ruthiebabie
Hey There Hi There Ho There Its A Disney Kind Of D
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2007
- Messages
- 522
Alarm went off at 3.30am and since the last time I had checked the clock it was 11.30pm I was tired.
My friend came to collect me and we were off on our way to Liverpool airport. Our group consisted of my friend, her Mum, her niece (15) and my 3 god daughters (19, 6 and 2) and another friend who met us at the airport.
We arrived at 5 and straight into the car park (parking booked via Purple Parking which was £10 cheaper than anyone else).
We quickly checked in and headed off straight through passport control to Starbucks for some much needed caffine. As always with Easyjet (touch wood) we were straight off on time.
On landing in Paris we grabbed our bags and I rang our transfer company. With 8 of us this time it worked out cheaper to get a private transfer (200 euros return) than it did to get the VEA. We used Parishuttle.com via the easyjet website and couldn't fault it. It was a freephone number to ring them to let them know we had arrived. I can only assume the driver was parked off site and he turned up within 5 minutes. Nice big minibus (no kids seats provided but we knew that) and lots of space for luggage. We were dropped off at the Sequoia Lodge within 30 mins of leaving the airport.
Check in was nice and quiet and the check in girl confirmed we had got adjoining Montana rooms. We asked if there were any upgrades available to Lakeside rooms (showing our Shareholder cards) and she said we would need to wait and see once the rooms had been allocated. So we left our bags at Concierge and headed off to the parks.
As we got into the park we caught our first hearing of "just like we dreamed it" as the character express came up Main Street so we stopped to watch it pass and wave at the occupants.
We made our way round to the Annual Passport window to the right of the entrance and purchased our temp annual passes, plus kids free, plus 1 3 day hopper with 15% off. The rest of the group had got tickets included in their booking as they don't come as often.
Straight into the park and we headed for the AP office. What a smooth processes - we have had some real shoddy service in here before but today it was really quick to upgrade - they already had our details on file from our last passes. However since we last got passes....no more gift given on purchase of a pass, no more free fastpasses (they said the EMH replaced these), no more one off 20% restaurant coupon with a short date (instead you got a coupon which could be used once only in a number of different restaurants but with a longer date), and no more one off 20% shop discount - instead this is now permanent. However the CM was at pains to point out that the pass prices have not risen half as sharply as the park pass prices so she thought it was still a bargain (and to be honest so do we!)
Out of the AP office and the smallest member of our party spotted Ariel on the Fantasyland Stage. There was no moving until she had seen her so we queued to meet her. As we walked up to her Ariel spotted her name badge and greeted her by name - her little face was an absolute picture.
From here we walked round to Buzz, 10 minute queue so we joined. Just as we got near the front the ride stopped and then people started to come out. We decided to stick it out and were rewarded when it got going soon after.
By this time it was around 1pm and we were starving so we headed into Videopolis to grab some lunch. The Lion King show was on (French version) but the kids still enjoyed it. Full of food we headed round into Fantasyland. I can't honestly recall what we went on in here but I know we took our usual route from there straight to POTC - unfortunately no sign of Captain Jack.
From here it was through to fastpass Big Thunder Mountain and then back out to the Main Plaza in time for the parade. We knew someone working on the parade that day (Winnie the Pooh) so we positioned ourselves to look out for the float and give them a wave.
Following the parade we decided to head out of the park and back to check in to the hotel. We stopped on the way to see friends working at Planet Hollywood and have a cheeky Desperados and a Woo Woo (if you've never tried these drinks they're both fab). With our table booked for 8 that evening we carried on back to SL.
Back at the hotel, we got our room details and found out no upgrade but we hadn't expected it so no problems. However when we got to the rooms it was clear one of them hadn't been made up from the last occupants plus it stank of smoke despite it being a no smoking room. There was no way we wanted to stay in it even if housekeeping came as we're all non smokers and we didn't want the kids in it. So 2 of us headed back down to reception to let them know. The guy we spoke to was really helpful and swapped the rooms and also upgraded us to Lakeside rooms! So we went to check they were OK (which they were) and went back to get the rest of the group and move our bags.
A quick shower and change and it was almost time to go back out again. We walked slowly back through the Village and arrived at Planet for just after 8. Food was great as always coupled with some Despos and Woo Woos to wash it all down. By this time though the kids were flagging so we just had our tea and then made our way back to the hotel. By 10pm we were all in bed and dreaming of the next day and Tower of Terror.
