all i found one hotel called Timhotel Berthier Paris in Andronissement 17, and the second one i found was Kyriad Paris Sud Porte D'Ivry in Andronissement 13, but like i said im very open to other suggestions. I then have found a few hotels in the Disneyland area which are Kyriad at Disneyland Paris, Tulip Inn Marne La Vallee and Residhome Val D'Europe, any thoughts on these would be so great. It really is hard trying to plan a perfect holiday for your family when you are so unfamiliar with the area and thats just what I want this trip to be so please help =). Alternatively i did find a few other hotels that we could stay in if we stay in Paris itself for the whole 5 nights and these include Novotel Paris Gare Montparnasse, Coypel, Hotel Maubeuge Gare du Nord, Campanile Paris 15- Tour Eiffel, and Hotel des Batignolles. I know this is a lot to ask but i am so very grateful for any help i can get. I really look forward to reading your responses =)

Do you think you need 2 days at Disneyland? Maybe one would be enough, and from that point of view, just staying in Paris the whole time would be better.
I would not go to Versailles--maybe especially with 3 children. It's a trip there and back, and I would really really wonder if they would like or appreciate it enough. The Louvre is also a "chateau" in its first incarnation, and the basement area is an interesting tour for how it was built.
I'm not sure why you want to be close to the 1er arrondisement. On a tour we stayed in the area of the Gare du Nord and it was fine--near major metro lines. What is your budget for the hotels you have listed--and how many rooms--I assume 2.

This recent discussion has the names and websites for many inexpensive hotels: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-460682-2.cfm

For a stay in July, I would be concerned about air conditioning and many inexpensive hotels do not have it.

My husband and I, and my sisters and I, have enjoyed stays at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/ which has a lovely courtyard, is in an elevated situation which contributes to cleaner air, and is quite convenient to many attractions including the Luxemboug Gardens, which I can't recommend highly enough. However, I think the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles doesn't have air conditioning. This hotel is also close to Place Contrescarpe, which is pedestrian only, and close to many reasonably priced restaurants. If it appeals to you, I recommend that you read reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

I don't know the ages of your children so I don't know how appropriate these features of the Luxembourg Gardens http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardin_du_Luxembourg would be to them: little toy boats to rent to "sail" in a large pool (the boats are guided with long pointers and no one goes in the pool), playground with many colorful and fun types of playground equipment, puppet shows, and pony rides. There is even a model of the Statue of Liberty in a side garden. And, of course, there are beautiful flowerbeds.

Best wishes with your plans.

I think you and your family might enjoy using the Batobus. It operates like a "hop on, hop off" bus but it travels on the Seine. It has stops by the Louvre, by the Eiffel Tower, and by Notre Dame, to name some of the most popular stops. If you do consider it, note that multiple day tickets are only slightly more expensive than a single day ticket.

http://www.batobus.com/