Disney trip - staying at Marriot 12 - 19th Feb Journey home added

[karenmoloney]

For anyone that has read any of my previous trip reports - we are back again. This is our 20th trip (although I was only on 19 of them as I was 8 1/2 mths pregnant for one of them & couldn't fly).

Cast
Me - Karen
DH - Denis
DD1 - Nicole (8)
DD2 - Natasha (4)

We usually go the first week in May as my daughters school has always been off that week for the last 4 years, but this year with Easter being so late, they are taking a week off in Feb instead. So it made sense to come back now as we all have current annual passes (2 expire in April, 1 in May & mine in Sept). Bought a week in the Marriott from ebay, so the accommodation was a bargain & booked flights with Easyjet months ago, before we had even looked about accommodation.

Day 1 - Sat 12th Feb

Left home at 8am & drove to Belfast International Airport. Flight on time, departing 11.50 & landed about 2.30pm (French time). Ezyshuttle were there to pick us up & drove us to the Marriott. Our friends had come with us this trip & were staying at Explorers, so we parted company at the airport. Checked into the Marriott & got house 2205. Went to the supermarket to stock up for the week & on the way back, it started to rain. Made a dinner & as it was so wet & the girls were very tired we all had an early night - after some wine (just the adults, that is!).

Day 2 - Sun 13th Feb

Why do kids wake up so early on holiday? We went swimming this morning, but the pool was freezing. Natasha only managed to stay in for a few minutes & her lips were blue, so it wasn't a very long swim. Sat in the jacuzzi to warm up. Denis mentioned it to them at reception and they said that a few people had also complained but they had checked & it was fine. Hope they do something about it or we'll not be able to swim for the rest of the week. It would probably be fine for someone swimming constantly, but not for kids.
After lunch I went into Disney with the girls. Denis stayed behind to watch the Ireland V France rugby match. Called into the Disneyland Hotel to book Inventions for tomorrow night & met Mickey in the reception so got our first autographs & photo of the holiday. Into the park & hired (for free with my Dream AP) a buggy for Natasha & then on to see the dragon before he closes for 2 weeks from tomorrow. Natasha wasn't too happy but caught a glimpse of him from the back of the cave while still sitting in her buggy & then wanted to leave. Then on to IASW - lovely as always. Then Natasha wanted to go on the Carousel, but when we got there, she changed her mind, so we went upstairs in the castle instead. The crowds weren't as bad as I had expected - we usually don't go to the park on weekends. Then we met up with our friends for the 4 o'clock meet & greet in the Disneyland Hotel & after doing the dance with the characters we met Mickey (again), Gepetto, Pinocchio & Gideon. As we were getting our coats on again to leave, Gideon came up behind Nicole & stole her hat. Natasha held on really tight to hers - there was no way he was getting hers as well. The plan had been for our friends to come back to the Marriott with us for some dinner, but their kids were too wrecked so we went off home without them. Denis had our dinner ready for us & then brought the girls to the playroom at the Marriott while I cleaned up. Then Natasha went off to bed & Nicole played Wii for a while before she went to bed too (we brought our Wii with us). Planning now to start my boxset of Downtown Abbey that I brought to watch over the holiday. Will write more tomorrow - hopefully the girls will not be so tired, the weather will be nice & dry & the crowds at Disney will be non-existent!

 

[J Marley]

Karen I love your live trip reports.Hope the weather is good tomorrow and there are no crowds

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

This is brilliant - a live report! Great start to your holiday sounds like you fitted lots in! I hope the weather is kind to you tomorrow! Have a fab day.

 

[Mum to Belle]

Ooohhhh, you're there now!!! How exciting!

I hope that tomorrow brings you lots of sunshine and a crowd-free Disney day! Enjoy Inventions!

 

[Isila]

wonderful!!!!!!!! Have fabulous time today. And I do hope they fixed the pool

 

[karenmoloney]

Thanks for your comments. I write my trip reports so that I can read back over them at a later date, but it's always nice to think that someone else enjoys them too.

