Mum to Belle
<font color=royalblue>Thinks she may know someone
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2009
- Messages
- 2,842
I would like to apologise for not posting my TR while it was still Christmas, I mean it is actually sunny today! Life got a bit complicated after our trip so it has taken me longer than usual, but I've started now and with another trip in the planning, I will finish!
Day 1 Wednesday 21st November 2012
I was so excited that I just couldnt sleep, so the early start wasnt a problem. We set off about 4.45 for the airport. At the end of the road DH asks if Ive got the passports and the tickets. Helpful. Why cant he ask these questions before we leave? Anyway, I did have them, so it was fine. I didnt have the car park instructions, but how hard could that be? I remembered reading that the barrier would recognise the car and print a ticket, seems easy enough!
About a mile down the road DD asks if I remembered to pack Harry the Hedgehog? (See how I am single-handedly responsible for everyones packing?!)
Harry the Hedgehog is DDs class character who got his holiday form approved to come to DLP with us. Harry comes with a diary to complete with all his adventures, and right now Harry was sitting in the playroom in the little house DD had made for him. While I processed this information, I was struck by inspiration! Determined not to turn around, but equally determined not to have any tears before breakfast I proceeded to act out the scene from Home Alone when the mother realises that Kevin is not there. DD had been watching this (and many other festive films) so I hoped it would help distract her from the fact that I had left him behind! I am pleased to report that it did, but when I suggested that Harry could protect the house from burglars, DD pointed out that he was only a stuffed toy and not a little boy.... Good point, well made.
The rest of the journey was uneventful until we arrived at the airport and I couldnt remember where we had to park the car, there then followed several loud and not entirely useful suggestions from DH, a couple of U turns and a bit of huffing and puffing, but eventually we arrived at the correct car park and the barrier did indeed recognise the car clever eh?!
We parked near the bus stop and moments later the shuttle appeared to whisk us off to the airport. In just a few minutes we were checked in and through security giving us over an hour to kill before our flight. While we were waiting, DH became very animated when he saw a very tall man walking our way. Turns out it was David James (former England and Liverpool goalkeeper) and this in my husbands world is the equivalent to Donald Duck, I resisted the urge to hand him the autograph book, but did take his photo. Mr James was incredibly charming and polite especially when you think it was about 6am by now.
This excitement helped to pass the time and soon we were on the bus to the plane with another family who were clearly also going to the happy place! DD made friends with the little girl and her Grandmother, and they were chatting away about their favourite rides, etc, etc.
Our bags were waiting for us in Orly and so was the lovely John from Ezyshuttle and off we set for HNY. The bags were out of the car and whisked off to the luggage store while I went to check in. DD came running over to tell me that Max was there OMG!!!!! She was after her autograph book which I soon realised was inside her bag, which was inside her Trunki, which was in the luggage store. Those porters are just too efficient! Sadly I have no photographic evidence of Maxie, but she was really happy to have seen him.
Now DD & I had eaten and were desperate to get to the park, DH hadnt and felt the calling of McDonalds. It was raining so we had a very brief conversation and agreed to split up. He suggested meeting at the Carousel, I suggested the Christmas Tree as it was closer and gave us more time. He agreed.
DD & I were making our happy, skippy was to Salon Mickey when I remembered that I needed to book her Princess Makeover in DLH so we made a quick detour. It took slightly longer than planned because look who was in the lobby...
We then knocked on the special door and I was all ready with my park tickets and shareholders card, only for the CM to point out that my card had expired I had only managed to bring the old one!!!! Fortunately the computer said yes and we sat down to enjoy our pastries and hot chocolate before dashing outside to meet DH at the tree.
Phew, he wasnt there yet, probably queuing in McDonalds. After standing by the tree for 5 minutes I decided that we would still be able to see DH if we went and joined the queue to meet Duffy Bear so thats what we did!
Then when DH still wasnt there I decided that we would still be able to see him from the queue to meet Santa Goofy, so we did that too.
Then as it was bloomin cold, I decided that we would definitely be able to see him from inside the shops, so we did that next. I should point out that I called and texted DH but got no reply. They were announcing the Cavalcade so we stayed to watch that next very nice too. I was getting a bit worried by now though so when it had finished we followed it down Main Street and headed through the Castle.
DD decided that it was time for a ride and rides there would be! We were walking into Fantasyland when DD says, Look Mummy, theres Daddy. Yes, of course, he was waiting by the carousel...
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. There may have been some cross words from us both and some very non-Disney threats about putting him on the next plane home but then DD took us both by the hand and said Come on, lets go on a ride and cheer you two up!
We went on Peter Pan and by the time we came off I think DH had decided that there was no point in continuing to say that we had agreed to meet at the carousel because clearly I was right! So we went to Pirates next love it!
Now DH hadnt had his McDonalds because of the queue so we were all getting a bit peckish so we went to Hakuna Matata because I wanted to try the spicy chicken strips and they did not disappoint! The Bongo guys were playing in there which was a nice touch. After a bit DH said he wasnt feeling well and remembered that he hadnt taken his medication that morning so he wanted to go back & get if from the luggage so we decided to see if our room was ready too. It was! And look what was waiting for DD on her bed
She was so excited! We had a lovely room, would you like to see the view?
