babymaddie
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 352
hope this okay for everyone, i cant capture how magical we thought it was, only to say that we are saving for next year!!
4th birthday trip to DLP 23 25th April 2006, Ruth (32), Paul (36), Nana (61), Grandad (64) and our little princess, Madelane (4), Manchester. Flying with B.A. on a D-I-Y holiday.
DAY 1 23RD APRIL - SUNDAY
I dont even know where to start with our fantastic trip to dlp, staying at the Newport bay hotel from April 23rd 25th 2006 and including my daughters fourth birthday on Monday 24th April. We left our home at an early 7am and picked madelane up along with grandparents as they had the pleasure of her overnight to allow me more time to do my hair, ha ha and went in a taxi the short 10 minutes journey to Manchester airport where we were met by one of my fathers friends who works for BA, who we are flying with. He had already checked us in and also booked us into the executive lounge .hurrah. We walked upstairs and found a lovely seating area complete with free breakfast of cereals, toast, fruit, croissants and pain au chocolate with hot and cold drinks. What a lovely start to the holiday, Madelane loved the view from the window overlooking the planes taking off and coming in and I enjoyed the molton brown products in the bathroom. Anyway we had a great flight, leaving at 08.40am, dead on time to CDG and walked straight out of the airport onto the VEA coach at about 11am and the lovely driver didnt charge us for madelane and insisted that she was only 2 so we didnt have to pay for her. We found some seats as it was very busy and sat down to enjoy the view, with madelane constantly asking when were we going to see Mickey mouses house. The journey actually only took 25 minutes and she spotted the ears on top of the studios and the panoramique balloon and screamed with delight. Luckily we were the first drop off, staying at the Newport bay. The time was now approx 11.35am. The size of the hotel is enormous but we checked in and got all the information needed and also booked for my daughters birthday cake to be delivered to café Mickey at the concierge desk without any problems. We booked in our luggage at the luggage desk and off we went to hit the park for our first time. I was so excited but getting tired and so was Madelane.
We hopped straight on one of the yellow buses and where at the parks within minutes, which was great. We were hassled a lot going into the parks by traders but with our firm no thank you they soon left us alone. As soon as we entered Disneyland park we noticed a queue of people to the left on us and those familiar mouse ears it was Minnie doing meet and greet but they had closed the queue as it was now just gone 12. So we set off for a look round and were amazed at the castle and took lots of photos of Madelane standing there. We saw the dragon underneath due to the fact that we were following the crowds and didnt really know where we were going and also the steps leading up to the sleeping beauty story. We had lunch sat outside in the sunshine outside the, we all had burger/chips or nugget/chips. My parents arent usually used to eating that sort of food but we were all starving hungry so they managed. We jumped straight on the teacups and then queued for nearly 2 hours for dumbo.
By this time we were struggling as we had been up since 4am so thought we would head back to the hotel when we noticed crowds of people starting to gather on the pavements, it was about 3.45pm by this time and I remembered about the parade so after a bit of pushing and shoving managed to squeeze Madelane to the front of the crowds with her nana for a great view of the parade. How amazing is that and doesnt that tune get in your head?? Watched the parade and then the heavens opened and we quickly raced back to the hotel, to grab our luggage and get to our rooms. There were no queues at check-in and we were given our room number, 3149 and 3151 so were glad that me and hubby and Madelane were next door to my parents. After a trek to our room on the third floor we found that balloons had been left in our room as it was her birthday the next day, which was a nice touch and my parents room had a balcony and we both had lake views which had been pre-booked. I was impressed with the size of the rooms but still think that a kettle and tea/coffee facilities would be a nice touch.
After a quick shower and change of clothes we decided to head out to Disney village for some dinner and souvenir looking although the shop in the Newport bay looked very well packed too. We had looked at the restaurants in the hotel but didnt really fancy a buffet; it was approx E25 each so decided to go into the village instead. It was absolutely pouring down so again we jumped on the yellow bus to take us in. We were ill prepared as many people had the yellow shower-macs on when we got there and my mum had left her umbrella in the hotel, which was no good to us. Because it was raining so hard and we were tired we decided to go into Annettes diner, as its the first restaurant there. We were seated upstairs and were a bit disappointed with the menu as again its all hotdogs/chips etc. I had the basic hotdog as did my dad, hubby had the mega burger and my mum had the soup. The waiter came to take our order and promised us that he didnt need to write it down and that he would remember it all. I think not. We got our meals but my little girls meal did not arrive, she had ordered the pasta and we got sent hamburger, which we sent back. After waiting for nearly 15mins she was finally bought out her pasta, which was nice, but a huge great big adult portion, which would have fed her and me. For dessert she asked for chocolate ice cream and was given a milkshake instead which we returned. By this time she was so fed up that we just paid for the bill and left, as the only thing she needed was her bed.
