JoeSam
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2005
- Messages
- 356
Getting there & first day - Monday 27th November
We have gone every year since Joe was 2 at this time to celebrate his birthday, but this time for the first time we were taking my nephew, 10, who had never been out of the country till this year, but then his mum took him to DLP for Halloween, so he got to go twice in 2 months! My brother is not with his mum, but we still get to see him nearly every weekend, and Joe & him are the best of mates. My parents came too. DNephew went on a coach trip to the Santa Fe the last time for 2 nights (14hrs on a coach, single mum, 3 kids, youngest only 3 yrs old, I'm looking for that shock-horror smiley but can't find it!!!!!) Anyway this time we were doing Eurostar to the DLH, so a different experience for him (not snobby here, I love the Cheyenne although never done Santa Fe). Also, as the family don't have much spare cash (I'm guessing), they could only eat at McDonalds, but good on her for going I say.
I had booked us rooms at the Travelodge in Ashford the Sunday night for the bargain price of £26 each. It took us 5 hrs driving to get there with bad weather & road works, so the boys were glad to see the hotel is by a KFC, Burger King and Frankie & Benny's. Had a quick KFC meal then hit the sack. Our Sat Nav said the station was 10 mins away, and our train was leaving at 07.56am, so of course we had to leave the hotel at 6.30am.
Good planning, we were there and parked by 6.45, and checked in by 6.55am - none of the long delays reported by cstokell - despite them checking through our bag to find the all important Disney Cowboy guns! Ashford Station is a very boring place to sit for an hour....
When the train finally came, the boys and parents were sat around one table, and me & DH were next to 2 lovely ladies who were going to Lille for the day. One lady's daughter was an employee of Disney - she is a character! She told us all about her experiences, working all over the world in various shows and parks. Kids & big kids DO NOT READ THIS BIT, she said about how the costumes are transported in huge zipped bags, and any customs inspections etc. have to be done in locked rooms for obvious reasons! Also she said the reason why parades are often late starting is the need for all characters to be out of the park before the start in case of duplication (!!!!) She said that despite recent strikes, her daughter loves working for the company, in France, the US or elsewhere in the world, so that was nice to hear. The hour to Lille passed in a flash, and we got off on the platform, turned around, and got on to the TGV to DLP, just like that! It was 1 1/2 hrs to DLP and then we were getting off and walking into the DLH. Nephew & Dad were much impressed, not having been before. At 11.30am, the rooms were not ready so we checked our bags and headed straight into the park. It was 11.30am, even with the hour going on, I can't believe how easy the journey had been.....!
The first sight of the park is always beautiful - I like having the tree back in Town Square it looks so much bigger. As always happens, walking up Main St those bells started, and to our delight it started to snow. You all know the feeling..........
First ride was due to be Phantom Manor - Joe's fave, and DNephew had not been on it last time, but we had to stop for some food first at Casey's, where we sat outside with our lovely cheesy hotdogs with coats off! A real first for me in DLP in November.
All the party were much impressed by PM - I translated badly for the boys, this is one ride where I think the commentary should sometimes be in English - "there are no windows or doors". We then headed for Thunder Mountain. The queue was surprisingly long - 30 mins - again unheard of normally at this time of year on a Monday so we headed to the FP line with our hotel FPs. Of course, I looked like a real novice as they couldn't be used till 2pm, and it was only around 12.30! It just felt so much later. We don't do 30 mins, so we headed on to Adventureland for Pirates.
Joe loved POTC at the age of 2. At 3, he started to get a little nervous of the drops, but still loved it. By last year it had become a point-blank refusal to even look in the queue area which he loves with its cannons, skeletons and dungeons! At WDW this year, I had to take him back out crying through the crowds as they have no chicken exit. (we did get him on it in the end, but of course he has now remembered that there are two, bigger drops in DLP, rather than one little one in WDW which he had no problem with.) This is all in his mind I think, but there's no budging him when his mind's made up. He had said he would go on it when he was 6, but now he's 6 and 1 day, he's having none of it, and the age has gone back to 7!! So Joe & I went to explore Davy Jones' Locker and Skull Rock, while my Dad & DH ran to their favourite ride dragging my Mum & Nephew in their wake!
