First timers just back!

[deepblue]

Thought I'd post a quick trip report as I'd got so much useful info from these forums before our trip

29 May 2009 - 2 June 2009
Travelling: DH, DD (1yr) and me
Accomodation: Hotel New York booked direct with Disney
Transport: Direct Eurostar booked on their own website, with Disney Express booked through Disney by phone.
Guidebook: Brits Guide, Disboards

I've always wanted to go to Paris but my DH has a thing about the French (despite never knowing any ...) and a family wedding gave me the opportunity. As a compromise for DH I booked us two nights DLRP with a day trip only to Paris, after much grumbling and many arguments.

Sunday 29 May
We caught the Eurostar from St Pancras, after minor disaster in the terminal where ATM swallowed card without dispensing money . I'd prebooked table seats in carriage 18 right at the front of the train which was a great place to sit. We were lucky to get the whole table to ourselves. Train ride was fantastic and much easier than flying imo. Cast member came round onboard to give us park tickets etc. Got off the train straight into the heart of DLRP went upstairs to check in bags and saw Chip & Dale then headed straight to Planet Hollywood for lunch. Poor DD was so tired from the wedding yesterday she fell asleep sitting up in the highchair We got a table pretty much straight away at around 2ish. We wandered into the Park after this and it was heaving! It was Whit weekend which is a bank holiday in France, unbeknownst to me before booking. Waits were upto 80mins so we just took a stroll around and got our bearings before going to check in and have a little sleep. Around 9pm we decided we were hungry but concierge said there were no tables available other than in the Yacht Club in the Newport Bay. We took a nice walk down past Lake Disney.

Monday 1 June
Didn't wake up until 9.30 and just made it to breakfast by 11am. Parkside Diner this morning which was nice. Mickey was doing meet and greet in the lobby so we all got a picture with him. Highly recommend using the hotel meet and greets in the mornings as there were next to no queues at any time we went past. After this we went through Disney Village to change our money - do this in the UK as we got less than 1 € to the £ - and got straight on the RER A into the centre of Paris. Got off at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile and went up the top of the Arc de Triomphe, down Champs Elysee, through Jardin de Tuilerie and past Louvre, across bridge to Notre Dame back to Hotel de Ville and caught the batobus down the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. Went up to the 2nd floor as top was closed then off to get the metro at Trocadero back to CDG-E to transfer to the RER to Disneyland. Lots of walking but lovely day.

On a whim DH suggested Cafe Mickey for tea (after 10pm by this time) as it looked bright and cheerful. This was amazing!!! I hadn't thought that DD would be interested in the character dining but she was sooo excited. Minnie and Mickey came together at our table which was so lucky, and I almost expired with the excitement of it all. Gepetto pulled up a chair and sat down with us. We also saw Donald Duck, Baloo, Friar Tuck and Tigger. This was the highlight of our trip, not least because it was unplanned.

Tuesday 2 June
Got up early and straight into the Park for EMH. We walked straight onto Buzz, then did Teacups, Dumbo and Carousel. Peter Pan was closed. Back to hotel for breakfast before 11am, which was held in the Grand Ballroom unfortunately as I was hoping for the Manhattan Restaurant. DH went off to our room to get bags while DD and I waited by Mickey's meet and greet. His time slot ended so he walked off and, bless DD, she picked up her heels and ran after him waving. One of the castmembers saw her and picked her up and started shouting for Mickey to come back. She ended up with a private meet with Mickey in the corridor round the corner. I couldn't say thank you enough to her for being so kind. We got a photo with Pluto after this.

First went to studio for Playhouse Disney Live but DD fell asleep before Animagique so we went back to Parc and DH did Star Tours and potc with baby switch, then iasm once DD woke up. It was MUCH quieter today. We went back to Main St to stake out a place for the parade and ate a sandwich and cake on the kerb. After the parade we had just enough time for Casey Jrn and storybook train but it turned out they were closed so we went back on iasm. Had dinner in the Blue Lagoon before catching the Eurostar back home.

Weather was glorious while we were there and DD had such a wonderful time, even though she's really quite little for it yet. And, yes, DH is now a definite convert so much so that we are looking at WDW next year

 

[cathcuc]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. I amazed at how much you saw in Paris in one day.

How long did it take you from DLP to CDG/Etolie stop in Paris? We are doing this in a week and I am curious. Thanks!!

 

[mommy2ash]

thats great you all enjoyed yourself. thanks for the tr

 

[tennisfan]

Great that you enjoyed your trip, thanks for sharing your TR

 

[loriscot]

Great to hear about your trip, my husband is exactly the same he has a thing about the French (despite never knowing any ...) as well. I was going to book for Disneyland last year but he just wouldn't have it, I am so hoping to do it for this year, we normally go flying off somewhere every year and I've told him the cheapest flights from Aberdeen this summer is Ibiza or Paris so he says he's thinking about it, fingers crossed, I've started pricing it all up , even the kids have been on at him, all our friends have been although most of them now go to America but we just don't fancy the long flight, I notice you end your trip saying that your husband is now a convert I think I'll tell him all about your visit, it might swing it for us,

 

[PJackson]

Sounds like you had a great first trip thanks for sharing!