We returned to the hotel and she spotted other children carrying towels and wanted to have a look at the pool. We took her down and thats where she ended up staying for another almost 2 hours with her granddad, nana and daddy, whilst I took a relaxing quiet bath and unpacked and had 40 winks. They came up about 10pm and she was ready for bed. And that was the end of day one. We went to bed after I had put her presents in a pile in the bedroom for her with her birthday cards and we arranged to meet up for breakfast the next morning at 8.30am
DAY 2 MONDAY 24TH APRIL BIRTHDAY
What a night we had!!Madelane coughed all night, as she is an asthmatic so we all had terrible nights sleep, between her coughing and hubbys snoring!!! I awoke at 8.15am and knocked on my parents door to tell them that she was still asleep and then got dressed and decided to go down to breakfast with her and hubby. When I got downstairs the queue was right to the stairs so I saw the lady in charge and asked if I could go straight in to find my parents and she let me in without queuing. They were just finishing their breakfast but sat back down and waited for me to get my croissants and the most gorgeous hot chocolate. I was very impressed with the breakfast. We asked if we could take a plate of breakfast back upstairs for my little girl and they said yes we could and asked for our room number so they could collect the tray later in the day. Anyway she had some breakfast and opened her presents, which included the gorgeous belle Christmas dress for her to wear that evening at café Mickey. We had intended on seeing the princesses this morning as they are only available from 10-12 but it was 11am by the time we got back downstairs and were just in time to let her meetngreet goofy in the foyer and have a lovely photo taken with him which we bought from the shop.
Today we managed to get loads of photos of her with characters and did Minnie mouse, daisy dusk that made daddy kiss her hand, Pluto and chip and dale. We spent most of the day in the studios today and in between the rain met abbey mallard from Chicken Little, Jesse, toy story, Mr Incredible, and Woody as well as seeing the parade, which was fab. We managed to get on Aladdins magic carpet ride twice without queuing and the studio tram tour after only 35 minutes. We were sat in the very front carriage for this ride and the lovely lady who was controlling the ride gave Madelane stickers for being brave when the explosion happened, nice!! My mum should have got some for getting soaked a she was on the side where the rain comes in. For lunch today we went to the backlot and had croque monsieur. E5 and Mickey pizza, which was all, priced very reasonably. We also saw animagique, which we tried to video but were told off and the Tarzan show. Later in the day we went back to Disneyland and headed straight for the molly brown steamboat as the sun came out and had a lovely ride round on that and another ride on the teacups. We had to head back to the hotel at 5pm as we had Café Mickey booked for 6.30pm. Another quick shower and change of clothes and we got the little train round the lake to Café Mickey just in time to see tigger hanging over the balcony much to the delight of the people below.
We were seated upstairs on a lovely round table and a fantastic view of the panoramique balloon. After looking at the menu we had decided on four soups, three steaks and fish for my mum and Madelane was having sausage and chips. All the characters were there and we had a lively and lovely time there, there was Eyore, Tigger, Mickey and Minnie, the cat from Pinocchio, robin hood, daisy duck, Mr Smee Pluto and goofy. Pluto and goofy took madelanes belle doll and were play fighting on the floor with her and Madelane was trying to rescue her doll, very funny and great interaction for her. Throughout the meal they came to our table and Mr Smee sat in her place and started eating her dinner and drinking her drink, as she wouldnt go near him.
