Hi everyone -
Apologies this has taken a while, it doesn't seem like we've stopped since we got back. I don't really do diaries, so instead of a trip report, here's some info that I hope might be useful to people going for Christmas in the future.
Inventions Christmas Eve Dinner
This really was one of the highlights for us. We attended the first sitting at 6.30. We finished just in time to catch Fantillusion in the park. While we were waiting in Fantasia Cafe we were entertained by a four piece male singing quartet, and face painters. At our table we were allocated a waiter who was very attentive throughout the meal, he seemed to have 4 or 5 tables to look after. If you wanted anything you only had to ask, and you really felt you were being given very special attention.
Food: similar style to standard Inventions buffet but of even higher quality than normal.
Range of starters eg, suckling pig, pigeon terrine, foie gras, salmon
Range of salads eg, tomato and quails eggs
Seafood course eg, oysters, lobster, langoustine, mussels and prawns
Hot buffet mains eg, carved beef, other meats such as turkey, veal, pork in various sauces
Range of veg eg, potatoes and chestnuts, green beans
A range of children's snacks
Desserts eg, yule logs, mini tarts, gateaux
Drinks: There was a bottle of red already on the table, and after being seated we were poured a glass of champagne. When we had got our starters we were asked if we wanted white wine with our starters (which we did). The wine was replaced as soon as it was finished if you wanted it. There was also unlimited water and soft drinks.
Entertainment: Great character interaction including of course Mickey in his Christmas best and Father Christmas. A drum salsa type band and a juggler.
This really was a top notch experience and would recommend anyone to stay in the DLH over Christmas so they can experience it (on Christmas Eve night, if you want to eat in a hotel, you can only eat in the hotel you're staying in)
Christmas Day Lunch - Lucky Nugget
Normally after a hotel breakfast we go through to the evening with only a snack at lunchtime. For Christmas Day, however, we booked the Lucky Nugget as our evening meal wasn't until 8, and we wanted something more than a burger on Christmas day.
If you want Christmas lunch - make sure you book. We couldn't believe how many people hadn't thought to book and were being turned away. We were shown straight to our seats. We've not eaten here before, but I think the food was their normal fare. All you can eat Tex Mex. A few characters came around but the staff seemed a little stressed so it wasn't to Christmassy despite the band playing. Food was OK (desserts best) but think we were spoiled by Inventions two nights running by now. On the whole better than a burger and at least it was a character meal for Christmas Lunch.
Christmas Day Character buffet at HNY
This was at 8 pm and we arrived around 7.30. It was held in one of the large conference venues in HNY. Outside the hall was an efficient cloakroom (so you can leave your outdoor coats if you're not staying there) and face painting for the children. The hall was huge and set it out with circular tables for ten, so you shared with others. The buffet was arranged down both sides of the hall.
Food: the food was a good standard, not quite of the quality of Inventions, but much better than any mass buffet I've had in the UK. All sorts of starters, meats, fish salads etc., and some kids stuff, a novelty which I had to try was snail vol au vent. Wine was on the table as was water and was replaced as soon as it was finished. Children had a choice of soft drinks. Our fellow diners were disappointed however that you had to buy other drinks, eg, beer from the hotel bar.
At about 9, characters came onto the stage for a quick sing song. They then came down into the hall and something approaching a mass scrum ensued. This was madness, little chance of decent interaction and plenty of opportunity for tears.
Whilst this was an OK experience, it was just a bit too much for DD (7) who is a really good girl. Too much excitement at the end of a very exciting day, so we had a few tears before bedtime. Probably wouldn't do this one again. Think next time we would miss out Lucky Nugget at Lunch, book Walts for 6ish, so we could watch the parade after then back to bed.
Tinkerbell Show
We arrived about 45 mins before this started (on Boxing Day) and were very close to the front of the queue. We were glad we were as it is in one of NPBs huge conference halls, and don't think the view would have been great at the back.
