Trip Report The walking back to happiness trip report, 28/7-1/8

[MazdaUK]

Cast:
Me, 40-something (please tell me I don't look it!!), loves Disney and planning
DH (45), loves the shows and rides, not so keen on queuing and waiting for parades
DS(18) Waiting for A-level results, surprised to find himself really looking forward to Disney
DS(12) - loves Disney and characters but sort of thinks he's too old for meet and greet.

When we were planning our holiday last year, we agred to spend a week in the Vendee in neighbouring Gites with my DSis and her family (DBil and 4 kids 18,17,15 and 13). DH suggested DLP on the way back, as I was having a lot of stress at work and had had time off because of it - of course I jumped at it! We also tacked a couple of days on the end to spend a full day at Parc Asterix.

I won't bore you with a load of back story, but I started a new job in May which has made a huge difference. However, I didn't do a lot of planning (other than buying the Brits guide and checking out restaurant reviews) as I just couldn't get myself into my usual state of excitement I was loking forward to it, but only as part of a holiday....

I'm going to try to do this in one thread and one hit as DH has taken the boys to see Batman and I'm back to work tomorrow. If I miss anything or you have any questions feel free to ask for more info!

That's enough messing about for now....... here we go!

 

[MazdaUK]

Day one - Back to the Magic and some extra pixie dust

We left the vendee at just after 9.15 and, after stopping for a Buffalo Grill lunch near le Mans finally arrived at Hotel New York just before 5pm.

The lobby was just as I'd remembered, although arriving by car rather than off a train meant there were no characters waiting for us.

we were on the 7th floor, and if I leant aginst the window I could see Space Mountain and the Castle! DH took the boys for a swim while I unpacked, then we treated ourselves to one beer each in the bar (milk for DS(12) - 23,25 for four drinks) and planned what to do first.

By now we were hungry so decided to start with a meal at Planet Hollywood (using the 20% discount from the Brits Guide) before thinkgs got too busy. We got a table upstairs straight away - the service was fairly slow though. We just had a main (DS(12) chose a kids menu so we split his pancake as he didn't want it!) and by 8.30 were entering Disneyland Park, distinctly against the flow of traffic as many were already leaving.

20th Birthday themeing was everywhere, but more restrained than for the 15th birthday, with the castle in particular just featuring some fresh gilding on the turrets - no extra characters this time.

First to Pirates of the Carribean - almost a walk-on, and as good as ever (or better), then "Its a small World" (also quick). When we came out people were already staking their placs for Fantillusion, so we walked down to just beyond Pizzeria Bella Notte, to the side of the castle, where it was not too busy.

This was an excellent test for my new camera - we found the villains floats a bit too dark to see properly, but everything else was beautiful

Once it had passed we woerked our way down to the front of the park, and found a reasonable place to stand just near Plaza Gardens - slightly to one side but it was that or join a massive press of people and as we had been up since 7am we were not in the mood for a shoving match

I failed to master the camera sufficiently to take any pics of Dreams so i just enjoyed the show (completely forgot I could video it of course) As the music played and the effects rolled over the castle I felt completely happy and slightly tearful (in a happy way). All the stresses of last year melted away under the pixie dust, and by the time the fireworks really kicked in I was just standing open-mouthed like a five-year old.

It was almost 11.30 by the time we got clear of the park (I forgot about "French time" - everything started at least 10 minutes late throughout our visit!!) so it was gone midnight before we got to bed. Very tired but happy.

 

[MazdaUK]

Day 2 - a day full of Disney

Our first full day of magic and we made the most of it! We set the alarm for 7am in order to get to our 7.30 breakfast sitting. we were placed in the manhatten restaurant (very nice and civilised) with an array of hot dishes and pastries to choose from. new innovation - instead of a waitress bringing you what the french pass as tea, there is a machine to make it yourself with an array of teabags to choose from. It will also overflow your cup with hot milk, so we had to carry the tea across the restaurant to use the cold milk. DS(12) complained he didn't like the sausages - they were veal, and not particularly nice - so tended to have scalloped potatoes and scrambled egg the whole time. Dishes such as omlette or pancakes were available for an extra fee - shocking considering the price of the hotel in the first place! However, there was plenty of everything else you might want so no need to splash out IMHO!

