The 'Can't believe we're back' Trip Report - Day 5

[Ms Poppins]

Pre-Trippie
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 3 continued
Day 4


Cast

Me, 34, dlp addict
DH, 38, loves dlp
DS1, 15, not too cool for Mickey
DD, 12, still the princess
DS2, 4, the reason for this trip

Wednesday 1st July 2009

We had talked last night and John, Mark and Abbey had decided as it was our last day that they wouldn't do EMH. Lewis and I woke at 7am and were at the gates for bag check at 7.45.

Lovely view of Main St

And the Castle

Lewis had another go at the sword - still stuck...

We were the first on Dumbo's and stayed on for another go - this was a definate favourite for Lewis

Then onto Peter Pan which we rode twice, and then the teacups - you've guessed it - twice!!

We then went on the Carousel where we pretended to be knights and over to Buzz. When we came out of there it was about 9am and starting to get busy. I really think that to make good use of EMH you need to be there for as close to 8am as possible. Between 9 and 10 gets really very busy. I heard another family grumble saying there was not point at all to it.

We went back to the hotel and woke everyone up and got the last of the packing done. We checked out and then went for breakfast, today in the Parkside. The Manhattan looked shut - maybe because we were later. We took our time and then went to the hotel shop to choose the pictures we had taken on previous days. The CM was lovely and really took her time showing us all the photos and helping us choose. It was 3 for 30E so was worth saving them and getting all at the same time. We got Mickey Magical Party frames - really nice. I got a magic shopping bag i'd had my eye on - it folds up to fit in your handbag - and a postcard to use in my photo album - last of the big spenders eh! Abbey got a t-shirt she'd had her eye on, reduced to 12.50E.

We left the hotel and had some last photos outside:

We got into Main St just in time to watch Mary Poppins. We had a fabulous spot in the shade and then some very rude British people barged in front. Well, actually it was the mum - she was shouting at her husband to bring the kids in and he was a bit reluctant. I've supressed the urge to moan about this, because it can happen anywhere, not just Disney but this was just plain rude. We've all paid our money to get in, and when they barge in saying 'excuse me' or 'pardon', I'm thinking - 'do you think i'm standing here waiting on a bus??'

Anyway, this particular woman had 3 kids who were all about 2 or 3 years old. They didn't look remotely interested in Mary Poppins but their mum was adamant that they were getting in. (sorry if this is a Dis person - but is not on)

Mary Poppins is my absolute favourite Disney film, and I know it's all for the kids - but I wanted to see too - Lewis wasn't that bothered - although he did like the penguins.

After this we went to the photographers shop and chose some more pictures from Woody's roundup. We then wandered in and out of all the shops. Abbey got another t-shirt. Mark looked for a glass Donald, but could only find a frosted one so didn't bother. Abbey looked for a snow globe, she gets one every time we go - but couldn't see anything different. We got some more Mickey glasses - always get them, I don't know why.

When we reached the top of Main St the train was coming:

After it had passed us we headed for Adventureland to go on Pirates and noticed that the train had stopped in front of the Castle and the characters got off. I managed to get some pics:

Lewis with King Louie:

Lewis and Abbey with Baloo:

There is no such thing as a queue when it comes to this - it's a complete free for all - again, some people obviously thought i was waiting on a bus.....

We got some ice lollies and then headed for Pirates. Lewis didn't want to go on, so was just me, Mark and Abbey. I love this ride - love it all.

Decided to have one last look in the Studios - which was a bit of a favourite for us this trip - via Liberty arcade and filled our water bottles. When we got there we were just in time for Cinemagique, which amazingly we had never watched before. Just as it was about to start Lewis uttered those words - 'I need the toilet'. I rushed out and as soon as the CM seen me she said 'toilet?'. She pointed in the direction of the nearest ones, and then i rushed back. We were shown round the other side in a different entrance, which was at the opposite end to where John and the kids were, but it was fine. We really enjoyed the show - Lewis loved the slapping of custard pies on faces and I thought it was really clever. Will definately see this on our next trip.

We came out of here at 3pm, and tried for Animagique - another one we've never seen - but not enough time. Our reservation for Walts was at 3.45 so we headed back to the park:

We looked around another couple of shops in Main St, got some last minute stuff and then went to Walts. I've done a review on the restaurant thread - but here's some pics:

We had a window seat and watched the parade - i've videoed a lot of it but couldn't get any pictures and eat at the same time!! It's the first trip ever that i've not seen the parade from the actual street and taken loads of pictures - oh well, just need to go back!

We left Walts at about 5pm and were absolutely exhausted. We crossed the street and went to the Cable Car for cookies and doughnuts for our journey home. We then went for a wander in the DLH and browsed the shop in there. Abbey got a Tinkerbell snow globe. Then we flopped on a big comfy sofa in the lobby.

We all reallly love this hotel and promised that we will stay here again one day - what time's the lottery on?

Then it was time to go to the station - we picked up our bags from the Disney Express desk, and got through security and passport control no problem. We sat for a while in the waiting area, and then went downstairs to the platform. To my surprise the train was already there, so we boarded and Mark and Abbey went off for some drinks to go with our cakes.

Half way through the journey Lewis said to me 'I'm going to really miss Disneyland' - me too.

We were back in Ashford and checked into our hotel for 9pm. Had a good nights sleep and then travelled back home the next day.

Summary
Everything about the holiday was absolutely wonderful - except the heat. I felt that we could have done a lot more if we hadn't been so hot.

