The Growing up trip report June 10th-13th, completed

[DLPdaft]

the cast -
me 40teen, loves being in a Disney bubble
DD(11) growing at an alarming pace, Donald Duck fan

the where -
Dream Castle hotel

the when -
Sunday 10th June to Wednesday 13th June

Day One Sunday -


We left home at around 8.30am, drove to Luton, parked the car for the duration and flew Easyjet to CDG. We were 20 minutes early to our rendezvous point for our shuttle to DLP with rstransport, so I called them, and within 2 minutes they were with us, and we were on our way to The Magic. We shared the shuttle this time, with an Italian family who were staying at the Disneyland Hotel, so it was lovely to drive there with them (and dream that maybe one day we'll actually get out of the shuttle there and walk through those doors to check in ourselves ).
We arrived at the Dream Castle at around 3.15pm, to be faced with a huge queue for check-in (a coach tour full of guests had just arrived). So we turned straight round and jumped on the park shuttle from the hotel. We put our luggage into the guest storage at the entrance to the main park, then popped into the DLH (it was just before 4pm) We had intended watching the character dance, but its now advertised as 5pm, so we took some photos instead -

then we left to go to the main park. Got my first photo of the 20th logo (so pretty in the flesh, even in the rain) -

BTM was showing a 50 minute line, but POTC was only 10 minutes, so that was our first ride (its also one of our favourites)

we picked up a FP for BTM for later, then got into the 5.15pm Tarzan show - and I got a little teary-eyed, I do love this show, and its been 3 years since we've seen it . It started raining heavily (for the first time this trip, but definitely not the last ) while the show was going on, and afterwards we popped round to Colonel Hathi's for tea. We both loved the pasta bolognese here, and the theme is fabulous (and its usually quiet as well) -

 

[DLPdaft]

Day One Sunday continued -

We left the park at 6.30pm to go check in at the Dream Castle, yippee absolutely no queue this time! We were given a room on the top (5th) floor, with a king size bed as there were only 2 in our party. The view was of the side of the Magic Circus hotel, but the room was clean, everything worked, and the tea and coffee making supplies were replenished every day . We put our bags into the room, freshened up a bit, then DD took some pics of the foyer while we were waiting for the next shuttle -

We were back in the main park for 8pm, which was just in time for our BTM fastpass, then POTC again. Now that it was raining steadily, the main ride times had reduced quite a bit (ie BTM now 15 minutes etc). DD went into Alice's labyrinth to take some more pictures -

 

[DLPdaft]

Day One Sunday - continued some more -

First ride on IASW was next, then BTM again, then Phantom Manor for the first time in 3 years (I took DD on it when she was 8 and she was crying when she came off, and she's never wanted to go back on it since) I love it, think its beautifully done, so thank you DD ! We had time for Buzz and BTM again before 10.15pm, then popped into the store in Frontierland for DD's plush of the trip -

We made our way into the Plaza then, to find a spot for Dreams. It was still tipping down with rain, so we stood, with a few other families, under the iron awning over the popcorn stand to the left of the Castle, in front of the VIP meals viewing area. This turned out to be a great spot, and it stopped raining just as 11pm arrived . From here we could see all of the Castle projections, the fireworks, the pyrotechnics (and were close enough to feel roasting hot every time they were set off), all of the water projection to the left of the castle, and a blurred bit of the right-hand side of the water projections -

I cried twice during Dreams tonight (and the following 2 nights) always in the same spots. I honestly could not believe I was seeing (and hearing) something so completely amazingly wonderful .

We left the park with everyone else, waited around 10 minutes for our shuttle to arrive, then straight to bed, very happy to be back in our Happy Place and hoping for less rain over the next 3 days .

 

[DLPdaft]

I apologise in advance for a couple of things - we didn't take any good pics of Dreams, the Castle all lit up at night, nor any food pics (to be honest I haven't got a clue what we were doing with our cameras this trip, clearly not enough !!)

 

[DLPdaft]

Day 2 Monday -

We were up at just after 8am today, and went for breakfast at the hotel. Oh dear, it was much better (ie much more choice) 6 months ago when we stayed. But we had some croissants and cubed cheese (well I say cubed, but the pieces were so small they were more like grated ) and I got some coffee, before heading for the Studios park. We arrived there at about 9.25am, and saw a little girl being chosen to open the park with a clapperboard and commissionaire's hat .

