Trip Report A Bird's Eye View of London and Paris March 2012 TR NEW! The END 1/12 p35

[Mndisneygirl]

Great pics of the museum! Like others have said, I can't believe how small the Mona Lisa is! Your girls are so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to Europe. I wish my parents would have taken us as kids, but they never had the desire. I definately do, but Tony doesn't. I think Madison would have a blast!

Thanks Meghan! I hope those who want to travel get the chance to go. It's one of my favorite things to do in life!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

After we got out of the Louvre, we made our way onto the bus that was listed on our excursion papers – to go to the Eiffel tower we took the 72 Red bus!!
Looking through the windows of the bus at the city!

It was getting windy, and it was gray out, but no rain. (yet). We got off and to our right was the Trocadero on top of the hill where you can get great views.
This was near the "entry" to the Eiffel tower area. Not exactly like Prince Charming's, but...

We’d see about that later. But to the left – there she was!

The EIFFEL TOWER!!

I have this on my work computer as my desktop.

I should probably use this one!

We just had to walk on that bridge across the river (It's the Seine) from our bus stop!

We had not bought tickets on line ahead of time (we weren’t sure what day or time we’d be there), so we had to stand in line and wait with the masses. There were quite a few people there, but the line seemed to keep moving. We were pros at standing in line due to our many Disney trips, so we managed to keep ourselves entertained. Dave kept saying he didn’t think we should go all the way to the top. I said we were doing it and I was buying the tickets. I didn’t want him going up there and saying we were only going partway! We had to go through a security check for our bags (well my bag). From the time we got in line to the elevator, we were in line about an hour. We went right up to the very top first. I figured it wouldn’t give anyone a chance to chicken out!

Some pictures from the bottom:

cont.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

cont...
The gears - they were HUGE!

I don't even know what this was!

Shall we go to the Sommet?

WE MADE IT!

Even Dave - who claimed he didn't "need" to go all the way!

kind of gray and foggy back there isn't it?

It was super windy up there, but it was so amazing! You could see so much even though it was cloudy. On one side it was windier.
Check out the views:

We saw the Arc de Triomphe and the “other” statue of liberty.

These are zoomed WAY in

There was a little office set up behind glass. I thought I had a picture of it, but maybe not. If I find it, I'll show you!

We went down to the second level – where the gift shop is! – and took more pictures.

Shopping coming up next!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

so, on that other Statue of Liberty,...just out of curiosity, what is the size of it in relation to ours? I don't think I have ever heard....you know, I am sure you know all these random pieces of trivia~

 

[MEK]

I only have time to check in on one TR because I promised myself I wouldn't DIS on vacation. Fantastic pictures. I absolutely had to see the Lourve. I just declared to Denny that I must go to Paris and he said, "Go". Well, OK then.

I'm so glad you went to the top of the eiffel tower. What an amazing view. It's certainly not for someone who has a fear of heights.

Awesome day!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for the Eiffel Tower and for everyone going all the way to the top! That is a stunning view!!!

 

[ClaireW]

So glad you posted pictures from the top of the Eiffel Tower because although the view is stunning, I don't think it's one I'll ever see in person - maybe I could do the second level but not the 'sommet'

The girls seemed to be smiling up there? Are they into the thrill rides in the parks?

 

[Dancegrl624]

What an amazing view from the top of the Eiffel Tower!! Just gorgeous, even though it was a gray day. I love seeing the streets through all of the buildings.

 

[jenseib]

What a view...but kind of scary too.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

UGH I am a few posts behind!!

The Louvre looks awesome. What an amazing experience for your girls.

And the Eiffel Tower on the same day!! So cool! Glad you went to the top. Those views were amazing!

 

[petals]

how easy is it to get around Paris? I want to go to Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame but don't particularly want to do a tour is it possible in one day and how hard will it be?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

so, on that other Statue of Liberty,...just out of curiosity, what is the size of it in relation to ours? I don't think I have ever heard....you know, I am sure you know all these random pieces of trivia~

The one in Paris is 35 feet tall. That's one tenth the size of the NYC one (if you include the base/pedestal up to the torch). I didn't actually know that, I looked it up!

I only have time to check in on one TR because I promised myself I wouldn't DIS on vacation. Fantastic pictures. I absolutely had to see the Lourve. I just declared to Denny that I must go to Paris and he said, "Go". Well, OK then.

I'm so glad you went to the top of the eiffel tower. What an amazing view. It's certainly not for someone who has a fear of heights.

Awesome day!!!!!!!!!!

I am so honored you chose mine!! If Denny says go, I think you should look at flights right away!! Think of the awesome pictures you would get!
Thanks - I actually do have a fear of heights. I tried really hard to conquer that fear on this trip. My DH is not a fan of heights either (which is why I had to kind of force the issue) It was totally worth it! I was glad they had the fencing though! The trick is not to spend a lot of time looking STRAIGHT down!

Hurray for the Eiffel Tower and for everyone going all the way to the top! That is a stunning view!!!

Thanks Jackie! We really were glad we went up all the way! I can only imagine how great the views would be on a clear day!

So glad you posted pictures from the top of the Eiffel Tower because although the view is stunning, I don't think it's one I'll ever see in person - maybe I could do the second level but not the 'sommet'

The girls seemed to be smiling up there? Are they into the thrill rides in the parks?

Well, like I said, I'm not one for heights, but I just had to do it. I didn't want to do things part way on this trip. You feel fairly secure because of the fencing, but it was so windy!
The girls are only partly into thrill rides. So far the biggest thing they've conquered is Big Thunder Mountain RR. We're contemplating Expedition Everest for October. None of us have tried it yet. I won't do RnR because it goes upside down. Nor will I do Tower of Terror - I would lose my lunch. I keep telling Sarah to try it - she likes the frog hopper and I tell her it's just a giant one! She's not buying it. But they will almost always smile and pose for a picture. They think they're models!

