1st Visit, some answers please

[Crunchiepink]

Hi we are booked to go to DLP in March for 4 nights (Thurs - Sun) and want some quick answers to questions. I have tried to search the boards but to no avail.

OK here goes, sorry for the list, but I promise not to ask more questions over and over again
1) We are staying a Sequoia Lodge, is it worth paying extra for Montana rooms or Lakeside rooms? Or is it worth upgrading to Newport Bay for about £70 more??
2) Should we pre-book Buffalo Bills? We were told since it is 'Kids Go Free' time that it would be paying adults only £47.20, per adult. So £94.40 for all of us. Or would we get better discounts when we arrive?
3) Same as 2. Should we pre-book Character Breakfasts? Cost of £14.50 an adult (£29 for family)
4) Are Character Breakfasts worth it? Or should we stick with 'Good Morning Fantasyland' breakfast in the park which is FOC?
5) Our kids have b'days while we are there, I have seen that they charge 18 euros for tea with a 'slice of chocolate cake'! Which seems excessive. If we do a character tea as a b'day treat and say it is for a b'day when we get there, will we get any extra attention?
6) Someone told us if the kids wear their princess outfits they get extra attention from the characters? Is this true?
7) Are there huge queues for the kids rides? They will be too small for the mian roller coasters, which me and Dh want to do.
8) Is there anyway of riding the big rides together, leaving the kids?!? shocking I know. Or do they do a parent swap sytem, where we only need queue up once, and each go separately?
9) On arrival by train, should we get our bags taken to the hotel or should we go, check in and then go straight to the park after lunch?


Any other tips we should bear in mind, except to do all the main rides on the Thurs/Fri or Mon as the w/e gets busy. Our kids are too small (6 and 4) to do the REALLY big rides.

If there is anything I have forgotten please let me know as this will be our one and only trip to DLP, we cannot afford to go again, so we want to get teh most out of it.

THANKS A MILLION IN ADVANCE!! sorry for lack of smilies I loathe them!!

 

[Dianetigger]

I'll try to help with a few of your questions, but this is a VERY friendly board and I'm sure someone will have all the answers.

2) Should we pre-book Buffalo Bills? We were told since it is 'Kids Go Free' time that it would be paying adults only £47.20, per adult. So £94.40 for all of us. Or would we get better discounts when we arrive?
I've just booked today (for July) and as I understand it, it is cheaper if you pre-book rather than pay when you get there.

3) Same as 2. Should we pre-book Character Breakfasts? Cost of £14.50 an adult (£29 for family)
I have always pre-booked, don't think it's any cheaper whichever way you do it but I do like to plan ahead!
4) Are Character Breakfasts worth it? Or should we stick with 'Good Morning Fantasyland' breakfast in the park which is FOC?
Do both! The 'Good Morning Fantasyland' is great for getting on the busy rides in that land nice and early and without queuing for long (if at all). Character Breakfasts are well worth it - my children are alot older than yours and it is something we HAVE to do each time we go to DLP. The characters approach you and you'll get some great photos!

7) Are there huge queues for the kids rides? They will be too small for the mian roller coasters, which me and Dh want to do.
If you get to the park on opening then you shouldn't have too much of a problem with queues - then again we've only been in July. Peter Pan's Flight has large queues so grab yourself a fastpass if it looks busy.
8) Is there anyway of riding the big rides together, leaving the kids?!? shocking I know. Or do they do a parent swap sytem, where we only need queue up once, and each go separately?
Yes they do, think it's called 'baby switch'.

Only other thing I can think of at the moment and something we always do is get to the parks around 15 minutes before opening, it can be very quiet then and you will get plenty of photo opportunities with the characters.

 

[SandraVB79]

1) We are staying a Sequoia Lodge, is it worth paying extra for Montana rooms or Lakeside rooms? Or is it worth upgrading to Newport Bay for about £70 more??

No idea about the Montana rooms, but when I'm at Disney, I don't need a view, I need time with Mickey.

2) Should we pre-book Buffalo Bills? We were told since it is 'Kids Go Free' time that it would be paying adults only £47.20, per adult. So £94.40 for all of us. Or would we get better discounts when we arrive?

usually, there aren't discounts. If you pre-book, you're sure it won't be full.

3) Same as 2. Should we pre-book Character Breakfasts? Cost of £14.50 an adult (£29 for family)

If you want to do it, yes, you better pre-book it. It fills up quickly

4) Are Character Breakfasts worth it? Or should we stick with 'Good Morning Fantasyland' breakfast in the park which is FOC?

I just LOVE the character breakfast at Café Mickey. It's expensive, but I do it every other time I go. (when my brother doesn't come with us, he doesn't care about characters and doesn't eat enough to make the extra cost worth it, lol)

5) Our kids have b'days while we are there, I have seen that they charge 18 euros for tea with a 'slice of chocolate cake'! Which seems excessive. If we do a character tea as a b'day treat and say it is for a b'day when we get there, will we get any extra attention?

OK, in 2003 and 2004 it was like this: you pay 18 euro's extra, and you get a chocolate cake for your party. So, that makes about a big slice of cake per person.
I don't know whether they do something special at character tea when you say it's for a Bday. In my experience, the only thing they do when you say you celebrate a Bday is asking whether you want to buy the extra chocolate cake. There are also no Bday stickers from City Hall etc.

