Tentative sechedule...How does it sound ?

[martinacris]

Good morning everyone....after being on line until 12 am last night trying to prepare a schedule ( instead of irnoning ) I just wanted for you to look at it....after all...you are the experts !! and what ever suggestions you make are important. ( Just a note...8 yrs ago I took my DH to WDW in Orlando...and never thought of planning...in fact our vacation was okay..of course we did not have any kids so everything is waaaaaay easier !! This DIs has been a lifesaver !!

Here's the story:

We leave on Tuesday Dec.26th from Venice at 12:40 and get to CDG at 14:30. ( I would have wanted to leave first thing in the morning...but since we live almost 2 hours away from Venice...I wanted to avoid leaving too early...my DH did not like too much the idea .).
I have to confirm the RS Transport pick up that will take us to the New Port Bay CLub. Thanks to this DIS board I ended booking a room at the Admiral Floor.

I don't know at what time we should be at the hotel, but the only thing I was planning on was on booking WALT'S REST. at 7pm. I was thinking of doing like Sarah..and going to Annette's...but since we will go inside the park, I prefer not to have to walk to much and simply have a booked dinner. The girls will be hungry, tired and excited.

DAY 1 WED. DEC. 27th: Enjoy the day at DLP and have lunch at Fuente del Oro at what ever time we are hungry . Then Enjoy the afternoon and go to the 5pm CHARACTER TEA at the Plaza Gardens. Enjoy and see the Fantillusion Parade and then have dinner when ever the girls are hungry at the Disney Village ( at Annettes or maybe Planet Hollywood and use the 20% off coupon from the guide book)

DAY 2- THURS. 28th: I booked a GOOD MORNING FANTASYLAND Breakfast. Spend the day at the park and at 12 go to the CHARACTER LUNCH at LUCKY NUGGET. Since I read it's a buffet and there is a lot to eat, regarding dinner in the evening ...I still don't know where to go...hopefully somewhere not too expensive

DAY 3: FRI.29th - Have breakfast at the hotel and then go spend the day at Disney Studios. Be there all day and then have a CHARACTER dinner at 6:15 Caffe Mickey.

DAY 4: SAT.30th - Being this the last day, I booked another GOOD MORNING FANTASYLAND BREAKFAST . I'm sure the park will be very full. I don't know if we will go into Paris or not...my DH says it's not worth it since the girls are too young..( we can always go back . We were there in 1999...So I still have this day as a free day...where we would take the girls again on the rides they will have enjoyed the most. Since that will be our last dinner...I was thinking of booking WALT'S again...I have read so mnay good comments...and thanks to the photos posted...the I prefer to have a pleasant meal at the same rest and not worry about it.

DAY 5: SUN.31st. - Breakfast at the hotel, and since our return flight is at 12:30, I was going to purchase TGV trains tickets for the 10:40 am train ? It will arrive CDG at 10:50. We leave from Terminal 2 so one hour and a half shouldbe okay ?? or should we take one before...I think it's at 9:30 am...( isn't it too early ...)


I still would like to fir the Rainforest Cafe.but when I try to prepare a budget...gee these meals get expensive...but then, I realized that at the end these Character emals are worth it. When you think that some fixed menu prives are between 25 and 29 €, for €30 I get the Character emal, and the children will enjoy it...and that would avoid the pushing and shoving to have photos taken with the Characters during the day.

I hope not to have bored you with this pre planning...but once I get your "blessing" , then I can go ahead and book the Restaurants and add the character meals to my reservation .Then my next step will be to take notes on rides / shows and parades.

By the way...I will try and include two photos...just so you can see "meet me" and my two DD's !!

Thanks so much !!

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Sound fab to me Martina.

For a snack on the run dont forget the Cowboy Cookout. Its got a warm, friendly atmosphere. Its shut every wednesday and Thursday. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1262194&referrerid=&highlight=Cowboy+Cookout

Also the Hyperion is worth a mention. Its the fast Food Restaurant inside the Lion King Theatre. Really convenient if its raining or if you have a bit of a wait for the show.

You must be getting soooooooooooo excited now as your tripis only about 6 weeks away.

