More highs and lows 24-26 July

[Sarah28]

Just got back late last night and had another great trip

HIGHS:

Renewing our APs: Need we say more?! Also very quick - we purchased them on main gate just before park opening at 10, and was in and out the passport bureau around half 10 so done and dusted in first half an hour, very happy!

Dreams: Even better with the new scenes, just love it so much!

Crowds: Despite it being high season, we found the crowds to be so manageable, much better than whenever we've been in what we thought was low season

Big Thunder Mountain in the dark: As tradition, we managed to get a fastpass for 10 - 10.30pm which meant it was probably as dark as it coulda got and we got to ride it (unlike last year when it broke down, booo!)

Lots of new merch: Spent waaay too much money this trip but was so worth it! They had a load of new Phantom Manor clothing in the Fronteirland main shop so my card took quite a lot of abuse! Also got some amazing ear hat tree decorations so can't wait to put them on the tree this year

Earl of Sandwich: As blockbuster cafe was closed, we decided to venture into the village for lunch and then we remembered we had been wanting to try Earl for ages (we went to WDW in 2011 and the queues were crazy!) The meal deal was great value, a hot sandwich, crisps and refillable drinks for 9.95 - very tasty and filling, and the refillable drinks were a god send on hot days like we had. We enjoyed it so much, we ate here the next day too despite blockbuster being open this day! Think we may have found a new favourite!

General atmosphere and CMs: The park itself was looking very nice, very clean and saw lots of gardeners, things being painted etc, plus all the toilets we stopped in at various times of the day were clean as toilets go. The CMs we came across were nice, the lady in the Christmas shop in the castle especially as she was eager to show me where they had more merch I would be interested in based on my purchases and even showed me on a map, she was lovely


LOWS:

Hot weather: Shouldn't really complain (plus it's nothing to do with Disney) but it was a little bit too hot for me, but didn't really ruin anything, we just had to take more rest stops etc

Seasonal closures: Not sure if this is a low, but just a lil bit of inconvenience. I don't know if they're opening different places at different times, but we noticed our usual lunch stop blockbuster cafe was closed on our first day to a bit of dissapointment, but was opened the next day which was strange (as in it wasn't like it was being refurbished) and also some shops on main street didn't open until 1pm so had to go elsewhere or wait.

I broke my sunglasses! Another one nothing to do with Disney at all, but I broke my sunglasses the first night we were there which was a pain as it was extremely sunny but it wasn't too bad, as we were in Disney!


All in all, another very enjoyable trip, and with our APs we are sure to return soon. I know there has been some negativity on the boards lately unfortunately, but we had a fabulous time! It definitely is what you make of it. Just experience it for yourself

 

[tinks_1989]

Sounds like a great trip a little warm up before WDW very exciting

 

[aliscrapper]

Sounds like you had a great trip!

OMG - that deal at Earl of Sandwich is amazing! DH and I could happily work our way thru the sandwich menu!

Would love to see some photo's of your new goodies!!!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Some great highs there

We're just back too and I thought the park looked great with all the flowers in full bloom

I was also surprised by the crowds and how manageable things were.

 

[kizzabel]

Welcome home
Sounds like a lovely trip was had. Would love to see a pic of your decorations.
IKWYM about your sunglasses, I'd be lost without mine & find I get headaches if I don't wear them. Hope you get some nice replacements

 

[Lisa_C]

We had a fab time too - Johnny totally loved the EOS and dreams about them every night! The refillable drinks were indeed a god send!!

 

[tennisfan]

Welcome back, pleased you enjoyed your trip

 

[Sarah28]

Thanks for all your lovely replies here's a few piccys of my goodies!

Here are my ear hat decorations:

These are my 2 phantom manor t shirts:

And this is my phantom manor hoody (image taken from disneystore as they now typically stock this as part of their DLRP collection!)

 

[jillrobinson]

Welcome back, we still didntmanage to fit in EOS on our trip. I was quite shocked to see restaurants and shops closed in peak season but was surprised that overal queues weren't toobad

 

[aliscrapper]

Ooh - love your Phntom Manor goodies!