Wednesday (day 3) - Disneyland Park. Extra magic hours!
It was much cooler today than the previous days. The storm last night seems to have cleared the muggy air.
We make it to our Good Morning Fantasyland breakfast at 09.30 at Pizzeria Bella Notte (interesting choice). I hadn't actually been in there before so it was nice to have a look around. I always feel that the Fantasyland breakfasts are better than the hotel ones (well, the hotels we have have stayed in at least). There seems to be a better selection of food, and more of it!
While we ate our breakfasts outside Pizzeria Bella Notte characters started to appear from the path opposite (which links Fantasyland to Discoveryland). We have used this path many times as a shortcut but this is the first time I have actually seen it with the large wooden gates closed. While I ponder this I realise that Katie has abandoned her breakfast and made a beeline for Snow White (her favourite princess), so I take off after her with a fully charged camera in hand. There are a lot of characters and not many people, Katie gets to go round each one with little hassle. I begin to regret her decision not to bother with an autograph book (she pointed out that she already had one at home which is 3/4 full). Jake tries to be brave and edges his way towards Tigger but he backs out at the last moment, he was so excited because he had seen so many characters unexpectedly.
After breakfast Katie and I walked Michele and Jake out of the park (through Discoveryland, past the Plaza Gardens and up the Discovery arcade. I love the arcades, especially the Discovery Arcade). We arranged to meet outside the Plaza Gardens in time for our character Tea and then Michele and Jake headed off to Paris for the day.
We called into City Hall to find out how to book a shave at Dapper Dans (I had no idea City Hall was so small!). I'm told if nobody is in Dapper Dans I have to enquire in the Emporium. Dapper Dans was closed so I go to the Emporium, after a bit of head scratching I'm told the barber is off ill for the day. Damn! I'm feeling quite grungy and was looking forward to a fancy shave.
Then it was off to the Phantom Manor which was actually open! It was a walk on so we had two goes. Katie was really happy as she loves the PM almost as much as I do. I also noticed that the Riverboats are operating as well. Great!
We then made our way up to the Pirates of the Caribbean, grabbing a couple of Fastpass tickets for Big Thunder Mountain for later.
Pirates of the Caribbean was a walk on so we had two goes
After this we had a nose around the Pirates Beach and Capt. Hook's Galley. While we explored Pirates Cove I noticed a rather odd character skipping from behind rock to rock. Yep, it's Capt. Jack Sparrow. We followed him to his Meet 'n' Greet area and noticed that he had gathered quite a large crowd. I feel the area is very well laid out as you have to go up some stairs to get to him, this really regulates the autograph / photograph hungry mob (although I have no idea how he makes it out of there alive!) Katie loves Capt. Jack so she was really excited when she finally got to meet him. "Have you ever been to Tortuga?" he asked before ordering everyone to "Make way for the little pirate!". The cast member is excellent and obviously having a great time with the role, you can't help but laugh along with him.
Have you ever been to Tortuga?
Time to go on Big Thunder Mountain. Fastpass worked a treat (as usual) and we virtually walked straight on. Well, to the front of the queue at least.
We were quite hungry by then so as a treat we went back up to the Blue Lagoon for our lunch. We had:
Me: Fillet of Beef
Katie: Cabin Boy's Menu (Sweetcorn and heart of palm salad, Spaghetti Bolognese with Tuna and grated cheese, Ice cream, Coke)
Drinks: x1 33cl Coke, x1 Cafe au Lait
Total: 45.05 Euros.
The Cabin Boy's Menu is excellent value for 12.00 Euros IMO. You can choose one of three set menus but if you ask nice enough they will gladly vary the dishes a little. I wasn't very impressed with my steak, it was cooked pretty good (still a bit red with a little blood, just how I like it) but the meat was slightly tough and sinewy and the presentation left a lot to be desired. Still, the atmosphere was nice and I would go back. One thing I noticed was that just how many people shout "Bon Apetite" while passing by on Pirates of the Caribbean, you can't help but laugh and wave back!
One more go on Pirates of the Caribbean and the Phantom Manor and then it was time to meet Michele and Jake at the Plaza Gardens Restaurant for our Character Tea.
The best castle of all IMO.
