megrumpy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2009
- Messages
- 76
Some pictures added (post 5)
Pre trippie http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2354961
Trip to Ashford http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2355451
Arrive http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2355923
Christmas Day http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356244
I will continue my trippie blog in 1 post (editing each day)...
Today the frost lay on my car - deep and crisp and even. The sky was blue and the CM at the parking gate even more jovial.
Started day at studios to watch Moteurs
then thought about ToT - its the thought that counts!
Lack of breakfast was telling me lunch time was overdue, and fancying some fish and chips, I wandered over to the Park and joined the slow moving queue at Toad Hall. I managed to get a tall, standing table (me that is): not quite the Harry Ramsdens served at Epcot but enjoyable non the less. Then saw my friend Grumpy.
My faith in the true magic of Disney
ixiedust: was confirmed when following being caught up in an incident, I was given a length of stay VIP pass 
Given these can be bought (unlimited fastpass) at an unbelievable price, this was worth more than the cost of my stay - thank you and well done Disney!!
Well I had to try it out so went to Buzz - when the cm saw it, his response reminded me of the old days when the AA man saluted members. This was repeated at every attraction I used it on (ok so Buzz, BTM and Peter Pan).
Went back to the hotel to chill and read my Daily Mail and munch some maltesers.
Duly fortified, back to the parks for pizza at Victoria's followed by Buzz and BTM in the dark. One thing that struck me was the Christmassy nature of the music compared to a couple of years ago. However it was a bit strange to hear 'Onward Christian Soldiers' blasting from the shrubbery near Hakunah Matata.
Finished the day with some night pictures, and riding the train before more vin chaud.
Sunday
Decided to chill today - sunday brunch at the Steakhouse booked. Spent a lot of time people watching - eg noted very few people wearing disney hats compared to previous visits.
Brunch excellent as usual - Minnie noted I was on my own so sat at my table for quite a while!
Went to Starbucks for the first time - bit confused by person with handheld wanting to take my order before I could see the menu?? Opted for grande mocha cerise somethingorother!!
Went back to hotel to read paper and greeted by housekeeping about to service my room and concerned that the noise would 'derange' me - probably already deranged but suddenly remembered translates as 'disturb' - smile + Gallic hand wave resolved situation - room tidy whilst paper read.
Back to park for sandwich, Buzz, IASW, POTC, BTM then to finish ... vin chaud
Monday or Queuesday
Arrived at parking lot at just before 11 to face a humungous line of traffic. This became theme for the day. I have never seen such queues of people trying to get into park not helped by multiple ticket issues so CMs having to enter details manually.
Made for Buzz (664000) then onto Startours (never done this at DLP before). Gave IASW a miss as queue was round all ropelines down to entrance. Lines for PP at 90 mins so made use of FP. Considered doing Indiana Jones but opted for a pizza at Colonel Hathi's instead.
After a suitable rest,did BTM (normal queue about 120 mins!!!)
Left park through a 'snowy' Main Street for a Starbucks Latte and comfy chair (reading my Daily mail).zzzzzzzzzzzz
Tuesday
Pouring down at first so waited until it stopped. Dry by 11 so went to Studios - Cinemagique followed by a meeting with Remy at Restaurant Des Stars. The food was delicious as always, particularly the tagine of lamb and the hickory pork. (review to follow).
Then hunted down the last parking place at Val D'Europe (or so it felt) for a trip to Auchan.
After a post prandial snooze, went back to park: Buzz (FP lane was closed but flashed my VIP pass and was ushered in!! Only scored 550 000. Then BTM x 2, POTC, PP and IASW - all done in under an hour. Had a croque at Market House Deli whilst Fantillusion came past. Vin chaud...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Wednesday
Another lazy day as I guess tomorrow will be very long (don't want to get locked out of parks!!)
Arrived by 11 and headed for Buzz - 540 000 (Reckon I need to be stopped by first Zurg to get over 700 000). Then on to a first - Indiana Jones.I survived inversion... needed popcorn to recover.
Then power walk around the park followed by a rock and roll burger at Annette's.
