The Ho Ho Ho Here We Go Trip Report - Now Completed

[emanlu]

Cast List

Me – Kathryn - Old enough to know better but as much a kid as the kids – 2nd trip this year to DLP
My Mum – Older still but up for a bit of fun – 2nd trip only done a day trip before
DD1 age 6 (turned 7 two days after we came back) Anna birthday trip for her – 2nd trip this year
DD2 aged 5- Lucy aka the Chesire Cat as she very rarely stops smiling – 2nd trip this year.

Saturday 16th November – up and on our way before 8am, met my mum at the airport and got checked in with EasyJet, we went straight on through security and as usual I got pulled for a check (the security person told me it was totally random as to who got pulled for a more stringent check but I always seem to be pulled!). We went to departures where I headed to Boots to stock up on tissues as I had a very heavy cold and had been in bed & off work for 3 days with it before we went. Over to Starbucks where I had my first gingerbread latte of the xmas season – yum yum yum.

Then it was time to go and find our gate – we had just arrived as they called our boarding group and it was straight out and onto the flight. Had no problems and landed in Paris on time, had to wait for about 20 minutes for our baggage to come through and once we got it we headed out to find our driver from RS Transports waiting for us, we were sharing with another family from the same flight and dropped them at Dreamcastle before going on to Sequoia Lodge. We got checked in and were assisgned a room on the first floor – it was quite dark due to the foliage from outside and we discovered there was no loo roll or soap in the bathroom so had to contact housekeeping to get that sorted – they arrived in about 20 minutes and brought us the items we needed plus a handful of shower gels etc.

We got unpacked and then we were ready for the Park – off we went and were just in in time for the parade – we got a spot outside city hall and the girls were delighted when we were at the Toy Story stop – Woody and Jessie got off and danced and in front of us. The girls loved this as we had been Jessie stalkers when we were here in April.

The girls had also been mad keen to get some of the streamers that go up after the stops – they were beside themselves when the toy story soldiers popped the streamers and they caught some – a great start to our trip.

We wandered down through the park and went on IASW – there was about a 45 min queue but we knew it was closed from Monday so decided to do it when we had the chance. We wandered through Belles Xmas village after this but Beast was on duty and going for a comfort break so we didn’t bother waiting. We tried to go back out through the castle but this was all closed off and they were putting Christmas decorations, snow and presents around the sword in the stone for some reason.
As we hadn’t had any lunch we headed out of the park about 5.30 and went to Annettes for something to eat. We had half board plus vouchers so we used these – Mum and I both and the broccoli and potato soup, followed by The Eurochick burger and then a chocolate brownie to finish, the girls had a burger and chips and chicken nuggets and chips followed by ice cream. We headed back to the hotel

and grabbed ourselves a sofa near the fire for a bit of a drink and chill out before bed time.

 

[Samf1971]

What a lovely start to your trip. I love the photo of Woody - he looks like he's walking on air - perfect timing with the photo

 

[mommy2ash]

what a great first day. it is actually almost the same as my first day in october lol. we were just in time for the parade, were standing where the toy story characters dance, had a look around and left at 5.30 for annettes lol

 

[MJ_always]

Sounds like a lovely start! Great photos too. The Sequoia is lovely at Christmas with the decorations.

Ashleigh x

 

[emanlu]

Day 2 (part 1)

I had booked breakfast for 7am – mum wasn’t too amused at this but we were doing The Steakhouse Brunch so thought it was a good idea to eat early. Breakfast was quite civilised at that time but there were loads waiting to get in when we where heading to the park. Got our coats and bags then and headed to the park. We were there shortly after 8 and were able to catch the omnibus down mainstreet – the girls were delighted to be first on and able to sit at the front up top.

I asked them what they wanted their first ride to be and they unanimously asked for Buzz so that is where we headed to. I think we went on three times in a row before persuading them to go elsewhere, we went off to Fantasyland then and went on the teacups,

the carousel and dumbo

all of which were walk ons, Anna and Granny then went on Pinnochio but Lucy didn’t want to so we sat outside and waited,

neither would go on Peter Pan as they remembered it being very dark from last time. We went back to Buzz for another go before trying to get on the train – it doesn’t stop at Discoveryland Station in the morning so we wandered round past Autopia which at 10.15 had a huge queue and it didn’t open to 11.30!

We got the horse tram up Main Street and went to Main Street station to wait for the train – eventually got on and did the full circuit of the park – it was lovely going round and seeing everything and especially seeing Santa’s Christmas village. We were back at Town Square for the Character Express and got to see it snow on Main Street. We then went and queued to meet Goofy Santa – both girls had their picture taken with him (Lucy has a bit of a fear of some characters and is reluctant to meet most of them).

