Jodie & Gavin - DLRP Trip Report Part 1 & 2 & 3 (3rd is final day)

[ely3857]

DLRP Trip Report 27/12/05 - 30/12/05

Tuesday 27/12/05

4.30am

Alarm call!!!!!! We jump out of bed excited to be going to DLRP for a couple of days, everything already packed and placed in hallway yesterday so just need to dress & load the car and were off.

I took a glance out of the window on my way to the bathroom and it’s snowing! Whoo hoo! I love snow but I do wish it had arrived on Christmas day

Set off as planned just short of 5.00am, As per the AA we are travelling to Dover for our 11.15am Ferry via the A1.

Gavin drove us to Dover with a quick stop at the services for breakfast and despite horrendous snow most of the way we make it in good time and get on the 10.30am Ferry.

I don’t travel well at all on the Ferry and this time was no exception, luckily I managed bag a seat looking directly out of the front of the ship which always helps but then I slept most of the crossing anyway. Gavin said it was a good job I dozed off as two children threw up just yards away from me which would have certainly set me off!

Arrived at Calais around 12.45 French time and I took over the driving as Gavin is a far better at map reading than I am.

Despite been to this hotel/hostel twice before finding it again is always more of an accident than good navigating (although this time we paid attention and I think we may just have it down for next time) .

We stayed at a Formule1 hotel in Collegien just 15mins from Disney. For those unfamiliar with Formule1 look here http://www.hotelformule1.com/formule1/fichehotel/gb/for/2461/fiche_hotel.shtml As our trips to DLRP are always on the quickie side this hotel more than suits our needs.

We had checked out the French weather prior to setting off so weren’t surprised it was snowing intermittently but were shocked at how cold it was aswell, anything from -1 to -5 (although I have since been told of the -9 temperatures that were in Yorkshire while we were away) with a bit of a breeze thrown in, just in case you weren’t cold enough!

Not sure what time we got to the Hotel but after a quick nap we headed to Disney Village for some food. We timed this very badly by arriving at 20.00 which is when DisneyLand closed so everywhere was busy.

We had a couple of drinks in the Sports Bar until everything had calmed down then went to Planet Hollywood for a very late tea.

At Planet Hollywood I had Brusceta (sp?) to start & Gavin had chicken strips then we both had a burger & fries, lost the receipt so no price I’m afraid.

Back to the hotel around 00.00, set the alarm for 7.30am & fell fast asleep.

 

[Cyrano]

Jodie great start to your report.
You look well wrapped up

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We had checked out the French weather prior to setting off so weren’t surprised it was snowing intermittently but were shocked at how cold it was aswell, anything from -1 to -5 (although I have since been told of the -9 temperatures that were in Yorkshire while we were away) with a bit of a breeze thrown in, just in case you weren’t cold enough!

Oh my ... Jodie, how much snow !!!!
DGH and I are leaving home tomorrow, headed to DLP !!!! Oh my ...

HOPE YOU HAD A NICE STAYING AND LOTS OF FUN !!!!! anyway !!!
I'll read your report when we get back - end of the week !!!
Wish us good luck !!!

GOOD BYE everyone !!! A quick meal and then to bed !!!
TOMORROW we'll be at DISNEYLAND Paris !!!!

Laura

 

[cannp123165]

Brilliant Start to the trippie. The snow looks beautiful.
Have a great trip Laura and Marco!!!!!!

 

[diberry]

Lovely to read your first day report Jodie and thank you for those beautiful snowy pictures!!!

 

[wideeyes]

I now miss planet hollywood at disney village. Just thinking of the lovely food.

 

[DisneyRGB]

I totally sympathise with your travel sickness Jodie, I don't do well on ferries either (or any form of transport except trains!)

Thanks for sharing your photos, can't wait to read day 2!

 

[ely3857]

Wednesday 28/12/05

Alarm set for 7.30 and again we jump out of bed, some more enthusiastically than others ready for our 1st park day.

It has been snowing overnight so car was frozen up but once de-iced we set off and have no problems getting to the parks.

8 Euros later we find a primo parking spot right at the front, a major benefit of getting there early.

We are let in to Main Street USA straight away at 8.30 and are held in the Hub until 9.00. While waiting we take a few shots of the Castle in the snow.

At 9.00 I head for the direction of Frontierland but Gavin says (and this is a direct quote) that BTM is too scary for the first ride of the day!

This isn’t a big problem though, we just start at Adventureland instead. First ride is now POTC, which is a walk on. Gavin now feels sufficiently ‘broken in’ to try BTM which he loves. He much prefers the DLRP version to WDW and I must agree, this ride is again a walk on. After this we head over to Phantom Manor and wait at least 2 mins to get in!