Back to hotel for snooze. Decided to drive to parking lot and catch shuttle to Sequoia for a sandwich (as you do). However, the rain made me go for a pizza delivery option. Yum Yum. As I wasn't driving, had a pastis to make up for lack of vin chaud...zzzzzzzzzzzz
New Year's Eve
Up early??!! Arrived at parking lot by 8.30 - still busy with cms in a huddle are cars nearly crashing into each other feeding from 2 lines into 1; never mind - safely parked in A3. Pleased there are minimal queues and straight into park wafting my AP to get into Discoveryland. Did Buzz then decided to be at head of queue for only ride at DLP that I haven't been on (though have done many times at WDW) - Autopia. Help - send for the RAC , my car broke down half way round with no hard shoulder (steering was dodgy as well!!) CM drove up behind me to restart car and all was well. Then went for calming coffee at Videopolis and chance to read paper.
By now park was starting to get busy so it was FP time - PP then BTM x 2. Wandered round Adventure Isle (power walk of course). Getting cold so nipped on IASW to warm up.
Had lunch booked at Blue Lagoon - excellent with excellent service as usual (review to follow).
By now it was starting to get misty - the freezing kind so rather than go back to the hotel for a rest, I had multiple trips on Molly Brown, 'resting' in the lower saloon and rejoining the queue as we 'docked' - I'm sure the CM Boris with his Hercule Poirot moustache was looking increasingly confused at my repeated 'bonjours.'
Decided to watch the parade again then onto multiple Buzz rides, BTM + PP.
I did it - I scored 999 999 - level 7 !!!!!!!!!!!!
By now it was dark but not dark - the mist was freezing and the sky looked like a low energy light bulb - not quite light enough. Grabbed a sandwich from the Deli, decided not to pay 9 euro for a glass of champagne being sold all around the park and waited for the New Year just in front of the castle. The fireworks were amazing but as I turned to go, I realised that myriads of people in front of me were either trying to do the same or just dancing withou a thought to move. Eventually squeezed out of park by 12.30 (Still not New Year in GB!!!) and headed for car. Row A3 not good when millions of cars are vying for 2 lanes. 1.00 not moved - now HAPPY NEW YEAR. 1.30 - did what everybody else was doing - followed arrows wrong way and drove up entrance. 1.45 back at hotel ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz
NYD
Quiet day today - lazy get up then into studios for tram tour and Animagique.
Had lunch at Cafe Mickey - excellent as usual ( free kir and they took 20% off bill with AP ??)
Then quiet afternoon and evening - catching up on lost zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Pre trippie http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2354961
Trip to Ashford http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2355451
Arrive http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2355923
Christmas Day http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356244
I will continue my trippie blog in 1 post (editing each day)...
Today the frost lay on my car - deep and crisp and even. The sky was blue and the CM at the parking gate even more jovial.
Started day at studios to watch Moteurs
then thought about ToT - its the thought that counts!Lack of breakfast was telling me lunch time was overdue, and fancying some fish and chips, I wandered over to the Park and joined the slow moving queue at Toad Hall. I managed to get a tall, standing table (me that is): not quite the Harry Ramsdens served at Epcot but enjoyable non the less. Then saw my friend Grumpy.
My faith in the true magic of Disney
ixiedust: was confirmed when following being caught up in an incident, I was given a length of stay VIP pass Given these can be bought (unlimited fastpass) at an unbelievable price, this was worth more than the cost of my stay - thank you and well done Disney!!Well I had to try it out so went to Buzz - when the cm saw it, his response reminded me of the old days when the AA man saluted members. This was repeated at every attraction I used it on (ok so Buzz, BTM and Peter Pan).
Went back to the hotel to chill and read my Daily Mail and munch some maltesers.
Duly fortified, back to the parks for pizza at Victoria's followed by Buzz and BTM in the dark. One thing that struck me was the Christmassy nature of the music compared to a couple of years ago. However it was a bit strange to hear 'Onward Christian Soldiers' blasting from the shrubbery near Hakunah Matata.
Finished the day with some night pictures, and riding the train before more vin chaud.
Sunday
Decided to chill today - sunday brunch at the Steakhouse booked. Spent a lot of time people watching - eg noted very few people wearing disney hats compared to previous visits.
Brunch excellent as usual - Minnie noted I was on my own so sat at my table for quite a while!
Went to Starbucks for the first time - bit confused by person with handheld wanting to take my order before I could see the menu?? Opted for grande mocha cerise somethingorother!!
Went back to hotel to read paper and greeted by housekeeping about to service my room and concerned that the noise would 'derange' me - probably already deranged but suddenly remembered translates as 'disturb' - smile + Gallic hand wave resolved situation - room tidy whilst paper read.