They were so gentle with her and were aware of her being a bit wary with some of them yet still posed for photos for us. Mickey and Tigger both picked her up and sat her on their knees and stroked her hair, lovely!!!! We chose our desserts as we had pre-paid for the 3 course buffet back in the U.K. although we knew that we were having the birthday cake too, we didnt know at what point they would bring it out until we heard the singing and the music start. My skin still gets tingly when I think of the moment, Eyore, Tigger and Pluto and Robin hood bought out her cake with four candles on it and singing happy birthday and it was like an invasion of Disney. The waiters got up on the ledge at the back of our table and were clapping and singing and Madelane thought this was wonderful. They then got her up dancing as well as me and nana and then Eyore dragged daddy up and was bum-bumping with him as he tried to take photos. Where else can you dance with Eyore on your fourth birthday?? The cake was a gorgeous sponge cake although we had been asked if we wanted chocolate when we booked it but it didnt matter at all and it had an edible picture of the characters on top that was made from icing. It was superb!! We quickly cancelled our desserts and the waiter cut up the cake for us. After all that dancing I could have done with a stiff drink but the cake was nice. The characters must have spent half an hour with us having more photos. Its very strange that they cant speak to you. It was a fantastic birthday tea and because we didnt have our desserts we also were not charged for our drinks that night, as the deserts were included in the E34 that we had paid.
After that we went round the shops to get a few gifts and Madelane chose the Minnie Mouse as a princess, which was E27, and we go some lovely gifts for her friends at school and our house/dog/cat sitters. The Disney village looked lovely with the lights on and the music coming out of the restaurants. We stopped for a drink further down and then headed back to the hotel for a look round the hotel shop and to get some bottle of water. Another magical day over and only one more left to see the princesses. We were on a mission to see them tomorrow!!
DAY 3 25TH APRIL MISSION: PRINCESSES!!!
Up bright and early today and all down for breakfast. So organised today that we even smuggled bread rolls and ham to make our little picnic up together with the snacks that we bought from home and drinks, we were ready to go by 10.00am, posted our keys in the box and put our luggage into storage. We had enough time for a photo meet and greet with Minnie and Captain Hook in the hotel which Madelane loved as she got a bit kiss on the head and the we headed off to the park by 10.l5 and queuing for the princess by 10.20 as I ran on ahead through the park pushing Madelane in a trolley across the tram tracks. We queued till 11.45 till it was our turn to meet the princesses, who had changed every half an hour from Snow White and Belle to Sleeping beauty and Cinderella. We saw the latter and boy was Madelane gob smacked. Cinderella was so pretty and spoke to her all the time, asking her questions. I have to admit that I had a tear in my eye. Madelane couldnt believe that Cinderella had kissed her and I will remember that for as long as I live. Does that sound dramatic? I cant help it; it was so wonderful for her.
When we came down the steps we saw a green outfit and realised that it was Jasmine standing alone so we ran over and greeted her and she had a photo with her and an autograph and the same with Aladdin, who was very nice, if you know what I mean?? We also managed to get photos of Belle, as she was coming out to take over but not one with Madelane. Just after this we saw Pluto again and the female mouse with the long hair, Pinocchio and chip and dale. And then we hopped straight onto its a small world, what a strange ride that is. The weather again was red hot so we made our way to Discoveryland where we had our picnic and saw buzz light year and then did the honey I shrunk the audience, which made my mum scream numerous times. Madelane and daddy went down to the submarine whilst I bought ice creams and then we queued for the cars, cant remember the name but its where we drive the cars round the track and Madelane enjoyed chasing daddy but wasnt so pleased with mummys bumpy driving. We had arranged to get the VEA coach back to cdg airport at 6.30pm so reluctantly made our way back to the hotel after we had watched the parade again but this time without the crowds from a spot near the station, marvellous for watching as hardly anyone was standing there. Madelane even got a few waves from the characters as she was by herself. We went back to the hotel for snacks in the sunshine outside the hotel and retrieved our luggage.
The VEA coach arrived and we boarded along with a very grumpy coach driver, most unlike the one we had when we first arrived. He stopped me boarding the bus said to me, you pay, to which I replied, no, my father is paying for us all. We got seats at the back and relaxed for the journey. Madelane fell asleep after playing a very noisy eye-spy, or trying to play, which had us in stitches!! It goes something on the line of I spy something beginning with D and she says car and so on and on.
