Emma & Liz's DLP Adventures: Part One

[emmaness]

Hi guys! I got back from my summer trip on Saturday and thought I'd share my trippie with you. I should, however, probably warn you that I write verrrrry long trip reports and take loooooots of photos - so make sure you have plenty of time before reading, LOL.

Note: I'm having to post it in several parts as I obviously take too many photos! Day two is going to be interesting, I took about 170 photos!!!

Cast: Emma (ninth visit ) and Liz (first visit!)
Summary: Journey, rubbish Travelodge!!
Photos: Click on the small thumbnails to view a larger version of each photo, or view all the photos from the day here.

Monday, 28th August 2006

This day is not really worth a proper write-up but I will say that we witnessed a rather dramatic car crash on the way to Tiverton Parkway! I don't know exactly what happened but there was one car overtaking another (unsafely), then suddenly he decided to pull back in again - except the other car was in the way! So they bounced off each other side-on! It was really scary, I've never seen anything like it in real life. But that was a bit of excitement to start the holiday, I suppose!!

When we got to the Travelodge (Kings Cross Royal Scot) it was so hideous it was untrue. There was wallpaper peeling off the walls, wall plugs yet no picture, an oil stain on the wall... quite how, who knows?! Then of course there was the loose top to the bedside cabinet, which when moved revealed two-inch nails sticking out the back of it. Very safe indeed!

But let's not forget the tea-making facilities: we boiled the kettle and poured our tea... only to find that there was no milk! And we were so far away from Reception that neither of us fancied trekking back there for what would not even be real milk. The sheet wasn't on my bed properly so you could see the really manky mattress underneath - gross! The shower was no better, with an absolutely revolting shower head caked in god knows what. I would rather have put up with greasy hair than use it!!



I fear that when you get the £26 Travelodge rooms, they give you the really manky, really far from Reception ones - just a warning for anyone planning to stay in one! It was bearable but I wouldn't stay there for more than one night! Then again, maybe we were just unlucky.

That's all the moaning over and done with, promise! We're onto the good stuff now!

 

[emmaness]

Tuesday, 29th August 2006

Summary: Eurostar journey, half-day in the park, Disney Village
Photos: Click on the small thumbnails to view a larger version of each photo, or view all the photos from the day here.

We had a taxi booked for 7am, which is far too early for me, but never mind! Liz had no problems as she wakes up naturally at about 6 - something I just cannot contemplate!

By the time we arrived at Waterloo International, check-in was already open, so we decided to get that out of the way before thinking about breakfast! On the way through security a bloke leaned in really close to Liz's chest and was staring at it... and then he just said, "Ahhh, Ramones!" Turns out he was trying to work out what was on her t-shirt! But still, it's a bit off-putting to have a serious security bloke stare at your chest like that!!

We killed time at the Eurostar terminal by having some breakfast at The Bagel Factory (mmm... crispy bacon sesame bagel!) and taking in the, er, sights?!



I don't know why there are fish hanging everywhere around the terminal, the rabbit was randomly hanging from the ceiling, and I thought the Disney Express thing with the grates to its left looked a bit Star Tours-esque.

Our first Eurostar leg went smoothly but I should say that there was a bit of confusion at Lille. We got the right platform alright but there were two destinations for that platform, so you have to make sure you get the right coach! It is quite well illustrated on the platform but it's something to watch out for.



I always marvel at how incredibly flat France is! You would never get anything like that on my normal train routes - I couldn't believe how far you could see!

Don't let the fine weather in that picture trick you, because the closer we got to Paris, the more overcast it became, and by the time we were at Charles de Gaulle station, it was raining! As we didn't have Disney Express we checked into Sequoia Lodge straight away. Our room was not ready yet - however, we had been upgraded to a Montana room for free! So we dropped our luggage off at left luggage and headed into Disney Village.

We grabbed baguettes from New York Style Sandwiches, and by the time we had finished eating them our room was ready! It was on the fourth floor on a sort of corner bit, so we actually had a partial lake view... if you looked carefully... through the trees...

We decided we would get the unpacking out of the way, and to my horror my hand soap had leaked! So I had to wash the bag and everything else (at least it would all be very clean!!), and in doing so I managed to pour water onto the trousers that I had just changed into... oh dear!!

