The one with the never-ending ferry journey! Edited- Now with pictures!

[It'sASmallWorld]

Hello everyone.

Firstly, thanks to everyone for all the advice on the boards, it helped me to plan our journey no end.

Secondly, I will try and add photos at the weekend, but thought it would be useful to write my report now while it is all fresh in my mind.

When: Sunday 22nd November to Tuesday 24th November
Where: Santa Fe and Hotel Cheyenne
Who: Elizabeth (Me) 27
Dave 32
Evie 4
Mabel 2

Sunday- Day 1
Our alarm went off at 5.30am and Dave and I got ourselves dressed before waking the girls. I had laid out brand new Tinkerbell tracksuits from the Disneystore with a Minnie mouse plush on top of each one. Whilst dressing the girls, who were a little confused to be woken early, I asked them if they knew where they may be going. Evie answered straight away with Disneyland! Queue lots of excitement, and Dave and I feeling very pleased we'd managed to keep it a secret until now

We left at 6.30am for Dover. Due to not needing to stop for toilet breaks and not experiencing much traffic, we arrived at the port at 9am. We were sent straight through and told we could board the earlier ferry leaving at 10am.

Unfortunately, our good luck stopped here. We waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually we heard that the 10am had been cancelled due to bad weather and the 10.45 ferry could not enter the ferry without a tug. So after what seemed an eternity, we boarded the ferry and it left at 12.30. This meant that we didn't get to Calais until 3pm French time, so we had missed most of the afternoon. We had reservations at Cafe Mickey at 6.15pm so we really had to put our foot down to make it in time. The torrential rain near Paris didn't help either! We parked in Disney Village at 6.12 (not that I was clock watching haha!) Dave then ran from the carpark to Cafe Mickey and I carried Mabel and power walked with Evie.

By the time we got to the cafe Dave had been seated, but the queue was so big outside we still had to wait for over 5 minutes before we could get the attention of a waiter to skip the queue and be seated.

During the meal we met Mickey, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy.

It was now that it became apparent that Mabel was completely terrified of characters she wouldn't let them anywhere near her. When dh, Evie and Mabel were walking back from the dessert buffet, Mabel was at the back and they all had to walk past a character. Mabel was stuck to the spot and screamed her head off. I ran to pick her up and she was sobbing her heart out For dinner I had the seafood pasta,

Dave had a burger and the girls had Mickey burgers.

We had no starters or desserts today, apart form the girls' dessert buffet.

After this we went back to the car and drove to the Santa Fe. Mabel made us laugh as she asked if we were off to the 'hell-tel' now?! Having read some of the recent Santa Fe reviews, I thought this might be quite apt! Check in went without a hitch, but I was a little disappointed that we had a first floor room, despite pointing out we had two buggies with us (not that it really mattered, Evie doesn't need the buggy really.)

The room was fine. I had stayed in the SF 3 years ago and found it to be shabby and in need off a refurb then, so I wasn't expecting a lot. I think that is the key to the budget hotels, if you haven't paid too much I guess you cannot expect too much! We had only paid £55 through Expedia so we were really pleased that the room was very clean and the beds were super comfy- we agreed we would definitely come back here again.

After changing the girls into comfy fluffy sleep suits, we took the buggies and went down to the bar. The girls had a shaker cocktail (apple juice) and I had a cocktail and dh had a beer.

Evie fell asleep in her buggy and Mabel really enjoyed 'staying up'! We went to bed around 10pm I guess (so only 9pm English time!) but we were very tired from the travelling and wanted a good sleep before our one and only day in the park.

To be continued...

 

[It'sASmallWorld]

Monday- Day 2
Our alarm went off at 6.30am and Evie and I showered first, before Dave and Mabel. We packed up all of our things and put them in the car before going to breakfast. Breakfast was nice and not too busy. After breakfast we went to reception to drop off our keys and Evie met Pluto. Mabel, of course, would not go near him...

We drove to the park and we parked in the front row of the car park. I took a really good picture of the empty car park as it seemed such a novelty to us! We entered the park at 8.30am which I was really pleased about. I have been to DLP lots of times before and believe it or not, I didn't know about EMH until I started reading these boards a few months ago!!

