Mrs Mickeys first ever TR - *Completed * Day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

[Mrs Mickey]

Day 1
This was my 12th trip to DLP but I am amazed to say we still did loads of stuff for the first time – for a start this is my first trip report, but I love reading other peoples so I thought it only fair to have a go myself.
The cast: Me (Jane, 38, Disney obsessed)
DD (Beth, 12 next week, inherited Disney obsession)
DS (George, nearly 9, ditto with the obsession)
My sister (Julie, older than me (ha!), not so much with the obsession but makes up the numbers)

We decided (and pretty much always read “I” where I type” we” for decisions) to treat ourselves to the Hotel New York for this trip as it’s my favourite and we though it would seem less crowded during the busy hols. It was the first time we have been in school holidays (as I just cant afford the massive hike in costs compared to end of Jan/start of Feb when we usually god secondary school when I booked start but B had just ) so I prepared the kids for a different sort of Disney experience.

It seemed like a good idea when we booked a Eurotunnel crossing of 6:20, but less so when we were getting up at 4am. We were all very excited and set off at 4:30. We don’t live far from Folkestone so we were there and checked in in plenty of time to get a Burger King breakfast. Sadly it wasn’t open so we made do with delicious bacon sandwiches instead.

In no time at all we were in France and on the motorway heading towards my favourite place on earth. No problems at all with the drive, a bit busy passed Charles de Gaulle, and was a bit disappointingly foggy when we approaching, having our usual who can be the first to spot something Disney. George won spotting Tower of Terror.

We bell hopped our bags and valet parked the car (to be honest I would have given anyone everything at this point in my rush to get in the park), got our tickets and headed to the park at just after 11am. We headed straight towards Pizza Planet, which was shut so we backtracked to Plaza Gardens. I don’t know why but we haven’t been here before and it didn’t quite make or list of preferred dining this year but we loved it. It was just before 12 so there wasn’t a queue and it wasn’t busy. I have never seen my son eat so many chicken nuggets (and this whole week he perfected the art of nugget eating!). full to the point of throwing up we hit the parks.

Now the last few times its been late Jan and mostly quiet/walk on rides – the same cannot be said for Feb half term. We queued and went on Pinocchio; then wandered around breathing in Disney and assessing queues for our future plans. The kids had Christmas money burning a hole in their pockets so we headed to the shops (this will crop up several times throughout my report).

Then on my favourite ride, POTC, which although there were masses more people they were of course filling all the boats (which they rarely do in Jan) so we moved through quickly. I love this ride so much – I am a complete chicken when it comes to rides and this is pretty much the scariest I can manage.
We then got on the Paddy Wagon to take us down main street – this was another bonus of going when its busy, there were loads of vehicles so we barely ever walked – lol.

Via the shops in Disney village we then returned to the hotel to properly check in.

We got room 2258 which was disappointedly a fair way down the corridor. When we got there the door was open and a man was stretched out on the bathroom floor with the toilet in pieces. Halleluiah for the broken toilet – when we got back to reception they were extremely apologetic and moved us to a lake view room on the 4th floor. It was a brill room, with a great view and I love the Hotel New York – its the little things like real glasses, replenished toiletries and turn down service that makes it so special.

We had a really quick rest then headed to the pool. I am now used to the freezing cold temperature of the pool and in fact thought that it may have been slightly less freezing than the Sequoia Lodge pool – despite this after 15 mins my sister and I moved to the much warmer spa pool for the remainder, while the kids played.

We headed back to the park for tea and went to City Hall to find out what restaurants would be open and whether there was any chance of getting to Pizza Planet – No- its not open again until June (probably). There were hardly any restaurants open after 4 or 5 so had to dash across the park to Chalet de Marionette before it shut at 7.

We went on Star Tours and then as it was still v busy we just wandered around looking at how beautiful Disney is at night.

After a last minute dive in the shops, again, we went back to the hotel to watch the world go by from our lake view, and drink Champagne (which we took with us due to the 50 euro price tag in the hotel!)
I was the first asleep at 10:30 after setting the alarm for 7am – don’t know where the kids get their energy from but fairly sure they drain it in some way from me.

