Seasonal Greetings DISboard members 
A very brief report of our recent visit to DLRP. We knew in advance, from other member postings that the parks would be at maximum capacity, so we had already moderated our expectations on the amount of rides that we would be able to take in during our stay.
Arrived at Davy Crockett Ranch at 1pm on Saturday 20 Dec 08 having travelled down through France by car after getting the 7.35 am Tunnel Train.
The reception car park was full with people parking in the exit car park and we were greeted by a lengthy check-in queue snaking it's way from reception and well into the car park. We knew we were in for a long wait, but the check in team were as efficient as possible and we were unloading into our Cabin 1.5 hours later.
Got to DLP at 3pm and the main rides had queues of 1.5 hrs and the fastpasses were exhausted. Did Pirates of Caribbean as queue only 1 hr, plus a few other 'soft rides' and the Lion King show. Early trip back to Davy Crockett for meal and bed as had been up since 3 am !
Sunday 21 Dec went to Studios as we knew DLP would be full. Arrived at 9.20 am and Studios already open (even though we had checked this out on the Saturday and were told park would not open until 10 am). Got into Crush queue (40 mins) and then picked up Tower Of Terror fastpass by which time both had 'normal' queues of 1.5 hours. Got straight into Armagedon and the shows; fastpass for Rock 'n' Roll Coaster; queued up for other rides but avoided the biggies and did not wait longer than 30 mins.
Had pre-booked evening buffet meal at Agrabah Cafe in DLP for 6.30 pm where we had excellent food (all you can eat for 26.50 euros) and the restaurant was, surprisingly, an oasis of calm ! Watched the Evening Parade at DLP.
Monday 22 Dec and up early to get to DLP for EMH commencing 8 am. Went straight to Space Mtn and had to wait until 8.30 am as (according to a CM, Disney was 'late' that day and they had not completed the safety checks on any of the rides). Post 10am EMH, managed to get three rides on Big Thunder Mountain throughout day based on fastpasses. Managed to get most things dones on our 'must do' list - again avoided any ride with lengthy queue in the afternoon (most of the biggies were up to 2 hours in length).
Tuesday 23 Dec and back to the Studios. This time the park opened at 9.30 am but none of the rides opened until 10 am. We joined the queue for Crush and by the time the ride opened at 10 am, the queue was all the way back to Studio 1 and being advertised as a 2 hour queue. Did the TOT under a fastpass and some of our other favourites such as Cinemagique.
Went to Disney Village for late lunch at 2pm and managed (just) to get a table at Planet Hollywood. Left for journey back at 4pm.
In summary, given reduced expectations, we did get everything done on our 'must do' list and enjoyed our stay.
The parks were at their maximum and we did see a fair amount of queue jumping much of which was blatant and something that DLRP needs to address at busy times (we have been to WDW when the parks are close to maximum and have never seen this sort of problem there).
Whilst we had a great time, we would seriously think about going to DLRP at Xmas again and would look more closely at other, less busy, times of the year.
Regards to all.
The ToT Crew
A very brief report of our recent visit to DLRP. We knew in advance, from other member postings that the parks would be at maximum capacity, so we had already moderated our expectations on the amount of rides that we would be able to take in during our stay.
Arrived at Davy Crockett Ranch at 1pm on Saturday 20 Dec 08 having travelled down through France by car after getting the 7.35 am Tunnel Train.
The reception car park was full with people parking in the exit car park and we were greeted by a lengthy check-in queue snaking it's way from reception and well into the car park. We knew we were in for a long wait, but the check in team were as efficient as possible and we were unloading into our Cabin 1.5 hours later.
Got to DLP at 3pm and the main rides had queues of 1.5 hrs and the fastpasses were exhausted. Did Pirates of Caribbean as queue only 1 hr, plus a few other 'soft rides' and the Lion King show. Early trip back to Davy Crockett for meal and bed as had been up since 3 am !
Sunday 21 Dec went to Studios as we knew DLP would be full. Arrived at 9.20 am and Studios already open (even though we had checked this out on the Saturday and were told park would not open until 10 am). Got into Crush queue (40 mins) and then picked up Tower Of Terror fastpass by which time both had 'normal' queues of 1.5 hours. Got straight into Armagedon and the shows; fastpass for Rock 'n' Roll Coaster; queued up for other rides but avoided the biggies and did not wait longer than 30 mins.
Had pre-booked evening buffet meal at Agrabah Cafe in DLP for 6.30 pm where we had excellent food (all you can eat for 26.50 euros) and the restaurant was, surprisingly, an oasis of calm ! Watched the Evening Parade at DLP.
Monday 22 Dec and up early to get to DLP for EMH commencing 8 am. Went straight to Space Mtn and had to wait until 8.30 am as (according to a CM, Disney was 'late' that day and they had not completed the safety checks on any of the rides). Post 10am EMH, managed to get three rides on Big Thunder Mountain throughout day based on fastpasses. Managed to get most things dones on our 'must do' list - again avoided any ride with lengthy queue in the afternoon (most of the biggies were up to 2 hours in length).
Tuesday 23 Dec and back to the Studios. This time the park opened at 9.30 am but none of the rides opened until 10 am. We joined the queue for Crush and by the time the ride opened at 10 am, the queue was all the way back to Studio 1 and being advertised as a 2 hour queue. Did the TOT under a fastpass and some of our other favourites such as Cinemagique.
Went to Disney Village for late lunch at 2pm and managed (just) to get a table at Planet Hollywood. Left for journey back at 4pm.
In summary, given reduced expectations, we did get everything done on our 'must do' list and enjoyed our stay.
The parks were at their maximum and we did see a fair amount of queue jumping much of which was blatant and something that DLRP needs to address at busy times (we have been to WDW when the parks are close to maximum and have never seen this sort of problem there).
Whilst we had a great time, we would seriously think about going to DLRP at Xmas again and would look more closely at other, less busy, times of the year.
Regards to all.
The ToT Crew
