ruthiebabie
Hey There Hi There Ho There Its A Disney Kind Of D
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2007
- Messages
- 522
Day 3
Day 3 started early with a 7.30am breakfast for 6 of the group who were going to take advantage of RMH. Myself and Lazy Lyz were up for around 8.30am to head to the station to catch the train to Val de Europe to hit the shops. Mental note for future they do not open until 10am! However the cafe half way down was open so a couple of cafe au laits and pain au raisins helped to pass the time.
Just before 10 we set off walking to find the visitor centre in the La Vallee Village. This is because as shareholders you can get a discount book from them for money off the shops in the village. We found the centre at 10am and the door was unlocked so we went in but there was no one around. Eventually a lady came down and told us we could not stay in the building as none of the staff were there! I did point out we'd already been there unaccompanied for 5 minutes and managed not to steal the laptop/stuff in the office! Just as we were about to leave the receptionist arrived and we got the discount book.
This book entitles you to 10% off most of the prices that are already discounted. I've not looked through it all yet but I wanted to take advantage of Starbucks (for some of their thermal mugs - 10 euros there and £18 in the Uk so a good saving and then an extra 10% off. I also hit Molton Brown with gusto stocking up on all my faves again with 10% off
We then walked back through the main shopping centre most of which still had sales on - there were some good bargains to be had in menswear for DH and also kids stuff.
We caught the train back at about 12.00 and nipped into the Studios to grab 2 fastpasses for TOT before heading into the main park and meeting everyone else at POTC. The queue was 40 mins at this point but they decided to risk it. Princess Lucy had decided despite doing the ride a number of times that she "didn't like Pirates" so me, Lyz and Nan sat enjoying the sun and munching on butties we had bought from Val de Europe.
When they came out of Pirates we nipped back into Fantasyland to do Alices Curious Labyrinth and then once again headed to fastpass BTM (there's a theme here) walking over the bridge and past the Swiss Family Robinson tree. The last time I went up the tree was the year the park opened! I'm assuming it hasn't changed much so hope I am not missing out on anything.
The fastpass time was only about 30 mins away from the current time so we decided to go in Fuente del Oro and have a drink/snack. Again the passes came out to get discount (keep forgetting that Shareholders gives you more off on food than Dream does!)
At this point Helen (Princesses Mum) and Nan headed off to the Disneyland Hotel as they had booked in the new Celestial Spa. Their reports afterwards were that it was fantastic - Nan had the Shiatsu massage and said she felt like she had a new body. Helen had the pedicure and took off her boots later at the airport to show us her shiny red toes!
While they were there we went on BTM fastpass with Vix taking Princess Lucy to the exit to baby swap with me.
Baby swap done we had some time to kill before our tea at Plaza Gardens so we mooched in the shops down Main Street before ending up at the top of Main street to catch the parade (again). Its funny over 3 days how you notice the differences e.g. Ariels Prince was missing on day 2, the soldiers from Toy Story had dropped in numbers from 4 to 1 by day 3, and there were not as many pirates with Captain Hook. We waved again to our friend who was Pooh.
After that it was down the back of the other arcade via a few shops to Plaza Gardens.
Our tea was booked for 5pm and we joined a queue of people who had prepaid and had vouchers. It was a bit of a scrum to be honest. You are seated in the right hand side of the restaurant and our server took us to a table at the far end in what looks like the conservatory bit. Everyone got settled and I went to pay. Again forgot the Shareholders 15% and only presented the Dream pass so got 10% off. However it worked out at 81 euros for 7 and an infant which we didn't think seemed bad.
Those with birthdays seemed to be sat nearest the buffet. The main restaurant was roped off but I did see a number of people duck the ropes and help themselves to the main buffet which had a much wider selection. We didn't do this and frowned at those who did!.
Now for the buffet - I'll do it in a Generation Game style (UK readers will know what I mean), there were yoghurts, cake platters, fruit salad, big fruit basket, doughnuts, brioches, pastries, butter, jams, on the hot counter there were sausages, hash browns, tomatoes, omlettes, breads and there was then lots of cold drinks pre poured, water and a hot drinks machine.