The first stop was terminal 2B and the coach stopped without any announcement of where we were and some people got off. The coach driver who wasnt at all friendly didnt help anyone with their luggage and I watched a young mother struggle to get her pram from the coach along with a couple of children, he then kicked shut the coach luggage door and boarded the bus. The next stop was 2C and again the coach stopped without announcement, this time there was a bit of confusion as to who was getting off and the driver again did not help anyone with luggage. At this point my father went to the front of the coach and asked him if he was going to 2D, our stop, next and he nodded and told my father to sit down, which he did. We then flew, at some speed right past 2D and my father raced to the driver and he was told that he would be going to terminal 1 and then back to 2D so we presumed that our stop was on the other side going back the other way. We were taken some way to terminal 1, didnt realise how far apart the terminals were and stopped at Terminal 1 where the rest of the passengers alighted the coach. The driver then started to unload the entire luggage left, which belonged to us and left it on the side of the road. My mum and dad got off the bus as my little one was still fast asleep and asked him why had he done that and he said, I finish, you get taxi back to terminal 2D. We couldnt believe what we were hearing and he got back on the bus. My husband and dad also got back on and asked what did he mean. You did not hear me announce 2D, he said, you not hear. We explained that he certainly did not announce any stops and that he had told us that he was returning to Terminal 1 but he was not having any of it. His reply was again, you get another bus now, I finish, and with that he started up his engine. My husband got Madelane and me off the bus and just as I touched the pavement he drove off at some speed leaving us alone.
We were amazed and shocked at his behaviour and looked for the nearest taxi to take us back to terminal 2D with a promise that this would be reported when we got home. It cost us another E10 to reach the correct terminal, only to find that our plane was also delayed from 21:00 to 23:00 with BA, good end to our fantastic holiday.
Anyway at 23.25 we boarded and were on our way home and Madelane fell asleep on the plane clutching her Minnie with her mind full of Disney and lovely memories. We arrived home in Manchester safe and sound and are lucky enough to live only 15 minutes from the airport so were soon in our beds. With just enough time to get out the rest of Madelanes birthday presents for her to open the next day.
We have the most amazing photos but cannot post them with this report yet as Im still earning my ears but I have instructions to post them on another page which I will try to do over the next couple of days as Im still learning with regard to digital cameras.
4th birthday trip to DLP 23 25th April 2006, Ruth (32), Paul (36), Nana (61), Grandad (64) and our little princess, Madelane (4), Manchester. Flying with B.A. on a D-I-Y holiday.
DAY 1 23RD APRIL - SUNDAY
I dont even know where to start with our fantastic trip to dlp, staying at the Newport bay hotel from April 23rd 25th 2006 and including my daughters fourth birthday on Monday 24th April. We left our home at an early 7am and picked madelane up along with grandparents as they had the pleasure of her overnight to allow me more time to do my hair, ha ha and went in a taxi the short 10 minutes journey to Manchester airport where we were met by one of my fathers friends who works for BA, who we are flying with. He had already checked us in and also booked us into the executive lounge .hurrah. We walked upstairs and found a lovely seating area complete with free breakfast of cereals, toast, fruit, croissants and pain au chocolate with hot and cold drinks. What a lovely start to the holiday, Madelane loved the view from the window overlooking the planes taking off and coming in and I enjoyed the molton brown products in the bathroom. Anyway we had a great flight, leaving at 08.40am, dead on time to CDG and walked straight out of the airport onto the VEA coach at about 11am and the lovely driver didnt charge us for madelane and insisted that she was only 2 so we didnt have to pay for her. We found some seats as it was very busy and sat down to enjoy the view, with madelane constantly asking when were we going to see Mickey mouses house. The journey actually only took 25 minutes and she spotted the ears on top of the studios and the panoramique balloon and screamed with delight. Luckily we were the first drop off, staying at the Newport bay. The time was now approx 11.35am. The size of the hotel is enormous but we checked in and got all the information needed and also booked for my daughters birthday cake to be delivered to café Mickey at the concierge desk without any problems. We booked in our luggage at the luggage desk and off we went to hit the park for our first time. I was so excited but getting tired and so was Madelane.
