Alarm off up - showers and out with military-like precision well pretty much! Girls donned their Edinburgh Mickey shirts and we were good to go.
EMH is a good idea but you have to remember that all the other residents of Disney Hotels have access which is still a lot of people. Also there are limited rides available on EMH: Le Carousel de Lancelot, Peter Pans Flight, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Orbitron ND Space Mission - so that is where everyone is heading.
It is quite bizarre waking up a fairly quiet Main Street especially when you see it later.
As promised we headed straight for Dumbo ride and got a couple of rides before the queue built up it is obviously still a very popular ride. Walked right onto Tea Cups and then planned to do Peter Pan but the waiting time was already 40 minutes!!!
Marched over to Discoveryland where Stu, Lisa and Lucy went onto Space Mountain. Unfortunately Lucy bricked it and Lisa had to bring her down. No point traumatising your child without good cause!! We swiped our tickets for a fast pass time on Buzz we got between 1115 and 1145.
We headed back to the hotel for breakfast, getting there about 1000. Right in front of the restaurants as we approached was an absolute character-fest. The main man himself Mickey with Minnie, Chip and Dale and Eeyore. Sophie was so excited. She and Lucy had their autograph book at the ready and set about the business of collecting same. It was all very orderly as there was an area set up by the fireside and kids (and adults) could get autographs and photographs. There was an official photographer but they made plenty time to allow private photographs. The characters were very good and patient. Who could eat after all that excitement? (Me!)
It was pretty busy and we ended up in the California Grill section which is an overspill they use. Got a wee bit crowded but impressed with the choice. Fruit, bread, pastries, pancakes (delish), bacon, sausages, eggs, beans. Lisa made up some sandwiches for later and we filled up the water bottles.
When leaving breakfast we encountered the characters again and as it was obviously the end of Chip and Dales shift they started walking along the corridor just behind us. Sophies face was precious when she thought they were following her.
Went to the Concierge to book for the next two evenings meals. Plan was Cafe Mickey tonight and Inventions on Wednesday. Problem the only times for Cafe Mickey was 10pm both evenings. Way too late for the kids (way too late for me). We could get 3pm lunch but no characters what was the point in that? Plumped for Inventions tonight and we would blag somewhere on Wednesday.
Got to Buzz and walked into Fast Pass lane but still had to wait a good 20 minutes to get in. Worth the wait and we all enjoyed it. I was trying to take a video so I had a miserable score (my excuse).
When we came out it was getting hot and very busy. The queue times that you can view from a central point were getting longer. Big tip though you have to bite the bullet and get in the queues otherwise you will find yourself wandering about the park becoming ever more bewildered and doing nothing.
Over to Walt Disney Studios where the girls used some of their spending money on having their faces painted Lucy a bat and Sophie a puppy. About 20 Euros each but they were very well done
Then we heard unmistakable parade music. Stars in Cars a quick sprint through the studio and caught a bit of it. Planned to catch it in its entirety next day.
Stitch Live next. Theres a show every 15 minutes, just have to keep an eye on what language is playing. I wasnt sure what to expect but it was surprisingly good and although it is a computer generated production there is much interaction and Lucy was picked to participate. Very enjoyable and I would recommend it.
Stu took the girls to the Flying Carpets of Agrabah (Dumbo on carpets) and Lisa and I used our walk-on fast passes on Tower of Terror. Good set-up and they are very good at building up the anticipation. Some of the staff really get into character. Good ride, definitely the wow factor. The views over the park when the doors open at the top were spectacular given the brilliant blue sky.
Then we waited in line to get a photo of the kids with Buzz.
The first purchase was made from Sophies list and baby Simba was purchased 2 to go!
A quick regroup and then back to the Park to catch the Parade. We plonked ourselves near to the train station as there were some spaces and then waited. It didnt really start until 1715 but when it came it was good. Very energetic and colourful. No photos as I caught it all on video. Wish we had sat a little further up as that is where the Toy Story float stopped and the characters did a bit of interaction with the crowd. We got Pinocchio and chums which frankly didnt do it for the kids. Lucy was baffled as to why he was so popular and Sophie was terrified of Gepetto. Oh well!
Parade finished at 1745, just time for us to dive into the hotel and have a quick wash before dinner. Any plans to change into evening wear were shelved pretty quickly no time.
Along to the restaurant where we were seated quickly and before you could utter a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (cant believe that was on spell-check!!) there were characters all over the place. Buffet was delicious, especially the starters and fish/shellfish. Not a huge amount of choice for the kids but they managed. It is undoubtedly pricey but the characters make it all worthwhile. The usual suspects Mickey, Donald, Chip and Dale, Eeyore, Goofy, Pinocchio, Gepetto (dont look Sophie!)
Adults had a couple of beers each and the bill was well over 200 euros ouch! However if you want character interaction in a casual yet organised way then it is well worth the money. The kids were delighted.
Although stuffed to the gunnels we had promised the girls a trip to the park before bed so we gathered all our strength and took off. Lisa Stu and Sophie went to Fantasyland and Lucy and I headed for Big Thunder Mountain. I enjoyed this more than Indiana Jones. As usual when we checked the official photo my eyes were shut but Lucys face was a picture so we bought it. We had purchased the 5 photos for 35 euros pack which is a good deal so got our photo for 7 euros.
Time for another Small World before retiring. It is a good time to go on this. Very small queue and a nice way to round off the day.
We had contemplated cocktails before bed but to be honest we were pooped and the girls needed showers before bed. It was just a relax in the room with a glass of wine before bed
Different plan for tomorrow breakfast first, EMH in the park and then across to the Studios.
