Mrs. Darling's June 2010 Accidental PTR: Pirates and Harry Potter 6/30 TR Link posted

[dismagiclover]

Those prices seem high to me too! But, the only time we've purchased event tickets like that was for the Pirate and Princess Party a couple of years ago. I'm sure it'll be worth it, though.

I think prices have gone up for these parties in the past couple of years, but like I said above it's the reason for the trip so obviously we're going to pay it. And I'm sure we won't be the only ones there either

 

[DrMomof3]

I think they charge extra on weekends and "special" days for those tickets. I remember that from MVMCP. We went on a Tuesday night in mid-December so we had the less outrageous prices.

Amanda

 

[dismagiclover]

So it's another installment in the Memory Series. March of 2009 my mom and I took a trip together to Paris for a week. We had a great time and saw many cool things. I'm a part time Art History teacher so Paris is right up my alley and my mom is a great traveling companion. I'd been there a couple of times before so my mom chose most of the places we visited. She did ask where I wanted to go and I sheepishly admitted Disneyland Paris. I'd been once before way back in 1992 when it first opened, but that was a long time ago. My mom kindly didn't mention that it's a little crazy to go to the cultural capital of the world and want to spend a day in what is essentially an American theme park. Instead she said, "Oh that sounds like fun!" (My mom is great.) So we ended our week in Paris with a day at Disney This really is a beautiful park. The idea when they built it was to take Walt's vision for Disneyland and build it without the cost constraints he had when he built the original. And they succeeded. The other park there we weren't too impressed with. In fact we essentially just walked in, looked around a bit, rode Tower of Terror and walked out. Maybe they are still developing it Anyway here are some picture highlights from my day at Disneyland Paris.

This is It's a Small World. Looks like Disneyland, but with color.

I wish this was still at Disneyland.

This is the Haunted Mansion. It has a different name. Phantom Manor, maybe? It's based on the Bates house in Psycho and sits in Frontierland. It's themed to be the great old house in a Western Frontiertown. The Frontierland theming at DLP is great!

And one last shot of the Main Street parade

And here are some pictures of the souvenirs I brought home for the kids (you know I had to bring them something.)

This is the softest, snuggliest Pooh Bear ever!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! It's summer weather here so we will

 

[carissanboys]

What an awesome trip to take with your mom! I had no idea you went. Very cool.

 

[belle8306]

What a great trip! I love seeing how the themes change at the different parks. I am sure you and your mom made a lot of great memories. Oh, and I love Minnie and the Eiffle Tower!

 

[Stefy]

Loving the DLP pics and what a cute Pooh Bear.

You haven't done MNSSHP before? Oh its so much fun and that decides it that you just have to go Its so much fun, lots of opportunities to meet rare characters that you can only meet at the party, esp seeing all the Dwarves together as well and not to mention all the villains.

Am glad to be back on the boards thanx, missed alot, but slowly catching up

 

[dismagiclover]

What an awesome trip to take with your mom! I had no idea you went. Very cool.

It was an awesome trip! I'll always have great memories of that week with just me and my mom.

What a great trip! I love seeing how the themes change at the different parks. I am sure you and your mom made a lot of great memories. Oh, and I love Minnie and the Eiffle Tower!

The Minnie and the Eiffel Tower was just perfect for Wendy. She sees herself as quite sophisticated, but still loves her BFF Minnie.

Loving the DLP pics and what a cute Pooh Bear.

You haven't done MNSSHP before? Oh its so much fun and that decides it that you just have to go Its so much fun, lots of opportunities to meet rare characters that you can only meet at the party, esp seeing all the Dwarves together as well and not to mention all the villains.

Am glad to be back on the boards thanx, missed alot, but slowly catching up

You're probably my only reader that has actually been to DLP. And yes we are definitely going to the MNSSHP though I don't think we'll wait in line for the Dwarves. Too much precious party time. I'll just snap a picture of someone else with them and hope they don't mind making my trip report

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Do you know about this site? http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/ It is a great resource when planning. The times generally remain the same, but not always. We saw FOTLK last trip, but I'm thinking maybe we'll try and see Nemo this time. We haven't seen it in a while and I think my boys would really like it. I'd also love to see Flights of Wonder since we never have, but the last show is at 3:00 and I don't think we'll be to AK by then. My family coming I think will end up fun. I feel really lucky to be going on this trip at all so like I said I'll just be happy to be there. Plus we're heading back in October and January so I don't feel like I have to do everything. That's great you're scheduling some special time with the kids too. A boy thing and a girly thing. The kids will love it!

