Christmas at Disneyland - TRIP REPORT

[tinks_1989]

Day 1 is going to be very short so here goes.

Our flight wasn't till 18.45 so we had plenty of time at home before.

We left for the airport just before 4 mum and dad dropped the three of us there.

At 4 Mickey Mouse rang to wish Elsie a very Merry Christmas. Her face when Mickey finally started talking

We arrived at the airport and went straight through security to the bar for a drink. We had got there pretty early so decided to go to Dexter's and have something to eat as we didn't know if we would get a chance once we arrived in DLP.

Glad we did go in as we were delayed 40 minutes. Elsie was already running a riot around by the arcade Sorry to any one who was in Bristol airport that evening. Elsie was very excited.

We were called to the gate (the longest furthest away gate EVER) and then left there waiting. Again apologies to any one that was there with a very excitable Elsie.

Our flight was fine we had a lovely family sat behind us with a little boy who was just 6 days younger then Elsie who were also staying at Sequoia Lodge. We didn't see the again after baggage claim though.

EZYshuttle were already there waiting for us we were only 20 minutes late in the end. Again a very uneventful trip and Elsie having a quick nap we were finally at Sequoia Lodge.

We checked in and were given our room number 4270 was at the end of the corridor with the lifts on the North wing

We unpacked and watched abit of top 10 to do at Disneyland Paris before we settled down for the night.

 

[tinks_1989]

I woke up at 1.30am and thought it was time to get up. Excited much?

I managed to get back to sleep and we all woke up at 7.30 I was straight to the window to see it was very wet All dressed in our many layers minus coats we are going to breakfast first.

Breakfast was fine it was busy but we got our croissants and juice and were back up to our room to get our coats and pushchair.

We were just walking past Hotel New York and I realised I forgot Elsie's hat (I packed 3 how did I forget to bring 1 out?) We bought one in the clothes shop in Disney Village and were back on track to the park.

It was still raining but luckily it was just that fine rain.

 

[tinks_1989]

We are in the park and Goofy is already there doing meets so we get in line.

I took some pictures of the Christmas decorations whilst we were waiting in line.

It was our turn next to meet Goofy and I noticed the CM's name bag said Leanne. I asked if I could take a picture of the badge she said I could wear it how excited was I?

It was so wet that they moved Goofy under the gazebo for photos.

I carried Elsie up the stairs and gave her the autograph book she walked over to him with her pen and book grinning ear to ear. He signed and gave me the book then they had a nice cuddle together and some great photos.

Whilst we were waiting Minnie was in Duffy meet and greet area with no one in her line so we planned to go straight over once we were done with Goofy. But she had gone

Next on our plan was Its a small world we were parking up the pushchair and it had started to rain a bit harder and had noticed the Princess Pavilion only had 40 minute wait.

After 30 minutes we met Cinderella.

Elsie really wasn't sure about her and actually looked scared. We were asked who we had already seen and I said we had met every one but Snow White and Rapunzel so I don't know why were put to Cinderella as the other Princess was Snow White. My favourite Princess.

After our 1st Royal encounter of the trip we then did ride Its a small world. I love the Christmas version.

 

[tinks_1989]

Still raining we decided to keep with the Character meet theme and headed for Mickey. We saw Belle was out doing her meets and Elsie screamed Belle at her. She turned and waved at Elsie.

The band began playing when we were in there and they were AMAZING. They played all Disney songs. We heard Mickey Mouse Club March, a lot of Mary Poppins and Cinderella songs.

I love the Mickey meet it just seems so personal and we got to spend quiet a while with him in there again. Elsie was in her Mickey outfit and we had stripped all her layers off so Mickey could see.

We decided we head back now for something to eat and for Elsie to have nap.

Well on our way out of course the Christmas Cavalcade was passing and we found a gap and stopped to watch.

Proud mummy moment Elsie stood and watched with out trying to run away even when Pluto passed. Sounds like nothing to some one else but when you know what a live wire she is you would understand. She stood there had a little boogie to the music waved and clapped along.

I loved the Christmas Cavalcade and the snow was just amazing it really felt like Christmas stood there signing along with Elsie.