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 3 Monday 14th Feb

We had a great day today & the weather was really mild & dry. Got a bit of a lie in - Natasha slept for 14 hrs last night. The tiredness from the last 2 days must have caught up with her. For the first time ever, we sent the girls to the kids club at the Marriott - Nataasha is 4 now, so it's the first time we could leave them there. They did Valentines cards & some colouring for an hour & then we went back to get them. They loved it.

After lunch we got the bus to Disney. We watched the show at Central Plaza. I think this was the first time I had watched it from the front of the stage. The CM near us was doing a great job of keeping the crowds moving (we were standing at the edge of the kerb) & he even told 2 people to move when they stood on the kerb right in front of Natasha's buggy because she couldn't see.

Next we went into Fantasyland and walked on to the Carousel & then had a run round the maze. Natasha kept deliberatly going the wrong way & then laughing when she came to a dead end. They really had a great time in it.

Then on to POTC & Natasha announced that she wanted to go on (having been telling us that she wouldn't). The queue was really long & I think she was getting a bit scared in all the dark corridors on the way down to the boats, but she loved the ride - especially the water slides & now wants to go on it again.

We left the park via the dragon, who was still open even though I thought he was closing for a refurb from today & over to the Studios. Had a spin on the Magic Carpets while we waited for the 5pm show of Animagique & then a quick run over to the Cinemagique (another first for Natasha) at 5.30pm. We had a table booked at Inventions for 6pm, so it was another quick run over there. We met Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Eeyore (who the girls kept cuddling) and Pinocchio. Then back on the bus to the Marriott. The girls went to bed & Denis went for a swim (pool still freezing) while I watched Eastenders (we get BBC here). He is now opening a bottle of champagne for us to enjoy & celebrate Valentine's & that it is 13 years since we met in a disco in Donegal one Valentine's Night!

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Happy Valentines Day...and such a momentous day for you! Dragon not listed for closing any longer! Another lovely day, you seem to be taking it very handy....ah the luxury of a week!...enjoy! Hope more good weather for you tomorrow.

 

[Isila]

lovely lovely lovely!!!!!Enjoying your TR very much

 

[kizzabel]

A live TR, brilliant! Hope ye are enjoying your hols. Belated Happy Valentines Day and anniversairy! I had the pleasure of going to a disco in Donegal a few years back - pure mental and great craic but perhaps not the best idea as my brothers wedding was in Pettigoe the following morning

Would love to hear all about Inventions! Its on my to do list

 

[karenmoloney]

A live TR, brilliant! Hope ye are enjoying your hols. Belated Happy Valentines Day and anniversairy! I had the pleasure of going to a disco in Donegal a few years back - pure mental and great craic but perhaps not the best idea as my brothers wedding was in Pettigoe the following morning

Would love to hear all about Inventions! Its on my to do list

Inventions is lovely - very sedate, proper cloth napkins etc. Quite expensive though! Characters come around the tables while you're eating. There are usually 3 out the first half hour, replaced by 3 new ones the second half hour & then back to the first set then etc. There is a great selection of food. I took a few photos last night & will post them up if they're any good after I get home. Loads of salad & cold meals, fish etc for starters. They have the most enormous pile of giant prawns (still with shells on) too. I think there is soup too. Then loads of different main courses. Last night there was a beef one, a creamy chicken one, sea bass, another fish one (can't remember it exactly), big plate of chicken wings, another meat dish (might have been pork), mushroom risotto, veg lasagne, pasta dish with cheese & prawns, pizza, chicken gougons (real chicken fillet), fish gougons, spaghetti, meatballs in a tomato sauce, mickey shaped potato things (prob a bit like smiley faces), mashed potato, baby boiled potatoes, mixed veg, green veg & prob more that I can't remember! And the desserts are lovely & there is a huge selection. I was giving them a miss last night as I have recently gone back to weightwatchers, but I was too full after a starter & main to have one anyway! And there is fruit & yogurts too & sweets for kids. You'll be spoilt for choice.