When the turnstiles opened at 9.30am we watched everyone sprinting through Studio One to get to the Crush line as usual, and we window-shopped in the Studio One store then wandered round to Toy Story playland, where Slinky started up at 9.45 and Parachute Drop at 9.50am. We rode both by 10am, then did some more window-shopping in the Gallery shop, where I saw this little trinket and it immediately went on my "I neeeeeeeed it" list -

We did Flying Carpets, then Animagique then Cinemagique (we both loved the Captain Jack addition, but I'm not sure about the changes to the kissing scenes) then it was time to go meet Nikki (scampbunny) and her boys near Fantasia Gardens. Nikki had kindly offered to give me her VIP fastpass today as she wasn't going to be using it , and so we met up just before she was heading off to Cafe Mickey for lunch at noon. We had a lovely chat, then parted company.

I had originally booked Restaurant des Stars for lunch at 12.30 today, but as we had already left the Studios, I gave DD the choice of where to go next, and she opted to go into the main park. We tried the Lucky Nugget and Pizza Planet, but both restaurants were closed (for the duration of our trip as it turned out) so we ended up with lunch at Cafe Hyperion. By 12.45 we'd eaten and were ready to roll again, so armed with Nikki's VIP fastpass we did Buzz, Peter Pan, POTC and BTM all in a row . Then we decided we'd catch the train from Frontierland to Main St station. I was pleasantly surprised this time with the trains, no major queues at Frontierland and the trains were running every 20 minutes through the main park day. When we got to Main St station, DD persuaded me to take her to the Crystal Arts stall inside the Liberty arcade, where she had seen a ring she liked -

Happily sporting her new bit of bling, we headed back to the Dream Castle for a bit of a break at just after 3pm. I didn't think we'd manage to rest at all, but we both fell fast asleep for over 2 hours !

 

[DLPdaft]

Day 2 Monday continued -

We were back in the park fully refreshed after our mega-nap by around 6.15pm. There were already lots of people camping out on the pavements for the parade, we went to Peter Pan but they weren't using the FP line, and Meet Mickey was showing a 25-minute line, so we got a cold drink (the sun was shining !) and wandered round to the Pizzeria Bella Notte where we got ropeside spots for the parade. I loved the detail on the Princesses carriages, and the hoovering fairies and magicians -

 

[DLPdaft]

Day 2 Monday continued some more -

a few more parade photos -

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

I love the "40Teen"....i'm going to tell my mum about this, i'm sure it's a reference she would love to use!

Great pictures!

 

[DLPdaft]

Day 2 Monday continued even more (its a long day ) -


Literally one minute after the parade has passed us, the heavens opened, a torrential downpour that lasted a good 10 minutes (so everyone waiting on Main St must have got completely soaked through, not to mention the cast members on the parade floats ). We took shelter in the ice cream parlour until it eased off, then did POTC again, then tried to find something to eat. Colonel Hathis, Fuente del'Oro and Hakuna Matata were all closed, so we ate in Chalet au Marionette - more burgers and fries .

Its 8.30pm now, and we found Snow White with no queue (again, this is the first time in 5 years we've been on this ride, this had freaked my DD out when she was 6, so bad that she used to grab my hand and drag me bodily away from the vicinity of the ride anytime we were anywhere near it!). Obviously my DD is growing up .
Next we did IASW again - with the funniest and most enthusiastic little boy in the boat with us. He was an absolute joy and I was grinning like a loon all round the ride because of him. His comments of "Ollie (his brother) Ollie look, a cat!!" Mum look flying carpets!!!!" "Ollie Ollie look he's surfing!!!!" and his piece de resistance which had me crying with laughter - "Mum Mum what are those dancers with the hairy hair????" (he was pointing to the can-can dancers with the feathers in their hair in the white room ). DD and I were still recounting this particular snippet on our way to the airport on our last day - and I was still giggling !

Now we decided to do a new ride for us - Star Tours. My DD has never seen Star Wars or any sci-fi stuff really, so she's not been remotely interested in this ride up til now. There was no queue at all, so we zipped through the inside queue area (which is very cool ) and into the ride itself. We both really enjoyed it, but both felt slightly queasy while it was going on (but thats simulators for you isn't it).
We passed Buzz but they were not using the fastpass line, so we went on BTM, then POTC, then BTM again (making good use of Nikki's VIP fastpass ). By now its after 10.30pm so we walked into the Plaza and made for the same spot as last night for Dreams. Its much busier tonight, possibly because its not raining and hasn't been since parade time. Still "wowed" in several places, and cried in my 2 places . As it wasn't raining, got a photo of the park entrance logo on the way out -

and then back to the Dream Castle on the shuttle, and bed.

 

[jothp]

Yay, you've started your trip report

You certainly managed to get a lot done so far. We didn't take any food pictures or any pictures of dreams either. I think we didn't stand too far from you for our first viewing of dreams - just a bit further back towards the entrance to frontierland and it was a great view.

