loladelorean
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2010
- Messages
- 1,371
Cast:
Me (Lisa) 23
Sister (Samantha) 18
Mum (Morna) (not allowed to say)
Dad (Sam) returned to DLP for the first time since 1994 and turned 64 on the trip
Day 1 Monday 4th June 2012
I was travelling to Paris from London where Id been for a few days, and my parents and sister were travelling from Glasgow. They had no hitches I had a bit of drama with the Heathrow Express being cancelled, but managed to share a taxi with some randoms and made it there on time.
I had to kill a long, excited 2.5 hours by myself in Charles de Gaulle airport waiting for them to land I do not recommend this. Dont think Ive ever checked the clock so often! But we were reunited soon enough and could all be excited together.
TGV worked a treat as ever I love getting to DLP so quickly!
We dashed to Sequoia Lodge in pretty heavy rain, cursing our optimistic choices of footwear. There wasnt a long queue to check in, and there was no problem at all to add my sister and I to the room booking by paying the room taxes. This was a relief, even though I knew it had worked for others. We got VIP breakfast passes as it was my dads birthday, and our room was ready.
We were delighted to find these treats in our lovely big room. It was quite a trek from the main doors but we were really happy with it nonetheless.
After a quick freshen up we were starving and decided to stop at Earl of Sandwich. Wed never eaten here before but were really impressed with the service and quality. Mum had a kids meal of pizza sandwich and fruit (lol) and we all had Hawaiian BBQ mmm
But this was no time to hang around, we had a park to get to!
The rain was going off as we scurried through the Village, and we were surprised at the lack of people since wed been expecting big bank holiday crowds. There was no queue at the ticket desk and we paid for our two new Dream APs straight away (with shareholder discount). A few minutes later we were home!
We love all the 20th Anniversary décor, its so tasteful especially in comparison with previous years. I know some people think all the gold is too much, but I thought it made the entrance even more magical.
We needed to pick up our real APs but not before wed explored the park a little. We headed to BTM first (everyones favourite) to pick up fastpasses for later. Even inside the park, the crowd levels were much lower than wed anticipated. After a wander through Adventure Isle we had our first ride of the trip on Pirates which my dad claims to have no memory of from 1994 but he loved it!
I couldnt wait much longer for my real AP so we headed back to the AP office. The whole process only took about minutes as there was nobody else waiting, which was great wed set aside half an hour for this, unsure how long it might take.
I love my new AP!
As Ive mentioned in my highs and lows, I used the Disneyland Paris iPhone app loads during this trip to check queue times. Once again, Id really recommend it, now that Ive gotten used to checking, I dont think Id go without it on future trips. It really helps you make the most of the day. Space Mountain was showing a 5 minute wait so my dad, sister and I went on that. My dad remembered it from when it was mission 1 he wasnt really prepared for the raucous ride that is mission 2! We were all a bit rattled afterwards, but that was our first taste of adrenaline for the week, and there was a lot more to come. My mum prefers to people watch and shop while we go off thrill seeking!
Just as my mum refuses to accompany us on Space Mountain, my dad refuses to participate in IASW so we went on that with mum next.
It was nearly time for our 5pm reservation at Walts, so we went through the castle and right down the middle of Main St, USA. There was a reasonable queue at Walts, all of whom had booked, but the host was very friendly and helping keep the kids entertained. We were seated by 5.15 .some of the waiting staff upstairs seemed very flustered but ours was lovely.
We just love the relaxing surroundings in Walts, and a free aperitif with the APs didnt hurt either. They gave us these kirs as soon as we showed our passes in Walts, but in every other restaurant we were told that only soft drinks are now available with the 20th anniversary APs (boo). Anyway, I enjoyed both of the kirs which taste identical to a certain Glaswegian tonic wine that rhymes with truckblast and which Ive obviously never tried aherm
Food photo time! I had the spiced cod this was amazingly soft and the spices were really unusual.
Mum had chicken, and the other two had steaks.
For dessert dad had the cheesecake, Sami and I shared a trio of desserts and mum had her favourite Café Gourmand. Big thumbs up all round for the food, as ever.
The parade was just about to start as we rolled ourselves down the stairs from Walts, but even that wasnt too busy. Were lucky to be a tall bunch so able to see even if we cant get right to the front.
