carolfoy
<font color=cc6633>One has Ones hat and One's orf.
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2005
- Messages
- 8,316
For the boys and me...
starring, (drum roll please....)
Me! Carol (now 36 and getting younger)
Mummy Liz (feeling older!)
Callum (11) wishing he'd been adopted
Connor (11) Now grateful he hasn't got an army commando style mother!
Wednesday 11th April
Up at the crack of dawn again 'cos you just can't deny that Disney feeling! and we got 2 hours EMH as onsite guests (I had been a bit worried about Connor but he was right as rain in the morning) after a real quick shower and dress we caught the bus to the park (Its actually almost as long a walk from the bus drop off to the park entrance as what it is through the hotel grounds and if you stay at the New York hotel its a lot quicker to walk!)
any hoos we get into the park at 08:00
and head for fantasyland, obviously the kids aren't keen on the 'baby' rides but I explained patiently (or not as the case may be!) that Walt designed the parks with kids of all ages in mind and that the 'baby' rides are often the ones that are more detailed and really capture the imagination of Disney. we Join the small Florida style line for Peter Pan then Pinocchio (another one they're missing in WDW!) we actually get to do the teacups (more puke making than Everest in my opinion but usually so long-queued its never worth it) this was actually really goods fun and probably better done on an empty stomach.
after the teacups we fly Dumbo and then go to La Belle Notte for our fantasyland breakfast.
I do feel WDW misses out on not giving on site guests complimentary breakfast and I do like the continental offerings at DLRP, we feast heartily on cereals, breads, pain au chocolate and pumpernickel with choccie spread.
After breakfast we introduced Connor to the scariest ride ever invented, the one trip he would never forget, the thrill ride to end all thrill rides, the memory inducing, spine tingling, hair raising 'Its a Small World' yes, folks, the one song that will stay with you til your grave! and I'm pleased to say it worked, I caught Connor humming it on several occassions after.
The boys went for a mad run around Alices curious labyrinth
and burnt off some more energy then we headed back to Discoveryland. Now any one of you who bothered to read yesterdays report (and why should you? you all have far more important things to do than listen to my ramblings, but humour me, when I die you'll be able to say 'that girl will be sorely missed'
) you may remember I made a promise to Connor that I would live to regret, yes, we fast passed Space Mountain: Mission 2. a return time for 12:30 ish I think. we queued for Buzz again, the park was well and truly open by this time so it was another lengthy queue but hey, ho, I needed to muster my strength and settle my pumpernickel! we also managed to do the orbitron too which, like tea cups and Dumbo is a cute ride if the lines aren't too lengthy.
Unfortunately the time came round all too quickly and we shuffled from Buzz (heads held in shame at a further whipping from mister Connor!) and joined the fastpass queue for SM. Callum had wisely decided to wait outside but Mum surprised me by saying she'd do it too. the line moved quickly which was a shame cos if it had been a ride I'd wanted to do like BTM it would have crawled. Along the way I read some of those notices, you know, the usual ones about not to ride if you have back and neck problems etc when I noticed 'Please be aware this ride has some 360 degree inversions' OMG!
no one told me there were loops! and also whats this 's' on the end of inversion???? you mean more than one??? We gingerly got into seats and clamped that head brace down hard, I checked behind to see if Connor was ok and he was ghost white - the same as I felt. at least though you always know a ride ain't gonna last forever so with enough time to grit my teeth away to nothingness I clung onto my brace real hard and squealed like a piggy with its throat being cut all the way round.
We emerged into the sunlight like three of the magnificent seven, heads sore from all the banging and bumping and legs like jelly, eyes unadjusted to the light we blinked and wobbled our way to where Callum was waiting. He took one look at our ashen faces and said 'I'm glad I didn't do it'
Needing a bit of a rest we walked over to the Studios, it was much quieter thankfully but that's mainly due to the fact that theres not a lot there!
We stopped in the main food court for pizza and fries and it was much better than the fast food we'd had the day before.
The Animagique show was just about to start so that was nice and restful, its a gentle show featuring several characters dancing to some of the more popular tunes like 'Bear Necessities' We left there suitably rehabilitated and wandered into Cinemagique, a film show featuring styles of films through the ages, if you ever go to DLRP DO THIS SHOW! its undoubtedly the BEST thing on DLRP property - they NEED this at WDW, if you like philharmagic and soarin'(and who doesn't?) I guarantee you'll love it, (its actually nothing like either of those things but that's the best example I can think of of pure cinema illusion/trickery/magic) anyway I won't spoil it by informing the uninformed but GET THERE!!
