Complete Newbie here and would appreciate some advice re Santa Fe V Sequoia Lodge..

[Karen Mac]

Hi everyone, just wanted to start by saying "hello" and what a fab forum!

I've never been to DLP before but am looking to book for myself, husband and 2.5 (will be in oct) daughter and id just like some advice please. Have trawled the internet and read LOTS but there's nothing like talking to old hands!

The SL seems a little more pricey than the SF-is it worth it? (in your opinion) Mostly thinking in terms of food (daughter can be fussy!) and location (its nearer the park isnt it?)

Also is there anything you'd really advise not to miss-especially for my daughter-getting a bit bogged down (ok confused!) with all the talk of character meets, shows and parades etc and would hate for her to miss out on the "must see".

Thank you for taking the time to read and any other parents with young children that have any advice/tips at all-i'd really appreciate it!

Thanks again-Karen.

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi Karen Mac,

Elaine, Jackie, Elaine and Reid welcome you to 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 ,
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The Sequoia Lodge has a swimming pool, the Santa Fe doesn't. The Santa Fe is next to the Sequoia Lodge, and literally only another 5 minutes walk from the parks. There are free very frequent shuttle buses which run from each onsite hotel to the parks and back all day every day.

You can eat dinner wherever you like, at other hotels, in the Village, in the Parks etc. The Sequoia Lodge has 2 restaurants, the Santa Fe has one. All 3 are buffets (and children under 3 eat free at buffets all over the resort).

My DD is past the toddler stage, but I'm sure lots of members here will help you with your "must-do's" for your DD .

 

[cookie334]

Welcome, you're in the right place, it's amazing how much the lovely people on here know about DLP.

When are you thinking of going? We stayed at the SL at the start of the month and chose this due to the time of year. I haven't stayed at the Santa Fe before, but have stayed at The Cheyenne which is pretty much the same distance from the parks.

My personal choice (assuming warmer than January weather) from the 2 would be The Cheyenne. The walk (which would be the same as SF) is lovely on a nice day and there are free buses for when it's not. We also preferred that there are lots of smaller buildings which again is the case with SF aswell. SL also has smaller buildings in the form of the lodges but these are further fromthe parks than the main hotel.

For your DD I would recommend everything in Fantasyland in the main park. In the Studios Animagique, Stitch Live and the Cars ride are the ones our kids loved the most

I'm sure others will have lots more info for you. Have a great time

 

[cap'njack.]

Hello, and welcome

Personally I'd say to book the Santa Fe...It's a little further away from the park (5 mins walking, 2 mins on a bus) than the Sequia Lodge however the breakfasts are very similar at the two hotels and the money you saved could be better spent in the park as the rooms are very simliar sizes etc.

With your daughter I'd not miss the daily meet and greets in the Hotel Lobby (and also other hotels around too if you wanted) I'd also advise making best use of Extra Magic Hours if/when the are availiable during your trip.

Other than that she'd love all the Fantasyland rides (maybe not Snow White or Pinnochio) I'd try her on Pirates and Phantom Mannor, Buzz and Orbitron.

In the Studio's don't miss Cars and Flying Carpets, the meet and greets and also Kacee (18months old) love Animagique.

 

[Karen Mac]

Wow, thank you all so much for the welcome and the fast and informative replies!

My daughter has just woke up (early lol) from her nap so need to pop off and get organised but will be back later to check out your tips in more detail.

Thanks again-its much appreciated!

 

[jillrobinson]

Hi Karen
We've stayed at Santa Fe and at Sequoia Lodge, neither are my favourite hotels I'm afraid, I'd be inclined to book the Cheyenne instead, slightly more expensive than Santa Fe but well worth it for the theming.
The only reason I would consider the SL over either of the above hotels would be for the pool, wouldn't like to guarantee you'd find time to use it though, we never have.

 

[joolz1910]

Hi. My children loved IASW - my DD (15 months) squealed with delight as soon as we entered the attraction. Teacups, carousel, Peter Pan and Dumbo can all be found in Fantasyland. A tour of the Castle is lovely too. The parades are truly lovely and captivating. In the Studios, Flying Carpets, Cars and Animagique.