EMH is a good idea but you have to remember that all the other residents of Disney Hotels have access which is still a lot of people. Also there are limited rides available on EMH: Le Carousel de Lancelot, Peter Pans Flight, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Orbitron ND Space Mission - so that is where everyone is heading.
It is quite bizarre waking up a fairly quiet Main Street especially when you see it later.
As promised we headed straight for Dumbo ride and got a couple of rides before the queue built up it is obviously still a very popular ride. Walked right onto Tea Cups and then planned to do Peter Pan but the waiting time was already 40 minutes!!!
Marched over to Discoveryland where Stu, Lisa and Lucy went onto Space Mountain. Unfortunately Lucy bricked it and Lisa had to bring her down. No point traumatising your child without good cause!! We swiped our tickets for a fast pass time on Buzz we got between 1115 and 1145.
We headed back to the hotel for breakfast, getting there about 1000. Right in front of the restaurants as we approached was an absolute character-fest. The main man himself Mickey with Minnie, Chip and Dale and Eeyore. Sophie was so excited. She and Lucy had their autograph book at the ready and set about the business of collecting same. It was all very orderly as there was an area set up by the fireside and kids (and adults) could get autographs and photographs. There was an official photographer but they made plenty time to allow private photographs. The characters were very good and patient. Who could eat after all that excitement? (Me!)
It was pretty busy and we ended up in the California Grill section which is an overspill they use. Got a wee bit crowded but impressed with the choice. Fruit, bread, pastries, pancakes (delish), bacon, sausages, eggs, beans. Lisa made up some sandwiches for later and we filled up the water bottles.
When leaving breakfast we encountered the characters again and as it was obviously the end of Chip and Dales shift they started walking along the corridor just behind us. Sophies face was precious when she thought they were following her.
Went to the Concierge to book for the next two evenings meals. Plan was Cafe Mickey tonight and Inventions on Wednesday. Problem the only times for Cafe Mickey was 10pm both evenings. Way too late for the kids (way too late for me). We could get 3pm lunch but no characters what was the point in that? Plumped for Inventions tonight and we would blag somewhere on Wednesday.
Got to Buzz and walked into Fast Pass lane but still had to wait a good 20 minutes to get in. Worth the wait and we all enjoyed it. I was trying to take a video so I had a miserable score (my excuse).
When we came out it was getting hot and very busy. The queue times that you can view from a central point were getting longer. Big tip though you have to bite the bullet and get in the queues otherwise you will find yourself wandering about the park becoming ever more bewildered and doing nothing.
Over to Walt Disney Studios where the girls used some of their spending money on having their faces painted Lucy a bat and Sophie a puppy. About 20 Euros each but they were very well done
Then we heard unmistakable parade music. Stars in Cars a quick sprint through the studio and caught a bit of it. Planned to catch it in its entirety next day.
Stitch Live next. Theres a show every 15 minutes, just have to keep an eye on what language is playing. I wasnt sure what to expect but it was surprisingly good and although it is a computer generated production there is much interaction and Lucy was picked to participate. Very enjoyable and I would recommend it.
Stu took the girls to the Flying Carpets of Agrabah (Dumbo on carpets) and Lisa and I used our walk-on fast passes on Tower of Terror. Good set-up and they are very good at building up the anticipation. Some of the staff really get into character. Good ride, definitely the wow factor. The views over the park when the doors open at the top were spectacular given the brilliant blue sky.
Then we waited in line to get a photo of the kids with Buzz.
The first purchase was made from Sophies list and baby Simba was purchased 2 to go!
A quick regroup and then back to the Park to catch the Parade. We plonked ourselves near to the train station as there were some spaces and then waited. It didnt really start until 1715 but when it came it was good. Very energetic and colourful. No photos as I caught it all on video. Wish we had sat a little further up as that is where the Toy Story float stopped and the characters did a bit of interaction with the crowd. We got Pinocchio and chums which frankly didnt do it for the kids. Lucy was baffled as to why he was so popular and Sophie was terrified of Gepetto. Oh well!
Parade finished at 1745, just time for us to dive into the hotel and have a quick wash before dinner. Any plans to change into evening wear were shelved pretty quickly no time.
Along to the restaurant where we were seated quickly and before you could utter a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (cant believe that was on spell-check!!) there were characters all over the place. Buffet was delicious, especially the starters and fish/shellfish. Not a huge amount of choice for the kids but they managed. It is undoubtedly pricey but the characters make it all worthwhile. The usual suspects Mickey, Donald, Chip and Dale, Eeyore, Goofy, Pinocchio, Gepetto (dont look Sophie!)
Adults had a couple of beers each and the bill was well over 200 euros ouch! However if you want character interaction in a casual yet organised way then it is well worth the money. The kids were delighted.
Although stuffed to the gunnels we had promised the girls a trip to the park before bed so we gathered all our strength and took off. Lisa Stu and Sophie went to Fantasyland and Lucy and I headed for Big Thunder Mountain. I enjoyed this more than Indiana Jones. As usual when we checked the official photo my eyes were shut but Lucys face was a picture so we bought it. We had purchased the 5 photos for 35 euros pack which is a good deal so got our photo for 7 euros.
Time for another Small World before retiring. It is a good time to go on this. Very small queue and a nice way to round off the day.
We had contemplated cocktails before bed but to be honest we were pooped and the girls needed showers before bed. It was just a relax in the room with a glass of wine before bed
Different plan for tomorrow breakfast first, EMH in the park and then across to the Studios.
