MVC - MVF France Trip at Christmas Planning Help needed

[jwalk03]

Does each person need to have a navigo on their own phone? Or, can I have all four passes on my phone and check everyone in?

Each person would need their own. As you have to scan and then go through the automated gate on each entrance and exit.

You do have the option of using a smart watch as well to scan. So if you are worried about phones being dead you could load them on the Apple Watch.

That said we carried around small battery packs in addition to phones since we were doing very long days and taking photos and using navigation with them in addition to the train passes. Definitely handy to have the small battery pack to stick to the back of the phone to keep enough juice to get through a full day of sightseeing.

 

[ocdb8r]

Generally agree with all the posts in this thread. I live in AMS and am regualarly down in Paris (and a DLP Annual Pass holder) if you have any nitty gritty questions I can help with. I won't jump in to much already said as I think it's all good guidance.

The one thing I'll add is that I would consider the public bus between MVF and the Marne la Valee train station as the "back-up". Marriott's offered shuttle is only €3 roundtrip per person and much more convenient than the bus (particularly if you're not in the Giverny section of the resort...). The only downside to it is that it doesn't run for about 3 hours mid-day. In the past I was a big proponent of the public bus because the Marriott bus was more expensive (at least this was my memory from early trips), but in my recent trips I've found the bus a little less predictable (meaning I've missed it because it's come early....or found myself going out early and waiting, which wouldn't be ideal in Dec weather). I think it's worth the cost even if you've already bought the NAVIGO, particularly for days you're going to the parks.

And, the Navigo covers all the Paris metros, RER, and bus system, but I'd need a different ticket to take the fast train to Strasbourg right?

Correct, the NAVIGO will not cover long distance trains (TGV or OUIGO).

We are debating in the family right now; the wife and son want to go do a two day one night trip to Normandy whereas the daughter and I would rather add a couple nights at a hotel in Paris.

The only thing I'll say here is that while Normandy is a lovely trip, late Dec through Feb are really the last times of the year I'd ever dream of doing the trip. The weather is just too miserable/unpredictable. The nice thing about the 7 days in the middle of your plan is you can "manage" your outings and activities on the worst weather days as they emerge. If you committ to the trip to Normandy, you're stuck no matter how the weather. If you opt for Paris, the city will offer many more options to avoid the worst of the weather. (I hope that makes sense).

 

[Dean]

Each person had to have it when we used Navigo a few months ago. If there was a way to use one phone I did not know how. You need to scan on entrance and then walk through, I would think it would be cumbersome to pass your phone back. Plus you have to scan on exit.

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Even if one could figure a way to do it on one phone, I'd be hesitant. I've had experiences in the US where it was possible and we did so but it was a pain trying to change between each option to get through the turnstile.

 

[krisjune1]

It looks like iOS devices support multiple digital cards per device. Not a feature in Android yet

https://www.bonjour-ratp.fr/en/aide-contact/?question=can-a-single-mobile-phone-be-used-to-validate-tickets-for-several-people

 

[tripplanner]

Hey all,

I need help planning out our trip to Marriott Village d'lle de France. I already read 20 plus threads about it from the past several years and have been watching a number of youtube videos. We have a week booked from Sunday Dec 21nd to Sunday Dec 28th. I'm planning to add three nights after that week somewhere, but I need help deciding where to go next. Family of four with what will be our 19 year old son and 15 year old daughter. I have been to France once when I was 18, no one else has gone. It was a school trip so of course we hit all the big highlights, Paris, Normandy, MSM, Loire, Versailles.

My wife wants to visit Strasbourg for the Christmas Markets. For 2024 the markets ended Dec 27th per the Googles. And, also see some of the Christmas Markets in Paris. I know we can take the train into Strasbourg and it's a roughly two hour one way trip which seems like you would miss out with that much travel in one day. I'm debating adding a night or two for Strasbourg after MVF, but that may well be after the markets wrap up for the year. I could have my daughter miss a couple days of school and arrive on Friday for two nights in Strasbourg first, then go to MVF. Has anyone been to France at Christmas time, and/or Strausbourg?

Alternatively, we could do a few nights down around Dijon and the Burgundy region, or, Normandy / Mont St. Michelle, or, go down to the Nice area (longer than 2 hrs), or, Orleans and tour the Loire Valley area, or, Germany, or, we could save Paris and add a couple nights in Paris at the end of our trip. Suggestions or thoughts?

I'm just starting to build our plans for when we are at MVF, but on the list of considerations are:

- Paris for two days via train
- Versailles via train or car
- Reims / Champaign area via train or car
- Provins / Fontainebleu, maybe in the same day, via car
- Disneyland for one day. I expect many things to be closed on Christmas day, but DLP should be open so we might go then.

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Thank you for the suggestions.

