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Home >
Adventures by
Disney > Destinations >
Paris & Provence
> Travel Tips |
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 Travel Tips - What To
Know Before You Go
Before embarking on an unforgettable
Adventures by Disney family vacation to France, prepare with
valuable vacation trip tips to ensure a magical experience from
beginning to end. |
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Preparing for Your Adventure
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Required Travel Documentation |
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If you are a U. S. citizen, you will
need a valid passport to enter France and return to the United
States.
It must be valid six months beyond your intended stay and have
1-2 blank pages remaining. Allow yourself sufficient time to have
your application processed if you are applying for a new passport or
renewing an expired passport. Visit
www.state.gov
for more details.
In addition, Guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to
show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.
You do not need a visa to travel to France.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check the French embassy
website at
www.ambafrance-us.org for information on documentation
requirements.
Passport Services
You can apply for a passport through Passport Express Services,
Inc., a third party company servicing the travel industry (not
affiliated with The Walt Disney Company).
Click-here for more information or call Passport
Express at (888) 606-1888.
PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL APPLY FOR
TELEPHONE CALLS made to access Passport Specialists at Passport
Express. |
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What to Pack |
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Please limit your baggage to one piece
of luggage per person plus one carry-on. Due to frequent security
changes, we recommend that you check with your air carrier as well
as the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) website
www.tsa.gov for
current restrictions.
Since a majority of your adventure will take place outdoors, attire
for your adventure should be casual and comfortable. One "smart
casual" outfit is recommended, especially for dinner in Paris. The
following is a list of clothing and other items you may want to
bring:
| Clothing |
Miscellaneous |
| T-shirts (both short-
and long-sleeved) |
Passport |
| Collared shirts |
Medication |
| Jeans or long pants |
Camera/video camera |
| Dress/Skirt (optional) |
Extra batteries or
charger for camera |
| Shorts |
Electric adapter |
| Lightweight rain
jacket |
Sunglasses |
| Hat |
Sunscreen |
| Sweater |
Insect repellant |
| Athletic clothing (for
bike ride) |
ToiletriesUmbrella |
| Closed-toe shoes |
Umbrella |
| Walking shoes |
| Sandals |
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Weather |
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Although weather might vary, the
destinations on this trip generally have the following climate
conditions:
Aix-en-Provence: Summers are quite hot and dry, with
temperatures often reaching the 90s.
- May - September average
temperatures: Highs from low 70s to low 80s, lows from the low
50s to mid 60s.
- While more frequent in the
winter, the mistral the powerful winds from the Alps
that strafe Provence can sometimes strike in summer. The
mistral generally stays for increments of 3 days (for
example, 3, 6, 9 days, etc.).
Paris: The summers are humid
and temperate.
- May - September average
temperatures: Highs from low to upper 70s, lows from the low to
upper 50s.
- The months of May through
September in Paris average 12 days per month of rain.
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En Route
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Arrival/Departure |
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Upon landing at the Marseille Provence
Airport, you will be met outside of the customs/exit area by an
Adventures by Disney representative who will direct you to your
transportation to the Grand Hotel Mercure Roi Renι. At the
conclusion of your adventure, you will be escorted to Charles De
Gaulle International Airport for your return flight home.
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Day
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Airport Code
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Arrival/Departure Time |
| Arrival |
1
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MRS
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No later than 2
p.m. |
| Departure |
7
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CDG
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Not prior to 8
a.m. |
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During Your Adventure
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Currency |
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The national currency of France is the
Euro. U.S. dollars are not accepted at hotels, shops or restaurants,
but ATM machines are available in most places along your adventure
to obtain cash in the local currency. Most hotels and restaurants
accept major credit cards and debit cards. |
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Tipping |
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Adventures by Disney has pre-paid
certain tips and gratuities for you such as tips for porters,
housekeepers, drivers, activity providers, local experts, and dining
room staff for included meals.
On Your Own Dining Gratuities: When eating at a restaurant, a
gratuity is usually included in the bill. If you feel you have
received exceptional service, you may leave an additional Euro.
Adventure Guide Gratuities: Gratuities for your Adventure
Guides are not included. If you feel that your Adventure Guides have
provided excellent service, we suggest the following discretionary
gratuity: Per Guest/Per Adventure Guide/Per Day, $5-$8 USD. For
example:
For a 9-day adventure, the Adventure Guide gratuity per guest,
per Adventure Guide: $45-$72 USD.
For a family of 4 for a 9-day adventure: $180-$288 USD per
Adventure Guide. For 2 Guides, this is a total of: $360-$576 USD.
Adventure Guides accept local currency, U.S. dollars and travelers
checks. |
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Transportation |
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Aix-en-Provence: Although Aix is
quite pedestrian-friendly, buses and taxis are available. The bus
system is called Aix-en-Bus and a number of bus lines arrive and
depart from a stop just outside your hotel. Taxis can be hailed
anywhere in the city, but they tend to congregate at La Rotund
across the roundabout from the Tourism Office. Taxi drivers in this
area speak very little English.
Paris: The City of Lights is world-famous for its public
transportation. In Paris, the Metro is by far the fastest and most
convenient means of transportation, although it can be quite crowded
at rush hour. The RER is the faster alternative if you're traveling
further and want fewer stops. Taxis are available throughout the
city from designated taxi stands which can be found every few
blocks. Most taxi drivers in Paris speak enough English to get you
to and from your hotel and the major sites. |
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Language |
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The national language of France is
French. Although about a third of the French people speak some
English, not everyone is comfortable speaking it with native English
speakers. Occasionally in restaurants and cafιs, servers speak
English, especially in the more popular tourist destinations of
Paris. When you enter a French shop, it is polite to say "Bonjour"
to the workers in the shop, and to say, "Merci! Au revoir!" when you
leave.
The following is a list of words and phrases you may want to use
during your trip to France:
| English |
French |
Pronunciation
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Hello/Good Morning
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Bonjour
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bohn-ZHOOR
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Hello/Good Evening
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Bonsoir
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bohn-SWAR
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Good night
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Bonne nuit
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Bun-WEE
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(Have a) good day
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Bonne journιe
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Bun-zhoor-NAY
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Goodbye
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Au Revoir
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oh reh-VWAHR
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Yes
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Oui
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Wee
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No
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Non
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Nohn
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I would like
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Je voudrais
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zhih voo-dray
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Please
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S'il vous plait
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See-voo play
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Thank you very much!
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Merci beaucoup!
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Mer-see boh-COO
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Adventures by Disney
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Les Aventures de Disney
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layz ah-ven-toor dih diznee
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