mummyal
<font color=darkorchid>Think it was too much jiggi
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 1,441
Finally, here's my trip report. Meant to write/post it soon a few nights ago and each night I tried but I kept getting interrupted by "little people". Anyway, here it is now. I'll try and keep it as short as possible...lol.
We visited DLP from 4-7 Sept and stayed at Sequoia Lodge. It was busy but not too busy. Weather was good as well which helped! Very pleased witih hotel, room was very clean and pretty spacious, considering there was also a travel cot in the room. Oh, "we" are my DH, myself and our two kids (DD 4 and DS 1). We could've done with a room in/closer to the main building though. They put us in Monterey Lodge which was the furthest I think. I know it's only an additional few mins walk but at the end of a long day, with 2 tired kids (okay, one was in the buggy), a few extra mins seemed a very lonnnng time!
Monday
We went by Eurostar from Waterloo. We woke the kids up about 6.20 on Monday to give them their milk etc before we left the house. DD didn't know we were going to Disneyland. She knew we were going on hols (and was very excited and hyper the day before... lol) and we had talked about Disney on many occasions (would she like to go, what would she do there, who would she like to see etc) but we never linked the two and she didn't either. When we got to Waterloo, we checked in etc and then went to the Disney Express Check-in booth. She saw the Disney sign/logo and pics and she told me "Mummy, that's a Disney sign, so I think we are going to Disney". So I told her yes and she was even more excited!
We paid extra for the upgrade to Leisure Select and it was worth it. On our way out there, there were only 4 other people in the carriage. Breakfast was pretty good - small croissant, bread roll, hot meal - sausage, tomato, cheesy omelette, tea/coffee (and hot choc for Louise). Definitely kept her occupied for a while. DS was a nightmare. Just wouldn't sit still and kept wriggling off our laps. He can't walk yet, so we couldn't even let him go free (and I didn't fancy him crawling around on the floor).
Anyway, we used the Disney Express check-in service, so we headed straight to the park when we arrived. Hopped on their Railroad train first thing, so we had a quick tour round the park to begin with. Just to get a feel of the place etc. We had lunch at Market House Deli (was okay) and DS fell asleep just before we got to the restaurant. So he had lunch after that but at least we got to eat our lunch in peace. Then DD spotted kids coming out of this shop (Gibson Girls Ice Cream Parlour) with ice-creams in their hands and she wanted one. Popped inside and the queue wasn't toooo bad. So I told DH to go and feed DS and I queued with DD. OMG !! The queue wasn't that long but service was soooooooooooo slow !! The girl who was serving smiled very sweetly to everyone but she was just so slow in scooping the ice-cream, getting the money etc. We queued up for half an hour just for an ice-cream! Anyway, the good thing which came out of it was that we managed to get a very good place to see the Princess Parade go by.
Went to the hotel after that and check-in was soooooooooo slow as well. Everyone headed to the hotel after the parade and it was so busy and they only had 2 check-in staff, one of whom was on the phone for about 10 mins !!! Anyway, DD loved the fact that she had the entire double bed to herself. Lucky thing! DS was thrilled to be finally set free from his buggy. We had dinner at Annette's Diner. Good fun. DS enjoyed the loud music and was dancing and moving along to the music. Kids were knackered. Not surprisingly as they had been up since 6ish (and DS only had a couple of 20-25 mins naps that day compared to his usual daily total of 3 hrs!). It was about 9.30ish by the time we got back. They fell asleep more or less straightaway.
Tuesday
Woke the kids up at 7.15 to get ready for breakfast. All the good slots had gone. So brekkie today was at 8 (and 7.30 the next 2 mornings. Either that or it was 7 am or after 9). After breakfast, headed off to see the Princesses to have photos taken with them. DD didn't want to (!!!!) but I wanted to. After all, we were in Disney. Saw the queue and it didn't seem too long. Hahhhhhhhhhaaahaha!! Queued for just over an hour. DD was in a right mood and kept saying she didn't want photos with them. Told her she didn't have to but Mummy wanted to. She even refused to go up the 3 steps to the platform. So she just waited with the queue... lol. Grumpy old moo. Anyway, DS & I took pictures with Belle and Cinderella & Prince Charming. In the meantime, while waiting, Snow White & Sleeping Beauty came on duty while Cinderella & Belle went off for a rest. And Cinders & Belle were back by the time it was our turn...lol. After that, we went on a few rides before/after lunch (Dumbo, Small World, Teacups, Casey Jr Circus Train, the fairytale cruise). Had lunch at Pizzeria Bella Notte (again, was okay).
