It has been over 5 years since my last visit...

[cdsmiler81]

Forgive me Disney community for I have sinned! It's been far too long since my last visit!

Hello all! Long time no see! I was last at DLP January 2020, just before Covid. We were really lucky as we stayed in DLH (had a small inheritance I used to treat us). Ideal with a slightly tantrum filled stubborn 4.5 year old son!! Not to far to carry a screaming child. Prior to that we did many visits (using an annual pass for myself, husband and daughter before my youngest came along). I feel like I know DLP fairly well.

Since then, I have gotten rid of the husband, have a new fabulous partner, and my children are currently 15 and 9 (and not tantrum filled at all!). I am looking at a 3 days/2 nights trip around Easter 2026. As the kids will be 16 and 10, we'll be looking at rides & shows over character meets (I cannot tell you how pleased I am with that after MANY hours lost queuing to meet princesses!!). But might be interested in the character meals. I won't know until the kids know about the trip, and they won't know until next Christmas! We're going to stay at Santa Fe (one of the only hotels that has a room with bunk beds as a choice.)

But even though I know DLP well, I know there's been lots of changes over the past 5 years. Therefore, I have questions!

• What changes have there been to Disney Village? I have a vague recollection that Planet Hollywood has closed? (Was never a favourite). Has Buffalo Bills gone? Huge shame if it has, because we loved it. But numbers were low so I wouldn't be surprised. Hoping Annettes is still there? What did Cafe Mickey change to and is it worth a visit?
  
  
• Would we still be allowed to book a table at a restaurant at another Disney hotel? Anything changed with these? Specifically Marvel and DLH? Worth going to? Both culinary and with regards to general experience. I remember a visit to the Newport Bay restaurant where, although no characters, was a great experience due to the children being able to design their own desserts! Any other recommendations?
  
  
• I know there's lots of changes going on in Studios. I'm expecting the chaos! From what I can tell, the right hand side of the park is still as it was, plus Tower of Terror. What is the new Spiderman ride like? Is the Studio Tour ride still there? Or has that been upgraded? Any recommendations for food? (I know the ratatouille restaurant was getting good recommendations in the past).
  
  
• I know things can change in over 12 months, but which of the current shows in both parks would you recommend as 'must sees'? Is the stunt show still there? Stitch show still there?
  
  
• I won't be adding breakfast as an option to the booking. Any recommendations for cheap breakfast options? Or good suggestions for 'brunch' options in the park/s? Which eateries are open early enough (if any!)? Happy to have a late breakfast after Extra Magic Time!
  
  
• Any long term ride closures I should be aware of? Any that might overrun until next year or are planned for later this year/early 2026?
  
  
• Does anyone have an up to date map of Santa Fe?
  
  
• Any other recommendations generally?! Sorry, I know it's a bit vague!

That's a lot, apologies! Any help on any of the above would be great! It also probably looks like there's a food obsession....!!! (There's not! I just like to know where I'm likely to be eating so I don't have to worry about it!)

Thank you!

Clare

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I did a multi generation family trip in October 2023. We stayed at Santa Fe in the room with the bunk bed and queen bed. We had the full board standard meal plan. This is my in depth trip report with photos which will have some useful information for you https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...isneyland-paris-app-and-premier-pass.3933288/

• What changes have there been to Disney Village? I have a vague recollection that Planet Hollywood has closed? (Was never a favourite). Has Buffalo Bills gone? Huge shame if it has, because we loved it. But numbers were low so I wouldn't be surprised. Hoping Annettes is still there? What did Cafe Mickey change to and is it worth a visit?

