Trip report - day 1

[A Small World]

Cast:
Me
DH
DD- 7- loves Princesses especially Belle

Background:
The trip was part of a 2 week holiday in France where we spent 9 days relaxing at a campsite at Berny Riviere (about an hour away) then moved on to stay at Santa Fe for 2 nights (with tickets for the parks for 3 days) then moved again to Explorers (without tickets for the parks.) We planned to do as much as we could in the 3 days and take advantage of the EMH.

We wanted to eat at Walts and have a character breakfast as we hadn’t done these before but apart from that we had no real itinerary.

Due to a problem when paying for the trip we had been offered free tickets for Buffalo Bills on our 2nd night and VIP fast passes for the 3 days- these proved to be invaluable.

Day 1.- 9th April.
We had planned to try and be in the park as soon as possible after opening (8.00 with EMH) so we had packed the car the night before and left it outside the barrier of the campsite ready to leave at 7.00. We were up very, very early and raring to go or as raring as I can be at that time of morning- I don’t do mornings!!!
The roads were empty so we arrived before 8.00 and headed straight for Santa Fe to check in and collect our tickets. We were given our tickets and vouchers for Buffalo Bills and Character Breakfast but no VIP fast passes. We asked about these and explained we had been given them but the CM looked a bit confused. Fortunately we had the Email we had been sent which she took away and then returned with the fast passes. Whilst DH was sorting this I took DD to the shop to buy an autograph book.
I also picked up a leaflet from the reception desk which explained which rides were open during EMH.
We were then ready to hit the parks and decided to get the bus instead of walking.
We were pleased when we reached the entrance that hotel guests were directed through a separate gate to the bag check. We had to show our hotel ID to be allowed through this early. No queuing to get in like last year.
We headed straight for Fantasy Land to do what rides we could there before the park opened however we were surprised how busy it was and it was still not even 8.30. We went on Snow White first and then decided to have a second turn as there was only a short queue. We then went to Pinocchio but it wasn’t open even though it was meant to be so decided to go on the Carrousel instead. We only had a very short wait again.
After this DH took DD to queue for Dumbo. The lines for this were big already and there’s no way I would have queued later on.
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Whilst they waited I went to check out the new menu at Auberge de Cendrillon. We hadn’t intended eating here as we had been last year but whilst we were at the campsite we had used the internet to look at the DIS board threads and noticed one about the change to a Princess Character meal. We knew how much DD would love this and so decided to splash out and go for it. I booked a table for us on our last day at lunch time.
After DH and DD came off Dumbo it was getting close to park opening time. Nothing else was open in Fantasyland except the teacups (and I’m not too keen on the spinning and DH doesn’t do spinning at all) and Peter Pan (the queues for this were massive and as we could use our VIP fast passes for this later in the day we didn’t see the point in waiting) so we decided to wait near the rope drop to Adventure land to head for PoC as soon as it opened.
As the rope dropped we headed there and walked straight on. This is one of our favourite rides and we were to ride it several times over the next few days. We then went on Swiss Family Robinsons Tree house where we got some good views of the park.
We then headed to BTM but got a bit lost on route but were pleased we did as we came across Captain Hook, Mr Smee, Baloo and a monkey. DD had her photo taken and got autographs with them all except Baloo as one or two teenagers seemed intent on keeping him to themselves.
We reached BTM where we used our VIP fastpasses to go on. It was brilliant just being able to flash the pass and be waved on. Im not too keen on rollercoasters but had agreed to ride this once. DD however loves it and as soon as we came off she wanted to go on again so DH took her back on while I looked at some of the shops nearby.
We had a reservation for Walts at 1.00 so decided to wander over to Main Street to look in a few shops before hand. We did this and managed to catch the Character Express. The characters got off the Character Express in front of the castle and wandered about however we didn’t go back to meet them as we were right outside Walts. It was only 12.15 but we were really hungry as we hadn’t had any breakfast. We were also starting to flag a bit and so decided to ask if we could get in earlier then 1.00. It was a good job we checked as they didn’t have a booking for us at all. We had phoned from France the previous week to book it. However they were able to fit us in at 12.30 instead. The Alphabet parade then came along so we just had time to watch this as well. Not sure if the letters were meant to spell a word but we couldn’t work it out.

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We then went into Walts which we really enjoyed- I’ll do a report on the restaurant thread.
Feeling refreshed after lunch and a rest we headed over to Discovery Land to ride Buzz. Again we used our fast passes so only had a very short wait. Of course DH got the highest score!!!!!
We then decided it was time to stake out a place for the parade. We had decided to watch it from near the beginning near Small World. We sat down and waited getting hotter and hotter and more cramped by the minute. Just before the parade started DD stood up to get a better view but I was unable to move as I was jammed in so I watched peering round peoples legs.
The parade was OK but I was a bit disappointed. It seemed very short and there didn’t seem many dancers etc between the floats. Im not sure that I liked the fact that some floats were split between 2 stories either (eg Lion King at front and then Jungle book at back). There also seemed to be a lot of animated characters on some floats rather then real characters. In my opinion the best ones were the Princess floats. One good part is when the whole parade stopped and some characters got off to interact. Because of where we were sitting the Princesses got off near us to dance which was nice but Belle stayed on the float (I assume because the Beast couldn’t get off) and was on the other side of the float to us and just a bit too far back for DD to get a wave from her. I decided to watch the parade again though another day to give it another chance.

