TotallyAngelic
Disney Addict
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2005
- Messages
- 6,687
Summer 2006 Disneyland Paris Trip Report
Cast Members:
Sarah: Totally Pirates of the Caribbean obsessed, Disney enthusiast, Pin
Collector, only rides indoor coasters!
Tony: Disney enthusiast, Pin Collector, Loves all extreme rides, eats for the
UK!
Taryn: Aged 15. Disney enthusiast. Pin Collector. Loves POTC. Tim Burton
Obsessed. Very theatrical and loves any excuse to dress up
especially Halloween!
Daniel: Aged 12. Disney Enthusiast but doesnt like meeting characters unless
it is spontaneous. Loves POTC. Nintendo player and Tim Burton fan!
Day Two : Our first fantastic day (first half.....so not to overwhelm you all!)
Today I woke up with an even better feeling I was in the Holiday Inn at Disneyland Paris, and today we would be in Disneyland Park. No one else had been stirred by the alarm, which enabled me to get up and have a shower in peace. At 06:30 am I started making enough noise to wake everyone up, and then hustled them all in turn into the bathroom to get washed and dressed. We were down to breakfast by 07:00 am. The Holiday Inn breakfast is one of the highlights of the holiday .there is masses of food: and as I didnt take my camera down to breakfast I will have to give you a run down of what was on offer feel free to yawn at this point!
A big bowl of mixed fruit salad
Slices of ham and cheese etc
Other whole fruit such as bananas and apples
Scrambled egg
Sausages (but not as we know them)
Bacon
Cereals (usual kelloggs stuff)
Crusty bread rolls
Croissants
Sliced bread for toast
Brioche cake
Yogurts (various)
Jam, Chocolate hazelnut spread, honey etc
Orange juice (with bits in)
Chilled water
And a new addition to the breakfast selection: a fantastic new coffee machine which did delicious café au lait, cappuccino, espresso, hot chocolate!
I had what I always have ..a big bowl of fruit, 3 (honestly) croissants with chocolate hazelnut spread, a glass of orange and a café au lait! Tony had different things every day but certainly had his euros-worth, Taryn (our most fussy eater) had bread rolls, toast, brioche cake and water (because the orange juice had bits in it, and incompetent Mum had forgotten to pack a sieve!) and Dan had 3 or possibly 4 croissants with chocolate hazelnut spread and water (for the same reason as Taryn).
Breakfast completed, we returned to our room to pick the camcorder bag and the AP lanyards. Taryn and Daniel were raring to go:
We were downstairs in the lobby by 07:45 am, caught the pink shuttle to the train station and were walking down the familiar approach to the Disneyland Hotel by 08:15 am. Through the cursory bag check (why do they bother?), and down to the entrance. At the main gate we were directed round to the VIP entrance, as of course we were able to use our APs for early entrance to Fantasyland!!
Its a great feeling walking past the lines of people waiting at the turnstiles and being welcomed in by the cast members .makes you feel really important, for all of 2 minutes!! It is an even better feeling walking down an almost empty Main Street...taking in all those wonderful, familiar sights which we know and love! That walk down Main Street towards the Castle always creates a special happy magic glow which is unrivalled anywhere else in the world!!!!
There was a lovely wishes display in front of the castle so we stopped to take a photo.....
Our usual first day strategy is to ride Dumbo and Peter Pan in Fantasyland, as these are the two rides opening early, and then wait for rope drop at Adventureland to be the first people on POTC! However, a previous strategic planning meeting by the operational heads of this expedition, had resulted in a slight alteration to our plan of action. Our first port of call was now to be Buzz Lightyears Lazer Blast, in view of this being the newest, and therefore likely to be busiest, attraction. So we headed for rope drop at Discoveryland. There followed the countdown to rope drop, and we headed straight for Buzz, only to find it wasnt opening until 10am! Typical!!!! The greatest plans and all that! But, our disappointment was momentarily relieved by a CM giving out anytime fastpasses .Tony grabbed 4 and I grabbed 4 (well sometimes it pays to pretend you are not together!!!!).
