Croissants, Characters & Culture - Paris & Disney 2007 - Intro & Day 1

[Mike Jones]

Introduction

Cast:
Mike, dad, 42
Amanda, DW & step-mum, 34
Beth, DD, 14.5
Adam, DS, 13

We had been racking our brains for a while, trying to decide where we could take the kids for a ‘proper’ holiday (we only went camping with them last year, and it was clear that our tent days have pretty much finished!). Under consideration were Florida (the kids have been with me 5 times since 2001, last time early 2005, before I met Amanda), Centre Parcs (both here and on the Continent), Disneyland Resort Paris, and typical ‘beach’ holidays.

We dismissed Florida on the grounds of expense, in the almost certain knowledge that our increasingly different teen kids would be struggling to fit into a family agenda for a fortnight, and a week would put too much pressure on them in readjusting to UK time. Centre Parcs was high on the list for a while, but eventually crossed off as we admitted that DD would be bored to tears (and spoil things for the rest of us). Beth doesn’t ‘do’ outdoor activities, doesn’t like walking, and regarding the last alternative above, hates beaches!

When we did the sums we realised that DLRP would be at least as affordable as Centre Parcs anyway. There would be familiar ground for the kids (and us) with the Disney factor, and we’d be able to escape to Paris for a day or two to get a fix for Amanda and I (see our previous trippies).

So into planning mode! End of May half term looked ideal, as we won’t take the kids out of school any more for holidays, and we didn’t fancy fighting summer crowds. The first objective was to decide on accommodation. We liked the idea of being on-site, but didn’t want to share a room with the kids (or they a bed with each other!), so the main hotels were out. Camp Davy Crockett seemed to tick all the boxes, with a 2 bedroomed cabin being available. However, this did mean we’d have to drive or hire a car there, as there is no park transport laid on and the resort is about 5 miles from the Disney area.

Car hire prices on top of airfare were prohibitive, and as we had a brand new car and company fuel at our disposal, we elected to drive. We booked the accommodation, including length of stay park tickets, through the Disneyland website. Five nights were thought to be enough for us, allowing 3-4 park days and 1 or 2 free for Paris or other distractions. Simon V’s DLRP guide, and the Rough Guide to Paris were swiftly obtained from Amazon and I started posing daft questions on the various bulletin boards we subscribe to. The Channel Tunnel train seemed the best way over (under!) the water, and we also booked this online via Eurotunnel’s main site.

We booked tactically to travel down on Bank Holiday Monday, and return on the following Saturday, as we thought that the absence of normal rush hour traffic would be an advantage. (It was).

One final point: I know that DLRP has many, ardent fans, as does WDW in Florida. I’ve seen many threads and posts over the years making direct (sometimes unfavourable) comparisons between the two, and I was initially determined not to do so in this report. However, I soon realised that WDW was such a strong reference point for us after all our visits there (me 7, kids 5 and Amanda 1) that comparisons were unavoidable if I wanted to describe our visit accurately. Well, as my main motivation for doing trippies is first and foremost to record and relive our trips for our own, future enjoyment, I have decided that I will report everything we felt and observed along the way, including comparisons with Florida WDW.

So… on with the saga!

Day 1 – Monday 28th May 2007 – The Journey

Weather: Cool, grey but dry for the first few hours, rain after Birmingham. Damp/cool in Paris, with showers.

I am generally a very sound sleeper, but I admit to being like a kid on Christmas Eve before every holiday, so Amanda and I visited our local for a couple of sleeping drafts last night! It seemed to work, as I slept from 9pm until 3am when my alarm roused us.

(Explanation: Both Amanda and I are early risers by habit and desire, usually up and out with the dog at 5am most days. (Our mutt, Ruby, was taken to her usual dog-sitters yesterday). We are also normally the first people in the lines at airport check-in, theme park entrance etc (– I am always baffled when someone misses their flight, either because they set off late to the airport, or, worse, were off wandering around duty-free and ‘forgot’ to check the boards! What the heck is in between their ears??? ) – so, as we need to be in Folkestone for 1030 ish, and it’s a 4 - 5 hour drive maximum, of course we want to set off at 04:30am! Working backwards from this time, and allowing for the slowest member of the team to shower, do hair, make-up, eat etc (Beth!) it means we have to get up at 3:00am. )

The routine flows smoothly enough, and we are on the road at 04:35. We share the driving, an hour-and-a-half each, with a couple of pee-stops, and the empty roads means we have a trouble-free journey to the Channel Tunnel (– and may I just add, I will never, ever leave home without Sat Nav ever again! It’s great!), arriving at 9am.