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As soon as the parade had ended we headed onto Small World - another of our favourite rides and again another which we were to ride several times during the 3 days.
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We had intended watching the Candlebration at 6.00 then going back to Santa Fe to collect our key however we were again flagging and were feeling really hot so decided to head out of the park to go back to Santa Fe to get our room and freshen up. We walked back and collected our key and unloaded our bags. The kettle was quickly unpacked as a cup of tea was urgently needed. We then showered and changed and headed back into the park.
It was nice to see quite a few people leaving as we were going back in. We stopped at Market House Deli on Mainstreet and had a ham and cheese baguette and a drink (very nice). Whilst we were eating there was an announcement to say there was an extra candlebration at 9.00 (This was the case each evening we were there) so we were glad we hadn’t already watched it as we decided it would be better at 9.00 when it was darker.

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It was then back to Buzz again with VIP fast pass. (Again DH got the highest score!!!!) We then decided to go on the train but there was quite a long queue. We were told the trains were every 10 minutes. Eventually one arrived but we didnt get on as not many people got off. The CM then said it would be 20 mins til the next one so we decided not to wait as there was no guarantee we would get on that either. We decided to walk to Fantasy Land and do PP with fast pass. The queues were still enormous and I can never understand why people wait so long for this. May have also done a few other rides in FL but not sure. We then went to PoC again and walked straight on. When we had finished we stayed on for another ride. I find it a lovely ride to do at the end of the day- its long and you can just sit and enjoy it.
We then headed to watch Candlebration which was lovely and I’m sure so much better in the dark.
We then decided to head back to the hotel looking in a few shops on the way as it was almost time for the park to close, we’d been up since the early hours and had another long day ahead of us. We walked back and DD and I clambered into bed as soon as we could however DH insisted on setting the phone for a wake up call from Goofy. However the instructions were all in Spanish so he went to reception to try and sort it. They apologised and said they’d reset it to English but however many times he tried it was still in Spanish so he gave up and set the alarm on his phone instead. What a disaster that was to be!!!! but that’s day 2 so you’ll have to wait………..

 

[duff]

Thanks for the fantastic trip report. It makes me want to buy the Dream APs to get in early.

A non-disney question, what was the weather and temperture like for camping at Easter in France? With the APs I plan to go back next year and camping is something my whole family love.

Neil

 

[kevankiki]

Great trip report, can't wait to read the next installment!

We also watched the parade that day, we were stood opposite Belle Notte (near the seats), I assume you might have been nearer the beginning as we didn't see Cinderella dancing with the prince (I suspect that was around the time we were being entertained by King Louie! )

 

[kevankiki]

Thanks for the fantastic trip report. It makes me want to buy the Dream APs to get in early.

Not sure when you are going, but If you need a sponsor then feel free to drop me a PM

 

[poppyolivia]

Thanks for that..your photos are superb

 

[A Small World]

In reply to the question about camping in France at Easter - this is the 3rd year we have done it - twice at Berny Riviere and once in Brittany. However we were in a mobile home not a tent. Each time we have found the weather good although it did get cold in the evenings but we had taken jumpers and hot water bottles. We wouldnt hesitate to do it again.

 

[BRobson]

Great first day and lovely photos.

 

[jillrobinson]

Enjoying your trippie, love the way you've presented your photographs.

 

[A Small World]

Thanks. DH is our photographer and its thanks to him they're posted on here. Anything like that is too technical for me.

Ive just posted day 2 with even more photos.

 

[Cass2000]

Sounds fab, read with interst. Off in 3 weeks. Interested in your comments about leaflet explaining which rides were open during EMH. Is it the same each day or do they alternate the different "lands".

 

[A Small World]

Hi and Welcome.

I think it seems to be same rides open each day for EMH. Worth getting up early to do though as you get a few rides done.


There is a site you can look at which tells you which days have EMH morning and which pm. Sorry I dont know how to post link to it but someone else will be able to.

 

[A Small World]

Forgot to say I also posted a list of rides open during EMH on another thread- think its title was 'EMH and how theyre working' Again sorry dont know how to link to it.

 

[tennisfan]

Thanks for sharing your report. I love the photos

 

[Dianetigger]

A great reports, what a busy but fabulous first day. Love the pictures!

 

[**TINKS**]

great trip report we holiday at the sante fa aswell great for home 2 home isnt it ... oh we cant wait to go now lol ...

 

[Disney owl]

Great start & brilliant photos.

We;ve stayed at Berny several times including our last visit to DLP in 2005

 

[Cyrano]

Excellent report and photos

 

[Ware Bears]

Lovely report, your photos are

 

[tttessa]

Just getting round to other peoples trippies - wow yours is great. Love the photos - sounds like you had a great time too

By the way - the character parade spells out " D-I-S N-E-Y L-A-N and D" We're following the letters, the letters, the letters...... what a daft parade it was - but the kids loved it.....

Tessa

 

[Rachie B]

aww fab report and pics

We stay @ Berny Riviere when we "do" DLRP

will be our 2nd time there this July cant wait

We only have 1 day at Disney though,we drive down early and spend all day there then drive back at night

Maybe next time I will persuade hubby that we *need* to stay in a Disney Hotel and have 2 days at the park