Just Back too !!

[Cyrano]

Angela part 2 was great

After a quick tour and another application of suncream (i kid you not !- Us Scottish people are almost blue (sorry Reid nothing to do with football-more skin tone !)and need frequent suncream attacks to cope with the beautiful weather we had.)

Yes, it has been said before we start of blue and suntan to pink

Reid

 

[Miffy2003]

I'm obviously not big on the VIP circuit and will need to practise my knocking technique for my future visits.

Another great day! I love Amimagique as well

 

[DisneyRGB]

It sounds like you all had a lovely day Angela. I'm really enjoying reading about your trip.

 

[Ware Bears]

Really enjoyed reading that Angela.

 

[disneyangel]

Our plan for day three was to have our GMF breakfast and then 'do' fantasyland. I'd figured before we went given the number of rides that our DD would appreciate that it would take us all day to get round them.It was nice to be proved wrong. We got to the gates about 8.40am after a nice walk past the lake and through DV. The weather again was fantastic, another day for short trousers , short sleeved tops and our trusty sun tan lotion.It was quite exciting waiting far the time to pass till we could enter and as we'd arrived nice and early we were quite near the front. I took some more of your good advice and refused the offer to go on the railroad and we walked up main st towards the castle and our friend the giant pumpkin, who at this point was still wearing his green 'modesty vest'. There were lots more pumpkin men dotted around and looking for them kept us amused on our stroll.We took some piccies and arrived in the Chalet de Marionette way ahead of the train party who'd obviously had to wait till the train was full to be transferred.We headed out about 9.40am and Jessica's first request was the carousel.We went on this about 4 times , just getting off and running round to go on again and then persuaded her there were lots more things to do.She immediately spotted Dumbo and he was our next stop. We waited about 5 minutes then it was time to make our elephants fly !!. I know to adults there's not much to Dumbo but Jessica at the tender age of almost 3 thought it was fantastic and watching her enjoy it was half the fun for me of the whole visit.We then headed for the teacups. A minor drama occured because we didn't get the right coloured cup and the sunny dispostion on Dumbo evaporated and was replaced by a very sulky face.To try to alleviate this we headed for Peter Pan as this is one of our favourite stories/films. However the ride was darker than i remembered and Jess was actually a little unsure so missed some of the details. Our next ride snow white was even darker but I think by now she was getting more used to it.Still to spend more time in the sunlight (since we Scot's don't get a lot of it !) we headed off to 'kiddie corner' to do Casey Jnr. WE'd read on the board on the way in that the storybook cruise was closed but when we arrived it was on so we went on it first. It was a nice leisurely trip , which stopped a few times (not sure how intentional this was ) and the detailing on the little houses and scenes was great. WE then headed up the hill to do Casey Jnr. It was so quiet we went round about 4 times without ever having to queue, so we got to try all the carriages and even drive !.This has another catchy anthem that I find me self humming throughout the day. Our next stop was mean to be the labyrinth but it was still closed so we headed on to a Small World.This had what appeared to be a much larger queue but loaded very fast so within a few minutes we were off on our voyage.As we entered Jessica said 'this one's not dark' in a really sweet voice and then her little eyes filled with wonder as she took in as many of the little dolls as she could see. I had a huge lump in my throat and spent almost the whole ride looking at her expressions as we went round. That 5 minutes was worth the whole price of the holiday and more because it's a memory I'll keep forever.(soppy Mummy I know - but I think it's true that Disney finds the child in all of us and you can only truly appreciate the magic when you see it through a childs eyes.) As Pinocchio and the labyrinth were still closed we had effectively completed our plan for day and it wasn't even lunchtime yet. We let Jess pick another ride and had another few shots of the carousel before venturing off to Adventureland.It was a bit hot for running around Adventure isle and our DD was getting a little tired with all the excitement so we decided to try Pirates of the Carribean. I warned Jess it was going to be dark etc but actually she seemed to enjoy it more than Peter Pan and Snow White.However she wasn't very sure about the area we queued in. That gave me a little concern as we'd booked the Blue lagoon for dinner that evening.(I later cancelled this as due to our previous nights issues with the Character dinner at Inventions I wanted her to enjoy dinner).After DH doing Indiana Jones in what seemd like 5 minutes (Jess and I were 'discussing' which other Lion King characters her budget would stretch to before going home) we decided to head for lunch. Our plan had been to go to Pizza Planet but when we got there it was closed (and remained so for the rest of our stay) so we settled for Videopolis with it's standard fast food fare however the setting was good with all the Lion King theme and it gave us another break from the sun/heat.After lunch we did Nauticules (not my favourite but they had put lots of details in it so I appreciated the work that had gone into it).DH then headed off to Space Mountain with it's 5 minute queue and Jess and I sat in a shady area near Autopia which we were disappointed was closed. We met another couple there who told us that no matter when they visit they've never seen Autopia open, I hope to prove them wrong sometime.By the time DH came back our little princess was sleeping in her buggy so we missed orbitron and headed off to see Tarzan on the railroad.The Tarzan show was fanatstic. The dancers/acrobats were great and very expressive. DD was enchanted and i loved the section when they let children join in with making as much noise as possible , how often do children get that offer -Magic !
We then headed off to see the parade. We watched it from the seating at the castle stage. It was great and we got a special wave from the Prince with Cinderella as he had been Bert the night before in Inventions.After this we headed back to the hotel and after having a play in the kids area cancelled our reservation for dinner before having a short rest.We then went to try out the pool(for the only time in our whole stay).It was okay but I wasn't particularly impressed with the layout and size of the changing rooms and even less impressed when Jess fell coming out the shower.There was no slip proof matting in that area of the changing room and she was down and had bumped her head before I could catch her. I've made an official complaint about this as I'd hate it to happen to someone else so hopefully they've put another mat down.