6) Someone told us if the kids wear their princess outfits they get extra attention from the characters? Is this true?

Not 100% sure, but I didn't notice that at all.

7) Are there huge queues for the kids rides? They will be too small for the mian roller coasters, which me and Dh want to do.

Peter Pan always has a huge queue, even FP return has a long line!!!! The other rides should be more or less OK, especially on weekdays.

8) Is there anyway of riding the big rides together, leaving the kids?!? shocking I know. Or do they do a parent swap sytem, where we only need queue up once, and each go separately?

Some rides have parent swap, and I am sure if you ask nicely, the CMs will accomodate you so you can each ride, and one stays with the kids. I wouldn't leave the kids waiting alone though.

9) On arrival by train, should we get our bags taken to the hotel or should we go, check in and then go straight to the park after lunch?

You have to go to the hotel and check in. My entrance tickets were always waiting for me in the hotel, so... If you're lucky, you can already go to your room (which I think is always nicer than having to use public restrooms, etc.)
You can have lunch in the park; it won't be more expensive than in the hotel.

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Crunchiepink and welcome to DLP DIS boards We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any thread
If you have a number of questions it is best to start a new thread for each so that more people respond

 

[chrismoo]

Regarding birthdays;

One of the self service restruants Fuente del Oro, had a birthday pack, for €15 you get a cake & candle and a few other bits.

I can't remember any more details though, and very much regret not buying one when I was there.

 

[Cyrano]

If you go to City Hall on Main Street; left hand side once you go underneath the railroad in the park, you'll get birthday badges for the children.
CM's/characters will noticed this and make your visit extra special

 

[dlpSteve]

9) On arrival by train, should we get our bags taken to the hotel or should we go, check in and then go straight to the park after lunch?

If you are offered the Disney Express luggage service (not sure who does, we've had every time and we've never done anything special) you can hand your luggage in at the station and got straight to the park which is great because you get to feel the magic even quicker! Unless you have something to do in your room I;d say get to the parks ASAP!

As for Buffalo Bills - I'd pre-book ASAP, we've not been able to get certain days before and that's when we were pre-booking months in advance - better to book and avoid disappointment.

 

[wideeyes]

At cafe mickey if you buy a birthday cake, all the characters come to the table while the candles are blown out, and they play special music.

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi Crunchiepink to the DIS.

 

[Bexx]

Welcome to the DIS Crunchiepink.

1) We are staying a Sequoia Lodge, is it worth paying extra for Montana rooms or Lakeside rooms? Or is it worth upgrading to Newport Bay for about £70 more??

Have you had a look at the virtual visits on the DLP website? I wouldn't bother to change from Sequoia Lodge, unless you totally prefer the look of the Newport Bay!!! But it might be worth considering a Montana room as then you are in the main building. The lakeside views are nice, but it depends on how much time you'll get to look at it!

 

[Joanne UK]

We had a character birthday tea at Plaza Gardens for DD when she was 4. She got a whole chocolate cake - very gooey and messy and a goody bag. In the bag was a good size cuddly Mickey which sings Happy Birthday when you press his tummy, a hat and a birthday card which all the characters signed for her. I think there were a couple of other bits too but I don't remember what they were. It was very enjoyable and definately something that I would recommend.

 

[BONITATIME]

2) Should we pre-book Buffalo Bills? We were told since it is 'Kids Go Free' time that it would be paying adults only £47.20, per adult. So £94.40 for all of us. Or would we get better discounts when we arrive?

You should pre book as there are no last min discounts.

3) Same as 2. Should we pre-book Character Breakfasts? Cost of £14.50 an adult (£29 for family)
Pre book otherwise you end up with really lousy times and not the day you wanted.
4) Are Character Breakfasts worth it? Or should we stick with 'Good Morning Fantasyland' breakfast in the park which is FOC?
I would book 1 character b'fast and do the rest of the days GMFB

5) Our kids have b'days while we are there, I have seen that they charge 18 euros for tea with a 'slice of chocolate cake'! Which seems excessive. If we do a character tea as a b'day treat and say it is for a b'day when we get there, will we get any extra attention?
The character tea is 13 euros in the winter and 16 euros in the summer before you add on a card fuss and if i remember right a present. I would phone and confirm as it is a great way to meet the characters without queues and shoving.

7) Are there huge queues for the kids rides? They will be too small for the mian roller coasters, which me and Dh want to do. If you do the good morning fantasyland breakfast you will be in the park really early and can ride the 2 rides that are going before opening and the ride the rest before it fills up. I rode all the rides by 10.30 on a 10.00 opening. You cn the get another fast pass for peter pan as they are difficult to get later.
I would strongly reccomend the use of fast passes with children as it spares hte queues and the inevitable ''are we going on now''
8) Is there anyway of riding the big rides together, leaving the kids?!? shocking I know. Or do they do a parent swap sytem, where we only need queue up once, and each go separately?
Mine are bigger than yours but we are inclined to take my oldest with us and he just waits the other side of the exit when we board . Only you can know if your children could be left like that.. The CM's are helpful but they all have jobs to do and therefore couldn't really pay the children much attention

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