We noticed the line for Space Mountain was not too long ..so off we headed to ride it. Now those of you poor people who have been subjected to my previous trip reports will know that my two delightful offspring blow very hot and cold when it comes to riding coasters at Halloween it was a no go, at Christmas, they rode SM twice, loved it and couldnt wait to come back and ride it again in July! However, it was now July, and they refused point blank to go anywhere near it, and whizzed off to ride Orbitron. Oh well whatever floats your boat, live and let live, each to their own, their loss etc etc. Tony and I rode Space Mountain, the right hand train, and I thought it was a brilliant ride, but it felt a lot more bumpy than normal!!!!
Space Mountain done, we grabbed some fastpasses for a later ride, and whizzed over to Adventureland no prizes for guessing which ride we were heading for. Absolutely no wait for my ultimate favourite ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, which was as amazing as ever. We noticed new effects since the refurbishment ..it was darker at the beginning, the pirate climbing over the battlements had a smoke effect around him, the swinging pirate was swinging again, and the cannon fire into the water was a bit more dramatic and more splash inducing. Down in the dead mans caverns, there were more water effects with whirlpools and a cold wind blowing spray in your faces.
There was only one thing we could do and that was do a repeat ride !!!
We then had a look around the shop, but the movie merchandise I had been hoping for just wasnt there bit disappointing really.
By now it was time to ride Buzz, so back to Discoveryland we went. The ride is excellent, and the queuing area itself is really entertaining. There is a hidden mickey on one of the wall displays but I wont say where have a look if you can find it next time you are there!!!! On this occasion Tony was chuffed to bits as he reached Level 5. The kids reached Level 3 and I didnt reach any level whatsoever as my laser gun didnt work! I am afraid I was personally responsible for Emperor Zurg stealing all the battery packs on this occasion!
We went straight around to use our second fastpasses, and this time I redeemed myself by getting to Level 3. I just love watching Tonys face during this ride as he is so serious .Im sure he thinks he is really saving the universe!!! Now it was time to ride Space Mountain again, and the kids went off to Star Tours! This time we rode on the left hand train and it was so much smoother!!
By now it time to go over to Frontierland, where we grabbed fastpasses (40 min wait time) for Big Thunder and went to Phantom Manor. Great ride as per usual ..although the cast members were boring. For some reason Tony is always very amused when Madame Leota says goblins and ghoulies every single time we ride it he mutters something about I hope Im not grabbed by the ghoulies!!
After the ride we wandered into the cemetery to look for the heart beating tomb, and for the first time ever we managed to find it !!!!
It was now about 11:30 am and the weather was cloudy but very pleasant..in fact, perfect park touring weather and it appeared as though the storm had cleared the air, as friends have told us that it was unbearably hot and humid on the Wednesday.. We decided to go to the Cowboy Cookout for coffee, and as they were doing a 3 euro deal whereby you got a coffee and a brownie / trio of mini donuts, we had 2 coffees, 2 sprites, 3 brownies and a trio of donuts.
After demolishing this snack, our fastpasses for Big Thunder became active, so it was time to hang on to our hats and glasses, and ride the wildest ride in the wilderness!! This was as fantastic as ever!!!! We grabbed another set of fastpasses for BT on the way to see the Tarzan Show.
The Tarzan Show was absolutely incredible the acrobatic routines and all the flying around on ropes etc was truly stunning. One of the best Disney shows I have seen!
When this had finished, we noticed the Mark Twain was operating, so we jumped on board for a leisurely ride around the lake, during which time I filmed all the scenery passing by. I hadnt been on the steamer since our very first trip to DLP, so it made a nice change and was a very relaxing fifteen minutes or so. When we disembarked, a Mississippi style band had struck up, so it felt really authentic!!
Any readers who have by now understandably fallen asleep, wake up!! I have decided to issue Day 2 in 2 parts, and this is now the end of Part One!!!!
