Save on Self-Catering Holidays at Disneyland Paris

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If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris with children it’s important to choose the right accommodation, so we asked Katie Edwards from Disney specialists WelcomeToTheMagic.com (www.welcometothemagic.com) to give us the low down on the Disney’s self-catering option – Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch.

Book to arrive at Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch before the 31st Oct 2015 & Save 30% on your hotel/park ticket package price!

Says Katie: “This collection of log cabins is part of the Disneyland Paris Resort, but set in its own Swiss Family Robinson-style location surrounded by woodland, yet with loads of its own facilities to keep families wowed.”

A lodge at Disneyland Paris' Davy Crockett Ranch

A lodge at Davy Crockett’s Ranch

“The ranch is made up of log cabins set in clusters of 50-100, yet despite the numbers everything feels peaceful and remote. This part of the park is not served by the free shuttle buses that operate around the resort so you do need a car. You can park your car next to your cabin and parking at the Disney Parks is free (just a 15-minute drive away)”

“Each cabin has two bedrooms and sleeps up to six people. There’s a double bedroom, bunk beds and a convertible sofa. The bathroom has a bath and the kitchen comes fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, hob, kettle, dishwasher and washing-up kit.”

Davy Crockett bungalow at Disneyland Paris

Inside a lodge

“We thought that the cabins may simply be a place to sleep, but there is actually loads for families to do together and many activities which are free of charge.

There’s a heated indoor tropical swimming pool, indoor tennis courts, adventure play areas and even an Indian camp with teepees.”

Swimming pool at Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch

Fun swimming

“We loved the option of self catering, but with Disney still on our doorstep. We liked that when the kids went to bed we could relax in the lounge area or enjoy a drink outside!”

“If you’re driving to Disneyland Paris or have younger children then you should definitely consider Davy Crockett Ranch – there is lots to do, good accommodation and the ranch offers excellent value for money. There’s generally a discount or free nights offer available so worth checking for deals before you book!”

To find out more, take a look at their website, www.welcometothemagic.com/disney-hotels/davy-crockett-ranch.htm. Or call the booking telephone number 0844 856 5488 (Calls cost 7 pence per minute, plus your telephone operators access charge)

Hiring a car abroad? Are you ‘au fait’ with the new licence rules?

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Now we know that hiring a car in France can be painful at the best of times (is there really no solution to how long it takes to go through the collection process??) but a recent change to UK law means that it may now become more complicated.

As from June 8th, 2015 the DVLA is no longer issuing the paper part of the licence that is normally provided with the photo card licence.

licence-BEANThe paper licence used to show details of any endorsements, penalty points etc., what class of vehicle you can drive and expiry date of the document.

The DVLA have advised drivers to destroy the paper section, however the AA has warned motorists who are planning to travel abroad that the hire car companies may not be aware of the new changes and may still request to see it.

The DVLA advises that you print off an up to date version of your driving licence, plus get a passcode that allows the car hire company to view your licence online.

Does this seem like a bit of a faff? It does to us.

So here’s a step-by-step guide if hiring a car abroad:

1. DVLA recommends you get a new paper copy of your licence and a passcode.
2. To get a print version long on to gov.uk and ‘View Driving Record’ service by entering your driving licence number, national insurance number and postcode, and you will be able to print off a pdf version of your licence to give to the car hire company.
3. To get a passcode log on to gov.uk as above, and ‘View Driving Record’ by following the same process above. Once logged on click on ‘Share your licence information’. This produces a unique code which can be given to the car hire company to allow them to access your details online.
4. IMPORTANT NOTE: you should only generate this pass code 72 hours before travelling as the code only lasts 3 days. And if the car hire firm logs out of the system they will not be able to log back in.

What do you think about this new ‘cost-efficient’ system? Think it will be successful?

Top 6 Reasons to Visit Normandy

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Family holidays to Normandy remain popular with the Brits, due to it’s easy-to-reach location and it’s authentic French charm.  This is a region brimming with history and culture, combined with some beautiful coastlines, perfect for relaxing with the family.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied on your holiday to Normandy, from tasting the famous ‘Calvados’ and the local cheeses and breads, to exploring the ancient history.  The famous Mont St Michel is to be found here, a great day out for the family – you’ll love the tiny winding cobbled streets filled with scents of fresh food and battlements just waiting to be explored.

Discover our Top 6 reasons here

Now that May is over, France can get back to work

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We’ve always known French workers get more holidays than we do, and as reported in the New York Times at the weekend, not since 1972 have the French been able to enjoy so much time off in one month.

Thanks to the peculiarities of a lunar calendar that dictates the timing of important Christian days, there were four holidays and five weekends, leaving 17 working days.

But, as reported, even holidays — of which there are 11, six tied to the Christian calendar — are a contentious business, none more than Pentecost Monday, also known as Whit Monday, which this year fell on May 25. It comes the day after the feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit, which comes 50 days after Easter, providing for a long weekend.

And yet, for the last 10 years this holiday has been less a day of rest than a day of confusion and, some say, injustice. Every year, there is a national guessing game about who is working, and who is not.

In 2014, three out of 10 French workers were on the job on Pentecost Monday. This year, they included bin men, construction workers, lorry drivers and supermarket clerks; and teachers and the wider public sector had the day off. For working parents, it can be a nightmare.

The confusion dates from 2005, when the French government eliminated the paid holiday and resurrected it as a “day of solidarity,” when salaried workers were required to work without pay, with their wages going to a special fund devoted to the care of the elderly and the disabled.

In return, employers were mandated to contribute 0.3 percent of their salary base to the earmarked fund, set up in the wake of national shock over the deaths of some 15,000 elderly people left stranded during a heat wave in 2003.

The idea backfired. Unions rose up in protest against what they called a day of “enforced labour,” and by 2008 Pentecost Monday was back on the holiday calendar — sort of. But the “day of solidarity” survived.

Read more here  (opens in a new browser)