knitting nancy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2006
- Messages
- 34
Our last day! DS1 was awake at the crack of dawn as usual, despite a midnight bedtime and soon woke up DS2 by wriggling about in bed. I had to try and keep them quiet while DD slept because I didn't want our final day ruined by an overtired and overemotional 5 year old. Got the packing done so that we could head straight out after breakfast. Made it downstairs for about 9 o'clock, stopping in the lobby to meet Pluto. He gave the 3 of them a lick which they all liked. DS2 was particularly pleased to see him though shyly kept his toy Pluto hidden behind his back. Spent another age eating breakfast - knowing that tomorrow they'd be back to Shreddies and Weetabix and I'd be too harassed to make hot chocolate, the boys were determined to eat their fill! Collected our bags and stood and waited outside the lifts for about 15 minutes waiting for one to come along that had room for us to squeeze into and then eventually got fed up of seeing each one full to bursting and struggled down the stairs. Sadly handed over our key, stood in line for the hotel left luggage (couldn't remember what I'd read on here about leaving luggage at the gates of the Park) and joined the crowds at the gates sometime after 11.
First stop was Peter Pan where we got our fastpasses which were already for 3.30 -4.30. Thought about doing Dumbo but it had a long queue and I convinced them that it would only be like the flying carpets which they'd done twice yesterday, so they were happy to make a return visit to the labyrinth instead. DD had a bit of a paddy because she wanted to be leader and the boys kept pushing her out of the way, She was also frightened by the animatronic figures which she hadn't been on Friday, so was definitely showing signs of tiredness. Next it was off to It's a Small World and again we arrived just as the figures were coming out on the clock. There was quite a long queue but at least it moved quickly. We managed to get in the front seats but unfortunately the music broke down half way round which was a shame because it wasn't the same sailing around accompanied by an out of tune French woman sitting behind us.
From there we whizzed over to Frontierland to catch the Mickey's Winter Wonderland Show at the Chapparal Theatre. There were so many people in front of us that I didn't think that we would get a seat, but I hadn't realized quite how enormous the theatre was. We were in the 3rd row with only the disabled seats in front of us - and nobody sat in them. We all really enjoyed it though I think the boys would say that the best bit was when the fake snow down right over them (we seemed to have left quite a bit of it on the Eurostar when we took our coats off that evening!)
DS2 was then offered the choice of PM, BTM or POC. He instantly started crying and saying that he didn't want to do any of them so I made the executive decision that we would go on POC, mainly because I really didn't think any of them would like PM and I was a bit scared about going on BTM myself! The minute we stepped inside the dark of the pirates castle and he realised it was dark the crying intensified and as we walked along the passages my happy halo started slipping and I went from " it's just going to be like It's a Small World but with pirates, and you like pirates don't you. You like watching Treasure Island and dressing up as a pirate" to "for goodness sake stop making such a fuss. Look at all these children that are smaller than you. None of them are crying about it". I suppose it all just seemed to real to him and I must confess that when we arrived by the boats I had to do a bit of a double take. For one moment I really believed that it was night time - until I remembered that actually it was broad daylight outside. Talk about the power of the theming. I don't know whether we're just innocents abroad or have highly developed imagianations! I was very impressed by the ride but think I probably missed a lot of detail as I tried to persuaded DS2 to open his eyes. The photo was funny. It was a lovely one of me in my stripy hat but you couldn't see any of the children because they all had their heads right down in fear! With hindsight I wish I'd bought it to tease them with when they're older.
We returned to Fantasyland for lunch at Pizzeria Bella Notte which was very busy and we had to wait a while for seats. I didn't really feel like the penne which was the only option with our Pluto menu meal voucher, having eaten it twice yesterday, but I also didn't want to pay for something else when the penne was free so stuck with it for one final time. DD and DS1 were still very keen on the Mickey shaped pizzas and also got some Jungle Book stickers with their meals. (DS2 as well as not liking anything that involves being in the dark, also does not like pizza or tomato sauce or bol sauce so it was a good job he ate so many croissants!)