The luggage arrived and DH started unpacking or rummaging to be more accurate. The rummaging became more and more frantic as it became apparent that DH had not actually packed all of his medication and had managed to leave his epilepsy tablets at home. While he had a panic attack, I tried to remain calm and come up with a solution. DD sat happily watching Disney on the TV while I went to have a chat to the Concierge they are always helpful. They advised that we could either (a) see a doctor or (b) get his prescription faxed through to the hotel and take it to a pharmacy. I called our surgery who dont have the ability to send a fax internationally, so that was Option b out! DH then had an idea, we called my Dad who went to our house and found the tablets. We then called DHs work and asked them if they could courier the meds over. My Dad then took the tablets to DHs work and they called the courier.
There was a question about what to put on the customs label can you send meds in the post abroad??? Got to be worth a try!
Panic over and tablets on their way, I was able to persuade DH not to spend the rest of the day on bed but to get out & have fun. So we wandered through Disney Village to Studios which was really quiet. Now DH wasnt feeling up to rides but he was happy wandering and took lots of photos while DD & I went on Slinky and Cars twice.
DH is particularly proud of this next photo...
While we were wandering we met Jessie and Pluto!
When we started feeling cold & tired we headed back to Disney Village for our dinner reservation at Cafe Mickey.
It would have been rude to pass World of Disney and not have a look around so we had fun exploring but it was ever so warm in there with our layers on so we didnt stay too long.
We tried to get into Cafe Mickey early but the CM on reception was having none of it and sent us away, oh well, more shops then. We kept having the same problem though, freezing outside, baking inside. Eventually we went back to CM and stared at the CM till she let us and another family in! (While we were waiting another family left saying they had been sat down for 20 minutes and seen no one. Clearly they had no staff till 6pm so why were they open???
We were seated right by where the characters come out which meant that DD was first to meet them all this was a result as wed been up since 4am and DH wasnt feeling 100%!
We met Minnie, Mickey, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Goof and, Tigger!
DH ordered the chicken ceasar salad, I had the veggie lasagne and DD opted for pizza. The food was decidedly average but the service was fine. I certainly -wouldnt order the veggie lasagne again! DD & I shared the chocolate fruit fondue for dessert which was nice.
We had managed to eat and meet all the characters in one hour got to be some kind of record?! Then we headed back to our hotel for bed and found chocolate coins on our pillows ahhhhhh.
And that was Day 1 - hopefully the next 4 days won't take me 5 months to write now that I have started!!
Day 1 Wednesday 21st November 2012
I was so excited that I just couldnt sleep, so the early start wasnt a problem. We set off about 4.45 for the airport. At the end of the road DH asks if Ive got the passports and the tickets. Helpful. Why cant he ask these questions before we leave? Anyway, I did have them, so it was fine. I didnt have the car park instructions, but how hard could that be? I remembered reading that the barrier would recognise the car and print a ticket, seems easy enough!
About a mile down the road DD asks if I remembered to pack Harry the Hedgehog? (See how I am single-handedly responsible for everyones packing?!)
Harry the Hedgehog is DDs class character who got his holiday form approved to come to DLP with us. Harry comes with a diary to complete with all his adventures, and right now Harry was sitting in the playroom in the little house DD had made for him. While I processed this information, I was struck by inspiration! Determined not to turn around, but equally determined not to have any tears before breakfast I proceeded to act out the scene from Home Alone when the mother realises that Kevin is not there. DD had been watching this (and many other festive films) so I hoped it would help distract her from the fact that I had left him behind! I am pleased to report that it did, but when I suggested that Harry could protect the house from burglars, DD pointed out that he was only a stuffed toy and not a little boy.... Good point, well made.
The rest of the journey was uneventful until we arrived at the airport and I couldnt remember where we had to park the car, there then followed several loud and not entirely useful suggestions from DH, a couple of U turns and a bit of huffing and puffing, but eventually we arrived at the correct car park and the barrier did indeed recognise the car clever eh?!
We parked near the bus stop and moments later the shuttle appeared to whisk us off to the airport. In just a few minutes we were checked in and through security giving us over an hour to kill before our flight. While we were waiting, DH became very animated when he saw a very tall man walking our way. Turns out it was David James (former England and Liverpool goalkeeper) and this in my husbands world is the equivalent to Donald Duck, I resisted the urge to hand him the autograph book, but did take his photo. Mr James was incredibly charming and polite especially when you think it was about 6am by now.
This excitement helped to pass the time and soon we were on the bus to the plane with another family who were clearly also going to the happy place! DD made friends with the little girl and her Grandmother, and they were chatting away about their favourite rides, etc, etc.
Our bags were waiting for us in Orly and so was the lovely John from Ezyshuttle and off we set for HNY. The bags were out of the car and whisked off to the luggage store while I went to check in. DD came running over to tell me that Max was there OMG!!!!! She was after her autograph book which I soon realised was inside her bag, which was inside her Trunki, which was in the luggage store. Those porters are just too efficient! Sadly I have no photographic evidence of Maxie, but she was really happy to have seen him.
