Last minute trip to Disney - as it happens last day added

[karenmoloney]

Pre-trip info

Me – Karen
DD1 – Nicole (9)
DD2 – Natasha (4)

The week before the school Easter holidays, my daughter’s school announced that they were taking extra holidays & that the school would not reopen until Fri 6th May. If any of you remember from my trip report in Feb, Nicole was sick for most of our trip, so we didn’t get to do much. So I went home & booked flights going Monday 2nd – Fri 6th & got them at a great price. Now I had to decide where to stay. DH isn’t on this trip as it was just booked last minute & he had to work. I wanted to stay offsite as my AP was still valid & I was going to renew the girls ones (Nicole’s expired 18th Apr & Natasha’s 3rd May). There was no time to send Nicole’s AP off to be renewed as from previous experience this can take 6 weeks, so I just hoped that we would still get the 6 mths added free when we renew in person a bit late. So I booked the Adagio in Val D’Europe as we had stayed there before, it is so close to the shopping centre & it has a free bus to & from Disney. Much as I love the Marriott, it was just too expensive this time – the last two times we have bought the week off ebay when we stayed there.

Then on Easter Saturday, Nicole came out in spots, which I thought was a heat rash. By Monday there were so many of them & a few had blisters. My next door neighbour is a doctor & confirmed it was chickenpox, but was sure she’d be fine by the following Monday to fly. And she was. Easyjet’s website says they accept people with chicken pox 7 days after the last spot appears, which was OK as she didn’t get any new ones after Easter Monday. I got a doctor’s letter just in case stating this! We spent the next week waiting to see if Natasha came out in spots, but she didn’t, so we got away.

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 1 Monday 2nd May

Left home just after 11am. DH drove us to the airport. I was a bit nervous as it was the first time I had taken the 2 girls abroad on my own, but everything was fine. We weren’t asked anything about Nicole’s spots – but there are only 2 left on her face. John from Ezyshuttle met us at CDG & remembered us from before. He took all the luggage from me which was great & meant I could hold Natasha’s hand to get out to the taxi. Natasha fell asleep on the journey & I couldn’t waken her when we got to the Adagio. John brought all the luggage in for me while I put up the buggy & wheeled her in. Checked in very quickly & got Room 304 – a 4 person apartment. I had read on tripadvisor that the internet didn’t work on the 3rd floor, but it worked fine for me. The wifi here is free, but some reason I can’t get skype to work. We unpacked and ate in an Italian restaurant just round the corner. It was delicious. Then we stocked up on some milk, fruit & water from the supermarket. It was a nearly 10pm, so the girls were late going to bed. It’s great to have the internet when they’re asleep as I can only find 1 TV channel in English – and that’s a news channel.

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 2 Tuesday 3rd May

Got the bus outside at 10.40. It was mad. We squeezed on at the front door. At one point I thought I wasn’t going to get on with the girls & then another family still managed to squeeze on behind us. There were a lot of people who didn’t get on.

First we bought a new annual pass for Nicole at guest relations. Luckily the queue was very short, so we were in in about 10 mins. We went straight to the passport office to renew the APs & there was no queue – first time ever. Got Natasha’s renewed & then asked to have the 6 mths added to Nicole’s too, which was OKed by the superviser. DH’s AP also expired in April, but he didn’t think he would be back in the next 6 mths, so there was no point in renewing his.

First we went on It’s A Small World. The queue was quite long, but it was moving fast, so it took about 10 mins. Natasha was hungry, so we bought 2 portions of chips between the 3 of us in Au Chalet de la Marionnette. Then we had a ride on the Carousel (waited for 2 turns, so about 10-15 mins). The girls wanted to go to the playground so they ran about there for a while. Then we called into City Hall to book lunch with the princesses for Thursday. Natasha was dying to spend her money, so we looked around a few shops while she just wanted to buy everything. Next we saw Anamagique, during which Nicole dozed off & then was so tired that she wanted to go back to the apartment. First I had to let Natasha buy something & she eventually decided on a pink sleeping beauty hairbrush (this is the girl who won’t let me brush her hair!). Nicole wanted to buy the red Stitch, but we couldn’t find it anywhere, so I asked & was told that there were none available at the moment. So she bought a cuddly Nala & they both clubbed the rest of their money together and got a Minnie mouse set with the interchangeable dresses – a bit like polly pocket. We got the bus back at 5pm (it wasn’t as mad as this morning’s!). We had dinner at the Val d’Europe shopping centre & the back to the apartment for an earlier night as they were both wrecked.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Sounds like an interesting start to the trip, hope the girls find their energy. You may prefer to hop the train, a little more civilised.

