Soooo many questions!

[mooray27]

First of all, hi!!!

I'd like to apologise in advance for asking so many questions. I have emailed DLP and didn't really get a very satisfactory response, so am hoping for better luck from the lovely folks on here!

My husband needs a gluten free diet. My son is autistic and has big problems with food (ie doesn't eat it without a battle). We were thinking about upgrading our stay to include half board vouchers, however DLP say because I've booked with expedia they can't do it. Expedia want to charge me £900!!!! They said this was because I would need to rebook the holiday and have a Montana room (am staying at Seqoiua Lodge).

Anyway, having found out this info am now wondering if it's worth going HB at all. DS and DD will just moan for mcdonalds anyway so might just give them that and order off the menu for DH and I. Is this a good idea? Was thinking HB might save us money but not sure now.

I heard that if you notified the hotel in advance they could arrange gluten free crackers, biscuits etc for breakfast. However when I emailed them they just said to let the restaurant of our choice know of our dietary requirements when making a reservation. Do we need to reserve breakfast in our hotel??? And how do I get gluten free food? (not the yucky allergy free airline type meals).

We probably won't arrive until about 8pm so were hoping to just grab a quick bite at the hotel. Will they still be serving food then and will I need a reservation for that time of night?

We'll be asking for an EAC for DS as he gets a bit overwhelmed sometimes with loud noises, queues etc. Is it a dr's letter i need to take with us? The brochure said a certificate???

Anyone know what time the pool shuts at SL? It's going to close the day after we arrive and DS is pretty upset. I think that (weather permitting) the outdoor pool might be open. However, I was wondering if it would be possible to use another pool at a different hotel? I asked DLP in my email and they said no because of insurance reasons. Seems a bit mean... Would they notice if we sneaked in

Must say am feeling a teensy bit peeved with disney and expedia because
1. £900??? That's CRAZY money!!!
2. When I booked in January I had the chance to upgrade for £50 to the Montana room but chose not to because at that time those rooms were in the separate lodges. I wanted to be in the main building (which in Jan had standard rooms). I booked a standard room under the impression I would be in the main building! So I was a little disappointed to be told I would in fact be in a lodge after all. Feel like I've been sold one thing and am getting another.
3. Only reason we paid extra for the Sequoia Lodge was for the pool... which closes the day after we arrive!
4. What was the point in emailing them if they didn't answer half my questions?!?!?

Terrible sorry for being such a moaning minnie (especially as I'm a newbie, lol!) Despite how it must sound we are all really excited and am sure we'll have an amazing time, but as I've been trying and failing to go to DLP for 14 years now, I just want it to be as stress free as possible. Any help will be much appreciated!

 

[tennisfan]

Welcome I'll try to answer some questions, it is the consensus that half board vouchers are no longer a saving really but are good if you want to budget your money b paying up front.

The reason for it being dear if you rebook as you probably booked on a deal which no longer exists. Not sure why you can't add HB to your trip now though as others have managed in the past to go do.

As to room confusion Montana rooms have traditionally been in the main building until they were undergoing a refurbishment programme in which the lodges were refurbed first which is why they became the Montana rooms whilst the main building underwent the refurbishment meaning it will go back to being Montana in the main building

You will not be able to use another hotels pool as it is down to insurance reasons and they do check you pass. Also they state in the brochure when each hotel pool is shut for maintenance.

The pool is usually open till about 10pm but may close earlier due to the maintenance.

The hotel restaurants will probably serve food till about 10pm.

A doctors letter detailing your DS condition should be fine as long as its recent.

 

[MissSkellington]

We will be doing Half Board this upcoming stay...having never used it before (we don't care for that feeling of *having* to eat to make sure we use our vouchers...etc) but are this time because its included in our deal. So I can't say it's worth it or suggest it.

We have an Autistic son also....all you need is a letter from your Dr. With a description of his condition and a brief summary of suggested accommodations (at least that's what our Dr. has done) and then signed and stamped and no more than 3 months old. Very simple process at City Hall.

DS is also a very picky eater. We've made buffet reservations for 3 nights in the hope everyone will find something to eat, including him. Certain textures are out for him, so this allows for more choices. Sorry I can't comment on how Gluten free works there.

Sorry for all that confusion about your SL room! We stayed in one of those lodges back in November, our first trip and not knowing the difference in lodges or the main building.....and honestly, it might have been for the best, as it was VERY quite and peaceful, no children running the halls and bothering DS (noises, chaos...you know how that goes.)

I'm sure you'll have a lovely trip no matter what though

 

[Christieand]

Sorry I can't help with most of your questions but...

I would say stick with no HB plan. Then you are free to eat what and where you like and I highly doubt it will cost you £900!

No, sorry, as others have said, you can't use another hotel's pool because they check your "easypass" and ask for your room number when you go in. I would say don't be too disheartened about having chosen the SL. Pool or no pool, it is a very lovely hotel and I'm sure you'll have a great stay there. [

I was the same, asking loads of questions before my first trip

 

[mooray27]

Thank you so much everybody for your help

All these wee questions are just minor wee niggles compared to how excited we are about going. Would probably have a great time even if we were kipping in our car! Can't believe it's less than a month to go! DD moaning today about the pool tho so think we'll try and get in on our first night, then maybe catch fireworks, and hopefully a good nights sleep in preparation for the next day's excitement.

 

[mooray27]

Sorry for all that confusion about your SL room! We stayed in one of those lodges back in November, our first trip and not knowing the difference in lodges or the main building.....and honestly, it might have been for the best, as it was VERY quite and peaceful, no children running the halls and bothering DS (noises, chaos...you know how that goes.)

I'm sure you'll have a lovely trip no matter what though

that sound REALLY good! Yes I do know how that goes, peace and quiet and chill out time so important to DS under normal circumstances, even more so at DLP I'm sure. Lodge might be for the best after all

 

[micksn]

I would go straight to the pool on arrival and then book in to one of the restaurants for about 9.30 (If you arriving at 8) The Beaver's Creek might be more straightforward for gluten free as you order from a menu for the main course (The other is all buffet, although very good) You can tell them about dietary requirements at time of booking. I wouldn't bother with the park on your first night, just enjoy being at the hotel and then get up early for extra magic hours on your first day. Enjoy!

 

[Brummig]

We have taken our DS who has autism to DLP many times now. We usually take our campervan but last time stayed in SL as took MIL. We don't have dietary issues with him, although he melts down when hungry (lol), and I am a picky vege trying to diet so hard to please! We ate one night at the buffet in SL which was okay, although food was not marked well so hard to work out what was vege never mind gluten! The breakfast was okay - lots of fruit, some meat, lots of seperate things. We always go early breakfast as quieter. One day last time ds had hardly slept finally falling asleep at about 5.00am! So dh and I went down and go ours, and then took some back for him and MIL - they were okay about that. We've never done half board - not that organised, but we always self drive so always have something we can eat at 'home' if necessary, and we take our own kettle. Our DS insists that 8pm is still bedtime (he is 10) so late meals are not an option for us.

EAC card works well. Like any system its not foolproof, and it can be a bit confusing as works differently at some rides than others, and there can be a lot of people using them, but its still a godsend. City Hall will tell you all you need to know.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[mooray27]

Thanks for the tips! We'll see how tired the kids are when we get there *** it's a long day with the travelling but deffo need to try the pool if we can. Planning on filling our luggage with food from home as a back up too!