Dimplenose
Stranger from the outside
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2002
- Messages
- 5,956
Day 3 - Last Day
Saturday 25th January 2003
Getting Up
The alarm went off just before 7am. It was our last day and it was going to be a long one. Our train was due to leave at 6:26pm for Lille where we would pick up the Eurostar and get to Waterloo a few minutes before 10pm GMT (11pm French time).
We had breakfast booked in Fantasyland - not a character meal but it would give us an early start. As it was Saturday the parks opened at 9am and I knew it would be busier than the last few days. The Guiding and Scouting magazines that my husband and I read had been advertising special weekends in DLP and this was to be one of them.
My daughter woke up, but the long days and long journey had finally caught up with my friend's daughter. We discussed what we should do and finally decided, after a phone call to reception, that I would go and have the breakfast in Fantasyland with my daughter. My friend had a bad headache and was happy to have a lie in while her daughter slept. They were going to eat at the hotel and we would meet back in the room at 10:30am so that we could check out by 11am.
Breakfast in Fantasy Land
We wrapped up warm and left the sleeping beauties to their rest. Outside there was a thick frost on the ground. Everywhere was white and the sky was totally clear. It was still a bit dusky as we walked by the lake. There were a few other people around, we guessed they were heading for Fantasyland too.
When we got to the park it was still an hour before opening and just a few gates were open for breakfasters. As we made our way down Main Street everyone else stopped at Walt's fo a character meal. We continued on and got a lovely view of the castle with no-one else around.
We reached the Au Chalet de la Marionnette just a couple of minutes after our 8:15am reservation. I think we were the second family in there. I was a bit apprehensive as this is where we'd met Monsieur Grumpy the day before but he was no where in sight. The CM at the door told us that it was buffet meal and we could visit the tables as many times as we liked.
The buffet was very similar to the continental breakfast at the hotel except that the croissants weren't warm and the crockery and cutlery were disposable.
We both chose our food and as we were sitting down the 8:30 reservations arrived and suddenly the room was packed. We made sure we had plenty to drink with our meal as we had all been headachey the day before. I think we'd only had drinks with our meals and despite the cold weather were getting a bit dehydrated.
Three quarters of an hour later we wandered out into full daylight. The park was now open. I decided to take a few photos before the park started filling up. Then we wandered via the castle over to Thunder Mountain. On the way I got a very atmospheric photo of a costumed CM standing outside a not yet open Phantom Manor. It was very icy and we had to be careful not to slip as we walked along. I waited to make sure we weren't the first ride of the day (irrational fear of ice on the tracks). Then we walked straight onto the next ride. It was so cold and my smile was so big that my teeth hurt as we sped around. I noticed for the first time some possums hanging from a branch that swung out of the way as we went past. We got off the ride and immediately went round the queue again. This time we had to wait for a train! Another great ride - and even colder teeth. When we got off the queue was starting to build and as we had to back at our room by half ten we started to wander back to Main Street.
On the way we explored the fort. Again we had to be careful of the ice. We visited the Dragon and took some photos down Main Street. It was now obvious that it was a Saturday as a steady stream of people yomped up Main Street. I noticed a lot of British Guides and Scouts coming into the park.
We then did some shopping for my daughter who had birthday money still unspent from December. She bought a Marie cuddly toy and a beanie of Minnie dressed as a red Indian.
As we were about to leave lots of character in vehicles drove up main street. We had time to stop and watch for a while. We also waved at the characters which not a lot people seemed to do at DLP.
Back to the Hotel
We walked back to the hotel along the lake - strangely we were the only people walking away from the park at that time. We reached the lobby of the hotel which was so busy compared to the previous days. Up in the room we found a note from our friends saying that they had gone to breakfast at 9:35. It was now 10:15 so we finished our packing and waited.
When they returned from breakfast my friend said that there had been a long queue. She suspected that a lot of guests had early slots and had decided they'd prefer a later meal, certainly the main in front of her had a time of 7:40 marked on his card. They had also had to wait for the buffet to be refilled. Such a difference from Friday.
