The Girls Only Halloween Trip - Trip Report NOW COMPLETE

[emanlu]

Cast List

Me - the grown up
DD1 almost 10 and
DD2 just turned 8.

The girls didn’t know they were going to Disney and after DD2 got into a paddy about something the night before I decicded to break the news that they were going the following day!

Day 1
Up and sent kids out to school as normal but advised the girls I would be getting them early. Started packing but had to iron clothes first - having been in bed with the flu had really scuppered my preparations! Bags packed DSi's charged and I was ready to go except for the fact I still had no €! Headed into town to co-op travel but they didn't have any so over to thomas cook who sorted me out. Collected the girls from school and stopped at the house to get them changed before heading to the airport, surprisingly there were no delays or slow drivers on the way down so arrived earlier than planned. EasyJet bag drop was painless and I congratulated myself on keeping the weight down to 15kg so was very bemused when the guy asked me had I paid for excess baggage - the weight now said 22kg – had a panic before realising dd2 was leaning on the scale!!! Security as usual took ages and then we went to get the girls Burger King and a nice coffe from Starbucks for me. We didn't have too long to wait for our flight although we never heard the number being called out just noticing it on the screen. Flight had a bit of drama not long after we flew over London and they put out a call for any Dr or nurse on the flight to come forward - the gentleman who was ill was then taken from the plane by the paramedics when we landed. We didn’t have long to wait for our bags and we then headed of for the TGV. We had just missed the 10 to 6 one and had an hour to wait for the next one - this cost €33 for 2 children and 1 adult. After a bit of a panic about knowing if we should be going to the north or south platform I soon worked out what I was looking for.

We had no problems on the train even managing to find our seats - the poor man we landed next to seemed quite traumatised by my very animated children. After a very quick journey we arrived at Marne-le-Vallee and after a short stroll through the village we were back at Sequoia Lodge.

Check in was quick and we were given a VIP breakfast allowing us to go at whatever time we liked, our room was a refurbed room on the same level as reception and was the first room facing the lake on that floor (although I think it was an impossibility to see the lake). There were some coins, a bottle of water and a note from the manager waiting in our room for us.

Our room was the one with the three windows in the middle of this pic.

We headed to the village and Annettes for our now traditional first meal..

We wandered through the shops and the girls performed a bit on the stage

before heading back to bed – well I put them to bed but they didn’t go to sleep till about midnight French time – I ended up hiding out in the bathroom till they dropped off!

 

[x_zipped_x]

lovely trip report so far
can't wait to read the rest

 

[emanlu]

Day 2
Up later than planned - had set the alarm on the iPod touch but didn’t think to check the sound was on - oops. I had a quick shower and we headed down for breakfast before heading out to the park.

We were in just after 8 and got the bus down main street before heading to Buzz our traditional first ride - we got off after the first ride and were asked did we want to go again off course we did so through the door and on again. We could have done the same again but DD2 said no so off to Fantasyland to do The Carousel, Dumbo and my pet hate the Teacups (this was my only go on them this time as the girls went on their own after this). We headed back to Buzz for another 2 goes after this.

Went and joined the princess pavilion queue but the girls weren't that fussed and it already stretched back to the bridge near the tea cups (this was at a quarter to 10) so we decided to go and wait for IASW to open but we noticed Susie and Perla out doing a meet and greet.

We went on IASW and then went to City Hall to try and make a booking for cafe Mickey tonight but nothing was available the girl suggested going early and just queuing outside which is what we decided to do. Then we headed out of the park and over and did the magic knock and made our first visit to Salon Mickey! There were two other groups of people in – DD1 and I had water DD2 had oj and we all had mickey brioches.

Refuelled we headed out through the magic door and headed to Big Thunder Mountain where we had a 20 min wait. The girls wanted to go to the playground beside the ship but it was closed due to the refurb.

We passed the Peter Pan Follow the Leader show as we headed back to Fantasy land and did a quick walk on to Snow White- (we had never been on this before) on our way to see Disney’s Maleficious Halloween Party.

We went round the back of the hub and saw some of the characters after this had ended and then realised the Disney Dance Express was starting to went and watch and joined in with this.

We headed to the Studios after this stopping to admire the autumnal decorations on the gazebo at town square on the way

Sorry about the pics - I did resize and rotate but they havent come out right! I am now looking at this on a different computer and the pics are the right size and the right way round - apologies if they are still wrong for you!

 

[emanlu]

In the Studios we first went on Flying Carpets this was a walk on as was Slinky Dog – RC racer was showing 20 mins and Crush was showing 45 minutes but the girls didn’t want to go on either of these. We went and staked our spot for Stars and Cars and managed to see a lot of the characters but didn’t get a lot of autographs as we just seemed to be in the wrong spot – the wicked queen wouldn’t sign Anna’s book as she held it out with the page were Snow White had signed it earlier – oops!

Gaston was really funny and kept shouting at people – he used dds head to lean on to sign her book and then he wanted to drive the car when the parade was leaving again!