After the cavalcade Elsie was back in the pushchair and nipped back down the arcade and only happened to bump in to Duffy with no one waiting for him. Of course we couldn't leave him a lone.

After that we did make our way back stopping at Earl of Sandwich to take them back to our room.

 

[daiseyirl]

Great start looking foward to more

 

[rugrats]

Am loving this trip report

 

[megarasweet]

Love your photos of the Cavalcade! They've got me very excited for Monday!

Also, Elsie's Mickey outfit is the cutest

 

[figaro2]

Great report! Makes me wish I was back there!! xx

 

[Linda67]

What a lovely and Christmassy TR

Elsie is such a cutie!

 

[tinks_1989]

Great start looking foward to more

Am loving this trip report

Love your photos of the Cavalcade! They've got me very excited for Monday!

Also, Elsie's Mickey outfit is the cutest

Great report! Makes me wish I was back there!! xx

What a lovely and Christmassy TR

Elsie is such a cutie!

Thanks guys I hope to update tomorrow.

 

[tinkerbells mum]

Sounds like you had a brilliant trip. The photos of Elsie are adorable especially the one of her with Mickey. Really can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip and see the rest of the photos. Loved that you got to wear a cast member badge with your name on you must have felt like a real cast member!! Xx

 

[tinks_1989]

Sounds like you had a brilliant trip. The photos of Elsie are adorable especially the one of her with Mickey. Really can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip and see the rest of the photos. Loved that you got to wear a cast member badge with your name on you must have felt like a real cast member!! Xx

She offered me her coat and to stay with goofy all day whilst she went off to drink hot chocolate lol I was tempted.

Thank you she loves mickey and keeps saying Disney and pointing at the front door. X

 

[tinks_1989]

We had finished our (meant to be) rest in our room

Our Huge bed

Our amazing balcony

and ok its not a lake view but it was fine with us.

Elsie's new little friend that was waiting for her in the room.

I wanted to be back in the park in time for the parade so we left the hotel at about 3.30.

We walked there quicker that what I had planned so we went to see the dragon first. Elsie love dragons, dinosaurs (probably thanks to George pig) and did her little roar whilst we were in there.

We had a little look round the shops in fantasyland and then decided to grab a spot for the parade.

On our way over we saw King Louis, Baloo, Geppetto, Tigger and Eeyore doing meet and greets by Its a small world. But as you can imagine it was a full blown scrum.

Having watched 100's of parade videos on youtube I had realised all the best videos of the parade were all filmed in the same place in front of the stage by the AP office. So we stood there.

Whilst we were waiting the heavens opened ad it poured down. A lovely family earlier in the day gave us some ponchos. We huddled under them. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes.

After all the rain...

 

[tinks_1989]

The parade started and again Elsie was so good she stood there and watched the parade waving at every one and dancing bless her she had a good little dance.

The white rabbit came up to Elsie for a little dance

and a green army man yet I think it was a woman.

 

[tigger17]

loving the trip so far elsie looked so cute with mickey that balcony is massive! the thumper teddy is so cute xx

 

[tinks_1989]

After a great parade I love it and it was definitely a great spot to watch it. Because there isnt any one on the other side all the characters wave just to the side you are stood on it was great.

Most people were still watching the parade so we made our way over to the last Belle meet of the day. We got there just before she was due to come out. We were about the 4th family in line.

It was the family in front of us turn and a lot of shouting started happen a family had just pushed their daughter at Belle and had started shouting at the CM. We don't really know what happened as it all happened in another language but the CM said they were saying they didn't have time to wait. You could see the CMs were both scared. Whilst we were meeting Belle Dave was talking to the CMs and they said that is one of the worst situations they had ever dealt with. There were 20 of them is the family mixture of adults, children and babies. They were all giving the CMs the finger it was horrible.

Any way Belle was the same Belle we met in March. She was a bit shaken up and apologized that we had to see that.

Elsie really isn't bothered by face characters which is strange don't think they are as recognisable to her as Mickey and the others.

We were a bit peckish again so we went over to Casey's. It was hell. Not busy just Elsie had a complete melt down whilst we were there. We decided to leave she was tired and wouldn't last any longer.

When we got to the DLH entrance she had stopped so we decided to go in and see the gingerbread house. We went in the shop and bought some chocolate. I know terrible parents we are giving her some sugar but she perked up and was a lot happier.