I had forgotten about that site! Thanks for the reminder. I'm not great at navigating it - I only found the times for right now, when AK closes at 5. I'm pretty sure it closes at 7 when we're there...I'm hoping they'll have a later show. I'm guessing the times will change close to Memorial Day? I'll keep checking back.

Before I get to the October ADRs I wanted to mention a brief change I made to Day 4. This is our MK day and we had a lunch ADR at Crystal Palace. Well I was reading Shelley and Jen's PTR and they mentioned they were going to Crystal Palace for an early breakfast this day. That got me to thinking (which is a scary thing most of the time) and I realized we really love that breakfast before park opening. I originally scheduled lunch because I'm trying to try new things this trip. So I asked Michael if he'd rather go to breakfast or lunch with Pooh. He, of course, said breakfast. And then I realized there was no reason to mess with a good thing. So I hopped on the Disney website and checked for a before park breakfast thinking there is no way I'll get one. Well guess what? I did So much for trying new things. We'll be back to the tried and true early breakfast at Crystal Palace!

So on to the real subject of this post. I know it seems crazy to be talking about an October trip when my June trip hasn't happened yet, but such is the way of Disney Planning with the 180 day ADR booking window. My 180 day mark is Monday so I'll be up hitting the computer bright and early to get those ressies. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think online booking begins at 6:00 am EST. I actually usually get up around 6:15 to go running, so this isn't too much earlier. I'm just glad I don't live in CA Anyway in October we are spending 1 night at Shades of Green because the location is convenient to the MK and MNSSHP. Then we are moving over to AKV Kidani for 1 night. I know a very short trip, but since we're going in June and January I have no room for complaining. Anyway since it is just one night at AKV we're planning on the DxDDP So that means 3 TS meals. Here is what I'm thinking:
Day 1 Fly in. Arrive at Disney mid afternoon. Check in and then head to MK for the party. We'll just eat CS somewhere this evening (probably my MK favorite Columbia Harbor House).
Day 2 Sleep in a bit (but not too much.) Probably do breakfast at the buffet at Shades of Green. It's relatively inexpensive and pretty good. Then head over to check in to AKV and head to Animal Kingdom late morning. Use our snack credits for lunch this day somewhere in AK (maybe we'll just have choc. chip cookie ice cream sandwiches for lunch) For dinner on Day 2 I'm thinking Saana. It is at our resort so would be very convenient and looks yummy and tad bit exotic. Anyone tried it?
Day 3 Boma Breakfast. We've had dinner here and it was yummy (once again love that juice). I've heard good things about breakfast and since we are at AKV it is convenient. Then we'll head over to Epcot late morning and hopefully get a late lunch at Le Cellier. This is DH's favorite restaraunt at Disney so hopefully we can get in. Plus since we're on the Deluxe Plan we won't even have to pay OOP for the soup I'm hoping this won't be impossible to get because I'm going for lunch instead of dinner. Then we'll head to the airport for our flight home.

So I just need to make 3 ADRs for this trip. What do you think? Wish me luck on Monday!

Yay! We'll look for you that morning. You're right...it'll probably be tough to miss us that day. I'm sure we'll be posting pictures of the shirts once we make them on our next weekend up there.

We're heading to LeCellier for lunch, and I'm planning on getting the "Taste of Le Cellier Sampler" or something of the sort. It comes with a bowl of soup, even if it's not on the menu. That and the pretzel bread - that's what I'm most excited about there! And I know that the MNSSHP can be hard to swallow (we didn't quite pay $60 per adult when we went, and that was only two years ago...if the tickets keep going up like this, we won't make it back to the party on our next fall trip!). I am sooooo glad that we went in 2008, though. Good luck Monday morning!

 

[Angies1274]

How wonderful to be able to take a trip to Paris with your mom. I would love to do that someday with my mom!

