Trip Report It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!!! *** VIDEO ADDED ***

[Mum to Belle]

Following the extended PTR here is the somewhat delayed TR!!!
To Recap...
The venue - Sequoia Lodge

The dates 16th - 18th November

Our Top To Do List

Meet Pluto (MIL)
Meet Mulan (DD)
Santa & his grotto
Tree Lighting
Fantillusion
Winter Wonderland

Wednesday 16th November 2011

SO, having checked that there was no snow, no volcanic ash, no airline strikes & no traffic jams we set off for the airport in a state of great excitement! Till we hit the contraflow on the motorway, but 10-15 minutes later we were moving again and the excitement level rose again! We waved goodbye to Daddy and checked-in our bags before getting some coffee to go with our Creme Patissiere Brioche! Just to get us in the mood!
Refuelled we made our way to the security check, and I think it’s fair to say that we stood out like a sore thumb! In the midst of suited & booted business folk, there was Isabelle riding on her pink & purple Trunki wearing her pink Minnie Mouse dress & ears and MIL & I in our brightly coloured ski jackets! We spotted Graeme Souness in the crowds, but he didn’t say hello. We had a slight fog delay and had to change seats on plane to balance out the weight – this was because the flight was half empty, not because of our excessive weight problem! Aside from that, before we knew it we were landing in France ontime and made a super speedy exit – the lovely John was waiting to transport us to Sequoia Lodge. (Apparently a road in Paris had collapsed that morning so the travel curse had not completely lifted!) We had fun looking out for the DLP signs along the road! Sadly the arrival at DLP was not as impressive as it could have been because it appeared that the fog was worse here than at home! We couldn’t see a thing! But when we did arrive – ahhhhhhh lovely decs everywhere! Lights & trees & garlands & wreaths..... it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Having left the luggage I went to check-in and collect park tickets and I sent MIL & DD off to play area & shop where they Met Pluto!!! (No.1 on MIL’s to do list!!! Could we have asked for a better start?

Our room was ready so went to have a look & set alarm for the morning.
We were just about to head to the park when we saw a lady who spotted DD’s dress & said Mickey was in the hotel, so went back up the stairs (pretending to have forgotten something) to meet the Main Mouse! 2 characters met and we're not in the park yet!



I wanted to walk through village so MIL could get her bearings & see all the hotels – legs going very quickly, torn between looking at everything at getting to the parks quickly!

At 11.30 we knocked on the door to Salon Mickey where a lovely CM sorted out the shareholders thing for me – my card had expired but my new one had not arrived. Fortunately I had thought to bring with me my renewal confirmation email and expired card so she was able to issue me with a temporary shareholders letter for the duration of our trip. We settled down to enjoy our hot drinks & goodies, chocolate chip cookies, croissants and pastries!

Then we stepped out into the magic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We could hear the music, then walked under Main St Station to see THE TREE!!!!!! And Santa Goofy in his sleigh and trees & twinkling lights & bows & baubles EVERYWHERE!!!

If I can sum up the magic of Disneyland Paris at Christmas-time I would say it is like being in every classic Christmas movie – the music is playing, the snow is falling, everyone is happy, it was everything I ever dreamed it would be! Cold enough to feel festive without losing fingers to frostbite!

Isabelle’s first choice was a Meet & Greet with Mickey & Duffy. While we were in the long queue, MIL had a look around the shops. Then, eventually, it was her turn...



They made such a fuss of her and Duffy danced with her while Mickey was signing her autograph! She didn’t want to say Goodbye, but luckily it was perfect timing for Mickey’s Winter Wonderland Show 12.45 – WOW! Loved this! DD was captivated and loved dancing to the music (as dd MIL!) I videoed the entire thing so no photos! (Will work on video once I have completed the TR I promise!)

Now it was time for lunch at Blue Lagoon (1.30) – in the words of Hannibal, “I love it when a plan comes together!” We got a table by the water and we asked for the Express Menu which is really good value.







We all loved our meal here, all ate well. The Carribean Desserts were particularly yummy- coconut, mango, pineapple & passionfruit! We decided to save our Glowtini moment for the evenings so we opted for a glass of wine instead.


Feeling too fat for the rides, we walked to Belle’s Village, but nothing was open. When I asked at City Hall I was told they only opened at weekends. This was a shame.

Casey was closed, Story Book Cruise was closed, IASW was closed. I’m sure I saw Casey go past though?!!