We were finally ready to go at about 11:10. After leaving our bags in the storage room a bus pulled up so we just hopped on it.
Back to Disney Land Park
We were looking on today as a bonus. We knew it would be busier but we weren't too bothered with rides as we had done all the "must do's" for our girls.
It was even busier now than when I'd left earlier but the waits posted at the end of Main Street were still only about 20 minutes - we'd just been spoiled the previous 2 days!
It might have been busier but the atmosphere was so much better. The park seemed properly open and food carts and kiosks had also opened. Our daily quest for popcorn was much easier fulfilled, but just as we were buying some from a cart near Central Plaza the Sheriff of Nottingham pushed in and "stole" a bottle of Coke - very funny.
Our loose plan was to do a few rides, have a big lunch (we were travelling later) and then catch Mickey's Winter Wonderland Show before heading back to the hotel for our bags.
We liked the look of the menu at Auberge de Cendrillon so we went in and made a reservation for half past one (I don't think they're into PS here, but I may be wrong.)
We did a couple of rides including Snow White that we'd missed the night before.
Lunch
It was now time for lunch. The restaurant was lovely. We had to wait a little while for a table partly due to a misunderstanding with the waitress. We found most of the time in DLP that we didn't know whether to speak in English or attempt some French. My friend visits France regularly and after a while she'd be answering English with French and vice versa - very confusing.
Anyway we were eventually shown to a table. This is a full service restaurant and we really enjoyed being spoilt. It was also nice to be away from the busier park (although I'm sure it was not busy really). We both decided to have duck in blackcurrant sauce (a bit too rare for my tastes but OK) and the girls had kids meals. Just a warning, Mickey Mouse ice cream (scoop of ice cream with chocolate disks for ears) came surrounded by raspberry sauce that wasn't mentioned in the menu or by the waiter which my daughter didn't like (I did!).
After Lunch
When we finished lunch it was half past three. I do not know where those two hours went. We'd now missed the show we'd tentatively planned for and the next one was due to start at 4:30. We were planning to leave the park at 5pm to give us time to be at the station at 6pm for 6:26 departure.
My friends daughter wanted to ride the carousel again but mine didn't so we decided to split up and meet in the main street shops so that we buy our souvenirs before seeing the show.
My daughter and I went for a walk over to discovery land. My son had seen some Star Wars toys in Florida that he didn't buy so I thought I'd go to Star Traders and see if I could get one as a gift. I was very disappointed with this shop as it just had the same merchandise as all the other shops in the park. There were one or two Star Wars items but nothing special. I decided not to get anything.
We still had some time to kill so we stood and watched people being launched on Space Mountain. Neither of us was brave enough to join them. We then went to Les Mysteres du Nautilus. This was a very strange walk through exhibit styled like Captain Nemo's submarine. There was a window where a giant octopus was attacking. All in all well worth missing.
We also notice that Honey, I shrunk the Audience was open for the first time on our trip, but as time was running out and we'd seen it in Florida so we gave it a miss.
Back in main Street the shops were busy but not crowded. I was just choosing some T-shirts for my family when my friend found me. I got a few more things and then we started making our way to the show. We were a bit worried that we wouldn't have enough time to get back to the hotel so after checking with a CM we positioned ourselves by an exit door.
The theatre was about two thirds full.
The show was a strange mix of English and French and of dancing and ice-skating. We enjoyed seeing the characters but the songs were a bit too Christmassy for January.
At the end of the show we rushed to the exit where a different CM was blocking the way and pointing to an exit at the other end of the theatre - we were quite cross at this. With some energetic running along rows and over benches we made our way out fairly quickly.
Sadly we left the park and made our way alongside the lake and back to the hotel.
Back at the Hotel
With a long journey ahead of us and knowing that Lille was not the best of stations to wait at we decided to stock up on sandwiches, crisps and water at the hotel shop. We probably paid over the odds but at least we were sure of our supplies. We retreived our bags from storage and waited a few minutes for a bus back to the station.