Of course we enjoyed the parade, especially the dancers on wheels, but it doesnt have the same magic as the previous one. Its been mentioned a lot on here, but the song just doesnt go anywhere and lacks the emotional impact of Just Like We Dreamed It. Its crying out for a modulation!
We must be crazy but after the parade we went back on Space Mountain, since it was still only showing a 5 minute wait. This was a grave error after such rich food, and we decided to head back to the hotel and rest afterwards!
After a couple of hours in the hotel freshening up and unpacking, we all felt good as new and ready to head back to the park and see Dreams for the first time. First things first, we had fastpasses for BTM somehow I always seem to forget just how much fun this is. This is the biggest ride that mum will go on, so it was great to all be able to do it together. Dad had definitely forgotten how good it was, he roared with laughter the whole way around.
While mum and Sami shopped in Frontierland, Dad and I visited the Phantom Manor along with just 4 other people. Though this ride is well made, it will never be a favourite of mine. Am I missing something? I dont really get the story.
It was 10.30 by then and time to find a spot for Dreams. We went via the sweet shop for the first of many (for me) bits of vanilla fudge. Im properly addicted to it, might need to ask someone whos going soon to post me some.
We stood just in line with Caseys, right in the middle of Main St, so reasonably far back but with a good central view and as I said, were tall, we didnt miss anything! Its really not worth staking out hours in advance for Dreams, you can see it everywhere and the crowds were spread out so you could easily find a space up to a few minutes before.
We havent got any photos of Dreams because we figured there are plenty of them out there, and wed rather watch it than try to take our own.
Im seldom at a loss for words, but I am when it comes to Dreams. You need to see it for yourself its nothing short of the best thing I have ever seen. Im so glad that I hadnt watched it online beforehand, because I didnt really know what to expect.
I dont want to give anything away, but I cried twice (at the same points, all three times I saw it) and on this first night was literally speechless, I could feel my jaw hanging open.
We were all buzzing about how incredible it was the whole way back to the hotel, and stopped in at the Redwood bar for a cocktail before bed.
Me (Lisa) 23
Sister (Samantha) 18
Mum (Morna) (not allowed to say)
Dad (Sam) returned to DLP for the first time since 1994 and turned 64 on the trip
Day 1 Monday 4th June 2012
I was travelling to Paris from London where Id been for a few days, and my parents and sister were travelling from Glasgow. They had no hitches I had a bit of drama with the Heathrow Express being cancelled, but managed to share a taxi with some randoms and made it there on time.
I had to kill a long, excited 2.5 hours by myself in Charles de Gaulle airport waiting for them to land I do not recommend this. Dont think Ive ever checked the clock so often! But we were reunited soon enough and could all be excited together.
TGV worked a treat as ever I love getting to DLP so quickly!
We dashed to Sequoia Lodge in pretty heavy rain, cursing our optimistic choices of footwear. There wasnt a long queue to check in, and there was no problem at all to add my sister and I to the room booking by paying the room taxes. This was a relief, even though I knew it had worked for others. We got VIP breakfast passes as it was my dads birthday, and our room was ready.
We were delighted to find these treats in our lovely big room. It was quite a trek from the main doors but we were really happy with it nonetheless.
After a quick freshen up we were starving and decided to stop at Earl of Sandwich. Wed never eaten here before but were really impressed with the service and quality. Mum had a kids meal of pizza sandwich and fruit (lol) and we all had Hawaiian BBQ mmm
But this was no time to hang around, we had a park to get to!
The rain was going off as we scurried through the Village, and we were surprised at the lack of people since wed been expecting big bank holiday crowds. There was no queue at the ticket desk and we paid for our two new Dream APs straight away (with shareholder discount). A few minutes later we were home!
We love all the 20th Anniversary décor, its so tasteful especially in comparison with previous years. I know some people think all the gold is too much, but I thought it made the entrance even more magical.
We needed to pick up our real APs but not before wed explored the park a little. We headed to BTM first (everyones favourite) to pick up fastpasses for later. Even inside the park, the crowd levels were much lower than wed anticipated. After a wander through Adventure Isle we had our first ride of the trip on Pirates which my dad claims to have no memory of from 1994 but he loved it!