Another reason for considering the ‘Chunnel’ is the flexibility it offers you regarding early (or late!) arrival… as long as you are within a couple of hours either side of your dedicated slot, they will try to offer you space on the next available train. Check in is easy-peasy, by putting your credit card into a drive-past machine. We are offered 9:50, and head off to the terminal building (laid out just like a small airport or modern train hub) for a quick toilet stop. We are called to board at 9:25, pass through a basic UK passport and security check (comprises of wiping the doors and steering wheel of our vehicle to see if there had were any traces of explosives, but no boot or luggage check), and then a very Gallic passport check on the French side – a bored –looking officer just waves us through with an off-hand gesture, not even bothering to look at us, let alone the passports!

We line up for few minutes in a lane of similar vehicles and are then allowed to board the massive, industrial-looking train carriage. This process takes only a few minutes and we are underway at 9:50, arriving back in daylight on the French side at 10:25. The exit process is pretty swift, and by 11:45 (we’re now on French time) we are driving away from the port. As I don’t have the address for the Ranch, we set DLRP as our destination on the Sat Nav and head off east towards Paris.

The drive is stress-free, partly due to the peace of mind provided by the sat nav, and also because I am comfortable in my own, familiar vehicle. I must admit to having had some slight reservations about driving a UK, RHD car on Continental roads, but I find that I am confident and capable (well, as I ever am!), perhaps even more so than in the USA, where I have driven thousands of miles over the last 6 years. Amanda is equally happy as she takes her turns. We stop fairly often, admiring of the French ‘mini-services’ or ‘aires’ (rest areas), which seem to exist every few kilometres.

The weather is grey, cool, with occasional showers, although mostly dry by the time we reach the junction before DLRP, which is signed for the Davy Crockett Ranch. It’s just on 3pm, the time that the cabins can be occupied, so there’s a fair line at the reception building. We leave the kids in the car and join the queue.

The inside of the building is attractively themed in traditional, log cabin style. All the receptions places are being attended, and we move steadily to the front. Check in is painless and efficient, and we head off to our cabin in loop H (number 187) at 3.35pm.

The approach to the cabin is through attractive, fairly dense woodland, with the odd wig-wam here and there for a bit of ‘colour’. It’s a surprisingly long way from the reception building, around a mile or so. There are several ‘loops’ on the site; ours seems to be one of the longer ones, and, as they are one-way, we’re virtually back at the main access road before we find ours. We pull up just as a service team are leaving, and I notice there is a linen/cleaning store on the corner of the building, accessed from outside.

First impressions are favourable. I presumed that the cabins would be little more than dressed–up static caravans, but they seem to be of a more substantial quality altogether. There’s a decent parking strip in front (which some campers have squeezed two cars onto), a heavy weight picnic bench and a permanent barbeque grill. As the cabins are all angled away from the road, they don’t seem to overlook each other much, and are nicely screened by the surrounding trees and bushes.

We enter the unit and wander around. This is one of the more recently built, two bedroomed cabins, with a good-sized, central living area and kitchen (including microwave, full-size fridge, dishwasher, and, glory be, a coffee maker!). The bedrooms are at opposite ends of the structure, ensuring some privacy and peace for both sets of occupants. Our bedroom has a firm, double bed, good wardrobe provision and a safe.

The kids’ room has bunk beds and adequate wardrobe space. And the rear of the external, linen store, although there is no handle to open it internally. (Jumping ahead a few days, my inquisitive son discovers that the top of one of the captive clothes’ hangers can be used to open this cupboard, from both outside and in. A flat bladed screwdriver would work too! So, if you think your cabin is secure because you’ve locked the door and shuttered the windows, think again! Anyone could wander up and in without any force or effort!)

It exceeds our expectations (although at the price, away from the parks, I’d be looking for 4-5 star hotel standard, so I don’t know why I’m surprised) and we cart our gear in from the car and (to the accompaniment of the kids’ grumbles – I think they were intending to live out of their cases, the lazy sods!), we unpack. We’ve brought our own Starbucks mugs, coffee and filters, and a couple of sharp knives – as expected, the ones provided wouldn’t cut warm butter!

The welcome info pack included a voucher for a ‘free’ kitchen cleaning kit, which, oddly, you have to collect from the ‘Village’ store – ah, the fog lifts - they are making sure everyone visits the store before legging it to the parks! Ah well, we want to see what’s there anyway, so we climb back in the car and set off.

Well, I wouldn’t want to walk it in the rain with grouchy kids, late at night – it’s about ¾ mile to the car park, which appears quite small (although currently empty, as I guess everyone’s at the Parks).

