Trip report - 12th - 14th August

karenmoloney

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Jan 27, 2006
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I booked this trip in July, a few days after I received a voucher in the post for me to take up to 5 guests into the parks for 15 euro on one day. I had never been in the summer high season, so had not seen the fireworks. Also, even though I was there for a week in May, I didn't get to do much in the parks because DD2, who was only 17 mths at the time, didn't like the crowds, noise etc so I spent most of my time with her while DH did the fun things with DD1, so I hadn't got to see the HSM shows, Stitch Live or Tarzan.

It was a trip for myself & Nicole DD1(6 yrs). We flew Aerlingus from Belfast to CDG (hand luggage only) & stayed at the Santa Fe for 2 nights.

Monday 11th

Nicole had a bad fall so I decided to bring the buggy because she was complaining her legs were sore.

Tues 12th

I got up at 7am to do all the last minute things. We woke the girls at 7.50am & we set off for the airport at 8.00am, feeding them on the way up. Poor Nicole, who does not travel well was car sick & we had to play counting lorries to try and take her mind off it. I had given her a tablet before we left, but it must have been a dud one! We arrived at the airport for 9.30am & although I had checked in online, I had to manually check in too to get a label for the buggy. After a quick snack, we said goodbye to DH & DD2. The flight was late taking off & therefore late into CDG. Because of the buggy, I had to collect it from the carousel, which delayed us further because the buggies didn't come off & after 20 mins they arrived on a truck! By this stage I had missed 2 VEAs & there wasn't another for 50 mins, so I shared a taxi with a family I met while waiting for the missing buggies. We arrived at the Santa Fe, checked in very quickly as there was no queue & went to our room - Block 53 Room 127.

We left the room at 4pm & headed for the parks. Luckily a bus arrived at the stop as we did & we first called into the Disneyland Hotel to see if any of the characters were about. By this time is was about 4.20pm & the characters were just leaving, but Goofy turned back for a hug & an autograph. We got Nicole a one day one park ticket (32 euro with my 20% discount). There was no queue at the booths at that time of day. First we headed to Fantasyland & went upstairs in the castle & watched the Sleeping Beauty show from the balcony. Then we saw the Tarzan show. We had a dinner reservation at Cafe Mickey for 6.30 pm & we met Goofy, Pluto, Mickey, Gepetto, Robin Hood, Captain Hook & Mr. Smee. On leaving Nicole announced that she wanted to go back to the hotel to bed, but I managed to persuade her otherwise (especially after just having bought her a ticket!). So we went back to the park & did Phantom Manor(30 min queue), Pirates twice (no queue) & Teacups(15 min queue). We watched Fantillusion from opposite Bella Notte & then the fireworks from near Central Plaza & walked back to the hotel.

Wed 13th

Nicole slept until just after 9.00 am. We had a 10.00 am slot for breakfast & then got the bus to the park. We arrived at 11.00 am & queued 20 mins to buy Nicole's ticket. Today I used my voucher. While queueing, I was listening around me to see if anyone was speaking English, but didn't hear one! I would have offered to buy up to 4 people tickets for the 15 euro (provided that they gave me the money of course!) as I could buy 5, but only needed one. The family behind me were perhaps Spanish. I heard the mother speak English on her mobile, so I offered it to them, but they had prepaid for their tickets & were only picking up them. So I didn't get a chance to do anyone a good deed.

We went to Fantasyland because we had booked the princess lunch for 12.00. We lined up at about 11.50 am. There were already others there & were 2nd in the door. Belle was doing the meet & greet & we also met Suzy, Perla, Ariel & Prince Eric, Princess Minnie & the Fairy Godmother. The good thing about getting in at that time was that we got to meet them all before we started our dinner, so the meal wasn't interrupted every few minutes.

After lunch we went to the Studios (via the dragon) to the High School Musical show. I had to lift Nicole so she could see & she managed to squeeze through the crowd to get up for the dancing bit. Anamagique was starting in a few minutes, so we ran ro catch it. We got out at 2.35 pm & Sulley was due to arrive at 2.45 pm, so we got in line to meet him. Then we watched Cinemagique. Then we nipped over to the Disneyland Hotel to see which characers were about & met Launchpad McQuack, Tigger, Minnie, Pluto, Captain Hool & Goofy. Then back to the Studios for the HSM2 show. This time I got a space for Nicole sitting on the ground & me behind, but when the show arrived the crowd got moved & she lost her good place. Still she managed to squeeze in to the 2nd row, so I didn't have to lift her again! Then we watched The Lion King from the restaurant overlooking it. CMs were only allowing people in with food, so I positioned myself behind a woman carrying a tray with loads of food & he must have assumed we were together. We got a fromt row seat on about the 3rd level. The show had changed a bit since I had last seen it, but was still basically the same. Next we had a reservation for Lucky Nugget at 6.30 pm where we met Robin Hood, Prince John, Tigger, Goofy, Eeyore & Mr Smee. Pluto was there too, but missed us. Then we did IASW, Star Tours, the Carousel & Nicole chose Pirates as our last ride. We watched Fantillusion & the Fireworks from the Fantasyland station & then walked back to the hotel.

Thurs 14th Aug

Nicole woke again at just after 9.00am & we went to our 10.00 am breakfast slot. We packed up, dropped our keys in the box at reception at caught the VEA to CDG at 10.55 am back to Belfast where DH & Natasha were waiting to drive us back home.

Overall, we had a brilliant trip. Nicole just loved the whole thing. We got everything done that we had planned except for Stitch Live (because the queue was too long) & loads more. The weather was great - not too hot & dry. The hotel was fine too. The crowds were huge, but then I had never been in the peak season before. I found having the buggy a hindrance because of the crowds & abandoned it on several occasions because Nicole's legs weren't too bad, but it was very handy for the walk back to the hotel at the end of the night because she was very tired & wouldn't have made it! Also, I think I should go away more often, because when I got home DH had a dinner ready for us (just had to heat it up), had washed the floors, had made a pot of soup & 10 pots of jam (we grow raspberries)! Almost puts me to shame!

This is the first time I have come home with another trip already booked, so in 2 mths time I will be off again - the whole family this time, staying for a week & probably staying at the Marriott. Can't wait.
 
Welcome home. You really squeezed a lot into your time there. Looooooads of charcters! Where did you go in DLH to see them?
Glad to hear Nicole's legs weren't too bad. :goodvibes
 
Sounds like you had a nice quick trip. Glad you saw the amount of characters that you did. Looks like the DLH is the place to go to meet them then!
 
Sounds like you had a great trip! I'm needing my Disney fix quite badly after reading that, LOL!
 

Sounds like you had a great trip. You managed to fit a lot in. Shame you couldn't do your good deed. If I had know I would have gone for the day as I have been off this week.
 
Sounds like you had a fab time and really did a lot in 2 days especially at this time of year. I really must plan a girls only trip with my DD - we could be princesses all day long and no menfolk to complain!!:rotfl:
 
Gosh that was a wonderful trip with lots of characters and shows as well. Brilliant.
 
glad you had a good time and did a good lot of things goofy was busy as well then you saw him every time nearly lol x x x
 












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