Toddlers Birthday trip to DLP - some questions and a hello!

[RoseBug]

Hi guys,

I found this board whilst searching for information about birthdays at DLP and thought I would say hi!

My daughter is 3 in Feb and we have booked to go to DLP the day after her birthday (although we won't get there til late that night) for 2 nights, and will have pretty much 2 full days in the park (all day Sat and til 6pm on Sun).

We are booked into the Cheyenne, as funds are really tight and this holiday is her birthday party and present all in one, but she is so in love with Disney at the moment we just couldn't not take her. We went when she was 4 months old (we booked it before I had her as a maternity leave treat) and stayed at the NY which was great, but we can't afford it this time as I was poorly after having her, and took extended maternity leave - unpaid, which kinda screwed our finances for a long while.

We have booked half board plus - its cost £126 for 2 days, would it be worth upgrading to the higher one to include the buffalo bill show?

Anyway, do you have any suggestions on how to make her birthday extra special? We have pre-booked a cake for her, and will ask for it to be delivered at the character meal at Cafe Mickey. Is there anyway we can request a birthday vip meet of a princess (skipping the queue?!)

My friend told me that at WDW they give birthday sashes, and some vip treatment on a first come basis - do they do this at DLP?

Thanks guys!

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi RoseBug,

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Hi guys,

I found this board whilst searching for information about birthdays at DLP and thought I would say hi!

My daughter is 3 in Feb and we have booked to go to DLP the day after her birthday (although we won't get there til late that night) for 2 nights, and will have pretty much 2 full days in the park (all day Sat and til 6pm on Sun).

We are booked into the Cheyenne, as funds are really tight and this holiday is her birthday party and present all in one, but she is so in love with Disney at the moment we just couldn't not take her. We went when she was 4 months old (we booked it before I had her as a maternity leave treat) and stayed at the NY which was great, but we can't afford it this time as I was poorly after having her, and took extended maternity leave - unpaid, which kinda screwed our finances for a long while.

We have booked half board plus - its cost £126 for 2 days, would it be worth upgrading to the higher one to include the buffalo bill show?

Anyway, do you have any suggestions on how to make her birthday extra special? We have pre-booked a cake for her, and will ask for it to be delivered at the character meal at Cafe Mickey. Is there anyway we can request a birthday vip meet of a princess (skipping the queue?!)

no, I'm afraid she'll have to queue, theres no way of skipping the queue for a Princess meet n greet unless you do the Auberge de Cendrillon Princess lunch (if she loves Princesses this might be perfect for her birthday treat, and if you upgrade to the premium half board plan this meal is included on that plan)

My friend told me that at WDW they give birthday sashes, and some vip treatment on a first come basis - do they do this at DLP?

no, no sashes, if you go to City Hall though they can arrange a Happy Birthday call from Mickey to your daughter, and you can get a Birthday sticker.

Thanks guys!

Its worth noting that weekends at DLP, regardless of time of year, are generally very busy, so you may find that you don't get a lot of rides done without planning well. Its also likely to be very cold in February.

 

[RoseBug]

Thanks!

I have been in February half term previously (2007) and didn't find it too cold (but then I am a Geordie, we don't feel the cold) but we are planning on getting our daughter some thermals etc. to go under her princess dress!

I know it will be busy, unfortunately costs dictate this is the best time for us to go (flights are hundreds cheaper to go on Friday and come back Sunday) and I can only ever go school hols anyway!

We'll plan as best we can for rides etc. Going more for the experience tbh! She'll be happy running round looking at everything!

Thank you!

 

[RoseBug]

With regards the Auberge de Cendrillon Princess lunch, I would love to do that for her, but it is so expensive and the menu we saw isn't really that good for my picky *** husband who eats nothing!! Is it worth the cost?

How much is the highest meal package? Will it save alot of money, if we did the princess lunch one day and buffalo bill the next, and then just paid for the Cafe Mickey meal?

xxx

 

[ILOVEDLP]

Hello Rosebug !Iam from the north east two,easyjet times rubbish.All day waiting around,so now I always go down to london stay in the travelodge at kings cross and get the eurostar the next day(eurostar so easy). I find this way easier cheaper and less stresfull than easyjet thing.I know your 3 year old will love it (we have twins 3 i took them in jan alone we had a fab time they where still two at the time)even if she does'nt get to do all the rides just meeting all the characters will make her birthday if your on a budget I have 5 children so no all about that I would book cafe mickey and maybe have a mc donalds and I always use the shop in the train station for salads sandwiches crips pop etc soooooo much cheaper than the park.I am booking my 9th visit tomorrow and am as excited as I was the first time.any thing I can help you with please ask xxx

 

[RoseBug]

Hello Rosebug !Iam from the north east two,easyjet times rubbish.All day waiting around,so now I always go down to london stay in the travelodge at kings cross and get the eurostar the next day(eurostar so easy). I find this way easier cheaper and less stresfull than easyjet thing.I know your 3 year old will love it (we have twins 3 i took them in jan alone we had a fab time they where still two at the time)even if she does'nt get to do all the rides just meeting all the characters will make her birthday if your on a budget I have 5 children so no all about that I would book cafe mickey and maybe have a mc donalds and I always use the shop in the train station for salads sandwiches crips pop etc soooooo much cheaper than the park.I am booking my 9th visit tomorrow and am as excited as I was the first time.any thing I can help you with please ask xxx