Firstly we flew on Orbitron, the Teacups, then Dumbo. All of these were walk ons and the girls absolutely loved them.

We then queued very briefly for Peter Pan which was my first time of doing this ride and I enjoyed it. Evie was proud of herself for going on a ride in the dark and being 'so brave' lol.

It was 9.50 when we came off Peter Pan and we headed straight for our favourite ride, IASW There was already a queue for it to open, but we were soon on the boat and I was in awe as always. We managed to stay on for a second ride without having to get off and queue again.

After this we headed over to watch Mickey's Winter Wonderland. It was the same as the show we watched in 2007 but obviously the girls did not remember it so they really got into the whole thing.

After MWW, we had a couple of cartons of apple juice which I'd brought over from Tesco and then I had to go and buy two ponchos for the buggies as the rain was really coming down. We walked past Big Thunder Mountain and I was pleased to see Evie was now tall enough to ride Unfortunately there was an hour's wait and we didn't have time to queue so we decided we'd come back after lunch. Sadly, we never did make it back- next time, I hope...

We decided to visit Phantom Manor and the girls loved it. Mabel was laughing at the ghosts and ghouls, but is still scared of Minnie Mouse

After this, it was time for our lunch, and I was soooo excited, thanks to all the reviews on here We headed to Auberge and changed the girls into their princess dresses. I really enjoyed lunch here, despite not particularly liking the food. Evie had her picture taken with all of the princesses,

and I was delighted that Mabel wanted to dance with Aerial

Finally we had a character photo with Mabel in it! I didn't like the frois gras, or the tomato salsa- type thing.

I gave Mabel my smoked salmon and I had Evie's pumpkin soup as she didin't like it. I ate the lamb for main and I thought it was delicious, despite never eating lamb at home I wasn't keen on dessert either, which really surprised me as I usually eat most foods and couldn't believe this one meal was so against my taste, especially as it cost so much money! I wonder if next time I could ask for the children's starter and dessert?

We left Auberge at 2pm and were just in time to watch It's Party Time.

This was called off before the end though due to the rain which was a shame. Mabel fell asleep in her buggy at this point,

so we decided to hit the shops and bought a few bits and bobs. The rain was really coming down now, so we decided to head to the Disneyland Hotel and have a cup of tea in the bar on the 2nd floor.

Before we knew it, it was 4pm and time to head back to the park and find our spot for the Once Upon a Dream Parade. I had asked at City Hall if the parade would be on, given the rain, but all they could say was it would be cancelled 10 minutes before if need be. Luckily, the show must go on and the parade was just fab

Sadly, by now, the rain was very, very heavy and the girls were whacked, so it was with regret that we slowly left the park. I couldn't help feeling sad, as we hadn't even ventured near the Studios, never mind done half of the rides in the park. Never mind, we had had a very enjoyable day and had packed in a lot for us!

We headed back to the car and drove to the Hotel Cheyenne. I had never stayed here before, and I was sooo impressed with the themeing. What a lovely hotel! The room of course is the same as the Santa Fe, only with a 'ladder bed' (Evie) rather than a second double. We were given a gound floor as requested and the man at check in was very friendly and helpful.

After seeing the room, we went to the bar and ordered hotdogs which were very tasty. The girls both fell asleep in their buggies after their eventful days, and Dave and I had a few drinks, including the Blue Glowtini- lots of fun!

To be continued...

 

[It'sASmallWorld]

Tuesday- Day 3
Today we woke with a heavy heart as it was our day to go home. We packed up our things and put them in the car before going to breakfast at 7.45. Breakfast in the Cheyenne was a lot less busy than the Santa Fe and there were lots of spare tables. I muched preferred it here, but Dave still wasn't sure- he really liked the SF. I did notice at breakfast just how many college parties seemed to be here, there weren't that many families really. That changed the atmosphere somewhat.

After breakfast we checked out and Evie met her last character- Goofy, in his Cheyenne outfit. (I forgot to mention that I shopped in the hotel shop the previous night, perhaps under the influence of a Blue Glowtini or two... however, 100euros later, I have collected quite a few stocking fillers for the girls...)

