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[PanTastique]

Hi there,

I decided to seek out this forum in hopes of finding anyone who could provide me with an answer to my problem. I sent out three e-mails in hopes of reaching Disneyland Paris about this, but one of them ended up at WDW for some reason (I used the contact form on Paris's UK site), and the other two (another DLP email address and Santa Fe's email) were answered with an automated response.

The problem:

In August, I will turn 16. For my birthday, I wanted to stay at Disneyland Paris for three days (two nights), perferably at Santa Fe (I found a nice discount there). I have been saving money for two full years to make this trip.

I read in Disneyland Paris's terms of service and in the hotel's house rules listed on the site that minors aged 15-17 who aren't accompanied by someone over 18 but who wish to stay on Disney property need a consent form signed by their parents and send it to a specific address. I would've called Disneyland about this, but my parents think it's too expensive to call (even though it's just €1 per call, as stated on their site. Sigh).

As stated in Disneyland Paris's rules and regulations of their hotels:
"1.4. Minors: minors aged under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. In the absence of a parent or responsible adult, children aged 15 and over may stay in the hotel, subject to providing written authorisation signed by their legal guardian."

From their brochure:
"II.1.1.4 If you wish to make a booking directly with us for unsupervised minors under 18, we will require a written authorisation from each minor's parents or guardian to be sent prior to the beginning of the holiday at Disneyland® Paris, by post or by fax (I omitted the addresses). Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your booking and fees calculated in accordance with clause II.1.6 may be applied."

My parents tried to 'help' me with my booking and contacted a travel agency, which stated that some of the partner hotels at Disneyland no longer accept minors. Now Santa Fe isn't a partner hotel, and the terms stated above should apply to this hotel. The agency said however that these terms might no longer be up-to-date due to everything that's happened in France over the past two years (the attacks).

So I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this, or knows if these terms are still up-to-date.

I'd also like to know if anyone knows how long before arrival this consent form should be sent and if the minor should bring a copy of the consent letter to their hotel.

So yeah, I was basically just hoping if anyone knew anything about this. If anyone needs to know, Ill be going alone (family hates Disney (impossible, I know) and friends think it's too expensive (understandable)).

Thanks for your help in advance,

Peter

[Mattj500]

I can't help directly with an answer for you, but I may suggest that an Internet search turned up a free alternative phone number (a website that offers ways around 0870 numbers). That might permit you to call directly.

[juttawdw]

If you go to the official website and try to book, if it is quite you can ask for a call back.

[Slimy yet satisfying]

I think they have a live chat facility online too. It seems a shame that your parents are dead set against you going, perhaps they are just concerned about your safety. Have you considered maybe organising a short trip in the UK first to show them you are mature and capable? Maybe that would calm their fears and make them more willing to be involved in planning your DP trip? Just a suggestion from a mum 😉

[PanTastique]

My parents aren't dead-set on keeping me from going, they just tried to get a travelling agency to handle everything (my mother believed that age restrictions set by hotels don't count for trips booked by agencies. Yeah). They know how badly I want to make this trip, and since our first (and last) one-day trip to Disney two years ago was kind of disastrous (we drove around for three hours because we couldn't find the park's entrance. My dad had decided he didn't need a navigation system), my dad doesn't want to go anymore. I've been out of the country without my parents twice before, so they're fine with that. I understand why they'd be more worried about France, though, considering everything that's been going on recently.

I actually don't live in the UK. I live in the Netherlands. I found the email on the UK site through Google; it seems as though that contact form is only available on the UK and US DLP site. It still forwards all e-mail to WDW regardless, though.

My parents suggested I go to a Dutch theme park about an hour from our home if Disney doesn't work out, but that just seems like a waste of two years of saving and being excited. I've also been to that park more times than I can count on both my hands and feet, while Disney, I've only been to once, so that's still a bit more special. That's why I'm really trying my hardest to make this work.

I personally am a bit phone-phobic (last time it took me twenty minutes to convince myself I could call the hairdresser's for an appointment), so I'll see if I can either get over it and just call or convince my parents that the callback really is free (they don't seem to know you'll be calling/called by a local number, not one in France).

I tried searching for the live chat (have had it pop up once or twice before), but I can't find it anywhere anymore. Are there specific hours for that chat?

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Ehg_92]

Live chat option always opens up to me once you start the booking process ie. Select dates and a hotel on the website, then the next page is where you pick the specific hotel package you want, alternative dates are suggested and the live chat tab appears at the right hand side.
Also out of interest do you look old enough to pass for 18?
As far as I know the don't check ID at hotels or in the park, so long as you look old enough may get away with just booking as an adult?

[PanTastique]

The chat didn't appear on either the Belgian or Dutch version of the site, but when I changed the language to English, it did. I mean, it's not as if that matters - the rules are the same in every language. So hopefully the person to answer my chat will be able to help me  Okay, so that turned up nothing. The response I got was "You will need an adult to call the reservation centre to book as well as inquire about information regarding travelling without an adult." Yippee. Back to square one...

As for the passing as an 18-year-old, I personally don't really think so. Though I have an adult body, curves and all (I happen to be a transboy with the unfortunate fate of having a very curvy body ), but I'm also quite small (only 160 cm tall) and my face still appears quite childish. I could show you how I look, but I think the forum may not be the best place to just randomly put up pictures XD  It would really be up to luck or chance on that part.

