zinderella
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
Monday 25th Oct
Got up about 7.00, showered and woke the kids up. Went for an excellent breakfast at the French Connection attached to the Premier Inn. Looked like most of the families there were staying there for the same reason as us ......on their way to Disneyland Paris!
I have nothing but praise for the staff at the Premier Inn, they were lovely and friendly and really helpful. I think customer service in the South East is a bit more on the ball than where we live, both Mum and I were really impressed.
Our taxi arrived at 9.30 to take us to Ashford international. We found our way to the correct departure gate and Mum noticed the Disney Express desks and asked if we needed to go there. I said no we didn't as the lady on the phone had been most explicit in that we didn't do anything until we had got to the other end.
Luckily I listened to my mum and went up anyway,as we were given the kids packs, checked off a list and given luggage tickets to attach to our bags. We were then told to collect park tickets when we got to the other end.
Had a very enjoyable journey..and guess what, half way thru the journey we WERE given our park tickets and hotel easy pass and check in documents!!!! so misinformation all the way!!! Not that we were complaining, it made things so much easier. We collected our luggage from the baggage compartment, left it with Disney Express and OFF WE WENT!!!!!
Needless to say, Mum was just astounded at how beautiful everything was, and just wanted to stroll slowly down Main Street soaking in the atmosphere. I think she was a bit overwhelmed, and never imagined Disneyland was so 'complete' an experience, if you know what I mean. We walked through the Castle and into Fantasyland, making our way through Belle's Christmas Village to Small World which is always our first ride, of course! told Mum not to worry about taking pictures as you miss so much doing that if it's your first time on the ride. Although the park was quite busy, the queue wasn't too long. On the way out eldest DD missed the 'bit at the end' which she used to love , sad to see it go. Then we actually got to go on Casey Jnr le petit train du cirque. hooray! That was the first of our many 'firsts' of this trip. Smallest DD totally loved it, and we all thought it was a good ride even if it could do with being a bit longer!
We had hoped to go on the Storybook ride but it was closed,completely drained and not looking like it was about to open anytime soon:
After that it was the Carousel which was practically a walk on.
We had a bit of a wander around the shops and park and watched the New Generation show at the castle stage, it was brilliant even tho we chose a really silly place to watch it from..had a great side view though and Erin got her hair ruffled by Buzz Lightyear as he was getting ready to go on stage,
Mike was HILARIOUS...he kept tripping over, did really bad dancing....poor CM in that costume, clearly couldn't see a thing but he really did make us laugh!!!!
after that we watched the Parade and headed out of the park.
We had planned to go to the hotel, check in and then eat at the hotel, but decided it would make eating too late for the girls, and Annette's looked quiet so we decided to eat there instead, which was great as it was on my list of things to do, and I got to use my shareholders card discount for the first time. We were seated and served really quickly, had a lovely waiter, very funny and attentive. I had the burger Verde with lovely avocado and Mum had the Spanish burger which was delicious all washed down with 2 beers. No room for dessert for the Biggies, but just as the girls were tucking into their ice-cream the rock n roll show started...and Mum was pulled up to dance, much to the delight of her grandchildren- who refused to go with her!
Then off to the Sequoia Lodge to check in and retrieve our bags, quick smooth check in, nice early breakfast slots and lovely clean room on the fourth floor, nearish to the lifts, with a great view of the Panoramagique balloon. Was very pleased. Mum got the girls ready for bed and I got ready to go out and meet friends and experience my first night time in the park....yay!
First ride was Big Thunder Mountain in the dark, never been on it before , now it's my fave ride for sure. Then a wander around Halloween land which wasn't really busy but very dark and another first, Phantom Manor.Great CM who really made us laugh in the pre-ride bit. Enjoyed PM but not fussed to go on again. Then over to DiscoveryLand which is possibly the best looking part of the park after dark, it looked stunning:
Then on to Star Tours, another first, which I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to take DH on at Christmas.
Had a look round Star Tours shop, and go DH an Emperor Pez which I though was hilarious...a dark lord of the Sith as a sweetie dispenser!!!!!
it was nearly 10 so we headed out of the park and into King Lugwigs for a much needed wheat beer which was delicious. Staggered with sore feet to the hotel and snuck quietly into bed.
End of a fabulous first day!
Day 1 First Count=8
1. Being with Mum@ Disney
2. Casey Jnr
3. Annettes Diner
4. Using Shareholders card
5. Park in the dark!
6. Big Thunder Mountain
7. Phantom Manor
8. Star Tours
Got up about 7.00, showered and woke the kids up. Went for an excellent breakfast at the French Connection attached to the Premier Inn. Looked like most of the families there were staying there for the same reason as us ......on their way to Disneyland Paris!
