10 Tips for your Sequoia Lodge stay

When I started visiting Disneyland Paris, I was so eager to get to the magic that I often forgot to enjoy what the resorts have to offer. The fun doesn’t start when the parks open and it certainly doesn’t end when they close. Here are 10 tips that I’ve learned during my visits that will help you savor every moment of your stay at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge.

1- DON’T PACK UNNECESSARY THINGS

Many first-timer guests wonder what they need to bring for a stay at a Disney Resort. One of the most common questions is whether towels and bedsheets are provided. So let me answer that for you quickly, yes they are. You don’t have to worry about filling your carpet bag with toiletries either because those too are provided. But you can always keep those practically perfect Mickey bottles as a souvenir and take your own if you want to.

The sockets in the room are scarce and they might not be enough for all your electronics. That’s why I always pack a multi-plug socket so I can charge my phone, my camera, and my external battery. And on that note, I strongly recommend you get yourself an external battery so your phone charge can last till fireworks. Trust me, you’re going to want to take a few snaps. Even if you think it makes no sense to take a bath that early, you might want to bring your own blow dryer. Getting thick hair dry with the one in the rooms will take some time. I even resorted to using the hand-dryer at the pool so I could get the job done quicker.

Speaking of pools, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit and flipflops so you can…

2- GET TO THE POOLS WHEN THEY OPEN AT 7AM

And just keep swimming! There’s nothing like starting a park day by going for a relaxing swim at the pools at Sequoia Lodge. The best time to go is right when they open because there are rarely any whales. You can have the waterfall, water slide, and hot tub almost all to yourself. There are free pool noodles, life jackets, and floaties available for all guests. You are also given a towel when you enter the pool area and you can make use of the free lockers to store your belongings in the changing rooms. Swim caps and not required but if you’d like to get one, googles, or even a bathing suit, there’s a vending machine at the pool’s lobby.

But don’t take too long because you need to remember to…

3- MAKE THE MOST OUT OF EXTRA MAGIC TIME

When you stay at a Disney’s Sequoia Lodge you get a great perk, Extra Magic Time. During EMT hotel guests can roam some of the parks empty halls by entering they open for the general public. Remember to go through the main turnstiles and not the one on the left which is reserved for Magic Plus and Infinity Annual Passholders. You don’t want to waste time waiting in the wrong line only to be turned down.

This is the best time to go on the most popular rides if you want to beat the crowds. Disneyland Park usually opens at 8:00 am but some of the lands don’t open until 8:30 am. This is when Extra Magic Time officially starts. Walt Disney Studios opens at 8:30 am. Use that time to take some castle pictures for half an hour before rushing over to ride Crush coaster. Make a general plan of the rides you’d like to go on during the day and aim to do them during EMT. The best time to have breakfast is when the guards are told to open up the gates. But don’t forget to…

4- MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR YOUR MEALS

You could go back to Sequoia Lodge to enjoy a delicious breakfast at Hunter’s Grill side by side with your loved one. Or you could have a princess meal at Auberge. No matter what you do, make sure you book it, but don’t pay for your meals in advance. When you’re footloose and collar-free, plans change. You don’t want to be tied down and go through the hassle of getting a refund.

Consider simply booking a table. And, if you change your mind, let the concierge or the restaurant know that you’re no longer going. If you decide last minute that you want to try Sequoia Lodge’s all-you-can-eat buffet, you can always ask the concierge to find you a spot. They’ll do whatever they can to squeeze you in, in true Tony style.

And while you’re waiting for your table to be ready, why don’t you have fun with a…

5- HOTEL CHARACTER MEET AND GREET

Another great perk of Sequoia Lodge is that you explore the wilderness of a meet and greet at the character spot. You can start your morning by getting your character badge from one of the fab five. There will also be a Photopass Cast Member to take a few pictures in the process. Even if you don’t buy the Photopass+ service, the photographer will upload your photos onto a card.