 

[martinacris]

Thanks Sarah for your blessing ..and for the Cookout info. ..I had thought of that nanme...but had forgotten also. I will include it for a Saturday lunch.

Who knows...maybe we will bump into each other....I tried to add a photo...but wasn't able. It said the photo was too large...I'll keep trying !

You are right...I am starting to get excited. Once I'll book the restaurants, I wil feel like a load has been taken off !!

I was just wondering...do you know if I should try and book a table in Frontierland at Walts' ? I read somewhere that it's better..but I'm not too sure !



I hope you can view these photos. You can see me, ( 37yrs old) and my DD Alessia 6 and a half and Gaia 4 and a half.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mcriscaut/MartinAPhotosWithAlessiaAndGaia

 

[Sarah Sarill]

I've never eaten at Walt's but it looks to be the most elegant place to eat, and reports to have the best food of the park. A good choice

I think it was PatMagic who said he wanted to sit by the stained glass window in Frontierland. You wont loose anything by asking for that seat when you book your reservation. I also read that the windows overlooking main street were nice too, especially when the snow starts.

This is my mug shot - maybe, just maybe we will spot each other and have time to grab a yummy hot chocolate before running for the next ride.

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Just noticed that Photobucket is down for maintenance so Ill upload my pic later.

What lovely pics Martina. You live in such a breathtaking part of the world.

Sarah

 

[martinacris]

It's true...I'm originally from Venezuela, and in 192 I went to work on board a cruise ship ...where I met my DH. I lived in Miami, Fla. for 2 yrs working on land hiring personnel, and then for LOVE , I gave up everything and came to Grado, ( which I had never ever heard of...). This is paradise for kids.....I take my daughter to the bus stop and the I take my bike and take Gaia to her kindergarten. I hardly use my car... I sometimes miss Miami...but here the girls are growing up in a way they could not if we lived in a busy city like Milano or Rome. Ever since I have been here ( already 10 years).....I have NO stress !!

 

[Bexx]

I'm not usually a planner either, but for our flying visit I've also felt it was necessary this time!! And your plan all sounds very good

I've also booked Walt's for the first evening, and I'm hoping that we might get a window seat so we can see Fantillusion go past.

I think the 10.40 TGV should work out okay, if that's how you decide to travel. Do you know which part of Terminal 2 you will be using - will it be close to the station?

BTW, lovely pictures - it's very nice to "meet" you and your girls

 

[Sarah Sarill]

http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k21/Sarahsarill/?action=view&current=1162852042.pbw

Sorry for the delay and hope this link works.

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Watching Fantillusion from there is a wonderful idea Bexx.

What time did you book for ?

 

[SandraVB79]

DAY 5: SUN.31st. - Breakfast at the hotel, and since our return flight is at 12:30, I was going to purchase TGV trains tickets for the 10:40 am train ? It will arrive CDG at 10:50. We leave from Terminal 2 so one hour and a half shouldbe okay ?? or should we take one before...I think it's at 9:30 am...( isn't it too early ...)

One year, I left for Boston from CDG so I had to take the Thalys from Brussels to CDG. I found it a big hassle to get from the station to the right terminal (don't remember which one though). I don't know if things have changd over there, but it took some time. Also, the security checks are stricter, so you should keep that also in mind.
Thirdly, you are in FRANCE, where they have a strike for about everything that happens. Trains can also be late. Prepare a plan B, just in case...
(no, I don't want to scare you, but I usually have a plan B!)

 

[Bexx]

Watching Fantillusion from there is a wonderful idea Bexx.

What time did you book for ?

I've booked for 6 pm, as Fantillusion is at 7 pm - I'll let you know how successful the timing was!!

 

[Ware Bears]

Fingers crossed for you ~ we booked for an hour before the parade when we ate there and it was perfect timing.

Martina, when you check in ask if you can be seated at the window. The rooms Main Street, Discoveryland and Frontierland are overlooking Main Street USA so you would get a brilliant view from any of the window seats in those rooms.

Love your photos, and yours too Sarah. It's lovely when you can put a name to a face.

 

[disneyangel]

Loved both your sets of photos' Sarah and Martina. As Elaine says it's nice to put a face to the names !

Martina I would recommend Auberge De Cendrillion as an alternative on your last day. The food is lovely and I'm sure your DD's would love the theming.