Did you go to Del Arte or the really good Italian that is outside of the mall?

Have a great time.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Yaaayyy, you're back with a live trippie!

Hope the kids keep better for this visit. I'd like to hear your views on the apartments as i've thought of this for us.

Loooking forward to more

 

[karenmoloney]

Sounds like an interesting start to the trip, hope the girls find their energy. You may prefer to hop the train, a little more civilised.

Did you go to Del Arte or the really good Italian that is outside of the mall?

Have a great time.

If you read the next installment, you can see that I couldn't face the bus again & walked. It only took 20 mins, so very doable, especially if you consider the bus takes 10 mins.

It was the Italian outside the mall. It was absolutely delicious.

 

[karenmoloney]

Yaaayyy, you're back with a live trippie!

Hope the kids keep better for this visit. I'd like to hear your views on the apartments as i've thought of this for us.

Loooking forward to more

I hope noone gets sick this time either. But, we have only 2 days left now and so far so good.

I live to do my trippies live, because I know when I get home I'd never get round to doing them! And it's nice to have them to read back over in the future.

The apartments here are great. I have given a lot of information on a thread on the main board over the last few days, if you're interested in finding out about them.
Off now to type up today.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

If you read the next installment, you can see that I couldn't face the bus again & walked. It only took 20 mins, so very doable, especially if you consider the bus takes 10 mins.

It was the Italian outside the mall. It was absolutely delicious.

Is that the one Place de Toscane (through the back doors after the carousel) where there is several other restaurants ?

We were going to eat at that one last lunch time we went but went to Hippo instead as the place was full of suits, must have been a conference or something in the area

You are very brave as well walking back from Disney to the appartment after a day in the parks. I'm dead on me feet after that

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 3 Wednesday 4th May

We went for the earlier bus at 1020 today, but the queue was about twice the size of yesterday morning & I knew we’d never fit on & I couldn’t face the squash even if we did. So we decided to walk & as we were walking away, there were people 10 deep trying to get in the doors & the bus was already full. So the walk to Disney is very straightforward. It took us 25 mins exactly, but that was with a 4 yr old, so it is probably about 20 mins for anyone else!

First we went to the Studios as Nicole wanted to do a drawing class. One had just started, but there were no places left. So we went over to meet Sulley. We queued for about 10 mins – maybe less. I took a photo of the girls with him & then asked the CM there if he would take a photo of all 3 of us & he said no. I was very surprised, as I have seen them doing it before. Sulley is a favourite of mine & I wanted to get a photo with him & my 2 can’t use a camera (or would take the photo of my feet). A lady in the queue offered to take it for me when she saw that the CM had refused, so I got one after all. I was very grateful to her.