Looking forward to the rest.

 

[RoseBug]

What a lovely trip report, I'm really enjoying reading along! The little boy on IASW sounds fab, I love little kids and their musings!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Wow, what a fantastic start

I have to agree with you about breakfast at Dream Castle. We were not impressed

Great that Nikki gave you her FP to use - well done the dis

I love Tarzan too, and had a wee cry at that last year. And I agree with you too about Cinemagique. It always used to make me cry, but this time, with the changes it didn't. I can't even tell you what's missing, but something is

Glad you loved Dreams. I don't think anyone has come back saying otherwise And I think I can guess where you cried

More please

 

[Ware Bears]

Great start and lovely photos

Oh dear, I love Cinemagique too - why interfere with something that IMO didn't need it?

Love your DD's bling and how nice to meet Nikki and even nicer of her to give you her VIP pass.

 

[scampbunny]

so nice to see what u got up to before & after we saw u!!! and as before - ur very welcome for the fastpass!!

uve put me to shame as i still havent done my report - i really must make a bit of effort lol but i really cant remember what we did - wonder if ds1 can remember??? maybe ill grill him tomorro night as c if we can make a start on our trippie!!

 

[DLPDreams]

Loving your TR Elaine - your DD is indeed growing up . She is also a great photographer for her age .

Your parade photos are great - I particularly like the one of Snow White - really lovely.

You managed to get so many rides done - great use of your time, and with staying offsite, and managing I'm doubly impressed!

Yes, we got caught out by the characters being 5 pm rather than 4 pm. We waited (with very tired children as they had been needing a nap) and waited.... and waited, then they turned up and it was Mickey, Minnie, Donald & Pluto who we'd seen about 5 times each (or it felt like it!) already that trip . Still, it was nice to see them dancing and having fun.

Can't wait to read more - how nice of Nikki to pass on her FP .

 

[DLPdaft]

thanks everyone .

I love the "40Teen"....i'm going to tell my mum about this, i'm sure it's a reference she would love to use!

Great pictures!

I've been 20teen, 30teen, and now I'm 40teen .

so nice to see what u got up to before & after we saw u!!! and as before - ur very welcome for the fastpass!!

uve put me to shame as i still havent done my report - i really must make a bit of effort lol but i really cant remember what we did - wonder if ds1 can remember??? maybe ill grill him tomorro night as c if we can make a start on our trippie!!

Nikki have you got a new ticker???? And have you grilled DS1 yet?

 

[DLPdaft]

Loving your TR Elaine - your DD is indeed growing up . She is also a great photographer for her age .

Your parade photos are great - I particularly like the one of Snow White - really lovely.

You managed to get so many rides done - great use of your time, and with staying offsite, and managing I'm doubly impressed!

aw thanks, DD tends to take much better photos than I do - the Snow White close-up is one of hers .

Now that we're home, I reckon theres absolutely loads of stuff we didn't do, because it was more "grown up" for the first time, but they'll just have to go on next trip's list.

 

[DLPdaft]

Day 3 Tuesday - our planned VIP day

We didn't make it to the entrance of the parks until after 10am today, as we wanted to last the whole day without a break if possible, so we hadn't woken up until after 8.30. First stop was the Disneyland Hotel for a delicious and unhurried breakfast in the most beautiful of surroundings -

Jack came along too -

s

and this was our view from our table -

we got shareholders discount on breakfast here, no problem at all. We left at nearly 11am, just missed Eeyore outside the restaurant, but found Chip and Dale downstairs in the lobby -

Next stop was Salon Mickey for our VIP fastpasses. We were invited in to have a drink and pastry, so I grabbed an OJ and DD managed to demolish half a cookie on top of the huge breakfast she'd just eaten -

I took my chocolate nutty pastry away, and finally ate it at midnight that night (and it was still delicious if slightly flattened by then)!

We got our VIP fastpass for the day (valid for 4 persons even though we are only 2) -

and headed off into the park, where we found these guys playing jazz outside Caseys Corner -

We rode BTM, POTC, Peter Pan, and IASW in succession.

