Highs & Grumbles from Feb Half Term trip 15-19 February

[HappyPanda]

We're back after an amazing 4 night stay at DLP over February Half Term. I've called this Highs & Grumbles as there weren't really any lows just a few things that could have been better!

Let's start with those grumbles:

The Weather:

Having being spoilt with lovely weather the year before we really weren't prepared for just how cold it was in the morning. Wednesday morning we had to retreat to the Bake House to get hot chocolates as the kid's were so cold!

The crowds:

We found it to be much busier than the year before, but with a bit of planning we found it to be manageable. I just miss being able to go during term time!

Hotel Maintenance:

We found quite a few issues with our two rooms at the Santa Fe and had to have the maintenance team out a few times (tv not working, fan wouldn't turn on, plug got stuck in sink etc..) - this could have turned into a low if it wasn't for the fact that this team always arrived promptly and were very apologetic.

That's enough of the very minor grumbles! Let's move on to the Highs:

Ratatouille:

We found this whole new area to be so beautiful and a great addition to the parks. Unfortunately the queue for the ride barely dipped below 120 minutes the whole time we were there but we made good use of the single rider queue. This single rider queue is fantastic. As all the rats seat 3+3 there are quite often empty seats that need filling up! The longest we ever waited doing this option was 20 minutes and DD and I only have to go in separate rats once!

Next time we go we will definitely try the restaurant as it looks to be brilliantly themed.

Wild West Show:

I dread to think how many times I've seen this show (10+ at least!) but it never fails to end up being one of the highs of our trip. This time DD and I got seated in the category one seats and had a great view of the whole arena (I'd never, ever, pay extra for those seats though!).

Taking Newbies:

This trip we took my friend and her little boy (2) with us. It was their first time at DLP and it was really nice to share our happy place with them!

DD being brave:

DD (7) finally felt brave enough to try Rock n Rollercoaster! She was really nervous before we got on but really enjoyed it. She couldn't wait to get back to school today to tell all her friends she went on a rollercoaster that went upside down!

I couldn't persuade her to come on ToT with me again though, she went on when she was 5 and it's scarred her for life I think!

Food:

We had some really nice food on our trip. The highlights had to be Buzz's Pizza Planet, Inventions and Rainforest Café. I will try to write some restaurant reviews with the full details.

All in all we had a fantastic trip and I am already thinking about planning our next one, currently thinking about the Easter Holidays 2016!

 

[BabyAriel]

Welcome back! Glad you had a fab trip. Well done to your DD - out of the rollercoasters, my DD1 (now 9) has only ever been on BTM!!!

 

[DLPDreams]

Sounds like a great trip overall! Shame about the rain but it sounds like you managed to get around it.

I agree about going in term time, we won't take the kids out of school, never have, and DD1 is now getting too old to do it anyway. I have been shocked by the price difference for our holiday to WDW this year - it is almost treble the price of going in term time, mainly down to the shocking air fare price hike! Our first ever DLP trip was in term time (DD1 was just in nursery so no school time missed) and it was lovely - I don't think I'll ever see it as quiet again - well, not until they leave education (if they still want to go then lol!).

I am glad your DD liked RnRC - my DD2 went on it for the first last time last Halloween as she was tall enough (she is 6) and loved it! It's my DD1's favourite ride - well, that and BTM! Coaster junkies in this house lol! Neither are very keen on ToT but will go on once per trip - they don't like the video at the beginning when you are in the lift! DD1 has told me she's hoping the one in WDW will be better as it is all in English - I hadn't the heart to tell her that most of it is in English in DLP too - bless her! I end up riding it on my own most of the time - last Halloween I had a french man on his own next to me - he clearly hadn't ridden before and I honestly thought he was going to have a heart attack - poor man! When he grabbed my hand though, I wasn't sure what to do!! Always seems to happen to me on there - have had a man grab my thigh once as well lol!

Agree about the Rata area - it's just gorgeous. We were lucky enough to have brilliant sunshine last October and the place just looked fab. Agree about CR restaurant too - we didn't book as we only did on TS meal that trip to try and budget (Inventions), but if I were going again, I'd like to give it a go.

Easter should be a nice time to go - but watch out for French school holidays - isn't it a really busy time for the parks? Good luck with the planning!

