Trip Report The "one with a lot of good timing!" Trip Report

[angel_nix]

Hello!
Our pre-trip report is here for those who want to see the original plans - http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2874080

We stayed at the Cheyenne for 4 nights/5 days from 30/09/2012-04/10/2012 and managed to keep it a total secret and surprise for the girls

Day 1 - 29/09/2012

With Lottie out at dancing, Neil and I managed to load everything into the car and hide it away without her knowing! We collected her from dancing and set off for Ashford, stopping on the way for some last minute shopping and lunch. A fairly easy down drive down to Ashford (although we felt very sorry for the people stuck in traffic on the M25 going the opposite way to us. Two total motorway closures and accidents needing resurfacing work!)

Lottie on the way down - how did she not guess something was going on - can you see how packed the car was?!

and Milly gets in on the act too!

We checked into the Ashford North Premier Inn - two single beds for the girls and a double for us, and then realised that we had left the bedguard for Milly on her bed still. A light dinner courtesy of Tesco sarnies and we were all snuggled in bed for the night watching X Factor.

Plenty of cupboard space........

Day 2 - 30/09/2012

The alarm woke us just after six, far far too early for a Sunday morning, but it was an exciting day! The girls were still asleep, so Neil and I got ourselves sorted, woke them and popped over to the Beefeater for breakfast, chucking the bag in the car on the way. We were really impressed with breakfast - kids ate free, so it cost us just under £16 for all four of us to have a full English breakfast (freshly cooked), plus numerous croissants, pastries, cereal, fruit, yoghurt and drinks!

It was over breakfast that we told the girls They were so excited, although Lottie was concerned that she hadn't finished her breakfast! With Disney now firmly in their heads, they finished quickly and we were off from the restaurant by 8.15am and heading to the Eurotunnel!

30 minutes later, we were all checked in, but unable to catch an earlier train as there were ongoing engineering works and they weren't changing anyones booking. We checked out the terminal, collected our pre-ordered currency from Travelex (allow plenty of time for this, it was a very long process!) and with loo runs done, the girls blew off some steam in the kids area before collecting their travel packs from the Information Desk and we headed back to the car.

It wasn't long before we were called through and into the queuing lanes.....and then the delays started!

We were late boarding (crossing was supposed to be at 9.50, we didn't start boarding until about 9.30), and then we were late leaving (think it was about 10.10 UK time), and the crossing took 50 minutes instead of the usual 35. We arrived into Calais at 12.10 local time, and then a car broke down and needed recovering before we could get off of the train!

So off we set, with the Muppets movie playing in the back, both girls were asleep fairly quickly and we made good time, stopping at a services on the way for a short break and arrived at Disney at about 4.30pm, slightly delayed due to a car fire only two junctions before the turn off for Disney!

We checked into the Cheyenne and were allocated a ground floor room in Sitting Bull, quite close to the main restaurant/shop/bar area, but perfect for us. We parked the car and went to investigate, and found that a little pixie dust had been sprinkled as it was Lotties birthday treat.

In the room was a complimentary hot drinks basket, some chocolate coins, two bottles of "Punzel water!" and a little cuddly winnie the pooh for L.

We quickly unpacked and then headed over to the main park on the shuttle bus where we found that it was heaving with people!

We went on IASW, Casey Junior, Storybook Boats, Buzz and then had a look round the castle and shops before heading up to Earl of Sandwich for a snack tea as none of us were hungry and the girls were shattered.

The girls and I shared two pizza sandwiches and a cheese sandwich (the cheese one was delicious) and fruit salad for afters. Neil had a cheese and ham one which went down well.

And then we headed to bed, to be up bright and early for breakfast and EMH the following day

 

[Mum to Belle]

Great start - love that you got some extra Pixie Dust!!!

Looks like the EOS was a hit then? IT's on my meal list for our next trip!

You were quite lucky not to have been more delayed after all those incident en-route!

Waiting for Day Two now...

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

Great start....looking forward to part 2!

 

[angel_nix]

Thanks guys, I was very impressed with the pixie dust Lottie was thrilled with her cuddly and I was most impressed with the ability to have a hot drink in our room!!

Day 3 will be up this evening, dinner, kids clubs, bath and bed first. Plus the mountain of unpacking is still strewn across the house as it was Ls party on Saturday!

 

[mommy2ash]

great start i can't wait for more. your girls are so cute

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Ah, it's lovely to see little ones! Sorry about the Euro Tunnel delays, we saw some notices when we went and I did wonder what it would be like at the weekend.

We love EOS too, we had lunch there sitting on the outside terrace most days this trip.

Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[angel_nix]

Day 3 - 01/10/2012 - Part One

So after a fairly bad nights sleep on my part, not helped by Milly falling out of the bottom bunk and managing to land with her head under the double bed (I have no idea how either!), we were woken at 6.45 by the phone (what a horrid noise it makes!) and a phone call telling us to begin our day. Reluctantly, Neil and I got up, the girls managed to sleep through it (how?!) and it wasn't long before we had to wake them and make important decisions about which costume to wear (them, not us!)

Having decided that they would both be Rapunzel, we headed over for breakfast at 7.30 - usual selection of croissants, pain au chocolat, crusty rolls, toast, cereals, fruit salad, plain yoghurt, cheese and ham. It wasn't too busy, but we headed into the quieter seating area and then went back with orders for breakfast from the girls. Milly loves breakfast, she would eat it for every meal, so was in her element that she could have as many croissants as she could stomach! Lottie decided that it was just too good an opportunity to waste and devoured two bowls of fruit salad and three pain au chocolat!

With bellies full, we popped back to get coats (it was freeeeeeeeezing) and then bumped into Donald on our way over to the park!