[RobinV1987]

Traveling alone is a big task to do, not trying to discourage you, but it can feel lonely and you can become really insecure because being alone on a trip is a lot different than with family or friends.

But to be back on topic, it says that if you have a letter from your parents granting their aproval then it should be ok, just make sure the letter is in English (for obvious reasons) and has atleast one contact number of one of your parents so if something happens they can call your parents number.

Booking trough a travel agency is a good thing, stuff gets arranged for you, but it does mean that you may pay a higher price than if you arrange it yourself.

Some things to think about:
How do you want to travel?

By train

From the Netherlands there isn't a train going straight to the gates of Disneyland Paris anymore (not for quite some time), so if you do want to go by train you will need to transfer atleast once. It's an easy mode of public transportation, but make sure you know exactly what to do while transfering, what platform to go to all that jazz.
Also the train tickets aren't as cheap as they used to 15 years ago, so is it worth the hassle?

By airplane

I don't know all the rules for minors traveling by airplane, but if it's the same as when I was a teenager you can be escorted by traveler assistants who make sure everything gets taken care of. I don't know if that's extra costs, but it's safe.
For me personally Schiphol is the best airport to go to because I work there and live close by, there are flights everyday and to most major airports at Paris.
You can also look into Rotterdam and Eindhoven if that's closer to you, and the tickets are garenteed cheaper.

There is a very good shuttle service from most major Paris airports to Disneyland paris, it's only 16 euro's per trip (a bit more expensive than the train, but it drops you off at the hotel you are staying at, so it's worth the price!

I could go on and on about solo travel because I've been doing it for the last 10 years myself. So if you have any questions, just let me know

[PanTastique]

I was planning to take the train to Gare du Nord with the Thalys and then change to the RER. I've already calculated the cost. The RER appears to be pretty easy to find.

I find planes too much of a hassle. Get there two hours early... wait forever... just not my thing. I live an hour from Rotterdam Central, which is easily accessible by subway for me. So yeah, train was my first choice.

[Mrsya]

How exciting that you have dreamt, saved and planned for this trip for two years! I'd have been way too much of a scaredy cat to do it by myself but if you're the only Disney fan n your family it's got to be done!!

I'd suggest typing up a letter of consent with all of your details on. Saves your mum and dad the trouble... Have mum AND dad sign it then send one copy via email to Santa Fe, email one to dlp direct, fax one copy if you have access, print a couple of copies off and present them on check in and carry one in the parks (in case they ask you for it at any time).

Don't forget to get your birthday badge from city hall - cast members will make a real fuss of you. Are you booking somewhere nice for your birthday dinner?

[bad-pink-tink]

I wish I was like this when I was 16. I went to Walt Disney World in Florida when I was 16 with my family. Like you I am the big Disney fan, the rest of my family just saw it as a place to go when on the big family holiday to Orlando. I was miserable the entire time, I wanted to do the park MY way, not with my family,  It took me to my late 30's to finally be at the time of my life to do solo park trips and I love it so so much. I have done multiple solo trips to both Disneyland Paris and Disneyland California.

You seem to be in the right frame of mind, and have done your research. You are the same as the rest of us here on Magic Forum, its just that your age is making things difficult. 

Stick with it, things will work out for you and you will have a brilliant time at Disneyland Paris.  Just think how easy it will be for you in a another few years when you are planning another trip to Disneyland Paris. You will be free of the age restrictions, having been through all this when you were 16

[RobinV1987]

"Stick with it, things will work out for you and you will have a brilliant time at Disneyland Paris.  Just think how easy it will be for you in a another few years when you are planning another trip to Disneyland Paris. You will be free of the age restrictions, having been through all this when you were 16"

After my dad passed away I started doing everything by myself, go to the movie theater solo, doing restaurants solo, and 2 years later at 21 I went on my first trip to Dublin, scared the shit out of me (even scary biker looking guys get scared on their own )
But I've found out that going anywhere on my own terms defined who I was and taught me what I wanted in life.
I think pantastique will benefit from this too.

And remember, it's scary because anything scary is worth doing

[PanTastique]

Hi guys! Thank you for your encouraging words!

A friend of mine living in the UK called me saying that she'd called DLP earlier today after my fourth e-mail (to a Dutch-oriented benelux address came back with the same response as the previous e-mails ("We don't handle "requests" via e-mail"). They told her basically what you guys already said - the consent form should be enough. I'll send one by e-mail to Santa Fe and another to the mailing address in the brochure. I'll also bring one.

The lady on the phone said that wouldn't be neccessary as they only need to log it in when I check in, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Now I'll have to tell my parents and get my dad to use his credit card (he is too lazy to put credit on the card as he hardly ever uses it. Perhaps he'll be more eager when it's MY money XD)

Again guys, thank you so much! It's been a stressful couple of weeks, but I finally have the answer I need. It's not black-on-white (the reason I tried to get the answer by e-mail;  a bit easier to bring up as proof), but it's a confirmation on what the website already told me.

As I said, it's better to be safe and have something confirmed than be sorry and waste +€600 and still end up sleeping outside.

I'll keep you guys updated on my awfully big adventure.

Peter

[tubbsy]

Been reading along. It's great to hear you may finally be sorted. Can't wait to read your updates.