You share rectangular tables of eight, 4 people on each side. The organisation is spot on and very impressive. For mass catering the food was not bad. Salmon starter, veal main. The children's starter of prawns was a little strange and many children including ours were not too keen. Wine was brought by the bottle as soon as it was finished. We were seated with a French family, who unusually spoke no English. However, as the husband and myself were the only ones drinking the wine, by the end of the evening despite our lack of communication we were best mates.
The show was more impressive than the food, a spin round the world with Tinkerbell, characters and some versatile dancers. A good night out, but having seen it, probably wouldn't go again.
Christmas crowds
It was pretty busy. Luckily we had VIP fastpasses which helped. Arrival day, after a swim we went into Disneyland Park and just had a wander / watched parade so not too bad. Walked onto PoC straight after parade. Christmas Eve daytime we went to the Studios which wasn't too bad but lots of unnecessary rudeness at the parade. Christmas Day in Disneyland Park was OK, but busier than expected. Eg, at 4ish we queued nearly an hour for Dumbo and we don't normally do queues. Boxing Day we had a chill day, watched one of our presents, Cars, on the laptop, had a swim went to the village for lunch, went ice skating and Tink in the evening so no parks. 27th and 28th parks v. busy, we don't get going early so without VIP FP we probably wouldn't have ridden much. By the time we got into parks at 10 / 11ish, FP times were late pm. When we left for Eurostar on 28th we gave our FPs to another family as the park didn't close til 10 - think they were pleased as there were a lot of upset people not able to get on rides.
Also really was worth booking meals. We did this before we left home. Our last lunch at Walts there were streams of people being turned away. Even with a booking we waited half an hour. Once eating, however, Walts was as good as ever.
All in all it was a great Christmas - we would do it again. I think we'd try and book early enough to get into Castle Club and make sure of the FPs. Also don't think you can beat Inventions, espec. for Christmas Eve. We ate in California Grill on last night which was great - but still rate Inventions as our fave. I'd say its worth doing the Tink show once but wouldn't necessarily recommend the Christmas Day Character buffet.
Apologies this has taken a while, it doesn't seem like we've stopped since we got back. I don't really do diaries, so instead of a trip report, here's some info that I hope might be useful to people going for Christmas in the future.
Inventions Christmas Eve Dinner
This really was one of the highlights for us. We attended the first sitting at 6.30. We finished just in time to catch Fantillusion in the park. While we were waiting in Fantasia Cafe we were entertained by a four piece male singing quartet, and face painters. At our table we were allocated a waiter who was very attentive throughout the meal, he seemed to have 4 or 5 tables to look after. If you wanted anything you only had to ask, and you really felt you were being given very special attention.
Food: similar style to standard Inventions buffet but of even higher quality than normal.
Range of starters eg, suckling pig, pigeon terrine, foie gras, salmon
Range of salads eg, tomato and quails eggs
Seafood course eg, oysters, lobster, langoustine, mussels and prawns
Hot buffet mains eg, carved beef, other meats such as turkey, veal, pork in various sauces
Range of veg eg, potatoes and chestnuts, green beans
A range of children's snacks
Desserts eg, yule logs, mini tarts, gateaux
Drinks: There was a bottle of red already on the table, and after being seated we were poured a glass of champagne. When we had got our starters we were asked if we wanted white wine with our starters (which we did). The wine was replaced as soon as it was finished if you wanted it. There was also unlimited water and soft drinks.
Entertainment: Great character interaction including of course Mickey in his Christmas best and Father Christmas. A drum salsa type band and a juggler.
This really was a top notch experience and would recommend anyone to stay in the DLH over Christmas so they can experience it (on Christmas Eve night, if you want to eat in a hotel, you can only eat in the hotel you're staying in)
Christmas Day Lunch - Lucky Nugget
Normally after a hotel breakfast we go through to the evening with only a snack at lunchtime. For Christmas Day, however, we booked the Lucky Nugget as our evening meal wasn't until 8, and we wanted something more than a burger on Christmas day.
