Trip Report 45 days until Sequoia Lodge! PTR

[Christieand]

I just wrote this post and then I had to login again so it got deleted.

Anyway I'll start again:

Cast Members:
Me: Christie, 18. I particularly like Pooh Bear, Lumpy the Heffalump, Princess Mia from Princess Diaries, Cinderella and the puppy in 101 Dalmatians who says "I'm hungry mother, I really am!"

My sister: Charlotte, also 18 (twins in case you were wondering). She likes Stitch, Pascal, Mrs Potts and Chips and pin badges a huge amount.

Our best friend: Beth, 17. We're going for her 18th birthday. She likes Ariel and we all have a collective love for Tangled, High School Musical 3 and the Jonas Brothers.

We are completely aware that a) this is a little strange and b) most 18 year olds go to Malia/Kavos/Magaluf in the summer when they are 18 (and before) but that's not really for us and we love Disney soo...

My sister and I have been twice before (2005 & 2009) but this time is really exciting because we are adultless and therefore have free reign on what we do, but also because we are saving up so that we will be able to buy whatever we like instead of having to carefully consider everything like we do at home. However this does mean that we are on a food budget! We have made a list of all the cheapest places to eat and will have dinner at these places, but plan on lasting through the day by eating a lot at breakfast then on our snacks that we will take with us to eat throughout the day. We have got a lot of food to take- dried fruit, chocolate, cereal bars etc etc. The list is quite extensive. We also hope that we will be able to survive without some days because we have pot noodles, instant porridge etc. All should be well.

We're staying at the Sequoia Lodge. It actually worked out cheaper to stay here because of the 40% deal and we got a day and night free! Very impressive, we were so glad that we made use of the 20th anniversary offers. We've stayed in the Santa Fe and Davy Crockett Ranch before so the "luxury" of SL will be a new experience!

We're travelling by Eurostar and arriving at about 2pm so using the Disney Express service to make the most of our time! To get to St Pancras from where we live a family friend who owns a taxi business is driving us down there because we can't drive yet! (Beth can actually ride a motorbike. haha)

We're not really "big rides" people but we love Thunder Mountain so may brave Crush's Coaster if we're feeling adventurous! we are also really excited about Dreams and I'm desperately trying not to ruin it until we are there!

So that's that for now! Phew.

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Wow Christie, you are so young but sound so organised!!! If only I could go back to 18, Iv just celebrated my 30th

You seem to have it all worked out. I like your plan to snack during the day however one of the things I like about going is eating out in the fantastic restaurants and Id rather use my spends for that as it forms part of my memories!

I loved Agrabah, loved the feel of the restaurant. So much so that I cannot remember what the food tasted like, although I remember it was good. Annettes is also a fantastic meal and for E17 a person for the 2 course meal with a drink we would eat there every day if the menu was bigger. All I suggest although recent reports seem to disagree is avoid Pizza Planet, Id rather chew a cardboard pizza box than eat there ever again!

Im off to SL in a few days time so Ill post some pics upon my return!

 

[Christieand]

I say it's because when we booked (in April!) there was such a long time to go that only planning passed the time. Really it's just because I am a bit weird

We are definitely eating at Rainforest Cafe, probably on the Thursday night, because we love it there, and by then I think we will be fed up of snack food!

Thank you for your suggestions, we will definitely consider them and avoid Pizza Planet! Good job you said that because I think it may be on our list!

I hope your trip's fantastic and I look forward to the photos

 

[Christieand]

We are all so excited that we just want to go now! Instead we are spending the time trying to figure out how to make the most of our time, especially as i have found out that French schools are off for the majority of our stay. We will definitely enjoy EMH and perhaps try and do some of the popular rides in the evenings. I want to try TOT but Charlotte is not so convinced!

Through this forum I have also found out that the weather will probably be quite warm. I'm not really a hot weather person! So I'm psyching myself up for that and wondering what to pack clothes wise.

We have a bag of Disney themed goodies that we have collected since we started thinking about organising our trip, so maybe I will have to get that out to ease the wait until we go!

 

[Christieand]

THE TICKETS ARE HERE!!
Charlotte in particular is very excited by this. Just to get tomorrow over with now (today in a minute's time!) because it is A level results day and then maybe we can start packing...

 

[CassieReynart]

Good luck with your results!!

 

[markpsych]

If you're actually going the week of your friend's 18th, make sure she gets her free birthday e-ticket, which will also include 20% off for all of you at a restaurant (at least I think it still does!): http://www.gratuitpourvotreanniversaire.fr/

 

[Christieand]

Good luck with your results!!

Thank you. We have both gotten in to our first choice so that's good.

 

[tinks_1989]

Wow 5 days to go!

I went for my 18th birthday I had a great time!mthere was a club there when I turned 18 but it's gone now! If you go for a drink on your friends birthday the cost of a drink goes up according to what hotel you are in. So they are cheapest in Santa fe and are most expensive in Disneyland Hotel (yes for the exact same drink)

Look forward to hearing how this trip goes

 

[tinks_1989]

Double post woops!

 

[ChelseyBun20]

Just read your PTR sounds like your going to have a brilliant time! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Christieand]

We won't be there for her actual birthday, unfortunately! But thanks for the tip anyway I am excited to write the trip report, is that sad? Oh well!

 

[amylouv]

I feel so excited for you! My BF and I went for our first adultless trip in April and loved it so much we're going back in a couple of weeks! Although I've seen numerous horrible reviews for Pizza Planet we ate there on our last trip and honestly we didn't find it all that bad! It wasn't fantastic but I guess it all comes down to opinions (we pretty much budgeted our way through our April trip - I only spent 70 euro in two days!).

Looking forward to reading your trip report!

 

[Christieand]

I feel so excited for you! My BF and I went for our first adultless trip in April and loved it so much we're going back in a couple of weeks! Although I've seen numerous horrible reviews for Pizza Planet we ate there on our last trip and honestly we didn't find it all that bad! It wasn't fantastic but I guess it all comes down to opinions (we pretty much budgeted our way through our April trip - I only spent 70 euro in two days!).

Looking forward to reading your trip report!

Thank you Good to know about pizza planet, though we are just packing and we have an entire suit case full of food so I'm not sure if we will need to spend any money on eating at all! Have a wonderful time on your trip, though I'm sure you will.

 

[RoseBug]

Have a fantastic time!

If you like characters I would recommend doing the Cowboy Cookout character meal, it is quite cheap at 26e and you get loads of food and it is good!

Email guest relations and tell them you are celebrating finishing your exams and your friends 18th - and see if you get any pixie dust! And make sure you take your friend to City Hall for her sticker and call from Mickey! You're never too old!

 

[Christieand]

Thank you for the tips! We aren't there for her actual birthday but if we were a call from mickey would definitely be on the cards

 

[kizzabel]

Hope you have a fantastic trip and i look forward to reading all about it.

I would try sending an email to guest relations all the same, you may just get a sprinkle of pixie dust. The rooms are fantastic in the SL.

We did the opposite and had our 1st childless trip in May and it was great only shhhh dont tell the kids, we had to say we missed them

 

[Christieand]

Thank you! We are now in the departure lounge at St Pancras, very exciting! Haha sounds like it will be with my mum...she is traumatised we are going so I think we will have to do the same. Bless her!

 

[Christieand]

The lady is coming round now with the travel packs and we want one! We will have to buy something to make up for it

 

[Christieand]

I feel as though I should send a warning as I am writing the first day of my TR now and it is going to be very long! Proceed with caution! It's going to be called "The Art of Timing it Right" for those brave enough to read!