Day 2 to follow....
My friend came to collect me and we were off on our way to Liverpool airport. Our group consisted of my friend, her Mum, her niece (15) and my 3 god daughters (19, 6 and 2) and another friend who met us at the airport.
We arrived at 5 and straight into the car park (parking booked via Purple Parking which was £10 cheaper than anyone else).
We quickly checked in and headed off straight through passport control to Starbucks for some much needed caffine. As always with Easyjet (touch wood) we were straight off on time.
On landing in Paris we grabbed our bags and I rang our transfer company. With 8 of us this time it worked out cheaper to get a private transfer (200 euros return) than it did to get the VEA. We used Parishuttle.com via the easyjet website and couldn't fault it. It was a freephone number to ring them to let them know we had arrived. I can only assume the driver was parked off site and he turned up within 5 minutes. Nice big minibus (no kids seats provided but we knew that) and lots of space for luggage. We were dropped off at the Sequoia Lodge within 30 mins of leaving the airport.
Check in was nice and quiet and the check in girl confirmed we had got adjoining Montana rooms. We asked if there were any upgrades available to Lakeside rooms (showing our Shareholder cards) and she said we would need to wait and see once the rooms had been allocated. So we left our bags at Concierge and headed off to the parks.
As we got into the park we caught our first hearing of "just like we dreamed it" as the character express came up Main Street so we stopped to watch it pass and wave at the occupants.
We made our way round to the Annual Passport window to the right of the entrance and purchased our temp annual passes, plus kids free, plus 1 3 day hopper with 15% off. The rest of the group had got tickets included in their booking as they don't come as often.
Straight into the park and we headed for the AP office. What a smooth processes - we have had some real shoddy service in here before but today it was really quick to upgrade - they already had our details on file from our last passes. However since we last got passes....no more gift given on purchase of a pass, no more free fastpasses (they said the EMH replaced these), no more one off 20% restaurant coupon with a short date (instead you got a coupon which could be used once only in a number of different restaurants but with a longer date), and no more one off 20% shop discount - instead this is now permanent. However the CM was at pains to point out that the pass prices have not risen half as sharply as the park pass prices so she thought it was still a bargain (and to be honest so do we!)
Out of the AP office and the smallest member of our party spotted Ariel on the Fantasyland Stage. There was no moving until she had seen her so we queued to meet her. As we walked up to her Ariel spotted her name badge and greeted her by name - her little face was an absolute picture.
From here we walked round to Buzz, 10 minute queue so we joined. Just as we got near the front the ride stopped and then people started to come out. We decided to stick it out and were rewarded when it got going soon after.
By this time it was around 1pm and we were starving so we headed into Videopolis to grab some lunch. The Lion King show was on (French version) but the kids still enjoyed it. Full of food we headed round into Fantasyland. I can't honestly recall what we went on in here but I know we took our usual route from there straight to POTC - unfortunately no sign of Captain Jack.
From here it was through to fastpass Big Thunder Mountain and then back out to the Main Plaza in time for the parade. We knew someone working on the parade that day (Winnie the Pooh) so we positioned ourselves to look out for the float and give them a wave.
Following the parade we decided to head out of the park and back to check in to the hotel. We stopped on the way to see friends working at Planet Hollywood and have a cheeky Desperados and a Woo Woo (if you've never tried these drinks they're both fab). With our table booked for 8 that evening we carried on back to SL.
Back at the hotel, we got our room details and found out no upgrade but we hadn't expected it so no problems. However when we got to the rooms it was clear one of them hadn't been made up from the last occupants plus it stank of smoke despite it being a no smoking room. There was no way we wanted to stay in it even if housekeeping came as we're all non smokers and we didn't want the kids in it. So 2 of us headed back down to reception to let them know. The guy we spoke to was really helpful and swapped the rooms and also upgraded us to Lakeside rooms! So we went to check they were OK (which they were) and went back to get the rest of the group and move our bags.
A quick shower and change and it was almost time to go back out again. We walked slowly back through the Village and arrived at Planet for just after 8. Food was great as always coupled with some Despos and Woo Woos to wash it all down. By this time though the kids were flagging so we just had our tea and then made our way back to the hotel. By 10pm we were all in bed and dreaming of the next day and Tower of Terror.
Day 2 to follow....
You got an upgrade!! 
Then scan from one of the discount bar codes from a book.