Leaving the show it was now 3 o' clock so I told the boys to skedaddle over to Lights Moteurs, action, (a show I dislike being a girlie girl and all but Callum loved it and I knew Connor would, also judging by the queues for the backlot tour it was likely to be packed).
They were one of the first in the doors and Mum and I found a nice seat in a hot suntrap spot and curled up like cats to have a nap.
We were just outside Rock 'n' Roller Coaster so I ran across to get a fastpass for Connor, not knowing if he'd be interested after his mega ride on Space Mountain this morning, I knew I wasn't up to any more loops in this life (or indeed the next) but I thought he may want to.
A half hour power nap later (I think me and Margaret Thatcher were seperated at birth!) and the boys emerged laughing and chatting. I explained to Connor that he could do RnRC and that I'd wait outside for him but that I wasn't up to it. He declined the offer as his head was still a bit sore from SM so we headed to Armegeddon. While we were waiting the front doors opened and everyone crowded their way into the first room (all pushing and shoving at DLRP, no niceties or 'after you's'!) then the announcer said they weren't actually ready so could we all turn around and step back out into the fore court, of course people don't like to go all the way back out again as they obviously think more people will come out than went in in the first place so of course we were all squashed into the doorways which is fine when you can punch your weight like me but I wouldn't want a delicate little flower child stuck in there.
This was quite good fun if a little short but was certainly superior to 'Sounds Dangerous'.
It was nearing 5 o'clock now so we slowly walked our way back over to MK and let the boys wander in and out of the shops along Main Street to pass the time until our 6pm dinner at Plaza Gardens. We were starving and I was looking forward to our buffet dinner and hoping it was going to be on a par with, say Hollywood and Vine.
I made sure the girl on the podium was aware we had the pre paid voucher which was just as well otherwise they might have put us in a nice area of the restaurant rather than in a conservatory bit with wonky tables and lots of screaming little children. At least they had spag bol, chips, chicken nuggets, a beef stew thing, some fish and chicken dishes so the boys could choose something better than regurgitated baby food.
The food was ok but again we were only 'entitled' to one drink per person with the voucher so when we asked the waiter for another we had to patiently explain that, yes, we actually could afford to buy another drink, I mean the whole holiday cost around £900 so why would they think we can't afford a couple of euros for an extra sprite? The waiter obviously didn't trust us not to leg it without paying our extra drinks bill and hovered over us throughout the whole meal ready to grab the money the second I opened my purse. we played a game of deliberately waiting until he had to see another table then we'd all leave our table and take our bags etc to the buffet, to get some more food but really to watch him run panicking through the restaurant at the thought that we have absconded with ten euros worth of drink.
ah, well, As a fully Qualified 'Disney Stars' Agent I'm going to call them and complain loudly just to provoke a reaction.
ok, so now its getting a bit later and frontierland was calling. we rode BTM again, cos you just gotta!
then Pirates was actually a walk on so we did that twice (I really liked the look of the restaurant in there and should have paid a bit more for the 'half board plus' option to eat there but in retrospect they'd probably have just thrown us to the animatronic crocs. We did Pirates a couple of times then went back again for BTM and Haunted mansion as it was now dark.
Another BTM and we were ready to beat the worst of the crowds out of the park. The castle looked really pretty all lit up for the 15th birthday celebrations but what we saw of the parades was nowhere near up to FL standards. Also the lack of fireworks is a big deal to me, I always feel that you end any day in WDW with that feeling that if you'd never ridden a ride or met a character the entrance fee would be worth it alone for the parades and fireworks.
we trudged with weary feet back to the hotel where I encountered my favourite travelling companion Mr Baileys Irish-Cream and took him seductively to beddy byes. Connor was all smiles tonight which was a weight off my mind and we recounted the day over and over again until the boys drifted off to sleep.
Pros and Cons today:
Half Board Plan: again, rather felt like a second class citizen again when all we were trying to do was plan a bit better.As a travel agent I will not be recommending it to the hundreds of people I send to DLRP each year. Again surly, rude staff do not a happy holiday make.
Cinemagique: by far and away the best thing on DLRP property, absolutely brilliant.
EMH: definately worth it here, we have used it in WDW and enjoyed it but its a necessity for DLRP, Easter is mega crowded anyway and this just about makes it bareable.
Commando Planning: has to be done, poor Connor was aghast at the thought that this was how Callum spends his holiday (you could see a look of respect in his eyes ) until I explained that DLRP is MUCH harder work than WDW as theres no other parks to get to, no feeling of, 'we can come back again tomorrow' and no real chance to use the hotel pools which was a shame but if we'd left the park we'd never have had the strength to go back. We didn't get the chance to explore the Village either and it was a good job I hadn't booked Buffalo Bills as that would have been a waste of ride time.
starring, (drum roll please....)