We were back at Peter Pan at 3.30 and after a short queue had our last magical ride. We then hot footed it to take our places for the Disney Parade which we hadn't yet managed to see. we got the last front row places in a corner at the top of the Central Plaza where the Parade turns and goes past the castle stage. It was a perfect spot because we had the castle as the backdrop for the photos. After seeing most of the princesses at the Ball yesterday it was lovely to see them all again and the floats were spectacular. we all said that we didn't think we could ever watch another parade or carnival unless it was a Disney one.
We just had time to visit the Castle, buy a Christmas tree decoration in the shop and see the dragon in his lair. The latter was fast asleep and DD urged DSs to be quiet and not wake him up. DS2, now amazingly full of bravado, instantly started shouting and of course the dragon stirred and DD was terrified. Actually I think DS2 was rather shocked too because he'd assumed it was a model! From there we made our way down Main St towards the exit with very heavy hearts. We popped our heads into the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel which was amazing and I promised that if I won the lottery we'd come back and stay there for DS1s birthday in March! (has't happened yet and it's his birthday in 9 days !)
Bought our final souvenirs in the Disney store in the Village. DD went for a sweet Minnie Mouse cooking apron and, after testing the full range, the Sleeping Beauty musical figure because she liked the music best. I wanted her to have something to do with Cinderella so bought her the little photo holder for her bedroom. DS's still had a bit of money left so went for an art set and a cup and I rather boringly went for Disney pasta and a tin of biscuits - more for the tin than the biscuits because I do a lot of baking and it will be a nice reminder when I put cakes in.
We returned to the hotel to collect our bags and then it was off to the station. The train was in so we took our seats and then had to spend half an hour listening to a girl further up the carriage singing 'we all love going home' at the top of her voice. We were all close to tears at the thought of going home and I very nearly went and said something - but I am not at all confrontational so had to put up with it. Then far too quickly we were back in Ashford and after waking up DSs who had both fallen asleep, you'll be pleased to hear that Travel Bear's trousers were waiting for him at the ticket desk!
We then came down to earth with a huge bump when we discovered that not only was there a bus service home because of engineering works but the only seats on the bus were at the back with 2 smelly men who were swilling beer and talking about life in prison! If only we could have turned straight round and gone back again.
A savings plan is now in operation and we can't wait to return.
First stop was Peter Pan where we got our fastpasses which were already for 3.30 -4.30. Thought about doing Dumbo but it had a long queue and I convinced them that it would only be like the flying carpets which they'd done twice yesterday, so they were happy to make a return visit to the labyrinth instead. DD had a bit of a paddy because she wanted to be leader and the boys kept pushing her out of the way, She was also frightened by the animatronic figures which she hadn't been on Friday, so was definitely showing signs of tiredness. Next it was off to It's a Small World and again we arrived just as the figures were coming out on the clock. There was quite a long queue but at least it moved quickly. We managed to get in the front seats but unfortunately the music broke down half way round which was a shame because it wasn't the same sailing around accompanied by an out of tune French woman sitting behind us.
From there we whizzed over to Frontierland to catch the Mickey's Winter Wonderland Show at the Chapparal Theatre. There were so many people in front of us that I didn't think that we would get a seat, but I hadn't realized quite how enormous the theatre was. We were in the 3rd row with only the disabled seats in front of us - and nobody sat in them. We all really enjoyed it though I think the boys would say that the best bit was when the fake snow down right over them (we seemed to have left quite a bit of it on the Eurostar when we took our coats off that evening!)