Love all the pics!! Ahh...Pooh Bear looks soooo cuddly!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, cool you got to go to DLP! I bet it's interesting going to the international parks. If we ever went there we'd have to see some of the Parisian sites along with going to the park. haha Love that Minnie Eiffel Tower statue too. Very cute.

 

[kcandbella]

Ooooh I loved Paris when I went! Didn't make it to DLP, but it looks like fun. Someday I would love to check out all the other Disney parks besides WDW. I didn't realize MNSSHP was so expensive! You're right though, you won't be the only ones there, if people pay it they will charge it! It looks like so much fun though!!!

 

[dismagiclover]

Yay! We'll look for you that morning. You're right...it'll probably be tough to miss us that day. I'm sure we'll be posting pictures of the shirts once we make them on our next weekend up there.

We're heading to LeCellier for lunch, and I'm planning on getting the "Taste of Le Cellier Sampler" or something of the sort. It comes with a bowl of soup, even if it's not on the menu. That and the pretzel bread - that's what I'm most excited about there! And I know that the MNSSHP can be hard to swallow (we didn't quite pay $60 per adult when we went, and that was only two years ago...if the tickets keep going up like this, we won't make it back to the party on our next fall trip!). I am sooooo glad that we went in 2008, though. Good luck Monday morning!

I'll make sure to keep up with your PTR so I see what shirts I'm looking for. And smart move going for the Le Cellier sampler. The steaks there are good, but nothing too different from any steak house. But that soup and pretzel bread Yummy!

How wonderful to be able to take a trip to Paris with your mom. I would love to do that someday with my mom!

Love all the pics!! Ahh...Pooh Bear looks soooo cuddly!!

It was a great trip with my mom. Especially because she lives a thousand miles away so I don't see her enough. And that Pooh Bear is super cuddly

Wow, cool you got to go to DLP! I bet it's interesting going to the international parks. If we ever went there we'd have to see some of the Parisian sites along with going to the park. haha Love that Minnie Eiffel Tower statue too. Very cute.

My mom tells me I should try to get to all of the Disney Parks. That could be my thing. Sounds good to me, but it will be awhile before I get to Tokoyo or Hong Kong.

Ooooh I loved Paris when I went! Didn't make it to DLP, but it looks like fun. Someday I would love to check out all the other Disney parks besides WDW. I didn't realize MNSSHP was so expensive! You're right though, you won't be the only ones there, if people pay it they will charge it! It looks like so much fun though!!!

Paris is a great city! I'm sure I'll make it back again someday. Not all of the MNSSHP are so expensive. They are kind of tiered pricing, but since we'll be going the Friday before Halloween they are the very top tier.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've been to Paris a few times but never DLP. My brother lives in London and has a vacation home in the boonies of France. The last time we were in Europe was when my middle one was a baby (for my brother's wedding). My kids have never been! Once the little one is a bit older we plan to take them to my brother's house (he has a guest house!). I hope we can spend some time in Paris and DLP.

Amanda

 

[creativeamanda]

I just found your PTR today and I read through the whole thing! I can't believe the theming of DLP--we plan to go there someday--our BIL is stationed in Germany and it's apparently a 2 hour drive to Paris.

Your plans look great--and I have to say that PM EMH at AK is the best. nothing beats riding Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids in the dark!

 

[Stefy]

You're probably my only reader that has actually been to DLP. And yes we are definitely going to the MNSSHP though I don't think we'll wait in line for the Dwarves. Too much precious party time. I'll just snap a picture of someone else with them and hope they don't mind making my trip report

Lol I'm sure they won't, I mean who doesn't want to be a part of the Dis

 

[dismagiclover]

I've been to Paris a few times but never DLP. My brother lives in London and has a vacation home in the boonies of France. The last time we were in Europe was when my middle one was a baby (for my brother's wedding). My kids have never been! Once the little one is a bit older we plan to take them to my brother's house (he has a guest house!). I hope we can spend some time in Paris and DLP.

Amanda

I would love it if my brother had a house in London! Paris is just a chunnel ride away so you should have no problem making it there.

