Paris in March
 

We have an opportunity to spend a week at the Marriott timeshare near Disney Paris in mid-March. We have children ages 17, 15, and 8 so Disney will be a good option for a day or two but we would like to spend the rest of the time in Paris and other interesting places (this is our 1st trip). We will rent a car for part of our stay and have considered spending an additional 2 or 3 days in a bed & breakfast or small hotel somewhere out in the country. Is it reasonable to travel back and forth into Paris for 2 or 3 days from Disney? Any suggestions on other day trips using the Marriott as a home base?

Hi sterling,

The RER takes you into Paris in about an hour for about (I think) 10E/adult.

If you only have a week, I suggest that you stay in Paris. There is so much to see and do.

Just stay at the Marriott or go into Paris to a hotel. You don't really have enough time to "do" another B&B in another place. YOu'll just waste time getting re-settled. I'd suggest the time share for 3 days perhaps going to Versailles and Chartres one day (perhaps driving), Disney another. Then go into Paris and stay in a hotel and leave from there, taking a taxi to CDG. Consolidate your time to make the best use of it.

Detour: are you going to stay out near Disney because you want to spend a day or two at the park? Keep in mind March weather is unpredictable, with extremes either way. Cold, warm, rain, wind or all at once. Many of the rides are exposed to outdoors and it can be brutal, so avoid committing to specific dates at Disney.

I have used a timeshare in the past so know you're usually obligated to the week (unless you just give it up and spend money on a room elsewhere). If, as the above poster says, it's only an hour or so into Paris, I'd go for that. And, you'd certainly spend more than the train trip (even round trip if the mentioned price is one-way) to get a room large enough for 5 people. Just take the earliest train in and the latest out, when possible (8 year old might get a bit tired). Versailles for a night might be nice after your week. There are so many choices that you'd have to figure out what would please most of the family.

I have on disk a long note of things that parents on Fodors forum said went well for their children in Paris. If you ask me I can e-mail it to you.

Welcome to Europe

Ben Haines

Does your 18 & 15 really want to go to Disney. I'd stay in Paris if you can. There's plenty for a family to do in a week. If your family has been to Disney and not Paris, I'd skip Disney. My kids were 9 & 12 when we went to Paris and we had no problem keeping busy for 6 days.