DS2 was then offered the choice of PM, BTM or POC. He instantly started crying and saying that he didn't want to do any of them so I made the executive decision that we would go on POC, mainly because I really didn't think any of them would like PM and I was a bit scared about going on BTM myself! The minute we stepped inside the dark of the pirates castle and he realised it was dark the crying intensified and as we walked along the passages my happy halo started slipping and I went from " it's just going to be like It's a Small World but with pirates, and you like pirates don't you. You like watching Treasure Island and dressing up as a pirate" to "for goodness sake stop making such a fuss. Look at all these children that are smaller than you. None of them are crying about it". I suppose it all just seemed to real to him and I must confess that when we arrived by the boats I had to do a bit of a double take. For one moment I really believed that it was night time - until I remembered that actually it was broad daylight outside. Talk about the power of the theming. I don't know whether we're just innocents abroad or have highly developed imagianations! I was very impressed by the ride but think I probably missed a lot of detail as I tried to persuaded DS2 to open his eyes. The photo was funny. It was a lovely one of me in my stripy hat but you couldn't see any of the children because they all had their heads right down in fear! With hindsight I wish I'd bought it to tease them with when they're older.
We returned to Fantasyland for lunch at Pizzeria Bella Notte which was very busy and we had to wait a while for seats. I didn't really feel like the penne which was the only option with our Pluto menu meal voucher, having eaten it twice yesterday, but I also didn't want to pay for something else when the penne was free so stuck with it for one final time. DD and DS1 were still very keen on the Mickey shaped pizzas and also got some Jungle Book stickers with their meals. (DS2 as well as not liking anything that involves being in the dark, also does not like pizza or tomato sauce or bol sauce so it was a good job he ate so many croissants!)
We were back at Peter Pan at 3.30 and after a short queue had our last magical ride. We then hot footed it to take our places for the Disney Parade which we hadn't yet managed to see. we got the last front row places in a corner at the top of the Central Plaza where the Parade turns and goes past the castle stage. It was a perfect spot because we had the castle as the backdrop for the photos. After seeing most of the princesses at the Ball yesterday it was lovely to see them all again and the floats were spectacular. we all said that we didn't think we could ever watch another parade or carnival unless it was a Disney one.
We just had time to visit the Castle, buy a Christmas tree decoration in the shop and see the dragon in his lair. The latter was fast asleep and DD urged DSs to be quiet and not wake him up. DS2, now amazingly full of bravado, instantly started shouting and of course the dragon stirred and DD was terrified. Actually I think DS2 was rather shocked too because he'd assumed it was a model! From there we made our way down Main St towards the exit with very heavy hearts. We popped our heads into the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel which was amazing and I promised that if I won the lottery we'd come back and stay there for DS1s birthday in March! (has't happened yet and it's his birthday in 9 days !)
Bought our final souvenirs in the Disney store in the Village. DD went for a sweet Minnie Mouse cooking apron and, after testing the full range, the Sleeping Beauty musical figure because she liked the music best. I wanted her to have something to do with Cinderella so bought her the little photo holder for her bedroom. DS's still had a bit of money left so went for an art set and a cup and I rather boringly went for Disney pasta and a tin of biscuits - more for the tin than the biscuits because I do a lot of baking and it will be a nice reminder when I put cakes in.
We returned to the hotel to collect our bags and then it was off to the station. The train was in so we took our seats and then had to spend half an hour listening to a girl further up the carriage singing 'we all love going home' at the top of her voice. We were all close to tears at the thought of going home and I very nearly went and said something - but I am not at all confrontational so had to put up with it. Then far too quickly we were back in Ashford and after waking up DSs who had both fallen asleep, you'll be pleased to hear that Travel Bear's trousers were waiting for him at the ticket desk!
We then came down to earth with a huge bump when we discovered that not only was there a bus service home because of engineering works but the only seats on the bus were at the back with 2 smelly men who were swilling beer and talking about life in prison! If only we could have turned straight round and gone back again.
A savings plan is now in operation and we can't wait to return.
Still, you will always have such wonderful memories. 
) reading them (more than once) and have even recommended them to people I knew would appreciate them on another Disney board.
That tune is quite something at the best of times!!!! 