A quick trip on the shuttle bus and we were into the parks by 8.45 and heading over to meet Minnie Mouse

and then wandering down Main Street, taking in the Halloween decorations and admiring the windows and castle

before heading onto Buzz and the "cups of tea"

We made our way over to Princess Pavilion where there was a small queue forming and were delighted to hear that they were opening at 10 and not 10.30 as advertised

The girls were thrilled to meet Aurora, she was brilliant with them, chatting with them, dancing, singing and just being a princess.

We then headed over to meet the Main Mouse himself, although the queue was already quite long and although the interior of the queuing area is a good idea, it's a pita when the kids want to watch the cartoons but can't see! Nonetheless, we had great fun meeting Mickey and the girls showed him how they were being princesses, complete with Milly shouting "Rapunzel, get down your hair!"

We had a nosy round the castle, waved hello to the dragon who was not impressed with having her sleep disturbed and then bumped into Pooh Bear!

We were all feeling hungry, and fed up of carrying coats, so wandered up Liberty Arcade where Lottie spotted the tiaras for sale and decided that she would spend some birthday money on one the following day. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped and bought Mickey and Minnie ears

We all collapsed onto the bed and watched Disney Channel for an hour while having some snacks and waiting for our friends to arrive from Scotland!

 

[angel_nix]

Part two will follow tomorrow - I've just remembered that L is on a school trip tomorrow and I've not done half of the bits that I was supposed to lol!

 

[DLPDreams]

Your daughters are adorable Nicky.

Ha ha at Lottie not noticing the car packed to the gunnels - where did you tell her you were going? Gosh, you didn't have much luck on your way there with all those accidents/fires etc . Hope it was better going back!

I had to laugh though - it seems that trainers are a staple wear with Princess dresses as that's what my two littlies tend to wear too! Who can blame a Princess when there is all that walking to do!!

Looking forward to reading more when you can post .

 

[RoseBug]

Loving your TR and photos, pixie dust is wonderful and it makes things that little bit more wonderful for LO's!

 

[scampbunny]

oh ur girls r adorable!!

love how no questions were asked re the full car - my mum always said children cant see whats under their noses - and yes, it is usually true!!

lovely pics so far - cant wait for more!!!!!

(and hope ur got everythin done for the school trip!!)

 

[angel_nix]

Day 3 - 01/10/2012 - Part Two

After chilling out for an hour and having some lunch, we set off to meet friends of ours who had travelled from Scotland that day. They checked in and went to freshen up while we headed into the studios.

We met up with Goofy

and then had a wander round Studio One before heading onto Flying Carpets (Milly loved this ride) and Cars. For some ridiculous reason, the CM insisted that we all sat in one car (Neil is rather tall and I am rather round), needless to say, we didn't all fit, so I hopped out and let them get on with it. The CM did apologise and we were given a pass for Parachute Drop to use via the exit and walk straight on!

After Cars, we headed straight to Parachute Drop and I was shocked that Milly (at 90cm) was tall enough to ride! Neil hates heights, and hates being dropped from them even more, so it was the girls and I who headed off up up and away and loved the ride. Milly was asking to get off at the top, but said she liked it once we were off

We set off on a character hunt again and found Pluto having some fun in the sun!

It was 4pm, the sun was shining, so we decided to head back to the main park to catch the parade. We set up camp opposite Pizzeria Bella Notte and sent Neil off to get some cookies and drinks!

We had a good spot until another family barged in, so after politely asking them to not stand right in front of the girls, we watched the parade, only marred by Lottie being knocked flying and Milly being hit by a CM who barged his way under the rope.

With the parade finished, we headed over for another quick go on Buzz before going to the Village for dinner.

Dinner tonight was chosen by Milly who wanted to go to Rainforest Cafe. We arrived about 5.30 and were seated quickly.

We loved the theming, the animated animals, the storms and the food. Neil and I ate off of the cha-cha menu - 22 euros each - he had the chicken and garlic wedges, followed by creme brulee, I had steak and chips followed by chocolate pudding. Lottie had omelette and chips, Milly had nuggets and chips, and both had chocolate mousse and smarties for pudding. The girls drinks were included (they had apple juice) and it cost us 13 euros each for their meals, and included an activity pack and they got to keep their cup!

Feeling rather full, we headed back into the park to catch Dreams. We had a good spot until people felt the need to climb over the fence and stand right in front of us.

With girls lifted up, it wasn't the most enjoyable way to watch the show and we vowed to come back another night to watch properly.

Milly fell asleep while being carried, so with her tucked into her buggy, we walked back to the hotel along the river and all fell into bed for the night.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

Think we may have seen you! At least I remember seeing two little girls together in Rapunzel dresses as DS always points out the little princesses to me.

Love the picture of Minnie with the girls

 

[angel_nix]

Awwww, the girls love dressing up, they hardly wore their normal clothes! In fact, Neil whinged because I packed so much for them, but most of it came home unpacked lol!

I forgot to add that before Neil and I fell into bed, we decorated the room ready for Ls birthday the following day. Hanging up was a new Belle costume for L and a Minnie Mouse costume for M, kindly left by Tinkerbell

 

[cherrymarzipan]

We did that too! Well, without the dresses obviously...

I even managed to burst two balloons in blowing them up, luckily without waking Oliver, before DH told me to put the cards and presents out and leave the balloons to him!

 

[DLPDreams]

Another great update - the girls look like they are having a ball!

Had to laugh at the photo of Milly on parachute drop - she looks tiny!!! We didn't manage to do that ride in June - hoping to in Nov/Dec.

Looking forward to reading more x