AnniverDISNEY trip DAY 3 – Disneyland, Santa Fe, AP’s and Val D’Europe (& Anettes)

[Orion33]

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Had breakfast (and lunch so to speak…)then checked out of our hotel as today was on to Disneyland!!! We got the RER Line B (Blue) to Les Halles (about half an hour) then walked straight across the platform to RER Line A (Red) to Marne La Vallee! Again this took about half an hour and as we saw the Mickey Ears of the Studio water tower appear over the bank it was all very exciting.

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We got off at Marne La Vallee and walked out to the bus station to catch our bus to the Santa Fe.

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It was about 11am and check in isn’t till 3pm so we thought we would leave our bags there and check in later. When we got there they said we could have our room as it was ready7-bonus! Also got given our half board plus vouchers which we had booked

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and booked GMF breakfast which was to be at Plaza Gardens-so again something new. We got our keycard I liked the look of the Santa Fe, we ALWAYS stay at the Seqouia Lodge but this year because of doing Paris too, we cut down the budget a bit in some areas! However I don’t believe this was the case at all, I am guessing Santa Fe has had a recent re-paint. Our room was immaculate as was all the décor I saw. We decided that obviously you are missing certain things the Seqouia has (pool, mini bar, sink outside of bathroom) but asides those things we thought the Santa Fe was as if not nicer than the Seqouia! Certainly newer looking the Seqouia was getting a little shabby when we were there at xmas but the Santa Fe room was immaculate. I loved the theming. (Although Seqouia is still my favourite!)

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After we had marvelled at our room we decuded it was time to get our ~Annual Passes!!! (very special moment) so we decided to check out this mammoth walk to the park from the Santa Fe…Very surprised to see the Cheyenne was right opposite and thought that hotel looked fab so that is a must to stay at one time I think!

Well the walk took 5 minutes walking along by the river till we were surprised to hav reached the Seqouia Lodge and then another 5-10 mins from there and you are at the park gates so nothing to it I was pleasantly surprised and the weather was so gorgeous it was a lovely route. Not the 25 minute hike I have heard about.

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We went to the entrance to the park and just to the right under the Disneyland Hotel to where they sell the “tickets” and it was here we handed over the sponsor forms courtesy of cheekyvixter and asked for 2 dream passports, ensuring that they knew to charge us the 161,00 euros with the sponsorship discount not the 179,00 euros that is the normal price. When you purchase them here they give you a receipt to show the amount you have paid and standard tickets to enter the park with. We decided as it was nearly midday and I was desperate to check it out we would pop into Salon Mickey for a refresher stop and very lovely it was too!) I didn’t realise they did bottles of coke etc. it was a welcome break, nice and cool and quiet-perfect for a break from the hectcness of our holiday.

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Afterwards we went straight to the AP bureau to get our APs, (well we intended to but bumped into Pluto, Eeeyore and Robin Hood under Main Street Station so stopped for hugs!)

A note on Passports: luckily I had our passports on us as they asked to see them but finally (after an awful pic) I had them in my hot little hands and was very excited.

Waiting patiently:

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Got them!!!!

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From here we were supposed to leave and go to Val D’Europe except I couldn’t see the park once inside it so DH agreed a train ride round would be a good idea then we could leave, so we got on at Main Street, did a quick Round Robin, then begrudgingly I went to the train station.

Ticket to Val D’Europe was 3 euros and takes a matter of minutes.

Not much to say on Val D’Europe it was a shopping mall, there were some restaurants as you left the station and some restaurants downstairs in the big mall, but not being big on shopping (I have shops at home!) so we mooched here for a while then stopped to rest for a while on the lawns before heading back by bus (we came across the bus station and decided to catch it whilst oit was there.

The bus is also 3 euros but it is quadruple the travelling time really takes you round the houses! However saw places of interest along the way (like other restaurants and shops) located in villages in the surrounding area form the Disney parks and it was all very scenic so journey time not an issue.

We got back to the hotel and walked back to the park. Grabbed ourselves an Ice Cream from the Gibson Girl Parlour and then noticed everyone appeared to be leaving (it was 5pm park shut at 7) so we went to check out POTC

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and walked straight on it. The place was emptying! Went on Indiana Jones twice, walked round then went back again (front and back the CMs were letting us pick our seats!) After this we went for something more sedate and walked on to Phantom Manor before making our way to the Central Plaza for Candlebration.

This was pretty pointless during daylight hours-I really cannot see the point in lighting candles during the day…you just couldn’t see it (and last time I saw this was at xmas) so just didn’t feel it worked in summer but the dancing was nice and the music good.

Well after this we decided to battle the crowds and go to Annettes for Dinner, tasty as always and a first night tradition! After this (a quick dance in the aisles and a visit from Elvis!)

You know I love my cocktails!

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We headed back to the Santa Fe for a cheeky strawberry Margheurita at the Rio Grande Bar and then to bed for our first full day at the parks tomorrow!!

 

[angelamc]

Great report so far and lovely photos, looking forward to hearing about your first full day in the parks.

 

[Cyrano]

you're at DLP.
I would have found it hard on the first day at the parks to be torn away for Val d'Europe too

Good tip reminding everyone about passports for AP

 

[tennisfan]

Great day with lovely photos

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Great photos, your TR is fantastic so far

 

[tigger300686]

Great first day at DLP, more lovely pics,the POTC picture surround looks different to what i remember.

 

[britchic4]

really enjoying your trip report so far, and thankyou for being so informative, I'm sure this will come in useful for lots of people. Loved the pic of Salon Mickey BTW, since we intend to visit there for the first time next week!

 

[Bolanette87]

Yay for the dancing waiters!!

Bob xxoxoxox

 

[BigKids]

Great trip!

 

[ema74]

Another great day! Look forward to reading more.

 

[jillrobinson]

Lovely day and lovely photos

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Just looking at the POTC picture, there seems to be a black looking gorilla type person in the boat...or are my eyes seeing things lol

 

[Orion33]

Just looking at the POTC picture, there seems to be a black looking gorilla type person in the boat...or are my eyes seeing things lol

I haven't noticed that before you are absolutely right-cannot work out what the hell that is!!

 

[mummyal]

Yet again, another fab report with great pics. We went to Val D'Europe the 1st time we were there and didn't think too much of it. So didn't bother going again this time.

Hope to read more very soon!

 

[A Small World]

Brilliant first day in the parks but theres no way I would have left to go to Val d'Europe.
Congratulations on being an AP holder - it just means you have to keep going again and again

 

[Ware Bears]

Another great day ~ you are having lovely weather.

Just looking at the POTC picture, there seems to be a black looking gorilla type person in the boat...or are my eyes seeing things lol

I haven't noticed that before you are absolutely right-cannot work out what the hell that is!!

OMG, that is so funny, I am nearly crying with laughter........what on earth is it??

 

[Disney owl]

lovely photos again, thanks for sharing them