Great fun was had by all, but Joe was now a bit put out, so we headed to Discoveryland because he wanted to ride Buzz (nothing like a bit of walking from one side of the park to the other!) We went via the maze and the teacups in Fantasyland which were the only ones without significant waits.
When we got to near IASW, the gates there were open which I've never seen before, they lead through a nice woodland path to Discoveryland, coming out by Star Tours. We couldn't pass Star Tours of course, so headed straight in. During the queue my Dad asked whether the ride was like Back to the Future (Universal) which I knew had made him really ill in Florida. Joe had refused to go on that ride after hearing stories about Grandad throwing up, so I hadn't experienced it. But I knew Dad had done Star Tours some 4 years ago and been allright, so I assured him it was nothing like....
My dad got very green, and looking over I thought he was actually going to throw up over the person in front!!! We couldn't wait for the end of the ride to get him out of there! He was most put out. It was getting near 3pm now (I'm sure I've left something out) so we decided to check-in, and hopefully get back out in time for 4pm parade, leaving Dad behind to sleep it off.
Did I mention the above-average crowds? Buzz was showing a 30 min wait, so we got FPs for later, return time 6.30-7.00pm. We got an extra FP somehow, but we had the last of the day I think.
Checking into DLH, I had debated making a room request for a non car park view room, but there was no need. We were assigned our rooms and I could see from the little map that they would be overlooking Fantasia Gardens which I had always fancied (good for people watching you know). I was a bit not-disappointed, but slightly, to see that they were ground floor, because I guessed that they wouldn't have a view. This was until we opened the door and saw how fantastic the rooms were, high ceilings with patio doors, private patios on to the gardens, just beautiful. And no elevators between us and the park. We had a bit of a rest and freshened up and left the rooms at 4.10, to arrive on Town Square to catch the 4pm parade! How's that for magic? Left dad in the rooms, last heard mumbling "come & get me for Fantillusion...."
After the parade we headed back to Frontierland to BTM. We used our hotel FPs as the queue was still at 40 minutes. Joe was unsure - he loved the one at WDW, but only on day 13 after much psyching himself up! I didn't want to push him, because the Paris version is much faster, longer & wilder, but I was glad when he gathered his courage and headed into the line. He came off a bit green though - it's probably the best ride that I've ever been on, just fantastic, but Joe wasn't too fond of the bits in the dark! (they feel so fast don't they?) He said it was "well cool", but didn't want to go again!
Soon it was time for the Enchanted lighting up ceremony which we watched with cappuccinos & muffins from the bakery. The lights this year are just beautiful, with the princess chandeliers' posts all lit as well. We headed to Discoveryland, and it was 6.10 - our FPs for Buzz started at 6.30 and the queue was showing 20 mins. My mum & DH went to get my dad from the hotel, while me & the boys got in the queue - I figured that this way we would get two goes. Buzz is fantastic, but I don't think that the FPs are that good - you've still got quite a way to go once you join the queue even with a FP.
When the others returned we had just got off the ride, so headed round for another go with the FPs. I don't know the scores - but DH always won...
I just love the concentration that always shows on people's faces!
After Buzz, we gathered for Fantillusion, which was just stunning as always, and then headed out of the park as it closes at 7pm midweek this year. I did miss the chance to get a few more rides in after Fantillusion - it used to be a great time for walk-ons.
We went back to the hotel to freshen up, then headed for Buffalo Bill's for the first time, as Joe had chosen this as his birthday treat. The show was a big hit with the boys - even more so when our "ranch" won.
A motley crew!
We didn't get out of the show til gone 11, but still had to call in the shop for autograph books ready for breakfast tomorrow! We were very grateful to get to our beds that night!