At the Station and the Journey Home
We were back at the station by 6pm. As we were catching a TGV to Lille we did not have to check in early as Eurostar passengers have to. We could see the direct Eurostar advertised for an hour later but we were meeting the Brussels train at Lille.
The train arrived and we found our seats. They were across the ailse, but seemed more spacious than the TGV we arrived on.
At Lille we found the Eurostar waiting room. It was here that we had bag and passport checks. Then we went through to the waiting room. It was very stark. There were seats and a coffee machine and a snack machine. There were only 2 toilets which weren't very well kept.
After a while we went down onto the platform. We thought we could see the train just outside the station, but we waited and waited. After a while there was an announcement telling us to go back to the waiting room. We all stood around not sure whether to go or not (after all it was no more comfortable than the platform). Eventually a member of staff came down and ushered us back upstairs where we were told that the train had transmission problems. At this point I was worrying that we'd be stranded for a long time. A little later we were called back to the platform and the train eventually arrived 20 minutes late.
The rest of the journey was good. We ate our snacks and the girls coloured and read. On the way home we had our passports checked.
We arrived at Waterloo about 15 minutes late and my friend's husband was waiting for us. I was so glad that he'd offered to drive us home. He said the direct Eurostar had arrived 10 minutes before our train.
It was an easy journey home as there wasn't much traffic. The girls fell asleep in the car.
Conclusion
A much better trip than I was expecting. We were very lucky that we were there from Thursday to Saturday instead of a traditional weekend and that the weather was dry although very cold.
There was a lot shut in the park that we might have enjoyed but there was still a lot to do and we didn't even scratch the surface of the Studios.
It looked a little sad that some of the Christmas decorations hadn't been taken down yet (23rd Jan!). Although we enjoyed using the Christmas land train.
Next time I'll book earlier and take the direct Eurostar. Living in the South East the Eurostar is so much easier than flying.
If you decide to visit don't expect mini-Florida go with an open mind as it has its own attractions and atmosphere. Also don't expect US style hospitality, and be prepared that the crowds have no concept of queuing. The characters were all mobbed, it was very difficult to get photos of them with just my own child in them!
Thanks for reading. Au revoir.
Saturday 25th January 2003
Getting Up
The alarm went off just before 7am. It was our last day and it was going to be a long one. Our train was due to leave at 6:26pm for Lille where we would pick up the Eurostar and get to Waterloo a few minutes before 10pm GMT (11pm French time).
We had breakfast booked in Fantasyland - not a character meal but it would give us an early start. As it was Saturday the parks opened at 9am and I knew it would be busier than the last few days. The Guiding and Scouting magazines that my husband and I read had been advertising special weekends in DLP and this was to be one of them.
My daughter woke up, but the long days and long journey had finally caught up with my friend's daughter. We discussed what we should do and finally decided, after a phone call to reception, that I would go and have the breakfast in Fantasyland with my daughter. My friend had a bad headache and was happy to have a lie in while her daughter slept. They were going to eat at the hotel and we would meet back in the room at 10:30am so that we could check out by 11am.
Breakfast in Fantasy Land
We wrapped up warm and left the sleeping beauties to their rest. Outside there was a thick frost on the ground. Everywhere was white and the sky was totally clear. It was still a bit dusky as we walked by the lake. There were a few other people around, we guessed they were heading for Fantasyland too.
When we got to the park it was still an hour before opening and just a few gates were open for breakfasters. As we made our way down Main Street everyone else stopped at Walt's fo a character meal. We continued on and got a lovely view of the castle with no-one else around.
We reached the Au Chalet de la Marionnette just a couple of minutes after our 8:15am reservation. I think we were the second family in there. I was a bit apprehensive as this is where we'd met Monsieur Grumpy the day before but he was no where in sight. The CM at the door told us that it was buffet meal and we could visit the tables as many times as we liked.
The buffet was very similar to the continental breakfast at the hotel except that the croissants weren't warm and the crockery and cutlery were disposable.
We both chose our food and as we were sitting down the 8:30 reservations arrived and suddenly the room was packed. We made sure we had plenty to drink with our meal as we had all been headachey the day before. I think we'd only had drinks with our meals and despite the cold weather were getting a bit dehydrated.