What an amazing view from the top of the Eiffel Tower!! Just gorgeous, even though it was a gray day. I love seeing the streets through all of the buildings.

I know right? I thought it was cool to see the layout of the city. Even though I had a hard time orienting myself - I really had no sense of direction there, though I usually do.

What a view...but kind of scary too.

Isn't that the truth? It was scary, beautiful and exhilarating all at once.

UGH I am a few posts behind!!

The Louvre looks awesome. What an amazing experience for your girls.

And the Eiffel Tower on the same day!! So cool! Glad you went to the top. Those views were amazing!

Try to stay with the group Shelly! You'd think you're so busy writing your own TR or something. Oh wait, you are! Never mind! We were really happy that we got to do some amazing things on this trip. I could see myself going back to Paris and seeing more someday.

how easy is it to get around Paris? I want to go to Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame but don't particularly want to do a tour is it possible in one day and how hard will it be?

Well, it's not hard, but you need to know where you're going and the best transportation to get there. Our excursion was not a formal tour; we were on our own. But our tickets came with some directions for transportation, so it seemed pretty easy. Most guide books will help tell you how to get from one tourist attraction to another easily. We found it pretty easy. There are buses, subway trains (Metro) and taxis. I thought the taxis looked sort of scary darting in and out of traffic and driving fast!
We did the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, boat ride and Notre Dame in one day. I can probably get you from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame! The Arc is probably not as much time as the Louvre takes, so I'm pretty sure you could do the Tower, Arc and ND in one day.

 

[scottny]

Hi,
Just read your report tonight and it is so fun. Love the pics. We went 3 years ago and it is bringing back so many memories.

Can't wait for more.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hi,
Just read your report tonight and it is so fun. Love the pics. We went 3 years ago and it is bringing back so many memories.

Can't wait for more.

Hi Scott and I'm glad you're enjoying the report! I love going through all the pictures - it makes me realize we really did go!! I've got hundreds of pictures - more DLP, Paris at night and a gazillion from our time in London are still to come!
Tell me about your trip! Where did you stay? How long were you there?

 

[petals]

Well, it's not hard, but you need to know where you're going and the best transportation to get there. Our excursion was not a formal tour; we were on our own. But our tickets came with some directions for transportation, so it seemed pretty easy. Most guide books will help tell you how to get from one tourist attraction to another easily. We found it pretty easy. There are buses, subway trains (Metro) and taxis. I thought the taxis looked sort of scary darting in and out of traffic and driving fast!
We did the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, boat ride and Notre Dame in one day. I can probably get you from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame! The Arc is probably not as much time as the Louvre takes, so I'm pretty sure you could do the Tower, Arc and ND in one day.

How do I get from Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame? Arc will be a while.. there's a disney store down the street

 

[MeMom]

I am in awe of your pictures. Just think how cool it is that when your girls read and study about these things in school, they have seen it for real!!! The views from Eiffel Tower is amazing. The Louvre - oh, my goodness! All of it - so, so, so cool!

 

[eandesmom]

what great updates! it's funny to see some of the same merch I just saw at WDW!

Love the lourve pics, what a drag about getting lost and turned around but it is so easy to do, it's beyond massive. I really like that picture of the girls and you on the Eiffel tower, adorable! Looks like a really fun day so far even though it is grey and windy.

 

[Dimplenose]

I am loving your report and your photos.

I just thought you'd like to know that the huge painting that you thought might be of the Last Supper is actually meant to be the Wedding Feast at Cana (where Jesus performed his first miracle of the water into wine.)

 

[Mndisneygirl]

How do I get from Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame? Arc will be a while.. there's a disney store down the street

Dang, How did I miss that Disney store? I apparently missed the London one too! Good thing I have one here!

What we did was take the 72 red bus back from Eiffel (Trocadero stop) back to the Louvre and then we took the metro from the Louvre stop to the St. Michel Notre Dame stop. The 72 red bus was in our paperwork with the recommended itinerary we got. I'm looking at the Metro map, and I can't tell for sure, but it looks like we may have had to switch trains. It looks like you can take an RER train from Eiffel to Notre Dame though.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I am in awe of your pictures. Just think how cool it is that when your girls read and study about these things in school, they have seen it for real!!! The views from Eiffel Tower is amazing. The Louvre - oh, my goodness! All of it - so, so, so cool!

Oh thank you! We just snapped away and hoped we'd remember what things were! The kids are funny - we've been seeing things from Paris and London (with the Olympics) and they say, "oh we went there!" Looking back at the maps now I want to go back and see more things!

what great updates! it's funny to see some of the same merch I just saw at WDW!

Love the lourve pics, what a drag about getting lost and turned around but it is so easy to do, it's beyond massive. I really like that picture of the girls and you on the Eiffel tower, adorable! Looks like a really fun day so far even though it is grey and windy.

Yeah, you'd think Paris would have different stuff!
Thanks, We had so much fun - even though I was a bit crabby with trying to do so much and the weather...I should know better. It just takes longer to get places than I thought it would.

I am loving your report and your photos.

I just thought you'd like to know that the huge painting that you thought might be of the Last Supper is actually meant to be the Wedding Feast at Cana (where Jesus performed his first miracle of the water into wine.)

and Thank you! I thought I might have taken a picture of the little sign that shows the name and artist, but I couldn't find it. Now that you mention that, it sounds familiar!