I just found your PTR today and I read through the whole thing! I can't believe the theming of DLP--we plan to go there someday--our BIL is stationed in Germany and it's apparently a 2 hour drive to Paris.

Your plans look great--and I have to say that PM EMH at AK is the best. nothing beats riding Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids in the dark!

I'm glad you found me. You definitely need to make a trip over to see your BIL before he gets a change of station. I'm actually pretty excited about the PM EMH. I'm really hope the park will be less crowded and it will be a bit cooler. I see your trip is coming up soon. I'll try to stop by your PTR.

Lol I'm sure they won't, I mean who doesn't want to be a part of the Dis

I hope you're right

 

[dismagiclover]

So before I get on to the plans for Day 8 let me report on my October ADRs. I was up at 6:00 am sharp logged onto the computer. First ADR I went for was Le Cellier. Did I get it?

Yes I did!!! Though it was still a half hour from the time I wanted it. Crazy! I can happily report I also got the Saana and Boma ADRs. So one more piece of the October puzzle is in place.

Now on to our plans for Day 8 in June. This day may change as well if my SIL and her kids are still around. But these are the plans as of right now.

No need to get up super early because we aren't trying for rope drop this day. We'll have a leisurely breakfast in the room or if we have CS credits we need to use we'll head over to Goods to Go. Then we'll take a drive over to the Beach Club where the 3 kids are signed up for the Albatross Pirate Cruise. Now I know the boys will love this. Wendy maybe not as much, but I gave her the choice of going on the cruise or coming with me and she chose the cruise. And where am I going? Well I am going to sprint (maybe not sprint, but walk very fast) over to Hollywood Studios and go for a ride on Rock 'n Roller Coaster. I've never been on this before and figured I'd use my couple hour break to do it. Then if it looks like I'll have time I'll hop onto Tower of Terror. Then I'll walk very fast back to the Beach Club dock to pick up the kids and hear their report. The cruise starts at 9:30 and lasts about two hours. Think my plan is possible?

After we are all reunited we will head over for lunch in the World Showcase. We have an ADR at Tutto Italia another first for us. Wendy is an Italian food lover so I scheduled this one for her. Then we'll explore WS a bit and make sure to pick up some Hob Nobs in England These are my favorite English biscuits (for you Americans think cookie.) Then we'll head back to Old Key West for a low key afternoon in the pool or at the community center.

Being our last night on Disney property we don't want to waste it. So early evening we'll head over to the Magic Kingdom where we'll have dinner at the Plaza. Love that cheesesteak! After dinner we'll hit some of the short line attractions and then stake out a spot for the parade. It is the Summer Nightastic Spectacular so we'll enjoy the Main Street Electrical Parade, a classic that dates to my childhood. Then of course we'll stay for the fireworks which are supposed to be the fireworks shown at the Pirate and Princess Party. These were the coolest fireworks I've ever seen at a Disney Park so I'm excited about that! If everyone feels like hanging around we'll hang around. If not we'll head back to the resort for our last sleep in Disney World. But don't worry the vacation isn't over yet. On Day 9 we're headed to Universal and Harry Potter.

So what does everyone think? Specifically do you think 2 hours will be enough to get from the Beach Club to HS, on RNR & TOT and then back to Beach Club?

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

I have seen the time for the standby line for RnRC in June as long as 90 minutes by 10:00am. (Although if they are doing that new thing with the numbers, it might be shorter.)

Are you getting the Verizon App? Here's why. As you are heading into DHS, you'll be able to see the wait time, and make an adjustment.

Is this an EMH for DHS?? Maybe someone could watch the kids while you go and get a FP earlier. This is a lot of traveling, but might be worth it.

Good luck, if you try it.

 

[belle8306]

Congratulations on getting your ADR's!! I think two hours sounds doable. Hopefully, the crowds won't be too bad at DHS. However, you will get a feel for that as soon as you enter the park so you will kind of know what you are getting into.

We love Tutto Italia! It is so good! I had the lasagna and DH had the chicken parm and both were excellent. You are ending your trip the same way we always do. MK to see the fireworks and parade. That is a must do for us.

 

[Charlefours]

I am glad you got the ADRs you wanted in October. Hmm...as long as the transportation is running smoothly and the lines are not too long, sounds doable to me.