Me! Carol (now 36 and getting younger)
Mummy Liz (feeling older!)
Callum (11) wishing he'd been adopted
Connor (11) Now grateful he hasn't got an army commando style mother!
Wednesday 11th April
Up at the crack of dawn again 'cos you just can't deny that Disney feeling! and we got 2 hours EMH as onsite guests (I had been a bit worried about Connor but he was right as rain in the morning) after a real quick shower and dress we caught the bus to the park (Its actually almost as long a walk from the bus drop off to the park entrance as what it is through the hotel grounds and if you stay at the New York hotel its a lot quicker to walk!)
any hoos we get into the park at 08:00
and head for fantasyland, obviously the kids aren't keen on the 'baby' rides but I explained patiently (or not as the case may be!) that Walt designed the parks with kids of all ages in mind and that the 'baby' rides are often the ones that are more detailed and really capture the imagination of Disney. we Join the small Florida style line for Peter Pan then Pinocchio (another one they're missing in WDW!) we actually get to do the teacups (more puke making than Everest in my opinion but usually so long-queued its never worth it) this was actually really goods fun and probably better done on an empty stomach.
after the teacups we fly Dumbo and then go to La Belle Notte for our fantasyland breakfast.
I do feel WDW misses out on not giving on site guests complimentary breakfast and I do like the continental offerings at DLRP, we feast heartily on cereals, breads, pain au chocolate and pumpernickel with choccie spread.
After breakfast we introduced Connor to the scariest ride ever invented, the one trip he would never forget, the thrill ride to end all thrill rides, the memory inducing, spine tingling, hair raising 'Its a Small World' yes, folks, the one song that will stay with you til your grave! and I'm pleased to say it worked, I caught Connor humming it on several occassions after.
The boys went for a mad run around Alices curious labyrinth
and burnt off some more energy then we headed back to Discoveryland. Now any one of you who bothered to read yesterdays report (and why should you? you all have far more important things to do than listen to my ramblings, but humour me, when I die you'll be able to say 'that girl will be sorely missed'
) you may remember I made a promise to Connor that I would live to regret, yes, we fast passed Space Mountain: Mission 2. a return time for 12:30 ish I think. we queued for Buzz again, the park was well and truly open by this time so it was another lengthy queue but hey, ho, I needed to muster my strength and settle my pumpernickel! we also managed to do the orbitron too which, like tea cups and Dumbo is a cute ride if the lines aren't too lengthy.Unfortunately the time came round all too quickly and we shuffled from Buzz (heads held in shame at a further whipping from mister Connor!) and joined the fastpass queue for SM. Callum had wisely decided to wait outside but Mum surprised me by saying she'd do it too. the line moved quickly which was a shame cos if it had been a ride I'd wanted to do like BTM it would have crawled. Along the way I read some of those notices, you know, the usual ones about not to ride if you have back and neck problems etc when I noticed 'Please be aware this ride has some 360 degree inversions' OMG!
no one told me there were loops! and also whats this 's' on the end of inversion???? you mean more than one??? We gingerly got into seats and clamped that head brace down hard, I checked behind to see if Connor was ok and he was ghost white - the same as I felt. at least though you always know a ride ain't gonna last forever so with enough time to grit my teeth away to nothingness I clung onto my brace real hard and squealed like a piggy with its throat being cut all the way round. We emerged into the sunlight like three of the magnificent seven, heads sore from all the banging and bumping and legs like jelly, eyes unadjusted to the light we blinked and wobbled our way to where Callum was waiting. He took one look at our ashen faces and said 'I'm glad I didn't do it'
Needing a bit of a rest we walked over to the Studios, it was much quieter thankfully but that's mainly due to the fact that theres not a lot there!
We stopped in the main food court for pizza and fries and it was much better than the fast food we'd had the day before.
The Animagique show was just about to start so that was nice and restful, its a gentle show featuring several characters dancing to some of the more popular tunes like 'Bear Necessities' We left there suitably rehabilitated and wandered into Cinemagique, a film show featuring styles of films through the ages, if you ever go to DLRP DO THIS SHOW! its undoubtedly the BEST thing on DLRP property - they NEED this at WDW, if you like philharmagic and soarin'(and who doesn't?) I guarantee you'll love it, (its actually nothing like either of those things but that's the best example I can think of of pure cinema illusion/trickery/magic) anyway I won't spoil it by informing the uninformed but GET THERE!!
Leaving the show it was now 3 o' clock so I told the boys to skedaddle over to Lights Moteurs, action, (a show I dislike being a girlie girl and all but Callum loved it and I knew Connor would, also judging by the queues for the backlot tour it was likely to be packed).