Now DD & I had eaten and were desperate to get to the park, DH hadnt and felt the calling of McDonalds. It was raining so we had a very brief conversation and agreed to split up. He suggested meeting at the Carousel, I suggested the Christmas Tree as it was closer and gave us more time. He agreed.
DD & I were making our happy, skippy was to Salon Mickey when I remembered that I needed to book her Princess Makeover in DLH so we made a quick detour. It took slightly longer than planned because look who was in the lobby...
We then knocked on the special door and I was all ready with my park tickets and shareholders card, only for the CM to point out that my card had expired I had only managed to bring the old one!!!! Fortunately the computer said yes and we sat down to enjoy our pastries and hot chocolate before dashing outside to meet DH at the tree.
Phew, he wasnt there yet, probably queuing in McDonalds. After standing by the tree for 5 minutes I decided that we would still be able to see DH if we went and joined the queue to meet Duffy Bear so thats what we did!
Then when DH still wasnt there I decided that we would still be able to see him from the queue to meet Santa Goofy, so we did that too.
Then as it was bloomin cold, I decided that we would definitely be able to see him from inside the shops, so we did that next. I should point out that I called and texted DH but got no reply. They were announcing the Cavalcade so we stayed to watch that next very nice too. I was getting a bit worried by now though so when it had finished we followed it down Main Street and headed through the Castle.
DD decided that it was time for a ride and rides there would be! We were walking into Fantasyland when DD says, Look Mummy, theres Daddy. Yes, of course, he was waiting by the carousel...
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. There may have been some cross words from us both and some very non-Disney threats about putting him on the next plane home but then DD took us both by the hand and said Come on, lets go on a ride and cheer you two up!
We went on Peter Pan and by the time we came off I think DH had decided that there was no point in continuing to say that we had agreed to meet at the carousel because clearly I was right! So we went to Pirates next love it!
Now DH hadnt had his McDonalds because of the queue so we were all getting a bit peckish so we went to Hakuna Matata because I wanted to try the spicy chicken strips and they did not disappoint! The Bongo guys were playing in there which was a nice touch. After a bit DH said he wasnt feeling well and remembered that he hadnt taken his medication that morning so he wanted to go back & get if from the luggage so we decided to see if our room was ready too. It was! And look what was waiting for DD on her bed
She was so excited! We had a lovely room, would you like to see the view?
The luggage arrived and DH started unpacking or rummaging to be more accurate. The rummaging became more and more frantic as it became apparent that DH had not actually packed all of his medication and had managed to leave his epilepsy tablets at home. While he had a panic attack, I tried to remain calm and come up with a solution. DD sat happily watching Disney on the TV while I went to have a chat to the Concierge they are always helpful. They advised that we could either (a) see a doctor or (b) get his prescription faxed through to the hotel and take it to a pharmacy. I called our surgery who dont have the ability to send a fax internationally, so that was Option b out! DH then had an idea, we called my Dad who went to our house and found the tablets. We then called DHs work and asked them if they could courier the meds over. My Dad then took the tablets to DHs work and they called the courier.
There was a question about what to put on the customs label can you send meds in the post abroad??? Got to be worth a try!Panic over and tablets on their way, I was able to persuade DH not to spend the rest of the day on bed but to get out & have fun. So we wandered through Disney Village to Studios which was really quiet. Now DH wasnt feeling up to rides but he was happy wandering and took lots of photos while DD & I went on Slinky and Cars twice.
DH is particularly proud of this next photo...
While we were wandering we met Jessie and Pluto!
When we started feeling cold & tired we headed back to Disney Village for our dinner reservation at Cafe Mickey.
It would have been rude to pass World of Disney and not have a look around so we had fun exploring but it was ever so warm in there with our layers on so we didnt stay too long.
We tried to get into Cafe Mickey early but the CM on reception was having none of it and sent us away, oh well, more shops then. We kept having the same problem though, freezing outside, baking inside. Eventually we went back to CM and stared at the CM till she let us and another family in! (While we were waiting another family left saying they had been sat down for 20 minutes and seen no one. Clearly they had no staff till 6pm so why were they open???
We were seated right by where the characters come out which meant that DD was first to meet them all this was a result as wed been up since 4am and DH wasnt feeling 100%!
We met Minnie, Mickey, Chip, Dale, Pluto, Goof and, Tigger!
DH ordered the chicken ceasar salad, I had the veggie lasagne and DD opted for pizza. The food was decidedly average but the service was fine. I certainly -wouldnt order the veggie lasagne again! DD & I shared the chocolate fruit fondue for dessert which was nice.
We had managed to eat and meet all the characters in one hour got to be some kind of record?! Then we headed back to our hotel for bed and found chocolate coins on our pillows ahhhhhh.
And that was Day 1 - hopefully the next 4 days won't take me 5 months to write now that I have started!!
Gotta love 'em!
Glad it's not just me!!