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 4 Tues 15th Feb

We were up & out to Disney this morning, arriving at about 11 and headed over to the Studios & into the Animation place as Nicole wanted to do a drawing lesson. We had to wait around for a while for one to start & then she learnt to draw Pooh bear & got the teacher's one too. Natasha was happy enough to wander round the rest of the room looking at everything else. By now the rain had started, so we stayed around the Studios but decided not to try & go on any rides. I would have loved to meet Sulley, but he mustn't like the rain either! We took a walk over to the Toy Story Playland. There was a big crowd of people there. In the 10 mins we were there the Slinky Dog ride (40 min wait) & the parachute drop (also 40 min wait) only went once. They were really slow at loading & starting the rides. We might come back to do them another time. We went into the Disney Store & played with the Mr Potato Heads. Natasha wanted to buy everything in the shop. I think we'll have problems on Friday when she gets to decided what she wants!

Then we went over to Annettes to meet our friends for lunch. Now that I am at weightwatchers, I was looking for a healthy option on the menu, but I couldn't find one & all the salads had olives, which I don't like! We all had burgers and chips & then said good bye to our friends as they were heading off to the airport. Back into the park & Natasha said she wanted to go on Phantom Manor & she did - although didn't like it & wanted to get off! Then we headed back to the Marriott for a swim. I popped to the shop to get something for tea on the way home. I think the pool might have been slightly warmer (we had complained again this morning & were told it was 27 degrees. I googled swimming pool temperatures & found that 27 is for fitness training & for young children it should be 30. So maybe they had turned it up & it was starting to get a bit warmer.) Anyway, Natasha could only manage 5 mins & wanted out again. Her lips had turned blue again. I hope it warms up before we go home because she loves swimming. Nicole can swim so keeps herself warm, but the cold really seems to affect Natasha.

Back to the house & the rain was really heavy now. After dinner we played Wii. I had bought the Disney Sing It, so we were singing the Disney hits. After Natasha went to bed, Nicole started to complain about feeling sick - and she was! She didn't get to sleep until 3.30am. Hopefully it's just a 24 hour thing & we'll probably give Disney a miss tomorrow.

 

[Mum to Belle]

Oh no! Hope Nicole is better today!!!

How did Natasha like Cinemagique? My DD is 4 now and I was thinking of trying that on our next trip. Is the Art of Animation still a bit beyond 4 yr olds?

I have just re-joined WW myself and am concerned at how 5 days at DLP will fit into the new programme!! I think I could use the 49 bonus pro points in one sitting...

 

[karenmoloney]

Oh no! Hope Nicole is better today!!!

How did Natasha like Cinemagique? My DD is 4 now and I was thinking of trying that on our next trip. Is the Art of Animation still a bit beyond 4 yr olds?

I have just re-joined WW myself and am concerned at how 5 days at DLP will fit into the new programme!! I think I could use the 49 bonus pro points in one sitting...

Thanks, Nicole is feeling better, but not eating anything. Can only be glad that we are staying at the Marriott - it would have been a nightmare with all of us in one hotel room. Here she can lie on the sofa all day watching TV & playing her DS while Natasha can still be amused with the outside playground and there is kids club on this afternoon where they will be making a collage - basically probably cutting & sticking & she'll love that. Also glad I'm not travelling on my own with them - then Natasha would have to stay in the house all day too.

Cinemagique - don't know if Natasha really knew what was going on! She doesn't have a great attention span at the best of times. I spent the whole time giving her a running commentary of things. Probabaly wasted on her, but the rest of us wanted to see it.

Art of Animation - This time we didn't go through the film part, but have done it before & she was fine with it. How much she took in, I don't know because she was 3 at the time. In the room that it lets out into there are loads of things that she could play with & she really enjoyed that.