 

[tennisfan]

Welcome back, sounds like you had a lovey time with only a couple of minor problems

 

[Isila]

Welcome back!! After all those reviews - I just have to see the Ratatouille ride and the whole area and have dinner at Chez Remy.

 

[dhidra]

Sounds like a great trip! Wednesday morning was very cold alright...freezing fog.
great that you were able to make use of the single rider queue for the rat. you definitely need to try chez Remy on your next trip!

 

[HappyPanda]

The fog on Wednesday morning did make for some nice photos.. Where's the castle gone?

 

[jillrobinson]

Welcome back, sounds like overall a good trip. Lost track of how many times we've done BBWWS and I enjoy it every single time, been upgraded to Cat 1 three times now, not something I'd pay for either. Bistrot chez Remy is on our list for August

 

[RoseBug]

That fog was cracking - I opened the curtains on Wed morning and couldn't see the train station...!

 

[cherrymarzipan]

He, he to the missing castle! Glad you had a good trip with lots of highs. How can a 7 year old be braver than me?!

 

[kizzabel]

Wow! What a brave little lady Helen! My knees knock when I think of SM or RnRC!
Think you've tipped it for us for BBWWS, we were split over going in January but you've sold it to me.
Delighted to see all those highs and not too many grumbles. Thanks for sharing x

 

[Isila]

Wow, never seen castle like this. Great photo.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Sounds like a great trip

Lot's of highs and no real lows - the weather is always a funny one especially in winter. It's cold again now in the morning and has rained loads.

Have been reading your reviews over on TA

 

[HappyPanda]

Welcome back! Glad you had a fab trip. Well done to your DD - out of the rollercoasters, my DD1 (now 9) has only ever been on BTM!!!

DD had a brave moment when she was 5 and went on BTM and ToT - BTM she liked a bit but she absolutely hated ToT! Last trip she wanted to try RnR but didn't feel brave enough but this trip she found the courage. I felt so bad as when we went to board she burst into tears, but she soon stopped and said afterwards that she is really glad she did it!

Easter should be a nice time to go - but watch out for French school holidays - isn't it a really busy time for the parks? Good luck with the planning!

It will definitely be busy but we're hoping it will at least be a little warmer!

Welcome back!! After all those reviews - I just have to see the Ratatouille ride and the whole area and have dinner at Chez Remy.

You will love it!

Sounds like a great trip! Wednesday morning was very cold alright...freezing fog.
great that you were able to make use of the single rider queue for the rat. you definitely need to try chez Remy on your next trip!

It's on the list of 'must do's' already

Welcome back, sounds like overall a good trip. Lost track of how many times we've done BBWWS and I enjoy it every single time, been upgraded to Cat 1 three times now, not something I'd pay for either. Bistrot chez Remy is on our list for August

I really don't know how they can justify charging so much more for CAT1 - obviously not a lot of people fall for it as they have to fill those seats with CAT2 ticket holders!

That fog was cracking - I opened the curtains on Wed morning and couldn't see the train station...!

We walked from the Santa Fe and from the HNY and couldn't see NPB or the Balloon from the other side of the lake. Was very pretty but so, so, so cold!

He, he to the missing castle! Glad you had a good trip with lots of highs. How can a 7 year old be braver than me?!

She was very brave this trip - now just need for her to grow a few more inches so we can do Indiana Jones & Space Mountain!

Wow! What a brave little lady Helen! My knees knock when I think of SM or RnRC!
Think you've tipped it for us for BBWWS, we were split over going in January but you've sold it to me.
Delighted to see all those highs and not too many grumbles. Thanks for sharing x

Glad you're going to give BBWWS a go, it's definitely worth it!

Wow, never seen castle like this. Great photo.

It's the first time we've ever seen (or not seen!) the castle like that too. It was so spooky walking down main street and not being able to see the castle at all.

Sounds like a great trip

Lot's of highs and no real lows - the weather is always a funny one especially in winter. It's cold again now in the morning and has rained loads.

Have been reading your reviews over on TA

We were so lucky last year with the weather in February so I just don't think I'd prepared well enough for just how cold the mornings were going to be! I'll know for next time (and knowing my luck it will be warm again!). I'm just really glad we didn't have too much rain!