First Solo Trip Complete

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Time to start my Pre Trip Report! I am off next Monday and I wonder if this will be a looooong week waiting to go!


Who is going?
That would be me on my very first solo Disney trip! I am a teacher, American expat living in Turkey who has recently developed a Disney addiction after taking my Mom on a trip to WDW for her 70th birthday back in September 2009.

It has been 6 months now and it is time to return to the magic! The last time I was at DLRP was 1994 a very long time ago and it was still called Euro Disney then! Time has come to go and I don't live so far away!No excuse for a "disneyless" life!

So I am really looking forward to seeing all the changes - I am sure there are lots of them! I am also excited to stay on property for the first time - the Santa Fe. Last trip was a very short day trip out from Paris.

So hopefully in a very short while I will be starting my trip report!

 

[markpsych]

Have a great time

 

[Mum to Belle]

ooooohh, only a week to go now!!!

I think you'll see quite a few changes on your trip, hopefully all good ones! I'll look forward to reading your TR

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I hate waiting! So to help the time pass more quickly I'll post some of my preliminary plans.

We've had some snow here this morning (mostly rain) - which just reminded me to check that I am taking enough warm clothing with me! I've got the thermals ready but need to check the rain gear - wondering if I should buy a rain poncho there - do they have them? How much are they?

I'll be flying into Orly noonish on March 22-
Taking the VEA shuttle to my hotel - Disney's Santa Fe

After checking into my hotel - I will head to Disneyland Park to soak in the magic of Main Street USA - and maybe get a little "homesick" and have something for dinner that I can't usually get here in Turkey - a croque monsiour, or bbq from Cowboy Cookout (Texas girl here) or a hot dog from Casey's!

I may start in Fantasyland for rides if it is not too crowded - "It's a Small World"! Just gets me in that Disney mood!

Head back to the Santa Fe for a good night's sleep in a comfy bed. (I hope!) I am looking forward to that - I am not on friendly terms with my mattress at the moment (very poor quality bought 6 years ago at the used furniture pazar - I know bad).

One of the things I am looking forward to as this is my first solo trip is being able to change my plan as I choose. I have loose plans with general ideas of rides to hit first/EMH/Fastpass but I am looking forward to going on a whim! We'll see how that works!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Your plans sound great! Looking forward to hearing more.

 

[Cinderella2006]

Hope you have a great trip ... we will just miss you! We are arriving late on the 25th March, hope we have some good weather, the UK is lovely at the moment

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Hope you have a great trip ... we will just miss you! We are arriving late on the 25th March, hope we have some good weather, the UK is lovely at the moment

I am a little nervous about the weather - I hope it is good too! I keep checking the weather reports - well, how can I not enjoy Disney even if it is raining!?

Have a great trip!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I have been looking at the weather report which calls for light rain on one day.

Are ponchos better than umbrellas?

Are crocs really dangerous in wet weather - has anyone worn them at DLP in the rain?

I was thinking to wear all weather walking shoes and bring my winter crocs for comfort - and my mickey crocs if I can fit them in my suitcase - just because it is Disney!

Three pairs of shoes for 4 days sounds a little excessive to me but I can't decide which to leave at home!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Always take extra shoes so that you're covered for when one pair get wet in the rain!

What are Mickey crocs?? (Am I going to regret asking?!!)

You probably won't want to be carrying a wet umbrella around with you when the rain stops? We opted for very attractive pac-a-macs which fold up into a small pouch & can be kept in a handbag. That said some umbrellas are quite compact and it's not like you'll be holding hands of small people or pushing a buggy like I was!!

Oh, decisions, decisions! Always take as many shoes as you can possibly fit into your luggage!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Always take extra shoes so that you're covered for when one pair get wet in the rain!

What are Mickey crocs?? (Am I going to regret asking?!!)

You probably won't want to be carrying a wet umbrella around with you when the rain stops? We opted for very attractive pac-a-macs which fold up into a small pouch & can be kept in a handbag. That said some umbrellas are quite compact and it's not like you'll be holding hands of small people or pushing a buggy like I was!!

