jodyb
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 15, 1999
- Messages
- 788
Trip Report
Disneyland Paris
Jan. 26 through Feb. 2 2004
Cast:
Liav (12)
Jody (Liav's mother and old enough to be that!)
Friday, Jan. 30, 2004
Well, the plan was to return to Paris today by train and go to some museums but when she woke up Liav made it clear that she intended to go to DISNEYLAND she'd had quite enough of Paris yesterday, thank you! It was cold and drizzly actually would have been a good day for museums but I didn't want to force that (and it isn't as if someone has to twist my arm to get me on Main Street!) So, down to the SL breakfast we went this time pretty early and we were about the only ones in the restaurant. We got to Disneyland Park before opening, but they started letting people in just a minute or two after we arrived. Still very few people around.
Pirates of the Carribean I don't think I've mentioned yet that this ride is SO DIFFERENT here than in WDW. I never really liked this ride until Disneyland Paris. As I've said ad infinitum about so many rides, the sound track is high quality, and that makes such a difference. But in addition, the ride is just better! Don't take this the wrong way, but it reminded me of Splash Mountain in that it's a whole experience, not just a "ride". There was so much to see, even after riding several times we were pointing out new things to each other. Really liked this ride. Floating past the Blue Lagoon made it look like a really attractive place to eat, but when I looked at the menu and prices I decided to save that for when she's older it would have been wasted on her now and very expensive. Does look nice though.
We saw the Princess Parade again, and for some reason this day the final float was missing (Dumbo). There may have been some other missing floats as well as the parade seemed very short. I can't blame them though. The weather really was off and on, and it could have poured rain on the performers at any moment. Still, we really enjoy this parade.
After the parade we decided to grab a rest at the hotel since we wanted to be back in the park for Fantillusion and we were fading We decided to grab the bus back to the hotel since it was starting to rain again.
By the way, the yellow shuttle buses from the hotel to the park were very convenient and we never (except for once) waited more than 2 or 3 minutes for one to arrive. We used them for about half the trips between the hotel and park, and the other times we walked a very short walk through the village and past the New York hotel skating rink. I really love that everything is within close proximity. If not for the cold we would probably not have needed the bus at all.
We got back to the hotel around 4:30 and Liav watched Disney Channel and I took my book down to the lounge and ordered (guess what) Tennessee coffee! I really wanted a second one, but the alcohol cancels out the caffeine and it would have put me to sleep
Around 6:15 we were back on the yellow bus all bundled up against the cold to enjoy the night parade. I thought we'd have to grab a spot at 7, but even at 7:20 there were no crowds on the curbs We sat on the steps near the main street bakery until about 7:25. At the five minute announcement people did start seriously lining up and we moved to the curb. For those who don't know where the bakery is it's about 1/3 of the way toward the castle from the entrance to Main Street.
The Fantillusion parade is WONDERFUL. I have always loved the night parades the lights, the music but this was by far the best I've seen! Absolutely fantastic. When the second float went by (just a lighted platform with curtains) I told my daughter I wonder who's inside there! Of course there were characters inside, but as it turned out we didn't know that until the next day (see tomorrow's report).
When the parade stopped, there was a LONG GAP such that in front of us there was NOTHING to see! Absolutely nothing but empty street from the beginning of Main Street almost to the end! I was so disappointed! We could barely see how near the end of Main Street something was going on with the floats, but could not make out what. The nearest float behind those was still near Town Hall! I've never seen such a long gap in a parade. Many people around us could see nothing for the few minutes of the stop. Then of course the parade continued but there were no more stops. I knew from reading about it that this must have been a problematic night for the parade, since I knew what was supposed to happen, but we enjoyed it anyway. We vowed to come back the next night and take a different spot closer to the castle. (stay tuned)
I am a parade "follower" I like to fall in line behind the rope the CM's drape behind the last float and follow the parade until it disappears enjoying the music
But my daughter thinks this is absolutely lame, and all but refused to do it with me she says "It's over!" "Deal with it!" LOL We followed the parade just to the end of Main Street and then she made me turn around. We took some pictures of the castle at night and then I thought we'd get a drink and browse the shops . But .
Now, I'm not sure if this is because of the very small crowds and the pretty bad weather or if it is always like this a DLP, but after the parade everything closed up! I was so disappointed! At WDW my favorite hour is after "closing" they don't actually close the shops and snack bars until quite a bit after the night parade and fireworks there and I expected as much here, but we could barely grab a coke at the Deli and then we left because the stores were clearly not in the mood to welcome us. If anyone reading this can tell me is it always like this or just when attendance is low?
Anyway, we did linger to enjoy the lights on Main Street and the castle The castle does not change colors as it does at WDW, but on the other hand it's so beautiful and colorful anyway
I also missed the fireworks which there were none our entire stay
We walked slowly through the village, pausing for a while for a live music performance, but then it got pretty cold so we kept going. We stopped at McDonalds again and then walked back to SL. My feet were seriously killing me at that point. We had walked a LOT that day!
Will they go to Paris again?
Will they see the stops in the parade?