You could go back and help yourself as many times as you wanted. It was a bit of an odd mix but it filled a gap.
Now for the characters - we knew no Mickey and Minnie but thought it would be maybe be the less "big" characters. Anyway first out was the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, then came King John, Friar Tuck and Robin Hood, followed by Eeyore and who I think was Scrooge McDuck.
A CM made sure that they came to all tables (apart from Robin Hood who disappeared early). In between all of this each of the birthday parties had Happy Birthday played and the characters gathered round. All in all we spent about an hour and a bit there.
We then slowly made our way out of the park and back through the Disney village for some last minute shopping. Back at SL we commandeered a sofa in the bar and began the process of squashing all our purchases into our cases.
Our shuttle bus (Parisshuttle.com via the easyjet site) was due to pick us up at 7.15 and was on time. It took us approx 30 mins again back to the airport and there was no queue at Easyjet so we checked straight in. We went through passport control and were delighted to spot a new improved duty free!!! The kids were also pleased to spot a new kids play area and as the only occupants of it they ran off the last of their energy.
Our flight was showing as delayed but all of a sudden it was announced and we were off. Tip for those that haven't flown Easyjet before - when they put you on the shuttle to take you to the plane the bus only opens its front doors by the driver to offload. So make your way to the front of the bus and you'll be first off onto the plane.
Flight back had a tail wind so we were back to Liverpool early. All wedged
into the car (apart from Vix who lives close by to the airport and who was picked up) and we bombed back down the M62. All home for midnight to dream about our next trip.
Things we didn't do this time that we normally do Phantom Manor, Space Mountain, Its A Small World (closed), Dumbo, the train around the park, Animagique, Cinemagique. Things we hardly ever do (not really sure why - they are just not our faves) .... Orbitron, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Art of Disney Animation, Studio Tram tour.
Now here is hopefully a link to the photos - I've still some to upload and they need some tags adding but I thought they added to the trip report so here goes....
http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj212/rhcrawshaw/DLRP Jan 2008/
Day 3 started early with a 7.30am breakfast for 6 of the group who were going to take advantage of RMH. Myself and Lazy Lyz were up for around 8.30am to head to the station to catch the train to Val de Europe to hit the shops. Mental note for future they do not open until 10am! However the cafe half way down was open so a couple of cafe au laits and pain au raisins helped to pass the time.
Just before 10 we set off walking to find the visitor centre in the La Vallee Village. This is because as shareholders you can get a discount book from them for money off the shops in the village. We found the centre at 10am and the door was unlocked so we went in but there was no one around. Eventually a lady came down and told us we could not stay in the building as none of the staff were there! I did point out we'd already been there unaccompanied for 5 minutes and managed not to steal the laptop/stuff in the office! Just as we were about to leave the receptionist arrived and we got the discount book.
This book entitles you to 10% off most of the prices that are already discounted. I've not looked through it all yet but I wanted to take advantage of Starbucks (for some of their thermal mugs - 10 euros there and £18 in the Uk so a good saving and then an extra 10% off. I also hit Molton Brown with gusto stocking up on all my faves again with 10% off
We then walked back through the main shopping centre most of which still had sales on - there were some good bargains to be had in menswear for DH and also kids stuff.
We caught the train back at about 12.00 and nipped into the Studios to grab 2 fastpasses for TOT before heading into the main park and meeting everyone else at POTC. The queue was 40 mins at this point but they decided to risk it. Princess Lucy had decided despite doing the ride a number of times that she "didn't like Pirates" so me, Lyz and Nan sat enjoying the sun and munching on butties we had bought from Val de Europe.
When they came out of Pirates we nipped back into Fantasyland to do Alices Curious Labyrinth and then once again headed to fastpass BTM (there's a theme here) walking over the bridge and past the Swiss Family Robinson tree. The last time I went up the tree was the year the park opened! I'm assuming it hasn't changed much so hope I am not missing out on anything.
