Trip Report Introducing my daughter to the magic - PTR

[lush]

So I'm new to this really although pre-trip reports are an ideal thing for me as I plan every trip we ever take down to almost the last detail. (I hate the thought of missing something.) However, I'm new to this board so its a perfect fit.

The cast:
Me (31) - Disney fan(atic). Always loved everything Disney, first film I ever saw in the cinema was The Jungle Book and been hooked ever since. My love for DLP started the year it opened and has grown ever since. My love for it at Christmas started about 12 years ago and I just don't think it would be the same for me at any other time of year, although now my daughter has come along that might change. Mainly because I'd love to celebrate her birthday there!
My husband (33) - a bit of a closet Disney fan. Not into the musicals but does enjoy a lot of them. Sat down voluntarily to watch Robin Hood yesterday (for our DD! ). Happy as long as his girls are happy.
My daughter (1) - My little princess will be 18 months old when we go in November. She is already a huge Disney fan, she loves the Disney Junior channel and her first favourite song was the Hot Dog song. Mickey always gets a huge smile. As she's gotten bigger Jake and his pirates have taken over in her affections.
The where - Hotel New York. First time in this hotel so excited!
The when - 26th-29th November 2012


When I first declared that we were taking my DD this year, my DH said he didn't think it would be worth it because she's too small to enjoy it properly. I know he is completely wrong and just know she will have a ball. I am beyond excited about showing her everything. We've had a few little 'trial runs' with rides and characters elsewhere and she's loved everything. The characters in particular are what worry me really because I know small children can sometimes be wary of them but we were at the family festival at Hyde Park in June and Alex the Lion from Madagascar was there - she made a beeline for him and then spent the whole time stroking his nose and mane and giving him kisses. I was so relieved! Now I really can't wait for her to meet Mickey. However, I've decided that we're going to do character meals and organised meet and greets because I can't be doing with the scrums I've experienced in past years. Unless of course we happen upon a random character that looks a bit lonely!

I have already been planning this trip for almost six months so I think my husband has hit his Disney limit for a while. Hence I am here!

We're getting the Eurostar direct from St Pancras which is also a first for me having always driven before. I can't wait to step off that train and into the park. I'm planning on making my DD a little Disney goodie bag to keep her entertained. I've already bought some bits to get it started, nothing really over £1 and she'll have a Mickey Mouse picnic (MM shaped sandwiches, cupcakes, etc).

I'll have to leave it here for now. If you've made it through all that waffle you've done well! I'll be back later with more of the plans. (And possibly some pics).

 

[lush]

We had originally booked the Sequoia Lodge as I adored the theming when we were last there. However when the free nights offer came up I noticed that for not much more we could upgrade to a lake view room in the Hotel New York and I just couldn't pass that up! Especially as, after we stay there, the only one I'll have left to sample will be the DLH. I can dream......

Anyway, train booked, hotel booked, I can begin to plan properly!!

First order of business - FOOD! I really want to try some new places this trip, we tend to gravitate towards the same places every time. So my plan is this.

Monday = B'Fast - Carluccios St Pancras, Lunch - picnic on the train, Dinner - Inventions.
Tuesday = B'Fast - DLH, Lunch - small snack because will have had late (large) breakfast, Dinner - Blue Lagoon
Wednesday = B'Fast - HNY, Lunch - something quick in WDS, Dinner - Annettes
Thursday = B'Fast - HNY, Lunch - Cafe Mickey, Dinner - EOS on train.

These may all change though once the park opening hours are released! Especially when it comes to the parades and Dreams!

On the Monday I'm think we should just take it easy and ease ourselves into it. Wander up Main Street and into Fantasyland, maybe ride a couple of rides and then head to Cafe Fantasia for a cocktail before dinner in Inventions and hopefully our first encounter with Monsieur Mouse!

Tuesday, up early for EMH. Then around 10ish head to DLH for the breakfast buffet. Then back into DLP for more fun and frolics. We'll probably head back to the hotel at some point during the day so that DD can have a proper rest. Then back to DLP for dinner at the Blue Lagoon - something I've wanted to do since I first saw people sitting on that beach while I was on POTC in 1992! (Only taken 20 years.) Then hopefully Dreams!

Wednesday, take it a bit easier this morning as we'll be spending the day in WDS. Hopefully get to DLP in time for a quick trip into Salon Mickey. Spend the day there (top of the list Playhouse Disney show obviously!) and then back to the hotel in the afternoon for a rest for DD. Head back through village later, stopping for an early dinner at Annette's before hopefully catching Dreams again.

Thursday, up early for breakfast and then straight out for some EMH. Hoping for some more Salon Mickey time this morning too. Still in two minds about whether to go back mid-morning for a rest before we have to check out or just check out early and take it a bit easy. I've decided to leave Cafe Mickey until lunch on the last day because I think this might be a nice way to say goodbye to it all. (That's the hope anyway!) A last mooch around the shops in the village and then a visit to EOS to buy some dinner for on the train. Then home.

I'm sorry if I've bored you all to tears but it's been nice to write it all down. Not sure if it's in the correct format as I've never done a PTR before. This site has been absolutely fantastic though for information!

I'll keep you posted with any updates.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Sounds like a great trip you've got planned

Our dd was only 1 when we went our first time. She loved it, but was a bit wary of the characters. My ds was the same at that age, but they both enjoyed looking at them from afar.

I like your meal choices. EOS is lovely - i'd eat there every day if it was in either of the parks.

And you really cannot beat Eurostar for getting there - fantastically easy and stress free

 

[lush]

I'm really looking forward to trying EOS, the pictures and reviews I've seen have all had my mouth watering! I don't remember it being open the last time we were there.

I'm really hoping my DD gets on ok with the characters. I do think though that something organised like the meals will be a much better idea for her - less crowded and more civilised. Plus I'll be less likely to lose my temper if there's any pushy parents! We're taking her to see Mickey's Magic Show in August so hopefully she'll love seeing the actual characters in person. I know I will.

I keep meaning to add some photos to this, I just don't know where my time is going. Although I've just downloaded a really cool little Disney vacation countdown app for my phone so according to my Mickey Mouse head there's only 132 days to go.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Although I've just downloaded a really cool little Disney vacation countdown app for my phone so according to my Mickey Mouse head there's only 132 days to go.

I have one of those too Love checking it every day, although at the moment it's on a countdown for our London trip next week

 

[Christieand]

Sounds like a brilliant plan! I'm an obsessive planner too so it's nice to know there are other people like me out there!

We're going on the Eurostar too. It seems very easy...I am actually looking forward to the travelling! Sounds like you should be able to keep your DD entertained with her goody bag too.