We are starving now so head back up towards Main Street USA for a bite to eat at Casey’s Corner. 2 Hot-Dog Combo’s (Hot-Dog, Fries, Coke & Donut) came to 22 Euros and was very nice indeed.

Make our way over to DiscoveryLand so I can get a FP for SM2. I managed to get Gavin on this in 2003 but he has since given it a very wide berth so I am riding alone. FP is for 12.30-13.30 (Picked it up at 11.20). We consider going on Star Tours in the meantime but as I am unsure what Star Tours is, I assume it is a simulator which I hate and as Gavin wont ride alone we don’t bother. I only ride simulators as a trade off for him going on a coaster IE; He rode The Mummy at USF so I went on Back to the Future.

I found a shop next to where Buzz Lightyear is going and decide that I can hear my name been called…. 61.80 Euros later I am the proud owner of a Dumbo snow globe, a Castle magnet and …………. A Lanyard!!! Whoo Hoo! I have a Lanyard! I bought a starter set with 4 pins on (2 Mickey & 2 Minnie) then also bought a Castle/Tink pin and a set of 3 Donald pin’s. After paying I stand just outside the shop ripping the packaging open and putting my new pins on. The only problem is I don’t really want to trade. I would not refuse if asked but I love the pins I chose and want to keep them all!

Gavin is fed up of shopping now so off we go to It’s A Small World. We both like this ride, Gavin knows there are no hidden thrill drops and we both get a sit down. As the park is getting a lot busier now this is a 20 min wait but it goes quickly.

Off to SM2 now. I am very giddy as I haven’t been on since the update. I assume that the FP line is the same entrance as the Standby line as I can see no obvious way in but the CM points me clockwise around the ride and near the back is the FP entrance. At first there is quite a crowd but then the CM yell’s (in French so I have no idea what she said) and 2/3 of the crowd stand back and the rest of us go straight in. My queuing time was as long as it took me to walk to the loading area.

SM2 is AWESOME!!! I loved it, the only difference I noticed is a change of scenery but it all seemed so much better than last time.

I come off with a big grin on my face and we wonder back to BTM to get a FP for later, the time is 16.30-17.30 and it is only 12.50 now so the crowds have really built up.

Decide to give POTC another shot and we spend about 30 mins in the queue but as the queuing area is mostly inside and warm we don’t care! After this time round we buy the picture. We pay 18 Euros for 1 big copy but end up with 2 as the lady distributing them got our order mixed with another ladies, although we did get the right picture.

When we come back out it seems even colder after the warmth of POTC and we need warming up. Everywhere is packed so we decide to leave and try the Village. The Village is almost as bad so we end up at McDonalds for a coffee & hot chocolate.

On the way back into the park we decide to have a look inside the DisneyLand Hotel. We both feel very naughty having a snoop but think the inside is delightful. I spot a gift shop so Gavin leaves me there and nips off to the loo (which by all accounts are marvellous!) I buy 3 more pins, Mickey with a clapper board, Minnie in a Cheerleading outfit and Marie from Aristocats = 18 Euros. Shopping here is wonderful as there is almost nobody else here so I could look around at a nice leisurely pace.

All of this wondering around took quite a while and soon it was BTM FP time but when we get there the FP queue is enormous and the Standby Line says 85 mins so we decide it is too cold to stand for that long. We do hang around getting some popcorn to see of the FP queue disappears but no such luck.

Head back to the car eating popcorn at 17.00 and go home for a nap. Return to the Village at 21.30 to eat. .We decide on Annettes as neither of us have been but the menu looks great. Get seated after about 5 mins and have Nachos to start the I have Chilli & Gavin has a Burger, with 2 soft drinks and a hot chocolate and a milkshake this comes to 61.05 Euros. The desserts looked wonderful but we just didn’t have room to fit one in.

Back home and to bed around 00.00

 

[cannp123165]

Another brilliant trippie!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cyrano]

Jodie excellent next installment.
We had the same problem with FP line at BTM in the summer... people ariving/queuing before their time window

 

[Bexx]

Great report Jodie, and I love those dark morning photos!

I spot a gift shop so Gavin leaves me there and nips off to the loo (which by all accounts are marvellous!)

I can understand this appreciation - I love the "restrooms" in posh hotels!!!

 

[diberry]

I love the early morning snowy pictures too - it looks great!!! Sounds like you had a great day!!!

 

[ely3857]

Thursday 29/12/05

I forgot to mention that yesterday we booked Café Mickey’s at City Hall for 8.30 today.

We are up at 7.00 to ensure a timely arrival at Café Mickey’s. Manage to bag another front row parking spot.