Oh, decisions, decisions! Always take as many shoes as you can possibly fit into your luggage!!

Thanks for your help! I am not sure if I can find a pac-a-mac but I can look anyway. If I take my mini umbrella I guess I should take a sturdy plastic bag to put it in so my purse doesn't get water logged.

These are mickey crocs - very comfortable but probably not practical - especially if it is cold and rainy! Mine are dark blue.

Now I may seriously consider bringing all three pair!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Oh my goodness - time is almost here and I am sooo excited! I can hardly stand it!

I am off to the city center to get some more Euros - I have decided I want to have enough to buy an annual pass if I decide I really want one - right now I am leaning towards a Francilien annual pass. I have been considering a June trip and it looks like the off site hotels are heaps more affordable for that time period. Also need to pay some bills - water, phone, internet, natural gas and once that is done just the last minute shopping left!

I have packed and the Mickey crocs must be left behind. The fashion police should be happy! It was between the crocs and my hair dryer and the hair dryer won! I will take my mini umbrella though and a good zip lock bag.

Have a Disney Day Everyone!
It's a Disney State of Mind!

 

[Ware Bears]

Only 3 more sleeps for you! You must be getting VERY excited!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

:

 

[Mum to Belle]

I have packed and the Mickey crocs must be left behind. The fashion police should be happy! It was between the crocs and my hair dryer and the hair dryer won! I will take my mini umbrella though and a good zip lock bag.

Have a Disney Day Everyone!
It's a Disney State of Mind!

Shame about the Mickey Crocs - they would have been perfect!! Still, they won't be in many of the photos - but your hair will!!

Have a fab time and good luck getting some sleep before you go!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Hi Everyone!

I got back late last night around 11:00pm - so a long day but a good night's rest did wonders! I had a GREAT time and thoroughly enjoy DLRP! Hope to be getting the TR with photos out fairly soon.

In a nutshell:
The weather was FANTASTIC!!! And I had packed a ton of cold weather gear - - oh well - be prepared as the scouts say!

I loved the Santa Fe - for the price can't be beat! I had a room in building 14 - near the parks and the river with a lift. I LOVED this location! I really loved the walk from the Santa Fe to the village. When you walk by the Sequoia Lodge there is a smell there that I recognize from Muir Woods - a forest of redwoods in San Francisco where I lived a few years. So I am wondering is a "magical addition" or does is come from the trees themselves?

DLP is so beautiful and I am ever amazed at the artistry and creativity - the imagineers really have done some of their best work in this park. Main Street USA is so detailed and lovely. I thought the arcades were perfect examples of this and I spent some time taking photos of tiles, windows, displays etc. Discoveryland too - love the HG Wells influence there. Fantasyland - gorgeous really- right out of a picture book.

Pirates of the Caribbean is really well done - as is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. A++++ again to the imagineers! These attractions are really top notch!

I was able to ride my favorites several times! This was a happy discovery!

Not so happy moments:
I developed an excruciating migrane after riding Space Mountain. Hmmmm - not so young anymore. I thought how bad can it be - I've been on Superman at Fiesta Texas - is it worse than that ?- in a nutshell - YES! Superman is smooth - flying type of feeling - Space Mountain - is jerky and bangs your head around while doing all the cork screws and loops- I spent all of my energy trying to keep my head in a safe position the whole ride and didn't enjoy it one iota! Now I am sure there are many who find this to be their favorite ride but I will stay away from that one from now on. Lesson learned. I spent four hours in my hotel room recovering - - but on the plus side the room was comfortable, dark and very quiet.


Well - all in all a wonderful trip! On Wednesday I went to the annual passport office at around 10:00am when the park opened to the general public. It took about five minutes and now I am a happy owner of a Francilien Annual Pass! I was amazed at how pleasant the CM's were - very helpful and the process was so easy! So now - must decide when I will go again!

 

[DLPdaft]

That sounds like a brilliant trip - can't wait for the photos

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Hi Everyone - the TR begins!