WW - Basically I have given up thinking about points & tracking this week! I had come away with the intention of at least going for the healthy option when we eat out, but there isn't always a healthy option & when I am faced with loads of delicious food (eg at Inventions), I just can't resist. I am starting the day off well every morning as I brought my small packets of porridge in the suitcase, but then the day usually goes downhill. But, I am on holiday & I have been so good since the start of the year (lost 12 lbs), so I'm not too worried. Might be a different story next week when I go back to my meeting!

 

[J Marley]

Glad to hear Nicole is feeling a bit better today

 

[Mum to Belle]

Glad to hear she's feeling better!

Thanks for your replies re: Cinemagique and Art of Animation, much as I imagined. Will play it by ear I think...

But, I am on holiday & I have been so good since the start of the year (lost 12 lbs), so I'm not too worried. Might be a different story next week when I go back to my meeting!

12 pounds is fantastic!! I'm sure that you will have earned some extra activity points to cancel out the ones you've eaten! That is the problem with the buffets isn't it?!! I think I had better avoid those!

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 5 - Wed 16th Feb

After a late night with Nicole being sick, she seemed much better this morning. We didn't want to take her anywhere & stayed around the Marriott. Natasha went to the playground, the playroom & the pool (which is still cold, but she managed to stay in a bit longer tonight). Although Nicole was better throughout the day, she started getting worse at about 5pm & got sick a few times. She has gone to bed now & hopefully will feel better tomorrow.

Originally we had planned that Denis would take the girls to do the princess lunch & I was to get away for the day to Paris (shopping, not sightseeing). Don't know if I'll get the chance now, but we'll see how things are in the morning. Just hope now that Natasha (or one of us) doesn't get sick.

 

[Mum to Belle]

Really sorry to hear that she's been sick again, that's such a shame hope she's feeling better today...

Could you swap today's plans with tomorrow's?

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 6 - Thurs 17th Feb

Nicole was a bit better today, but still not 100%. We got the bus at 11.40 to Disney & I hired a buggy for Nicole so she didn't have to walk. It was very foggy today & much colder. I was glad I had the girls in their full skisuits & boots to keep them warm. Had lunch at Cowboy Cookout & then saw the Mickey's Winter Wonderland Show at 1pm. Brilliant as always. Natasha couldn't remember too much about it from before as she was afraid of the noises coming from the cave.

Then Natasha said she wanted to go to the ghost house again, but as we got closer, she changed her mind, so we went for a spin on the Riverboat instead. Then we went to POTC. After entering the ride, Natasha changed her mind about that one too so I took her to the exit of the ride & did baby switch, so Nicole got to ride twice. Then we split up. Nicole & I saw Captain EO (I always enjoy this as I was a teenager in the 80s) while Denis & Natasha went on the carousel. I think he wanted to go on IASW, but she didn't want to go on anything else so they went to City Hall and booked the princess lunch for Friday, hoping Nicole has fully recovered by then. We all met up at the reception of the Disneyland Hotel for the character meet & greet & I had never seen so many characters there. There were 8 - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Chip, Dale, Pinocchio, Eeyore, Tigger. So we collected some more autographs & photos. I had planned to see the parade at 5pm, but Nicole was wrecked so we had a quick visit to the Disney Store in the Village for the girls to spend their money. Nicole bought a Stitch(E22.90) and Natasha bought a smaller Stitch & an Angel (E11.90 each). I bought 3 small princess statues (E8.90 each) to add to my collection. 20% discount on all the purchases with my Dream AP. Then it was a quick dash to catch the bus at 1645 & back to the Marriott for tea. Denis took Natasha to the playroom for a short while. I think she would be quite happy to stay in there for the week! Having a nice glass of red wine now & hoping to watch some more of my Downtown Abbey boxset before bed.

 

[Isila]

Hope she's better today and back to her 100%. But still she did enjoy her rides, happy to hear that.

How was Cowboy cookout?