Complete Newbie HELP

[kelliemc04]

Hiya, I'm new to Disney (apart from a visit when I was 17 disney world florida) and to this board and I'm hoping some of you can answer some of my questions and give any helpful tips. You guys seem like pros LOL!

I've just booked flights to CDG for 17th May as its my little girls 4th birthday on the 18th - its a special treat. There's also DH, my son who'll be 1 and my niece 11yrs going, I'm so excited.

Been searching around and the booking direct with Disney seems to be most cost effective unless you know better. The cheapest being Santa Fe, then the Cheyenne and then Sequoia lodge. I would be willing to pay the extra £148 for Sequoia lodge but is it worth it? You can read bad reviews on most hotels so I'm trying not get bogged down to much as its only somewhere to sleep, isn't it? I guess the main things would be are any closer to the parks, by how much and is the location worth the extra?

Is the shuttle or the train better for the transfer to Disney from CDG and does anyone know how much either are?

The opening hours for May doesn't seem available just yet, does anyone have an idea what time the parks are likely to close 17th to 20th May?

And finally, for Olivia's birthday I've heard you can have a character birthday tea - is this any good and whats included - do I need to order a seperate cake? We would also like to book a character meal and were considering the princess one as Olivia adores all the princesses (she actually believes she's one) but I've heard the menu is very fancy - I wouldn't mind paying the money if any of us will at least eat something. I'm wondering if it would be better to book another character meal and just queue to see some princesses??? Assume they are around the parks?

Thank you so much in advance - I'm optimistic someone will help.

Kellie

 

[scottish mum]

can't help with it all but I've stayed at cheyenne and santa fe they were both nice but they are further away from the parks, still walkable or the option of the bus. My friend stayed at sequoia lodge ane she loved it. If the cost isn't a problem I would stay at sequoia as with little ones you don't want the extra walk unless you really have too.

 

[AnotherKindOfBelle]

I would be willing to pay the extra £148 for Sequoia lodge but is it worth it? You can read bad reviews on most hotels so I'm trying not get bogged down to much as its only somewhere to sleep, isn't it? I guess the main things would be are any closer to the parks, by how much and is the location worth the extra?

I've stayed at the Sequoia Lodge and the walk always seemed less than everyone said it was. Maybe 5 minutes or so. I love the hotel, it's so cosy and warm and the Redwood Bar with the fireplace is just lovely. If you don't mind paying the extra, I'd say go for the Sequoia, especially with kids as the walk isn't as far and the lake is really pretty too

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi kelliemc04,
Elaine, Jackie, Elaine and Reid welcome you to the DLP DIS board

We are a friendly bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread for each

If you have not had a look yet, DLP posting rules are here
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1477038,
DIS posting guidelines can be found here
http://www.wdwinfo.com/guidelines.htm

How lovely to have a birthday trip for your DD .

The Sequoia Lodge is 5 minutes walk closer to the parks than the Santa Fe and the Cheyenne. The SL has a swimming pool, the other 2 don't. In May, when the evenings are lighter, you may want to have some fun in the pool before bedtime.

As there are 5 of you travelling, you might actually be just as cheap getting a private transfer from CDG to your hotel - we have links to transfer companies in our Very Useful Information sticky on this board. I've used rstransport (along with a lot of others here) and been very happy with their service. Parisblueshuttle also has its fans .

In May, the opening hours are likely to be 10am to 8pm or 9pm on the Sunday, and 10am to 7pm midweek. The Studios will be open from 10am to 6pm or 7pm each day.

You can order your birthday cake in advance (its much cheaper to do it this way) and then arrange to have the cake presented at any resort restaurant you choose (if she likes characters, a nice evening experience for you all would be Cafe Mickey).
The Princess meal is very expensive - in excess of 60 euros per adult, and 20 euros per child. It is, however, the only place in the parks that you are guaranteed to have one-to-one attention from some princesses.

Having said that - there are scheduled meet n greets with the princesses each day on the Castle stage when you go. If its like last year, there may also be the Sleeping Beauty show behind the castle each day, and you can get pics/autograph opportunities after that. Last June, Jasmine and Aladdin were in Adventureland for half an hour each morning, we got pics and autographs from them with no trouble at all, and only about 4 other children anywhere near us .
Also, from April 09, there is to be a new studios event, which is advertised to include, among other characters, Mulan, Ariel, Snow White, and Jasmine (I think). These are supposed to be meet n greets, and so there will be opportunities to see the Princesses outside the main park, and outside the Princess meal.

I'm sooo excited for you all - I'll be there exactly one week before you, when we will be celebrating my DD's 8th birthday

 

[joolz1910]

Hi I've got a daughter called Olivia too. I think if I had to choose between a hotel upgrade and hb vouchers, I'd choose the vouchers. Have you considered the hb premium? These would cover the princess meal in full and Cafe Mickey as two examples. As the princess meal costs 60e per adult and the voucher costs £31 - that's a pretty good saving. I've stayed at the Santa Fe and I liked it. The SL looks nicer and is nearer - if money is no object I'd opt for the SL. hth.

 

[kelliemc04]

Thank you ladies. I've decided to go with Santa Fe purely because its the cheaest and therefore as suggested we can spend the extra on premium vouchers and take our princess to lunch with the princesses on her birthday - even if she doesn't eat much I think it'll be worth it.

Thanks again,
Kellie