Should we change our holiday plans?

[B2B-2008]

Hi Guys,

I would really like your advise.

We have WDW booked in May for 10 nights, we were married there in July and felt we didn't get to see anything and really want to go back.

Now with the credit crunch I'm starting to think we should cancel this trip and book 5 nights in DLP instead. We have enough money saved to pay for the trip in full and spending money where as we still need to save spending money and other expenses for WDW.

This will be the last time for many years that we will get to do a Disney trip.

The last time I went to DLP was 2001 and DH has never been.

So I have a few questions
Is it a good idea to book the half board option, how does this work?
Is there a website where I can see the menus for DLP?
Is DLP now more organized for seeing characters etc? When I went before it felt a bit like a fight.

I want you to sell me DLP as my head is saying this is the right thing to do for us but my heart doesn't want to let go of WDW

 

[Ware Bears]

Hi, congratulations on your wedding, your photos are

Purchasing the half-board menu is definitely excellent value, especially with the way the £/€ exchange rate is at the moment. There's three types of half-board but I'm not very clued up on it so I'll let someone else fill you in on that.

You can check out menus on these sites DLPfoodguide and Magical Kingdoms. Sometimes the menus aren't quite up to date but you'll get an idea of where you'd like to eat and prices etc.

DLRP now has civilised organised photo meet'n'greets (thank goodness) although any random characters found wandering in the parks are likely to get mobbed. Unless you're lucky enough to find them without many other guests around then stick with the organised meet'n'greets and character meals for your photos. Inventions at the DLH does a fabulous character buffet at night, there's a Princess lunch at Auberge de Cendrillon, also there are fun character meals at Cafe Mickey, the Lucky Nugget and a fab Sunday Brunch at The Steakhouse so lots to choose from.

Well, you've certainly come to the right place for people to sell you DLRP! I went there first as a quick fix inbetween WDW visits and totally fell in love with the place. I always say that the two can't be compared ~ there's lots of things that are better at WDW, similarily there are many things better at DLRP ie. the Castle, the theming and design of the park, the special crockery at each restaurant .......... The only thing I'd mention is I don't know if you're planning on going to DLRP in May? If so, there won't be any fireworks and night-time parade ~ these are only on in July and August and odd dates throughout the year so bear that in mind although you probably already know that, having been before.

Remember, Paris is also only 40 minutes away by RER train, very easy to get to and ideal for a romantic couple!!

I understand your dilemma but think you're being very sensible. WDW is not going anywhere and IMO it's far better to have a fabulous time at DLRP without worrying about money.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[joolz1910]

Wow, your wedding photos are amazing.

It's a difficult decision. Would you be happy going to WDW on a very tight budget - is there a chance it would taint your wedding memories? Perhaps it would be better having a trip that you could comfortably afford? Then again, if you are likely to feel unhappy cancelling WDW...

What is going to give you sleepless nights / anxiety? Cancelling WDW or having to save a lot of money towards it? I say, follow your heart, not your head.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I have been WDW and really didnt think i would enjoy DLRP but having said that i have been DLRP nearly 6 times in 12 months and i love it. I perfer it to WDW.

The Character meet and greets and very organised, sometimes if the odd character is just walking around the park then as Elaine said it does get a bit frantic. We have only experienced this once or twice but we have been very lucky when it comes to Characters....

But i agree you should do what your heart says and not your head. As i always go with my heart (not always a great idea but hey lol)

 

[Daisy78]

I have just spent the last 2 hours reading your wedding journal. I have to say you looked absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations. x

 

[Cyrano]

Have a look at our Very Useful Info sticky and Restaurant reviews.
If you have any questions regarding meals just start a new thread as there are many who treat meals as a key part of a trip to DLP.

As Elaine says you have definitely come to the right place to make a DLP trip a fantastic memory

 

[BRobson]

It is a difficult decision to make as I have been to both many times and love both for different reasons.

As someone said you can easily get to Paris from DLP so you can conbine that also.

You will know what you are comfortable spending so you can always pencil in WDW for another time

 

[TootieBear765]

Firstly can I reiterate how your wedding looks - your photos are just gorgeous as were you and your wedding party! It looks so very romantic! The shot with the carriage in your sig is just (secretly kicking myself I didn't know about WDW weddings when I got married in 2000). DD, 3 has already been well warned that hers will be at WDW or I ain't stumping for it

As someone who has also had her first fix at DLRP this June and heading again for Christmas but heading to WDW next Sept, I understand your dilemma. It will be our first trip to WDW so I can't really compare but they do seem very different. From my limited experience, Paris is probably more expensive to eat although the half-board dining did save us quite a bit and is very flexible. Merchandise is pretty costly but I can only compare the prices at DLP and my local Disney store. I buy all non-DLP branded stuff before I go! Booking to eat is a whole lot more relaxed especially off-season compared to the mind-boggling ADR's at WDW. Most places can be booked the day before and sometimes same day or walk-up although for peace of mind I'd pre-book any character dining. They are very flexible though and we got a birthday cake reservation at Cafe Mickey at less than 12 hours notice on site! The staff we encountered throughout our five day trip were all - no complaints on any front! They made the trip for us and treated us like royalty!

