Mike Jones
<font color=993300>....nothing clever to say... ju
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,372
DAY 2 TUESDAY 29TH MAY 2007
Weather: Sunny periods, cloudy at times and a bit cool.
We sleep like logs! The long day travelling after a silly early start, followed by a bottle of plonk and a good bed in a silent forest keeps us comatose until my alarm wakes us around 7.00am. Adam hears us moving around, preparing coffee (weve brought our own supplies, as we both hate the instant muck we expect to get here) and joins us. We leave Beth asleep until just before 730 when we poke her aggressively before retreating from the muttering and flailing arms. The three able-bodied Joness walk the short distance to the loop supply hut for our (inclusive) breakfast.
I practice my rusty O-level French on the Cast Member on duty, (pas de café) and we head back clutching our prize. On closer inspection back at the cabin, we find two croissants each, a full stick of fresh bread, orange juice, Nesquick Chocolate (well, theoretically) drink, jams, Nuttella spread and a carton of milk. Beth is now asleep on the living room sofa,(its obviously an exhausting job, dragging yourself 8 feet from the bedroom) but she responds to the threats that her greedy dad will eat her share and joins us, if groggily, at the table.
Its fine, and we are soon tidying up the crumbs. I wash up (hardly worth killing the planet by using the dishwasher for 4 plates and a couple of mugs!) while the rest prepare for a swim.
(Bit of background here: our DD Beth doesnt do water/swimming, and has only been persuaded to accompany us in the pursuit this vacation by bribing her with a new and not inexpensive swimsuit! It remains to be seen how long she lasts! Oh, and she can swim, she just thinks splashing about is childish and, I suspect, means she has to spend more time sorting her hair afterwards!)
We arrive at the pool just after 8am. We havent brought towels, believing that they can be hired for a couple of Euros. Because we are so early, the CM doesnt have her cash register set up, so we get them for free.
The changing areas are communal, with free lockers (what, I hear you exclaim, something free at Disney? Yep!) We are already costumed up under our clothes and are soon entering the pool area. There are a few open showers, but only a couple of private cubicles, so we may struggle to do our full toilet after the swim if they are busy.
The rest of the provision is excellent a large, irregular shaped swimming pool, with a bridge across, a small, forced-current river, a decent waterslide and three, linked spa tubs in a cave-like setting. There are very few other people in the building and we make free use of the slide (well, three of us do!) before lazing in the spa. Adam plays happily in the pool and river, but Beth has a face on and sits in a corner of the hot tubs.
We manage about 45 minutes before getting bored and eager for the parks. The showers are free, so we all use them and dress before heading back to the cabin just after 9.00am to tidy up and let the girls do strange things to their hair with hot irons. I receive a phone call from one of my co-directors checking if Im attending the regular, Tuesday morning meeting (as its first day back after a Bank Holiday and he has better things to do). I explain that I could be a bit late, as Im in a French forest and anyway, you numpty, I told you last week that I was away!
We set off for the parks at 10.00am, and park in Row A7. The walkways are STILL stationary perhaps theyre broken?
Its sunny on and off and pleasant this morning, if a little cool. Our plan today was to dedicate the first session to the main, Disneyland park, but as we had a taster last night, were keen to see the Studios and head that way.
After another meaningless, security check, we approach the entrance area where mildly chaotic scenes surround several characters signing autographs. Im so pleased that we dont have to endure this any more.
We enter through Studio 1, a mock, indoor film set convincingly portraying a street with a variety of colourful, 50s American store fronts.
This area is supposed to be one of the parks entertainment zones or lands, but it is little more than a thinly disguised shopping and café opportunity. However, I suppose such places are required in a modern Theme Park but we press on through to the rides and shows beyond. We turn left and head towards the Backlot area, pausing to view the imposing (and almost complete) Tower of Terror construction site.
Armageddon Les Effects Speciaux is to the side, close to our first port of call, Rock n Roller Coaster (avec Aerosmith).
Adam minds the bags as Beth, Amanda and self enter the ride. Its 10:40 now and there is a 5-minute wait time posted. We effectively walk straight on to the ride passing the empty pre show area.
We have ridden the original, Florida version many times, and the layout of the queuing, pre-show and garage/launch areas are apparently identical, but the theming is quite different, being more contemporary- industrial than the MGM version, with cleaner lines and brighter illumination.
We notice and remark that significant maintenance and repair is being undertaken within the attraction, something weve never witnessed in America where presumably such things are carried out overnight?
The ride itself does not disappoint. For those yet to experience its charms, its a conventional, looping coaster (albeit inside, in the dark!) enhanced by a phenomenal launch! (If you want to actually see the layout of the coaster, try and Google image the Superman ride in Holland, which is an outdoor version with an identical track.)
We exit at 10:50. Beth joins Adam and they wait for Amanda and I to repeat ride. This takes a little longer, as a large group has suddenly arrived at once. This time we see a little of the pre-show. The ride itself is partly let down by the sound track failing to activate in our car its a surprise just how much this affects your perceptions and the whole thing seems slower.
Back outside by 11.15. We try to check the park guide for show info, but realise weve picked up a French language version. Whilst I can decipher most of it well enough, I want an English version for my trippies, so we walk back through Studio 1 to the entrance plaza to find one. There are none available in the dispensers, but Guest Services happily supply one.
It seems from the guide that most of the shows (hence, most of the attractions here) are seasonally affected and there is very little in the early part of the afternoon, presumably to focus the majority of the guests attention on the parade. We decide to do the Moteurs, Action!' show next, before probably leaving the park for lunch (essential, as they have yet to develop much of a choice beyond snacks and fries here). Were not fussed about seeing the parade anyway.
We wander over to the MA theatre at 11.35 for the 12.05 show.