The tea was pretty good. The buffet was well stocked and there was even some breakfast stuff available (sausage, hash browns, omelette, bacon etc.), but further inspection led me to believe that it was actually leftovers from the morning. The kids concentrated on fruit juice and cakes while Michele and I helped ourselves to pastries and tea / coffee. The character interaction was generally good and there was plenty of it but (this is where things sound a little... odd) Tigger and Pluto (to a lesser degree) concentrated on a table of three guys to the detriment of the other guests. I took a look around while the shenanigans were going on and nobody was amused, disgruntled parents glowered as kids asked why Tigger was spending so long at the 'boys' table. Eventually a character wrangler felt it necessary to intervene and escort Tigger to other tables in the restaurant. As they went 'phone me' gestures were passed back and forth between the guys at the table and Tigger. "... appalling behaviour!" I overheard from a nearby table. I thought it was a little unprofessional and discourteous to others (assuming it wasn't a little impromptu 'pantomime') but what the hell... I was also quite saddened as Jake had finally built up the courage to have his photograph taken with Tigger but afterwards he just sat in silence, watching as the above events unfurled. But overall the tea was a success and everyone enjoyed it.
Next, off to get our Extra Magic Hour wristbands. After we picked them up we had a complete circuit of the Park on the Disneyland Railroad. Something Michele had wanted to do since last year and the kids enjoyed it as well.
That evening we paced ourselves a little better and we all visited the Phantom Manor (which Michele and Jake also love). Two more rides on Pirates of the Caribbean, we all stayed on for the second ride but moved to the front seats). Then it was across to Discoveryland for two goes on Star Tours and one more on Buzz Lightyear. After that Katie took Michele on Big Thunder Mountain. I don't think Michele was too impressed as she isn't really into 'coasters. "How does it stay on the tracks?" she asked!
We decided to call it a day and head off back to the hotel. We grabbed a snack at McDonalds in the Disney Village to eat on the way back.
Over the entire duration of our stay we don't use the shuttle service once, it's not like it's far and it's a good way for the kids to wind down on the evening.
I decided to pop over to the Chuck Wagon Cafe to check out the evening dining provisions. I walked around to the main reception doors and I was shocked to find that the queue for the buffet is almost out of the hotel! It comes from the self service area, up the ramp past the toilets, into the lobby then snakes around the lobby to the General Store doors! I cut through the Red Garter Saloon into the Chuck Wagon Cafe and out of the exit doors back to the room. I check out peoples plates as I go and the food does not look very appealing at all. In fact, I think people are actually leaving more than they are eating (although how they manage to do this I'm not sure).
It was much cooler today than the previous days. The storm last night seems to have cleared the muggy air.
We make it to our Good Morning Fantasyland breakfast at 09.30 at Pizzeria Bella Notte (interesting choice). I hadn't actually been in there before so it was nice to have a look around. I always feel that the Fantasyland breakfasts are better than the hotel ones (well, the hotels we have have stayed in at least). There seems to be a better selection of food, and more of it!
While we ate our breakfasts outside Pizzeria Bella Notte characters started to appear from the path opposite (which links Fantasyland to Discoveryland). We have used this path many times as a shortcut but this is the first time I have actually seen it with the large wooden gates closed. While I ponder this I realise that Katie has abandoned her breakfast and made a beeline for Snow White (her favourite princess), so I take off after her with a fully charged camera in hand. There are a lot of characters and not many people, Katie gets to go round each one with little hassle. I begin to regret her decision not to bother with an autograph book (she pointed out that she already had one at home which is 3/4 full). Jake tries to be brave and edges his way towards Tigger but he backs out at the last moment, he was so excited because he had seen so many characters unexpectedly.
After breakfast Katie and I walked Michele and Jake out of the park (through Discoveryland, past the Plaza Gardens and up the Discovery arcade. I love the arcades, especially the Discovery Arcade). We arranged to meet outside the Plaza Gardens in time for our character Tea and then Michele and Jake headed off to Paris for the day.
We called into City Hall to find out how to book a shave at Dapper Dans (I had no idea City Hall was so small!). I'm told if nobody is in Dapper Dans I have to enquire in the Emporium. Dapper Dans was closed so I go to the Emporium, after a bit of head scratching I'm told the barber is off ill for the day. Damn! I'm feeling quite grungy and was looking forward to a fancy shave.
Then it was off to the Phantom Manor which was actually open! It was a walk on so we had two goes. Katie was really happy as she loves the PM almost as much as I do. I also noticed that the Riverboats are operating as well. Great!
We then made our way up to the Pirates of the Caribbean, grabbing a couple of Fastpass tickets for Big Thunder Mountain for later.
