a llittle help please ...

[islandmum]

hi all,

have posted on the DLP board too but seeing as I know you lot better I thought I'd ask you opinions too

going to DLP for the first time next year, flying into Gatwick and then Eurostar from London straight there. we have 2 full days and one half day on the day we leave at DLP.

youngest DS will be 6 on the second day so my questions are:

for those who've done it with 6/8 year old boys in particular ....
what are the must do attractions?
which restaurants are good fun to eat at (thinking 50's prime time diner etc)
where is the best place to celebrate our boys birthday meal?
which restaurants are good value (table and counter service) and good food
staying in the Sata Fe - any recommendations?

basically tell me do's and not do's including the Eurostar if anyones got any experience. We've booked the Leisure select class but dont know if we get a meal with that.

thanks guys

 

[Chilly]

hi all,

have posted on the DLP board too but seeing as I know you lot better I thought I'd ask you opinions too

going to DLP for the first time next year, flying into Gatwick and then Eurostar from London straight there. we have 2 full days and one half day on the day we leave at DLP.

youngest DS will be 6 on the second day so my questions are:

for those who've done it with 6/8 year old boys in particular ....
what are the must do attractions?
which restaurants are good fun to eat at (thinking 50's prime time diner etc)
where is the best place to celebrate our boys birthday meal?
which restaurants are good value (table and counter service) and good food
staying in the Sata Fe - any recommendations?

basically tell me do's and not do's including the Eurostar if anyones got any experience. We've booked the Leisure select class but dont know if we get a meal with that.

thanks guys

The DLRP will answer better but one tip I have, as Santa Fe is an all you can eat breakfast you can normally sneak a bit extra out with you to have for lunch which saves some money.

 

[1andrea]

Did you book the Santa Fe hotel Direct or as part of a disney package?

Have you stayed at the Santa Fe before?

 

[islandmum]

we've never been to DLP before so this is all new to us! Santa Fe looks fine for just the 3 nights but would be great to hear anyones opinions on it.

We've booked through Disney as a package - and will add the Eurostar seperately.

 

[torsie24]

I'd say if you can to change your hotel to the Cheyenne, I know the price is normally only a few pounds extra, and the Cheyenne has much nicer themeing IMHO.

As for getting the Eurostar, it depends how early you get into Gatwick.

The train to DLP from London leaves at about 9 (althought could be as early as 8), so you'd need to be all landed in LGW by 6, then get the train from Gatwick to London (Gatwick Express would be best) and then you'd need to get the Tube over to St Pancras to get the Eurostar.

I can't think of any meals like 50's PT.....we really love the character buffet in the Disneyland Hotel, and also Cafe Mickey is great fun! But the non-costumed CMs at DLP don't really play along like in WDW.

All of the attractions are great at DLRP, especially BTM (has the best one by far) and Space Mountain. Also Stitch Live! is an awesome attraction!!

 

[Pugsly]

I would also suggest changing to Cheyenne. We stayed in Hotel Santa Fe in 2003 and it was okay - but definitely lacking in theming (very bland).

My DS was a little older when we went (15), so we loved RnRC, Space Mountain, and BTMRR. the Alice in Wonderland-themed maze was fun. And you simply must see the Dragon beneath the castle.

Can't recall any fantastic meals while there - so can't suggest anything.

We did the Eurostar from London as well and had no problems, except for a slight delay going into the chunnel. Other than that, it was a great ride.

 

[Dimplenose]

We stayed ay Santa Fe. Very dull looking but we got a room only deal with Expedia so we could spend time in Paris without wasting days on our Park tickets.

Our best meal was at Cafe Mickey in the Disney Village which had lots of characters. (They had trouble processing credit cards that night which took the shine off things but the meal was great.)

We also ate at the buffets at Hotel Santa Fe and at Cheyenne which we thought were good value and very relaxed. Strangley soft drinks were included at one location but not the other.

We went in February so the dining options in the Parks were very limited.

 

[ariel75]

i have stayed at santa fe and cheyenne and i would definately go for the cheyenne much nicer and actually seemed closer too the parks plus the buses did not seem as busy and some of the rooms are very close to the bus stops.
Hope you all have a great trip!

 

[islandmum]

okay so Cheyenne looks like the place to choose over the Santa Fe! We have a flexible booking with DLP so can change hotels and dates quite easily.

thanks for your advice guys