Then it was off to the parks for extra magic hours! First stop was Peter Pan - previously a favourite, but definitely in need of an overhaul! Instead of swooping over the rooftops lit by starlight it was jerk - shudder - stop - jerk in what was almost blackout conditions! DH said he didn't mind if he never rode PP again, and it has always been our favourite

Then a shortish queue for Dumbo and the carousel, by which time it was 10am. So we decided to use Shareholders priviledge to get a cup of tea at Salon Mickey - only to find it firmly locked! I could not find a bell or anything so we moved off to the Studios.

DH likes the Studios the best, and although it was warm rain threatened so we agreed to spend most of the day here as there is a lot of cover! We watched our favourites Animagique and Cinemagique, then the revamped "Moteurs, Action"

then time for some rides, so we did Flying Carpets (as there wasn't really a queue) and Slinky coaster (where I saw the woman picking nits out of her daughter's hair, just ahead f us in the queue ). The queue for the parachutes was over 45 minutes so we decided to do the Studio tram Tour. This is another ride ready for a makeover - lots of the carriages were going empty, so each tram tour was only half full, and very slow to load. It is shorter - no longer going past the costume bit - but seemed to take a very long time.

By the time we finished it was time for lunch! We had booked a late sitting at Restaurant des Stars, where the lovely shareholder discount could come into play! There was a huge range of starters/salads, mains/sides and desserts, absolutely delicious and very good value. Tip with the desserts - the tarts are excellent but the litle individual piped mousses and tiny cakes in a plastic dish look pretty but don't really taste of anything, whereas the tarte au chocolate was very decadent! We also saw remy - I couldn't quite get the lighting right but you get the idea

We thought about leaving then, but we'd never done the "Art of Animation" so decided to do that as there was no queue. After the sight in the Slinky queue I decided to listen to the French rather than put headphones on! We didn't get to draw anything as the previous viewing were still sitting there drawing Winnie L'Ourson.

We were going to go back to the hotel, but the Stars and Motor cars parade was about to start, and it was not too crowded so we hung on.

Once it finished at 5.15 we left the park for a browse in the shops, followed by a quick drink at King Ludwigs to take advantage of Happy Hour (2 for 1 on beers and sodas!) Now exhausted, so back to the hotel for a rest and all asleep by 10.00pm.

 

[MazdaUK]

Day 3 - rides galore and a new coaster fan

For some unexplained reason breakfast was served in the convention centre today. Same offerings but the staff were quicker to refill - or maybe there were more of them! After breakfast over to Disneyland Park for extra magic hours.

Started off on Buzz Lightyear, where much to everyone's amazement I came top with 68,400 Followed this with Nautilus - first time I can remember it being open! Unfortunately, Captain EO was closed so we never got a chance to see it

Headed over to fantasyland for Casey Junior and the fairytale storeybook boats - both walk-ons so early - followed by an unexpected encounter

then over to Frontierland. For the first time DS(12) had agreed to go on Big Thunder Mountain (on the assurance there were no loops). The wait was much longer than advertised, but the ride was excellent and is now DS(12)'s favourite. we would have picked up fastPass tickets but the slot was for when we were in the restaurant so we decided we'd rather do it early the next day.

Over to Phantom Manor - fairly short queue - then over to wait for Tarzan. Usual excellent show, with a particularly pleasing feature for us girls....

Then caught a train to Main St USA for lunch at the Plaza gardens. Very annoying CM on the checkut (which you do as you go in) - asked us if we wanted a drink with our buffet and reeled off a list of soft drinks, without telling us what else was available - even though she had a drinks menu right by her! DH just picked it up and we selectred wine for us, beer for DS(18) and a soft drink with the meal for DS(12). The drinks came quicker than yesterday, and there were more staff clearing used plates but the food was pretty much the same (although there was a delicious pecan pie!)