Stay tuned for tomorrow
Disneyland Paris
Jan. 26 through Feb. 2 2004
Cast:
Liav (12)
Jody (Liav's mother and old enough to be that!)
Friday, Jan. 30, 2004
Well, the plan was to return to Paris today by train and go to some museums but when she woke up Liav made it clear that she intended to go to DISNEYLAND she'd had quite enough of Paris yesterday, thank you! It was cold and drizzly actually would have been a good day for museums but I didn't want to force that (and it isn't as if someone has to twist my arm to get me on Main Street!) So, down to the SL breakfast we went this time pretty early and we were about the only ones in the restaurant. We got to Disneyland Park before opening, but they started letting people in just a minute or two after we arrived. Still very few people around.
Pirates of the Carribean I don't think I've mentioned yet that this ride is SO DIFFERENT here than in WDW. I never really liked this ride until Disneyland Paris. As I've said ad infinitum about so many rides, the sound track is high quality, and that makes such a difference. But in addition, the ride is just better! Don't take this the wrong way, but it reminded me of Splash Mountain in that it's a whole experience, not just a "ride". There was so much to see, even after riding several times we were pointing out new things to each other. Really liked this ride. Floating past the Blue Lagoon made it look like a really attractive place to eat, but when I looked at the menu and prices I decided to save that for when she's older it would have been wasted on her now and very expensive. Does look nice though.
We saw the Princess Parade again, and for some reason this day the final float was missing (Dumbo). There may have been some other missing floats as well as the parade seemed very short. I can't blame them though. The weather really was off and on, and it could have poured rain on the performers at any moment. Still, we really enjoy this parade.
After the parade we decided to grab a rest at the hotel since we wanted to be back in the park for Fantillusion and we were fading We decided to grab the bus back to the hotel since it was starting to rain again.
By the way, the yellow shuttle buses from the hotel to the park were very convenient and we never (except for once) waited more than 2 or 3 minutes for one to arrive. We used them for about half the trips between the hotel and park, and the other times we walked a very short walk through the village and past the New York hotel skating rink. I really love that everything is within close proximity. If not for the cold we would probably not have needed the bus at all.
We got back to the hotel around 4:30 and Liav watched Disney Channel and I took my book down to the lounge and ordered (guess what) Tennessee coffee! I really wanted a second one, but the alcohol cancels out the caffeine and it would have put me to sleep
Around 6:15 we were back on the yellow bus all bundled up against the cold to enjoy the night parade. I thought we'd have to grab a spot at 7, but even at 7:20 there were no crowds on the curbs We sat on the steps near the main street bakery until about 7:25. At the five minute announcement people did start seriously lining up and we moved to the curb. For those who don't know where the bakery is it's about 1/3 of the way toward the castle from the entrance to Main Street.
The Fantillusion parade is WONDERFUL. I have always loved the night parades the lights, the music but this was by far the best I've seen! Absolutely fantastic. When the second float went by (just a lighted platform with curtains) I told my daughter I wonder who's inside there! Of course there were characters inside, but as it turned out we didn't know that until the next day (see tomorrow's report).
When the parade stopped, there was a LONG GAP such that in front of us there was NOTHING to see! Absolutely nothing but empty street from the beginning of Main Street almost to the end! I was so disappointed! We could barely see how near the end of Main Street something was going on with the floats, but could not make out what. The nearest float behind those was still near Town Hall! I've never seen such a long gap in a parade. Many people around us could see nothing for the few minutes of the stop. Then of course the parade continued but there were no more stops. I knew from reading about it that this must have been a problematic night for the parade, since I knew what was supposed to happen, but we enjoyed it anyway. We vowed to come back the next night and take a different spot closer to the castle. (stay tuned)
I am a parade "follower" I like to fall in line behind the rope the CM's drape behind the last float and follow the parade until it disappears enjoying the music
But my daughter thinks this is absolutely lame, and all but refused to do it with me she says "It's over!" "Deal with it!" LOL We followed the parade just to the end of Main Street and then she made me turn around. We took some pictures of the castle at night and then I thought we'd get a drink and browse the shops . But .
Now, I'm not sure if this is because of the very small crowds and the pretty bad weather or if it is always like this a DLP, but after the parade everything closed up! I was so disappointed! At WDW my favorite hour is after "closing" they don't actually close the shops and snack bars until quite a bit after the night parade and fireworks there and I expected as much here, but we could barely grab a coke at the Deli and then we left because the stores were clearly not in the mood to welcome us. If anyone reading this can tell me is it always like this or just when attendance is low?
Anyway, we did linger to enjoy the lights on Main Street and the castle The castle does not change colors as it does at WDW, but on the other hand it's so beautiful and colorful anyway
I also missed the fireworks which there were none our entire stay
We walked slowly through the village, pausing for a while for a live music performance, but then it got pretty cold so we kept going. We stopped at McDonalds again and then walked back to SL. My feet were seriously killing me at that point. We had walked a LOT that day!
Will they go to Paris again?
Will they see the stops in the parade?
Stay tuned for tomorrow
!
