The dlpSteve Family Trip Countdown Thread - Rescheduled!

[dlpSteve]

We used to live in Devon so we have a ton of places we want to take Lucas - Paignton Zoo being top of the list!

If I can't get a refund I'll ask if someone else can use them, could be a free trip for 2 lucky people!

 

[Happy Tappy]

Watermouth Castle (near Ilfracombe) is well worth a visit if you're in that area. It's great for kids!

 

[Ross_Jenkins]

Hi Steve when are your tickets for and are you able to exchange them? I am need of some for an upcoming trip.

Thanks

 

[pyebibby]

The Dinosaur and Wildlife park near Combe Martin is good. I especially liked the baby meerkats last year.

 

[britchic4]

Sorry you're not going Steve but you're right, Lucas will appreciate it better when he's older. We've had a week in Devon every summer for the last 3 yrs and my kids love it there. Are you in the north or south?

 

[Mum to Belle]

Shame you've cancelled but I bet you have a great holiday anyway! We're off to North Devon too in September, self-catering is great with little people!! Whereabouts are you staying?

 

[Ware Bears]

Shame you've cancelled but (to repeat what someone on here said to me the other day when I sacrificed a trip for a replacement porch) Disney's not going anywhere. Hope you have a fantastic holiday in Devon.

 

[jennytablina]

OK, trip is now cancelled. We decided we wanted to wait a bit longer until we take Lucas, plus it'd be nice to go when the exchange rate isn't so shocking. We are renting a gorgeous cottage in North Devon instead, which I think will be more to Lucas's liking - we'll take him when he understands what it's all about a bit more.

I've contacted Eurostar about getting a refund but I don't hold out much luck as they are 'non-refundable' tickets, darn!

I think you've made a good decision there!

Disney is great with kids but I think the younger you take em the less you all get out of it! Last week we saw so many babies and toddlers with parents keeping them up well beyond their bedtimes which tended to make them really cranky!

I think DLRP isnt going anywhere now its starting to turn things around. When I was little my parents took me to Butlins and Center Parcs and I remember enjoying those well enough though my memory is very spotty for those trips as I was too little to clearly remember. But my first Disney trip was WDW at age 9 and I remember most of that first trip clear as day and how amazed I was at parades and how godsmacked I was to meet Mickey! Plus I could ride almost everything

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks for the suggestions of places to visit - it'll be good to go with lots of multi weather options! The cottage is here: http://www.country-ways.net/cuckoos-nest.html#anchor410715

Ross - tickets are from Ashford, leaving on May 3rd and returning on the 7th. Waiting to hear back from Eurostar as to whether we can do anything with the tickets.

We'll get to DLP at some point - as good as Lucas is he's inherited my lack of patience so we think he'll need to be a bit older before he undertands the concept of queues, and we don't fancy taking turns to wait in line - we want to spend as much time all together as possible.

We're really looking forward to the cottage holiday, it'll be a great place to be to celebrate Lucas's 2nd birthday. We'll continue to enjoy DLP vicariously through this board and then when we do finally go all the new developments will be complete.

I could always get my fix of DLP by organising the next DIS DLP Awards??!

 

[FiFi Rose]

Sorry to here you've cancelled, but the cottage looks beautiful. I agree I think Lucas will get more out of a disney trip when he is slightly older. We took DD at 11 months and spent our time in Mickey Mouse high chairs and changing tables in the baby facilities. We went again when DD had just turned 2. That trip she was more aware and as she is very tall was able to do more, but it was really her trip just after her 3rd birthday that she really 'got it'. Chasing characters for autographs, dressing up, bigger rides etc.

As they get older it becomes easier and lighter to travel. The first time went by car and you'd think I was moving to Disney permanently. Took own travel cot, bedding, buggy, pre packed milk, nappies, changes of clothes - We only just managed to squeeze in clothes for ourselves

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Sorry to hear you had to cancel Steve, I look back and wonder how on earth i coped by myself with Kyra when i took her when she was 2. She was at the stage where she cried in the queues for rides and i had to carry her.

She also doesn't remember much about her first few trips, which is understandable as i cant even remember what i did was 2 years old

Have a lovely holiday in Devon

 

[jillrobinson]

I'm sure you'll have a fab time in Devon DLP will be waiting for you whenever you decide to return.

 

[dlpSteve]

Just 6 weeks and we'll be getting ready to go to Ashford, with our 10th trip to Disneyland Paris just 1 day away! I sorted out insurance for just £7.34 this morning which I'm chuffed about. Also sat with Lucas showing him photos from our first trip in July 2002 - he was amazed to see a photo of Denise with Tigger, his latest best friend!

At the moment I'm working out meal options but finding DLP Food Guide hasn't been updated in a few years, unless nothing has changed. Trying to work out the best place to got for a character meal. I was going to say Cafe Mickey but there have been some recent reports of the food not being great. Inventions is awesome but pricey, but then this is Lucas's first time and our first trip in 3 years, so why not? What about The Lucky Nugget Saloon? We've never actually been there. There's always a character tea party, but I'm guessing as a main meal is not being eaten the characters are probably inundated with people swarming round them, or is that not the case? With Lucas being so small, even for a 2 year old, I'm thinking Inventions offers the best one-on-one character interaction, at least it did a few years ago. Any opinions would be gratefully appreciated!

 

[mommy2ash]

the food at cafe mickey isnt the best, thats why i get a pizza and share it with ash lol. we get some drinks and dessert and it rarely costs more than 30 euros for the two of us which i think is great.

the best place for menus is magical kindoms or else disney central plaza. if you go on there just put the name of the restaurant you are looking for in the search box and the thread will pop up

 

[Suzanne1979]

Thanks for the link to Disney Central Plaza, Mommy2ash, it has some great menu photos (and food photos) indeed ! Shame that dlpfoodguide isn't so up to date anymore

 

[dlpSteve]

Thanks for the tips, should make things easier. Though we won't plan our meals, except the character meal, at least we'll know which places to head for, and which ones to avoid.

 

[dlpSteve]

Just 14 months after I started this thread and we are 10 days away from our trip - can't wait!

Cheap Buggy bought
Inventions booked
Credit card at hand with no fees when used abroad

To do:

Go to Tesco for Euros - seem to have best collection rates
Find my bike lock for the buggy
Pack! Including making sure I have all chargers and memory cards!

We are finally going back, almost 3 years since our last visit, and now with a 3rd person in our group - how exciting!

 

[tennisfan]

I'm sure you will all have a magical time

 

[bonhoga]

Steve, Just wanted to wish you, Denise and Lucas the best time ever

If you were feeling very generous you could check out how often the Thrifts are playing in October but mostly just have a great time, much love and best wishes to you all

Kaye
x

 

[Ware Bears]

We are finally going back, almost 3 years since our last visit, and now with a 3rd person in our group - how exciting!

Can't believe it's been so long since you were last there doesn't time fly!