A little help for a Disney virgin...

[ghockley1981]

Yes im ashamed to say im a Disney virgin, always wanted to go but never had the money or made the time to go.

Well thats all changed now and i've booked a 3 night 4 day package going by Eurostar and staying in the Holiday Inn mid week in the 2nd week of September. £320 with Fleetway Travel

I can't believe how tremendously excited I am already about going, and my gf was jumping all over the place with excitement when I told her where im taking her! Im 26 and she is 31

So now im at the planning stage and this forum has been great for answering a lot of my questions already. Just thought i'd come on board with everyone else and join the fun!

I've worked out that getting an annual pass makes more sense, and we can basically buy these when we arrive at the parc and then go to an office somewhere to pick them up.

I've also read about being referred and getting 10%, and the referrees get free passes themselves, I can't seem to find out anything about this, can anyone help?

I also wanted to know peoples opinions on late nights in the Disney Village, last buses back to the hotels off site, places to eat as my gf is a vegetarian and things we really should make sure we do apart from going on all the rides.

One day we'll be going to Paris and am not sure what else to do apart from the touristy thing. We're not into Art really

Any advise, helpful hints and info is greatly appreciated.

Let the fun begin!

 

[Demonica]

Congrats on popping your DLP cherry and welcome to the boards!

Sorry I can't answer your questions as I don't have an AP and I stay on site but I'm sure lots of help will be on its way.

We went for 5 nights last year with the plan of going into Paris but we're not artsy/museumy people so didn't bother in the end.

We were too shattered to stay late in the Disney Village but it is open late with numerous restaurants, a sports bar etc.

 

[torsie24]

Hello! Welcome to DIS! And to the world of Disney holidays!!

I've never stayed offsite so can;t help there but the village is open very late and has lots of things to do and see!

There is a thread on the boards (on the first page it think) about AP sponsorship, so have a check there. Although unles you are going to be going mroe than once this year, you may want to look into upgrading to an on site hotel. That way you needn't worry about busses and stuff to get back in the evenings...

Any more questions feel free to ask!!

 

[DLPdaft]

The Holiday Inn is an associated hotel - so its not that far from DLRP and the Village - in fact, its along the road and across the roundabout from the Santa Fe (an onsite hotel).

I can't help you with how late the buses/Village stays open I'm afraid - I visit DLRP with my 7-year old daughter, so the latest we're out and about is 9.30pm lol!

But even if the buses to the Holiday Inn don't run as late as you want to stay in the Village, and you don't want to walk it back to your hotel, you'll be able to get a taxi from the rank next to the bus stops and train station (just across the road from the entrance to the Village) and it shouldn't cost you much - as I said, the hotel is not that far away.

Elaine

 

[ghockley1981]

Thanks, I found the AP Sponsorship section and have sent a post, just waiting for someone to come forward now. I hope the buses do run late so we can stay out late in the bars one night to let our hair down, i've also seen these fastpass tickets you can buy from ebay that don't expire. Thinking of getting some of these so I can get more fast tracks and get on even more rides. so much to plan and think about

I think the holiday has already begun !!

 

[torsie24]

Yeah, you have to plan your restaurants!

That's a really exciting part!!

 

[ghockley1981]

haven't even thought about that yet, how do you book? I'll probably have to look at all the menus too as my gf is a veggie. Want to make sure its as easy going as possible.

Whats your favourite and why torsie24?

 

[poppyolivia]

Well done on booking your holiday...you are going to love it...and remember to give a write up of your holiday and post some pics when you get back!!!

(says me that hasn't done that yet!! )

 

[DLPdaft]

This is a great site for checking out the various menus -

http://www.dlpfoodguide.com/index.php

Elaine

 

[Demonica]

haven't even thought about that yet, how do you book? I'll probably have to look at all the menus too as my gf is a veggie. Want to make sure its as easy going as possible.

Whats your favourite and why torsie24?

If you haven't seen it already then http://www.dlpfoodguide.com is great and includes menus.

My tip is don't bother with Planet Hollywood!

Annettes Diner is a fab restaurant. Cafe Mickey was great fun too (character meal).

Either get reservations (there's a sticky at the top of the page that should help) or do as we did and eat a main meal mid-afternoon. The restaurants aren't so heaving and there were no queues.

 

[torsie24]

This is a great site for checking out the various menus -

http://www.dlpfoodguide.com/index.php

Elaine

hee, I jsut logged on to post that link!! All the menu's are one here for each restuarant (can be hard to find but it says 'menu' in the little tab along the top!!)