We have gone every year since Joe was 2 at this time to celebrate his birthday, but this time for the first time we were taking my nephew, 10, who had never been out of the country till this year, but then his mum took him to DLP for Halloween, so he got to go twice in 2 months! My brother is not with his mum, but we still get to see him nearly every weekend, and Joe & him are the best of mates. My parents came too. DNephew went on a coach trip to the Santa Fe the last time for 2 nights (14hrs on a coach, single mum, 3 kids, youngest only 3 yrs old, I'm looking for that shock-horror smiley but can't find it!!!!!) Anyway this time we were doing Eurostar to the DLH, so a different experience for him (not snobby here, I love the Cheyenne although never done Santa Fe). Also, as the family don't have much spare cash (I'm guessing), they could only eat at McDonalds, but good on her for going I say.
I had booked us rooms at the Travelodge in Ashford the Sunday night for the bargain price of £26 each. It took us 5 hrs driving to get there with bad weather & road works, so the boys were glad to see the hotel is by a KFC, Burger King and Frankie & Benny's. Had a quick KFC meal then hit the sack. Our Sat Nav said the station was 10 mins away, and our train was leaving at 07.56am, so of course we had to leave the hotel at 6.30am.
Good planning, we were there and parked by 6.45, and checked in by 6.55am - none of the long delays reported by cstokell - despite them checking through our bag to find the all important Disney Cowboy guns! Ashford Station is a very boring place to sit for an hour....When the train finally came, the boys and parents were sat around one table, and me & DH were next to 2 lovely ladies who were going to Lille for the day. One lady's daughter was an employee of Disney - she is a character! She told us all about her experiences, working all over the world in various shows and parks. Kids & big kids DO NOT READ THIS BIT, she said about how the costumes are transported in huge zipped bags, and any customs inspections etc. have to be done in locked rooms for obvious reasons! Also she said the reason why parades are often late starting is the need for all characters to be out of the park before the start in case of duplication (!!!!) She said that despite recent strikes, her daughter loves working for the company, in France, the US or elsewhere in the world, so that was nice to hear. The hour to Lille passed in a flash, and we got off on the platform, turned around, and got on to the TGV to DLP, just like that! It was 1 1/2 hrs to DLP and then we were getting off and walking into the DLH. Nephew & Dad were much impressed, not having been before. At 11.30am, the rooms were not ready so we checked our bags and headed straight into the park. It was 11.30am, even with the hour going on, I can't believe how easy the journey had been.....!
The first sight of the park is always beautiful - I like having the tree back in Town Square it looks so much bigger. As always happens, walking up Main St those bells started, and to our delight it started to snow. You all know the feeling..........
First ride was due to be Phantom Manor - Joe's fave, and DNephew had not been on it last time, but we had to stop for some food first at Casey's, where we sat outside with our lovely cheesy hotdogs with coats off! A real first for me in DLP in November.
All the party were much impressed by PM - I translated badly for the boys, this is one ride where I think the commentary should sometimes be in English - "there are no windows or doors". We then headed for Thunder Mountain. The queue was surprisingly long - 30 mins - again unheard of normally at this time of year on a Monday so we headed to the FP line with our hotel FPs. Of course, I looked like a real novice as they couldn't be used till 2pm, and it was only around 12.30! It just felt so much later. We don't do 30 mins, so we headed on to Adventureland for Pirates.
Joe loved POTC at the age of 2. At 3, he started to get a little nervous of the drops, but still loved it. By last year it had become a point-blank refusal to even look in the queue area which he loves with its cannons, skeletons and dungeons! At WDW this year, I had to take him back out crying through the crowds as they have no chicken exit. (we did get him on it in the end, but of course he has now remembered that there are two, bigger drops in DLP, rather than one little one in WDW which he had no problem with.) This is all in his mind I think, but there's no budging him when his mind's made up. He had said he would go on it when he was 6, but now he's 6 and 1 day, he's having none of it, and the age has gone back to 7!! So Joe & I went to explore Davy Jones' Locker and Skull Rock, while my Dad & DH ran to their favourite ride dragging my Mum & Nephew in their wake!