Lots of changes to Disney Village. Yes Planet Hollywood and Buffalo Bills have closed. Annettes is still there and there are some new places. Cafe Mickeys is now Brasserie Rosalie. This is the current list of restaurants

1. Annette’s Diner
2. Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon
3. Billy Bob’s Buffet
4. Brasserie Rosalie
5. Earl of Sandwich
6. Five Guys
7. La Grange [at Billy Bob's Country Western Saloon]
8. McDonald’s
9. Rainforest Café
10. Starbucks Coffee
11. The Royal Pub
12. The Steakhouse
13. Vapiano

• Would we still be allowed to book a table at a restaurant at another Disney hotel? Anything changed with these? Specifically Marvel and DLH? Worth going to? Both culinary and with regards to general experience. I remember a visit to the Newport Bay restaurant where, although no characters, was a great experience due to the children being able to design their own desserts! Any other recommendations?

Yes you can still book at table at any hotel restaurant. The Manhattan Restaurant at Art of Marvel Hotel New York has had a complete refurb. We went there and it was one of the highlights. Downtown Restaurant at Art of Marvel Hotel New York also had a refurb and is now the most sought after buffet reservation. I did the restaurant bookings 10 months in advance and I couldnt get a reservation there.

• I know there's lots of changes going on in Studios. I'm expecting the chaos! From what I can tell, the right hand side of the park is still as it was, plus Tower of Terror. What is the new Spiderman ride like? Is the Studio Tour ride still there? Or has that been upgraded? Any recommendations for food? (I know the ratatouille restaurant was getting good recommendations in the past).

I love the new Spiderman ride, as its the same as in Avengers Campus in Disneyland California. You side in a vehicle, with 4 other people, and wear 3d glasses. You move through about 4 different screens and use the movement of your arms, hands to hit the objects on the screen. You have an individual score and a team score, so everyones score gets added together. Its quite the arm workout. The Studio Tour ride is still there but its been rethemed to Cars. If you enjoyed it before, then you will most likely enjoy it now, but for me its a one and done.

I have done a full in depth food and restaurant review in my trip report.

• I know things can change in over 12 months, but which of the current shows in both parks would you recommend as 'must sees'? Is the stunt show still there? Stitch show still there?

The stunt show is gone, the venue has been rethemed to an Alice in Wonderland show, using the stunt show arena. Yes the Stitch show is still there.

 

[Karin1984]

But even though I know DLP well, I know there's been lots of changes over the past 5 years. Therefore, I have questions!

• What changes have there been to Disney Village? I have a vague recollection that Planet Hollywood has closed? (Was never a favourite). Has Buffalo Bills gone? Huge shame if it has, because we loved it. But numbers were low so I wouldn't be surprised. Hoping Annettes is still there? What did Cafe Mickey change to and is it worth a visit?

A lot is changing in Disney Village and that will be ongoing for at least 2025. For certain things we have no re-opening dates. Planet Hollywood and Buffalo Bill are gone. Café Mickey is now a French restaurant, called Brasserie Rosalie, I love it, it's slightly more upscale. It's not really aimed at children. Annette's still there.

Would we still be allowed to book a table at a restaurant at another Disney hotel? Anything changed with these? Specifically Marvel and DLH? Worth going to? Both culinary and with regards to general experience. I remember a visit to the Newport Bay restaurant where, although no characters, was a great experience due to the children being able to design their own desserts! Any other recommendations?

Yes, it is allowed, except (officially) the princess dinner at the DLH, that one is officially for DLH guests but if you ask on the day if they have availability. All the other restaurants at hotels are available to all guests. I would advise to book your restaurants as soon as you have booked your package. Hotel guests can make reservations a year in advance. The restaurants at Marvel sell out very quickly. The buffet at the DLH is a character meal and really good quality.

I know there's lots of changes going on in Studios. I'm expecting the chaos! From what I can tell, the right hand side of the park is still as it was, plus Tower of Terror. What is the new Spiderman ride like? Is the Studio Tour ride still there? Or has that been upgraded? Any recommendations for food? (I know the ratatouille restaurant was getting good recommendations in the past).[/qoute]
It's not a lot of chaos anymore by the time you visit. At the moment the Studios is getting a make over, but there are re-openings this year. The new Spiderman ride is really fun, do you know Toy Story Mania from the parks in the US? It's something like that, but then fighting Spiderbots.
The Studio Tour got a make-over and is now Cars-themed. I personally think it is one of the worst rides in DLP, and should only be done with small children ;-) New in the Studios is PYM's kitchen in the Marvel area, which is supposedly very good. Haven't tried it myself. By 2025 more options might be open.