We decided that Pinocchio was safe for fat tummies so we set off for that. MIL announced that this is her favourite movie!

Still feeling on the full side we wandered around the castle, tried pulling the sword from the stone. Check out the Queue times!!!



DD asked to go on Star Tours – I think Grandma had her eyes shut the whole time! DD decided to practice her French on the CM who wasn’t sure whether to give the safety speech in English or French!! She loves this ride and squeals the whole time!

Afterwards we had time for a character meet or a ride. DD chose characters to we set off for Adventureland. We saw Baloo & King Louis were around, while we queued they left, to be replaced by Timon & Rafiki – I was happy about this as we met Baloo & King Louis in June but had never met Timon and we LOVE him!!!



Time to head round for Once Upon a Dream Parade (4.45) by Bella Notte – where is everyone??? I forgot the parade changes route! D’oh! But even when the parade go to us it was still really quiet though! Isabelle had a big hug from a chipmunk and one of Captain Hook’s pirates took DD’s Minnie ears



I loved the Christmas bit!!!!!! Again no photos as I was videoing!






It was getting dark & the park was looking fab, we did some shopping waiting for tree Lighting which we watched on Main Street outside Emporium. My camera is rubbish at taking photos at night it turns out (have since got a new one for next trip!!!) so no photos of this that are any good either...

DD reminded me that I’d promised her a ride on POTC – we had got time for a quick go before dinner – Grandma chickened out so DD & I rode alone, we love this ride!!

Next up, dinner in Inventions......

 

[Donald Ducks wife]

funny thing is i was reading your past trip reports last night, as i was needing a disney fix hasnt your DD got big, shes a lovely looking wee girl

 

[Mum to Belle]

funny thing is i was reading your past trip reports last night, as i was needing a disney fix hasnt your DD got big, shes a lovely looking wee girl

How funny!! I'm not the only who does that then?!!

Aww thanks - she's changed a lot since her first trip 2 years ago! Scary how quickly they grow!

 

[jothp]

A great start, looking forward to reading the rest.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Yay, you've started! I thought you might have forgotten

The Christmas stuff all looks so lovely. DD has looks so much bigger. So glad you got there without any drama this time

How was the Sequioa Lodge? Do you have any room pics? Considering it for our next trip.

Bring on day 2

 

[DLPdaft]

such a great start to your trip, love midweek in November, its so quiet .

Did you have to ask for the express menu at lunch in the Blue Lagoon? We were there a couple of weeks before you, and we weren't offered the express menu, nor was it advertised in the restaurant when we were there.

 

[Mum to Belle]

Thanks for reading!

How was the Sequioa Lodge? Do you have any room pics? Considering it for our next trip.

I didn't take any photos of the room on this trip because it was the room we stayed in before, photos in Hotel Review.

Did you have to ask for the express menu at lunch in the Blue Lagoon? We were there a couple of weeks before you, and we weren't offered the express menu, nor was it advertised in the restaurant when we were there.

Yes we asked for it. Didn't see it advertised on the menu boards but I asked the CM on the desk and she said, "Ah yes, I know this menu. The Express." (excuse bad accent there!) We had another menu brought over to our table with the options on it for the Express deal.

 

[Mum to Belle]

*NOTE TO SELF* This is where we are staying for my 40th and I am going to celebrate my birthday at Christmas time not in July!

​

We made it to DLH just in time for our reservation. MIL was very impressed with the hotel – who wouldn’t be?! To my relief she was really enjoying herself and loving all the Christmas magic!!

We were led to our table in the room past the buffet and had a hug with Goofy as we passed him. Once we had unloaded our bags & coats we went back to the buffet. I didn’t take photos of the food because it was pretty much the same as when we had been before. There was lots of it and everything we had was lovely! We ate quite a bit, lots of starters and desserts and managed a plate of mains too! MIL & I shared a bottle of wine. Well, I did take one photo...



While we were eating we met Goofy, Minnie, Tigger, Chip (who was being naughty and got escorted from restaurant by the ear!), and Dale who danced with DD.








We wondered what was happening when the lights went out in the park – we didn’t realise at first that it was for Fantillusion! We decided not to peek out of the windows though, we wanted to save that for tomorrow night!

It was getting late now and DD was feeling very sleepy, time for us to go, we were just leaving when who should arrive but Mickey!! Guess who woke up instantly?!!!