We stopped to buy a portion of chips because Natasha was hungry. This took about half an hour because there were only 2 tills on. Then we back over to the main park. I thought that there were bigger crowds today. By the time we got to Fantasyland, it was 1215 & people were already starting to queue for Rapunzel. Natasha really wanted to see her, so we queued too & were one of the first to see her when she arrived at 1330. She was really lovely & spent a few mins chatting to the girls, signed their books & posed for a photo. By this time the queue was massive & I’m sure some people would have to wait longer than the 75 mins we did. Then Nicole wanted to go back to the Adagio for a swim (although I warned her that it would be freezing). We had an hour to wait until the next bus, so we went for a spin around the park on the train. We went into Town Hall in the hope of booking Café Mickey for tonight, but it was already fully booked, so we booked Inventions instead & Café Mickey for our last meal on Friday lunchtime. The bus back was quite empty, but didn’t actually drop us off at the Adagio – just as well I was keeping an eye on where we were going! Back at the apartment & I couldn’t get the safe to open. I told them at reception & a man came up, opened it with a screwdriver, fiddled around with the batteries & then said it was fixed. I hope the batteries aren’t going & it stops again tomorrow! It did work OK tonight, so hopefully there is enough power in them to last until Friday! Then down to the pool. Natasha managed to get down 2 steps, to about halfway up to her knees & Nicole actually got down & swam about 2 lengths before getting out again. I had more sense & stayed at the side with the towels! Back up to the apartment & got ready to go back to Disney. Tried Skype again & it worked, so talked to DH.

Got a bus back to Disney (thankfully another quite empty one) in time for our 6pm reservation in Inventions. We had a beautiful meal & met Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Eeyore, Launchpad & Gepetto. I’m dreading weightwatchers next week after that meal! We were out in time for the 1930 bus back, but when we arrived at the busstop & saw the crowd we decided to walk off some of the dinner back to the Adagio. Spoke to DH again when we got back before putting the girls to bed.

Tomorrow we have booked to have lunch with the princesses at 1200. Nicole still wants to do a drawing class & I would like to see the show at 1900 as it’s our last night – if the girls last that long. They also want to go back to the playground, so I’ll let you know tomorrow night how we get on.

 

[princessmummy]

Thank you for this report! It has been really helpful.

i am taking my two DDs (11 and nearly4) on my own next month and you have inspired me......

Must remember to let DD2 dictate our pace (not go rushing around too much) and let DD1 get to do things SHE wants too (not just princesses )

Looking forward to your next installment already...

Did you take your laptop? Or are you using your phone?

Have fun tomorrow.

 

[Mum to Belle]

Can't believe the CM wouldn't take your photo?!!! Pleased you got your photo though

I'm sure you have nothing to worry about with WW after all those bonus activity points you must have earned walking everywhere!!

I hope you all get your wishes tomorrow and have a magical lunch with the princesses!

 

[karenmoloney]

Thank you for this report! It has been really helpful.

i am taking my two DDs (11 and nearly4) on my own next month and you have inspired me......

Must remember to let DD2 dictate our pace (not go rushing around too much) and let DD1 get to do things SHE wants too (not just princesses )

Looking forward to your next installment already...

Did you take your laptop? Or are you using your phone?

Have fun tomorrow.

I have a netbook, which is really handy. It's great for passing the time in the evening when they are sleeping - even though I am sitting in the hall of the apartment to do it as Nicole (sleeping in the livingroom) won't sleep in with Natasha (sleeping in the bedroom) as she snores, kicks & rolls all over the bed during the night. I'm in with Natasha though, so not getting much sleep!

Where are you & your daughters staying? You'll have a great time on your girlie trip.

 

[karenmoloney]

Can't believe the CM wouldn't take your photo?!!! Pleased you got your photo though

He was too busy talking to someone over at the side. Don't think he was too happy with me disturbing him.

 

[jothp]

I can't believe I missed this the last couple of days. It sounds like you are having a great time and is getting me all excited for our trip in a few weeks.
I am looking forward to hearing all about the princess lunch, I expect your daughters are going to love it

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 4 Thursday 5th May

We took it easy around the apartment this morning. The girls were in no hurry to get to Disney & were quite happy doing some colouring in until we got the bus (quite empty) at 11.30. We had booked lunch at Auberge for 12 noon & met Perla, Suzy, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Prince Philip & Ariel. All were lovely & so was the meal. Then the girls wanted to go to the playground & they ran around there for about an hour. Next we visited the Nautilis. I had forgotten how dark it is & Natasha was quite scared. Then we sat in the sun for a while before going to the Disneyland Hotel at 4pm where we met Mickey, Eeyore, Tigger, Pinocchio, Gepetto, Goofy & Pluto for more autographs & photos. Then we watched the parade from the Main Street train station & had a great view before walking back to the Adagio. I would have loved to stay on for a while, but the girls didn’t, so we went back for a swim. Nicole was very brave & got in for about 5mins, but Natasha didn’t even want to paddle today. Back up to the apartment to shower the 2 of them & then we went to the Auchan to get some crispy bread & water. It was a rush back so we could call DH on the Skype before he went off on night shift back home at 8pm. We enjoyed our bread & bananas for supper – I think we were so full from our lunch that we didn’t need anything earlier. The girls were tired & went straight to sleep.