‘Village’ may be overdoing it a bit, but it’s a pleasant cluster of similarly-themed, wooden buildings, including the Store, a petting farm/stables, attractive bar, restaurant, and, a quite superb pool complex!

We have a brief wander inside, and then check out the store.

It’s a good-sized outlet with the usual Disney souvenirs, plus a decent range of food and beverage supplies, and the prices don’t look too bad. They stock barbeque fuel, wine and most essential items should you wish not to drive to the supermarkets during your holiday. (They also sell some rather tasteful head-gear!)

We collect our free kit – pan scrub, J-cloth, tiny bottle of washing liquid and two dishwasher tabs!

Right, it’s nearly 5pm, let’s go and have a look at the parks. We pop back to our accommodation first to collect some cash, and the follow the sat nav directions to the Disney area. Actually, it’s well signposted, and you’d not easily get lost on the 5 mile, 10 minute journey.

There’s only one of the many booths open at the parking lot entrance, but it’s quiet and we are soon waved through (free parking when you show your Disney guest pass).

 

[Mike Jones]

The huge car lot is less than half full, so we are not too far from the Village, but the stroll takes about ten minutes as the moving walkways are not running. A few spots of rain herald our arrival, against a steady stream of park guests leaving for the day. It’s getting towards 5.30pm now, and we’ve not eaten a proper meal today, so we turn left into the Disney Village in search of food. The first place on our left, just through the gates, Annette’s Diner, has been recommended by various people, and we head over to check the menu.

It looks fine, typical burger-bar stuff with a few twists, and there looks to be a couple of non-meat options for our veggie DD, so we enter.

A sign advises that we should wait to be attended ‘without delay’, but although the place is half empty, we are ignored by several of the staff for about ten minutes…. One couple in front of us give up and leave! Well, at least that reduces the line to nil, so we hang on, and are eventually shown to our table by a friendly lady and given menus.

The theming is retro, 1950’s, American Diner, and feels light and pleasant. It takes a few minutes before a server appears to take our order. (Mike: pint of 1664, chilli & bacon burger, Amanda: beer and Classic Burger, Beth: Lemonade & Greenpeace Burger, Adam: Vanilla Coke & Rock n’ Roll Burger.)

The service is prompt enough, and we are soon tucking in. Outside, meanwhile, it’s pouring with rain, and new arrivals are mostly clad in the usual Disney Ponchos.

The food is fine, and very filling! We pay the 80Euro check and leave at 6.30. The rain has more or less stopped, although the sky stays grey and heavy, as we walk across to the Disneyland Park.

We experience our first (of many) pointless, security, bag checks ( they barely glance at them) and cross through the gardens of the impressive, Disneyland Hotel,

..and through the ‘tunnel’ (extremely slippy tiled floor, due to the rain) into the park proper.

Well…. this feels familiar! Very much (as expected) like the Magic Kingdom, but…. different! In a good way. Main Street looks cheery, with the 15th Birthday posters on every lamp post, and we head off towards the Castle (prettier than Florida… but smaller perhaps?)

There’s an information board at the top, right of Main Street, giving current, waiting times, and curiously, Indiana Jones (et le Temple du Peril) is showing 5 minutes – we thought it was in rehab this week. Well, let’s see… we stroll left, into Adventureland, and, sure enough, the ride’s open for business!

Adam doesn’t ‘do’ coasters, so he sits out. We walk straight onto the ride, and enjoy, although the rain has returned again.

We head onwards to Pirates of the Caribbean, another walk on. This is a favourite in Florida, and everyone reckons the newer, French version is much better. We agree! The waiting areas are beautifully done, and the ride itself fantastic, passing by the Blue Lagoon Restaurant at the start, and, unexpectedly, including a couple of drops! (This bit doesn’t impress Adam, and he refuses to ride again on future days!)

 

[Mike Jones]

It’s 7.30 when we exit, and we carry on through to Fantasyland. We fancy Peter Pan’s Flight, but the wait time is around 20 minutes, a lot of it outside in the rain, so we elect to do the Mad Hatter’s Teacups instead. Twice! Great fun!

The park is open until 9pm today, and the second of two parades is passing as we try to leave, through the Castle (with its beautiful stained glass windows). We want to get across to the left, to Discoveryland, but it seems probable that we’ll be blocked by the crowds watching the floats, so we double back, and pass through the Castle Theatre instead with little problem.

Everyone enjoyed Buzz Lightyear in Florida, so we head over and join the line, indicated as a 15 minute wait. It moves smoothly, however, and within 10 minutes we are on board, Adam and Beth sharing a vehicle in front of Amanda and I.