Then we walked around Adventureland and Frontierland for a bit. Went on that paddle-wheel riverboat. Then went back to the hotel to freshen up. Had dinner at Cafe Mickey. Luckily we managed to get a table and didn't have to wait. Halfway through dinner, the characters appeared. I got very excited... lol... and they went from table to table. So much better than having to queue up forever to get a pic with them. DD said she didn't want a pic with any of them but when Minnie came out, she got excited and agreed to a pic, with me in the middle... lol. She was even more excited when the "real" Minnie kissed her toy Minnie. DS loved it - he loved all the attention he got from the characters.
Wednesday
Took a break from the park and hopped on the train to Val D'Europe shopping centre/Sea Life. The Sea Life place was pretty small and not as good as the one down south here in Bournemouth. Had lunch at one of the restaurants in the shopping centre. Went back to the park after lunch and DH took DS back to the hotel for a nap (thought we'd let him nap in comfort for a change... lol). I went with DD to the Studios as I was hoping to catch Donald/Daisy (as it was the right time for them to make an appearance). The queue was very short - only had to queue for 5 mins for Donald. Daisy was due to appear in about 10 mins, so we joined the queue again. DD loved Daisy - she was willing to hold her hand and when Daisy 'asked' for a kiss on her beak, she gave her a quick peck. Then we went on another ride in there. We had dinner in the hotel - buffet. Made a nice change from chips/burgers/pizza.... and there were vegetables !!!! lol.
Thursday
We all went to the Studios again as Dh & DS hadn't been. Also we wanted to watch a couple of shows. A few of the characters were milling around and I managed to have a pic taken with Goofy I went for the Studio Tram Tour on my own. We managed to catch the Animagique show too. Then we went to see the Disney Cinema Parade. Got a good 'seat'. Had a late lunch at the burger place inside the main Studios building. Went out for a wander around again after that and I had my pic taken with Mr Incredible. Then went to see the Stunt Show and ended the holiday by walking around Discoveryland in the park (last one which we didn't manage to do before). DD & I went on our final ride on the rocket thingy (Orbitron?!) .... and then we all headed off to the train station.
On the way back, we had the entire coach all to ourselves !!! There was also another family and we were supposed to be on the same carriage as them. But the train steward (is that what they are called?!) told us that we could go in the next carriage if we wanted to as there wasn't anyone on that one. So that's how we (and the other family) ended up having our own carriage each. Brilllliant !! Dinner was okay - hot cheesy pasta, bread roll and choc mousse. Wine/soft drinks. So as I've said, it was soo worth it paying extra for Leisure Select. We were just lucky this time that it wasn't busy on the trains.
So yes, on the whole, it was a great holiday. Certainly something different. The kids were angels 99% of the time. I think what impressed us the most was the fact that they were such long days and DD just walked EVERYWHERE for the entire day and not once did she ask to be carried, not even at the end of the day! I still felt bad when we had to walk that extra bit at the end to our room though. We got to the hotel and she'd ask "are we here now?" and I'm like "err no, not far to go now". Mind you, she looked as though she was about to doze off at each dinner time... lol.. but usually, something would happen and she would 'wake' up (dessert or when the characters appeared halfway through dinner). Usually, she'll moan that her legs are tired or painful after walking for 5 mins!
We filled up all our water bottles at breakfast time but if you run out and you're desperate for water and don't fancy drinking out of the water fountains all around the park (I didn't fancy it as I didn't like the taste... lol), you can buy bottled water from the shop in/next to the train station. It was 1.90 euros for a 1.5 litre bottle compared to 2.50euros for a 500ml bottle IN the park itself !!
My next "dream" is Orlando when I'm 40 (6 yrs' time). I've already told DH I want that as my 40th birthday present...lol. At least the kids will be much older then, so we'll be able to go on all/most of the rides!