We finally made it into the park just before 4 o'clock, when the parade was about to start, but we decided to take this opportunity to go on some rides! Pirates of the Caribbean said it had a 30-minute queue, but we went for it anyway, as I know the queuing area so well. There was no way it was 30 minutes - we queued for about 10! And so that was the first ride of the trip, and Liz's first ride EVER!



Liz absolutely loved it and kept pointing at things and going, "THAT'S IN THE FILM!" She also pointed out how real the feet on the characters looked - and she was right! I'd never noticed it before, it's quite freaky actually.

After this we had our first proper wander through Fantasyland, and ended up at the best ride ever... It's A Small World, of course! I was interested to see what Lizzy would make of it, because to this day I still don't know what to make of it!

 

[emmaness]

Then it was slowly (as we were still taking everything in) over to Le Pays des Contes de Fées, which I have always had a soft spot for. I think it must be linked to my love for concept art books and such.



We wanted to go on Casey Jr after this, but it had a 45-minute queue - why on earth?! It really did look at least half an hour as well, by my judgement. So we decided we would leave that for another time and head into Discoveryland, me taking my first (of many!!) photo of the castle on the way!



Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast was new to both of us, and I quite liked the look of it. I love the giant Buzz above the entrance! Unsurprisingly, being a new ride, it had a massive queue, so on we walked.

After this we took another chance with queue lengths by going on Space Mountain - it said 30 minutes, but it was actually 15, which is much more reasonable! It was loads faster and scarier than I remembered!! We both have quite short hair and use styling stuff, so after this our hair was locked into a very nice windswept look. Liz really enjoyed it too, as did I (as always).

After going on Star Tours, for which we only had to queue five minutes, we decided to go in search of some dinner, but not before being true tourists and posing in front of the castle.



I don't remember when exactly I took that silhouetted picture of the castle, but it looked just gorgeous! You can also see the sudden improvement in the weather!!

I suggested the Cowboy Cookout Barbecue for tea, so it was there we went, via the shops and the sights.



Look at that weather! What an improvement, eh?



IT'S THE CIRCLE OF LIIIIIIIFE!

I had my typical demi-poulet rôti, which was delicious - however, I demonstrated just how impractical plastic knives and forks are for eating chicken.



After dinner we chatted about the plan for the rest of the week, before heading into Disney Village for a comprehensive browse in the shops, where we bought postcards (which we never sent!). Then it was back to the hotel, where we had a very early night to be nice and prepared for our first full day in the park.

 

[isma]

Very entertaining trip report and great photos! Waiting for the next part...

 

[tennisfan]

Entertaining report, can't wait for the rest. Great photos too

 

[Ware Bears]

I should, however, probably warn you that I write verrrrry long trip reports and take loooooots of photos

Now Emma, you know trippies can never be too long!

Great start, I'm so glad Liz loves it!

 

[Bexx]

Wow Emma - this is all just for Day One?!!!! Woo hooooo!!!

 

[toony]

Hi Emma!
Please keep it up! I had so much fun reading your report so far. What great pictures. I love the one with the Phantom Manor on it.

 

[wideeyes]

Great report and great pictures
Looking forward to more

 

[stargatebarbie]

what loverly pics cant wait to hear more ,its nice going with someone who,s on their first trip (you can go were you like they dont know any better just kidding) tell us more soon

 

[Cyrano]

Thankfully any travellodge we have stayed in have been not too bad, but at least you knew that the next day it would be better

Trip report is great and I'm looking forward to next installment. Your photos are just perfect. Thanks for sharing

 

[Nubbedy]

What a great idea putting all your photos in as thumbnails - I love looking at people's photos. Great trip report so far - looking forward to the rest.

Sara.

 

[emmaness]

Thank you all for the lovely comments! It's nice to know my crazily long writing is appreciated... that said, I would probably write it even if no one was going to read, I love reliving it all!

Plenty more where that came from!

 

[Dianetigger]

A fabulous trip report Emma - love your photos and can't wait to read and see more!

 

[Cyrano]

Plenty more where that came from!

Glad to hear it

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[Alice28]

More, please! Love the pictures!