Summer at HNY - Day 5

[Ms Poppins]

Thursday 28 July

The Cast:

Me - Julie, 36
DH - John, 40
DS1 - Mark, 17
DD - Abbey, 14
DS2 - Lewis, 6 (7 in 2 weeks)

Pre-trippie

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Last day today

I was up at 7:15 and woke Lewis and Abbey for EMH. I did ask them last night and said we could just lie in, but they were determined they didn't want to miss the last morning.

We were in the park for just after 8am. Main St was blocked off and we were all being diverted via Discovery Arcade. I looked over to Liberty Arcade and could see Mickey and Minnie with a couple of kids being filmed - maybe a new advert?

First stop the sword again

We did Peter Pan and the Dumbos

Abbey wanted some more pics at the maze

Then onto the teacups.

Abbey is sure that purple cups spin faster and ours really did today - so much faster than a couple of days earlier.

Lewis was feeling brave and wanted to go on the outside horse today.

Some photos on the way to Buzz

Buzz was good. There was a small queue already and it was only about 8:30. Orbitrion was looking really busy so we didn't do that and headed to Salon Mickey for the only time this trip. As we exited the park to get to Salon Mickey, the crowds were already building up to get in, it was only 9am!!

Abbey and Lewis both had croissants and I had a cookie.

They enjoyed their orange juice

A stroll through the village and we were back at the hotel to meet the boys for breakfast at 9:40. Lewis met Pluto in the lobby.

We ate in the Manhattan again and filled up as we planned on a late lunch/early dinner.

On the way out Goofy was waiting to meet Lewis

Every time we get in the lift at Disney we all do a wee dance, so we did this for the last time

We packed up all our stuff and loaded it into the car. I got the toll money ready and the car sorted out before heading back into the hotel to check out and a quick toilet stop. On the way back from the loo Abbey bumped into Goofy who twirled her about and had a wee dance with her

We headed to the Studios and it was heaving. After looking around we decided on doing some shows. I went to get fastpasses for TOT and the other took a pic outside the music shop.

Then we went to watch Cinemagique. I still love this and the end always brings a tear to my eye

We had half an hour to wait for Animagique so tried for the carpets. A 40m wait, Cars 45m and Crush 90m. We went down the Ratatoullie street and into the bottom end of Toystory Playland and the Toy Soldiers were out

They were really funny. One of them started talking to a woman who was sitting behind and he asked if she wanted a photo with him. When she said no thanks, he looked appalled and ordered her away

After this and seeing how busy everything was I got FP for me and Lewis to do the Carpets whilst the others did TOT. Then it was time for Animagique, again a great show.

The others went for TOT and Lewis and I had about 10 minutes to wait for our time. We looked at the wait time for Cars and Lewis just said, 'it's ok mum, we'll go on it next time. Just take some photos of me'. So that's what we did.

I felt really sorry for those with very young children, desperate to do things. We saw a meet with Buzz, but the queue was massive. Lewis has met him a few times and wasn't bothered that we didn't go to see him this time. I did see a wee boy of about 2 almost in tears because his mum and dad said they had to go somewhere else. A wee shame, but everything was packed out.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Then it was our turn for carpets. The same CM from our October trip was there, a guy who makes loads of funny noises. I should have taken his pic, he is a real character.

It was now about 2pm and we left the Studios for the last time and headed to the main park. We wanted to do some shopping, but again everywhere was really busy. We went to the castle as we hadn't looked inside yet.

The snoring guard

Whilst we were in there the heavens opened and it started raining, quite heavily.

We had planned to go and visit the dragon but the lobby inside the castle was packed out with people seeming to panic about the rain

Us being us, we just went out and made our way to the shops. Again, these were mobbed and we didn't bother getting anything. We decided now would be a good time to go for our late lunch and we headed back to the Village.

Having never been to the Rainforest Cafe before, I was really looking forward to this. Our travel agent had sent a 15% discount voucher for here so we thought we may as well give it a go.

It was about 3:15ish and very quiet inside. We were shown to a table near the elephants and Lewis was absolutely amazed when they started to wink and move.

We all liked the surroundings and our drinks order was taken quickly. Abbey had a Rainforest Ricky:

Abbey and I ordered the Rainforest Burger, John the Biggi Burger and Mark the Chicken Tikka. Lewis had a plain cheeseburger from the kids menu. When the waiter brought our order he explained that the kitchen had made mine and Abbey's the Biggi by mistake, but we would only be charged for what we had ordered. The burgers were exactly the same, the only difference being that the Biggi had two burgers instead. I gave my extra one to Mark.