There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that the Cheyenne is the best of the onsite budget hotels. The rooms feature a double bed and a bunk bed. I haven't stayed there myself but I would definitely book there in the future. It might also be worth considering getting hb vouchers, as your daughter would eat for free at the buffets and could eat from your plates at the table service restaurants. Happy planning!

 

[manxtatt2]

Hi Karen
We've stayed at Santa Fe and at Sequoia Lodge, neither are my favourite hotels I'm afraid, I'd be inclined to book the Cheyenne instead, slightly more expensive than Santa Fe but well worth it for the theming.
The only reason I would consider the SL over either of the above hotels would be for the pool, wouldn't like to guarantee you'd find time to use it though, we never have.

most times i have looked the cheyenne is actually cheaper than santa fe

 

[torsie24]

I have never stayed at any of the budget options, but on our trip last week we took a walk to see the cheyenne and it did look lovely.

Maybe it's because it was a grey day but the Santa Fe looked so scary and miserable to me, I wouldn't book to stay there.

Cheyenne was really cute looking and well kep though.

I like the SL a lot, and the rooms are lovely, also I felt that it was quite a bit of a walk from Sequoia to SF and I've only tried the bus service once as it was so hellish I swore never again.

So you may have gathered my vote is definitely SL, or Cheyenne if you want to save a bit of money.

 

[angel girl]

most times i have looked the cheyenne is actually cheaper than santa fe

That's true for me-I have just booked the Cheyenne for Feb half term for £60 cheaper than the Santa Fe.

Personally although would be nice to stay at 'posher' hotel, I am with Capn Jack-would rather have more money to spend in the park, so always go for the budget option, and as we have APs that sometimes includes staying offsite too. I don't think we would use a pool-we are always too exhausted when we have finished at the park!

Although my DDs are older, would second what the others have said about Fantasyland especially Its A Small World, Peter Pan, Carousel and Dumbo for your little one. The parade is on once a day and most little ones love seeing the floats with all the characters on them-my tip would be to try to watch it near the start which from our experience is normally quieter, plus once the floats have passed you can hop off to the rides which are generally quieter as people are watching the parade! (a CM will be able to confirm where the start is for you).

Meet and Greets take place around the park as well as the hotels, you will be able to pick up a schedule at the park and find out where they are taking place. We found the meet and greets in the Studio Park to be less chaotic.

I always take a few little snacks with me, handy for times when little ones are getting tired or fed up of queuing!

Whatever you do, have a magical time and be warned it is very addictive (as are these boards )

 

[Karen Mac]

Thank you so much everyone- its great to get first hand advice!

Well contrary to what i posted we're just about to book the New York hotel for September but im a little confused by the 2 half board options showing. Have read the "stickys" etc and realise that the more expensive one can be used in more (and i presume) better restaurants. Is the upgrade worth it and are there any particular restaurants you'd advise to go/miss.

Thanks again guys-i love reading all your stories about your trips and find all the advice and tips fab!

 

[Cyrano]

We walked through the HNY every day of our 2 week stay. We use the hotel for parking

This is the closest hotel to the park after The Disneyland Hotel. Friends stayed there with their 3 boys and loved it.
Character meet and greets in the morning at the hotel are not crowded affairs.
Save up your tickets over 3 days and you can combine them to get the photographs for a cheaper price

BTW glad you found us

 

[wideeyes]

I would stay at the Cheyenne over the Santa Fe too. I don't like the look of the Santa Fe at all.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hello

We stayed at the Sante Fee a couple of years ago in August. I ejoyed my stay there, the rooms were fine. I did not like the fact that you had to put your food on a serviette rather than a plate for breakfast. For us because we went in August it was sooooo busy we tended to walk back to the hotel at night, which we found to be too long after being in the park all day. Also there was no pool.

Seq Lodge ... stayed here twice but both times in December ... there is something nice about the roaring fire and the cosiness of the place after spending all day in the freezing cold (and there is a pool)

New York ... we have stayed here once and enjoyed it very much. This hotel is my husband's favourite (we have not been lucky enough to try the disney hotel) The breakfast are better here than the others, you get hot food choice for breakfast as well. We are going to NY again this May (originally going to NPB - where we have stayed and enjoyed) but decided on this hotel due to its closeness to disney village, disney parks and hot buffet breakfast.