Halloween at the DLH - Day 4 - Disney!

[Ms Poppins]

The Cast

Me - Julie, 35
DH - John, 39
DS1 - Mark, 16
DD - Abbey, 13
DS2 - Lewis, 6

Pre-trippie

Days 1-3 It's London Baby!

Monday 11 October

The day we had been waiting on since March....we were up early. I had a quick clean round the flat, we had breakfast and were out by 8:45. We walked with our two heavy cases to St Pancras, which took about 20 minutes, battling the workers - what a busy area on a Monday morning! I was slightly panicked as couldn't see the station and was worried we would miss our check in time, but as soon as we turned the corner and seen the beautiful building, my worries went. Although, I still had a nagging doubt that we wouldn't get through check in as our tickets said Ashford on them. Even though i'd checked that it was ok to board here, I wouldn't beleive it until we were through.....and we were through in a matter of seconds. Security and passport control were very quick and we were called to board the train about 20 minutes before it was due to leave.

Had a very good journey, again with a packed lunch on board and was very happy to see the sunny skys when we arrived at Disney.

We usually use Disney Express but because we were lucky enough to be staying at the Disneyland Hotel, we just slummed it and walked with our cases They scanned the cases at the side of the entrance and we were there!

Hotel reception was quiet and we were seen to straight away. The girl checking us in was very thorough and explained breakfast, park tickets and gave us our fast passes, 1 each per day, only for use before 1pm and after 4pm. The lady next to me was a bit distressed, I think there had been confusion with her travel agent where they thought the were getting separate beds, but the CM explained to her they didn't do this. She got very upset, but the CM's were very good and he said he'd take her to some rooms for her to look at, and the CM who was serving me went over and told her not to worry, they would sort something out for her. Every CM we met greeted us with a smile or a bonjour - all very pleasant.

We were in room 3364, third floor over the walkway past the restaurants. This is the side we'd been on previously and it is so handy being at an exit door right next to the park.

We had a family room for 5, 2 doubles and a sofa bed. I was very pleased with the size

I'll do a review on the hotel thread as I really struggled to find information about the family rooms at DLH before our visit.

Then we were off to the park!!

So happy to see Main St and the Halloween decorations - check out the blue sky!!

Our first view of the castle

We went to Fanstasyland first, we always do! First ride, as always was Carousel - I think it's because it's the first ride you see and there is usually minimal wait

Then onto the teacups - again no wait

From here we went to Adventureland and onto Pirates. Lewis had been frightened of this last time, so we coaxed him on with the promise of a look in the shop afterwards. I also had to be his seatbelt and hold him tight round the waist the whole time. He turned out to like it.

We wandered around Adventureland, something we usually just visit for Pirates. We took a trip up Swiss Family Robinson Tree House.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Then had a look round Skull Rock and and Captain Hook's Ship

It's a bit of a shame that it's not open anymore to go on board - but is does look like it needs a wee refurb. The playground wasn't open either, again needing some work done.

Mark and Abbey wanted to do Indiana Jones, so I joined them - I quite like this even though it is quite short.

From here we stolled over to Frontierland. I had been so looking forward to seeing the Halloween decorations, and was very happy.

I love Lewis' confused look here

John and Mark did Big Thunder Mountain whilst the rest of us waited in the sun. When they came off Abbey and I did BTM - this was an absolute no no for Lewis. No amount of convincing or discussion would get him on this

 

[Ms Poppins]

Whilst we were on BTM John was approached to complete a survey about Buffallo Bills. We had tickets booked for the following night, but had never been before. He was asked if he thought it represented good value for money and told that they are considering just doing the show without any food for 44E. I think for a family of 5, anything at this price is still too much for us.

After this we were keen to visit the Studios as had been looking forward to seeing the new Toy Story Playland.

Buzz was very impressive. He speaks when you walk under him, alternating languages, so the kids kept running through each time we passed trying to guess which language would be next!

First ride was Slinky which we waited about 5 minutes for. It's a quick loader, but very short ride. I reckon only about 45 seconds

We had a look about and RC Racer was showing about 45 minutes and Parachutes about 50. We didn't bother waiting as we knew we'd be back the next morning.