Three quarters of an hour later we wandered out into full daylight. The park was now open. I decided to take a few photos before the park started filling up. Then we wandered via the castle over to Thunder Mountain. On the way I got a very atmospheric photo of a costumed CM standing outside a not yet open Phantom Manor. It was very icy and we had to be careful not to slip as we walked along. I waited to make sure we weren't the first ride of the day (irrational fear of ice on the tracks). Then we walked straight onto the next ride. It was so cold and my smile was so big that my teeth hurt as we sped around. I noticed for the first time some possums hanging from a branch that swung out of the way as we went past. We got off the ride and immediately went round the queue again. This time we had to wait for a train! Another great ride - and even colder teeth. When we got off the queue was starting to build and as we had to back at our room by half ten we started to wander back to Main Street.
On the way we explored the fort. Again we had to be careful of the ice. We visited the Dragon and took some photos down Main Street. It was now obvious that it was a Saturday as a steady stream of people yomped up Main Street. I noticed a lot of British Guides and Scouts coming into the park.
We then did some shopping for my daughter who had birthday money still unspent from December. She bought a Marie cuddly toy and a beanie of Minnie dressed as a red Indian.
As we were about to leave lots of character in vehicles drove up main street. We had time to stop and watch for a while. We also waved at the characters which not a lot people seemed to do at DLP.
Back to the Hotel
We walked back to the hotel along the lake - strangely we were the only people walking away from the park at that time. We reached the lobby of the hotel which was so busy compared to the previous days. Up in the room we found a note from our friends saying that they had gone to breakfast at 9:35. It was now 10:15 so we finished our packing and waited.
When they returned from breakfast my friend said that there had been a long queue. She suspected that a lot of guests had early slots and had decided they'd prefer a later meal, certainly the main in front of her had a time of 7:40 marked on his card. They had also had to wait for the buffet to be refilled. Such a difference from Friday.
We were finally ready to go at about 11:10. After leaving our bags in the storage room a bus pulled up so we just hopped on it.
Back to Disney Land Park
We were looking on today as a bonus. We knew it would be busier but we weren't too bothered with rides as we had done all the "must do's" for our girls.
It was even busier now than when I'd left earlier but the waits posted at the end of Main Street were still only about 20 minutes - we'd just been spoiled the previous 2 days!
It might have been busier but the atmosphere was so much better. The park seemed properly open and food carts and kiosks had also opened. Our daily quest for popcorn was much easier fulfilled, but just as we were buying some from a cart near Central Plaza the Sheriff of Nottingham pushed in and "stole" a bottle of Coke - very funny.
Our loose plan was to do a few rides, have a big lunch (we were travelling later) and then catch Mickey's Winter Wonderland Show before heading back to the hotel for our bags.
We liked the look of the menu at Auberge de Cendrillon so we went in and made a reservation for half past one (I don't think they're into PS here, but I may be wrong.)
We did a couple of rides including Snow White that we'd missed the night before.
Lunch
It was now time for lunch. The restaurant was lovely. We had to wait a little while for a table partly due to a misunderstanding with the waitress. We found most of the time in DLP that we didn't know whether to speak in English or attempt some French. My friend visits France regularly and after a while she'd be answering English with French and vice versa - very confusing.
Anyway we were eventually shown to a table. This is a full service restaurant and we really enjoyed being spoilt. It was also nice to be away from the busier park (although I'm sure it was not busy really). We both decided to have duck in blackcurrant sauce (a bit too rare for my tastes but OK) and the girls had kids meals. Just a warning, Mickey Mouse ice cream (scoop of ice cream with chocolate disks for ears) came surrounded by raspberry sauce that wasn't mentioned in the menu or by the waiter which my daughter didn't like (I did!).
After Lunch
When we finished lunch it was half past three. I do not know where those two hours went. We'd now missed the show we'd tentatively planned for and the next one was due to start at 4:30. We were planning to leave the park at 5pm to give us time to be at the station at 6pm for 6:26 departure.