Great fun was had by all, but Joe was now a bit put out, so we headed to Discoveryland because he wanted to ride Buzz (nothing like a bit of walking from one side of the park to the other!) We went via the maze and the teacups in Fantasyland which were the only ones without significant waits.
When we got to near IASW, the gates there were open which I've never seen before, they lead through a nice woodland path to Discoveryland, coming out by Star Tours. We couldn't pass Star Tours of course, so headed straight in. During the queue my Dad asked whether the ride was like Back to the Future (Universal) which I knew had made him really ill in Florida. Joe had refused to go on that ride after hearing stories about Grandad throwing up, so I hadn't experienced it. But I knew Dad had done Star Tours some 4 years ago and been allright, so I assured him it was nothing like....
My dad got very green, and looking over I thought he was actually going to throw up over the person in front!!! We couldn't wait for the end of the ride to get him out of there! He was most put out. It was getting near 3pm now (I'm sure I've left something out) so we decided to check-in, and hopefully get back out in time for 4pm parade, leaving Dad behind to sleep it off.
Did I mention the above-average crowds? Buzz was showing a 30 min wait, so we got FPs for later, return time 6.30-7.00pm. We got an extra FP somehow, but we had the last of the day I think.
Checking into DLH, I had debated making a room request for a non car park view room, but there was no need. We were assigned our rooms and I could see from the little map that they would be overlooking Fantasia Gardens which I had always fancied (good for people watching you know). I was a bit not-disappointed, but slightly, to see that they were ground floor, because I guessed that they wouldn't have a view. This was until we opened the door and saw how fantastic the rooms were, high ceilings with patio doors, private patios on to the gardens, just beautiful. And no elevators between us and the park. We had a bit of a rest and freshened up and left the rooms at 4.10, to arrive on Town Square to catch the 4pm parade! How's that for magic? Left dad in the rooms, last heard mumbling "come & get me for Fantillusion...."
After the parade we headed back to Frontierland to BTM. We used our hotel FPs as the queue was still at 40 minutes. Joe was unsure - he loved the one at WDW, but only on day 13 after much psyching himself up! I didn't want to push him, because the Paris version is much faster, longer & wilder, but I was glad when he gathered his courage and headed into the line. He came off a bit green though - it's probably the best ride that I've ever been on, just fantastic, but Joe wasn't too fond of the bits in the dark! (they feel so fast don't they?) He said it was "well cool", but didn't want to go again!
Soon it was time for the Enchanted lighting up ceremony which we watched with cappuccinos & muffins from the bakery. The lights this year are just beautiful, with the princess chandeliers' posts all lit as well. We headed to Discoveryland, and it was 6.10 - our FPs for Buzz started at 6.30 and the queue was showing 20 mins. My mum & DH went to get my dad from the hotel, while me & the boys got in the queue - I figured that this way we would get two goes. Buzz is fantastic, but I don't think that the FPs are that good - you've still got quite a way to go once you join the queue even with a FP.
When the others returned we had just got off the ride, so headed round for another go with the FPs. I don't know the scores - but DH always won...
I just love the concentration that always shows on people's faces!
After Buzz, we gathered for Fantillusion, which was just stunning as always, and then headed out of the park as it closes at 7pm midweek this year. I did miss the chance to get a few more rides in after Fantillusion - it used to be a great time for walk-ons.
We went back to the hotel to freshen up, then headed for Buffalo Bill's for the first time, as Joe had chosen this as his birthday treat. The show was a big hit with the boys - even more so when our "ranch" won.
A motley crew!
We didn't get out of the show til gone 11, but still had to call in the shop for autograph books ready for breakfast tomorrow! We were very grateful to get to our beds that night!