Came out in time to catch sight of the Birthday train - a lot more colouorful than the 15th birthday one

Bit of shopping - mugs, bath towel, folding shopping bag for me and alram clock for DS(12) -- currently he has a horrible PacMan one which wakes the whole house! - then back to the hotel. DH and the bosy went swimming while I bought and wrote postcards and researched food options for tomorrow.

Later back to King Ludwigs for Happy Hour (see a pattern?) then into the Disneyland Park ready for the 7pm parade. The floats were all new, with a very catchy tune (DH refused to buy the CD ).

Once it passed headed for Alice's Curous Labyrinth - updated since our last visit - then POTC for the second time. BTM was over an hour wait and no FP so we went back to the hotel (via shops!), had a drink and snack in the room then bed.

 

[MazdaUK]

Day 4 - last full day!

After breakfast back for EMH - did Orbitron (failed to fit both me and DH in one pod must start that diet!!) and then I topped yesterday's Buzz Lightyear score - 70,800 DS(18) said his gun was broken but I was way ahead of everyone Another ride on BTM once Frontierland opened, then decided we were a bit parked out for the moment, so went back to hotel (via shops) and all went to the pool to relax in the jacuzzi and lay out in the sun.

Once we'd finished the boys went up to the room for some down time and DH and I explored Sequoia Lodge and Newport Bay for future reference. We wer impressed with both - their shops in particular were a big improvement on the HNY. We couldn't try the bar in SL as it was closed (black mark!!) so we went to NB and had two there instead It was very nice and airy, but only one barman on duty rushed off his feet as a huge crowd had arrived to check in and a lot of people were having a drink while waitnhg for the queue to die down.

Then back to HNY to pick up the boys and off for a late lunch at Rainforest Cafe. After a superb meal back to the hotel where DH and I went back to the pool to sunbathe while the boys relaxed.

I had really wanted to go to see Dreams again, but we were so tired I ended up packing and we all went early to bed!

 

[MazdaUK]

Day 5 - farewell to the magic!

Usual breakfast sitting and decided we couldn't quite face more park time on a "moving day" (Well, I could but everyone else declared themselves Moused out ) Headed off to Val D'Europe in the hope of getting bargains, but only got a bath towel in Ralph Lauren. It was very hot going from shop to shop, and the bosy soon rebelled. Also the prices were not as good as I'd hoped - there were some good sale bargains but as ever not in the right size/colour.

Had an early lunch at Hippopotamus - I don't know how they make a profit, with endless free water and bread, and more chips if we'd wanted them! Had the 17,90 two course menu (included a drink) and were all completely full! Then moved on to Roissy for our Asterix-focussed stay - and so the Disney part ends!

Let me know if you want to know about parc Asterix.

 

[Ware Bears]

Great report and photos yes, it would be really helpful if you could write about Parc Asterix too because people sometimes ask questions about it.

Can I ask what camera you bought? We want to buy a new camera and your photos of Fantillusion are really good.

 

[MazdaUK]

After much research I went for a bridge camera (because I had some vouchers from Amazon as a leaving present from work and wanted something a bit up a step from a compact). I went for the Nikon Coolpix L810, as it takes normal AA batteries (I had to ditch my original (7 year old!) coolpix compact as the battery was no longer keeping its charge and could not be replaced ) and had good reviews on Amazon. It was easy to use straight out of the box and I am most impressed with the zoom range - it comes back so far I can fit my whole living room in a photo, and zooms in so i could take a picture of Space Mountain from the 7th floor of HNY The bag I got for it is a bit big - it would probably fit a normal DSLR - but I was able to use it instead of a handbag, fitting in my (biggish) purse, cards, park tickets and my sunglasses - OK they're small magnetic ones for my normal glasses, but still! The whole lot from Amazon - bag, SD card and camera - came to under £200 (mind you, the same SD card which I paid £6.49 for I saw in PC World for over £30! I : Amazon). My only gripe is that there is no viewfinder - common with a lot of cameras now - and when I have my sunglassses on I can't see the screen if I try to do portrait aspect, due to the polarising effect of th sunnies. Oonce I worked out what the problem was I was fine!