It was 12.45pm now, and time for the next part of our VIP day. I had booked the Disneyland park guided tour for today at 1pm (I'll do a separate review on the dedicated thread in the Very Useful information thread soon). So we went to City Hall to meet our guide Ann-Sophie, and to pay for the tour.
The tour lasts for roughly 2 hours or so, and both DD and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. We couldn't believe the time had gone so fast, and even though it was tipping down with rain almost all the time we were on tour with Ann-Sophie and she was trying to keep us in sheltered areas as much as possible, we still journeyed through each land of the main park, the entrance, Main St, town square and the Castle, hearing the stories behind the buildings, restaurants, lands, rides and props. We learned so much and would do this again in a second , as every guide adds their own touch and slant to the tour, so its probably slightly different every time you do it.
Because we were the only 2 on the tour with Ann-Sophie, and my DD is 11 and so is free, I did have to pay 16 euros with shareholders discount (full price 20 euros) instead of 12 euros (full price 15 euros) but even so it was completely worth it and I'd recommend it to everyone, adults and older kids alike. Do it, you won't be sorry ! My DD enjoyed the guided tour so much she wants to do the Studios version next time .

At the end of the tour, Ann-Sophie gave us a memento of the tour, a pin each -

I'd seen recently on another forum that folk who'd taken the guided tour had been given preferred viewing spots for the Magic on Parade the day of their tour, so I asked Ann-Sophie if we could do this too. She said yes, and that I should go to City Hall before the parade so they could tell us exactly the preferred viewing spot to go to. We thanked her very much for the tour, and parted company with her near the entrance to Discoveryland.

 

[DLPDreams]

Another great day - gosh your DD looks sooo like you!

I'm guessing you were in Cali Grill for breakfast? We ate in there one morning, really liked it - very nicely decorated etc. I keep thinking about a meal in there for DH and I on our next trip but I'm not sure....

I'd love to do the guided tour and I'm sure DH would too but I just think it's too much for the girls at their age. One day! The pins are lovely she gave you and lucky you getting a preferred spot for MoP!

More please .

 

[DLPdaft]

Day 3 Tuesday VIP day continued ..

As we were in Discoveryland, we rode Buzz, then rushed over to Frontierland to see the 3pm Tarzan show again. DD had been convinced the first time we watched this that "Tarzan" was wearing a zip-up muscle suit but after seeing it today she admitted she couldn't see any seams so it must be his real muscles !

After the show, we again took the train from Frontierland station around to Main St, and went back to the hotel for an hour so that DD could dry off and change her shoes (her feet had got soaked in the earlier downpour).

We got back to Main St at just after 5pm, and I went into City Hall to check the preferred viewing area for the parade for later. While there, I decided on the spur of the moment that we might as well do the character tea party at the Cowboy Cookout, as we'd get an hour or so of the character interaction. So that was our next stop - and really, I wish we hadn't bothered . I'd picked up a leaflet at the Pueblo trading post on Sunday which advertised the tea party as taking place from 5pm to 6.30pm, and I checked with the CM at City Hall too, she also said it started at 5pm. However, when we got to the Cowboy Cookout, the board outside said it was from 4.30pm to 6pm. But, I reasoned to myself, it was only 5.15pm, so even if it did stop at 6pm instead of 6.30pm, that would be okay. Only - it then took 4 CMs at the Cowboy Cookout 15 minutes to sort out me paying for the tea party ! They eventually said I couldn't use shareholders discount, but could use my AP discount.

Once we got seated, the waiter brought our soft drinks quickly, and showed us where we could get our pastries etc from the buffet. On to the characters then, the real reason I'd paid for the tea party. Oh dear. Chaos! We saw 8 characters in the venue, and in the 30 minutes we were actually seated only 2 came to our table and the one next to us -

When, at just before 6pm, they all started waving and leaving, I asked the waiter if that was it, was the tea party finished? He said yes, its time to clean up now. So I asked to speak to the manager, and explained that although we'd seen 8 characters around, only 2 had stopped, and that this was really not acceptable. She fetched the CM who had accompanied the characters, and said he would bring Donald and Goofy back out for us, as we hadn't met them. I said that was fine, and thank you for that. However, it did take a little while for them to come out, and in the meantime the waiters were clearing up, banging trays of cutlery around, emptying rubbish bins etc around us. Not a nice atmosphere.
Goofy and Donald duly came out to meet us -

Then after a few minutes they had to go, and it was time for us to leave. I have to say, the Cowboy Cookout, for me, just doesn't have the right atmosphere for a character meal. It seemed cold and a bit well, bland. And having seen DLPDreams review of the character lunch there where she queued for 30 minutes to get their food, sorry but that just wouldn't work for me, as there are only 2 of us so we'd be missing that whole time of character interaction. It seems such a shame that a lovely restaurant like the Lucky Nugget for example, is closed in favour of the Cowboy Cookout, which to me, has always been a great venue for a counter service lunch, but nothing more. Our experience of the tea party hasn't changed that opinion sadly (the pastries weren't anything to write home about either).

Time for POTC -

before going to find our preferred viewing spot for the Magic on Parade.