Back to park for sandwich, Buzz, IASW, POTC, BTM then to finish ... vin chaud
Monday or Queuesday
Arrived at parking lot at just before 11 to face a humungous line of traffic. This became theme for the day. I have never seen such queues of people trying to get into park not helped by multiple ticket issues so CMs having to enter details manually.
Made for Buzz (664000) then onto Startours (never done this at DLP before). Gave IASW a miss as queue was round all ropelines down to entrance. Lines for PP at 90 mins so made use of FP. Considered doing Indiana Jones but opted for a pizza at Colonel Hathi's instead.
After a suitable rest,did BTM (normal queue about 120 mins!!!)
Left park through a 'snowy' Main Street for a Starbucks Latte and comfy chair (reading my Daily mail).zzzzzzzzzzzz
Tuesday
Pouring down at first so waited until it stopped. Dry by 11 so went to Studios - Cinemagique followed by a meeting with Remy at Restaurant Des Stars. The food was delicious as always, particularly the tagine of lamb and the hickory pork. (review to follow).
Then hunted down the last parking place at Val D'Europe (or so it felt) for a trip to Auchan.
After a post prandial snooze, went back to park: Buzz (FP lane was closed but flashed my VIP pass and was ushered in!! Only scored 550 000. Then BTM x 2, POTC, PP and IASW - all done in under an hour. Had a croque at Market House Deli whilst Fantillusion came past. Vin chaud...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Wednesday
Another lazy day as I guess tomorrow will be very long (don't want to get locked out of parks!!)
Arrived by 11 and headed for Buzz - 540 000 (Reckon I need to be stopped by first Zurg to get over 700 000). Then on to a first - Indiana Jones.I survived inversion... needed popcorn to recover.
Then power walk around the park followed by a rock and roll burger at Annette's.
Back to hotel for snooze. Decided to drive to parking lot and catch shuttle to Sequoia for a sandwich (as you do). However, the rain made me go for a pizza delivery option. Yum Yum. As I wasn't driving, had a pastis to make up for lack of vin chaud...zzzzzzzzzzzz
New Year's Eve
Up early??!! Arrived at parking lot by 8.30 - still busy with cms in a huddle are cars nearly crashing into each other feeding from 2 lines into 1; never mind - safely parked in A3. Pleased there are minimal queues and straight into park wafting my AP to get into Discoveryland. Did Buzz then decided to be at head of queue for only ride at DLP that I haven't been on (though have done many times at WDW) - Autopia. Help - send for the RAC , my car broke down half way round with no hard shoulder (steering was dodgy as well!!) CM drove up behind me to restart car and all was well. Then went for calming coffee at Videopolis and chance to read paper.
By now park was starting to get busy so it was FP time - PP then BTM x 2. Wandered round Adventure Isle (power walk of course). Getting cold so nipped on IASW to warm up.
Had lunch booked at Blue Lagoon - excellent with excellent service as usual (review to follow).
By now it was starting to get misty - the freezing kind so rather than go back to the hotel for a rest, I had multiple trips on Molly Brown, 'resting' in the lower saloon and rejoining the queue as we 'docked' - I'm sure the CM Boris with his Hercule Poirot moustache was looking increasingly confused at my repeated 'bonjours.'
Decided to watch the parade again then onto multiple Buzz rides, BTM + PP.
I did it - I scored 999 999 - level 7 !!!!!!!!!!!!
By now it was dark but not dark - the mist was freezing and the sky looked like a low energy light bulb - not quite light enough. Grabbed a sandwich from the Deli, decided not to pay 9 euro for a glass of champagne being sold all around the park and waited for the New Year just in front of the castle. The fireworks were amazing but as I turned to go, I realised that myriads of people in front of me were either trying to do the same or just dancing withou a thought to move. Eventually squeezed out of park by 12.30 (Still not New Year in GB!!!) and headed for car. Row A3 not good when millions of cars are vying for 2 lanes. 1.00 not moved - now HAPPY NEW YEAR. 1.30 - did what everybody else was doing - followed arrows wrong way and drove up entrance. 1.45 back at hotel ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz
NYD
Quiet day today - lazy get up then into studios for tram tour and Animagique.
Had lunch at Cafe Mickey - excellent as usual ( free kir and they took 20% off bill with AP ??)
Then quiet afternoon and evening - catching up on lost zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