We went on Parachute Drop after this – was a 20 min wait and then we left the studios and headed to the shop at the train station and got some ice cream, pringles and coke for a picnic (not very healthy I know!) We walked through the village and sat under Panoramagique to eat. We wandered back to the hotel for an hour and then hopped on a bus back to the park for the parade - we headed to Belle Notte to watch this and I noticed a few things I hadn’t seen before

did the lights on RC always light up and move???

Never noticed the eyes in the skull lit before

or that these wee critters move in and out!

DD 1 got up and joined in with the dancing

Once the parade had passed we headed round to Buzz for our 5th go of the day and thought about going on Autopia but it was showing a 35 min wait so we wandered up and out of the park to Café Mickey – we were there around 6 and waited about 15 mins for a table (less than we waited when we had a reservation on our last trip) we were seated in the extension bit which I don’t like but there were still plenty of free tables – we didn’t have long to wait before we were visited by characters – first up the main man!

We took a leisurely stroll back to the hotel – the girls wanting to go on the Ice Rink on the way back but as I pointed out the would need to be wearing socks (both had crocs on and no socks!)

We went into the bar but none of the cocktails appealed to me so we headed back to the room and we all had baths – the girls were in bed and asleep before 9 and I wasn’t far behind them .

 

[emanlu]

Day 3
Woken by DD1 shouting at me that the alarm was going off! We got up and made it down for breakfast at 7am and it was a bit like the Marie Celeste – there were no staff about – there were a couple of other groups of people as well as us and as everything was set out we seated ourselves and got food sorted. We left the hotel just after 7.30 and were at the gate for 7.45 the first people in the queue!

We had to go down and wait for the turnstiles to open once they let us through security. But we had that lovely moment with no one on main street (apart from the cleaner !)

We went straight to Buzz and oh no it wasn't open! So we went to Fantasyland via the castle noticing the extra decorations on the way!

We went on Dumbo first – I think we were the first people on as they were just sailing round on their own when we arrived .

The girls did the Teacups and then we all went on the Carousel before heading back to Buzz who was now open we had two goes here before we headed back up mainstreet and then came down again on the bus.

From the top of the bus
We went up round the upstairs of the castle and then checked on the opening time for Alices Labyrinth. The girls took another spin on the Teacups and then we decided that our next first was going to be first on IASW so we started the the queue here and were first on (yet again the queue for the Princess Pavilion was already snaking round and the girls said no!)

all the empty boats in front!
It was time for our morning break now so we headed back to Salon Mickey - taking some pics on the way

We were the only people in Salon Mickey but an older couple arrived just before we left.

 

[emanlu]

After we had finished and enjoyed our break we went back out into the bark and onto BTM – queue not as long as yesterday probably about 10 minutes – I had promised Lucy more popcorn for going on BTM so we grabbed a Popcorn and Diet Coke deal which cost €6 (popcorn on its own was €5 and the coke €2.60nd we got a voucher for free hot drink later). We went to the Pocohontas play park for a quick break well I had a break they ran round like mad things – the dog was in fine form barking!

After this we headed onto Pirates – the girls have never been on this as our first attempt at going on it on our first Disney trip was brought to an end when DD1 took fright on the way in and turned round and marched out again. They did enjoy it but wouldn’t go on it again! Jack Sparrow was doing a meet and greet outside but they weren’t interested in meeting him.
We headed back round to do the Labyrinth

and tried to do a meet with the Mad Hatter but he ran away – while DD1 and I were doing this DD2 took herself off and did the teacups again!
We headed out of the park after this meeting a few dodgy characters on the way

We went to McDonalds for lunch and did some shopping before heading back to the hotel for an hour to rest up before MNSSHP. We had hoped to go up in Panoramagique but it was grounded due to wind. DD2 got changed into her costume before we went back but

DD1 decided she wasn’t getting changed and would change later so I put her costume into my backpack

Our first stop was the Disneyland Hotel for the characters at 4pm - we finally got to meet the Mad Hatter and DD2 got to dance with Mickey.

The Mad Hatter was great fun – he was trying to sing along to the song that was playing in the background but couldn’t remember the words!

We had a nosey round upstairs and had a look in the shop and wandered on down to Café Fantasia – the girls decided that they want to come and stay here some day (when I win the lottery!)
We went into the Studios again after this – DD2 had wanted to do the Parachute Drop but it was showing 25 mins and she didn’t want to wait that long so we did Flying Carpets, Cars (only a 10 min wait with only one side working)

The girls joined in with the Green Army Men

We did a quick trip into the end bit of Art of Animation and then headed back into the main park

 

[emanlu]

We had to show our MNSSHP tickets and go through a special cordoned off area and then once you were through the turnstiles you were given your lovely pink wristband . First stop the toilets so DD1 could get changed and so I could put something under DD2’s dress to keep her warm then off to Buzz! We then went to Plaza Gardens for the buffet this was around €40 for the 3 of us with shareholders discount. Italian radio were doing a broadcast from one of the rooms in the restaurant!

