Hi Everyone, I'm new, some questions if I may!

[goatlegs]

Hi all,
I've been lurking for a while but thought i would join you as the excitement grows as we near our first DLRP stay! We (myself, dh, ds , 4 and dd,2) are heading off to Sequoia Lodge Feb half term for 4 nights.

I was just wondering what the absolute unmissables are for families with small kids.

Also, which restaurants are your favourites? I've read through the restaurant review thread but they all sound great! Any special recommendations? Also my daughter is a v. fussy eater, to the point where most times i rue paying for a meal for her to waste! Is it easy enough to get a small plate so she can share with the rest of us?

TIA

 

[miffy7]

Hi!
Welcome!
We have a 7-year-old, a 2-year-old and a baby and have enjoyed various Disneylad resorts since the 7-year-old was four, so I'll try and give some suggestions.
For us personally, unmissable things when staying at Sequoia are - a cup of coffee sitting by the log fire after a swim, getting up for the pool opening at 7am when it's empty, and Good Morning Fantasyland breakfast (just ask when you check in for availability.

In the park, what we try to do is work with what we've got - if there are big queues for Big Thunder Mountain we'll get a fast-pass and do it later. If there are big queues for Crush we'll do it when we see a shorter queue.
You'll be able to use babyswitch for things like BTM which is worth bearing in mind.
We try to focus each day on a different area - Adventureland, Disney Studios etc and we do tend to see the things we want to but we find queueing with small children not to be much fun so we avoid it.
We make very full use of the Extra Magic Hours as those rides are the most popular with our kids and it's better to get straight on Dumbo or the Teacups than wait 40 minutes.

With restaurants, as your dd is under 3 you won't have to pay in buffets.
The cheapest buffets are Plaza Gardens and Cafe Agrabah.
I tend to find that my two-year-old will eat more at a buffet as he can pick out what he fancies (sausages and jelly, mainly).

Absolute unmissable things - Animagique, Mickey's Winter Wonderland (if you let your 4-year-old sit right at the front they may get picked to go on stage), the Lion King show are all fab and if you get to the Lion King show early the band is amazing. As long as you have a timetable in your pocket you can pick a show-time when the kids' legs are tired.

We alll love Pirates of the Caribbean - that's our unmissable ride.
You will probably find your own one!

 

[jillrobinson]

Hi goatlegs and welcome to DIS, congratulations on your trip.

Fantasyland is probably going to be the big favourite with your children's ages, all the rides in there are suitable for your kiddies age group, they will need to be accompanied by an adult, as if you wouldn't want to anyway
Snow White is a wee bit scary in places, don't want to ruin the ride for you so I won't say anymore.

Try and do the Lion King show in Discoveryland, you'll all enjoy that and Buzz's Lazer Blast will no doubt be a big hit with your DS, in Frontierland Big Thuder Mountain may be an option depending on your DS's height, it's a runaway train, my DS was celebrating his 5th birthday when he first rode it and he loved it, my niece tried it for the first time at 5 and a half but didn't like it, DS was also unphased by Phantom Manor, DN didn't like it, you need to be guided by your own children. Don't forget the baby switch option though if you or DH want to ride something.

Animagique show in the Studios is fabulous and your children will really enjoy that one and the new Cars attraction too, the Stunt show is definately worth watching, (at this time of year it's nice to take a hot drink in with you) and the tram tour for a change of pace.

If the children like the characters, then autograph hunting is always popluar, you can buy special books at the resort or take your won and a Character meal is a must do. Plaza Gardens tea Party is the cheapest, I don't think you pay for under 3's meals at all in the park BTW, I'm sure someone else will clarify this, Lucky Nugget Saloon in Frontierland (Tex Mex buffet) or Cafe Mickey in the Village (breakfast, lunch or dinner) are more expensive options, or Inventions restaurant at the Disneyland hotel if you really want to push the boat out, we've yet to do that one though. Annette's in the village is a particular favourite of ours, American diner restaurant, really feel good place and not too expensive. Rain Forest cafe also in the village has fabulous theming, the storms can be a bit scary though for little one. Sequoia Lodge has 2 very nice restaurants too.

