Do They Know Its Christmas - NO! A Surprise PTR

[kizzabel]

Hi, hello and welcome to our very special and very secret Christmas PTR! :wave
There is loads to tell so I’ll start at the beginning!


How this trip came about:

So let’s go back in time to last November! I found an awesome offer for January 2015 at the Newport and just couldn’t let it pass me by. Myself and the two kids (Jemma, will be 9 when we go and James, will be 5) were booked (although they didn’t know it!) and I was so happy with the thoughts of a cosily wrapped up, hot chocolate filled, crowd free trip to the best place in the world! And very excited to be seeing the newly refurbished hotel, although I was a little worried about it being still mid-build but hey it was a bargain!

But then as November and December passed us by I was browsing the DIS and the DLP blogs I read and was overcome by how very well turned out DLP was looking for Christmas and was reading about the amazing time everyone was having and I got very nostalgic about our November 2011 surprise trip.

It started innocently with a bit of pricing up and shuffling about and I sat DH (Shane) down and had the chat! You see Shane is one of these crazy people who don’t really get the whole Disney thing! I know, he’s nuts! It actually didn’t take much convincing and he agreed to come with us! And no need to do anything with the booking except change the dates from January to November as I have my trusty AP so no need to add another adult. Result! And I knew this would really make the trip special because the kids both miss their Daddy way too much when we are away.

Well I was now ecstatic! All my favourite people, going on holidays during my favourite season to my favourite place! What more could I ask for!


Weeeeeeeeeeell it turns out – lots! Myself, my Mam and the 2 kids were lucky enough to spend 4 nights at the DLH in May and I just fell in love! The rooms, the very grand theme, the Nespresso machine, proximity to the parks, even the smell! I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel on May 22nd and just said I would have a little peek at the prices… and send a tiny email…. And the price wasn’t very much extra. So I debated it all and found so many reasons why it would be madness not to upgrade! We have had a miserable year losing Shanes Dad, Shane has had operations on two collapsed discs in his back and has more slipping so walking at DLP can be quite an issue and boy does he love coffee so I knew the Nespresso machine would seal the deal!

I had a chat with my Mam when the kids were out of earshot and she said just go for it! She speaks sense! So I rang while still sitting in the lobby and upgraded our hotel!

But no happy dancing as I’m keeping this one to myself until we arrive! The kids are completely in the dark and Shane is in the dark on our fabulous hotel upgrade. And me, I’m bursting to tell someone and no one better then you lovely lot!

Well that was long winded lol! Hope I’m not waffling too much and you are all still with me! Let’s get onto the nitty gritty of it all!!

 

[kizzabel]

Where:

The beautiful, dreamy surroundings of





When:

Monday November 24th until Friday November 28th
So 4 glorious nights and 5 lovely days at DLP!


The Big Reveal:


Here is our plan eeeeeek!

On Sunday November 23rd I will tell the kids we have a huge surprise for them in the sitting room. Before I let them in I will reveal we are going to DLP in the morning and let them into the sitting room.
They will be faced with letters from Mickey, Duffy and Santa, two Christmas paper wrapped presents which will have airline tickets, coupons and new PJs (the crafty bits are courtesy of Creative Dis and I will post pics later on – they are amazing).
And in the middle of the room will be a huge, wrapped box. That is the last thing to be opened and I’m going to tell them this is a super special, extra surprise. And that’s when Shane is going to pop out of the box!
They really miss him loads when we are away in DLP and always ask him to go but he tells them he has to mind the dog and cat.
They are going to be thrilled he is coming with us this time And then it’s time to hop in the car and set out for Dublin. I am hoping for a great reaction and know they will be on cloud nine.

 

[kizzabel]

Cast:

You must be getting sick of seeing our mugs but just for continuity here we are!




Kizzy – 28 – addicted!
I love Alice, Tangled and Duffy!
I’m looking forward to seeing the whole magical thing that is DLP at Christmas again and buying lovely new Christmas decorations. Super excited about trying Ratatouille for the 1st time and hopefully seeing some fab extra Christmas scenes in Dreams!
Favourite rides: IASW, Casey JR, Tower of Terror (even if it is on my own!) and our firm favourite, BTM!




Shane – 31 – my gorgeous husband!
Shane is looking forward to getting into the Christmas spirit, having a go on Ratatouille and POTC! He thinks Tangled is hilarious and loves seeing the kids happy! He hates rollercoaster or spinny rides!
Favourite rides: Slinky Dog and POTC




Jemma – 9 – our beautiful daughter!
Jemma is oblivious to all that is ahead but I know if there is any chance the rumours are to be believed that she will be so excited to meet Anna and Elsa! She also loves Christmas and will be delighted to see DLP all done up for the season!
Favourite rides: BTM, IASW and Flying Carpets over Agrabah.