The meal I'm looking most forward to this trip is Cafe Mickey, as after looking at lostinwonderland's trip reports pics of here CM meal it looks amazing!

On my first day we are having dinner at Walts and I am very excited about that too!!

I'm also booked at Lucky Nugget, which looks tasty!!

 

[ghockley1981]

eating mid afternoon sounds a good plan, have to really plan where to eat because of my veggie gf, don't want to spend ages walking around

thanks for the link, looking into these ebay fastpass tickets that don't expire, could be useful to get another fastpass for another ride while waiting for the first one to come along

 

[Demonica]

eating mid afternoon sounds a good plan, have to really plan where to eat because of my veggie gf, don't want to spend ages walking around

thanks for the link, looking into these ebay fastpass tickets that don't expire, could be useful to get another fastpass for another ride while waiting for the first one to come along

Unless you can get them super cheap I'm not sure I'd bother. We went in low season too and aside from Crush (no fastpass anyway as far as I know) and Thunder Mountain there were hardly any queues.

This time we plan on trying Lucky Nugget Saloon buffet lunch meal which might be ideal for your gf as she can pick as much non-meaty stuff as she likes. Plus you get the characters if you book between 12-3 I think.

 

[ghockley1981]

Sounds like a good idea to try the Lucky Nugget, would be good to see the characters and let her eat what she wants. Mickeys Cafe was quite expensive, particulary as she wouldn't be having much probably there. I'll look into the GN then.

The link to the menus is great, picked out Annette's Diner, King Ludwigs Castle and the Rainforest Cafe as good place to have dinner with veggie options for the gf. Brilliant

The passes are about £12 so i may give them a go and if they don't work oh well. Plenty of time to work things out, just excitedly looking into things

 

[Demonica]

Sounds like a good idea to try the Golden Nugget, would be good to see the characters and let her eat what she wants. Mickeys Cafe was quite expensive, particulary as she wouldn't be having much probably there. I'll look into the GN then.

The link to the menus is great, picked out Annette's Diner, King Ludwigs Castle and the Rainforest Cafe as good place to have dinner with veggie options for the gf. Brilliant

The passes are about £12 so i may give them a go and if they don't work oh well. Plenty of time to work things out, just excitedly looking into things

Nothing to lose then for the sake of £12

Although we loved the characters at Cafe Mickey and everyone else enjoyed their meal I wasn't all that impressed with my ribs to be honest, v v fatty and overcooked. Would still go back though but going to try some others.

Would love the buffet at Inventions but it's pretty pricey! So will do Nugget hopefully this time and then the Sunday Brunch at the Steakhouse when I go kid-free.

Not that I have everything planned honest

 

[torsie24]

I think I'm gonna go for the build your own pizzas at CM......mmmm I can;t wait already!!!

Weight watchers is going to be a distant memory for 4 days!!!

 

[ghockley1981]

hmmm pizzza yum yum.

thanks all, lots of info and help there.

now just have to work out what rides to go too first and when the parade and shows are on, unless anyone knows of a link?

 

[torsie24]

The parade and that wont change.

If it helps here is my plan of arrival....

Once I'm checked in I'm gonna alk straight through the Village and to Disneyland. Then stroll down Mainstreet and visit the castle.

Then the plan in Small World (my ultimate "welcome to Disney ride") then Casey Jnr and/or the storybookland boats if theres no line.

Then I'll go to pirates, then check out the situation with BTM, and fastpass or ride, and try and squeze in Phantom manor!!!

Then hopefully i can do that all before the parade, and head straight to the 5.45 Lion King show, as its only on during my first and last days!!!

After this I am free of plans (except dining reservations) we are at Walts at 8pm out first night.

 

[torsie24]

Also, dont read this page in too much dpeth if you want a surprise, but there is a map at the bottom showing the parade route and stops, which will help you plan where you are best to stand to see the parts of parades you want to the most.

http://www.dlrpmagic.com/guides/15thanniversary/disneysonceuponadreamparade/guide/

 

[ghockley1981]

that link is great, my gf love beauty and the the beast so float 8 will be the aim so where float 3 stops on the first show and 8 stops on the second will be the target area.

I bet you have to get there early to get a good spot.

Does the parade happen every day?

Blimey, I think i'll have to do a lot more digging around on this site, never even seen this before. Time to find the show listing times for sept now then