My friends daughter wanted to ride the carousel again but mine didn't so we decided to split up and meet in the main street shops so that we buy our souvenirs before seeing the show.
My daughter and I went for a walk over to discovery land. My son had seen some Star Wars toys in Florida that he didn't buy so I thought I'd go to Star Traders and see if I could get one as a gift. I was very disappointed with this shop as it just had the same merchandise as all the other shops in the park. There were one or two Star Wars items but nothing special. I decided not to get anything.
We still had some time to kill so we stood and watched people being launched on Space Mountain. Neither of us was brave enough to join them. We then went to Les Mysteres du Nautilus. This was a very strange walk through exhibit styled like Captain Nemo's submarine. There was a window where a giant octopus was attacking. All in all well worth missing.
We also notice that Honey, I shrunk the Audience was open for the first time on our trip, but as time was running out and we'd seen it in Florida so we gave it a miss.
Back in main Street the shops were busy but not crowded. I was just choosing some T-shirts for my family when my friend found me. I got a few more things and then we started making our way to the show. We were a bit worried that we wouldn't have enough time to get back to the hotel so after checking with a CM we positioned ourselves by an exit door.
The theatre was about two thirds full.
The show was a strange mix of English and French and of dancing and ice-skating. We enjoyed seeing the characters but the songs were a bit too Christmassy for January.
At the end of the show we rushed to the exit where a different CM was blocking the way and pointing to an exit at the other end of the theatre - we were quite cross at this. With some energetic running along rows and over benches we made our way out fairly quickly.
Sadly we left the park and made our way alongside the lake and back to the hotel.
Back at the Hotel
With a long journey ahead of us and knowing that Lille was not the best of stations to wait at we decided to stock up on sandwiches, crisps and water at the hotel shop. We probably paid over the odds but at least we were sure of our supplies. We retreived our bags from storage and waited a few minutes for a bus back to the station.
At the Station and the Journey Home
We were back at the station by 6pm. As we were catching a TGV to Lille we did not have to check in early as Eurostar passengers have to. We could see the direct Eurostar advertised for an hour later but we were meeting the Brussels train at Lille.
The train arrived and we found our seats. They were across the ailse, but seemed more spacious than the TGV we arrived on.
At Lille we found the Eurostar waiting room. It was here that we had bag and passport checks. Then we went through to the waiting room. It was very stark. There were seats and a coffee machine and a snack machine. There were only 2 toilets which weren't very well kept.
After a while we went down onto the platform. We thought we could see the train just outside the station, but we waited and waited. After a while there was an announcement telling us to go back to the waiting room. We all stood around not sure whether to go or not (after all it was no more comfortable than the platform). Eventually a member of staff came down and ushered us back upstairs where we were told that the train had transmission problems. At this point I was worrying that we'd be stranded for a long time. A little later we were called back to the platform and the train eventually arrived 20 minutes late.
The rest of the journey was good. We ate our snacks and the girls coloured and read. On the way home we had our passports checked.
We arrived at Waterloo about 15 minutes late and my friend's husband was waiting for us. I was so glad that he'd offered to drive us home. He said the direct Eurostar had arrived 10 minutes before our train.
It was an easy journey home as there wasn't much traffic. The girls fell asleep in the car.
Conclusion
A much better trip than I was expecting. We were very lucky that we were there from Thursday to Saturday instead of a traditional weekend and that the weather was dry although very cold.
There was a lot shut in the park that we might have enjoyed but there was still a lot to do and we didn't even scratch the surface of the Studios.
It looked a little sad that some of the Christmas decorations hadn't been taken down yet (23rd Jan!). Although we enjoyed using the Christmas land train.
Next time I'll book earlier and take the direct Eurostar. Living in the South East the Eurostar is so much easier than flying.
If you decide to visit don't expect mini-Florida go with an open mind as it has its own attractions and atmosphere. Also don't expect US style hospitality, and be prepared that the crowds have no concept of queuing. The characters were all mobbed, it was very difficult to get photos of them with just my own child in them!
Thanks for reading. Au revoir.