Once we were very well fed we headed out and into Fantasyland - first stop Dumbo, then the Teacups for the girls they came off teacups asking to meet piglet – I hadn’t noticed the meets going on over the little bridge so off we went and waited patiently while various adults pushed in!

We ended up dancing along with Minnie to her pirate party but there wasn’t space to see so we headed on round towards BTM meeting Aladdin and Jasmine on the way

We did BTM in the dark – DD1 shouted awesome the whole way round – they were only loading one train at a time and we ended up being the first to get on one of them the CM asked the girls did they want to go front or back so they picked the front – DD1 and I wanted to go again but DD2 said no even though she enjoyed it. We wandered on round to Fort Comstock and met various villans there – we got a bit damp as the coloured smoke was very misty

These two were hilarious!

We then headed back to get a spot for Minnies Pirate Show – we enjoyed this

And then headed round to the courtyard for Hewy Dewy and Louis show stopping to meet some characters on the way.

We had one finally go on the Carousel before heading out through the castle to get our spot for the final show – we were all starting to flag and although we watched a good bit of it we left before the end

and slowly made our way up main street and back to Sequoia Lodge – girls were aleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows – I started to pack! Once I had got into bed I realised my legs were really aching - I did at one stage contemplate getting up and having a bath to ease the pain but I was so tired I eventually fell asleep!

 

[emanlu]

Failed miserably today on getting up front I woke at 20 to 7 the girls were still out for the count so I ran a bath to sooth my still aching legs - was only then I discovered the lack of replacement toiletries. I packed the rest of our stuff and eventually woke the girls we made it to breakfast about 8 and then Pooh was doing a meet on our way to the room so the girls had a picture taken.

We left our bags at the left luggage and got the bus to the park and the bus down mainstreet we arrived about 9 and Buzz was closed again.

I love the wee touches like this

MNSSHP decorations had gone

We went to Dumbo and the Teacups.

We went back to Buzz and had a 10 minute wait. By this stage it was 10am so the parks were open to all - we fancied another trip on BTM but it was closed so we headed to Salon Mickey - we were just in at the right time as it ended up being standing room only.

We headed back out into the park about 11am it was a lot busier than the previous two days

We checked the wait board – BTM was showing 70 mins – the girls wanted lanyards with a MNSSHP pin on them so we went and did a wee bit more shopping – and then went to the shop beside Buzz as they had seen a pin in there that they liked. We went on IASW which had a 20 min wait and then it was almost time to go. We met a few more characters on our wander through Fantasyland

DD2 decided that she was going to get the sword out of the stone after seeing it coming out at the show last night and then we headed to BTM to check on the wait times but it was closed again so we headed for a

a last slow walk down Main Street and then had a few photos before we left

And a few more outside the DLH

We went to McDonalds which was packed (longest queue we had stood in all week) and got Happy Meals for the girls and then sat beside the lake to eat them.
The girls decided they would lift Panoramagique

Then it was time to collect our bags and get the bus to the train station – we were far too early and the train was delayed for 20 mins – we had a bit of a panic when the train came in as it was 2 trains and it was splitting with one bit heading to Lille and the other to Strasbourg – when we first went on to the platform it said to go to one letter but when the train came in it was actually the other way round so we had a bit of a mad dash up the platform. We got on the right train but just stood in the door area for the journey back to CDG – we had to do bag drop at Easyjet but we would have been quicker in the normal check in queue as this took ages. Flight was in on time and we left on schedule – we were sad to leave the glorious sunshine of France and arrive back into the gloomy wet Northern Irish weather our only hold up on the way home was yet again Passport Control we landed 20 mins early but it took us 50 mins to get out of the airport (had no wait for my bag as it was merrily sailing round the carousel on its own!)
All in all another good trip to Disney – it wiped out the bad memories we had from our last trip when it was cold and miserable. I was a bit disappointed with the lack of Halloween theming but we still had a good time and really enjoyed MNSSHP – we didn’t seem to do a lot at it but the time flew in.
Now when shall we go back………………………………………………………………

 

[zinderella]

Excellent trip report! it looks like your girls had a fab time and you packed quite a lot in. Shame about the lack of Halloween-ness. I don't feel so bad about not taking my 2 this year! Do you think you will bother with Halloween again next year??

 

[kizzabel]

great TR. Ye deserve the title of most Buzz rides packed into one trip!! I love it too and would happily spend the day out doing DPs score! Ye saw loads of characters. Id love to meer Lady Tremaine and the two evil step sisters

 

[emanlu]

I have finally got all my pictures onto facebook - if you want to be bored and wade through them all have a look here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150327114831090.342692.704636089&type=1&l=f2a1335a48

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150328063601090.342892.704636089&type=1&l=231f3375a2

I hope the links work - have set them to public access.

 

[DLPdaft]

aw lovely trippie, those pics of your DD2 dancing with Mickey are great .

 

[Sarah28]

What a fab TR Looks like you had a great time, loving the photos!

 

[Laura678]

Sounds like a lovely trip! And i agree with Elaine, the pics of your daughter dancing with Mickey are fantastic!

 

[disneykid123]

Aww great trip report! Sounds like you all had a great time