This is a great attraction! We are racking up modest scores when the ride stops for a minute or two, restarts and then stops again! This gives us the opportunity to improve our scores by repeatedly hitting the same, stationary targets! Final totals: Mike 147,000, Amanda 139,000, Adam 37,000 and Beth 9,000! (I don’t think she’ll get her rating this time!)

Out at 8:15pm, to drier, slightly brighter skies. Amanda and I want to do Space Mountain: Mission 2. Surprisingly, our junior coaster fanatic Beth declines, as she has ridden this last year on a school trip and remembers being banged about quite a lot. We leave the kids outside and enter the ride building. There’s no line to speak of, but the walk through takes several minutes up and down the ramps and tunnels.

Standing at the platform barrier we experience a short wait, as they seem to be taking trains off the track. We board soon after and off we go… there’s a tremendous launch, followed by a superior, dark ride with great effects, but I have to agree with Beth, this is one, bumpy ride! If you are unsure, keep your head back hard on the rest, and brace your arms and feet – you should escape unscathed.

It’s 835 as we rejoin the kids, who both look tired out, so we head off ‘home’. It takes us 25 minutes to walk through the park and down to the car. Annoyingly, the walkways are still stationary, even though the park is now emptying. When DO they use them?

We haven’t been able to programme the sat nav for the Ranch yet, but the signage is prominent and we are at the gates in 10 minutes.

It’s been a long, full day. The kids ring their mum, and are hustled to bed (they must be weary, as they only manage a token grumble!) so that Amanda and I can chill for a while with a glass of red wine we brought with us from home. By 1030 we are falling asleep too, and turn in.

Goodnight!

Mike, Amanda, Beth & Adam

Tomorrow: First full day at the parks.

 

[karenmoloney]

Brilliantly written. Thanks for an enjoyable read & looking forward to the next installment.

 

[quirkygirl]

I adore yor trippies loads of opinion,details and photos.

You are one of the best reviewers on the DIS boards and so.... i'm really looking forward to reading the next installments.

PS looking at those bugers I'm starving

 

[BONITATIME]

Great day I am looking forward to the rest of your trip

 

[Cyrano]

Brilliantly written. Thanks for an enjoyable read & looking forward to the next installment.

Totally agreed

Glad to here that Tunnel check in and process was smooth as Diane is not looking forward to that part of the holiday.

This is also our first visit with my Xmas present - TomTom

Mind you on our previous trip you welcome washing pack was in the cabin, but I can see why they want you to go to trading post

 

[Mike Jones]

PS looking at those bugers I'm starving

.... which bug*ers in particular?

 

[Ware Bears]

Great start ~ I really enjoyed reading it.

Love the photos of Beth and Adam on the tea cups.

 

[A Small World]

Really enjoyed reading this and looking forward to next installment.

 

[quirkygirl]

My spelling can be terrible but rarely in context.

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Brilliant report as per usual Mike! Great detail and fantatstc photos! You could almost be there!
Looking forward to Part 2.

 

[milomummy]

Wow, that was fab to read, can't wait to read the next installment. It's making me soooooooo excited for our trip. I think I will take a little notebook and jot down things in the evening when ds has gone to bed, I intend to make a scrapbook of the whole trip for us, so my 'notes' will be good to add.
As for driving a RHD car in Europe, you kind of get used to it! We've been out in Germany for almost 3 years now, all the while taking advantage of tax free RHD cars and I actually find it harder now to drive on the left when we go 'home' to UK!

 

[Mike Jones]

Thanks for your kind and encouraging remarks. I finished part 2 text this morning but picking, editing and uploading/linking the pics takes me longer than the typing, so bear with us!

M & A

 

[ghasfura]

Great review, awesome piccies , Annettes food looks delicious!!
looking forward to reading more!!

so.. did the ladies buy the pink hats or just use them to pose????

 

[mickeymousepal]

great reviews .........hopefully the weather soon matched up to the fantastic report on day 2 looking forward to reading as you seem to pay a great deal of attention to detail........in a good way

 

[BRobson]

Fantastic report and great photos. Look forward to reading the rest

 

[Mike Jones]

Great review, awesome piccies , Annettes food looks delicious!!
looking forward to reading more!!

so.. did the ladies buy the pink hats or just use them to pose????

.. LOL.. Beth did!

 

[wideeyes]

great stuff

 

[mulan1]

Thanks for sharing, i love the pics on the tea cups, how did you get that effect? or did you just snap as usual?