Cast Members:
Sarah: Totally Pirates of the Caribbean obsessed, Disney enthusiast, Pin
Collector, only rides indoor coasters!
Tony: Disney enthusiast, Pin Collector, Loves all extreme rides, eats for the
UK!
Taryn: Aged 15. Disney enthusiast. Pin Collector. Loves POTC. Tim Burton
Obsessed. Very theatrical and loves any excuse to dress up
especially Halloween!
Daniel: Aged 12. Disney Enthusiast but doesnt like meeting characters unless
it is spontaneous. Loves POTC. Nintendo player and Tim Burton fan!
Day Two : Our first fantastic day (first half.....so not to overwhelm you all!)
Today I woke up with an even better feeling I was in the Holiday Inn at Disneyland Paris, and today we would be in Disneyland Park. No one else had been stirred by the alarm, which enabled me to get up and have a shower in peace. At 06:30 am I started making enough noise to wake everyone up, and then hustled them all in turn into the bathroom to get washed and dressed. We were down to breakfast by 07:00 am. The Holiday Inn breakfast is one of the highlights of the holiday .there is masses of food: and as I didnt take my camera down to breakfast I will have to give you a run down of what was on offer feel free to yawn at this point!
A big bowl of mixed fruit salad
Slices of ham and cheese etc
Other whole fruit such as bananas and apples
Scrambled egg
Sausages (but not as we know them)
Bacon
Cereals (usual kelloggs stuff)
Crusty bread rolls
Croissants
Sliced bread for toast
Brioche cake
Yogurts (various)
Jam, Chocolate hazelnut spread, honey etc
Orange juice (with bits in)
Chilled water
And a new addition to the breakfast selection: a fantastic new coffee machine which did delicious café au lait, cappuccino, espresso, hot chocolate!
I had what I always have ..a big bowl of fruit, 3 (honestly) croissants with chocolate hazelnut spread, a glass of orange and a café au lait! Tony had different things every day but certainly had his euros-worth, Taryn (our most fussy eater) had bread rolls, toast, brioche cake and water (because the orange juice had bits in it, and incompetent Mum had forgotten to pack a sieve!) and Dan had 3 or possibly 4 croissants with chocolate hazelnut spread and water (for the same reason as Taryn).
Breakfast completed, we returned to our room to pick the camcorder bag and the AP lanyards. Taryn and Daniel were raring to go:
We were downstairs in the lobby by 07:45 am, caught the pink shuttle to the train station and were walking down the familiar approach to the Disneyland Hotel by 08:15 am. Through the cursory bag check (why do they bother?), and down to the entrance. At the main gate we were directed round to the VIP entrance, as of course we were able to use our APs for early entrance to Fantasyland!!
Its a great feeling walking past the lines of people waiting at the turnstiles and being welcomed in by the cast members .makes you feel really important, for all of 2 minutes!! It is an even better feeling walking down an almost empty Main Street...taking in all those wonderful, familiar sights which we know and love! That walk down Main Street towards the Castle always creates a special happy magic glow which is unrivalled anywhere else in the world!!!!
There was a lovely wishes display in front of the castle so we stopped to take a photo.....
Our usual first day strategy is to ride Dumbo and Peter Pan in Fantasyland, as these are the two rides opening early, and then wait for rope drop at Adventureland to be the first people on POTC! However, a previous strategic planning meeting by the operational heads of this expedition, had resulted in a slight alteration to our plan of action. Our first port of call was now to be Buzz Lightyears Lazer Blast, in view of this being the newest, and therefore likely to be busiest, attraction. So we headed for rope drop at Discoveryland. There followed the countdown to rope drop, and we headed straight for Buzz, only to find it wasnt opening until 10am! Typical!!!! The greatest plans and all that! But, our disappointment was momentarily relieved by a CM giving out anytime fastpasses .Tony grabbed 4 and I grabbed 4 (well sometimes it pays to pretend you are not together!!!!).