I’m dreading the packing in the morning – don’t know how I’m going to fit it all into the suitcase! I had to sit on it to close it when we were coming away. We have booked Café Mickey for 1215 & then our taxi is picking us up at 3pm. It’s killing me being so close to all those shops in Val d’Europe, but I can’t get a chance to have a look around them – not that I would have any room in the case to bring anything home!

 

[Mum to Belle]

What a lovely day!

Enjoy Cafe Mickey today & I hope you manage to fit everything in your cases!

 

[karenmoloney]

Day 5 - 6th May

Packed up this morning. Managed to fit everythig into the case - just about. Found out at the airport that I was 2kg over & was told not to do it again! Missed the bus to Disney because it took me too long to find the luggage room in the basement & then work out how to use the lockers, so it was another walk for us.

Arrived in time for our 12.15 booking at Cafe Mickey. This is the first time I've had lunch there, any other time it has been in the evening. It wasn't as busy & the characters were in a very playful mood. We met Mickey, Chip, Dale, Gepetto, Pluto & Tigger. Afterwards we went over to the Studios just in time to watch the Stars & Cars Parade pass by, but didn't have time to watch the show. There wasn't a bus going back at the right time, so we walked back. I had just collected the luggage when the taxi arrived, 15 minutes early to take us to CDG. DH met us at Belfast to bring us home for about 8.30pm. I was wrecked & very glad to get into my own bed.

Conclusion

I loved the Adagio. Not the luxury of my favourite, the Marriott, but great location & the apartment layout works well for us. I'd definitely stay there again (if I don't buy a cheap week at the Marriott off ebay!)

The weather was beautiful, blue skies every day. Definitely makes a difference to the holiday.

The girls were no problem to take away on my own. They are still young & don't have the stamina to go all day at Disney & still want to go to the playground all the time, so didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but can't do anything about that! And thankfully Natasha didn't get the chickenpox. I had visions of us not being able to fly home!

Really enjoyed the meals at the italian in Val d'Europe, Inventions & Auberge.

It was lovely to get away on such short notice due to the school taking extra holidays, and after Nicole getting chickenpox over Easter & thinking we weren't going to get away.


I haven't had a chance to look at the photos yet, but will add them into the report later.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Sounds like you had a great time. I agree with the Italian and the Auberge being a good call (we also love the Chinese in La Terrace, and the Indian, I love Le Criee for seafood and the Japanese place too, but my family do not, so we rarely frequent them).

Sounds like it was mainly about the characters for you guys. 75 minutes for Rupunzel

I could never see us doing that, thankfully my kids are not really bothered about the Disney characters (dragons in Phantasialand were a different matter however). But I am glad you had a good time.

And walking to and from the parks, with park time too, wow , I don't think I could manage that, I am wracked out by the time we get to our room on site or the car when going to Marriott.

 

[kizzabel]

Great TR Karen!
You did a huge amount of walking, bet youre down at WW this week
Sounds like it was a fun trip.
Bit lousy of the CM not to take your pic. Thats not very Disney
Cant wait to see Rapunzel, she is DDs new favourite (for this week at least!!)
We waited a similar time to see Tiana but it was more then worth it as DDs face was brilliant. She loved every second of it!

 

[KatyTheFairyPrincess]

I've loved reading this TR as its been happening I just don't know how you had the engergy to write it up each evening after all that walking! Sounds like a great trip! Maybe I'll give Rapunzal a miss this trip though, I'm sure she's fab but maybe not 75mins fab haha.

Can't wait til all your pics appear!