Help! Vero Beach and DVC are booked

[Alysa]

We left our trip planning too late and all the DVC properties are booked this spring. We had been planning a trip to London for next September but are now thinking maybe we should move it up to take advantage of the great flight we could get this May. We will be bringing a toddler (27 months) and are looking for fun things to do in London. Can anyone refer us to a great site for London with children, or just travel in London in general? My grandparents are British but I have never been yet. This is our suggested itenerary so far: Hyde Park, the London Zoo, Mary Poppins at the Theatre, the National Gallery, V&A, the Tate, the Science Museum and the National History Museum. Any of this unsuitable for a toddler? Anything else you can recommend? We were hoping to see Peter Pan at the theatre but can't find it anywhere. Anyone know where it might be playing? Oh yes, and where would be the best place to go for afternoon tea?

We are also thinking about a train journey to the country for a couple of days but there are so many places we want to see, it is hard to decide. Any recommendations? We were thinking Ashdown forest but maybe our girl is too young to really enjoy it yet?

I know this is a Disney Site but any help would be MOST appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Danauk]

This is just personal taste but I am not too keen on the V&A (I find it a bit booring!!) I love the British Museum though and the Natural History museum is cool (I love the dinosour section.) The science museum is excellent, I love the hands on areas.
I would recommend going on the London eye (a kind of big wheel thing but the capsules you go around in are enclosed and you can walk around in them.) This gives you great views of the city. Also have a look at Buckingham Palace (your daughter will love the horse back guards), if you are there when the guards change that is worth seeing.
You didn't say how long your visit would be for. If you have time and are a real Disney fanatic how about catching the Eurostar train to DLP for a few days?
I hope you have a great trip.

 

[Alysa]

Thanks Danauk - we will add the Eye and the changing of the guard.

They're changing the guard at Buckingham Palace - Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We were reading that last night!

Oh - I am so excited!!
We had planned on maybe 5 days in London and two in the country. On our honeymoon we spent two weeks in France - one in Paris and one bobbling about the countryside, so I think we will probably stick to Endland for this trip - too much I want to see. How to choose though - I am a huge Austen fan, I'd love to see the Bronte's moors, the lake district, the cotswolds, Sussex, Kent, Devon or Cornwall, Oxfordshire or Cambridge (DH is a scientist and I am always trying to talk him into doing a year there so I can see everything).

 

[alisonbestford]

Oh, go on, remind me, what's the park/zoo at Battersea? Battersea Park. It has a children's zoo www.ottersandowls.co.uk/battersea.htm. It says that it will be closed until April 2005 but should be open in May.
Took DD there when she was about 3 and she loved it It's not as big as the main zoo, or as expensive .

There's also the Museum of Childhood, at Bethnal Green, www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/nmc/exhibs1.htm with fun things for kids to do but check the opening times as it closes one or two days a week.

Have a browse online for money off coupons. It's a while since we went so I can't remember where I found things but know I printed off 2 for 1 and money off coupons for the zoo and Battersea.

Check out
www.londonkidz.co.uk/Homepage.php
www.about-family-travel.com/travel/london_sights.htm
for more ideas.

If you want a reminder of WDW there's always the RainForest Cafe on Shaftesbury Avenue - I've never been myself but love the one in AK

hope some of this helps
Have fun.
Alison

 

[Pootle]

Afternoon tea at The Ritz is very popular and needs to be booked well in advance - you can book online http://www.theritzlondon.com/. I've had Sunday lunch there a few times (good value as The Ritz goes ) and the dining room is fabulous, and so is the area where they take tea.

Hope you enjoy your visit.

 

[alisonbestford]

That sounds interesting
Not sure I'd have taken my little one to the Ritz though - maybe if you can arrange a baby sitter?
Alison

 

[Alysa]

Okay, so I found a great deal on a flight for $400CAN pp (3 of us) April 18- 25th and 6 nights at the Dolphin Square Hotel for $2000CAN - any thoughts on this place? The Jolly Hotel St.Ermin was recommended to us but it is fully booked and I like the sound of the Dolphin because it has a small kitchen, dining room and pool.

Oh my goodness, just look at the tea room - do you think if my DD was well behaved we could pull it off? She's really more the battersea petting zoo kind of girl but maybe we could go there after to reward her!

 

[KayleeUK]

Moving this over to the UK Community Board

 

[Pootle]

Oh my goodness, just look at the tea room - do you think if my DD was well behaved we could pull it off?

LOL - but only you know best! I've seen young children at the Ritz though - guess it depends on how you feel your little one would handle it. Enjoy

 

[dreamflight99]

I'm sure a visit to Hamley's giant toy store would delight the wee one! It was one of our highlights during our December visit!! It's similar to FAO in size and stock, with a fabulous "build-a-bear" type section on an upper floor.

 

[alisonbestford]

She's really more the battersea petting zoo kind of girl but maybe we could go there after to reward her!

LOL, think I might do it the other way round myself
Alison

 

[alisonbestford]

I, personally, haven't heard of the hotels you mention but, just a thought here, are you able to book through www.laterooms.com ?
We've booked some wonderful hotels in London, at a fraction of the cost
Alison

 

[Alysa]

Thanks Kalee - sorry I posted in the wrong spot.
Hamley's sounds fun (I miss FAO Schwartz!) Thanks Dreamflight!
Alison - He he - I did mean the petting zoo first! Bad Mummy, taking DD to the Ritz!

Okay - further research - how about Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex for two days. Want to take a train but afraid things might be difficult to get to. Also nervous about driving on the left. Can anyone recommend a good car rental agency for a two day rental?

 

[alisonbestford]

Bad Mummy, taking DD to the Ritz!

QUOTE]

Not at all - it looks lovely but reckon, if it were us, I might have to sneak the GameBoy in, with the sound turned off, in order to get any peace

Alison

 

[Dimplenose]

There have been a few mentions on TV that the theatre version of Mary Poppins isn't suitable for pre-school children.
Peter Pan is generally a Christmas show.
Personally I love the V&A but at 27months it might be unsuitable.
If you do visit the Kengsington Museums (Natural History, V&A, Science) then there is a nice children's playground in Kensington Gardens not too far away.

Prices in Hamley's are about 20% higher than other shops - but the selection is wonderful.

Libby

 

[alisonbestford]

Prices in Hamley's are about 20% higher than other shops - but the selection is wonderful.

Libby

True.
I'd say go for the experience, escape without buying anything if you can, and then run like mad to the nearest Toys R Us

Can't help with the hotel in Sussex or the car hire - sorry

Let me just say though, if I can drive on the right, you can drive on the left Seriously, it is worrying at first but, as all the controls etc are on the right side for driving, it's really not as difficult swapping around as you might imagine
Alison

 

[SammieG]

yes, sadly there is no way they will let your 27 month old into Mary Poppins.. its STRICTLY for over 3's and recommended for over 7's.

I took my 5 year old and although he sort of enjoyed it, he also found much of it boring.

I wouldnt waste your money going to the theatre with such a young child. My son enjoys the theatre, and has gone since aged 1 to pantomimes and kids shows, but when we took him aged 3 to the Lion King, all he wanted to do was lie on the floor!!!

Personally, and I know that many people with kids live in London, but I find London with a young child rather hard. Getting strollers on and off buses, the tube or even cabs... its not great...