We noticed the line for Space Mountain was not too long ..so off we headed to ride it. Now those of you poor people who have been subjected to my previous trip reports will know that my two delightful offspring blow very hot and cold when it comes to riding coasters at Halloween it was a no go, at Christmas, they rode SM twice, loved it and couldnt wait to come back and ride it again in July! However, it was now July, and they refused point blank to go anywhere near it, and whizzed off to ride Orbitron. Oh well whatever floats your boat, live and let live, each to their own, their loss etc etc. Tony and I rode Space Mountain, the right hand train, and I thought it was a brilliant ride, but it felt a lot more bumpy than normal!!!!
Space Mountain done, we grabbed some fastpasses for a later ride, and whizzed over to Adventureland no prizes for guessing which ride we were heading for. Absolutely no wait for my ultimate favourite ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, which was as amazing as ever. We noticed new effects since the refurbishment ..it was darker at the beginning, the pirate climbing over the battlements had a smoke effect around him, the swinging pirate was swinging again, and the cannon fire into the water was a bit more dramatic and more splash inducing. Down in the dead mans caverns, there were more water effects with whirlpools and a cold wind blowing spray in your faces.
There was only one thing we could do and that was do a repeat ride !!!
We then had a look around the shop, but the movie merchandise I had been hoping for just wasnt there bit disappointing really.
By now it was time to ride Buzz, so back to Discoveryland we went. The ride is excellent, and the queuing area itself is really entertaining. There is a hidden mickey on one of the wall displays but I wont say where have a look if you can find it next time you are there!!!! On this occasion Tony was chuffed to bits as he reached Level 5. The kids reached Level 3 and I didnt reach any level whatsoever as my laser gun didnt work! I am afraid I was personally responsible for Emperor Zurg stealing all the battery packs on this occasion!
We went straight around to use our second fastpasses, and this time I redeemed myself by getting to Level 3. I just love watching Tonys face during this ride as he is so serious .Im sure he thinks he is really saving the universe!!! Now it was time to ride Space Mountain again, and the kids went off to Star Tours! This time we rode on the left hand train and it was so much smoother!!
By now it time to go over to Frontierland, where we grabbed fastpasses (40 min wait time) for Big Thunder and went to Phantom Manor. Great ride as per usual ..although the cast members were boring. For some reason Tony is always very amused when Madame Leota says goblins and ghoulies every single time we ride it he mutters something about I hope Im not grabbed by the ghoulies!!
After the ride we wandered into the cemetery to look for the heart beating tomb, and for the first time ever we managed to find it !!!!
It was now about 11:30 am and the weather was cloudy but very pleasant..in fact, perfect park touring weather and it appeared as though the storm had cleared the air, as friends have told us that it was unbearably hot and humid on the Wednesday.. We decided to go to the Cowboy Cookout for coffee, and as they were doing a 3 euro deal whereby you got a coffee and a brownie / trio of mini donuts, we had 2 coffees, 2 sprites, 3 brownies and a trio of donuts.
After demolishing this snack, our fastpasses for Big Thunder became active, so it was time to hang on to our hats and glasses, and ride the wildest ride in the wilderness!! This was as fantastic as ever!!!! We grabbed another set of fastpasses for BT on the way to see the Tarzan Show.
The Tarzan Show was absolutely incredible the acrobatic routines and all the flying around on ropes etc was truly stunning. One of the best Disney shows I have seen!
When this had finished, we noticed the Mark Twain was operating, so we jumped on board for a leisurely ride around the lake, during which time I filmed all the scenery passing by. I hadnt been on the steamer since our very first trip to DLP, so it made a nice change and was a very relaxing fifteen minutes or so. When we disembarked, a Mississippi style band had struck up, so it felt really authentic!!
Any readers who have by now understandably fallen asleep, wake up!! I have decided to issue Day 2 in 2 parts, and this is now the end of Part One!!!!