Get to Café Mickey’s at 8.15 and fork over 50 Euros while receiving funny looks from the cashiers about two adults wanting to eat at a character meal without kids

Café Mickey’s is ok but not a patch on Chef Mickey’s. I assume that the lack of singing and general enthusiasm of staff & characters is due to a more European/Formal approach rather than the Yeeha we got at Chef Mickey’s?

The Buffet was pretty standard and some of the characters (Captain Hook & A Friar from Robin Hood) missed us out which I wasn’t impressed with, it wasn’t even that busy they quite literally just skipped out table!!!

Mickey, Mr Smee & Chip or Dale were far more polite and happy to pose with Gavin & Myself.

After breakfast we headed for Walt Disney Studio’s, didn’t arrive dead on opening but almost.

Tried for the Studio Tram Tour but the one & only tram running had just left & we weren’t prepared to wait 25 mins for it to return. We went next to Rock 'N' Roller coaster, which I love. I rode alone but Gavin walked through he queuing area with me then as soon as I set off in the car he walked through to the exit section, where I was already back waiting for him!

After RnR I turned into a Queen ....

Next up was Armageddon. We had been on this last time and wasn’t overly impressed but it did seem a lot better this year.

When we came out of Armageddon it was almost time for the 10.30 Welcome/Christmas Parade so we staked out a spot and took a few photo’s as it went past.

After this, while everyone else was clambering for autographs we went on the Television Production Tour. This ‘attraction’ is terrible! It is aimed at young children but I cannot see why they would be interested in it???

After this we wondered over to the Animation Courtyard where several characters were out for photo’s. All of the characters out had ready made areas with queuing barriers which makes it so much less stressful to meet them. I queued for Mr Incredible as I hadn’t ever seen him about before.

One thing I am unsure about is why they will stand for pictures but not sign autographs? I realise this makes the line go a bit quicker but generally any kids are more upset by this than they are happy at the picture.

Next up was Animagique. We both enjoyed this although the primary attraction for us was the warm, seated theatre!

After grabbing some lunch in Studio 1. Hot dog & Fries for me and Chicken burger for him (no receipt so no price) we headed home at around 13.00.

We had seen everything at the Studios we wanted to, a couple of things we hadn’t done before. I have mixed feelings on this park. I do like it as there are fewer crowds and more characters but it just doesn’t hold my attention for very long. Once Tower of Terror is open then my desire to go will increase but we used this park as a more relaxing time after racing all over DisneyLand the day before.

After a nap at our Hotel (a kick back from WDW, I don’t think I will ever manage a full day theme parking without a nap ever again!) we went back to the Village for tea.

This time we chose the Rainforest Café. It is a bit of a drama getting me into this place due to that massive reptile dangling down over the entrance but once in I am secure in the knowledge he doesn’t have any mates in the main dinning area and there is a side door to leave by.

Tea was Garlic bread to start then Chilli for me & a Burger for Gavin, We left room for a Volcano dessert to share. With 4 cokes (No refills in France) the bill was 79.90 Euros.

After a wonder through all the shops we left at about 21.00 to head back for an early night.

Our day travelling home on the 30/12/05 was uneventful but we arrived to discover that if you are away for a few days and the temperature is below freezing it is a good idea to leave your heating on! We had a frozen sink pipe that had backed up and spilled all over the downstairs loo floor and cracks all over our plaster in the Kitchen. Oh well, you live & learn!

 

[diberry]

Thank you again Jodie for a very interesting report and lovely pics!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Great report and photos Jodie...sorry to hear about you heaing..the last thing you need when you get home!

 

[cannp123165]

Brilliant Report and great pictures! It sounds like you had a great trip!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyRGB]

Really enjoyed reading about your trip Jodie and I love the pictures - and I don't think it's strange for 2 adults to want to go to a character meal - we love doing that!

 

[Ware Bears]

This time we chose the Rainforest Café. It is a bit of a drama getting me into this place due to that massive reptile dangling down over the entrance but once in I am secure in the knowledge he doesn’t have any mates in the main dinning area and there is a side door to leave by.

Sorry about your heating.

We thought the same about Armageddon, we didn't think much of it in August, but we all quite enjoyed it this time.

Perhaps it was a bit too early in the morning for the CM's when you went to Cafe Mickey. When we went on Tuesday night the CM's were very enthusiastic and cheerful and had all the kids up dancing with themselves and the characters.

Great report and photos Jodie - I have read it all in one go and really enjoyed it You put me to shame, I have not even started writing mine yet!

 

[ely3857]

Great report and photos Jodie - I have read it all in one go and really enjoyed it You put me to shame, I have not even started writing mine yet!

I force myself to write them as it can be time consuming but I love reading them months later