HAZELGROVE
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2006
- Messages
- 39
We were all up around 8am and ventured down stairs to try brekkie in the hotel. As the supermarket was closed on Sunday, we didnt get to stock up for either breakfast or for snacks in the park. But we always like to try the hotel at least once for food. I had read poor reviews of the hotel breakfast and must say I agree. At 12 for adults and 6 for kids it is not good value. I dont know how the price compares with other hotels but it was not worth the money. Typical continental fare was on offer i.e. croissants, breads, cold meats & cheeses, fruits, yogurts etc. Tea & coffee were available from a machine dispenser. Cereal selection was poor muesli or 2 types of chocolate coated flakes no thanks. Fortunately we brought weetabix with us for the baby and at least we got fresh milk for the bottles !!
After brekkie it was time at last to get this party started - Disney here we come !!! We were going to buy the park tickets at the hotel but forgot to the get them the night before and as the hotel reception was very busy with people checking out, we decided to buy the tickets at the park (big mistake !!)
Weather was lovely and sunny but with a cool breeze.
Went outside to catch the pink no 50 shuttle bus which runs every 15-20 mins at peak times and then about hourly after that. Arrived on time at 0919 but was packed and didnt even stop. So didnt hang around and headed for the train station around the corner. I am sure another bus was going to come along but we didnt want to wait.
One of the pluses of this location is the RER train station 1 stop from DLPR and 40 mins to Paris. The fare to DLRP is about 1 per person per journey so for us (6 adults, 2 kids + baby) around 11 day return . One tip is that you can buy the tickets the night before to avoid queuing in the morning. So off we went by train and arrived one minute later at around 945am.
Walked out of the station, through bag security and there it was Disneyland Paris at last !! But the place was absolutely heaving we headed straight to get our day tickets and into our first queue of the day !! it took almost an hour to get through to buy tickets. Monday morning I am sure is always busy but I guess particularly after the start of the 15th celebrations. Enquired about AP's and told I could buy them there then with the photos to be taken later at PP Office. I showed her the sponsorship forms and was told these were not valid. I knew they were because I had double checked with sponsor so she suggested I bought the single day passes and then sort all out with the PP office. I accept full responsibility for this mess-up. Not a good start for the kids as we were building it up for them all morning and then to get so near and have to queue for an hour just to get in, not easy for a 6 and 4 yr old !!
Around 11am we got through and it was so busy !! I think the kids and ourselves were a bit overawed by it all and the crowds did seem a bit intimidating for the little ones. But the castle looked great and as we headed down main st I think it started to sink in. We were here at last. Up to Central Plaza and headed right for Fantasyland. Massive queues already for Dumbo, Tea Cups and Small World so headed for the Casey Jr which was closed so we went on Storybook next door at last a ride (in a boat) at Disney and this was a pleasant start. 4 year old was feeling bit under the weather so went back to get a buggy as the queue had settled down. Came across the characters parade just at town square which was a bonus !! Back up to meet the rest and headed for Autopia which my 6 yr old was keen to try - queue was 45 mins but decided to stick with it to get this show on the road proper. We had a good laugh on this but be warned there are no brakes on the cars and there are traffic lights near the end which caused a few collisions. ! Next was the Buzz Lightyear restaurant with indoor play area for lunch. Food was poor and play area closed. This day is not going well and the crowds seem to be getting bigger. Forgot to mention we had earlier picked up our fist FPs for Buzz of course so headed there after lunch. The lads really enjoyed this and the FP is a god send. Granted you only skip maybe half the queue but at least there is Buzz entertainment as you snake your way up to the ride. This was one we would be doing again.
Back to Fantasyland to do Casey Jr and this went down well. Nice views down over Storyland too.
I wanted to get the APs sorted out so we headed for the PP office. A bit if a queue ant told there would be a 30 min wait. So put our name down and let the rest go for a walk. The chap at front desk asked for photo id. What ? But our passports are at the hotel !! Never even thought of them. Thankfully my mum had her driving licence with her ! Phew god bless the mammies !! I had sponsorship forms with me received from a fellow board member. I enquired about getting this and the 20% family discount he smiled. Not a chance of a 30% reduction which I knew but he did say we could do the family discount and also credit the sponsors so everyones a winner !!
When our name was called however, the person behind the desk said no chance it was one discount or the other !!
My buddy at the front desk was gone so I went for the sponsorship so as not to let my fellow board member down.
A tip for those with 5 family members or more proof of address does not appear to be an issue. Also my wife uses her maiden name and that wasnt even queried. So If you have grandparents with you then use them for the family discount !! or even your nephews and nieces if the name matches id was only requested for one person. I have discovered since that they are doing free APs for under 7s so I am going to query this by email. Not very happy if i missed out on that !
Anyway, got sorted eventually photos taken at the counter which was handy and then headed for Adventureland via the dragon under the castle.
I felt a bit relieved to get the APs sorted so I could relax a bit more. Herself and the eldest boy went on POTC as the queue was short enough and the rest of us headed for Pirates Beach playground which our 4 year old loved.
Around 5pm at this stage and everywhere was busy there was a cold wind blowing even though it was sunny so decided to head for the Rainforest Café in the village for our main meal of the day. I have to say we had a lovely meal and the interior fascinated our boys. The moving elephants were great and the lads played animal eye spy while waiting for their food. Pencils and colouring menus were also provided. Total price for 3 adults and 2 kids including drinks was 110 which included our 10% discount with our fantasy APs. Typical main course is around 20 and the kids are 15 each which includes desert and drink. Watch out for the price of a pint of 1664 lager almost 7 !! We did get a 20% discount voucher for the nearby Ludwigs Castle which we didnt get to use. So time to head back to the hotel to reflect on day one in the park and try to make tomorrow a more productive day and learn from our mistakes.
