We're going back!!

[gcmcmsa]

Haven't been on the boards since last year, couldn't find the website for love nor money, just happened on it after doing a search the other day.

We went to DLRP last October for Halloween, had a great time, but as I said at the time, never again would I go in such a large group (13) of us. You spend too much time "where will we go next" "is everyone ok", etc etc.

I thought at the time it would be a "once in a lifetime trip" but after doing it the first time, I realised (without the big crowd with me) it could be done again. So, I took a mad notion and booked flights the other night...... I've booked for the Christmas season, December 7th to 10th, just me and my daughter (8). Although no doubt when I tell people we are going, some will want to go too. That's why I am keeping mum about it till really close to the date.

I read somewhere that Santa will be there in his workshop and the kids can meet him. Is this true? No doubt the queue will be enormous, maybe they will do a FASTPASS System for it? Ha!! just kidding.

I would have loved to have gone to Lapland with my daughter, but as a single mum over 3000euro for a "3 day package' (which after flight times, really only works out to be 1 full day) was too much. When I win the lotto maybe!!! And I have heard that for the past two years some people didn't even see snow there. Anyway, getting back to Disney...

We didn't get to do everything last time, saw no shows, didn't get to do Crush as it kept breaking down, so hopefully we will get to do all this time (maybe even fit in an hour or 2 in the shopping outlet).

We stayed at Holiday Inn last time and it was great, didn't care about the shuttle transfer (except once when we were nearly crushed) because we only slept in the room, barely spent time in it.

This time I have been quoted 418 sterling for a standard room at Newport Bay or 452 sterling for a room on the Admirals Floor (couldn't afford Disney Hotel, again maybe if I win the lotto). The reason I am looking at a Disney Hotel this time is for the EMH which will be great for the last day as we have to leave DLRP at midday to go to CDG.

Question is..... is this a good price for hotel and park tickets? Has anyone stayed there that could tell me if it is worth it paying the extra for the Admirals floor? I got this price from leisuredirection.co.uk, has anyone ever used them or can you recommend anyone else? Disney direct are quoting over 600euro for the same thing, but if I book through a UK company after exchange rate, it works out a little better and that bit extra will pay for our train from CDG to DLRP.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[squizz]

I've just checked the prices at the official DLRP booking page, and its the same cost (£418 for standard or £452 for admiral floor).

Heres the link: Newport Booking enter the dates and it'll get you the prices.

Depending how you are travelling, it might be cheaper to book transport with who you are travelling with directly, Eurostar is a good example of this.

 

[gcmcmsa]

I checked the official site too, however because I am travelling from Ireland I have to book it through the Irish website which quotes it at 593 & 643 euro. If I was able to book it on the UK website I can get it for 418 & 452 sterling as you said, which converts to 523 & 566 euro, so that's a difference of about 70 euro which would more than cover our transfer from CDG on the TGV. We are flying direct with Aerlingus to CDG.

Have you stayed in the Newport? Is there really much of a difference in the standard and the Admirals floor??

Thanks

 

[gcmcmsa]

After checking the official site, I see that there isn't much of a price difference in these two hotels, which would you recommend??

 

[Tillybud]

I've never stayed on the Admirals Floor but have stayed in Newport Bay and it is just lovely One day I will stay in DLH once I've done lots of saving but until then I'm happy with the Hotel Cheyenne, I find it more than adequate for the amount of time you spend in the room and I love the little ponies outside ... anyhow sorry for going off on a tangent. Well done you for just doing it with your child, we took extended family in June and never again ... it was a nightmare from beginning to end hence the reason why I booked again in October, I need a break just for the 4 of us ! Anyhow good luck with getting it booked, we've been in December and it is just beautiful, cold but lovely !

 

[gcmcmsa]

I've never stayed on the Admirals Floor but have stayed in Newport Bay and it is just lovely One day I will stay in DLH once I've done lots of saving but until then I'm happy with the Hotel Cheyenne, I find it more than adequate for the amount of time you spend in the room and I love the little ponies outside ... anyhow sorry for going off on a tangent. Well done you for just doing it with your child, we took extended family in June and never again ... it was a nightmare from beginning to end hence the reason why I booked again in October, I need a break just for the 4 of us ! Anyhow good luck with getting it booked, we've been in December and it is just beautiful, cold but lovely !

We had a great time at Halloween, had wall to wall rain for 1 full day, but we stayed in the park til closing anyway, small kids and all. It was probably the best day for doing the more popular rides as there weren't many people. Hopefully, it will be just cold in December, like when you were there. However, I will be prepared this time with Wellie Boots. We had rain covers galore but our feet were soaking. Other people there had wellie boots (obviously had been there before and got caught out).

Starting to get excited already. But no one to share it with as I haven't even told my daughter. It's 15 weeks from today and that's a long 15 weeks if I am listening to "how many more sleeps?".

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm really pleased to hear you're going back to the Magic on a mother/daughter trip .

Can't offer any advice about the 2 hotels, sorry. I remember you weren't very impressed with the outside of some of the onsite hotels, but have you thought about the Sequoia Lodge? I understand that at Christmas season, it really does look gorgeous. It has lovely log fires to warm up by as well.

Just come on here, we'll share the excitement with you !

 

[gcmcmsa]

I'm really pleased to hear you're going back to the Magic on a mother/daughter trip .

Can't offer any advice about the 2 hotels, sorry. I remember you weren't very impressed with the outside of some of the onsite hotels, but have you thought about the Sequoia Lodge? I understand that at Christmas season, it really does look gorgeous. It has lovely log fires to warm up by as well.

Just come on here, we'll share the excitement with you !

I have looked at the other hotels, and your right I didn't like the look of some from the outside. But I remember when I saw the Newport last year, I just thought wow. It was this, the New York or the Disney hotel itself that I was picking from. Disney is out of budget, New york is similar price to Newport.

I just looked at a review of the New York on a diff website and some recent reviews weren't great, so I think I will stick to the Newport. I also looked up the Newport on that website (not mentioning it as not sure I am allowed) and a person just back recommended staying on the Admirals floor as it is in the centre of the hotel (standard rooms, can be scattered anywhere in the 1100 room hotel). So that has answered that question for me too. So i think I will go ahead and book the Newport, just a question of with who and for what price.

 

[DLPdaft]

I meant to say, from your original post -

Yes, Santa is there in his grotto. He is in Frontierland, right at the back near the train stop. I took my DD and Dniece to meet him last November, we went straight there for when he would arrive in the morning, and there wasn't a huge queue then. I did notice that as the day wore on, the queue to see him got bigger and bigger though.

 

[gcmcmsa]

I meant to say, from your original post -

Yes, Santa is there in his grotto. He is in Frontierland, right at the back near the train stop. I took my DD and Dniece to meet him last November, we went straight there for when he would arrive in the morning, and there wasn't a huge queue then. I did notice that as the day wore on, the queue to see him got bigger and bigger though.

Thanks for that, will do that the 1st morning, so that we don't have to worry about it for the rest of the trip.

 

[hildasmuriel]

I thought at the time it would be a "once in a lifetime trip" but after doing it the first time,................

LOL, that's how it starts for all of us......


I know you have already decided,but I just wanted to add my twopennorth. My dtr and I took a girls only trip last December and had 4 days at Sequoia Lodge, staying in a Montana Room (the main hotel part, not the Lodges) and it was really lovely with a fantastically warm and Christmassy atmosphere. To end each day sipping hot chocolate in front of the (huge!) real log fire in the Redwood Bar was a real treat.