We hopped straight on one of the yellow buses and where at the parks within minutes, which was great. We were hassled a lot going into the parks by traders but with our firm no thank you they soon left us alone. As soon as we entered Disneyland park we noticed a queue of people to the left on us and those familiar mouse ears it was Minnie doing meet and greet but they had closed the queue as it was now just gone 12. So we set off for a look round and were amazed at the castle and took lots of photos of Madelane standing there. We saw the dragon underneath due to the fact that we were following the crowds and didnt really know where we were going and also the steps leading up to the sleeping beauty story. We had lunch sat outside in the sunshine outside the, we all had burger/chips or nugget/chips. My parents arent usually used to eating that sort of food but we were all starving hungry so they managed. We jumped straight on the teacups and then queued for nearly 2 hours for dumbo.
By this time we were struggling as we had been up since 4am so thought we would head back to the hotel when we noticed crowds of people starting to gather on the pavements, it was about 3.45pm by this time and I remembered about the parade so after a bit of pushing and shoving managed to squeeze Madelane to the front of the crowds with her nana for a great view of the parade. How amazing is that and doesnt that tune get in your head?? Watched the parade and then the heavens opened and we quickly raced back to the hotel, to grab our luggage and get to our rooms. There were no queues at check-in and we were given our room number, 3149 and 3151 so were glad that me and hubby and Madelane were next door to my parents. After a trek to our room on the third floor we found that balloons had been left in our room as it was her birthday the next day, which was a nice touch and my parents room had a balcony and we both had lake views which had been pre-booked. I was impressed with the size of the rooms but still think that a kettle and tea/coffee facilities would be a nice touch.
After a quick shower and change of clothes we decided to head out to Disney village for some dinner and souvenir looking although the shop in the Newport bay looked very well packed too. We had looked at the restaurants in the hotel but didnt really fancy a buffet; it was approx E25 each so decided to go into the village instead. It was absolutely pouring down so again we jumped on the yellow bus to take us in. We were ill prepared as many people had the yellow shower-macs on when we got there and my mum had left her umbrella in the hotel, which was no good to us. Because it was raining so hard and we were tired we decided to go into Annettes diner, as its the first restaurant there. We were seated upstairs and were a bit disappointed with the menu as again its all hotdogs/chips etc. I had the basic hotdog as did my dad, hubby had the mega burger and my mum had the soup. The waiter came to take our order and promised us that he didnt need to write it down and that he would remember it all. I think not. We got our meals but my little girls meal did not arrive, she had ordered the pasta and we got sent hamburger, which we sent back. After waiting for nearly 15mins she was finally bought out her pasta, which was nice, but a huge great big adult portion, which would have fed her and me. For dessert she asked for chocolate ice cream and was given a milkshake instead which we returned. By this time she was so fed up that we just paid for the bill and left, as the only thing she needed was her bed.
We returned to the hotel and she spotted other children carrying towels and wanted to have a look at the pool. We took her down and thats where she ended up staying for another almost 2 hours with her granddad, nana and daddy, whilst I took a relaxing quiet bath and unpacked and had 40 winks. They came up about 10pm and she was ready for bed. And that was the end of day one. We went to bed after I had put her presents in a pile in the bedroom for her with her birthday cards and we arranged to meet up for breakfast the next morning at 8.30am
DAY 2 MONDAY 24TH APRIL BIRTHDAY
What a night we had!!Madelane coughed all night, as she is an asthmatic so we all had terrible nights sleep, between her coughing and hubbys snoring!!! I awoke at 8.15am and knocked on my parents door to tell them that she was still asleep and then got dressed and decided to go down to breakfast with her and hubby. When I got downstairs the queue was right to the stairs so I saw the lady in charge and asked if I could go straight in to find my parents and she let me in without queuing. They were just finishing their breakfast but sat back down and waited for me to get my croissants and the most gorgeous hot chocolate. I was very impressed with the breakfast. We asked if we could take a plate of breakfast back upstairs for my little girl and they said yes we could and asked for our room number so they could collect the tray later in the day. Anyway she had some breakfast and opened her presents, which included the gorgeous belle Christmas dress for her to wear that evening at café Mickey. We had intended on seeing the princesses this morning as they are only available from 10-12 but it was 11am by the time we got back downstairs and were just in time to let her meetngreet goofy in the foyer and have a lovely photo taken with him which we bought from the shop.
