From one chateau to another - the 2008 edition!

[SandraVB79]

From one chateau to another – a half day at Disney.

This summer, I was able to repeat my “from one chateau to another” experience. I, once again, could go to Chantilly to follow a training (LEAN for financial services, very interesting, and I hope I can work on more LEAN projects in the future). It started Sunday July 20 at 3 pm and would end on July 23 at 3 pm. And I planned to visit DLP for a few hours after the end of the course. Once in Chantilly though, I saw on the programme that there were only going to be boring plenary sessions (speeches from our big chief) etc. So, I decided to have lunch at Chantilly first (food is usually really good, so I didn’t want to miss that) and then sneak away and not going to the plenary sessions

I was able to get out around 1pm, and at 2.10, I drove onto the parking from Hotel New York!!! Yeay, I was at DLP!!! :excited:

I walked through the hotel, realized I had forgotten my Visa card in my car (because of the péage), ran back to the car, back towards the Village, and entered the Gallery shop, browsed a bit and realized I already had everything I like (I’m so spoiled, I know), then into the clothing store, and there I bout two wash cloths matching the towels I already have (turquoise and something brownish with stripes, I also have the bath robe and bathroom accessories, and the tableware). After buying that and trying to get it in my purse, I went to the WDS, and browsed quickly through the Animation gallery store, but didn’t see anything new I wanted (I had hoped for a “art of wall-e” book, but no luck).
That’s something I really really miss at DLP: a store that specializes in collectibles, art, books, …, the real nice and fancy ones, not the “cheaper” figurines aimed to children.

Since I didn’t feel like getting in line for TOT or Nemo ride, I went to the Disneyland park. There I saw that a Lion King show was supposed to start 30 minutes later, but it was already full. I had a FP for Buzz Lightyear, and while waiting for it, went on it’s a small world. It only had a 10 minute line (Buzz’ was 40 minutes). I also wanted an ice cream, but due to an “emergency”, they evacuated the Bella Notte restaurant + the ice cream place next doors. The ice cream looked so good, but no way to get some! I went on Buzz, and had a really high score (I think I hit something with lots of points on Zurg!) After that, I had to put lots of bandaids on my feet because of blisters, and after that I went to City Hall to get a dinner reservation. Without problem I could get a 7pm one at Café Mickey, yeay!

Next I went to the Tarzan show. I was there way too early, and just sat on a bench. It was soooo hot, and my feet/ leg started swelling and hurt, so I waited on the bench until there were quite a lot of people in line, and thank goodness they let us enter the theatre quite some time in advance. Btw, I love the music they play there while waiting for the show to start. It’s country & western versions from Disney songs, does anyone know if they sell a CD with those songs? I especially love the Baby Mine one! It makes me want to cry!

The show was nice, as usual (different Jane from last year!), and after the show, I walked around a little and took some pictures for a picture quiz. I browsed through some stores, and by 6.15 thought it was time to head towards the exit and walk to theVillage. I decided to look into the boutique of the Disneyland hotel, and there I found the one towel to complete my set!!! I bought that one + a metal Mickey-thing you use to put hot pots on on the table, and a little white Mickey-shaped dish. After I paid for all that, I walked to Café Mickey, and checked in a little early. I was seated in the covered patio-section. It doesn’t look as nice as the restaurant itself, but it’s less loud!
I ordered a Mary Poppins salad (picture will follow, because of course I had to take a picture) and I spent my time waiting with “naughty-kids” watching. The table in front of me was occupied by a couple with two young boys. Those boys haven’t sat on their chair the way you should sit on a chair for two seconds! They were climbing on the chairs, jumping off them, climbing on them and then falling off them! With his head against the window. Lots of crying, the manager brought ice (parents were kind of annoyed towards the manager. It’s not like she pushed him off the chair! While the one kid was crying on mom’s lap, the other one was still climbing on/ jumping off the chairs, and none of both parents thought about telling him not to do that.)