Hope this helps
If you have any more questions then do ask, it gives those of us without a trip planned, something to focus on.

 

[jillrobinson]

Oops

 

[mulan1]

Welcome!

Our children will be those ages when we go, my DS is 4 and DD also 2 like yours.
DS loves Buzz ride, so does DD as they are both big fans of toy story, DS insists we go to the Pizza Planet to eat when we go next!
DD loves Princesses, so meet and greets are on the menu this time.
Fantasyland rides are all a must!
Your DS may like Autopia if he's into cars, and also the cars ride in the WDS park.

Take a look at park maps before you go and try to figure out your route.
Let us know how it goes!

 

[jusjus]

im reading this thread with interest, as me my husband and 3 children (ds 5, ds 2 and dd 1) are going for the first time on 7th march!

plaza gardens tea party sounds good - do they have characters meals there then?

ill keep reading this one for more tips

justine x

 

[jillrobinson]

The Tea Party is a character meal and if anyone is celebrating a birthday, you could book the Birthday Tea Party same place, it's a little more expensive, but you get a slice of Birthday cake, characters and CM's will sing Happy Birthday and a present for the birthday boy/girl.

It has to be one of these BTW, the restaurant is open for an all you an eat buffet all day, which is really good value, but it's not with characters, that side of the restaurant is cordoned off.

 

[miffy7]

i was sure Mickey's Winter Wonderland was on until March 2nd
>off to check<
guess when our next holiday starts....
March 2nd

 

[tttessa]

Hiya,
Can definitely recommend Cafe Mickey for a character meal -cannot remember what the food is like -spent soooooo much time watching the kids interact with the MANY characters they get to meet during the meal... the kids ABSOLUTELY LOVED it . Also, Its a small world - we went round so many times!! it's slow, but fast loading and innocuous so the kids asked for it when something had overawed or frightened them - gave them a chance to cool down a bit.

Tessa

 

[miffy7]

dlrp magic has been wrong before but I'll check when I get there. i'd hate to think it was finished then miss it iyswim....
I love that show!!
tarzan's great but i'm a sucker for ice-skating and a horse and carriage.

 

[jillrobinson]

Miffy7 I could be wrong about the show, we've always missed it before in March, so I assumed it finished with the Christmas season. Fingers crossed it will be open for you both, it is a wonderful show.

 

[DLPdaft]

I just got my annual pass newsletter today, it states the Mickey Winter Wonderland show is on until 02/03/2008.

Elaine

 

[Leanne1977]

Mickeys Winter Wonderland is indeed on until March. We always catch it in Feb!

I recommend a blanket though, its chilly in there!!

 

[goatlegs]

thanks all, I had no idea about the Winter Wonderland parade. We will very much look forward to it.

One more question - can I book restaurants through the hotel when we arrive? Are we guaranteed a table this way or should I book before we go?

 

[Leanne1977]

thanks all, I had no idea about the Winter Wonderland parade. We will very much look forward to it.

One more question - can I book restaurants through the hotel when we arrive? Are we guaranteed a table this way or should I book before we go?

Its not actually a parade its a show with the characters on ice skates etc. Its lovely for the kids.

We are off on 11th Feb and we have booked the restaurants that we want. You aren't guaranteed of availability when you get there. So if there is somewhere you would be disappointed not to go to then i would say book before you leave.

 

[Shizara]

Its not actually a parade its a show with the characters on ice skates etc. Its lovely for the kids.

That's all kids, even the grown up ones. Have seen it twice now. The first time we absolutely froze but it didn't stop my pointNclick finger working overtime. The second time I probably took just as many pictures along with a few mini movies.

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi goatlegs, welcome to the DIS!