It was about 5pm now. John, Mark and Abbey did Tower of Terror

Lewis and I did Cars and Flying Carpets. We met up and Mark and Abbey did Aerosmith whilst we waited outside in the sun.

The announcement came over that the park was now closing, it was 6pm. When Mark and Abbey came off Aerosmith, we left the park to go to Annettes. I was very surprised that there was no queue at all.

We all had burgers of some description and Mark and I treated ourselves to a strawberry milkshake.

It was really nice, but it did feel a bit like I was eating my main meal and dessert at the same time!

We left here and wandered back to the hotel. It was getting dark now and the hotel looked lovely

Back to our room and the beds had been turned down with chocolate coins, which Lewis then decided to collect. I phoned for a kettle to be delivered, which it was in about 5 minutes. I also asked about the bedding for the sofa bed. We then went to the hotel shop where I purchased a mug for my hot chocolate. Mark had stayed in the room and when we got back he said that someone had come in and made up the sofa bed. It turned out the bedding had been in the wardrobe, but I couldn't see it. Anyway the sofa bed looked really comfy. We had some drinks, and watched a movie on the laptop. Sleep was not long coming

 

[Mum to Belle]

Great first day! What fantastic weather! You have got such a gorgeous family - Mark & Abbey look so grown up now!

Your hotel room looks fab too!

 

[loladelorean]

What an amazing start to your trip! We are also from near Glasgow (Ayrshire) and getting the train to London before our DLP trip in November, really looking forward to it We have cousins in London so it will be great to see them. You managed to get loads done in London.
You had amazing weather and it looks like the whole family is having a brilliant time already! My 17 year old sister is pleased to see another teenager who enjoys Disney as much as she does

 

[Ms Poppins]

Great first day! What fantastic weather! You have got such a gorgeous family - Mark & Abbey look so grown up now!

Thank you so much - yes they're all grown up - make the most of your princess whilst you can.

My 17 year old sister is pleased to see another teenager who enjoys Disney as much as she does

I don't think he'll ever get fed up with it - the trick is to brain wash them from birth

 

[loladelorean]

I don't think he'll ever get fed up with it - the trick is to brain wash them from birth

Well I'm 22 and my sister is 17 and we're going back with our mum in 3 weeks - can't wait! We are definitely brainwashed, and happy about it lol. I love it just as much now as I did on my first visit aged 6

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Looks like a great trip and how nice to start with a little tour around London! The DLH looks wonderful too!!

 

[mommy2ash]

wow you had a great first day and got loads done. i have always wanted a milkshake in annettes but have decided against it for the same reason lol. then when it comes to dessert i end up choosing something else

 

[Ware Bears]

What a fabulous first Disney day and a great start to your stay at the Pink Palace.

the trick is to brain wash them from birth

Definitely!!

 

[markpsych]

Great report, thanks for sharing

If Mark isn't fronting a band, he should be!

 

[Nubbedy]

Great first day, the hotel room looks lovely.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Great report, thanks for sharing

If Mark isn't fronting a band, he should be!

Hahahahahah!!!! He will be so happy you've said this! He is in a band and they've a few gigs coming up. In fact, I forgot to mention: when we came off eurostar we went through bag check to get to the hotel. John and Mark took the suitcases to the side to be scanned and the security guard said to Mark, 'Hello John Lennon' - it made his day!! There will be no living with him now when I show him this

 

[loladelorean]

Hahahahahah!!!! He will be so happy you've said this! He is in a band and they've a few gigs coming up. In fact, I forgot to mention: when we came off eurostar we went through bag check to get to the hotel. John and Mark took the suitcases to the side to be scanned and the security guard said to Mark, 'Hello John Lennon' - it made his day!! There will be no living with him now when I show him this

Wow good for him, what kind of music do they play? Any gigs coming up in Glasgow? I work on the Strathclyde Uni paper and we always like to review new young Glasgow bands! Sorry this is totally off topic lol