I know things can change in over 12 months, but which of the current shows in both parks would you recommend as 'must sees'? Is the stunt show still there? Stitch show still there?

Stitch is still there, the Stuntshow is now a seasonal show about Alice in Wonderland, but not nearly as good. I hope it's gone by 2026. Mickey and the Magician is the best show in the park, I hope that one stays. Lion King - Rhythms of the Pridelands is amazing. And last weekend the new fireworks show debuted. What I have seen, it's pretty good. For other entertainment it might be too early to tell.

I won't be adding breakfast as an option to the booking. Any recommendations for cheap breakfast options? Or good suggestions for 'brunch' options in the park/s? Which eateries are open early enough (if any!)? Happy to have a late breakfast after Extra Magic Time!

Cheap breakfast is Starbucks (Santa Fe has an option), McDonalds, or go out of the park and get some food at the restaurants/cafesin the train station. If you can skip breakfast, just bring loads of snack and eat those till it's time for an early lunch to avoid the peak eating times.

Any long term ride closures I should be aware of? Any that might overrun until next year or are planned for later this year/early 2026?

Too early to tell.

Does anyone have an up to date map of Santa Fe?

I think if you google "Santa Fe" "Map" "2024", you might find some recent ones, but it hasn't changed in the past 5 years.

Any other recommendations generally?! Sorry, I know it's a bit vague!

Yes, this is too vague ;-) There is a sticky with first-timer tips, maybe that'll help. But if you have any questions, please, feel free to ask!

 

[cdsmiler81]

Thank you both, that's great information.

Really looking forward to the new Spiderman ride. What's everyone's opinion on Flight Force?? MIght give the Studios Tour a miss unless we have time!

Already thinking about making the most of the buffet restaurant in Santa Fe. Never eaten there before. My son is a picky eater, but looking on Tripadvisor there seems to be plenty of options for him (the rest of us will eat anything!). Then stick to Earl of Sandwich, McDonalds, Annettes (my selfish choice) and counter service in the parks. Starbucks being at the hotel is great. I'm sure my daughter will appreciate a 'posh' coffee or hot chocolate. (It's what she calls it from a 'proper' coffee shop! lol). But we'll be at DLP for the rides, shows and experiences, more than the food. (My ex used to be obsessed with HAVING to have a sit down meal every day and MAKING SURE there was something he'd want to eat - another picky eater! I need to change priorities!).

Can anyone advise on whether there's anywhere in the village, or maybe the train station, where I'd be able to get milk?

Thanks again both,

Clare

 

[cdsmiler81]

Oh, and I forgot! We're aiming to arrive earlyish on our first day, before we'll be allowed to access our rooms I'm sure. Happy to keep luggage in the car until later, that's not a problem. Now, it's been a looooong time, but I'm assuming when we arrive, I check us in at reception, we're told we can't access the room, and given our tickets for the parks. Confident of that bit.... I will then need to pop to reception later that day to pick up the key card/s?

Assuming I'm correct, but worth checking!

 

[ocdb8r1]

Oh, and I forgot! We're aiming to arrive earlyish on our first day, before we'll be allowed to access our rooms I'm sure. Happy to keep luggage in the car until later, that's not a problem. Now, it's been a looooong time, but I'm assuming when we arrive, I check us in at reception, we're told we can't access the room, and given our tickets for the parks. Confident of that bit.... I will then need to pop to reception later that day to pick up the key card/s?

Assuming I'm correct, but worth checking!

As of mid November they were still doing it this way! Will be there later this month and will let you know if anything has changed.