jodyb
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 15, 1999
- Messages
- 788
Trip Report
Disneyland Paris
Jan. 26 through Feb. 2 2004
Cast:
Liav (12)
Jody (Liav's mother and old enough to be that!)
Last full Day! Sunday, Feb.1
We had only been to the Studios once the whole trip, so today was the day to try to catch the auto stunt show. It was much warmer than it had been the entire week, and we layered on less clothing, making us feel very free! I had seen on the schedule (or thought I had) that the car show started at 10:30, and since we were up quite early, we decided to go into Disneyland Park for the first part of the morning. As soon as we got onto Main Street we saw it the center court in front of the castle , which had been boarded up the entire week, hiding some mysterious construction was open! There was a huge sculpture of the animals from the Lion King very cool, and looking really neat in front of the castle. Of course we walked all around it, getting a good look and taking pictures. We were thrilled that the boards had come down in time for us to see it. We know the Lion King Carnaval started only a week later. Next we went over to Pinocchio that too had been closed all week, so we rode it, and since there was no line we went around a second time. Just as we were getting to the exit the second time around the ride stopped and they announced technical difficulties. We sat and sat, and finally when I feared we'd miss the car show at the Studios, we made a break for it! We "illegally" climbed out of the car (thank goodness we are both small enough to do this the safety bar would not go up) and sneaked out of the ride against CM's wishes (we really were right at the end we did not endanger anyone promise). We hurried over to the Studios, and as usual there were lots of characters at the entrance I stopped for a brownie, since I had not been able to face that SL breakfast again today Wow, these brownies are FANTASTIC! I want the recipe! Then we finally went over to Moteur show. But I had read the schedule wrong. The 10:30 show was to take place starting Feb. 7 not Feb. 1. Today the first show would be at 12:30 and the CM suggested arriving 1/2 hour before. So with time to kill we decided to see Cinemagique again. The crowd was very small again, and we sat in the very front section, to the left as you face the curtain. Idly looking around, I noticed that directly behind me was a man, alone, wearing an outdated leisure suit, an obvious wig, and make-up! He was looking intently at a park map I told my daughter I think the man behind us is the actor that "goes into" the movie. Sure enough, at the appointed time his cell phone rang and off he went. Now, my question is it's so dark why the make-up!? Anyway, we both thought that was entertaining.
The Moteur stunt show was really good. I would have liked to see it again, so I was sorry we left it til the very last day. I won't give anything away for those of you that haven't seen it yet. It's very entertaining and we learned a few things about how they DO that in the movies!
There wasn't really anything else we wanted to do in the park (well, RnR, but we were hungry for lunch). We decided to take the bus over to the Santa Fe. For one thing, I wanted to check it out. I had originally made reservations to stay there, but after reading so many bad reviews on the boards, I decided to spend a bit more and go for the SL. I had no regrets, and we were really enjoying the SL, but I was curious. Also, we both love Mexican food, so we thought having lunch there would kill two birds with one stone. The bus ride was about 3 times as long as the one to SL walking into the place I have to admit it was not a great atmosphere. In fact, pretty depressing. Can't put my finger on exactly why. It's not lack of luxury exactly. In fact, I happen to thing the All Star resorts at WDW have some of the happiest vibes I've every experienced but the Santa Fe is just sort of crumby. The restaurant, on the other hand, was pretty good. We had chicken Fajitas. Not cheap, by any means, but the portions were very large and it was delicious. So that made the trip worth it, and I was really glad to have seen the Santa Fe.
We then took the bus back to Disneyland park and did various rides until it was time for out 3rd viewing of the Princess Parade. Three times was enough for me on that parade, but Liav enjoyed it again. Then more rides until it was time to line up for MY favorite parade Fantillusion. If you read my last reports you know we stood at the beginning of Main Street, and then at the end of Main Street well, this time we stood in front of the castle, facing Main Street, just a bit to the right. BINGO. This is the perfect spot. The parade made three stops all right in front of us it was really magical! The first stop was a bunch of characters emerging from the curtains of the second float the float I had noticed that first time I saw the parade I had known it contained a surprise! The others were transformations of "bad guys" very cool!! Really loved the parade and it was sad knowing this was our last time (this trip) seeing it!
Well, that's pretty much the end of my report. The next morning (Monday, Feb.2) we did come into the park again to do a little more shopping and ride a few last rides (BTM about 3 times or so), and then it was time to pack up and leave. Back to CDG Terminal 1 (yuck), then Amsterdam (Schiphol is one of the best airports I think, and besides we had vouchers for the Crowne lounge.. free refreshments and clean rest rooms Then the 5 hour flight to Tel Aviv, which left on time, and arrived on time (1:30 AM Tuesday). Almost the entire plane from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv was full of a group of pilgrims from Ecuador. I was happy to see tourists arriving. We need them, and these days so few seem to come. They had really had a long journey over 24 hours and 4 plane changes
We grabbed a shuttle home and were in our own beds in Haifa by 5 AM.
Was DLP just a wonderful dream???
We'll be back...