Tips

Take old passes if you have any, they work a treat for extra fast passes.

Take a bag full of snacks, cereal bars, etc - and bottles of water that you can refill - I also took a large bottle of blackcurrant and decanted this into a smaller bottle to top up our drinks through the day. You can refill water at the water fountains.

Drinks are about 2.50E a bottle so budget for this if you don't like water.

Try and get half board vouchers before you go. You can add these on a couple of days before you go, and they are worth it both for value and the convenience of knowing where you want to be each night for food.

Take some time out - especially in the heat

Make good use of EMH - be there at 8 if you can - think Early Morning Hours!!
We did this and then went back to our hotel for breakfast. Perfect.

Use the covered walkway and Liberty arcade as shortcuts around the park - see video on youtube.

The best tip I can give is to read all the previous trip reports. I did this every night for weeks before I went, and the tips you pick up are fantastic! It also gets you in the mood for your own holiday!

Thank you to everyone who has answered all my questions - you really are all very nice people.

 

[britchic4]

Lovely to read each day, thankyou, and glad you all had a wonderful time!

 

[buttercup1982]

Thank you so much for all your tips! It's looks like you all had a fabulous time! It's really got me excited for our trip now, great TR!

 

[FiFi Rose]

Great trip report Looks like you had a fab time. You've got me in the mood now. DLH here we come I'm getting really excited

 

[mummybear]

I really enjoyed your trip report.

We were there 21st-25th June and it was very hot then too. We are like you and take cordial with us - it saves SO much money (and better for the children then fizzy pop)

The covered walkways are such a blessing aren't they?! Our 2yr old doesn't really do heat, it makes her cranky and tired, so we spent quite a bit of time in these.

Also like yourselves, we always use the arcades for getting back and forth. This last visit, I commented that we should walk down Main Street as I couldn't remember the last time we had walked that way. When all I could see was a vast amount of people, I decided that, no, I ain't going to fight against that crowd with a VERY slow walking 2yr old, so went back to the arcades.

It is a very good bit of advice though, about reading other trip reports before you go. I have picked up many,many tips through doing this. Things that you wouldn't open a thread about,but when you read something that someone else has done, you think "That's a good idea"

Thanks for sharing your trip

 

[tennisfan]

I have really enjoyed reading about your trip. Glad you had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing

 

[DLPdaft]

I read all your days together, sounds like a pretty near perfect trip - and how brill having your rooms so close to the pool .

 

[karengr]

Thank you for your trip report. Yes the covered walkway is a god send as we discovered in january when the wind was biting cold and it gave us a little shelter.

Your children look like they enjoyed themselves in the photos.

 

[PJackson]

Loved your TR Your photos are amazing - thanks for a lot of the tips too

 

[torsie24]

Fabulous report Julie!!!

I teared up a little when you said about Lewis saying he's going to miss Disneyland! I do too!

All of your photos are lovely and I'm glad you all had a wonderful trip!!

 

[angel girl]

What a fab trip report Julie, thank you! Your pics are great, little Lewis looks adorable! (and your bigger ones look lovely too). Am going back in a couple of weeks, reading about all the fun you had has really put me in the mood for it now! Glad it was such a good trip-off to read your restaurant reviews now

 

[Ms Poppins]

Fabulous report Julie!!!

I teared up a little when you said about Lewis saying he's going to miss Disneyland! I do too!

Me too!! He said it again today - can't believe we've been back over a week now!!!

What a fab trip report Julie, thank you! Your pics are great, little Lewis looks adorable! (and your bigger ones look lovely too). Am going back in a couple of weeks, reading about all the fun you had has really put me in the mood for it now! Glad it was such a good trip-off to read your restaurant reviews now

Thanks, and have a great time.

 

[Ware Bears]

I've really enjoyed reading about your trip, Julie. Thanks for sharing it and your lovely photos.

 

[Mrsweasley]

beautiful photos and great reports

 

[Dianetigger]

Lovely report and great pictures, glad to hear you had such a wonderful time.

 

[loladelorean]

Only just reading this now from the link in your PTR for this year - great trip report
Good to hear of someone else going from Scotland by rail as this is what we are doing in November due to rubbishy flight times with Easyjet and my mums fear of Ash Cloud Revenge.
Your photos are beautiful looks like your family has a great time together, I'm looking forward to reading your DLH TR for this year
Thanks for sharing

 

[Ms Poppins]

Only just reading this now from the link in your PTR for this year - great trip report
Good to hear of someone else going from Scotland by rail as this is what we are doing in November due to rubbishy flight times with Easyjet and my mums fear of Ash Cloud Revenge.
Your photos are beautiful looks like your family has a great time together, I'm looking forward to reading your DLH TR for this year
Thanks for sharing

Thanks - it's our first time going via London and the kids are just as excited about that as DLP! We only ever flew the first time and hated it - it took all day and I couldn't help feeling cheated that we'd lost the first and last days of DLP hanging around airports! Hope you have a good time too

 

[loladelorean]

Thanks - it's our first time going via London and the kids are just as excited about that as DLP! We only ever flew the first time and hated it - it took all day and I couldn't help feeling cheated that we'd lost the first and last days of DLP hanging around airports! Hope you have a good time too

Our flight times weren't bad last year but this time around we would have lost two full days and I wasn't having it! Easyjet have changed the times slightly since last year and they are even worse now
Two of our cousins live in London so we are getting a chance to visit them on the way down, and maybe catch a show. If it goes well doing everything by train we will do the same for future DLP trips too