Today we managed to get loads of photos of her with characters and did Minnie mouse, daisy dusk that made daddy kiss her hand, Pluto and chip and dale. We spent most of the day in the studios today and in between the rain met abbey mallard from Chicken Little, Jesse, toy story, Mr Incredible, and Woody as well as seeing the parade, which was fab. We managed to get on Aladdins magic carpet ride twice without queuing and the studio tram tour after only 35 minutes. We were sat in the very front carriage for this ride and the lovely lady who was controlling the ride gave Madelane stickers for being brave when the explosion happened, nice!! My mum should have got some for getting soaked a she was on the side where the rain comes in. For lunch today we went to the backlot and had croque monsieur. E5 and Mickey pizza, which was all, priced very reasonably. We also saw animagique, which we tried to video but were told off and the Tarzan show. Later in the day we went back to Disneyland and headed straight for the molly brown steamboat as the sun came out and had a lovely ride round on that and another ride on the teacups. We had to head back to the hotel at 5pm as we had Café Mickey booked for 6.30pm. Another quick shower and change of clothes and we got the little train round the lake to Café Mickey just in time to see tigger hanging over the balcony much to the delight of the people below.
We were seated upstairs on a lovely round table and a fantastic view of the panoramique balloon. After looking at the menu we had decided on four soups, three steaks and fish for my mum and Madelane was having sausage and chips. All the characters were there and we had a lively and lovely time there, there was Eyore, Tigger, Mickey and Minnie, the cat from Pinocchio, robin hood, daisy duck, Mr Smee Pluto and goofy. Pluto and goofy took madelanes belle doll and were play fighting on the floor with her and Madelane was trying to rescue her doll, very funny and great interaction for her. Throughout the meal they came to our table and Mr Smee sat in her place and started eating her dinner and drinking her drink, as she wouldnt go near him.
They were so gentle with her and were aware of her being a bit wary with some of them yet still posed for photos for us. Mickey and Tigger both picked her up and sat her on their knees and stroked her hair, lovely!!!! We chose our desserts as we had pre-paid for the 3 course buffet back in the U.K. although we knew that we were having the birthday cake too, we didnt know at what point they would bring it out until we heard the singing and the music start. My skin still gets tingly when I think of the moment, Eyore, Tigger and Pluto and Robin hood bought out her cake with four candles on it and singing happy birthday and it was like an invasion of Disney. The waiters got up on the ledge at the back of our table and were clapping and singing and Madelane thought this was wonderful. They then got her up dancing as well as me and nana and then Eyore dragged daddy up and was bum-bumping with him as he tried to take photos. Where else can you dance with Eyore on your fourth birthday?? The cake was a gorgeous sponge cake although we had been asked if we wanted chocolate when we booked it but it didnt matter at all and it had an edible picture of the characters on top that was made from icing. It was superb!! We quickly cancelled our desserts and the waiter cut up the cake for us. After all that dancing I could have done with a stiff drink but the cake was nice. The characters must have spent half an hour with us having more photos. Its very strange that they cant speak to you. It was a fantastic birthday tea and because we didnt have our desserts we also were not charged for our drinks that night, as the deserts were included in the E34 that we had paid.
After that we went round the shops to get a few gifts and Madelane chose the Minnie Mouse as a princess, which was E27, and we go some lovely gifts for her friends at school and our house/dog/cat sitters. The Disney village looked lovely with the lights on and the music coming out of the restaurants. We stopped for a drink further down and then headed back to the hotel for a look round the hotel shop and to get some bottle of water. Another magical day over and only one more left to see the princesses. We were on a mission to see them tomorrow!!
DAY 3 25TH APRIL MISSION: PRINCESSES!!!
Up bright and early today and all down for breakfast. So organised today that we even smuggled bread rolls and ham to make our little picnic up together with the snacks that we bought from home and drinks, we were ready to go by 10.00am, posted our keys in the box and put our luggage into storage. We had enough time for a photo meet and greet with Minnie and Captain Hook in the hotel which Madelane loved as she got a bit kiss on the head and the we headed off to the park by 10.l5 and queuing for the princess by 10.20 as I ran on ahead through the park pushing Madelane in a trolley across the tram tracks. We queued till 11.45 till it was our turn to meet the princesses, who had changed every half an hour from Snow White and Belle to Sleeping beauty and Cinderella. We saw the latter and boy was Madelane gob smacked. Cinderella was so pretty and spoke to her all the time, asking her questions. I have to admit that I had a tear in my eye. Madelane couldnt believe that Cinderella had kissed her and I will remember that for as long as I live. Does that sound dramatic? I cant help it; it was so wonderful for her.