Your trip sounds amazing! Strasbourg at Christmas is magical, and even if the markets are winding down, it’s still worth it. If you can, try arriving Friday for two nights.

Burgundy is a great alternative too. Dijon has charm, and Paris at the end of the trip would be perfect to finish things off.

For MVF, your plans look great! Disneyland on Christmas Day is a good choice, and for Reims, the train is easiest. If you need more tips, check out gowithguide.com/France for some helpful ideas.

Enjoy the planning!

 

[RookWDW]

The only thing I'll say here is that while Normandy is a lovely trip, late Dec through Feb are really the last times of the year I'd ever dream of doing the trip. The weather is just too miserable/unpredictable. The nice thing about the 7 days in the middle of your plan is you can "manage" your outings and activities on the worst weather days as they emerge. If you committ to the trip to Normandy, you're stuck no matter how the weather. If you opt for Paris, the city will offer many more options to avoid the worst of the weather. (I hope that makes sense).

Good point about the weather in Normandy / MSM.

 

[ocdb8r]

One more update as I'lm just completing my first trip of the year to the parks. Île-de-France has yet again revised their ticketing structure. Now there is a single RER/Metro ticket good for the whole region that is only EUR 2.50. I mention this as this means you can now get into Paris and back out to Marne La Valee (Disneyland Paris) for only 2.50 each way (it was more than double that previously as the T+ tickets (now defunct) were only good in zone 1 for the RER. Effectively they've gotten rid of the "zone" system with this new ticket. It may make the Navigo daily or multi-day pass less attractive depending on how much travel around the city you plan.

 

[frank808]

One more update as I'lm just completing my first trip of the year to the parks. Île-de-France has yet again revised their ticketing structure. Now there is a single RER/Metro ticket good for the whole region that is only EUR 2.50. I mention this as this means you can now get into Paris and back out to Marne La Valee (Disneyland Paris) for only 2.50 each way (it was more than double that previously as the T+ tickets (now defunct) were only good in zone 1 for the RER. Effectively they've gotten rid of the "zone" system with this new ticket. It may make the Navigo daily or multi-day pass less attractive depending on how much travel around the city you plan.

35 euros if using the new ticket for 7 days going back vs 30 euros forbthe navigo. But the new ticket is useable any day of week. While navigo weekly was Monday to Sunday only.

Does the new 2.5 euro pass allow bus and metro within Paris for the day? Navigo was good for all public access within zones for the week. Even the vestibular ride up and down Montmatre is included. One way ride I think was about 3 euros at Montmatre.

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[ocdb8r]

35 euros if using the new ticket for 7 days going back vs 30 euros forbthe navigo. But the new ticket is useable any day of week. While navigo weekly was Monday to Sunday only.

Does the new 2.5 euro pass allow bus and metro within Paris for the day? Navigo was good for all public access within zones for the week. Even the vestibular ride up and down Montmatre is included. One way ride I think was about 3 euros at Montmatre.

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The 2.50 ticket is a single journey ticket covering all Metro, Train and RER lines. It doesn't cover the bus and it's not valid all day. If you still plan on visiting Paris for 5-7 days AND will make multiple trips once in the city, the Navigo Weekly Pass is probably still your best bet. I mentioned this new ticket as for those only going into the city 2-3 days and/or only planning on a single trip in and a single trip back out, the individual tickets may make sense.

 

[RookWDW]

If we are going to fly on Thursday, landing on Friday early morning, and going straight to Strasbourg for two nights, what is the best way to get to Strasbourg? Fly to CDG Paris and take the TGV to Strasbourg? Fly to Frankfort and take the train? Or should I just fly to Strasbourg with a layover in CDG? If we decide to take the TGV, how much time should we allow between planned landing and jumping on the train? I know we will have to go through customs which can take awhile depending on the airport. Most flights appear to land around 5am or 6am on Friday morning at either CDG or Frankfort. The only flights to Strasbourg fly into Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg which appears to be an hour drive away.

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[ljmiii]

If we are going to fly on Thursday, landing on Friday early morning....what is the best way to get to Strasbourg?

It depends on your preferred airline more than anything else. We're 1K United and so Frankfurt would be our answer since United is absurdly expensive into CDG while United/Lufthansa into Frankfurt is quite reasonable (we actually flew in to Brussels and TGV'd into Strasbourg...but that's a different story).

 

[RookWDW]

It depends on your preferred airline more than anything else. We're 1K United and so Frankfurt would be our answer since United is absurdly expensive into CDG while United/Lufthansa into Frankfurt is quite reasonable (we actually flew in to Brussels and TGV'd into Strasbourg...but that's a different story).

We are a United family as well, but not 1K. Hoping I can get enough from existing points plus Chase points to get a decent flight setup.