Next time: Disneyland Hotel!
Disneyland Paris
Jan. 26 through Feb. 2 2004
Cast:
Liav (12)
Jody (Liav's mother and old enough to be that!)
Last full Day! Sunday, Feb.1
We had only been to the Studios once the whole trip, so today was the day to try to catch the auto stunt show. It was much warmer than it had been the entire week, and we layered on less clothing, making us feel very free! I had seen on the schedule (or thought I had) that the car show started at 10:30, and since we were up quite early, we decided to go into Disneyland Park for the first part of the morning. As soon as we got onto Main Street we saw it the center court in front of the castle , which had been boarded up the entire week, hiding some mysterious construction was open! There was a huge sculpture of the animals from the Lion King very cool, and looking really neat in front of the castle. Of course we walked all around it, getting a good look and taking pictures. We were thrilled that the boards had come down in time for us to see it. We know the Lion King Carnaval started only a week later. Next we went over to Pinocchio that too had been closed all week, so we rode it, and since there was no line we went around a second time. Just as we were getting to the exit the second time around the ride stopped and they announced technical difficulties. We sat and sat, and finally when I feared we'd miss the car show at the Studios, we made a break for it! We "illegally" climbed out of the car (thank goodness we are both small enough to do this the safety bar would not go up) and sneaked out of the ride against CM's wishes (we really were right at the end we did not endanger anyone promise). We hurried over to the Studios, and as usual there were lots of characters at the entrance I stopped for a brownie, since I had not been able to face that SL breakfast again today Wow, these brownies are FANTASTIC! I want the recipe! Then we finally went over to Moteur show. But I had read the schedule wrong. The 10:30 show was to take place starting Feb. 7 not Feb. 1. Today the first show would be at 12:30 and the CM suggested arriving 1/2 hour before. So with time to kill we decided to see Cinemagique again. The crowd was very small again, and we sat in the very front section, to the left as you face the curtain. Idly looking around, I noticed that directly behind me was a man, alone, wearing an outdated leisure suit, an obvious wig, and make-up! He was looking intently at a park map I told my daughter I think the man behind us is the actor that "goes into" the movie. Sure enough, at the appointed time his cell phone rang and off he went. Now, my question is it's so dark why the make-up!? Anyway, we both thought that was entertaining.
The Moteur stunt show was really good. I would have liked to see it again, so I was sorry we left it til the very last day. I won't give anything away for those of you that haven't seen it yet. It's very entertaining and we learned a few things about how they DO that in the movies!
There wasn't really anything else we wanted to do in the park (well, RnR, but we were hungry for lunch). We decided to take the bus over to the Santa Fe. For one thing, I wanted to check it out. I had originally made reservations to stay there, but after reading so many bad reviews on the boards, I decided to spend a bit more and go for the SL. I had no regrets, and we were really enjoying the SL, but I was curious. Also, we both love Mexican food, so we thought having lunch there would kill two birds with one stone. The bus ride was about 3 times as long as the one to SL walking into the place I have to admit it was not a great atmosphere. In fact, pretty depressing. Can't put my finger on exactly why. It's not lack of luxury exactly. In fact, I happen to thing the All Star resorts at WDW have some of the happiest vibes I've every experienced but the Santa Fe is just sort of crumby. The restaurant, on the other hand, was pretty good. We had chicken Fajitas. Not cheap, by any means, but the portions were very large and it was delicious. So that made the trip worth it, and I was really glad to have seen the Santa Fe.
We then took the bus back to Disneyland park and did various rides until it was time for out 3rd viewing of the Princess Parade. Three times was enough for me on that parade, but Liav enjoyed it again. Then more rides until it was time to line up for MY favorite parade Fantillusion. If you read my last reports you know we stood at the beginning of Main Street, and then at the end of Main Street well, this time we stood in front of the castle, facing Main Street, just a bit to the right. BINGO. This is the perfect spot. The parade made three stops all right in front of us it was really magical! The first stop was a bunch of characters emerging from the curtains of the second float the float I had noticed that first time I saw the parade I had known it contained a surprise! The others were transformations of "bad guys" very cool!! Really loved the parade and it was sad knowing this was our last time (this trip) seeing it!
Well, that's pretty much the end of my report. The next morning (Monday, Feb.2) we did come into the park again to do a little more shopping and ride a few last rides (BTM about 3 times or so), and then it was time to pack up and leave. Back to CDG Terminal 1 (yuck), then Amsterdam (Schiphol is one of the best airports I think, and besides we had vouchers for the Crowne lounge.. free refreshments and clean rest rooms Then the 5 hour flight to Tel Aviv, which left on time, and arrived on time (1:30 AM Tuesday). Almost the entire plane from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv was full of a group of pilgrims from Ecuador. I was happy to see tourists arriving. We need them, and these days so few seem to come. They had really had a long journey over 24 hours and 4 plane changes
We grabbed a shuttle home and were in our own beds in Haifa by 5 AM.
Was DLP just a wonderful dream???
We'll be back...
Next time: Disneyland Hotel!
