Completely Overwhelmed! Help

[f-bhx]

So, while trying to make a dream come true for my 3 little ones...i've managed to get myself into a complete spin!

Obviously, we're trying to plan our trip to Disney, but for the first week of september.

Getting a great price via disney french website, so quite happy with that. Began by choosing to fly, now we're going to drive. I'm happy with the getting there and back, its the bit in between that's totally overwhelming me!

I've read so much that I don't know what else to read anymore but still feel clueless.

So basically, my main concerns are :

trapper or pioneer at Davy Crockett Ranch? (kids are 5,6,7)

food? (is it worth getting the meal vouchers in advance? we're vegetarians, and obviously limited on choice of meals, whenever we've been out on day trips etc we're perfectly happy with sandwiches and aren't generally the type to stop and sit down to have meals when out and about - usually grab some fries, sandwiches or panini's etc)

what do I need to book in advance? i've read things about fast passes etc, or getting tickets with timings in advance. I'm so lost.

Are there certain areas that I should def visit? or shows that I should book or try to get there for?

Even though my children aren't Disney mad - they have asked to go to DisneyLand a few hundred times.

Sorry for the babble, but i'm so lost and this forum seems super-friendly and helpful.
Thank you all.

 

[OldSchoolReasons]

Vegetarian wise - you won't struggle and the options are decent enough that I'd recommend table meals. I've been to DLP 6 times as a veggie and as long as you eat cheese you'll be fine. In fact the veggie meal at Blue Lagoon is lovely. It's my first Disney trip as a vegan in October and I'm nervous but I'm sure it'll be fine.

The not to be missed attractions depend on your family, but definitely check Big Thunder Mountain and the parade!

 

[f-bhx]

Thanks OSR! wow - vegan!! I'm no where near ready to take that plunge - really proud of you!!
and so yes, we do eat cheese.

 

[Joyce_Belle]

I think what you read about getting tickets with time slots in advance, is for the Princess Pavilion in Fantasyland. It is where you meet a Disney princess. At 10.30 AM each morning they start handing out tickets by The Old Mill (also in Fantasyland, nearby Princess Pavilion - check the park map on the day itself) with set times that you can return. I've heard that people start queing for this very early, even at the start of the Extra Magic Hours (8.00-10.00 AM most days). If your children want to meet princesses you should consider going early.
A different way to meet princesses (the only way, actually) is going for lunch/dinner in Auberge the Cendrillion. It's a table service restaurant and princesses come to your table. It's quite pricey (I think around €55 per adult), but they do have vegetarian options for sure. The restaurant is lovely, great theming. I would recommend making a reservation for this restaurant if you decide to do this.

Fastpasses for attractions are available during the day. The attractions that have Fastpasses say so on the free park map, available at the enterance of the parks. It works pretty much the same as in other resorts. You can get one using your enterance tickets or anual passes nearby the actual attraction. It will say what time you can come back to join the short Fastpass-line. You can get one at a time per ticket. When your time slot comes up, you can get the next Fastpass. Unless it's more than 2 hours away, in that case you can get a new Fastpass after those 2 hours. All the popular attractions have Fastpasses really, so you should check for yourself which ones you want to do.

To make it easy: I would say one third of your time should be spend in the Walt Disney Studios, the other two third in Disneyland Park. Disneyland Park really is the main park with most shows etc. In September there will be meet and greets in both parks. Exact times are stated on the park program, also available at the enterance of both parks for free. We can't really tell who you can meet at that time. Only "Meet Mickey" in Fantasyland in Disneyland Park is every day, year round.
In Disneyland Park, you can see Disney Magic On Parade (daily, most of the time somewhere between 4.30 and 6 PM, time and route stated on program/park map) and Disney Dreams! (daily, at closing time of the park by the castle). For other entertainment you should really check the program by the time your trip is nearly there, because it isn't released yet.

I wouldn't get meal vouchers by the way, unless it's through a promotion or something. On this page you can check info about restaurants and their locations, general opening hours, menu's and pricing:
http://www.dlpguide.com/planning/dining/restaurant-menus/
For some Table Service restaurants you should make reservations. If you choose Auberge the Cendrillion, Café Mickey, Inventions, Bistro Chez Remy, Walts, Silver Spur, Blue Lagoon, I would recommend this. You can do this by phone 60 days prior to arriving or during your stay at your hotel concierge or at City Hall in Disneyland Park. For other restaurants, just show up.

Good luck! If you have any more questions, just ask.

 

[f-bhx]

Joyce, you're a star! thank you so much.

I really didn't know all the details about the fastpass, i thought it was something you had to pay extra for. Also it's really handy to know in advance that you only get one at a time.

edited: just spoke to the husband and showed him some youtube videos! he's now keen on a character meal!! any advice on which is good?
I don't think we'll be doing the character dining since the children aren't so keen on a particular character each, so the attraction of the park would definitely be enough for them.


I've heard of 'Dreams' so often, and it's going to be something I will really try hard to stay around for.

Very excited now! eek.

Another question if I may, would you advise buying tickets and accommodation together? I'm getting a fairly good deal (I think) and it's via the French Disney website. Are there any perks to buying it together from Disney directly? (there's an offer of kids under 7 going free and 35% off at Davy Crockett - does this discount still make it cheaper than buying elsewhere?)

Thanks so much!!!

 

[markpsych]

I think tickets and accomodation are your best best, especially with the age of your children and the under 7 offer (I miss those days!). Another great routine deal is the early booking offer for December/Christmas trips

I'd just book the cheapest cabin option (they've all been refurbished to a good standard now), and there's a strong likelihood that they'll upgrade you at check in anyway.

Go to the Val d Europe Auchan Supermarket on the 1st day (10 minutes drive from the DCR) and stock up for the week, and you'll save a fortune compared to buying all of your meals out.

If your budget stretches to it...the buffet meal at the Crocket tavern has a great selection of food (inc. vegetarian options) and is consistently good. A good evening out close to the cabin.

If you're going swimming (the pool can be a little chilly sometoimnes, but lovely all the same)....go during the day, and you may have it all to yourselves. It's much busier in the evenings.

If you have a lie in, or go to the parks after a swim, don't worry if the car park looks busy.....just keep driving around all of the traffic cones untill you get to the front couple of rows and you'll generally find a space there.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I wouldn't be buying meal plan either as you can waste so much time in the ts restaurants and the végé selections are often limited to one choice - You won't have the long hours like we have now so you might need more time to do m&g and rides.

The Auchan plan is a good one as there is lot's of choice - Also look at restaurants off site if you want to eat out in the evenings when the park closes