I have nothing but praise for the staff at the Premier Inn, they were lovely and friendly and really helpful. I think customer service in the South East is a bit more on the ball than where we live, both Mum and I were really impressed.Our taxi arrived at 9.30 to take us to Ashford international. We found our way to the correct departure gate and Mum noticed the Disney Express desks and asked if we needed to go there. I said no we didn't as the lady on the phone had been most explicit in that we didn't do anything until we had got to the other end.
Luckily I listened to my mum and went up anyway,as we were given the kids packs, checked off a list and given luggage tickets to attach to our bags. We were then told to collect park tickets when we got to the other end.
Had a very enjoyable journey..and guess what, half way thru the journey we WERE given our park tickets and hotel easy pass and check in documents!!!! so misinformation all the way!!! Not that we were complaining, it made things so much easier. We collected our luggage from the baggage compartment, left it with Disney Express and OFF WE WENT!!!!!
Needless to say, Mum was just astounded at how beautiful everything was, and just wanted to stroll slowly down Main Street soaking in the atmosphere. I think she was a bit overwhelmed, and never imagined Disneyland was so 'complete' an experience, if you know what I mean. We walked through the Castle and into Fantasyland, making our way through Belle's Christmas Village to Small World which is always our first ride, of course! told Mum not to worry about taking pictures as you miss so much doing that if it's your first time on the ride. Although the park was quite busy, the queue wasn't too long. On the way out eldest DD missed the 'bit at the end' which she used to love , sad to see it go. Then we actually got to go on Casey Jnr le petit train du cirque. hooray! That was the first of our many 'firsts' of this trip. Smallest DD totally loved it, and we all thought it was a good ride even if it could do with being a bit longer!
We had hoped to go on the Storybook ride but it was closed,completely drained and not looking like it was about to open anytime soon:
After that it was the Carousel which was practically a walk on.
We had a bit of a wander around the shops and park and watched the New Generation show at the castle stage, it was brilliant even tho we chose a really silly place to watch it from..had a great side view though and Erin got her hair ruffled by Buzz Lightyear as he was getting ready to go on stage,
Mike was HILARIOUS...he kept tripping over, did really bad dancing....poor CM in that costume, clearly couldn't see a thing but he really did make us laugh!!!!
after that we watched the Parade and headed out of the park.
We had planned to go to the hotel, check in and then eat at the hotel, but decided it would make eating too late for the girls, and Annette's looked quiet so we decided to eat there instead, which was great as it was on my list of things to do, and I got to use my shareholders card discount for the first time. We were seated and served really quickly, had a lovely waiter, very funny and attentive. I had the burger Verde with lovely avocado and Mum had the Spanish burger which was delicious all washed down with 2 beers. No room for dessert for the Biggies, but just as the girls were tucking into their ice-cream the rock n roll show started...and Mum was pulled up to dance, much to the delight of her grandchildren- who refused to go with her!
Then off to the Sequoia Lodge to check in and retrieve our bags, quick smooth check in, nice early breakfast slots and lovely clean room on the fourth floor, nearish to the lifts, with a great view of the Panoramagique balloon. Was very pleased. Mum got the girls ready for bed and I got ready to go out and meet friends and experience my first night time in the park....yay!
First ride was Big Thunder Mountain in the dark, never been on it before , now it's my fave ride for sure. Then a wander around Halloween land which wasn't really busy but very dark and another first, Phantom Manor.Great CM who really made us laugh in the pre-ride bit. Enjoyed PM but not fussed to go on again. Then over to DiscoveryLand which is possibly the best looking part of the park after dark, it looked stunning:
Then on to Star Tours, another first, which I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to take DH on at Christmas.
Had a look round Star Tours shop, and go DH an Emperor Pez which I though was hilarious...a dark lord of the Sith as a sweetie dispenser!!!!!
it was nearly 10 so we headed out of the park and into King Lugwigs for a much needed wheat beer which was delicious. Staggered with sore feet to the hotel and snuck quietly into bed.
End of a fabulous first day!
Day 1 First Count=8
1. Being with Mum@ Disney
2. Casey Jnr
3. Annettes Diner
4. Using Shareholders card
5. Park in the dark!
6. Big Thunder Mountain
7. Phantom Manor
8. Star Tours
I took my mom a year ago to WDW and she would just stand there with her mouth open at times taking it all in and it was really special. Enjoy those special memories with your mom!
and I but may end up doing it anyway - will wait to get home before I see if she wants to go back).