As for the Character meet and greets, for us, it was very relaxed and very accessible, especially with an (at times) cranky toddler. There were organised times at our hotel each day and there were organised meet and greets in both parks. As others have already mentioned, the only scrums were around characters who were wandering about so we tended to avoid them. The Characters really made our trip though and were very attentive and patient, especially at the meals.

Until last week, I was very much in a similar position, wondering whether we would be stretching ourselves too far to get to Florida with a house move in progress. I have some reservations having enjoyed the intimacy of DLP, but we're going for the weather and the longer break so any Disney on top of that will be a huge bonus. We're viewing it as much about the culture of WDW and the USA experience as much as the Disney experience so maybe the suggestion of some romantic trips into Paris might be a good way to mark your experience... if I didn't have DD in tow, I'd be wandering along the Sienne with DH myself!

Just realised all of the above waffle will not be doing much to help you. I agree that you should follow your heart as long as your head will still sleep at night... nothing beats peace of mind... says she with two healthily priced trips in the offing ! Either way, you know that with Disney you will have a wonderful trip...

 

[B2B-2008]

Hi Guys,

Let me start by saying thank you for all the compliments on our wedding photos and for those of you that took the time to read our TR I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I'm still totally 50/50 on what to do. We could get the spending money together to go to WDW but I feel like we are putting pressure on ourselves again and my head is saying that we could use that money to get ourselves in a better position so that we could try for a family sooner. I'm not getting any younger!

The reason we wanted to go to WDW again is because we felt we missed so much of what we wanted to do. My DH thought that the Magic Kingdom was just Main Street and the castle. We got to do all of Epcot and Animal Kingdom but only a little bit of MK and HW and we saw no parades, and that to me is what Disney is all about. We also had to cancel lots of our ADRs and we wanted to try to eat at these places again.

 

[B2B-2008]

But I must say that I'm starting to full in love with the idea of the intimacy that DLP seams to offer over WDW. And because this is going to be our first trip alone I'm liking this idea. Also the idea of all the nice restaurants only being a walk away and not having to get a bus, a monorail and boat etc.

We are thinking of going for five nights and staying at the Sequoia Lodge, is this stay to long? We would like to spend a day in Paris.

Sorry I had to do this over two posts my Mac decided not to post lots of text in one go!

 

[joolz1910]

Hi, why not do DLRP this time for a different experience? Perhaps you could think of postponing rather than cancelling your trip to wdw? It might make it easier to stomach! I want to wait until Harry Potter is open until we go...having said that, it will probably take us a few years to save!

If you can comfortably afford DLRP, why not try the Disneyland Hotel? That might help to make it a unique experience. Add premium dining, and a day trip to Paris and you have the makings of an incredibly romantic trip. Most people on these boards would agree!

I hate making decisions, especially when money is the deciding factor. I still say follow your heart, but I think you are trying to tie up loose ends of your wedding trip, and perhaps you would be better off going for something completely different.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I think 5 nights is perfect.

I would say book the DLH if you can afford it and be truly at the heart of the magic.

 

[tinks86]

Having just got back from DLP and from WDW this summer I think tha whilst there are clearly differences between the 2 - DLP can be as magical as WDW. Its obviously on a smaller scale and we did miss the wide variety of restaurants in the Disney resorts that WDW has but if you feel MK and MGM were the parks you would most like to revisit then you will find the Paris parks cover these areas really well. We found studios VERY similar to HS and Disneyland park had a lot of the charm of MK - as we went off peak they were both quieter and if you can plan to go during off peak then this would mean you can get more done, see all the parades etc.
Whilst we loved WDW and the different areas they have there (Boardwalk etc) we loved DLP and the fact we could go to Paris for the day too. We have also originally planned to go back to WDW next year but are having second thoughts not because of the money, but because having been to DLP we feel we covered alot of the things WDW had to offer. Instead we are looking at going elsewhere for our main hol and doing a 4 night break to DLP instead!
Hope this helps

 

[Cyrano]

We are thinking of going for five nights and staying at the Sequoia Lodge, is this stay to long? We would like to spend a day in Paris.

This would be an idea length for a trip The Sequoia is a lovely accomodation which is nearby to the parks and Disney Village. Staying here will still give you lots of pennies to be able to spend on things like nice meals - California grill, Walts etc without thinking you are spending any money unneccessary