Christmas and lots of questions.

[torres_fan]

Hi guys,

Well it's been a while. It's been a year and a half since I've been and I'm ready to go to the magic again. I've been a few times before, once when I was 16 with my family, with my OH (march 07 and Halloween 08) And in summer 10 with my mum (who's a teacher so had to go during holidays).

My boyfriend and I can't really afford to go again mortgage to pay for etc. So when we were discussing this with my Best friend after she mentions living 10 minutes away from ebbsfleet she said she would come with me. I was figuring if I ask for money for my birthday from everyone it can go towards the trip.

As I have never been at Christmas and its the one time of year I really really want to go. We are hoping to stay a the new York hotel as neither of us have stayed her before.

So some questions:
1) When can Christmas be booked?
2) We can go anytime before Christmas anybody recommended specific times?
3) Will be travelling via Eurostar, we will both be 25 at the time of going can we still get youth tickets? Also when will dates come out so we can book?
4) What happens at Christmas in comparison to the times of year we have been before?
5) What will the crowds be like when we go?
6) How easy is it for adults to meet the characters at Christmas? Sometimes I find people look down at you if you don't have kids with you.
7) Is there ever any deals at Christmas (I.e 40% off)


Sorry for all the questions. Hope someone can help.

Thank you

 

[megarasweet]

1) When can Christmas be booked?

We booked our 2012 Christmas trip in May last year, however potentially you could book yours now. It's worth calling up and making an inquiry over the phone.

2) We can go anytime before Christmas anybody recommended specific times?

We went on the 12th-16th of December and it was fantastic. They were the last weekdays before the everyone broke up for Christmas and it was lovely - very quiet, but still very festive. Our longest queue was 20 minutes for Crush! We had shorter park hours (it closed at seven) but it was totally worth it for the short queues and peaceful atmosphere.

3) Will be travelling via Eurostar, we will both be 25 at the time of going can we still get youth tickets? Also when will dates come out so we can book?

I think you can still get youth tickets, might be worth checking the Eurostar website though. Our dates for December came out in August last year, but it varies. You can call up and ask them to notify you when your dates go on sale.

4) What happens at Christmas in comparison to the times of year we have been before?

It's hard to say for sure with the new 20th Anniversary Celebrations. In past years there has been the 'Dreams of Christmas' addition to OUADP, which I hope and pray they will keep with the new parade! There is also the tree lighting ceremony and most likely a castle lighting ceremony of some description. It snows on Main Street at regular intervals, and you can visit and have your photo taken with Santa. There's Belle's Christmas Village (although this was never open on our last trip ) and this year there were festive stalls in the village selling chestnuts, mulled wine and various sweets. IASM has a cute Christmas overlay and the whole park just has a lovely Christmas feel. I wouldn't visit at any other time of year!

5) What will the crowds be like when we go?

It really depends on when you go. The first couple of weeks of December are fairly subdued, but I believe there is a sudden influx when the schools break up for Christmas.

6) How easy is it for adults to meet the characters at Christmas? Sometimes I find people look down at you if you don't have kids with you.

Sorry, not too helpful there! We met most of our characters during our character meal at Inventions (highly recommended for adults who want to see characters but don't want to face excited children and tetchy parents in the meet and greets!). I did however managed to get photos with Jack Sparrow and Mickey in the park very easily.

7) Is there ever any deals at Christmas (I.e 40% off)

We got 1 day/1 night free when we booked in May last year, but it's too risky to gamble offers. You'll get 20% off if you book now with early bookers discount, although the chances are a better offer will come up (but don't hold me to that!).

I answered the best I could, hope it's of some help!

 

[torres_fan]

Thanks for the brilliant answers you have provided.

Also congratulation on your engagement. I'm still waiting after 7 years. Looks like you had a brilliant trip.

I have my heart set on going at Christmas so don't mind if it shuts at 7 means we can go back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We will also defiantly be going when kids are still in school.

Was it really really cold?

Most the times I have been, there's been an offer on so defiantly don't pay full price. I shall wait until its at a price I wish to pay. It says 12-25 on the Eurostar so I'm sure that's including 25 year olds.

Is the NY hotel really Christmassy or are there other hotels which have a better feel?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[DLPdaft]

I think the general concensus is that the Sequoia Lodge is the most Christmassy-looking hotel (that lovely roaring log fire etc ).

There were certainly 30% upwards offers (plus free nights etc) during Christmas season last year.

 

[megarasweet]

Thanks for the brilliant answers you have provided.

Also congratulation on your engagement. I'm still waiting after 7 years. Looks like you had a brilliant trip.

I have my heart set on going at Christmas so don't mind if it shuts at 7 means we can go back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We will also defiantly be going when kids are still in school.

Was it really really cold?

Most the times I have been, there's been an offer on so defiantly don't pay full price. I shall wait until its at a price I wish to pay. It says 12-25 on the Eurostar so I'm sure that's including 25 year olds.

Is the NY hotel really Christmassy or are there other hotels which have a better feel?

Thanks again for your help.

It wasn't as cold as we anticipated. It was damp but fairly mild - I layered up a thick cardigan and coat with my usual hat, scarf and gloves and was toasty! It varies though so prepare for the worst and check the local forecast before you leave.

I'm sure you'll get a fair price - we're holding out to book our next Christmas trip.

We loved the Christmas decs at HNY, and thought the big band christmas music made it especially festive. However as DLPdaft said a lot of people rate SL for Christmas trips.

 

[torres_fan]

I've stayed at SL in the summer but know what you mean by the log fire. But as I've stayed there for me it's about the hotels I haven't which are NB, NY, and DL.

I think I will wait for a good discount to come around. Now just got to decide if two 25 year olds are to old to visit father christmas.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Serenlas]

Great to know that SL is considered to be the most Christmassy hotel! I'm planning my first Christmas time trip (and only second trip ever) in early Dec and was trying to figure out how I could justify Hotel New York for the location, when I should really be paying Santa Fe/Cheyenne prices due to being broke But SL is a fab happy medium!