I know I'm already back from my hols etc but I still enjoy reading messages on this board! Esp the trip reports. Now that I've been there, I know what everyone's talking about.
Are you still awake?!! lol.
Alice x
We visited DLP from 4-7 Sept and stayed at Sequoia Lodge. It was busy but not too busy. Weather was good as well which helped! Very pleased witih hotel, room was very clean and pretty spacious, considering there was also a travel cot in the room. Oh, "we" are my DH, myself and our two kids (DD 4 and DS 1). We could've done with a room in/closer to the main building though. They put us in Monterey Lodge which was the furthest I think. I know it's only an additional few mins walk but at the end of a long day, with 2 tired kids (okay, one was in the buggy), a few extra mins seemed a very lonnnng time!
Monday
We went by Eurostar from Waterloo. We woke the kids up about 6.20 on Monday to give them their milk etc before we left the house. DD didn't know we were going to Disneyland. She knew we were going on hols (and was very excited and hyper the day before... lol) and we had talked about Disney on many occasions (would she like to go, what would she do there, who would she like to see etc) but we never linked the two and she didn't either. When we got to Waterloo, we checked in etc and then went to the Disney Express Check-in booth. She saw the Disney sign/logo and pics and she told me "Mummy, that's a Disney sign, so I think we are going to Disney". So I told her yes and she was even more excited!
We paid extra for the upgrade to Leisure Select and it was worth it. On our way out there, there were only 4 other people in the carriage. Breakfast was pretty good - small croissant, bread roll, hot meal - sausage, tomato, cheesy omelette, tea/coffee (and hot choc for Louise). Definitely kept her occupied for a while. DS was a nightmare. Just wouldn't sit still and kept wriggling off our laps. He can't walk yet, so we couldn't even let him go free (and I didn't fancy him crawling around on the floor).
Anyway, we used the Disney Express check-in service, so we headed straight to the park when we arrived. Hopped on their Railroad train first thing, so we had a quick tour round the park to begin with. Just to get a feel of the place etc. We had lunch at Market House Deli (was okay) and DS fell asleep just before we got to the restaurant. So he had lunch after that but at least we got to eat our lunch in peace. Then DD spotted kids coming out of this shop (Gibson Girls Ice Cream Parlour) with ice-creams in their hands and she wanted one. Popped inside and the queue wasn't toooo bad. So I told DH to go and feed DS and I queued with DD. OMG !! The queue wasn't that long but service was soooooooooooo slow !! The girl who was serving smiled very sweetly to everyone but she was just so slow in scooping the ice-cream, getting the money etc. We queued up for half an hour just for an ice-cream! Anyway, the good thing which came out of it was that we managed to get a very good place to see the Princess Parade go by.
Went to the hotel after that and check-in was soooooooooo slow as well. Everyone headed to the hotel after the parade and it was so busy and they only had 2 check-in staff, one of whom was on the phone for about 10 mins !!! Anyway, DD loved the fact that she had the entire double bed to herself. Lucky thing! DS was thrilled to be finally set free from his buggy. We had dinner at Annette's Diner. Good fun. DS enjoyed the loud music and was dancing and moving along to the music. Kids were knackered. Not surprisingly as they had been up since 6ish (and DS only had a couple of 20-25 mins naps that day compared to his usual daily total of 3 hrs!). It was about 9.30ish by the time we got back. They fell asleep more or less straightaway.
Tuesday
Woke the kids up at 7.15 to get ready for breakfast. All the good slots had gone. So brekkie today was at 8 (and 7.30 the next 2 mornings. Either that or it was 7 am or after 9). After breakfast, headed off to see the Princesses to have photos taken with them. DD didn't want to (!!!!) but I wanted to. After all, we were in Disney. Saw the queue and it didn't seem too long. Hahhhhhhhhhaaahaha!! Queued for just over an hour. DD was in a right mood and kept saying she didn't want photos with them. Told her she didn't have to but Mummy wanted to. She even refused to go up the 3 steps to the platform. So she just waited with the queue... lol. Grumpy old moo. Anyway, DS & I took pictures with Belle and Cinderella & Prince Charming. In the meantime, while waiting, Snow White & Sleeping Beauty came on duty while Cinderella & Belle went off for a rest. And Cinders & Belle were back by the time it was our turn...lol. After that, we went on a few rides before/after lunch (Dumbo, Small World, Teacups, Casey Jr Circus Train, the fairytale cruise). Had lunch at Pizzeria Bella Notte (again, was okay).
