Hidden some 8km from the Disney theme parks is the Disney operated ‘Disney Nature Resort’, the Davy Crockett Ranch. Perhaps one of the lesser known Disney hotels – primarily due to its distance and reliance on guests with cars – this hotel is a real hidden gem that deserves more recognition from Disneyland Paris fans.
As part of the InsidEars Hotel and Resorts Discovery Weekend, DLP Town Square was given a special chance to look around this resort with expert guide, Javier.
Reception Area and Village
Upon arriving at Disney’s Davy Crockett ranch, the first place that you will notice is the small village type atmosphere of the reception area. What struck me is how small town this felt, it was refreshing compared to any of the other Disney resorts at Disneyland Paris and managed to maintain that unique feeling of Disney whilst also being so very peaceful and quiet.
Everything here is detailed, from the bear that Davy Crockett supposedly killed at the age of 3, to Cast Members wearing the iconic fur hats and totem poles dotted around, it felt like a whole new and exciting resort.
In the centre of the village is a sort of giant fireplace, our guide Javier said that in the evenings they light up this outdoor fireplace and place seats around it which offers guests a communal place to sit back and relax. It sounds wonderfully idillic and a true break from the frantic nature of the parks.
Also of note in the resort were more additional activities compared to the other Disney resorts including mini-golf, tennis courts and a large outdoor activity playground for children making Davy Crockett more of a fully self-contained holiday resort with Disney touches.
Pool, Restaurant, bar and Shop
Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch has the most beautiful of the Disneyland Paris resort pools. It has a large pool building with plants – both real and artificial – as well as themed bridges, fort elements. It is also an incredibly spacious area with relatively few guests.
The restaurant – Davy Crockett’s Tavern – looks directly out onto the pool. This buffet restaurant is open in the evenings only with a range of dishes including meats, fish and salads. Whilst we did not have the chance to try the dishes at this restaurant, we did have a look around the details of the restaurants which included pioneer tool collections, a wonderful tapestry of the American eagle (shown at peace, but with the war side very much present if turned over) and a suspended canoe.
Crocket’s Saloon is the bar area at the Davy Crockett Ranch, this bar is on the small side but has various activities inside including Karaoke. Much like the restaurant, the tools that the pioneers would have used are decorating the walls. Notably here is the only remaining gun in Disneyland Paris. Once again, this is evening only service.
Finally, the Alamo Trading Post is the on-site shop at the Davy Crockett Ranch. Here, as the bungalows are self-catering, the shop takes on an increased importance as it is here that you will be able to buy all you need to make a tasty meal in your own kitchen.
This is the largest of the Disney Resort boutiques and is furnished with Disneyland Paris souvenirs and Carrefour food produce. The store is, as always with the Disney resorts, wonderfully furnished and designed to look just like Fort Alamo – the death place of Davy Crockett.
Nature Resort Touches
Alongside Villages Nature, Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch has been given the title of a ‘Disney Nature Resort’, this has come along with a number of additional little touches such as a nature trail with signs highlighting the resort’s biodiversity.
Near the reception area, you’ll see an Insect House and round the back of the pool you’ll find a large beehive. There are a large number of things to look out for, why not take a look at the trail on your next visit.
Additionally, there are numerous woodside walks that’ll take you off the concrete paths and onto grass trails. On many of these you’ll see animals – such as sheep – teepees, canoes and much more. It certainly is worth taking a walk around this resort, you’re almost certain to find a hidden gem.
A look around the Bungalows
Bungalows are located in a number of ‘loops’, these exist as the neighbourhood type environment would have been something encouraged during the time of the pioneers. Bungalows can fit up to 6 people inside of them, each comes with a living area, kitchenette, dining area and 2 bedrooms (with additional capacity coming from a sofa bed).
The two rooms consist of a room with a double bed located within it, as well as a second room with 3 single beds.
The bedding features the delightful artwork of Mickey with his fur hat, something I have always found myself being very drawn towards.
Each bungalow comes with toaster, microwave, hobs, kettle and sink unit for food preparation. There is a dining area both inside and outside. An added bonus is that each bungalow comes with a BBQ which is serviced each year in the Spring ready for the summer season.
There are also a large number of adapted bungalows, these sleep 5 people and feature no steps, extra space within the cabin to allow easy access around the cabin and the bedroom.
As expected, here the bathroom features significant modifications for accessibility.
Breakfast is available from little huts in each loop. These are designed to be taken to the cabin and enjoyed around the dining area, there is no seating at the breakfast pick up areas.
Also notable is that each bungalow does have its own parking spot. Disneyland Paris are looking to adapt some of these to include electric car charging ports in the future.
Getting to Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch
The most important thing to note about the Davy Crockett Ranch is that the only way to access it is via car. There is no shuttle bus and no possibility of walking – even if you wanted to do the 8km walk.
This is somewhat problematic – Davy Crockett Ranch is now classed as a ‘Disney Nature Resort’ and is a resort that is, quite righty, proud of it’s A rating in a French government sustainable resort classification, each family needing a car could be seen as unnecessary. A new road bridge now links Davy Crockett to the rest of the resort and so a shuttle bus would no longer need to take the Autoroute. Hopefully this is something Disneyland Paris will explore in future and unlock this resort to a wider guest range.
A really peaceful woodland retreat
Davy Crockett Ranch is a hidden gem of Disneyland Paris and somewhere that I would very much like to stay if there was a non-driving way to get there from the theme parks. There is a serene nature to the resort that is very desirable and it seems relaxing.
Infinity Annual Passholders – you can now explore the resort by taking a swim in the pool. Reservations are now available on the online portal.