We left the park just after 12 and headed to The Steakhouse for Brunch – all I can say is wow – we had a fabulous time here and was so worth doing. Lucy was scared of the characters though – especially Friar Tuck but Anna enjoyed the interaction with Mickey, Pluto and Tigger (the only one Lucy liked) we loved the unlimited wine but for someone who doesn’t normally drink an awful lot after a couple of glasses I was getting a bit giddy!

The girls had a great time sampling stuff from the chocolate fountain.

We decided we needed a rest after all this so headed back to the hotel for a bit of quiet time, it was about 3.30pm when we got back to our room and discovered it hadn’t been serviced so when we were trying to nap they appeared to do it. The girls didn’t think that a nap was a good option but we finally got Anna asleep and Lucy dozed of as well only to wake half an hour later screaming and really upset eventually she said her ear was sore so I gave her some nurofen and took her for a walk up to the hotel shop and got her calmed down.

 

[emanlu]

Day 2 (Part 2)

We finally got Anna woken up and headed back to the park for the Enchanted Candleabration - it was lovely seeing the princesses come out to take part in the show and seeing the castle light up was fab although we didn’t have a great vantage point.

After this it was time for a trip round Fantasyland and a go on the Carousel, Teacups and Dumbo before heading round to get a spot for Fantillusion (I thought it would come the same way as the OUDP but it came down Main Street towards the castle so our spot wasn’t as good as I thought it would be). Fantillusion was fabulous and we really enjoyed it (although my photos are dire).

We followed the crowd down Main Street after Fantillusion was over

and headed back to the hotel for some cocktails in the bar

Lucy was so tired she fell asleep on one of the sofas and I had to half drag/carry her to bed.

 

[hollymattbenmilo]

arr bless how lovely!! sounds like a lovely day!!

 

[emanlu]

Day 3 Part 1

GMF breakfast booked for today so we got into the Park about 8.15 and hitched a ride up Main Street on the Paddy Wagon. We did Buzz to start again and then into Fantasyland to do the Teacups, Dumbo and the Carousel before heading to Plaza Gardens for our breakfast – this was fine and just the same as you would get in Sequoia Lodge.

We went on up Main Street again, we got snowed on on the way and then saw the Character Express before going to meet Mickey(well Granny and Anna did but Lucy wouldn’t meet him),

we then went down the Arcade and checked out how long the queue was for the princess meet and greet. The queue didn’t look to bad so we joined it - I think we waited about an hour – Snow White was there first but then they swapped and it was Ariel that came out - both girls were delighted to meet her.

We then headed off to Woodys roundup and posted the Santa Letters the girls had written at the hotel. We also did one for Adam and then headed into do pics in the roundup before joining the queue for Santa - this was the worst queue we had as it took well over an hour – Woody came out while we were in the queue and Anna flew over to meet him and then we met him again on the way out.

Santa was worth waiting for and the girls both enjoyed meeting him.

We were feeling a bit hungry after this so headed to the Cowboy Cookout and grabbed some chicken and chips. We wandered back through Adventure Isle and went over the bridges

before the girls found the play area – I left them there with Mum and I headed off to Pirates of the Caribbean (the girls took fright on the way in the last time we were there and wouldn’t go on it) it was a walk on and I really enjoyed it. I went back and collected the girls and granny and then we went up through the tree house before going and getting a spot in front of the castle to watch the parade. We managed to strike it lucky and the princess float stopped just past where we were at and they got off and danced they girls were also able to catch more streamers.

 

[emanlu]

Day 3 Part 2

We headed back to the hotel after this via the Photo Shop to pick up photos from earlier on we got 5 for €32 which I reckoned was good value. The girls got changed into their Princess dresses for Cafe Mickey and we managed to meet Pluto on the way out (he seemed to hang round SL a lot!).

We got the bus back to the park and got our spot for Fantillusion – we were just below Main Street station expecting to be at the start of the parade as this was they way it had gone the previous night (our booking for Cafe Mickey was for 7.30 so we needed a quick escape) but yet again we were in the wrong place – this time the parade came up Main Street from castle – we did have a good spot and the fairy at the start of the parade (I couldn’t decide if she was meant to be Tinkerbelle or not) sprinkled fairy dust over Anna – she was so excited by this.

We enjoyed the parade again and once it had finished took off at high speed for our Cafe Mickey reservation – this was our main disappointment of the trip – we had a fab time here in April and I was really looking forward to it but we were seated in the new extension and there was no real ambiance out there – you seemed to be cut off from the main action - the characters did come along but there were so many birthday cakes coming out they kept running of to go to whatever table the cake was going to. We managed to see Mickey, Minnie, Eeyore, & Gepetto,

I think there were others about but I can’t remember who else was there. Anna had ordered the kids fish and it was like rubber so she ended up sharing with me – Mum and I both ordered coffee at the end – the coffee was freezing and we had to send it back to get it heated and even then it wasn’t hot hot. I was dissappointed and would be very hesitant to go back again.