The food was really lovely. As this was an early tea, we had desserts too. I had the Cherry amaretto cheesecake with strawberry sauce and whipped cream (yum)

Mark and Abbey had the Toblerone Tart with Ben and Jerrys Ice cream and whipped cream (this was lovely too)

All in we had a lovely meal here and everyone agreed this will be on our list next time With the 15% discount total bill was 111:70E which I thought was really good as we had desserts too. I'll put this on the restaurant review thread too.

Mark bought a t-shirt from the shop and then we went into the Village shops. Again these were really busy. It was in there that I noticed Lewis' cap was missing (actually it's Mark's cap, bought at DLP when he was about 7, and he wanted it back!) so John and Mark went back to RC and it was luckily on the floor under our table.

It was now heavy rain and we made our way back to HNY

We ended up doing our shopping in the hotel shop! They were putting loads of wellies on the shelves and people were going mad for them!

We said goodbye to the Hotel New York for the last time this trip, and promised we'd be back

We filled up with diesel at the Santa Fe and made it to the Eurotunnel with time to spare. The drive back was far easier than going there and I wish I hadn't spent time worrying about it whilst there. The crossing went well and we drove a couple of hours up the motorway to check into a Travelodge at Toddington services. This gave us a good head start the following day and we were home by 3:30 in the afternoon.

Overall we had a fabulous time, as we always do. The weather had been perfect. Warm, t-shirt weather but without the blazing heat that summer usually brings. The plan of being up late and early in the morning is not really do-able with a 6 year old (or my old legs ) but to make the most of Fantasyland it is recommended to do EMH as early as possible. After 9 it's just as busy as normal.

Comparing this trip to our last trip in October, I'd say crowds wise October was best. But I'm so thankful that we got to see Fantillusion and the Enchanted Fireworks. They were wonderful

 

[dawnydoo]

Hi. We really enjoyed reading your trip report, Thanks for sharing
Dawn.

 

[tennisfan]

An awesome report, with fab photos. Thanks for sharing it

 

[Kazzabelle]

What a lovely TR, I really enjoyed reading it.
I too think the castle looks stunning. I knew it needed doing but did not realise how much until I saw it on my trip a few weeks ago.

Your family looks like they had a great time and your DS looked so chuffed in his Jack Sparrow costume

 

[catkin]

Great trip report, what a wonderful family you've got - they look very laid back and easy-going - you've obviously done a great job!

LOL at you calling your eldest 2 "the kids" it reminded me that my sister used to call her eldest 2 "the boys" ("time to go and pick the boys up from school") when speaking to her youngest 2 - the funny part is she has 4 boys and I often wondered what the youngest 2 thought they were!

I sympathise over the tall children thing. Socks in particular used to be a pain, at the time when they would be wanting Thomas or Fireman Sam the size they were in only had Star wars etc and then they went into men's socks but at Christmas I couldn't really put the suggestive Jingle Balls etc socks into a 12 yr old's stocking! Don't get me started on the theme park/buffet etc pricing by age my 11yr old passed the 5ft mark at the beginning of the year so it's always been difficult to get them in at their real age rate, let alone sneak them in as younger!
I gave up on costumes in the end and just made my own!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Hi. We really enjoyed reading your trip report, Thanks for sharing
Dawn.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

An awesome report, with fab photos. Thanks for sharing it

Thanks. New camera this trip with quick shutter speed, really helped with the photos.

What a lovely TR, I really enjoyed reading it.
I too think the castle looks stunning. I knew it needed doing but did not realise how much until I saw it on my trip a few weeks ago.

Your family looks like they had a great time and your DS looked so chuffed in his Jack Sparrow costume

Yes, I'm still blown away by the castle and feel really lucky to have seen it all finished. Lewis loves his Jack costume - his birthday in a week or so and it's all pirates on his list!

Great trip report, what a wonderful family you've got - they look very laid back and easy-going - you've obviously done a great job!

LOL at you calling your eldest 2 "the kids" it reminded me that my sister used to call her eldest 2 "the boys" ("time to go and pick the boys up from school") when speaking to her youngest 2 - the funny part is she has 4 boys and I often wondered what the youngest 2 thought they were!

I sympathise over the tall children thing. Socks in particular used to be a pain, at the time when they would be wanting Thomas or Fireman Sam the size they were in only had Star wars etc and then they went into men's socks but at Christmas I couldn't really put the suggestive Jingle Balls etc socks into a 12 yr old's stocking! Don't get me started on the theme park/buffet etc pricing by age my 11yr old passed the 5ft mark at the beginning of the year so it's always been difficult to get them in at their real age rate, let alone sneak them in as younger!
I gave up on costumes in the end and just made my own!