Pirates of the Caribbean was a walk on so we had two goes
After this we had a nose around the Pirates Beach and Capt. Hook's Galley. While we explored Pirates Cove I noticed a rather odd character skipping from behind rock to rock. Yep, it's Capt. Jack Sparrow. We followed him to his Meet 'n' Greet area and noticed that he had gathered quite a large crowd. I feel the area is very well laid out as you have to go up some stairs to get to him, this really regulates the autograph / photograph hungry mob (although I have no idea how he makes it out of there alive!) Katie loves Capt. Jack so she was really excited when she finally got to meet him. "Have you ever been to Tortuga?" he asked before ordering everyone to "Make way for the little pirate!". The cast member is excellent and obviously having a great time with the role, you can't help but laugh along with him.
Have you ever been to Tortuga?
Time to go on Big Thunder Mountain. Fastpass worked a treat (as usual) and we virtually walked straight on. Well, to the front of the queue at least.
We were quite hungry by then so as a treat we went back up to the Blue Lagoon for our lunch. We had:
Me: Fillet of Beef
Katie: Cabin Boy's Menu (Sweetcorn and heart of palm salad, Spaghetti Bolognese with Tuna and grated cheese, Ice cream, Coke)
Drinks: x1 33cl Coke, x1 Cafe au Lait
Total: 45.05 Euros.
The Cabin Boy's Menu is excellent value for 12.00 Euros IMO. You can choose one of three set menus but if you ask nice enough they will gladly vary the dishes a little. I wasn't very impressed with my steak, it was cooked pretty good (still a bit red with a little blood, just how I like it) but the meat was slightly tough and sinewy and the presentation left a lot to be desired. Still, the atmosphere was nice and I would go back. One thing I noticed was that just how many people shout "Bon Apetite" while passing by on Pirates of the Caribbean, you can't help but laugh and wave back!
One more go on Pirates of the Caribbean and the Phantom Manor and then it was time to meet Michele and Jake at the Plaza Gardens Restaurant for our Character Tea.
The best castle of all IMO.
The tea was pretty good. The buffet was well stocked and there was even some breakfast stuff available (sausage, hash browns, omelette, bacon etc.), but further inspection led me to believe that it was actually leftovers from the morning. The kids concentrated on fruit juice and cakes while Michele and I helped ourselves to pastries and tea / coffee. The character interaction was generally good and there was plenty of it but (this is where things sound a little... odd) Tigger and Pluto (to a lesser degree) concentrated on a table of three guys to the detriment of the other guests. I took a look around while the shenanigans were going on and nobody was amused, disgruntled parents glowered as kids asked why Tigger was spending so long at the 'boys' table. Eventually a character wrangler felt it necessary to intervene and escort Tigger to other tables in the restaurant. As they went 'phone me' gestures were passed back and forth between the guys at the table and Tigger. "... appalling behaviour!" I overheard from a nearby table. I thought it was a little unprofessional and discourteous to others (assuming it wasn't a little impromptu 'pantomime') but what the hell... I was also quite saddened as Jake had finally built up the courage to have his photograph taken with Tigger but afterwards he just sat in silence, watching as the above events unfurled. But overall the tea was a success and everyone enjoyed it.
Next, off to get our Extra Magic Hour wristbands. After we picked them up we had a complete circuit of the Park on the Disneyland Railroad. Something Michele had wanted to do since last year and the kids enjoyed it as well.
That evening we paced ourselves a little better and we all visited the Phantom Manor (which Michele and Jake also love). Two more rides on Pirates of the Caribbean, we all stayed on for the second ride but moved to the front seats). Then it was across to Discoveryland for two goes on Star Tours and one more on Buzz Lightyear. After that Katie took Michele on Big Thunder Mountain. I don't think Michele was too impressed as she isn't really into 'coasters. "How does it stay on the tracks?" she asked!
We decided to call it a day and head off back to the hotel. We grabbed a snack at McDonalds in the Disney Village to eat on the way back.
Over the entire duration of our stay we don't use the shuttle service once, it's not like it's far and it's a good way for the kids to wind down on the evening.
I decided to pop over to the Chuck Wagon Cafe to check out the evening dining provisions. I walked around to the main reception doors and I was shocked to find that the queue for the buffet is almost out of the hotel! It comes from the self service area, up the ramp past the toilets, into the lobby then snakes around the lobby to the General Store doors! I cut through the Red Garter Saloon into the Chuck Wagon Cafe and out of the exit doors back to the room. I check out peoples plates as I go and the food does not look very appealing at all. In fact, I think people are actually leaving more than they are eating (although how they manage to do this I'm not sure).
what a shame about naughty Tigger 
but you managed to meet the elusive Captain Sparrow! 