James – 5 – our cheeky son!
James is also totally unaware that we are surprising them with this trip! He is a fan of Pinocchio, Toy Story and Ratatouille. So he is going to be excited to get to see the new land and ride dedicated to his favourite rat! James was a bit unsure of Santa when we last visited but I expect he won’t be as shy this year! He is also, like Jem, besotted about Duffy and since we didn’t get to meet him on our last visit so I know this will be top of our list of must dos!

 

[kizzabel]

Itinery and Day Plans:

We won’t have it all totally planned until the park hours and programme are released but this is our rough draft so far!

Sunday:
We will reveal the surprise to the kids and set off for our overnight at the Premier Inn! Dinner will be at either TGI Fridays or Pizza Hut, depending on what Tesco vouchers allow! Early to bed and early to rise!
Monday:
We land at 12.40pm and will be collected by RS Transport before we check into the DLH! I reckon we will spend this day in the DLP Park and try to catch the parade.
Tuesday:
We will probably spend the morning in the Studios Park, get our first spin on Ratatouille and have a proper look around the new area. Shane will hopefully talk the kids into doing Parachutes again! Perhaps we can last until Dreams tonight. Who knows we may even have a swim in the pool at the DLH!
Wednesday:
Today we will more than likely spend the morning in the DLP Park and try to make EMH and get back for 10am breakfast. I can taste the pancakes and bacon already! Swoon! We might try to catch Dreams again tonight.
Thursday:
We are thinking a trip to Val D’Europe may be on the cards today but either way we’ll do EMH and if there is to be no shopping we can spend the afternoon in the Studios and have a good mooch about.
Friday:
We fly at 4.20pm so we won’t have a huge amount of time but we will be sure to pack in our favourite rides again. And then we will cry!


Meal Plans:

This has been the topic of discussion this week with Shane and me. We have some loose plans and ideas so far.

Monday: Counter service for lunch and The Chuckwagon for dinner.
Tuesday: Bistrot Chez Remy for lunch and Eos or McDs for late supper.
Wednesday: CS lunch and Café Mickey for dinner.
Thursday: Val D’Europe or CS for lunch and Rainforest Café for dinner.
Friday: A big breakfast and maybe EoS for the airport.

We are pretty easy with choices for CS meals and Victoria’s, Café Hyperion, Col. Haithi’s, Café en Coulisse, Blockbuster Café, The Lucky Nugget, Chalet du Marionette and Fuente del Oro are all possibilities. I will be keeping an eye on Disney Gazette’s website to see what should be open so we won’t spend too long traipsing around at lunchtime.


Must do’s:

Meet Santa, Duffy and Anna and Elsa if they will be meeting and greeting.
Soak up the Christmas atmosphere and see the seasonal shows and parades. Fingers crossed for these!
See the new Ratatouille land, ride the new attraction and have a good look around.
Try to talk Shane into BTM! And beat his score on Buzz’s laser blast.
Many hot chocolates and Christmas decorations.
A nice cocktail and beer in Café Fantasia. Or maybe a happy hour beer in King Ludwig’s Castle.
Have a great time!


To Do List:


Get passport photographs taken and apply for passports.
Send off for my new Annual Pass.
Change our times with RS Transport as per our newly changes flight times. Don’t you just love flight time changes? Grrr
Print coupons and letters for the kid’s surprise reveal.
Buy PJs for myself and James. And a new coat for myself and maybe Jemma. And wrapping paper.
Send off our Tesco vouchers.
Book restaurants.
Pack.
Pay the balance off the hotel.


So that is it for now. Thanks so much for reading along. I am sure I have forgotten loads but no doubt I will be back.
Finally would anyone like to join me for a Double Digit Dance?!???!!!!!
99 SLEEPS!

 

[Isila]

I'm so not envious, I'm so not... Definitely no . No, not me...

 

[kizzabel]

I'm so not envious, I'm so not... Definitely no . No, not me...

Lol
I'm so not broke, seriously, no, not me!
Someone once advised not to stay at the DLH as it makes it hard to stay anywhere else. I should have taken their advice!!

 

[RoseBug]

So exciting - loving your plans, and so jealous of a Christmas stay!!!

You will NEVER want to stay anywhere else once you have stayed at the DLH! I never believed that until I stayed there!

 

[kizzabel]

So exciting - loving your plans, and so jealous of a Christmas stay!!!

You will NEVER want to stay anywhere else once you have stayed at the DLH! I never believed that until I stayed there!

So true! Maybe when the hotels are all refurbed, I might reconsider
Christmas is pretty great but anytime in DLP is fab!
Thanks a mill for reading along!

 

[adcadc]

Lovely trip report, I'm sure the time will fly by and it'll soon be November!