Theres already a large line, but it moves steadily and we are soon seated inside, to the left of centre.
Weather: Sunny periods, cloudy at times and a bit cool.
We sleep like logs! The long day travelling after a silly early start, followed by a bottle of plonk and a good bed in a silent forest keeps us comatose until my alarm wakes us around 7.00am. Adam hears us moving around, preparing coffee (weve brought our own supplies, as we both hate the instant muck we expect to get here) and joins us. We leave Beth asleep until just before 730 when we poke her aggressively before retreating from the muttering and flailing arms. The three able-bodied Joness walk the short distance to the loop supply hut for our (inclusive) breakfast.
I practice my rusty O-level French on the Cast Member on duty, (pas de café) and we head back clutching our prize. On closer inspection back at the cabin, we find two croissants each, a full stick of fresh bread, orange juice, Nesquick Chocolate (well, theoretically) drink, jams, Nuttella spread and a carton of milk. Beth is now asleep on the living room sofa,(its obviously an exhausting job, dragging yourself 8 feet from the bedroom) but she responds to the threats that her greedy dad will eat her share and joins us, if groggily, at the table.
Its fine, and we are soon tidying up the crumbs. I wash up (hardly worth killing the planet by using the dishwasher for 4 plates and a couple of mugs!) while the rest prepare for a swim.
(Bit of background here: our DD Beth doesnt do water/swimming, and has only been persuaded to accompany us in the pursuit this vacation by bribing her with a new and not inexpensive swimsuit! It remains to be seen how long she lasts! Oh, and she can swim, she just thinks splashing about is childish and, I suspect, means she has to spend more time sorting her hair afterwards!)
We arrive at the pool just after 8am. We havent brought towels, believing that they can be hired for a couple of Euros. Because we are so early, the CM doesnt have her cash register set up, so we get them for free.
The changing areas are communal, with free lockers (what, I hear you exclaim, something free at Disney? Yep!) We are already costumed up under our clothes and are soon entering the pool area. There are a few open showers, but only a couple of private cubicles, so we may struggle to do our full toilet after the swim if they are busy.
The rest of the provision is excellent a large, irregular shaped swimming pool, with a bridge across, a small, forced-current river, a decent waterslide and three, linked spa tubs in a cave-like setting. There are very few other people in the building and we make free use of the slide (well, three of us do!) before lazing in the spa. Adam plays happily in the pool and river, but Beth has a face on and sits in a corner of the hot tubs.
We manage about 45 minutes before getting bored and eager for the parks. The showers are free, so we all use them and dress before heading back to the cabin just after 9.00am to tidy up and let the girls do strange things to their hair with hot irons. I receive a phone call from one of my co-directors checking if Im attending the regular, Tuesday morning meeting (as its first day back after a Bank Holiday and he has better things to do). I explain that I could be a bit late, as Im in a French forest and anyway, you numpty, I told you last week that I was away!
We set off for the parks at 10.00am, and park in Row A7. The walkways are STILL stationary perhaps theyre broken?
Its sunny on and off and pleasant this morning, if a little cool. Our plan today was to dedicate the first session to the main, Disneyland park, but as we had a taster last night, were keen to see the Studios and head that way.
After another meaningless, security check, we approach the entrance area where mildly chaotic scenes surround several characters signing autographs. Im so pleased that we dont have to endure this any more.
We enter through Studio 1, a mock, indoor film set convincingly portraying a street with a variety of colourful, 50s American store fronts.
This area is supposed to be one of the parks entertainment zones or lands, but it is little more than a thinly disguised shopping and café opportunity. However, I suppose such places are required in a modern Theme Park but we press on through to the rides and shows beyond. We turn left and head towards the Backlot area, pausing to view the imposing (and almost complete) Tower of Terror construction site.
Armageddon Les Effects Speciaux is to the side, close to our first port of call, Rock n Roller Coaster (avec Aerosmith).
Adam minds the bags as Beth, Amanda and self enter the ride. Its 10:40 now and there is a 5-minute wait time posted. We effectively walk straight on to the ride passing the empty pre show area.
We have ridden the original, Florida version many times, and the layout of the queuing, pre-show and garage/launch areas are apparently identical, but the theming is quite different, being more contemporary- industrial than the MGM version, with cleaner lines and brighter illumination.
We notice and remark that significant maintenance and repair is being undertaken within the attraction, something weve never witnessed in America where presumably such things are carried out overnight?
The ride itself does not disappoint. For those yet to experience its charms, its a conventional, looping coaster (albeit inside, in the dark!) enhanced by a phenomenal launch! (If you want to actually see the layout of the coaster, try and Google image the Superman ride in Holland, which is an outdoor version with an identical track.)
We exit at 10:50. Beth joins Adam and they wait for Amanda and I to repeat ride. This takes a little longer, as a large group has suddenly arrived at once. This time we see a little of the pre-show. The ride itself is partly let down by the sound track failing to activate in our car its a surprise just how much this affects your perceptions and the whole thing seems slower.
Back outside by 11.15. We try to check the park guide for show info, but realise weve picked up a French language version. Whilst I can decipher most of it well enough, I want an English version for my trippies, so we walk back through Studio 1 to the entrance plaza to find one. There are none available in the dispensers, but Guest Services happily supply one.
It seems from the guide that most of the shows (hence, most of the attractions here) are seasonally affected and there is very little in the early part of the afternoon, presumably to focus the majority of the guests attention on the parade. We decide to do the Moteurs, Action!' show next, before probably leaving the park for lunch (essential, as they have yet to develop much of a choice beyond snacks and fries here). Were not fussed about seeing the parade anyway.
We wander over to the MA theatre at 11.35 for the 12.05 show.
Theres already a large line, but it moves steadily and we are soon seated inside, to the left of centre.
)