I couldnt wait much longer for my real AP so we headed back to the AP office. The whole process only took about minutes as there was nobody else waiting, which was great wed set aside half an hour for this, unsure how long it might take.
I love my new AP!
As Ive mentioned in my highs and lows, I used the Disneyland Paris iPhone app loads during this trip to check queue times. Once again, Id really recommend it, now that Ive gotten used to checking, I dont think Id go without it on future trips. It really helps you make the most of the day. Space Mountain was showing a 5 minute wait so my dad, sister and I went on that. My dad remembered it from when it was mission 1 he wasnt really prepared for the raucous ride that is mission 2! We were all a bit rattled afterwards, but that was our first taste of adrenaline for the week, and there was a lot more to come. My mum prefers to people watch and shop while we go off thrill seeking!
Just as my mum refuses to accompany us on Space Mountain, my dad refuses to participate in IASW so we went on that with mum next.
It was nearly time for our 5pm reservation at Walts, so we went through the castle and right down the middle of Main St, USA. There was a reasonable queue at Walts, all of whom had booked, but the host was very friendly and helping keep the kids entertained. We were seated by 5.15 .some of the waiting staff upstairs seemed very flustered but ours was lovely.
We just love the relaxing surroundings in Walts, and a free aperitif with the APs didnt hurt either. They gave us these kirs as soon as we showed our passes in Walts, but in every other restaurant we were told that only soft drinks are now available with the 20th anniversary APs (boo). Anyway, I enjoyed both of the kirs which taste identical to a certain Glaswegian tonic wine that rhymes with truckblast and which Ive obviously never tried aherm
Food photo time! I had the spiced cod this was amazingly soft and the spices were really unusual.
Mum had chicken, and the other two had steaks.
For dessert dad had the cheesecake, Sami and I shared a trio of desserts and mum had her favourite Café Gourmand. Big thumbs up all round for the food, as ever.
The parade was just about to start as we rolled ourselves down the stairs from Walts, but even that wasnt too busy. Were lucky to be a tall bunch so able to see even if we cant get right to the front.
Of course we enjoyed the parade, especially the dancers on wheels, but it doesnt have the same magic as the previous one. Its been mentioned a lot on here, but the song just doesnt go anywhere and lacks the emotional impact of Just Like We Dreamed It. Its crying out for a modulation!
We must be crazy but after the parade we went back on Space Mountain, since it was still only showing a 5 minute wait. This was a grave error after such rich food, and we decided to head back to the hotel and rest afterwards!
After a couple of hours in the hotel freshening up and unpacking, we all felt good as new and ready to head back to the park and see Dreams for the first time. First things first, we had fastpasses for BTM somehow I always seem to forget just how much fun this is. This is the biggest ride that mum will go on, so it was great to all be able to do it together. Dad had definitely forgotten how good it was, he roared with laughter the whole way around.
While mum and Sami shopped in Frontierland, Dad and I visited the Phantom Manor along with just 4 other people. Though this ride is well made, it will never be a favourite of mine. Am I missing something? I dont really get the story.
It was 10.30 by then and time to find a spot for Dreams. We went via the sweet shop for the first of many (for me) bits of vanilla fudge. Im properly addicted to it, might need to ask someone whos going soon to post me some.
We stood just in line with Caseys, right in the middle of Main St, so reasonably far back but with a good central view and as I said, were tall, we didnt miss anything! Its really not worth staking out hours in advance for Dreams, you can see it everywhere and the crowds were spread out so you could easily find a space up to a few minutes before.
We havent got any photos of Dreams because we figured there are plenty of them out there, and wed rather watch it than try to take our own.
Im seldom at a loss for words, but I am when it comes to Dreams. You need to see it for yourself its nothing short of the best thing I have ever seen. Im so glad that I hadnt watched it online beforehand, because I didnt really know what to expect.
I dont want to give anything away, but I cried twice (at the same points, all three times I saw it) and on this first night was literally speechless, I could feel my jaw hanging open.
We were all buzzing about how incredible it was the whole way back to the hotel, and stopped in at the Redwood bar for a cocktail before bed.
We really enjoyed our meal in Walts too
!!! 
....