Now, all very tired from our 4am start, we admired the tree, gingerbread house & decorations in the hotel briefly before getting the bus back to our hotel. We collected our luggage and went to bed!


What a wonderful first day! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Ahhh what a lovely first day

I think you should definitely do DLH for your 40th!! I'll get around to our trippie soon to give you a taster it really is the perfect place for Christmas, I know I won't want to stay anywhere else now .... so I will hardly be around here due to all the extra overtime required lol x

 

[zinderella]

yay! your TR!!!!

Photos are fab, and it sounds like you had an amazing time. I guess it makes up for the travel hell and disappointment of previous trip!!!

 

[tinks_1989]

really enjoyed your first day! x

 

[disneyamy4]

great first day! love the characters and your photos are awesome!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Thanks guys!

Ahhh what a lovely first day

I think you should definitely do DLH for your 40th!! I'll get around to our trippie soon to give you a taster it really is the perfect place for Christmas, I know I won't want to stay anywhere else now .... so I will hardly be around here due to all the extra overtime required lol x

I guess if I start saving now.......

yay! your TR!!!!

Photos are fab, and it sounds like you had an amazing time. I guess it makes up for the travel hell and disappointment of previous trip!!!

More than makes up for it!!! It was just AMAZING!!!!!

 

[honeyb35]

I'm drooling at the cake pic!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Thursday 17th November 2011


Mickey Mouse woke us up for our only FULL day in the parks so we were up & ready very quickly! We headed down for our breakfast at 8.00am and saw Mickey Mouse!



Breakfast wasn’t in the hotel restaurants but in the Redwood Bar. Same selection of food as usual and we ate well, fruit, yoghurt, bread rolls, pastries...! As we were leaving for Extra Magic Hours we saw Pluto!!! So DD & MIL went to have their photos taken with him before we caught the bus to the park.




We made the most of what was left of EMH and rode Dumbo, Peter Pan, Carousel, and Tea Cups. MIL loved Peter Pan as much as we do – phew!
We waited by the rope drop to head for Santa!!! We queued for maybe half an hour, maybe not that long. Soon we were meeting the man in red who started chatting up Grandma! Isabelle was very excited and told him what she wanted for Christmas which was a magic set. When he then asked her what else, she replied, “Please!” Bless! Santa thought I would like some diamond ear-rings, some perfume and a new dress from Paris – not a bad guess Santa!



Do you like Grandma's earmuffs?!!! They are actually Isabelle's but she couldn't get them to stay on with her ears, as we had no more room in our handbags, Grandma opted to wear them!


We skipped our way round to the meet & greet with Pooh bear which was an ok queue too. We were very excited to see him!!




Then we went to see Santa Goofy on his sleigh! We all had our photo taken on his sleigh and he was tickling DD. We had the proper photos taken of this so I need to scan them in so I can share them - they are lovely!

We were a bit tired from the queueing so decided that it was time for another visit to Salon Mickey! Yummy pastries and croissants again with hot chocolate, despite it being less than an hour till our lunch reservation at Auberge! DD changed into her Rapunzel dress while we were there, check out the pose...




We emerged to hear twinkling music and see lampposts lit up – so I quickly abandoned the plan to cut through arcade and dragged MIL & DD off to Main Street !!! YES – IT WAS SNOWING!!! It was ever so magical! We were just twirling around – beaming, ahhhhhhh..... this is what we've been waiting for!!!




When we finally calmed down, we were in need of a shopping fix! MIL was after the crystal Minnie & Mickey and I was after some new decorations...
Before we knew it, it was time to go to Auberge de Cendrillion for our lunch, (please, please, please let MIL like it!!!!)

p.s. sorry about the photos - Photobucket won't play tonight, grrrr

 

 

[Mum to Belle]

We were seated by the dancefloor, next to the window that looks out at the Carriage, the same table I’d had with my Mum the year before. While we were there we met Ariel, Cinderella, Suzy, Perla, Aurora & Prince Phillip so DD was in princess heaven!
MIL really enjoyed her meal and loved the whole experience every bit as much as we did! (Phew!) There must have been about 5 birthdays being celebrated as there were cakes coming out all the time – how on earth they had room for them I will never know! DD made friends with one of the birthday girls and they were dancing together.

I know that this is more expensive now and you get less for your money than you used to, but my DD STILL loves it, and I love the food, so it’s going to remain part of our holiday plans for some time. I know there will come a time when she isn’t a little princess any more, so I am going to make the most of it while she is.