They were one of the first in the doors and Mum and I found a nice seat in a hot suntrap spot and curled up like cats to have a nap.
We were just outside Rock 'n' Roller Coaster so I ran across to get a fastpass for Connor, not knowing if he'd be interested after his mega ride on Space Mountain this morning, I knew I wasn't up to any more loops in this life (or indeed the next) but I thought he may want to.
A half hour power nap later (I think me and Margaret Thatcher were seperated at birth!) and the boys emerged laughing and chatting. I explained to Connor that he could do RnRC and that I'd wait outside for him but that I wasn't up to it. He declined the offer as his head was still a bit sore from SM so we headed to Armegeddon. While we were waiting the front doors opened and everyone crowded their way into the first room (all pushing and shoving at DLRP, no niceties or 'after you's'!) then the announcer said they weren't actually ready so could we all turn around and step back out into the fore court, of course people don't like to go all the way back out again as they obviously think more people will come out than went in in the first place so of course we were all squashed into the doorways which is fine when you can punch your weight like me but I wouldn't want a delicate little flower child stuck in there.
This was quite good fun if a little short but was certainly superior to 'Sounds Dangerous'.
It was nearing 5 o'clock now so we slowly walked our way back over to MK and let the boys wander in and out of the shops along Main Street to pass the time until our 6pm dinner at Plaza Gardens. We were starving and I was looking forward to our buffet dinner and hoping it was going to be on a par with, say Hollywood and Vine.
I made sure the girl on the podium was aware we had the pre paid voucher which was just as well otherwise they might have put us in a nice area of the restaurant rather than in a conservatory bit with wonky tables and lots of screaming little children. At least they had spag bol, chips, chicken nuggets, a beef stew thing, some fish and chicken dishes so the boys could choose something better than regurgitated baby food.
The food was ok but again we were only 'entitled' to one drink per person with the voucher so when we asked the waiter for another we had to patiently explain that, yes, we actually could afford to buy another drink, I mean the whole holiday cost around £900 so why would they think we can't afford a couple of euros for an extra sprite? The waiter obviously didn't trust us not to leg it without paying our extra drinks bill and hovered over us throughout the whole meal ready to grab the money the second I opened my purse. we played a game of deliberately waiting until he had to see another table then we'd all leave our table and take our bags etc to the buffet, to get some more food but really to watch him run panicking through the restaurant at the thought that we have absconded with ten euros worth of drink.
ah, well, As a fully Qualified 'Disney Stars' Agent I'm going to call them and complain loudly just to provoke a reaction.
ok, so now its getting a bit later and frontierland was calling. we rode BTM again, cos you just gotta!
then Pirates was actually a walk on so we did that twice (I really liked the look of the restaurant in there and should have paid a bit more for the 'half board plus' option to eat there but in retrospect they'd probably have just thrown us to the animatronic crocs. We did Pirates a couple of times then went back again for BTM and Haunted mansion as it was now dark.
Another BTM and we were ready to beat the worst of the crowds out of the park. The castle looked really pretty all lit up for the 15th birthday celebrations but what we saw of the parades was nowhere near up to FL standards. Also the lack of fireworks is a big deal to me, I always feel that you end any day in WDW with that feeling that if you'd never ridden a ride or met a character the entrance fee would be worth it alone for the parades and fireworks.
we trudged with weary feet back to the hotel where I encountered my favourite travelling companion Mr Baileys Irish-Cream and took him seductively to beddy byes. Connor was all smiles tonight which was a weight off my mind and we recounted the day over and over again until the boys drifted off to sleep.
Pros and Cons today:
Half Board Plan: again, rather felt like a second class citizen again when all we were trying to do was plan a bit better.As a travel agent I will not be recommending it to the hundreds of people I send to DLRP each year. Again surly, rude staff do not a happy holiday make.
Cinemagique: by far and away the best thing on DLRP property, absolutely brilliant.
EMH: definately worth it here, we have used it in WDW and enjoyed it but its a necessity for DLRP, Easter is mega crowded anyway and this just about makes it bareable.
Commando Planning: has to be done, poor Connor was aghast at the thought that this was how Callum spends his holiday (you could see a look of respect in his eyes
) until I explained that DLRP is MUCH harder work than WDW as theres no other parks to get to, no feeling of, 'we can come back again tomorrow' and no real chance to use the hotel pools which was a shame but if we'd left the park we'd never have had the strength to go back. We didn't get the chance to explore the Village either and it was a good job I hadn't booked Buffalo Bills as that would have been a waste of ride time.
