Highs & Lows - 7th-11th Oct

[carlins_leap]

Hi all,

Bit of a late trip report from earlier this month

Along with our three daughters, my wife & I stayed at the Santa Fe for our first "non-winter" to DLP - our sixth visit.

I have to say that following some of the things I'd read on here and in the press, I was a little worried that all wasn't well at DLP - but I needn't have worried as the trip was just spectacular

Highs

* Smoothest check in ever - due to a mistake by Expedia with a room only booking for our first night, we only had a booking for 2 adults. Hotel staff had noticed the mistake & sorted it before we arrived

* Refurb @ the Santa Fe – this has been done superbly & to a very high standard.

* Staff at city hall – sorted out an easy access pass for our youngest very quickly.

* Halloween decor – it was our first visit at this time of the year, so we may have made more of it than others would, but the decor was impeccably done everywhere. The look on our girls faces as they heard the playful, ghostly laughter playing on Main Street was just amazing.

* Extra Halloween characters – all the villains were out and about quite often and the girls got to meet some of their favourites (Shadowman, Evil Queen, etc)

* CM’s – all amazingly friendly and chatty. The guys marshalling the front of the crowd waiting for Dreams made an extra special effort to keep the crowds excited with cheering contests in the cold & having fun/jokes with the kids sat at the front. They were all amazing!

* Despite some reports I’d read about nothing different being on in the parks, we were very pleasantly surprised to see an extra parade for Halloween, Jack & Sally meet ‘n’ greet & musical performances throughout the day.

* Buffalo Bill’s – great show! Our eldest was chosen to take part in some rifle shooting with Annie Oakley and won the sharp-shooter medal & my wife went to take part in the hold-up at the end of the show 

* Restaurant/food quality – our last stay in 2013 involved some hit & miss dining experiences, but all the food we ate this time was really enjoyable. The choices at the buffets and the quality of the counter service meals were definitely much, much better!

* By far and away the best part of the holiday was seeing the look on our 2 year olds face when watching Dreams on our first night. We’d watched it so many times on YouTube and seen it on our previous visit, but she could really appreciate it this time and the look on her face brought tears to our eyes 

Lows

There really isn’t much to put down for the lows this time – it really was such a great trip.

The only thing Disney could have done to make our stay better would have been regarding the restaurants. There was a very haphazard approach to what restaurants were open & when.

E.g. we wanted to try the Agrabah Cafe this time but it was closed. A poster outside advised us of other places to eat that were open, but when we went to one, it was closed too – so we wasted a little time. This also happened when we went to eat at Colonel Haiti’s.

I felt something printed on the weekly park guide would have really helped us not waste time.

Also, IASW had been closed on all but one of our previous 5 visits & it was closed again this time 

I feel negative to have included any low points, because this was the best visit we’ve had to DLP.

We started looking to book again as soon as we got back – initially looked for Xmas holidays, but the finances won’t allow. Hopefully February half-term and we’ll back at our favourite place 

Steve

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Sounds like you all had a fabulous trip! Loving the ling 'highs' list ;-)

 

[Mum to Belle]

Welcome back!!

The Halloween things are fabulous aren't they?!!

Glad you had such a great trip!

I'm also pricing up Feb half term....!!

 

[crmscotland]

I have to say that following some of the things I'd read on here and in the press, I was a little worried that all wasn't well at DLP - but I needn't have worried as the trip was spectacular

Same here, were at DLP 14th-18th October (week after you) & had a brilliant trip too.

The only thing Disney could have done to make our stay better would have been regarding the restaurants. There was a very haphazard approach to what restaurants were open & when.

I felt something printed on the weekly park guide would have really helped

This is something l listed in my Highs & Lows too. I also mentioned it on the comments card l filled in while at DLP & in a survey they sent me by email. Hopefully if quite a few people mention it in surveys/email guest communications they will do something about it.


Glad you had such a great trip.

 

[kizzabel]

We were there the same week and I have to agree on all points but especially CS restaurant closures - they were even confused by them all and the schedule for them in WDS Guest services when I enquired!

 

[wiigirl]

Welcome back!