Then we walked around Adventureland and Frontierland for a bit. Went on that paddle-wheel riverboat. Then went back to the hotel to freshen up. Had dinner at Cafe Mickey. Luckily we managed to get a table and didn't have to wait. Halfway through dinner, the characters appeared. I got very excited... lol... and they went from table to table. So much better than having to queue up forever to get a pic with them. DD said she didn't want a pic with any of them but when Minnie came out, she got excited and agreed to a pic, with me in the middle... lol. She was even more excited when the "real" Minnie kissed her toy Minnie. DS loved it - he loved all the attention he got from the characters.
Wednesday
Took a break from the park and hopped on the train to Val D'Europe shopping centre/Sea Life. The Sea Life place was pretty small and not as good as the one down south here in Bournemouth. Had lunch at one of the restaurants in the shopping centre. Went back to the park after lunch and DH took DS back to the hotel for a nap (thought we'd let him nap in comfort for a change... lol). I went with DD to the Studios as I was hoping to catch Donald/Daisy (as it was the right time for them to make an appearance). The queue was very short - only had to queue for 5 mins for Donald. Daisy was due to appear in about 10 mins, so we joined the queue again. DD loved Daisy - she was willing to hold her hand and when Daisy 'asked' for a kiss on her beak, she gave her a quick peck. Then we went on another ride in there. We had dinner in the hotel - buffet. Made a nice change from chips/burgers/pizza.... and there were vegetables !!!! lol.
Thursday
We all went to the Studios again as Dh & DS hadn't been. Also we wanted to watch a couple of shows. A few of the characters were milling around and I managed to have a pic taken with Goofy I went for the Studio Tram Tour on my own. We managed to catch the Animagique show too. Then we went to see the Disney Cinema Parade. Got a good 'seat'. Had a late lunch at the burger place inside the main Studios building. Went out for a wander around again after that and I had my pic taken with Mr Incredible. Then went to see the Stunt Show and ended the holiday by walking around Discoveryland in the park (last one which we didn't manage to do before). DD & I went on our final ride on the rocket thingy (Orbitron?!) .... and then we all headed off to the train station.
On the way back, we had the entire coach all to ourselves !!! There was also another family and we were supposed to be on the same carriage as them. But the train steward (is that what they are called?!) told us that we could go in the next carriage if we wanted to as there wasn't anyone on that one. So that's how we (and the other family) ended up having our own carriage each. Brilllliant !! Dinner was okay - hot cheesy pasta, bread roll and choc mousse. Wine/soft drinks. So as I've said, it was soo worth it paying extra for Leisure Select. We were just lucky this time that it wasn't busy on the trains.
So yes, on the whole, it was a great holiday. Certainly something different. The kids were angels 99% of the time. I think what impressed us the most was the fact that they were such long days and DD just walked EVERYWHERE for the entire day and not once did she ask to be carried, not even at the end of the day! I still felt bad when we had to walk that extra bit at the end to our room though. We got to the hotel and she'd ask "are we here now?" and I'm like "err no, not far to go now". Mind you, she looked as though she was about to doze off at each dinner time... lol.. but usually, something would happen and she would 'wake' up (dessert or when the characters appeared halfway through dinner). Usually, she'll moan that her legs are tired or painful after walking for 5 mins!
We filled up all our water bottles at breakfast time but if you run out and you're desperate for water and don't fancy drinking out of the water fountains all around the park (I didn't fancy it as I didn't like the taste... lol), you can buy bottled water from the shop in/next to the train station. It was 1.90 euros for a 1.5 litre bottle compared to 2.50euros for a 500ml bottle IN the park itself !!
My next "dream" is Orlando when I'm 40 (6 yrs' time). I've already told DH I want that as my 40th birthday present...lol. At least the kids will be much older then, so we'll be able to go on all/most of the rides!
I know I'm already back from my hols etc but I still enjoy reading messages on this board! Esp the trip reports. Now that I've been there, I know what everyone's talking about.
Are you still awake?!! lol.
Alice x
