Thanks, everyone!! It really was a great trip!!
Mia....we were in Europe for 17 days. We rented an apartment in Paris, but we also did a driving tour of Germany (my favorite!!), Switzerland, and southern France (the Alps). Hmmm....how long to stay at DLP? Well, I don't know...I think that depends on each person. One different thing about DLP is that Fantasyland is a much bigger area of the park, both in acreage and number of attractions. We did not have the pleasure to ride the Indiana Jones roller coaster, or the Space Mountain...even though we really wanted to...our dd just had other ideas!
There really was much of the park we didn't get to experience, and we didn't make it over to the Studios (where they are adding TOT...it looked pretty cool!). Many families we spoke to had been there for a week and were not tired of it. I certainly think 3 days would be a good minimum.
Olaf....people were actually pretty good in queues, there were a couple of times when couples would pull the "motorcycle trick", and make their way up to the front of the line (they were pretty amazing to watch...nice people study), but except for food lines, where it was "every man for himself", the queues went fine.
magicalmcwho...thanks about the theft. It appears that a website where I have done some shopping (and had CC# stored) got hacked out of India. Someone there made about $800 worth of charges, and then sold our information to someone in California who was using our cc# to purchase domain sites via many providers (obviously to set up his own fishing expeditions), as well as online dating and "adult" websites. Unfortunately, because we had limited access to the internet in Europe, and had so many charges (subway stations, autobahns, etc.) we were slow to catch the problem. Plus, we were more concerned with the fact that dh's company had an "accounting error" while we were in Europe, and decided that they would not use direct deposit for employee's paychecks and bonuses, but would (for this one pay period only), overnight checks to employees via DHL. So, we were in Europe with no way to get our hands on dh's paycheck/bonus check, and our regular debits (house payment, insurance, etc.) were still scheduled to leave our bank account...pretty scary!!! He had to work hard to get that direct deposited....we weren't noticing a few hundred dollars in random charges...until we got home. My cc company thinks the leak might have come via Paypal...the rep says that site is the biggest problem they have.
mrsminniemouse...okay, I am SOOOO jealous!!! What GREAT rewards from your grocery store!!! You are going to have the most AMAZING time!! I cannot even imagine having the view from DL hotel. When we were at the hotel trying to see if they had any rooms available, a mom and daughter came downstairs in spa robes...obviously they had just been pampered. It made me smile. I thought, "What a fun thing for a mom and daughter to do." They say that the Castle Club pampers you like no other Disney hotel does...I hope you have a "Once in a lifetime" kind of trip!!!
disney-super-mom....Yes, I would love to go back to DLP, but nothing compares to WDW!!!
KelNottAt...we did not experience a language barrier as dh is almost completely fluent in French (some vocabulary still mystifies him). However, with his accent, no French person ever mistook us for French...but, they did not think we were American...they always assumed we were British. We did have some very nice, lengthy discussions with some French, British and Scottish folks....and, they were never anything but nice. They don't understand why Americans are not more upset with Bush (especially the Brits who are so anti-Blair right now), and they don't understand why we don't seem to be doing more to combat global warming, but they were never anything but VERY respectful and kind. I have actually been emailing some people we met there, and we had both a German and a British family invite us to come stay with them. People were VERY kind. I think one of the biggest misconceptions regards the French people, and how unfriendly they are to Americans. Time and time again, we ran into the most kind people in France. They helped us carry our bags and stroller up the subway steps, gave up their seats to my dd on the subway, gave my dd "trinkets" in souvenier stores, and smiled while she butchered their language. I was surprised at how the subways in Paris were silent during rush hour, and conversations were so quiet. My dh would speak with someone in French, and by their body language, I would assume they were not that friendly, only to have my dh comment on how kind or helpful they were as we were walking away. We left feeling that the French people are much more subtle in their body language, almost to the point of seeming "shy" to us (except when they drive...I'm not sure what happens there), but they were INCREDIBLY kind. I think as long as you make some attempt to honor their social codes, such as remembering that all stores/businesses are private spaces and that you should greet the shop owner/associate upon entering, keep your voices low, and learn a few key phrases, you will find that most French people will go out of their way to help you. Paris was amazing. We walked around, sometimes until 1 or 2 in the morning with our 4yr old dd, and never felt unsafe...even for a second. There is a sense of community in Paris that I have never felt in US...it was very heartwarming. I miss that a lot. People truly don't value "stuff" over there nearly as much as Americans do...they have small apartments and don't have room for more than what they need. They value intelligence, friendship....and good conversation/debate. I was awed by how "worldly" and "intelligent" everyone seemed. It was not unusual to see a CM at DLP with 6 flags on their tag (identifying that he/she spoke 6 languages)...the world is certainly much smaller for them, and it changes the way they see their responsibility to other peoples and other nations. Those people, as a culture don't waste anything...resources are too precious. For us, the lesson of the way they live was precious...and something I hope we never forget.
3DisneyKids...Thanks!!!
You and your kids will have a WONDERFUL time!!!
And, to everyone who has asked for pics...I PROMISE I will get those out sometime this week!!!
Beca
Thanks for the "heads up"...we did cancel our paypal, and strangely...we just changed our phone number two days ago. However, I did receive ANOTHER phone call today about another domain site...I'm not sure if it was us, or the people who had the phone before us (there are TOO many changes going on here!!!), but needless to say, Paypal is definitely a thing of the past for us!!!