Hi, thanks for the reply.
Easyjet times are actually perfect for me, as I am a teacher so the later Friday flight is good as I can finish work and head straight to the airport, then come back quite late Sunday night.
I've been to Disney a few times, I went to the Californian DL in 98, and have been to DLP 3 times, but the last time was when dd was 4 months old so a very different experience to what this one will be..!
Whilst we are on a budget, we are only there for 2 days and have the half board plus (medium package) so aiming to have a nice meal both days, as well as a big breakfast (and taking some picnic stuff from the breakfast bar!) and then either grabbing hotdog or whatever for inbetweens.
We have been talking this week about what we want from the two days, and we think upgrading our half board package and doing Cafe Mickey on Saturday lunchtime (paying for this ourselves and having her cake delivered here) and then the Buffalo Bill thing on Saturday night, and then Auberge on Sunday early lunchtime. The reasoning for this is as we are only there 2 days, and our dd is Princess mad, I would rather spend the money and 2 hours having a meal (main courses and puds sound fine) where she is guaranteed to meet some Princesses and have a lovely relaxing time, get photos etc. rather than lining up in the cold for god knows how long. We don't think she would really mind who she meets - her favourites are Rapunzel, Tiana, Ariel and Belle, but she'd be happy with any!!! Any money she gets for Christmas/Birthday is for Disney so it will all go towards making sure she has a FAB birthday whilst there, as she certainly doesn't need anymore toys etc.

Rides wise - you're right, she won't be bothered if she doesn't get on any (I have a list I want to go on though! LOL) but we will aim to get her on a few of the kids ones and have 2 full days so I am sure she will get on a few, and the rest of the time she will just be in her element being in Disney, watching the parades and the shows etc.

Do you think that sounds okay? We don't have to leave Disney til 6:30pm on Sunday night. Will try to book Auberge for around 11:45am and will try to do a late-ish Buffalo Bill show!

Thanks
xxx

 

[RoseBug]

Is the Buffalo Bill meal actually worth it? Is it suitable for a 3 year old?

 

[DLPdaft]

I think there are only 2 sittings each day for the Buffalo Bill show - 6.30 and 9pm - if you went for the later one you woudn't be out of there before 11pm.

 

[A Small World]

It sounds as though you have a good trip planned - Im sure your DD will love it.

I think 12.00 is the earliest you can book Auberge and there are usually 2 Buffalo Bill shows - 6.30 and 9.30 but the later one might be a bit too late with a toddler as they last about 2 hrs. It might be worth phoning to check as well as it isnt always on every night

 

[RoseBug]

I think there are only 2 sittings each day for the Buffalo Bill show - 6.30 and 9pm - if you went for the later one you woudn't be out of there before 11pm.

Thanks, what would we be missing in the park if we went for the meal at 6:30pm? Are there fireworks in Feb? What time is the main parade (or am I right in remembering that the main parade is on a few times a day?)

Sorry for all the questions. I am totally OCD and need to have everything planned (in my head at least!) even though I have 7 months to go...!

 

[RoseBug]

It sounds as though you have a good trip planned - Im sure your DD will love it.

I think 12.00 is the earliest you can book Auberge and there are usually 2 Buffalo Bill shows - 6.30 and 9.30 but the later one might be a bit too late with a toddler as they last about 2 hrs. It might be worth phoning to check as well as it isnt always on every night

Is it best to book Auberge as close to it opening as possible? I don't know how it *works* as a restaurant etc. When is the closest we can book, the girl said when we booked we need to ring up 60 days before to book restaurants but don't know if that includes Auberge!

And if we get there for opening, will they let us sit where we want (where is best?) And is there anywhere I can see an up-to-date menu from there?


I am actually stupidly excited!

 

[DLPdaft]

in February the main park will probably close at 9pm on Saturday - no fireworks or evening parade, and the main park parade will be at 5pm I'd imagine.

 

[RoseBug]

in February the main park will probably close at 9pm on Saturday - no fireworks or evening parade, and the main park parade will be at 5pm I'd imagine.

Thank you!

Just out of interest, is it only summer when there are fireworks (I am sure I have seen them before but can't remember if it is was California or DLP in Summer) and an evening parade?

 

[A Small World]

Yes they only have fireworks in summer and a few other specific dates.

Auberge can be booked just like any other restaurant from 60 days before you go and yes you are probably better booking it for 12. You may not be able to choose where you sit but could ask for a table by the dance floor.
Have you looked at the restaurant sticky at the top of the page as there are loads of pics there and probably up to date menu

Buffalo Bills is very noisy as everyone is encouraged to shout/stamp feet and bang cutlery so some toddlers find it too much others love it so it depends on your child.

 

[DLPdaft]

yes, only in high summer season do you get both fireworks and an evening parade (and longer opening hours every day).

 

[RoseBug]

Thanks guys! She isn't a timid toddler, and quite often goes to the theatre and things like the Disney music festivals/Disney on ice - so would probably quite like the show, but tbh I am thinking if she is seeing the parades etc. there is no need for this also!

Might just do Cafe Mickey on Saturday tea time and Auberge on Sunday lunchtime!

Off to look at the restaurant thread now, if my crappy router holds onto the net long enough!

Thank you so much for answering all my daft questions! (I am actually OCD, it drives me mad planning stuff as I am so anal, you can imagine how fed up my husband was during the wedding planning and pregnancy planning!)

xxx

 

[ILOVEDLP]

I think your right a buffalo bills.Iam taking my youngest boys for the first time next year they will be nearly 4 then tbh I think it would of been a waste any other time.my girls all grown up now but they would of loved the princess meal when they where little.Have you seen the princess make over the do at Dlp think your daughter may be a bit young at the min but a must for when she is older xx