We made it back in time for the Tree lighting and watched it just outside the emporium.

We then turned round and to grab a spot for dreams and the castle lights.

I dont have any pictures of dreams as I was holding Elsie so she could see. Sorry.

After Dreams we ploughed back through the crowds and back to the room for an early night.

 

[tinks_1989]

loving the trip so far elsie looked so cute with mickey that balcony is massive! the thumper teddy is so cute xx

Hello,

Aw thank you. The balcony was great shame it was cold and couldnt make the most of it. She loves her new thumper he is really soft.

 

[tinks_1989]

I didn't sleep well. My back and front was hurting from carrying holding Elsie. I had a nice hot bath at about 1 am and felt alot better after.
We all slept till 9am.

We were up dressed and packed with in half hour that never happens at home. lol! We went down to breakfast and Pluto was there Elsie went crazy for him obviously remembers him. We didnt have any cameras or autograph book so we decided we would come back later.

After breakfast we went back to our room grabbed our bags and made our way back down Pluto was there again and there were only 2 other people in the queue so we got in line.

Elsie was thrilled to see him she couldnt get over to him quick enough. She sat there for ages with him cuddling, playing and kissing him.

Quiet a line had appeared so I tried to take Elsie from Pluto but he wouldn't let me. The CM said Pluto would like it if we left her there with him. I think she would of loved it too.

Elsie was very good though she waved good bye and blew a load of kisses to Pluto. She was grinning from ear to ear bless her.

Bags dropped and we were on our way to the park again.

Minnie Mouse had already gone before we got there so we won't be seeing her on this trip.

Our main goal was to see Santa but as it was still so early we went to find Jack. It was posted that Jack was out from 10 am but he didnt get there till nearly half past.

He was great very in character shame it was just him though. Elsie wasn't sure about Jack but he was calling her a little Elf and saying how he had never seen such a pretty Elf.

It was just before 11 by the time we had finished with Jack and a little look round so we made our way to Santa as he started at 11.30. The line was already 20-30 people deep so we were glad to get there when we did.

Santa was ok I wouldn't rave about our experience with Santa OK Elsie is small and can't exactly have a conversation with her but it was literally a photo and then we went.

Elsie really wasnt taken with him either which I was surprised by as we had been to Bath Christmas market on the Friday before and she loved the Santa there that was stood outside the pub ringing a bell singing about happy hour.

 

[DLPDreams]

Wow Leanne - your TR is great. Loving all the photos of Elsie.

Can't believe the size of that balcony - but where is the table/chairs? Would be nice in the summer though. I really love the look of the SL and if were lucky enough to go again in Spring or Summer, I would choose this hotel.

Our DDs got cuddly toys in our room this trip too - first time ever, but I forgot to take a photo - think I was so excited . I remember to take a photo of the roses we got which were beautiful .

Elsie is so taken with Pluto - bless! I thought the character interaction this trip was way better than we had in June - in fact no comparison. All characters were great, especially Jack . My DDs couldn't get enough of him, and he couldn't them either - spent ages and ages with them .

 

[tinks_1989]

We made our way to the Studios as we wanted to see Buzz. We were hungry as well so we stopped for something to eat. The burger was good but the chips were cold and soggy YUCK!

Buzz was there with a short queue so we joined the people in front of us were next but Buzz went for a quick change. Elsie was screaming she was so excited when she saw him and couldn't wait for her turn.

She loved Buzz and of course he got one of her kisses.

I wanted to go in the shop in Toy story playland so that was our next destination. At the front of the playland Jessie was there doing a meet and greet. She was reaching at out to Jessie so we said we would try.

I recgonized the CM with Jessie and went and spoke to her she was Vikki from the Channel 5 program that was on in April about dreams and the new parade. Well after speaking to her we got right up to Jessie and had some more amazing interaction.

Jessie frightens me.

After Jessie cuddle Elsie and I went on Slinky Elsie did not like this at all she didn't scream she just dug her fingers in really deep and was very stiff bless her she clapped when we got off. The shop was closed in there so we decided to try and see the Stars and cars but we had just missed it.

With nothing else for us to do or want to do we headed back to the main park.