We then headed back to the Village to take in the evening atmosphere. We settled on the steakhouse for dinner and had the three course menu which we felt was extremely good value at 28€. The only downside was it was a bit too adult for DD. Too many breakables on the table ie all place settings were set with plates and bowls and two wine glasses when we arrived and as we took a while to be served DD was getting a little to inquisitive .Still i got to have my only alcoholic drink of the holiday a cranberry and champagne cocktail.

After a few shots of the carousel it was a walk passed the lake and back to our lodge for a well deserved nights sleep.

 

[Cyrano]

Angela, another excellent installment
Hopefully DD wasn't too badly hurt

Reid

 

[diberry]

Great details Angela - it really made it come alive. Thank you for sharing what was obviously a very busy but enjoyable day!

 

[DisneyRGB]

Another great installment Angela, it's lovely to hear you describe Jessica's reactions and how much you enjoyed watching her take everything in.

 

[Ware Bears]

Another lovely instalment Angela
I agree its priceless seeing Disney through a child's eyes, I only wish I could have taken mine at a younger age, they were 11,9 and 7 when we first went ( but at least they didn't have to wait until they were in their 40's! )

 

[diberry]

ITA Elaine! DH and I were in our 40s when we first went to WDW and DS & DD were in their teens. However I also subscibe to the school of thought which says that Disney parks are much too good for kids!!!! In fact Rhiannon was only saying last night that when she first went she was 13 and thought IASW was a bit naff whereas now she really appreciates all the detail and theming etc. Just proves it offers something for everyone!!!

 

[Ware Bears]

My parents always wanted to take my sister and I as children. of course it was totally out of the question then. However, my parents finally made it to DLC and WDW when they were in their 60's!!!
When we went to WDW in 2004 my dad was very ill but luckily lived long enough for me to show him my photos, that means an awful lot to me.

Angela, sorry for going off-topic

 

[NIK]

Have you started planning your next visit yet???

 

[Rosie]

It sounds like you had a really lovely time.

I too wish that I had discovered DLP and WDW a few years sooner. I'm sure that your DD's shyness of the characters will lessen as she gets older. I saw a really tiny french girl on IASW with her parents a couple of years ago and her delight was just such a joy!

Make the most of being able to take trips outside of the School holidays if you can. Your trip sounds like it was so relaxed - a great way to store up some sunshine to see you through the winter.

Regards
Rosie

 

[Miffy2003]

Lovely Thank you Angela

 

[disneyangel]

Hi All

Thanks for all your lovely comments.I think the magic of Disney appeals to all our 'inner-children' but of course as an adult you've got more appreciation of how much work and effort has gone into it. I enjoyed so much were already planning another trip next year with another family. Current thoughts are 1st week in October at the Holiday Inn with fantasy annual passes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jillrobinson]

What a lovely report - I really enjoyed it.

