micksn
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2010
- Messages
- 1,096
Got back late Wednesday night from lovely four night trip with DD and her boyfriend both 16.
Highs
Sequoia Lodge - got requested room in Yellowstone Lodge which was so convenient for pool, parks, shop and restaurants. Lovely room I really liked the Bambi theme and new furniture. I had emailed ahead to say it was our tenth visit and we were celebrating DD's exam results and were welcomed with water and chocolates and a lovely letter. We also had turn down with chocolates on 2 nights while we were there.
Restaurants - We ate at Caseys, Colonal Hathis, Annettes, Earl of Sandwich, Rainforest Cafe, Cowboy Cookout and BBWWS. Had good service and good food in all. Despite the parks being very busy we were seated and served quickly and CM's were really helpful and pleasant. (Shareholders and AP discounts also helped!)
Paris- found using the trains and Metro easy to navigate. We visited Eiffel Tower and used the stairs, had a lovely boat trip using Vaddettes de Paris courtesy of tesco vouchers and went to L'Arc de Triomph and walked down Champs Elysee.
RS Transports - Their service seems to be getting better. I was phoned while still at baggage reclaim to say they were waiting and again on return in hotel lobby. Again we had booked and paid for a shared service, but got private.
The Parks - Although busy everything looked great, clean and well managed. there were some breakdowns, but they didn't seem to last long. Even the toilets wee fine! and they were all open. Dreams was wonderful, we enjoyed the new additions, but did miss the Jungle Book a bit.
Lows
Rain - Not Disney's fault, but it poured on Sunday morning and we were soaked through. This did mean much shorter queues so we got lots done even Autopia which we have never managed before! Our jeans and hoodies were soaked, but I remembered the launderette at the Cheyene, so took them there in the afternoon. I had expected it to be busy with like minded people, but I was the only one in.
Getting home from Paris - Our train started slowing down and then stopped at Val d'Europe (problem with the line). Although I know there are free shuttles from hotels I didn't know where and we were tired so decided to get a taxi. We waited for over half an hour, but none came. We then went for a bus which went all around the area before finally getting to the parks bus station. All in all we should have been home by 5, but didn't get back till 7.
Crowds - It was very busy on Tuesday and Wednesday. The weather was lovely, but wait times were up to 70 minutes in the studios by 11.00 and both parks were crowded. We still managed all our favourites at least twice using EMH, Fastpass and going late at night. It was also crowded walking about.
Apart from a lack of sleep, staying up for Dreams and then getting up early for EMH and having sore feet we had a wonderful time. I had thought about staying offsite, but as it was so busy I was glad that we were onsite and able to pop back to the hotel in the afternoon. The outdoor pool was open on Tuesday afternoon which was lovely. Glad that I finally made it into Paris (It was getting embarrassing saying that we were going to Disney again and still not visiting Paris). I would like to go back now that I've had a taster session, perhaps with DH.
Highs
Sequoia Lodge - got requested room in Yellowstone Lodge which was so convenient for pool, parks, shop and restaurants. Lovely room I really liked the Bambi theme and new furniture. I had emailed ahead to say it was our tenth visit and we were celebrating DD's exam results and were welcomed with water and chocolates and a lovely letter. We also had turn down with chocolates on 2 nights while we were there.
Restaurants - We ate at Caseys, Colonal Hathis, Annettes, Earl of Sandwich, Rainforest Cafe, Cowboy Cookout and BBWWS. Had good service and good food in all. Despite the parks being very busy we were seated and served quickly and CM's were really helpful and pleasant. (Shareholders and AP discounts also helped!)
Paris- found using the trains and Metro easy to navigate. We visited Eiffel Tower and used the stairs, had a lovely boat trip using Vaddettes de Paris courtesy of tesco vouchers and went to L'Arc de Triomph and walked down Champs Elysee.
RS Transports - Their service seems to be getting better. I was phoned while still at baggage reclaim to say they were waiting and again on return in hotel lobby. Again we had booked and paid for a shared service, but got private.
The Parks - Although busy everything looked great, clean and well managed. there were some breakdowns, but they didn't seem to last long. Even the toilets wee fine! and they were all open. Dreams was wonderful, we enjoyed the new additions, but did miss the Jungle Book a bit.
Lows
Rain - Not Disney's fault, but it poured on Sunday morning and we were soaked through. This did mean much shorter queues so we got lots done even Autopia which we have never managed before! Our jeans and hoodies were soaked, but I remembered the launderette at the Cheyene, so took them there in the afternoon. I had expected it to be busy with like minded people, but I was the only one in.
Getting home from Paris - Our train started slowing down and then stopped at Val d'Europe (problem with the line). Although I know there are free shuttles from hotels I didn't know where and we were tired so decided to get a taxi. We waited for over half an hour, but none came. We then went for a bus which went all around the area before finally getting to the parks bus station. All in all we should have been home by 5, but didn't get back till 7.
Crowds - It was very busy on Tuesday and Wednesday. The weather was lovely, but wait times were up to 70 minutes in the studios by 11.00 and both parks were crowded. We still managed all our favourites at least twice using EMH, Fastpass and going late at night. It was also crowded walking about.
Apart from a lack of sleep, staying up for Dreams and then getting up early for EMH and having sore feet we had a wonderful time. I had thought about staying offsite, but as it was so busy I was glad that we were onsite and able to pop back to the hotel in the afternoon. The outdoor pool was open on Tuesday afternoon which was lovely. Glad that I finally made it into Paris (It was getting embarrassing saying that we were going to Disney again and still not visiting Paris). I would like to go back now that I've had a taster session, perhaps with DH.