The fastpass time was only about 30 mins away from the current time so we decided to go in Fuente del Oro and have a drink/snack. Again the passes came out to get discount (keep forgetting that Shareholders gives you more off on food than Dream does!)
At this point Helen (Princesses Mum) and Nan headed off to the Disneyland Hotel as they had booked in the new Celestial Spa. Their reports afterwards were that it was fantastic - Nan had the Shiatsu massage and said she felt like she had a new body. Helen had the pedicure and took off her boots later at the airport to show us her shiny red toes!
While they were there we went on BTM fastpass with Vix taking Princess Lucy to the exit to baby swap with me.
Baby swap done we had some time to kill before our tea at Plaza Gardens so we mooched in the shops down Main Street before ending up at the top of Main street to catch the parade (again). Its funny over 3 days how you notice the differences e.g. Ariels Prince was missing on day 2, the soldiers from Toy Story had dropped in numbers from 4 to 1 by day 3, and there were not as many pirates with Captain Hook. We waved again to our friend who was Pooh.
After that it was down the back of the other arcade via a few shops to Plaza Gardens.
Our tea was booked for 5pm and we joined a queue of people who had prepaid and had vouchers. It was a bit of a scrum to be honest. You are seated in the right hand side of the restaurant and our server took us to a table at the far end in what looks like the conservatory bit. Everyone got settled and I went to pay. Again forgot the Shareholders 15% and only presented the Dream pass so got 10% off. However it worked out at 81 euros for 7 and an infant which we didn't think seemed bad.
Those with birthdays seemed to be sat nearest the buffet. The main restaurant was roped off but I did see a number of people duck the ropes and help themselves to the main buffet which had a much wider selection. We didn't do this and frowned at those who did!.
Now for the buffet - I'll do it in a Generation Game style (UK readers will know what I mean), there were yoghurts, cake platters, fruit salad, big fruit basket, doughnuts, brioches, pastries, butter, jams, on the hot counter there were sausages, hash browns, tomatoes, omlettes, breads and there was then lots of cold drinks pre poured, water and a hot drinks machine.
You could go back and help yourself as many times as you wanted. It was a bit of an odd mix but it filled a gap.
Now for the characters - we knew no Mickey and Minnie but thought it would be maybe be the less "big" characters. Anyway first out was the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, then came King John, Friar Tuck and Robin Hood, followed by Eeyore and who I think was Scrooge McDuck.
A CM made sure that they came to all tables (apart from Robin Hood who disappeared early). In between all of this each of the birthday parties had Happy Birthday played and the characters gathered round. All in all we spent about an hour and a bit there.
We then slowly made our way out of the park and back through the Disney village for some last minute shopping. Back at SL we commandeered a sofa in the bar and began the process of squashing all our purchases into our cases.
Our shuttle bus (Parisshuttle.com via the easyjet site) was due to pick us up at 7.15 and was on time. It took us approx 30 mins again back to the airport and there was no queue at Easyjet so we checked straight in. We went through passport control and were delighted to spot a new improved duty free!!! The kids were also pleased to spot a new kids play area and as the only occupants of it they ran off the last of their energy.
Our flight was showing as delayed but all of a sudden it was announced and we were off. Tip for those that haven't flown Easyjet before - when they put you on the shuttle to take you to the plane the bus only opens its front doors by the driver to offload. So make your way to the front of the bus and you'll be first off onto the plane.
Flight back had a tail wind so we were back to Liverpool early. All wedged
into the car (apart from Vix who lives close by to the airport and who was picked up) and we bombed back down the M62. All home for midnight to dream about our next trip.
Things we didn't do this time that we normally do Phantom Manor, Space Mountain, Its A Small World (closed), Dumbo, the train around the park, Animagique, Cinemagique. Things we hardly ever do (not really sure why - they are just not our faves) .... Orbitron, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Art of Disney Animation, Studio Tram tour.
Now here is hopefully a link to the photos - I've still some to upload and they need some tags adding but I thought they added to the trip report so here goes....
http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj212/rhcrawshaw/DLRP Jan 2008/
??
) and the sepia ones of the Castle are 
