Advice / Opinions Please!

[Suzi-Q]

I've received a reply to my complaint to Eurostar about the problems we had on our trip last September and have been given 2 free single journey's:goodvibes

Prior to their reply I had been juggling the figures with the 40% off offer and still didn't think we'd be able to go:sad2: but now only having to pay towards 1 adult return there's a chance it might be do-able for later this year:thumbsup2

I had prepared my arguement for when I mentioned it to OH but was floored when he just said yes, I didn't realise at first and launched into 'we have to go now because blah blah blah' and he said you can shut up now I said yes we'll go, yes I'm coming, but I only want to go by train! DIL is also up for it and possible the friends we went with back in 2006.

So I need some advise please, I've looked in the trip reports but couldn't really find the answers I needed.

Plan is arrive by Eurostar on 1st Nov for 3 or 4 nights staying onsite.
We will be either 4 adults and 3 kids (2 x 11 + 2 yr old) or 6 adults and 5 kids (2 x 11, 7yr old + 2 x 2yrs)
Have done a bit of research and think French kids have last week of Oct off plus 1st Nov is a bank holiday.
I think there is the bonfire/firework spectacular on 3rd Nov (ideal as GD's 3rd b'day)

1. how busy is it the first week of Nov?
2. am thinking 4 nights would be preferable to 3 to allow for crowds and cold weather
3. will the halloween decs still be up?
4. can't decide between HNY or NPB (admirals floor) - was also thinking that if we got lake view then it may be possible to see the fireworks from the room? SQL is an option but would prefer to try a different hotel again this time.
5. have seen a review of the HNY that said the room windows don't open? is that right or might it have been like we had in the SQL where we had to ask for the window handles?
6. is the NPB pool better for the kids than the HNY?
7. it will be GD's birthday while we're there, friends kids will be 3 on 9th Nov and 7 on 1st Dec plus the twins are 12 on 10th Dec so the trip will be birthday treats for them all - if we are there for 4 nights do you think it will be too much to have a birthday meal/cake each night, ie, one for each birthday?
8. I'm thinking the UK school holidays are in Oct rather than 1st week of Nov?

Anyone got any advice on the above or anything I haven't considered about going in Nov?

Thanks in advance
Suze xx

PS Have just realised I never got round to doing my trippie from last Sept! Will get it done in the asap :thumbsup2

[Lowen37]

We went on the 6th nov last year for 2 nights. We were there over a weekend but didn't think the crowds were massive certainly not as bad as I thought it would be rides such as peter pan small world, buzz light year had max 10 mins wait not sure about bigger rides as we travelled with small children!!!

We stayed in HNY not sure about the windows but we had a ground floor room Out by the lake and our doors opened up onto a patio area which was great as we could see the bonfire/fireworks from our room!!

Sorrycant give you any info on the other hotels as that's the only 1 I've stayed in! I would go again this time of year the only thing I think that would put me off would be the cold.. Definetly wasn't expecting it to be quite so cold but that could easily have been avoid by me with a bit more research and some warmer clothes!! X

[Cinderella2006]

I can only help on the school holiday part sorry :thumbsup2

School holidays down this end of the country are 25th-29th October, i am guessing England is the same.

As for a birthday meal each night i think that is a great idea. Dont know if i would want to eat all that cake but hey, who counts calories at Disney!? ;)

[FiFi Rose]

We stayed in HNY in a lakeside room last October. We had to move rooms after our first night as the windows did not open and we had no air conditioning. When I complained at reception I was told that the windows in the middle of the building do not open:sad2:. When I asked about air conditioning I was told that it is switched off after Summer/High Season as the temperature is colder. I explained that we are from Scotland and are therefore not used to such high temperatures ;) and that the temperature in our room was unbearable.

We were moved rooms to another lakeside room about 4 doors down the corridor where we had windows that opened:cool1: (still no air con though cause that was a whole hotel thing)

The HNY was lovely and small. Breakfast was fab. The themeing of the hotel just didn't do it for me though, but thats probably a personal taste thing as I have a friend who loves it.

I would recommend phoning ahead to request a room with opening windows (particularly as you're going in November when the air con will be off)

[Suzi-Q]

We went on the 6th nov last year for 2 nights. We were there over a weekend but didn't think the crowds were massive certainly not as bad as I thought it would be rides such as peter pan small world, buzz light year had max 10 mins wait not sure about bigger rides as we travelled with small children!!!

We stayed in HNY not sure about the windows but we had a ground floor room Out by the lake and our doors opened up onto a patio area which was great as we could see the bonfire/fireworks from our room!!

Sorrycant give you any info on the other hotels as that's the only 1 I've stayed in! I would go again this time of year the only thing I think that would put me off would be the cold.. Definetly wasn't expecting it to be quite so cold but that could easily have been avoid by me with a bit more research and some warmer clothes!! X

The colds not a problem, we went in Jan last year lol. Was more concerned about the crowds and how long the queues would be but 10mins for peter pan etc sounds good, even in Jan we never had a walk on at peter pan altho' IASW was almost walk on! Even Buzz was 20mins, and crush was 60mins! But if it wasn't too busy over the weekend then hopefully Mon-Fri will be even quieter:woohoo:

Ground floor room with patio doors sounds good:thumbsup2 Can you remember your room number?

I can only help on the school holiday part sorry :thumbsup2

School holidays down this end of the country are 25th-29th October, i am guessing England is the same.

As for a birthday meal each night i think that is a great idea. Dont know if i would want to eat all that cake but hey, who counts calories at Disney!? ;)

Didn't you know Disney calories aren't the same as ordinary calories:lmao: I eat twice as much there than at home and still lose weight!

So first week in Nov is looking good then with regard to school hols.

We stayed in HNY in a lakeside room last October. We had to move rooms after our first night as the windows did not open and we had no air conditioning. When I complained at reception I was told that the windows in the middle of the building do not open:sad2:. When I asked about air conditioning I was told that it is switched off after Summer/High Season as the temperature is colder. I explained that we are from Scotland and are therefore not used to such high temperatures ;) and that the temperature in our room was unbearable.

We were moved rooms to another lakeside room about 4 doors down the corridor where we had windows that opened:cool1: (still no air con though cause that was a whole hotel thing)

The HNY was lovely and small. Breakfast was fab. The themeing of the hotel just didn't do it for me though, but thats probably a personal taste thing as I have a friend who loves it.

I would recommend phoning ahead to request a room with opening windows (particularly as you're going in November when the air con will be off)

Know what you mean about temperatures - after living on the coast in wales for 6 years and not having central heating it's like going to the bahamas when I visit me Mum in Birmingham, I asked her to turn the heating down last time only for her to inform me it hadn't been on for the last 3 days:rotfl:

At the moment HNY has - hot breakfast, closer to parks, slightly bigger rooms - in it's favour. NPB has - pirate ship theming in pool, nice view from lakeside rooms towards village, 'lighter' themed rooms - in it's favour. Oh decisions decisions:confused3

One other question - do you have to walk through the village to get to the entrance of the HNY or is there a short cut somewhere by the bus stops?

Thanks for your comments:thumbsup2
Suze xx

[FiFi Rose]

The main entrance of the HNY looks onto the lake, next to cafe Mickey. The quickest way is to walk through the village. The lake view rooms have a view of the lake looking over the skating rink:goodvibes

[Suzi-Q]

Ah right thanks. I was thinking there was a main front entrance, like at the NPB, SQL and DLH where the coaches pull up?

Suze xx