I left my house via taxi at 6:00am to catch the 6:30am airport bus - trip to the airport 30 minutes - I was there by 7:00am for my 8:00am flight from Ankara to Istanbul.

Final images of Ankara from the bus - Disney here I come!

I was happy to discover that the airport in Istanbul (the Asian side) has been remodeled and it now quite large and easy to get through. Here is a picture of Istanbul from the air and another as we were flying over the Alps!

Arriving in Orly was uneventful and I was able to find the shuttle after some serious investigation! I was so happy I didn't have to wait long and we left soon after I arrived at the bus platform. Yay! Disney!

I arrived at the hotel and was checked in by 4:00pm - Hotel Santa Fe. First impressions - it was much smaller than I imagined. I had a great room location - building 14 - near the parks and quiet. I had requested quiet, non smoking and upper floor - all of which I received!!

First pictures of my building and the path directly outside my building door.

After I unpacked, showered and changed, it was off to Disneyland!! I arrived just in time for the evening parade! Once Upon a Dream!!! This was an awesome parade!!!

Then it was off to my first Attraction - yes "It's a Small World"! I love to do this ride first because when I was a teenager and visited Disneyland in California - my first ever Disney Park - this was my very favorite ride!!! I remember going through it with my mouth open - literally. So whenever I go to Disney I like to ride this first!! To me it totally screams "Disney"!!

And then off to explore and ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!! I thought this was a fabulous ride!! So much detail - the sounds, the layout of the ride, everything about it is great!

After this I ran into a little glitch - I thought I would stop and have a quick counter service meal around 6:00pm - then I realized most counter service places had already closed. I hadn't forseen this! So this is what I had for dinner. Then off to sleep - or kind of - too much adrenaline!

Glad I brought the packet soup - anyway I wasn't too sad to save the Euros. But I will plan my meals better next time!

 

[tennisfan]

Great start to you report. Love the photos. I look forward to the rest

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Thanks Everyone!

On to Day 2-

I didn't sleep very well - too much adrenaline and paranoia about missing my early breakfast time so I kept waking up and dosing off (this lack of sleep comes into play later).

The weather was FANTASTIC!! Bright, bright sunshine -

The Santa Fe early in the morning.

Anyway - I was up for my 7:30am breakfast time and the Cantina was getting busy! I really enjoyed the fresh baked rolls, cheese and ham (the same cheese and ham we don't have often in Turkey) so I was in "heaven". That plus the hot chocolate made me a happy camper - truly!

So I was off to Disneyland and EMH - at 8am. I loved the quiet of the Park this early - so relaxing! I rode Buzz twice in about 10 minutes!

Then headed over to Space Mountain - no wait at all - hmmmm - this is where warning bells should have sounded! "No one is riding Space Mountain at 8:30 in the morning - what does that tell you???" Ahhhh the inner voice was silenced by my Disney enthusiasm!! Nothing could keep me away! Lack of sleep no matter! And so I rode and I paid. Oh how I wish I had actually listened to the lady on the monitors about all the health risks associated with this ride!

So I started with pain relievers - still very positive - it wasn't a full blown headache (yet)!

At 10:00am I headed over to the Studios - enjoyed Animagique, Cinemagique, Disney Animation - all the while popping pain relievers - certain I am going to shake this headache. Well I loved the shows despite the throbbing head but by 1:00pm I had to admit - this was a full blown migrane and I needed to seek the refuge of my room at the Santa Fe. So off I went - and I have to say the hotel was extremely quiet and what I needed. After a few hours of misery waiting for the "big guns" of pain relievers to kick in it passed - happy day! It was now 6:00pm and I was hungry - but not feeling like I could eat much of anything. I did wander over to the hotel bar and ordered a fruit juice drink sans alcohol and sipped - slowly - did the trick. I think the cocktail was called a Cabana. After that I felt much better and returned to the room for a good sleep and am happy to say slept through the night!

Let's hope day 3 is a bit more fun shall we???
Lesson learned - Space Mountain - NO!

 

[tennisfan]

Another lovely day, shame about your migraine