After brekkie it was time at last to get this party started - Disney here we come !!! We were going to buy the park tickets at the hotel but forgot to the get them the night before and as the hotel reception was very busy with people checking out, we decided to buy the tickets at the park (big mistake !!)
Weather was lovely and sunny but with a cool breeze.
Went outside to catch the pink no 50 shuttle bus which runs every 15-20 mins at peak times and then about hourly after that. Arrived on time at 0919 but was packed and didnt even stop. So didnt hang around and headed for the train station around the corner. I am sure another bus was going to come along but we didnt want to wait.
One of the pluses of this location is the RER train station 1 stop from DLPR and 40 mins to Paris. The fare to DLRP is about 1 per person per journey so for us (6 adults, 2 kids + baby) around 11 day return . One tip is that you can buy the tickets the night before to avoid queuing in the morning. So off we went by train and arrived one minute later at around 945am.
Walked out of the station, through bag security and there it was Disneyland Paris at last !! But the place was absolutely heaving we headed straight to get our day tickets and into our first queue of the day !! it took almost an hour to get through to buy tickets. Monday morning I am sure is always busy but I guess particularly after the start of the 15th celebrations. Enquired about AP's and told I could buy them there then with the photos to be taken later at PP Office. I showed her the sponsorship forms and was told these were not valid. I knew they were because I had double checked with sponsor so she suggested I bought the single day passes and then sort all out with the PP office. I accept full responsibility for this mess-up. Not a good start for the kids as we were building it up for them all morning and then to get so near and have to queue for an hour just to get in, not easy for a 6 and 4 yr old !!
Around 11am we got through and it was so busy !! I think the kids and ourselves were a bit overawed by it all and the crowds did seem a bit intimidating for the little ones. But the castle looked great and as we headed down main st I think it started to sink in. We were here at last. Up to Central Plaza and headed right for Fantasyland. Massive queues already for Dumbo, Tea Cups and Small World so headed for the Casey Jr which was closed so we went on Storybook next door at last a ride (in a boat) at Disney and this was a pleasant start. 4 year old was feeling bit under the weather so went back to get a buggy as the queue had settled down. Came across the characters parade just at town square which was a bonus !! Back up to meet the rest and headed for Autopia which my 6 yr old was keen to try - queue was 45 mins but decided to stick with it to get this show on the road proper. We had a good laugh on this but be warned there are no brakes on the cars and there are traffic lights near the end which caused a few collisions. ! Next was the Buzz Lightyear restaurant with indoor play area for lunch. Food was poor and play area closed. This day is not going well and the crowds seem to be getting bigger. Forgot to mention we had earlier picked up our fist FPs for Buzz of course so headed there after lunch. The lads really enjoyed this and the FP is a god send. Granted you only skip maybe half the queue but at least there is Buzz entertainment as you snake your way up to the ride. This was one we would be doing again.
Back to Fantasyland to do Casey Jr and this went down well. Nice views down over Storyland too.
I wanted to get the APs sorted out so we headed for the PP office. A bit if a queue ant told there would be a 30 min wait. So put our name down and let the rest go for a walk. The chap at front desk asked for photo id. What ? But our passports are at the hotel !! Never even thought of them. Thankfully my mum had her driving licence with her ! Phew god bless the mammies !! I had sponsorship forms with me received from a fellow board member. I enquired about getting this and the 20% family discount he smiled. Not a chance of a 30% reduction which I knew but he did say we could do the family discount and also credit the sponsors so everyones a winner !!
When our name was called however, the person behind the desk said no chance it was one discount or the other !!
My buddy at the front desk was gone so I went for the sponsorship so as not to let my fellow board member down.
A tip for those with 5 family members or more proof of address does not appear to be an issue. Also my wife uses her maiden name and that wasnt even queried. So If you have grandparents with you then use them for the family discount !! or even your nephews and nieces if the name matches id was only requested for one person. I have discovered since that they are doing free APs for under 7s so I am going to query this by email. Not very happy if i missed out on that !
Anyway, got sorted eventually photos taken at the counter which was handy and then headed for Adventureland via the dragon under the castle.
I felt a bit relieved to get the APs sorted so I could relax a bit more. Herself and the eldest boy went on POTC as the queue was short enough and the rest of us headed for Pirates Beach playground which our 4 year old loved.
Around 5pm at this stage and everywhere was busy there was a cold wind blowing even though it was sunny so decided to head for the Rainforest Café in the village for our main meal of the day. I have to say we had a lovely meal and the interior fascinated our boys. The moving elephants were great and the lads played animal eye spy while waiting for their food. Pencils and colouring menus were also provided. Total price for 3 adults and 2 kids including drinks was 110 which included our 10% discount with our fantasy APs. Typical main course is around 20 and the kids are 15 each which includes desert and drink. Watch out for the price of a pint of 1664 lager almost 7 !! We did get a 20% discount voucher for the nearby Ludwigs Castle which we didnt get to use. So time to head back to the hotel to reflect on day one in the park and try to make tomorrow a more productive day and learn from our mistakes.
.
never mind the children, I would have been climbing the walls being so close to the park yet having to wait that long to get tickets! 