Character photos:



And, the food photos!!! (Not the starters though as they were the same as before!)





As we were in a princess kind of mood, we headed over to the new Princess Pavillion which was showing a 45 min wait. This went really quickly, and the queueing area is lovely. When we got to the end we met....................... Belle!



I was so relieved it wasn’t a Princess we’d just seen in the restaurant! It was quite a brief meeting but not rushed. Snow White was the other princess in there but it didn’t seem like you had a choice who to meet, but then, we didn’t ask.


We weren’t done with princesses yet...

 

[Mum to Belle]

So next up was Rapunzel! I queued for 1 hour while Grandma & DD bought sweets & went on Peter Pan. I did wonder if the two of them would be able to find their way back to me after the ride but they did! While I was waiting I saw the Ugly Sisters by IASW but DD didn’t get back in time to meet them. Before we knew it Rapunzel & Flynn Rider were skipping over!I was 2nd or 3rd in the queue – yay! Flynn was absolutely scrummy.....



Rapunzel’s CM was fab! She was talking to Rapunzel about how beautiful Isabelle’s dress was, and took photos for me while I was videoing. Another satisfied customer.




Isabelle wanted a drink so we went to Bella Notte for a hot chocolate and DD took photos of the decorations.



When she picked up her hot chocolate though she started screaming as it had poured out the spout and all down her front! While I was undressing her, some very kind people next to us handed us baby wipes and a CM arrived with a cup of ice. DD was clearly in shock and more than a little pain so we set off for first aid. They were very helpful and put some “magic cream” on the scald and a dressing to protect it. We came out slightly calmer and saw Duffy Bear riding past on the parade. Soon DD was twirling to the music – her little accident forgotten, and asking for food....


We felt the need for some more shopping in Emporium before the Tree Lighting. I very nearly missed this as there was some problem with the till not printing out the receipt for the “Shopping collection service” but eventually they got it sorted and we waiting in the dark on Main Street for the magic to start! Ooohhhhh the music, the lights, the snow!!!!! It was all so magical, I wanted to stay there forever!

But we couldn’t, it would soon be time for Princess Aurora’s Christmas Wish Show & Castle Lighting. The kind man in first aid had advised us to wait by the popcorn stand off the hub as it was a good place for Fantillusion. (We’d been talking to distract DD!) So we found ourselves a lovely bench and sat down to wait, and wait. Well, MIL & I sat, DD danced and twirled in her very own show! We couldn’t see much of the show as it’s much more intended to be watched from the front but DD was excited to see the 3 fairies and the castle lighting was very impressive! (Unlike my photos!)


Next came the wait for Fantillusion which was supposed to start at 7.00 but it was almost 7.20 I think before it started. Once it did, we were completely entranced! I had seen clips on here & on the internet but they simply do not compare to the experience of being there. The combination of the lights in the dark and the music was breath taking. I think we did actually have our mouths open watching it!! We were in a great place for the float changes – it was just hard deciding what to look at first! I videoed the whole thing and I was conscious of my battery time getting lower and lower. It lasted until the very end of the parade, just!


We were a bit delayed so after the bus ride back to the hotel we were very late for our reservation but fortunately they weren’t busy so we got our table ok. Which was a relief as DD was shattered and starving!


We were having dinner at Beaver Creek Tavern in the hotel and decided now was the time for our Glowtinis!! Yay! (DD actually took the ice cube in to school for Show & Tell last week )



We had lovely food again. I love the fact that you can choose your main meal here (& it comes with vegetables!) and still get the benefit of the dessert buffet! I love the desserts. MIL had cheese & biscuits followed by doughnuts! I had one or two myself. DD had a bit of everything too. MIL & I both had the steak.



I am a sucker for Black Forest Gateau - and apple pie - and the strawberry mousse torte looked too good to turn down!



Shattered again, we headed off to bed! Setting the alarm & plugging in the battery chargers ready for the last day...

 

[Isila]

how wonderful, beautiful princesses and more beautiful little princess

 

[tinks_1989]

Love the very princessy afternoon

 

[Ms Poppins]

Lovely, lovely, lovely

You are so right about making the most of your princess whilst you can. I wish Auberge had been there when Abbbey was younger. She'd have adored it.

Love your pics and glad you liked Fantillusion. We were blown away by it too.

Looking forward to more