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Fabulous start! How did you manage to upload photos - I just can't seem to get mine on! Will try again. Wasn't the HNY brilliant? everywhere we went the staff were just so friendly and helpful - and the turn down service is a lovely touch - I had assumed that was just for Empire State - nice to know for future trips that it is for everyone! Did you get robes and slippers too? Were you shocked by the crowds - I could not believe how busy it was- you really needed a plan to get around and do what rides you wanted!

Looking forward to reading more! Its the only way to get over this depression of returning from a magical time!

 

[kizzabel]

great start!
yaaaay for broken toilets!!!

 

[Mrs Mickey]

Managed to get photos on via photobucket after several views of the DIS tutorial at the top of the page (and several failed attempts on previous occasions).
No we didnt have robes and slippers but I am not sure if that was because the room wasnt made up for anyone.
One thing I did forget to mention was that when we came back from our swim 2 Donald ducks had been left for the kids - they were a great hit.
I am using these trip reports as therapy for the depression that now follows such a fabulous trip (and to break up the many loads of washing).

 

[Isila]

wonderful start!!!! Want more!!

And more about NYH. I've got just 15 days till I enter the lobby

 

[Mrs Mickey]

Day 2
So day 2 started at 7 for 7:30 breakfast in the Parkside Diner.(Mmmm I love that cooked breakfast).
Then wash and straight into the park for Magic hours (got there about 8:30). Now usually in Magic hours I am used to a deserted park with almost all walk ons and next to no queues. It wasn’t like this at all. It was already fairly busy and the queues at Peter Pan were huge. We headed straight to Buzz and disappointedly my daughter beat me every time this year. Then we went on the tea cups and after taking our annual photos at the Sword in the Stone we hit the shops on the way to Salon Mickey. We went in each day at 9:30 and it was quiet nearly every day when we entered, but usually filled up while we were here. The kids loved knocking on the door next to the long queues on people trying to get in the park. After hot chocolates and pastries we went back into the park for the rope drop. This time to go on Phantom Manor but it wasn’t working so we went on Mark Twain Thunder Mesa Riverboat which is always great. As we got off the gates of the manor opened and we went straight in. After this we were back in the paddy wagon down main street to make our way to the Studios.

This was our first visit to Toy Story land and we loved it. We even joined a 75 min queue for Parachute Drop. Now as I said on Day 1 I am a complete chicken and as the Parachute rose for the first time I was terrified, with my kids at either side. The first drop happened and George had his hands in the air – Bethany and I weren’t so sure. Then it stopped! A women and small child got off and it started up again as I wondered if I should have got off too. I am glad I didn’t – I love it but sadly because of the queues we didn’t manage to go on it again this year.

Then it was off to Restaurant en Coulisse which since Bethany was 2 has been her favourite because of the flashing coca cola sign which hasn’t worked properly for several years. Very busy but burgers eaten it was back to Toy story land via Aladdin. Slinky dog had a fair queue too but it seemed to move along. Then on the tram tour and into the Art of Animation where Bethany drew the bouncy Mickey head for the 6th year in a row.
The shops and back to the hotel for a swim.
Then Cafe Mickey – the first time we have done this in the evening and it was busy. I had booked for 7pm and we got there at 6:50 and joined a long “with reservations” line. It was fairly fast moving but I dread to think how long the much longer “without reservations” line waited. I think it was probably better in the evening though I don’t think the character interaction was as long (though that could be because my 2 are older and don’t want as long cuddles) but there are more characters.

Despite taking several hundred photos I didn’t actually remember to take hardly any food ones or ones of the fabulous cocktails that I tried each day – sorry.
The end of the second fabulous day with me falling asleep while the kids watched an “Original Disney Movie”.

Oh and I tried to book the Studio guided tour at the studio Information desk but he told me to just ring guest services because he didn’t know when it would be in English. The Concierge at the Hotel rang for me and said it was only at 2pm on Fridays which was the day we left so that first will have to wait for next year.

 

[Mrs Mickey]

wonderful start!!!! Want more!!

And more about NYH. I've got just 15 days till I enter the lobby

Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know. I love this Hotel its my favourite (kids like the pool at Sequoia Ledge more). I love that its a bit smaller and everything is just a bit more special. More details to come in the next few days including our first visit to the bar for cocktails.

 

[Mum to Belle]

don’t know where the kids get their energy from but fairly sure they drain it in some way from me.

I think you may have hit on something there!!

Great start - I'd also love to hear about HNY as we're staying there in June!