Then my salad came, I took a picture of t, ate it, realized that they mention a lot of meat on the menu and that you only get some tiny slices, but it was good overall. In case of a hot day like that day, I could see myself ordering it again!
After finishing my meal, it was around 7.45 pm, I went to my car, and drove away. I stopped at the Total gas station on the A4 to get a diet coke, in order to not fall asleep in the car!
After an uneventful drive back home, I arrived home around 11,15 pm.

The next day however, I spent almost the whole day in my bed, feeling really really bad. I think I have been too long in the heat/ sun at Disney, and it really got me. When I go next week, I may not forget my sun hat!!!

 

[cap'njack.]

Sounds like a good day, thanks for sharing.

Shame about not feeling well the next day. Hope you felt better quickly.

 

[davewasbaloo]

I went to the WDS, and browsed quickly through the Animation gallery store, but didn’t see anything new I wanted (I had hoped for a “art of wall-e” book, but no luck).
That’s something I really really miss at DLP: a store that specializes in collectibles, art, books, …, the real nice and fancy ones, not the “cheaper” figurines aimed to children.

Preaching to the choir. I worked hard to be a professional to fund my disney addiction. when DLP opened in 1992, there were amazing things for the savvy shopper. Now it is mainly cheap tat, and the good quality stuff has been in circulation for 10+ years. Really sad that Disney has dumbed down (like this at WDW now too). Thankfully our last trip to DL had some very interesting things to buy though.

 

[Bolanette87]

Great to read.... Hope you're feeling better!

Bob xoxox

 

[davewasbaloo]

Btw, I love the music they play there while waiting for the show to start. It’s country & western versions from Disney songs, does anyone know if they sell a CD with those songs? I especially love the Baby Mine one! It makes me want to cry!

That version is by Alison Krauss, we have both Disney country CDs. The one you are referring to is:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Sin...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1218462875&sr=8-1

It's one of my wife's favs. I personally prefer a little hillbilly in my life, so I prefer Oh Mickey Where Art Thou

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oh-Mickey-W...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1218462966&sr=1-1

 

[SandraVB79]

After many hours in my bed, I felt better. I don't support the sun/ heat too well, plus I was very tired, those training sessions are very intense (up at 6.30, never in bed before 1, and go-go-go during the day!)

 

[SandraVB79]

Thank you for the CD links, will check them out when I'm not at work

I can still find nice items at WDW, since I haven't been there so often yet (only twice), but my all time favourite is the Disney Gallery at DL. Or was, since it's now gone. I hope they moved the merchandise into another store!
What I especially liked there was the print on demand system. Oh, I wish they could have a system like that at DLP! I would love to have a print of that map that hangs in City Hall. And smaller prints of the attraction posters under Main Street Station!
With the print on demand service, they don't need huge stocks, just the white paper/ canvas in the different sizes + the equipment.

They really forget to cater to those who are there often and spend a lot of money. At this point, I can't spend too much anymore, since everything I like, I already have
Oh well, my account likes this better anyway!

 

[tennisfan]

You managed to fit a bit in with your half day. Thanks for sharing

I know what you mean about naughty children, we have them running round the supermarket I work in. You can guarantee if they hurt themselves it will be the shops fault

 

[karenmoloney]

Lucky you, being so close to Disney & getting an opportunity to go. You were right to make the most of it & sneak off early.

 

[J Marley]

You really made the most of your day

 

[hildasmuriel]

Good use of a half day.

I would love to have a print of that map that hangs in City Hall. And smaller prints of the attraction posters under Main Street Station!

Ooohhh my husband really really loves all those posters and was so disappointed to find you can't buy them.

 

[A Small World]

Glad you had a great time and you certainly got a lot done in a short time.

We were there at the same time and Ive been trying to think where we were as you were saying where you were. When I write my trippie for that day I'll have to compare.