We headed back to the hotel and as we couldn’t get a seat anywhere in the bar we headed to bed to get an early
night

 

[emanlu]

Day 4 - our last day (part 1)
We had a later breakfast booked as there were no EMH today – we headed down about 8am and although it was busy it wasn’t too bad. Once we had been fed we headed back up to the meet and greet and got to meet Mickey.

We got our bags pack and put them in left luggage and then of we went to the Studios.We met Pluto on the way in and then went on Flying Carpets and then on Cars.

Anna said she wanted to go on Crush but soon changed her mind when she saw the shells flying past on the outside bit. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time when Donald Duck came out for his meet n greet.

We wandered round and were going to head to the Tram Tour but the girls said no and we found ourselves outside the Art of Animation so as it was a bit wet we went in – we all did the learn to draw Mickey at the end which I enjoyed although my Mickey was terrible.

We headed back out of the Studios via the shop for Mr Potato Head Parts and then went into the main park to catch the character express doing a little bit of Mickey chasing on the way!

Into the park and we just caught the character express as it made its way down Main Street – then we headed off down the arcade to try to go on Buzz but tragedy of tragedies it wasn’t working due to a technical fault (and it didn’t re-open all day). We headed into the shop beside Buzz and managed to get everything we wanted there so ladened down we headed round past Bella Notte to go to the Teacups, Dumbo and the Carousel but on the way where the parade starts we saw loads of characters – Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Gepetto, Pinochio, Pooh, Tigger, Baloo, Mr Smee, The Seven Dwarfs and a couple of other Monkeys whose names I don’t know. DD1 was well pleased but DD2 would only go to Tigger & Eeyore!

 

[emanlu]

Day 4 - Part 2

We then wandered through Belles village and discovered Belle with no queue so had a quick photo stop here before doing the Teacups, Dumbo and the Carousel – all were walk on’s even Dumbo!

After this we headed to Mickeys Winter Wonderland but I read the times wrong and we were an hour early – Anna said she wanted to go on BTM so her and I headed of to go on it – we only waited about 10 minutes - DD1 enjoyed it but wouldnt go on it again. We met Granny and DD2 and went off to go on the River Boats – it was lovely to chill out for a while and try and spot all the things there are on the way round.

We then headed back to watch Mickeys Winter Wonderland – it was fab and we all enjoyed this.

We managed to see the tail end of the parade and it was time then for us to leave the park – I took a couple of pics under the Xmas tree before we went

and then we headed to McDonalds for food and back to SL to collect our bags and we had to pack our gifts away in our luggage. We yet again found Pluto wandering around the hotel and Anna was delighted to see him but Lucy ran and hid!

Our driver was 5 mins late and we were not sharing with anyone – so straight to the airport, queue for check in was massive but moved quickly, flight home was on time and we had none of the delays like last time. I was home and tucked up in bed just after midnight – was a pity I had to go to work the next day.

All in all it was another good trip only marred by our disappointment in Cafe Mickey and that Buzz didn’t open on our last day at all, now just counting the pennies to decide when to go again!

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

What a lovely report thanks for sharing.

I know what you mean about Cafe Mickey, i would rather try somewhere else to eat but my daughter loves it in there.

 

[A Small World]

you had a brilliant time and got to meet loads of characters.

Thanks for sharing

 

[sara969]

Lovely trip report, thanks for sharing all ur photo's, they are brilliant!!
I agree about Cafe Mickey, it was lovely for a birthday celebration eg... cake but i was not over keen on the food.
Also characters were all so busy, so we didnt have alot of time with them also it's very over priced & was quite busy for lunchtime.

We enjoyed the Toy Story Tea party better, as Pizza planet had soo much space and a play area for kids and characters spent alot of time with the kids as it was not busy, characters where playing with the children and me and my DH were enjoying our hot drink and cakes in peace hehehe

I would definately do the Toy Story Tea again and next time i would like to try the Princess Meal and i like the sound of the steakhouse, it looked fab in there & they had a chocolate fountain YUMMMMY!
Think i would like to try there next time too

 

[*Iloveflorida*]

lovely trip report

 

[karenmoloney]

Thanks for a lovely trip report & great photos, especially the one with Santa. Glad to hear you had a great time, it sounds like you got loads done & that you were very lucky with meeting characters.

 

[tennisfan]

Lovely report with great photos. Thanks for sharing

 

[Cyrano]

When I first starting reading I was not sure grannie was going to get it. But the photos tell a different story Looks like it was a great girls trip

 

[Mum to Belle]

Just read your TR as I'm thinking of going for Christmas this year - love the chocolate fountain photo!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[susannah365]

just read this, since it has been bumped up. i was wondering if someone could tell me more about the toy story tea party which someone mentioned on here? i've not heard about it before - do the toy story characters come around?