When we came down the steps we saw a green outfit and realised that it was Jasmine standing alone so we ran over and greeted her and she had a photo with her and an autograph and the same with Aladdin, who was very nice, if you know what I mean?? We also managed to get photos of Belle, as she was coming out to take over but not one with Madelane. Just after this we saw Pluto again and the female mouse with the long hair, Pinocchio and chip and dale. And then we hopped straight onto its a small world, what a strange ride that is. The weather again was red hot so we made our way to Discoveryland where we had our picnic and saw buzz light year and then did the honey I shrunk the audience, which made my mum scream numerous times. Madelane and daddy went down to the submarine whilst I bought ice creams and then we queued for the cars, cant remember the name but its where we drive the cars round the track and Madelane enjoyed chasing daddy but wasnt so pleased with mummys bumpy driving. We had arranged to get the VEA coach back to cdg airport at 6.30pm so reluctantly made our way back to the hotel after we had watched the parade again but this time without the crowds from a spot near the station, marvellous for watching as hardly anyone was standing there. Madelane even got a few waves from the characters as she was by herself. We went back to the hotel for snacks in the sunshine outside the hotel and retrieved our luggage.
The VEA coach arrived and we boarded along with a very grumpy coach driver, most unlike the one we had when we first arrived. He stopped me boarding the bus said to me, you pay, to which I replied, no, my father is paying for us all. We got seats at the back and relaxed for the journey. Madelane fell asleep after playing a very noisy eye-spy, or trying to play, which had us in stitches!! It goes something on the line of I spy something beginning with D and she says car and so on and on.
The first stop was terminal 2B and the coach stopped without any announcement of where we were and some people got off. The coach driver who wasnt at all friendly didnt help anyone with their luggage and I watched a young mother struggle to get her pram from the coach along with a couple of children, he then kicked shut the coach luggage door and boarded the bus. The next stop was 2C and again the coach stopped without announcement, this time there was a bit of confusion as to who was getting off and the driver again did not help anyone with luggage. At this point my father went to the front of the coach and asked him if he was going to 2D, our stop, next and he nodded and told my father to sit down, which he did. We then flew, at some speed right past 2D and my father raced to the driver and he was told that he would be going to terminal 1 and then back to 2D so we presumed that our stop was on the other side going back the other way. We were taken some way to terminal 1, didnt realise how far apart the terminals were and stopped at Terminal 1 where the rest of the passengers alighted the coach. The driver then started to unload the entire luggage left, which belonged to us and left it on the side of the road. My mum and dad got off the bus as my little one was still fast asleep and asked him why had he done that and he said, I finish, you get taxi back to terminal 2D. We couldnt believe what we were hearing and he got back on the bus. My husband and dad also got back on and asked what did he mean. You did not hear me announce 2D, he said, you not hear. We explained that he certainly did not announce any stops and that he had told us that he was returning to Terminal 1 but he was not having any of it. His reply was again, you get another bus now, I finish, and with that he started up his engine. My husband got Madelane and me off the bus and just as I touched the pavement he drove off at some speed leaving us alone.
We were amazed and shocked at his behaviour and looked for the nearest taxi to take us back to terminal 2D with a promise that this would be reported when we got home. It cost us another E10 to reach the correct terminal, only to find that our plane was also delayed from 21:00 to 23:00 with BA, good end to our fantastic holiday.
Anyway at 23.25 we boarded and were on our way home and Madelane fell asleep on the plane clutching her Minnie with her mind full of Disney and lovely memories. We arrived home in Manchester safe and sound and are lucky enough to live only 15 minutes from the airport so were soon in our beds. With just enough time to get out the rest of Madelanes birthday presents for her to open the next day.
We have the most amazing photos but cannot post them with this report yet as Im still earning my ears but I have instructions to post them on another page which I will try to do over the next couple of days as Im still learning with regard to digital cameras.