If you want Christmas lunch - make sure you book. We couldn't believe how many people hadn't thought to book and were being turned away. We were shown straight to our seats. We've not eaten here before, but I think the food was their normal fare. All you can eat Tex Mex. A few characters came around but the staff seemed a little stressed so it wasn't to Christmassy despite the band playing. Food was OK (desserts best) but think we were spoiled by Inventions two nights running by now. On the whole better than a burger and at least it was a character meal for Christmas Lunch.
Christmas Day Character buffet at HNY
This was at 8 pm and we arrived around 7.30. It was held in one of the large conference venues in HNY. Outside the hall was an efficient cloakroom (so you can leave your outdoor coats if you're not staying there) and face painting for the children. The hall was huge and set it out with circular tables for ten, so you shared with others. The buffet was arranged down both sides of the hall.
Food: the food was a good standard, not quite of the quality of Inventions, but much better than any mass buffet I've had in the UK. All sorts of starters, meats, fish salads etc., and some kids stuff, a novelty which I had to try was snail vol au vent. Wine was on the table as was water and was replaced as soon as it was finished. Children had a choice of soft drinks. Our fellow diners were disappointed however that you had to buy other drinks, eg, beer from the hotel bar.
At about 9, characters came onto the stage for a quick sing song. They then came down into the hall and something approaching a mass scrum ensued. This was madness, little chance of decent interaction and plenty of opportunity for tears.
Whilst this was an OK experience, it was just a bit too much for DD (7) who is a really good girl. Too much excitement at the end of a very exciting day, so we had a few tears before bedtime. Probably wouldn't do this one again. Think next time we would miss out Lucky Nugget at Lunch, book Walts for 6ish, so we could watch the parade after then back to bed.
Tinkerbell Show
We arrived about 45 mins before this started (on Boxing Day) and were very close to the front of the queue. We were glad we were as it is in one of NPBs huge conference halls, and don't think the view would have been great at the back.
You share rectangular tables of eight, 4 people on each side. The organisation is spot on and very impressive. For mass catering the food was not bad. Salmon starter, veal main. The children's starter of prawns was a little strange and many children including ours were not too keen. Wine was brought by the bottle as soon as it was finished. We were seated with a French family, who unusually spoke no English. However, as the husband and myself were the only ones drinking the wine, by the end of the evening despite our lack of communication we were best mates.
The show was more impressive than the food, a spin round the world with Tinkerbell, characters and some versatile dancers. A good night out, but having seen it, probably wouldn't go again.
Christmas crowds
It was pretty busy. Luckily we had VIP fastpasses which helped. Arrival day, after a swim we went into Disneyland Park and just had a wander / watched parade so not too bad. Walked onto PoC straight after parade. Christmas Eve daytime we went to the Studios which wasn't too bad but lots of unnecessary rudeness at the parade. Christmas Day in Disneyland Park was OK, but busier than expected. Eg, at 4ish we queued nearly an hour for Dumbo and we don't normally do queues. Boxing Day we had a chill day, watched one of our presents, Cars, on the laptop, had a swim went to the village for lunch, went ice skating and Tink in the evening so no parks. 27th and 28th parks v. busy, we don't get going early so without VIP FP we probably wouldn't have ridden much. By the time we got into parks at 10 / 11ish, FP times were late pm. When we left for Eurostar on 28th we gave our FPs to another family as the park didn't close til 10 - think they were pleased as there were a lot of upset people not able to get on rides.
Also really was worth booking meals. We did this before we left home. Our last lunch at Walts there were streams of people being turned away. Even with a booking we waited half an hour. Once eating, however, Walts was as good as ever.
All in all it was a great Christmas - we would do it again. I think we'd try and book early enough to get into Castle Club and make sure of the FPs. Also don't think you can beat Inventions, espec. for Christmas Eve. We ate in California Grill on last night which was great - but still rate Inventions as our fave. I'd say its worth doing the Tink show once but wouldn't necessarily recommend the Christmas Day Character buffet.
