Trip Report Part 6 (Final Part)

[Ware Bears]

Our last day

We checked out of the hotel and got to the park by 9am again. We checked our cases into Guest Storage which would have cost 2.50 euros per item but you are allowed 3 items free for each annual pass. We then visited Salon Mickey. What a lovely place, very elegant and timeless. We will definitely come here again.

We queued for a photo with Minnie.

The girls and I rode Peter Pan, then we all did the Story book boat ride again. I think however many times you do a ride, you will always notice something you have missed before. Next we entered Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, we all enjoyed this and there were some lovely views from the little castle. Then back to our favourite, Big Thunder Mountain! Danielle had been carrying her big Mickey around with her and the CM in charge of the trains hijacked him and sat him on the front engine. I think she really thought he was going to do the ride sat there!

Then we made our way to the Lucky Nugget for lunch. It was very busy, we stayed over two hours and they were turning people away the whole time we were there. It was very nice food and I loved the decor and the band. However we were a little disappointed with the characters. We were seated at a table by the stage and they kept missing us out. I think this was partly because there was a large group who had two tables pushed together and by the time they had visited all of them the characters had their backs to us, and partly because they kept getting mobbed by children. I was amazed at how rough some of these children were to the characters, their parents didn’t seem to care and were actually encouraging them to approach them when they were having photos taken with other diners! This was the only thing we didn’t like about the restaurant, trouble was we had been spoilt at Inventions and the Steakhouse because they weren’t busy and of course we have also been spoilt because in WDW this would never happen. If children approach the characters out of turn at a meal there, they are politely asked to return to their seats and your server, sorry cast member, will regularly ask if you are being visited by the characters. Anyhow, enough of this complaining, I think it just has to be put down to cultural differences.

This didn’t stop us having a lovely time there and by the time we left, we had met lots of characters! The ones there that day were Friar Tuck, Minnie, Tigger, Mr Smee, Robin Hood, Brer Fox, Donald Duck and Daisy. The only one we didn’t meet was Mr Smee. Donald made us laugh. We had taken photos with Daisy and were just getting up to leave when there was this almighty bang on our table. When we turned round, it was Donald and he was very very angry because he thought we were leaving without taking his photo!

After lunch we waddled, yes we had overeaten as usual , up to Phantom Manor and did this for the last time.

Then it was all the last minute shopping and we treated ourselves to a Fantasia snowglobe. We caught the end of the WWD parade outside the Emporium, we had forgotten it had been brought forward to 4pm. That was an unexpected treat! We then reluctantly left the park at 5.15pm, collected our cases and trundled down to the station.

 

[Ware Bears]

The Eurostar was in and we were able to board straight away. What a relief as it was a very hot day and I was so glad to be able to sit down! The train left on time and we were served a delicious meal of chicken breast in sauce, cheesy potatoes and mange tout followed by chocolate mousse, a Disney chocolate lolly, wine and tea or coffee. We were even given a couple of bottles of wine to take home with us! Remind me not to eat a large lunch on departure day next time we come!

Soon after a passenger was taken ill in the next carriage and we stopped at Lille so that she could be taken to hospital. I don’t think it was anything too serious as she was able to walk but what a terrible end to your holiday. We got back into Waterloo at 9.15pm, only 45 minutes late and were able to trundle on round to catch the 9.35pm train back to Bournemouth. Luckily it was almost empty so we were able to get seats!

We eventually arrived home around midnight, tired but very very happy!
Well, that is the end of my trip reports, I hope you have not found them too boring!

When I returned from WDW in April 2004, I never expected to be back at a Disney park so soon. We all loved our time at DLRP, Disney is Disney whether it is in America or France and we cannot wait until we return at Christmas!

 

[Cyrano]

Wow, I thought yesterday was the last day. Just shows the advantage of Eurostar, which is no use to us in Scotland

I've enjoyed every day of your reports and great photographs. I'm presuming that Brtan took a few since he is not in them

 

[diberry]

That was brilliant Elaine just like all the other installments have been and your photos are great - everyone just looks so happy! It's a real shame about character interaction at DLP - it really could be so much better if parents would make their children wait their turn rather than pushing in on other people's photo opportunities - but as you say it's no doubt the continental way of doing things. However it's not really a Disney way of doing things and wouldn't be too much of an infringement of national customs if a bit of order was introduced. Maybe we should all write to guest relations. I might just do that when we get back from our next trip which, incidentally, starts 3 weeks today!!!
Thanks for sharing all your happy days at DLP with us - you all look such a lovely family!