I would also recommend eating off the snack menu at Billy Bob's on the Thursday evening. It is very reasonable and just enough when you've had a big lunch.

 

[jillrobinson]

Your itinerary sounds perfect, we haven't eaten at Walts yet but it does sound wonderful, so many restaurants, so little time.

In March there was a Takeaway stall in the village, near Annette's selling chips and hotdogs, we bought them one evening after a large lunch on the way back through the village and ate them in the hotel, we ordered the coffee/tea hamper from consierge (you may get a voucher for 1 free hamper, we did) and had a quiet relaxed evening at the hotel, it made a nice change.

 

[Ware Bears]

On a couple of occasions last Christmas both DH and I were still full up from earlier and didn't want to eat again but our DDs did so they had hot dogs and chips from here and they were really good.

 

[martinacris]

Thank you all for your comments...and for having taken time in reading my post !! The Billy Bobs sounds perfect....as well as the Auberge. I will fit them into the plan and call to book on Monday .

Regarding the RS Transport..these people are FAST...they already replied and told me that onew way is €75 and return would be €140. I am almost convinced into booking it both ways, since the last thing I want to do is start carrying luggage. Maybe for a next trip we can use the TGV.

Having the flight back at 12:35 , we would be picked up at 9:45am ( it's an hour earlier than if we had to take the TGV... I don't know...I'm dying to go on the TGV , but I also want the VIP treatment...to be picked up at my hotel.
Oh...with all this planning..I don't think we will have time or energy to use the swimmingpool at the New Port...

I'm glad you all enjoyed my photos...it sure makes all this writing a bit more personal. Sarah you look great..and hopefully we might be able to see each other...

Thanks again for your help...hope you all have a nice Friday Evening.

 

[martinacris]

Sarah..your photos are great. I loved the water park ones !! Was it realy snowing last December ? So if my girls wore a snow suit, that would be the easiest ..correct ? When exactly were you ? For what I see , you love DLRP at Christmas time !!
I was just wondering...even if it's not DLP related...have you ever been to Legoland ? Bedore I had doubts about going to DLP for Christmas and then thought we could go to Legoland next spring...but Disney won !! Maybe someday ! Disney is a dream come true !

 

[Sarah Sarill]

Hi Martina,

We have done DLRP in Feb, May, Sept, Nov and Dec and have to say there is no other MAGICAL experience better than spending Christmas with the Mouse.

We did it for the first time last year, staying at The NBH. ( 23rd to the 27th) We loved it soooooooooo much we just had to spend Christmas Day there again this year. But having spent a summer holiday at Port Aventura (in Salou) in June this year, our budget would not stretch to staying there again so we booked a VERY cheap deal at The HI. Am looking forward to it again.

It snowed twice last year and the one was a real downpour and began just as Snata was arriving in the Chrsitmas Parade. The place was white within about half an hour - bitterly cold but just perfect.

Never done Legoland but can recommend Portaventura and the water parks there - we go every June.

Portaventura in the sun and Disney in the cold - a perfect combination

 

[Bexx]

Having the flight back at 12:35 , we would be picked up at 9:45am ( it's an hour earlier than if we had to take the TGV... I don't know...I'm dying to go on the TGV , but I also want the VIP treatment...to be picked up at my hotel.

Don't forget that if you use the TGV you won't be leaving the hotel at 10.40. You'll have to leave enough time to catch the hotel shuttle to the station and then get your bags to the platform. So there will certainly be quite a bit less than an hour's difference between the two options.

Oh...with all this planning..I don't think we will have time or energy to use the swimmingpool at the New Port...

In six visits to DLP, we've only ever used the hotel pool once!!

 

[martinacris]

Thanks Becky for your opinion...I can just imagine us with the bags, hoping it's not raining or even snowing...so, the TGV will have to wait until a next trip... Being picked up and being left at the airport is for sure easier than having to take the bus, go to the platform...and the difference in price is nothing....the tgv would have been €68 plsu I the postage which it showed as €10 !..so the RS is less expensive ...

Regarding the pool...I guess when it's time to think of a hotel...a pool looks like something we will do...but as the DAY approaches...the pool is the last activity on our minds !!