What's DLP like in early Jan?

[PJackson]

Hello

New here - been visiting this site for a while but only just registered! It's a fab site and so informative

We have a 2.5 year old DD and have been thinking about taking her to DLP for ages now. However, I'm 16 weeks pregnant with no 2 and so time is running out as I know, once this baby is born in April I'll not be able to get for probably another 2 years so it's now or never with DD.

We can't do before Christmas so were thinking about between Christmas and New Year but we'll be staying with family in Newcastle and trying to get to DLP from there at that time of year is just a) too expensive and b) almost impossible.

So I'm now thinking first week of Jan (7th onwards) as we live in Lincoln so can get to London fairly easily by train to get the direct Eurostar. But I'm wondering about a few things, can anyone help please:

- I know it will be cold (I hate the cold) so I'm really worried I won't enjoy it and it will be too cold for DD - has anyone else been in early Jan with toddlers and found it OK?

- I had really wanted to take in the Christmas magic but it finishes on 6th Jan so we'd miss it - do you think we'll be missing out too much? Or will there be plenty to keep us occupied - I've been trying to find out about other 'events' on when we'd visit and there isn't much info??

- Will it be fairly quiet (as quiet at it gets!) from 7th Jan? I guess the kids are back at school, it's very cold etc....

- Finally, we are torn between the Newport Bay or New York hotels (the latter having an extra night free!)... I've read a bit about both these on here but still a little undecided really. Are they both about the same walking distance to the parks?

Any advice you may think of with regard to booking and going at this time of year would be great please

Many thanks and looking forward to getting to know people!

Patsy

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Patsy and welcome to DLP DIS board
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We have been with DD when she was 15 months and it was bitterly cold. We made sure we had a cosy fleece lining for the buggy which was a bit like a sleeping bag.. sorry a man's description Also she had a snow suit on. She had a ball and we have great photos of her with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. I think some she even had a scrape on her nose when she decided she wanted to walk at Hotel Cheyenne. But even this could not take the smile of her face

Both your hotel choices are good ones but given your condition I'd be tempted to pick HNY as it is the closest hotel to the park, apart from the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[PJackson]

Thanks for that Cyrano. Yes, I think it will be the NY especially as it has the free night offer on to 4 nights for price of 3!!! We have a ski suit that I'd use for DD and I read on here someone recommended thermals so we could get those... Not sure what I'll wear though as I'll be pretty big by then (second baby!!) so not sure about a coat or anything!!!???

Anyone any views on missing the Christmas magic events? Will there be plenty on other than that. I know DD would have loved Belle's Village but I think that may be gone too as I believe it finishes the same time as all the other Chrissy stuff (6th Jan).....

Any other tips for this time of year or just first visits to DLP with a toddler would be appreciated

 

[J Marley]

Hi Patsy and Welcome

We took our 2 boys 3 and 6 to DLP last January and yes it is cold.

But as long as you layer up and have hats ,scarfs and gloves you will be warm enough.I bought salopettes for the boys quite cheaply off Ebay and even though the youngest was in a pram he was toasty.

The joy about going at this time of year is it is quiet ,there are very little queues and the characters have a lot of time to interact with the children.

Ther are still Christmas trees about ...there was definately a huge tree outside the NY hotel and a ice rink.Both Hotels you have thought about are very close to the parks. Mickeys Winter Wonderland Show is still on.... unfortunately some attractions are closed but that didn't spoil the experience for my kids.

 

[PJackson]

Thanks for the welcome Tracy I think it sounds like as long as you go prepared for the cold you'll be OK... The pluses that you mentioned sound great - less queues/more time with characters etc etc!

I'm just looking into Eurostar now - great now it's from St Pancras as we'd get into Kings Cross on the mainline train

Anyone think the Leisure Select is worth the difference on the Eurostar and does anyone buy a seat for their toddler? My DD is such a fidget I'm not sure I could cope with her on my knee (plus bump) for the journey and DH would lose patience if she wouldn't sit still!

 

[poppyolivia]

Hi there!!

Oh you are gonna love January!!..yes its cold but after the frost bite sets in you feel nothing and the rest of the holiday is a breeze!! Nah seriously as long as you put lots of thin layer on....you could even put on 2 thin tshirts, wooly jumper and your coat...and you will be fine...obviously a pair of trousers too though!!...maybe a pair of leggings underneath...don't even have to be thermal...its all in the layers!!!..if you still need to get boots..make sure you can wear them with two pairs of socks!!!

When we went last Jan Woody saw my nephew and walked round the park with him ahead of us.....now THATS why January is magical!! The wee lad was sooooo chuffed...can't see him getting that in the summer! There was loads more character interaction but that one sticks in my mind...oh yeah Mr incredible was really great with my kids too.....and Mrs incredible was abit too nice with my husband!!!

hope you have a lovely time xxxxxxx

 

[PJackson]

Hi

Aww we've decided to leave the visit in Jan as it's been so cold here the last few days and I've found it hard to cope so I just know I'll be v cold in January!! (I feel the cold a lot!). As I said earlier I'll be around 24 weeks pregnant and if it rains/snows I just know I'll be unhappy and won't be able to stay out! To add to that, when I looked into prices I wasn't finding a huge amount of difference in the price (as we haven't booked in advance) so I would rather spend another say £600 and go when it's warmer later on.

It means unfortunately (as my baby is due April) that we now won't be able to take DD1 until new baby is around 2 so she'll be 5 (wouldn't attempt it before!) so that's a shame but it's just timing etc. She doesn't know any different as we hadn't told her we were going - it's me that is disappointed!

Thanks for all the advice though. Love reading the advice/trip reports on here although I can't really add anything having never been!