 

[Ware Bears]

I enjoyed so much were already planning another trip next year with another family.

I guessed that was what the smileys x 2 in your signature meant, Angela.

 

[Bexx]

I've FINALLY got a chance to catch up on some trip reports. I'm really enjoying your reports Angela - they're great fun!! Thank you!!

 

[disneyangel]

Day 4

After a good nights sleep we headed down for breakfast for our first time at the hotel which had the same selection as the GMF buffet , rolls, bread, cold meats , cheese , yogurts , croissants and drinks - juice , coffee , tea , hot choc.We were there later than our time but it didn't seem to be a problem.We then strolled down (again in the sun )to the park. Our original plan for the day had more or less been taken care of the day before due to the small queues in Fantasyland.I stopped in Town square in Main St to buy some baby things for a friend and then strolled through one of the arcades which was amazingly well detailed and definitely worth a visit.Meanwhile DD and DH were watching some of the characters head off to Central Plaza in one of the main street vehicles.We tried to convince DD to have a journey after they had returned but she wasn't having any of it ( I think in case the scary characters came back ie, Goofy and Pluto who she'd added to her 'not' wish to meet list along with Chip and Dale), incidently she never found any of the halloween characters one bit scary - aren't children strange ! .The two remaining rides DH and I wanted to do were Phantom Manor (me) and Big Thunder Mountain (DH) however our first stop in the park was Fantasyland so DD could have another few rides of her choice. First choice was the carousel which we had a few shots of before heading for the Pinocchio which had been closed the day before and then Alice's labyrinth. Thankfully within the maze we seemed to following the greatest ever maze solver so Jess's little legs didn't have to do too may extra steps. We then headed back up to Casey Junior to head ' up and down the track' a few times and we even got to 'drive' again much to Jess's delight .We then headed off to frontierland which was fast becoming 'Halloween land' with even more witches and pumpkinmen every day. DH headed off to do BTM while DD and I did what girls do best and headed for the shops.We managed to add a few more items to our wish list and when DD came back we headed off so I could do PM.PM was very eery scary but definitely not screamy scary and full of great details.As we had a character tea booked we didn't want a big lunch so headed back to Main St for a Croque Monsieur and some juice in the shade as it was still extremely hot.Whilst DD slept in the shade we toyed with the idea of donating our Tea party voucher to someone else as we weren't sure how DD would react but we decided to go and if she got upset leave. When we first arrived she was still asleep , I managed to get a picture with Baloo and a cuddle from Pluto but then the birthday cakes arrived and an unsteady Eeyore nearly knocked over her buggy. She therefore awoke to see a Dancing Baloo in front of her , Eeyore trying to fix her buggy and apologise behind her and her 'favourites' Pluto and Goofy singing Happy Birthday at the tables nearby. As you can imagine this was more than a little distressing ( i think she would have described it as a nightmare if she knew the word) and she had to be cuddled very closely , although strangely didn't want to leave(perhaps this was the cakes on the table she is my daughter after all ).We managed to stay long enough for a very kind and patient Brer Fox to give her a few strokes on the arm and for her to have a chocolate cookie before heading off to the corner to see the parade for the second time.It was great especially in the sun. We then headed back to see Tarzan again. DH admitted defeat (to the sun)at this point and headed back to the room for a snooze and left DD and I. We watched Tarzan and Jess loved it just as much second time round much to the delight of an Irish group behind us who were planning to bring their grandchildren of similar age on their next visit.It was then time to shop (we had to take advantage of our shareholders discount of course).After snapping up a number of 'girly presents' and a few more members of the Lion King cast we went back to Fantasyland where we had another few shots of the carousel , a shot of the tea cups and one of Dumbo . We waited in our longest queue of the whole visit for this a whole 20 minutes ! and then headed back to meet up with DH.Dinner we decided would be Annettes which proved to be a great success all round especially since we had two dancing sessions which our waiter took part in and a roller skating waitress at the next table.The food was good big portions but I'd recommend the milkshake as a pudding ( I had a strawberry and banana one as a drink alongside my meal and struggled to finish dinner and shock of shocks didn't have room left in my pudding stomach for a sweet. After a quick look in the shops and a shot of the carousel we headed back to pack and have our last nights sleep at the resort.

 

[diberry]

Another very full day - you certainly made the most of your time!!! Thanks for sharing again!!