We're going at Christmas (although not till the second week of December) and it really is the best time to go in my opinion, it's so lovely and magical with all of the decorations!

You'll have a wonderful time

 

[ILOVEDLP]

So so so excited to see the PTR !!
A Christmas trip is on my bucket list to kizzy.
How will you be able work walk past the DLH again after staying twice?
Can not wait to see all the winter goodie you've bought already
X

 

[Isila]

I so want to stay and HNY again. After staying in SF, I realize how good it is. And I am thinking of NPB as kids want the pool and I know SL pool is no good for us.

And my dream is to stay in DLH. A flash sale maybe...

 

[cdsmiler81]

Fab PTR! And no, I'm not jealous either. Nope. Not at all.

C x

 

[kizzabel]

Lovely trip report, I'm sure the time will fly by and it'll soon be November!

We're going at Christmas (although not till the second week of December) and it really is the best time to go in my opinion, it's so lovely and magical with all of the decorations!

You'll have a wonderful time

Oh December would be amazing! I cannot wait to hear the bells twinkle just before it snows on Main St. Thanks so much for reading.

Just saw the closures for November and we are fairing out great so far. Cars is the only thing closed for the duration with EO and Armeggedon down some of the days but neither of those were appealing anyway

 

[kizzabel]

So so so excited to see the PTR !!
A Christmas trip is on my bucket list to kizzy.
How will you be able work walk past the DLH again after staying twice?
Can not wait to see all the winter goodie you've bought already
X

Hey Rach
I think I'll just buy blinkers for our Cheyenne stay in March and put them on before we pass the DLH!
I ordered a coat for Jem although I may change it for another colour as it doesn't match her hat & gloves! Managed to tick loads of the list the past few days. And as soon as the kids get back to school I should have a couple of weeks before college starts so I can print their bits for their surprise without being rumbled and I'll make sure to post photos.
How was Liverpool?
xxx

 

[kizzabel]

I so want to stay and HNY again. After staying in SF, I realize how good it is. And I am thinking of NPB as kids want the pool and I know SL pool is no good for us.

And my dream is to stay in DLH. A flash sale maybe...

I love HNY! I wonder what look they will go for with its renovation. The NPB pool is great too. There is (was??) a big ship at the top of it. I think the new rooms look fab now too. If an offer appears for March I'd like to upgrade to it but it'll be my last visit for a good while
DLH is great but I'd be happy at the SF again. I think they did a great job with it and the kids liked our meal at La Cantina. I just hope we get a nice room at the DLH again!

 

[kizzabel]

Fab PTR! And no, I'm not jealous either. Nope. Not at all.

C x

Lol I'll bring the inflatable mattress we can all pile in!! It was such a spur of the moment reaction to not wanting to go home! I needed new tyres for the car too but they became a secondary concern! I need to curb my impulsive spending!
Thanks for reading along x

 

[Isila]

I love HNY! I wonder what look they will go for with its renovation. The NPB pool is great too. There is (was??) a big ship at the top of it. I think the new rooms look fab now too. If an offer appears for March I'd like to upgrade to it but it'll be my last visit for a good while
DLH is great but I'd be happy at the SF again. I think they did a great job with it and the kids liked our meal at La Cantina. I just hope we get a nice room at the DLH again!

We didn't like our meal in La cantina. The selection was small, not much variety, and food not tasty. Dessert section was bad, nothing you'd like to try. I was disappointed. Crossed out of my to do list, not coming back. We usually do restaurant de stars or Plaza gardens, so I'd rather go there.

 

[kizzabel]

We didn't like our meal in La cantina. The selection was small, not much variety, and food not tasty. Dessert section was bad, nothing you'd like to try. I was disappointed. Crossed out of my to do list, not coming back. We usually do restaurant de stars or Plaza gardens, so I'd rather go there.

We hated plaza gardens! Isn't it funny how much places differ from day to day. I had chewy duck. Yuck!! And it was my first/last time trying duck! Really liked Res des Stars though. I'd love to try Agrabah and Pizza Planet too. I think maybe in March if either are open.

 

[cdsmiler81]

Lol and we weren't impressed with Restaurant des Stars!!!!! I think that's the problem with buffets - they can be variable - I'm just hoping that Inventions will be good (for the price, it better had be!!).

C x

 

[kizzabel]

Lol and we weren't impressed with Restaurant des Stars!!!!! I think that's the problem with buffets - they can be variable - I'm just hoping that Inventions will be good (for the price, it better had be!!).

C x

Oh gosh we didn't find it great. Bit meh but maybe it was an off day. Some of the characters just didn't bother much. A pat on the head and they were off! But let me tell you about the cheesecake. It was the best ever! I made up for a middling experience by eating €59.50s worth of cheesecake