 

[Kazzabelle]

what a lovely start to your holiday looking forward to reading more.
i too am a chicken when it comes to rides but each year i am trying to have a go at a different one i think it's just sm i have not tried yet oh and IJ but nobody will get me on here i just do not like the look of it

 

[Isila]

nice TR. I love the red Mickey hoodie would like something like thta for my DS.

Anything about NYH is great. Any details, anything

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Another great day! We were in a long 'with reservations' line too on the Wednesday night and it took an age to move along - but the characters really made up for the wait! Looking forward to more!

 

[Mrs Mickey]

Day 3
Early start again and this time breakfast in the Manhatten Restaurant – this is my favourite. It just feels extra luxurious with the arm chairs and table clothes. We were extra quick today so we could get to the park a bit quicker and try and get on Peter Pan. It was successful and we managed to ride it twice, then almost straight on Dumbo but as we got off it was obviously getting busy. We had a quick spin on the teacups then caught the fire engine up Main Street to Salon Mickey.

Nicely replenished we went back to next to Peter Pan to wait for the rope drop to ride Pirates of the Caribbean.
After this was my sons choice (he is a massive Michael Jackson fan) so we headed over to Captain EO (which only seems to open at 11am). We were prepared for the long boring Kodak advert (pre show) but I was very pleasantly surprised to find this had been replaced by a 30 second updated advert followed by a short ‘making of’ show. We had a good giggle at the eighties moustaches and before we knew it we were sat down waiting for Captain EO. I know it has had mixed reviews but George and I thought it spectacular. My sister and B enjoyed it but weren’t too keen at the suggestion to watch it again. So we instead popped in the shop next door and persuaded George not to spend all the rest of his money on Captain EO stuff and he agreed to just 1 t-shirt (for now).

We set off to Disney Village to Annette’s Diner, another first as I have always been put off by the long queues and the fact you cant book. But we arrived just before 12 and there was no queue at all. I love this place and it will now be a regular on our visits (though my sister who has an abnormal fear of birds was slightly stressed by a small sparrow that was flying about and annoyingly being fed by a family a couple of tables away).

Back to the hotel for a swim and then back to the park for the parade. I was slightly annoyed because this was the day it decided to lightly rain for most of the day. Now as I have previously mentioned (several times) we usually go end of Jan and are usually in thermals, padded trousers, thick coats etc, and although only a few weeks later we were finding it all much milder so weren’t wearing any of these things – and were fairly damp for most of the day.
As an aside we were very pleased with the weather for the whole visit, with the exception of Wednesday if it did rain we didn’t see it and Tuesday was actually sunny.
The parade was lovely as ever, if a bit short – I was worried that the princesses wouldn’t be there because I had read on the boards that they now walk (instead of being on a float) and I was worried because it was so wet- but they were there. I love the princes and princesses but despite having a daughter, she is a massive tom boy, I have completely missed out on it all (apart from doing the princess lunch in WDW when she was younger and she still humoured me).

After that we went to Le Pays des Contes de Fées and Casey Jr which for some reason (probably the rain) were really quiet and walk on. After the that and amazingly for the first time this trip, we went on IASW. Previously this has always been open on Magic hours but didn’t seem to be this week whenever we had a look. I could do this ride repeatedly, and have done, but just once this year for the whole trip. We then needed warming up so went for hot chocs and Mickey brioches at Chalet de la Marionnette.
Then on Snow White and off to catch the end of the show on the stage from the Castle bridge – this was a good place to stand because once they leave all the characters walk right passed and high fived the kids.

I was exhausted by this point so we shopped in Disney Village (kids both collect pins and for the last 2 years have started collecting the Vinylmations) before heading to the Steakhouse – my sisters favourite. It was very busy and we had to wait at the (closed) bar for a while even though we had reservations, but it was worth the wait. Again no photos – sorry, possibly because of the lovely and strong cocktails. Lovely food, great service and a lovely man singing at the piano.
Back to the hotel for wine and another Disney Movie - I just dont think you can do too much Disney.

 

[MickeysFavouriteGirl]

Fab!!! Loving reading every word it's getting me ever so excited for our trip

 

[mamaboogie]

Great report!

We were also there last week - it was quite busy!

