Back from a fantastic trip- quick tips

[smallpig]

Hi everyone -

We got back on Tuesday night from a wonderful trip - we stayed 3 nights at the Hotel Elysee Val D'Europe.

I will do a proper trip report with pics - but here are the highlights and a few tips -

- Dreams : Absolutely AMAZING! We tried the path by the entrance to Adventureland, and it was much quieter, but the second time watched from pretty much in front of the castle and the graphics do look better if you are looking face on - but fantastic wherever you watch from!
- Late opening hours - it was busy during the days (weekend and french bank hol) but we managed to get on loads of rides in the evenings. My advice- try and eat early (before the parade) or late (just before dreams) to make the most of quiet times while everyone heads out to eat (at Annettes!).
Then, if there are two showings of Dreams, remember that the rides are open after the first one, but most people will either leave the park or be getting into position for the second showing - we did Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear twice with no wait at all after the 10pm Dreams.
- Rain OK, not exactly a highlight but after a 8pm downpour one night we managed to walk on to POTC, do Indiana Jones twice with no wait and a 10min queue for BTM which had been 75 mins plus all day - so rain has its benefits!
- Fastpasses Seriously, the number of people who didn't seem to know what to do with these was crazy - don't queue for 2 hours if you don't have to! We found that it's ALWAYS worth getting a fast pass for BTM and probably Buzz too. Fastpass tip Remember that if you get a FP for BTM at 10am, with a return time of 3pm, you don't have to wait until 3pm to get another FP. You can get another one two hours later (the time will be printed on the ticket).
- DLH visit - we took a tour to the DLH and had tea and Mickey waffles in the Fantasia bar - very relaxing and a wonderful break from the park madness mid afternoon. Was also lovely just wandering round the hotel.
- Walk around the lake - It was lovely sunny weather on Tuesday and when the crowds got too much we walked all around the lake and peeped into the Newport Bay, SL and HNY - really nice way to relax. Oh and we've decided on SL for our next trip!

Lots more that I'll save for the TR - let me know if you have any questions! We had a wonderful trip, despite crowds and rain, and wish we could go back right away!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time

Thanks for the tips - we plan to try and avoid the queues if we can and have the VIP fastpass for Monday which should help.

Mmmmm the Mickey waffles at DLH sound very tempting

Look forward to your trip report and lots of photos

 

[torsie24]

Glad you had such a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing.

Do they put a rope up for Dreams in front of the castle? What time do you advise starting waiting at if we want to stand front and centre?

 

[jothp]

sounds like a great trip. I'm looking forward to the trip report too. We have always been surprised how many people know nothing about fastpass. Last year I remember being in the queue for a FP for BTM and trying to explain to a french lady who spoke very little English what the queue was for. It didn't really work very well as I don't speak a lot of French either

What sort of time in the evening would you say the park started to get less busy?

 

[smallpig]

Glad you had such a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing.

Do they put a rope up for Dreams in front of the castle? What time do you advise starting waiting at if we want to stand front and centre?

They put a rope up quite a while before, as they stop people going through the castle from about 8ish I think (also some parts of Fantasyland were closed from 8.30 while they set up).

We actually just turned up only 15 mins before - but it was a very rainy evening so I think lots of people may have given up! Also without kids it didn't matter too much how close to the front we were - I think we were in the middle of the plaza bit where the stage used to be. I reckon being able to see all of the castle is better than being really close to it - but others may disagree!

What sort of time in the evening would you say the park started to get less busy?

I think lots of people leave/go get food after the 7pm parade - one night we went to Annette's just before the parade, came back about 8.30 and walked on to POTC, PM, small world with no problem. The other night was pouring with rain and anywhere outside was quiet!

 

[SleepingX3Beauty]

Fastpasses Seriously, the number of people who didn't seem to know what to do with these was crazy - don't queue for 2 hours if you don't have to! We found that it's ALWAYS worth getting a fast pass for BTM and probably Buzz too. Fastpass tip Remember that if you get a FP for BTM at 10am, with a return time of 3pm, you don't have to wait until 3pm to get another FP. You can get another one two hours later (the time will be printed on the ticket).

I'm sorry, I'm a little lost here. When we go get fastpass we always think we can't get another one until the time lap of this first pass has ended? Am I wrong here? So If I go insert a FP for let's say BTM at 10 AM and get a pas for 14.45 PM - 15.05 PM or something, I can still put one it at Buzz at let's say 13 PM, as long as it's before 14.45 and my time slot for BTM starts to count AND it's 2 hours after getting the first FP? That's new to me, yet very convient!

 

[DLPdaft]

yes, basically as long as its at least 2 hours since you used one fastpass machine and that fastpass time hasn't been reached yet, you can use another fastpass machine.

smallpig sounds like it was a magical trip - great news about the waffles at the DLH in the afternoon - but I've no idea where I'm going to fit that in next month (although I'd love to ).

 

[SleepingX3Beauty]

is this something they introduced just recently then? Or has it been on for longer? I feel so blond right now, I never realized this! Well we'll definitely be using our FP to the fullest next time!
Looking forward to your TR Smallpig, sounds like you had an amazing time!

 

[torsie24]

Yes I'm pretty sure it's always been like that. Certainly has since 2008.

You can get a new FP eithe when the one you hold is within its time limit. Or 2 hours Ayer you collect the previous one. Whichever's sooner.

Basically you never have to wait more than 2 hours for a new FP.

Although you don't need to remember this as it always says on the FP when you can have a new one. For example you can see on this one the return time isn't until 4:30 but it says you can get a new one at 3pm:

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Sounds like a fab trip Did you try out the EMH ?

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back

 

[DLPDreams]

Welcome back smallpig

Thanks so much for the tips - very useful Glad you had such a good time and didn't let the rain ruin it for you!