We then drove the long and boring route to Calais. On arriving, we went to Cite Europe and had lunch in Flunch, which is always a pleasant experience! After this, we went to Tesco and stocked up on some rose wine for Christmas and New Year. We then went to Carrefour and bought some bits and pieces for packed lunches on Wednesday, as well as some brie for Christmas to take to the in-laws. I then took Evie to a hairdressers opposite Carrefour for her first ever hair cut she did really well with the lady talking to her in French! Her hair is so much smarter now, I'm really pleased she had it done there.

After this we headed to the port and the nightmare began...

We got the port before 4pm and we were told there was a delay due to the weather and we could sail at 6pm. I wasn't overly impressed with this, as it was deja vu from our journey over. However, things only got worse. We boarded around 6.30pm and sailed straight away. The journey was fairly choppy and Dave was violently ill. He spent the journey either being sick or trying to sleep as he felt so ill. The girls were tired as it was much later than expected and past their bedtime. We arrived in Dover at 8pm, only to be told that we could not enter the port for another 2 hours due to the weather

Finally, we got into the car at 10.30pm English time, bearing in mind we arrived at the port in Calais at 3pm English time We than had a 3 hour journey home in high winds and rain, getting through the door at 1.30am. We then had to get up at 6.30am for work/school/nursery, so Wednesday was a bit of a wash out!

We had such a fun time, but have vowed never to take the ferry for a short trip in winter again- it was a disaster!

I hope you have enjoyed my brief trip report- if anyone is interested, I will try to add photos at a later date

I am thinking of going back for 3/4 nights in January, but this time I will probably just take Evie, as she enjoys all of the characters, whereas Mabel isnt into them just yet. Also, food will be cheaper with jsut myself and her eating lol!

 

[DLPdaft]

Me me me - I want photos!!!

LOL at the "hell-tel" . I've just skim-read this, but I'll settle down with a cuppa later and have a good read through it.

 

[It'sASmallWorld]

Me me me - I want photos!!!

LOL at the "hell-tel" . I've just skim-read this, but I'll settle down with a cuppa later and have a good read through it.

I would love to add photos, but don't seem to be able to... Perhaps some helpful Dis-er could give me some tips? Thanks!

 

[dawnydoo]

Hi Elizabeth. Really enjoyed Your trip report. I don`t fancy the food at Auberge either (Luckily I have a boy so no mithering from him to go & see the princesses )
Dawn.

 

[Zeebs]

Our wee man didn't like the characters either. I am hoping on our next trip he will be a bit better. When we went to DL he was a real laugh as he wanted to join in the conga line but as long as it wasn't near any characters so if one came near him he moved away and then waited until he could get back into line near some kids.

with regards to photos you are on the right track by downloading to photobucket then you copy and past the link for IMG code into the body of your post.


Kirsten

 

[It'sASmallWorld]

Thanks for the comments- it's lovely to know people are reading! Unfortunately, I still cannot work out how to post photos, but will persevere until I succeed!

 

[karenmoloney]

Lovely report. You are very brave to go such a long way for such a short trip with 2 little ones. I was there at the same time as you, but if you read my report you will see that we decided not to go into Disney on the Monday when we saw the rain - the benefit of being there for longer. It's a pity that it rained so much on your one & only day there, but you still got loads done & had fun, which is the main thing. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

 

[kizzabel]

aaw poor mabel. great TR, cant wait to see your pics

 

[It'sASmallWorld]

I hope the pictures are better late than never! As for the first day's pictures, I've no idea why they are soooo blurry!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Great TR - thanks for sharing! Love your photos - glad you got them sorted.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Lovely photos, thanks for posting.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Thanks for sharing! Your girls look so happy in the photos!

 

[zinderella]

Thanks for persevering with the photos. Your kids r lovely and you all look like you had a great time despite the weather, better luck next time!

Are you planning a return trip.....????

 

[It'sASmallWorld]

Thanks for the comments!

Zinderella, yes we are going back on Saturday! Look out for my trip report next week!