Glad you enjoyed Captain Eo - I love it! I bought my daughter one of the white 'flash' T shirts (we went without kids! ) and she is wearing it as we speak!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[jothp]

I'm really enjoying reading your trip report. Did you happen to notice if there were queues for Annettes later on during lunchtime. I was thinking this is a possible lunch option for us on our next trip and not having to queue would be a bonus

 

[Mrs Mickey]

Great report!

We were also there last week - it was quite busy!

Glad you enjoyed Captain Eo - I love it! I bought my daughter one of the white 'flash' T shirts (we went without kids! ) and she is wearing it as we speak!

Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks so much for reading. I am loving reading all the trip reports of people there at the same time- definitely makes the sadness of being home just a little bit easier.

 

[Mrs Mickey]

I'm really enjoying reading your trip report. Did you happen to notice if there were queues for Annettes later on during lunchtime. I was thinking this is a possible lunch option for us on our next trip and not having to queue would be a bonus

Yes-when we left (about 1.20) there was a very long queue. Not a 'park just shut' night time long queue but still dont think we would have joined it.

 

[jothp]

Yes-when we left (about 1.20) there was a very long queue. Not a 'park just shut' night time long queue but still dont think we would have joined it.

Thanks for that. I will make a note to eat early if we decide we want to go there.

Jo

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Thanks for the tip - managed to upload photos from photobucket - may in fact have gone overboard

Another great day - we must have been standing quite close to each other at the Parade as my photos have a similar aspect to some of them!

Loving your trip report and looking forward to more.

 

[Mrs Mickey]

Day 4
Another early start and this time we were lead to a ballroom in the convention centre for breakfast. It was a bit business like but still very nice with all the same choice of food and drink as the other 2 restaurants.
Straight into the parks to be beaten again by my daughter on Buzzlightyear. Then watch the kids on Orbitron – I haven’t had to go on this for the last couple of years now my 2 are big enough to go on alone. This happily coincides with the time I went on it with George who loves the feeling of almost flying as you quickly go up to the top then immediately drop and then repeat throughout the ride. I exited the ride with tears of hysterical laughter and a feeling I was lucky to be alive, much to the amusement of many of the waiting queue – you may remember from a previous day that I do know that I am a complete wimp on rides. They have fun on it anyway.

Sister and Beth then went on the Carousel as George did his David Bailey moment in Fantasyland. We then had a Limousine car ride down for our now customary Salon Mickey pit stop at 9:30.

As we exited we saw Mickey coming out of his house for a photo shoot so we popped over to get a family photo done.
We then went for another trip to Endor on Star Tours (cant wait for this to be updated now, but still love it).

Then off George and I went to watch Captain EO again while the Julie and B went to collect our photo and then watch some cartoons in Videopolis.
We then had a slow shopping stroll to Walts for lunch.

Another first – I have always been put off by the high prices and then fact that my 2 still prefer chicken nuggets and burgers to anything else. We were booked for 12 and were the first to be allowed up the stairs after a few minutes wait. We got a lovely table next to a window and once had we ordered the kids and I went off for an explore. I did manage to get a photo of the starters here but was well through my cocktail by the main course, but got a pic of the lovely dessert I ordered even though I couldn’t really manage one (kids helped). We watched the train go by and got some fab pictures.

We loved the whole experience and the total came to 110 euros which I didn’t think too bad as we all that cocktails (we now have enough glowing accessories to start our own bar), but I don’t think it will be a necessity for ever year – will save for special occasions (and wait for George to be a bit older – he was decidedly unimpressed with the ‘well done’ yet still pink burger – lol).

Feeling slightly sick from eating too much and having a lunch time cocktail we decided to take the train round the park. Then over to the studios to watch the stars and cars parade. Now I know everywhere was much busier than I am used to but I am glad to see that the Studio park seems to be getting more popular as they keep adding to it, just disappointed we couldn’t do the tour.

We went back to the hotel and the kids and my sister went or a swim while I started the depressing job of packing. Then back into the park until closing time. A quick stop at City Hall to tell us we had little choice of where to eat, but as we were all still full from Walts we went to Chalet de la Marionnette again for chips. We managed POTC, Phantom Manor and yet more shopping before the park closed – I love wandering around the park after dark.
We decided to spend our last evening drinking cocktails in the New York bar. The kids had the Shaker/design your own cocktails and we tried yet more new cocktails with souvenir glasses (which I have put to good use since home). We slept very soundly for our last night.