thepreciouspea
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2011
- Messages
- 75
We are back from our first ever Disney trip. We had a great time overall! I am so thankful for the advice that I received from this forum to help plan it all. Thanks so much!
Highs-
Sequoia Lodge-
The hotel was beautiful, especially decorated for Christmas. Just a really cozy, warm feeling to it. I commented to DH that I think I really liked it because it made me feel like being back home in the states. We were lucky enough to receive a renovated room without even asking, and had a view of Sequoia's strung with Christmas lights. We were right above the baggage check which was a bit noisy at times but didn't keep us from sleeping well.
Weather-
While it wasn't perfect, it was a bit foggy and a little chilly. We had no rain or snow and were warm most of the time.
Seeing my daughters in the outfits and hats that I made for them.
Queues and Baby Switch-
in both parks were short to non-existent. I only used fast pass once for the tower of terror. Most lines were 5 minutes or less and the longest we waited was just a few times around 20 minutes. We used the baby switch a couple of times when the girls were sleeping, it was so nice to be able to ride some for us.
Christmas Decorations, Music, & Snow-
The Decorations were very tastefully done, and the music really added to the atmosphere without being annoying at all. We were on mainstreet when we heard a blizzard like sound with twinkling music at the same time. We had no idea what was going on then it started snowing. The sound really added a lot to the experience.
Parades/Shows-
I didn't expect me or the girls to enjoy the parades and shows as much as we did. I had watched clips online to help decide what to do. Being there in person is so much better! I almost teared up during the Christmas part of the parade because of the music. It really did feel magical! That is saying a lot too, because it takes a lot for me to get emotional. I'm sure seeing my daughters' excitement added to it also.
Shows we really enjoyed- Mickey's Winter Wonderland and Playhouse Disney.
Rides-
We had a good time on all the rides but enjoyed the rides in the Studios park more because they were more thrilling.
Autographs-
Before we went, I didn't get what the big deal was about getting the autographs. Eeyore was one of the first we got and it was so cute. DD was so excited to meet them all and get the autographs.
Cafe Mickey for Dinner-
We were seated right away and our food came out in a timely manner and was hot.
The food was OK, neither good or terrible. We had 5-6 Characters visit our table for autographs and photos within 30 minutes without us having to chase them down.
Lows-
Really not much.....
Character meets without queues.
I hate these but we had to get Donald Ducks autograph, we tried to wait patiently for our turn. We waited for 10 minutes and every time that he just about turned our way he turned the other way again. Then the cast member took him to a different location. I was not happy! I try to teach my kids to be patient and wait their turn, I don't think it is a positive thing to teach your kids you have to push your way in to get what you want.
Pushy people-
I had expected this to happen, luckily it didn't happen as much as I thought it might. However when I had to tell people more than 2 times that we were in line next it was very frustrating! I don't like to have to get aggressive in front of my kids but I'm not going to be run over either.
Cafe Mickey for Breakfast-
After having a great experience for Dinner we decided to go for breakfast to get more pictures/autographs. We were there for 30 minutes before the first Character even came near us, then skipped our table. We waited another 10 minutes before being skipped over again, and had to make a complaint to a cast member before the Characters started visiting our table. We were there for nearly an hour and got 3 signatures. DH had packed the camera battery so we didn't get any pictures.
Highs-
Sequoia Lodge-
The hotel was beautiful, especially decorated for Christmas. Just a really cozy, warm feeling to it. I commented to DH that I think I really liked it because it made me feel like being back home in the states. We were lucky enough to receive a renovated room without even asking, and had a view of Sequoia's strung with Christmas lights. We were right above the baggage check which was a bit noisy at times but didn't keep us from sleeping well.
Weather-
While it wasn't perfect, it was a bit foggy and a little chilly. We had no rain or snow and were warm most of the time.
Seeing my daughters in the outfits and hats that I made for them.
Queues and Baby Switch-
in both parks were short to non-existent. I only used fast pass once for the tower of terror. Most lines were 5 minutes or less and the longest we waited was just a few times around 20 minutes. We used the baby switch a couple of times when the girls were sleeping, it was so nice to be able to ride some for us.
Christmas Decorations, Music, & Snow-
The Decorations were very tastefully done, and the music really added to the atmosphere without being annoying at all. We were on mainstreet when we heard a blizzard like sound with twinkling music at the same time. We had no idea what was going on then it started snowing. The sound really added a lot to the experience.
Parades/Shows-
I didn't expect me or the girls to enjoy the parades and shows as much as we did. I had watched clips online to help decide what to do. Being there in person is so much better! I almost teared up during the Christmas part of the parade because of the music. It really did feel magical! That is saying a lot too, because it takes a lot for me to get emotional. I'm sure seeing my daughters' excitement added to it also.
Shows we really enjoyed- Mickey's Winter Wonderland and Playhouse Disney.
Rides-
We had a good time on all the rides but enjoyed the rides in the Studios park more because they were more thrilling.
Autographs-
Before we went, I didn't get what the big deal was about getting the autographs. Eeyore was one of the first we got and it was so cute. DD was so excited to meet them all and get the autographs.
Cafe Mickey for Dinner-
We were seated right away and our food came out in a timely manner and was hot.
The food was OK, neither good or terrible. We had 5-6 Characters visit our table for autographs and photos within 30 minutes without us having to chase them down. Lows-
Really not much.....
Character meets without queues.
I hate these but we had to get Donald Ducks autograph, we tried to wait patiently for our turn. We waited for 10 minutes and every time that he just about turned our way he turned the other way again. Then the cast member took him to a different location. I was not happy! I try to teach my kids to be patient and wait their turn, I don't think it is a positive thing to teach your kids you have to push your way in to get what you want.
Pushy people-
I had expected this to happen, luckily it didn't happen as much as I thought it might. However when I had to tell people more than 2 times that we were in line next it was very frustrating! I don't like to have to get aggressive in front of my kids but I'm not going to be run over either.
Cafe Mickey for Breakfast-
After having a great experience for Dinner we decided to go for breakfast to get more pictures/autographs. We were there for 30 minutes before the first Character even came near us, then skipped our table. We waited another 10 minutes before being skipped over again, and had to make a complaint to a cast member before the Characters started visiting our table. We were there for nearly an hour and got 3 signatures. DH had packed the camera battery so we didn't get any pictures.