Thank you! We're well used to our kids looking older than their age. Mark was the same. I used to get strange looks when he was in his buggy and he was only 3!! Lewis' costume is a bit baggy on him, but that's the way Captain Jack wears it, so he is over the moon.

 

[rottie155]

Just finished reading your trip report and I loved it! It just seemed absolutely perfect and looks like you all had a wonderful time!

Hotel New York looks fab and I cannot wait to stay there now! Also, you've given me food-for-thought (quite literally) with regards to Rainforest Café - I've always kind of avoided it in the past but just one look at that toblerone dessert has voided any second thought I had about eating there this time around!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with us

 

[Ms Poppins]

Just finished reading your trip report and I loved it! It just seemed absolutely perfect and looks like you all had a wonderful time!

Hotel New York looks fab and I cannot wait to stay there now! Also, you've given me food-for-thought (quite literally) with regards to Rainforest Café - I've always kind of avoided it in the past but just one look at that toblerone dessert has voided any second thought I had about eating there this time around!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with us

Thanks Adam

I can't believe we've never been to Rainforest Cafe before - we are all still saying what a lovely place and great food it was.

Hotel New York is still our favourite

 

[kizzabel]

Great Tr Julie. It looked so chilled and laid back. Lewis looks fab in his costume. HNY rooms look lovely. Cant wait to see them for myself!
I also second Adams thoughts re RC... Hmmm toblerone cake looks yum!
Thanks for sharing

 

[loladelorean]

Just finished reading your whole trippie, and loved it as usual Lewis is getting bigger so quickly! lol.
I'm so happy you went back to HNY, you love it just as much as I do!
And on a random note...was Mark at T in the Park this year?! My sister is sure she saw him there a couple of times and recognised him from reading your trip reports with me but was too embarrassed to ask

 

[Ms Poppins]

Just finished reading your whole trippie, and loved it as usual Lewis is getting bigger so quickly! lol.
I'm so happy you went back to HNY, you love it just as much as I do!
And on a random note...was Mark at T in the Park this year?! My sister is sure she saw him there a couple of times and recognised him from reading your trip reports with me but was too embarrassed to ask

Hi Lisa, glad you liked the report.

Yes, Mark was at T! Wait 'till I tell him that he is in fact famous
One weekend at T and the next at Disney.....what a rocker He had a great time, first time there and he camped from Thurs - Sun - he absolutely loved it. Your sister should have said hello - he's very sociable and would have enjoyed a wee gab about DLP.

 

[jothp]

Thanks for writing, I have loved reading your trip report and have finally managed to grab time to read the last day. I really hope that my girls still want to visit when they are the age of your older two. I don't know what I would do if they grew out of it!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Great report, we were at HNY the week after you, that rain unfortunatley was a familiar sight. Though most times we were out we managed to avoid it.

Must admit the fact it was warm but mostly cloudy meant we managed to stay out at the parks longer, especially at the Disneyland park, we wouldn't have managed that in the intense Florida heat in August as we have found there in the past.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Thanks for writing, I have loved reading your trip report and have finally managed to grab time to read the last day. I really hope that my girls still want to visit when they are the age of your older two. I don't know what I would do if they grew out of it!

They still love it - although when I was speaking about how I wanted to go back in October Mark said he might not bother But, I think he just fancies a few days without us all - empty

Must admit the fact it was warm but mostly cloudy meant we managed to stay out at the parks longer, especially at the Disneyland park, we wouldn't have managed that in the intense Florida heat in August as we have found there in the past.

That was the best thing about it for us too When I compare this to our June trip 2 years ago, it was far better.

 

[Ware Bears]

I've so enjoyed reading your reports - what a gorgeous family you have and what a credit they are to you and your DH.

Love this photo!

 

[Ms Poppins]

I've so enjoyed reading your reports - what a gorgeous family you have and what a credit they are to you and your DH.

Love this photo!

Thank you very much I'll be able to repay the compliment when you get your tr finished

That photo only got taken because I was trailing behind with my squelching feet

 

[loladelorean]

Hi Lisa, glad you liked the report.

Yes, Mark was at T! Wait 'till I tell him that he is in fact famous
One weekend at T and the next at Disney.....what a rocker He had a great time, first time there and he camped from Thurs - Sun - he absolutely loved it. Your sister should have said hello - he's very sociable and would have enjoyed a wee gab about DLP.

Haha yup famous from the DISboards, even cooler than being a rock star if you ask me. Samantha camped the whole time as well and loved it, although she was like a zombie when she came back. I did T in that summer after 6th year as well, its like a rite of passage here isn't it?!
Hurry up and get booking that October trip, I want another Halloween trippie 40% off showing up now too!