Save any Photopass card you get so you can buy them later for your Adventure book. If you require assistance with picture taking on your devices, don’t hesitate to ask the photographer who will happily help.

Before you leave the hotel, check that everyone has their room keys with them so you can…

6- GET FASTPASSES WITH YOUR MAGICPASS

The cool thing about MagicPasses is that they’re your hotel room key and ticket to the parks. Each space ranger gets a MagicPass with their name printed that they can use to access the parks and get FastPasses. You need to scan each pass on the FastPass machine and it will print one out for you. Don’t worry the lasers aren’t set for “stun” or “kill”. You can get another one as soon as it’s your time to ride or after two hours of getting the first one, and you can keep doing this to infinity and beyond.

FastPasses are available from the moment the parks open for all life forms. But I do recommend you rush to your favorite ride to get one if you want to avoid an intergalactic line. Speaking of which, here are some tips to avoid those lines.

If you get a little thirsty before or after a long park day, you can also use your MagicPass to…

7- ENJOY 4 COMPLIMENTARY HOT DRINKS A DAY

Many guests don’t know this. When you stay at Sequoia Lodge you get a 4€ credit every day on your MagicPass. Each guest can use theirs at the vending machines in the ice machine room. Or as I like to call it, Elsa’s room. You can get up to 4 cups of coffee, tea, or even… chocolate! Believe me, those hot drinks are lifesavers. Especially during winter when the cold does bother everyone and you want to warm up upon your return or right before you leave for the castle.

And if those hot drinks don’t do it for you then…

8- ORDER COCKTAILS AND SPLIT APPETIZERS AT THE REDWOOD BAR

There’s no better place to warm up, or get your drink on, than at the amazing Redwood Bar and Lounge at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge. It has a gorgeous fireplace and many comfortable couches, armchairs, and tables. They serve all kinds there so you can have your choice of drinks. And if you want to try drinks related to the seasons happening at the parks, this is the bar you’re looking for. There’s always something new to try. If you’re feeling a bit famished, there’s no need to roast a Porg because they offer a variety of delicious snacks. You can get a sweet or savory appetizer for you to share, or even have as dinner, be it early evening or after the parks close.

But, if you want to keep the fun going, Ewok style…

9- REMEMBER YOUR MAGICPASS AFTERHOURS

After all the clock strikes midnight on restaurants and shops, the access to the hotel area from Disney’s Village is restricted to resort guests only. If you’re planning on dancing the night away at Billy Bob’s or take the RER to head into Paris and return late, always have at least one MagicPass with you so you can all get to the room. When using any taxi, pumpkin, or Uber-like service, you can ask to be dropped off at your hotel directly to avoid losing any shoes on your walk back.

If you get to the park early enough and would like to get your MagicPass ASAP and not have to head into the hotel first you can always…

10- BOOK  DISNEY’S EXPRESS LUGGAGE SERVICE

Disney offers a service for their hotel guests that is very convenient if you’d rather soar into the parks before checking-in. At the train station, there’s a Disney Express counter open from 08:00 am to 09:30 pm, where you can get your MagicPass and leave your luggage. Your bags will be transferred to Sequoia Lodge for you. The process is very quick and simple and it saves you a lot of time, but keep in mind that it’s a paid service that you have to book in advance.

Disney Express, much like Casey Jr. also works the other way around to save you some time on your last park day. You can drop off your bags by the check-in desk and collect them later at the station. I recommend you get there about an hour before you hear your train puffing. You will need time to retrieve your luggage, get to the platform, and have time for a lemonade and Cracker Jack without rushing. I almost missed my train once because the line was very long and I wasn’t there early enough.

So there you have it. Remember your MagicPass, book your meals, get FastPasses, don’t pack too much, and wake up early for the pools, meets, and EMT! Follow these 10 tips and make the most out of your stay at Disneyland Paris Sequoia Lodge.