 

[Renate_do]

Then we made our way to the Lucky Nugget for lunch. It was very busy, we stayed over two hours and they were turning people away the whole time we were there. It was very nice food and I loved the decor and the band. However we were a little disappointed with the characters. We were seated at a table by the stage and they kept missing us out. I think this was partly because there was a large group who had two tables pushed together and by the time they had visited all of them the characters had their backs to us, and partly because they kept getting mobbed by children. I was amazed at how rough some of these children were to the characters, their parents didn’t seem to care and were actually encouraging them to approach them when they were having photos taken with other diners! This was the only thing we didn’t like about the restaurant, trouble was we had been spoilt at Inventions and the Steakhouse because they weren’t busy and of course we have also been spoilt because in WDW this would never happen. If children approach the characters out of turn at a meal there, they are politely asked to return to their seats and your server, sorry cast member, will regularly ask if you are being visited by the characters. Anyhow, enough of this complaining, I think it just has to be put down to cultural differences.

Yepp that is a main problem at DLRP and that is why we are not going again to the character dinner at the Lucky Nugget and the Breakfast at Cafe Mickey...and probably Plaza Garden. As I wrote before it is even worse for adults without children. And when you mention that you pay more as an adult and you are almost "not seen" by the characters and kids are spoiling your meal as the athmosphere is noisy and hectic and you are not aware that your food will end at the floor cause a child is running into you, we definetly prefer the buffet at the Inventions. So doing Inventions twice gives you more than 3 times Lucky Nugget for the same money!

Greets Renate

 

[DisneyRGB]

Just read parts 5 & 6 Elaine, really enjoyed them and once again your photos are fantastic! I'm so glad you all had a great time at DLP!!

 

[bonhoga]

Thanks very much Elaine for all the work you have put into these trip reports - I'm just sorry that was the last one...........maybe you will remember some little details you want to share and add a post script!!

K

 

[ely3857]

You dared turn your back on Donald Duck

Rude European kids are my only complaint with DLRP



Jodie

 

[Ware Bears]

Rude European kids are my only complaint with DLRP



Jodie

Unfortunately I am ashamed to say that the ones at the next table to us who were REALLY badly behaved were British.

Thank you everyone for the nice things you have said, I may even attempt a mini-report for our Christmas trip.

 

[diberry]

sorry - duplicate post!!

 

[diberry]

Thank you everyone for the nice things you have said, I may even attempt a mini-report for our Christmas trip.

It's mandatory for anyone coming up to 2000 posts - or just past 2000 as you will be by then!!!

 

[jillrobinson]

I really enjoyed reading your report it was lovely, I agree with everyone there needs to be some sort of protocol for the Character meals, my two DS's are always happy to sit and wait for them to reach our table but it's more than a little annoying then when you're then surrounded by everyone else's kids.
Some of my work colleagues are WDW veterans and seem to think that we're missing out by just visiting DLRP so it was really nice to read your comments

 

[BONITATIME]

You dared turn your back on Donald Duck

Rude European kids are my only complaint with DLRP

My experience is with screaming british children in restaurants.
Nikki

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Elaine, I really enjoyed so much reading your "charming" happy reports !!!

I HAD to read them all !!!!

Thanks for sharing your "magic moments " !!!!!!

I felt like I was visiting DLP with you all !!! and you surely made me think of many happy memories I have made in those parks with my family !!!


HOPE your next trip is as beautiful !!!!! and ... I'm waiting for ... maybe some more pictures or details from this trip !!!


Ciao, Laura

 

[Verity Chambers]

Glad you had such a great time.

Thanks for the reports and photos, ther are great.

 

[Bexx]

Thank you for your wonderful reports and photos Elaine!! Sounds like you had a great first visit and now you have a different DLP experience to look forward to in December!!

 

[Disney owl]

definately not boring, i've sat & read all 6 together & realy enjoyed them all.

Thanks again.

 

[Miffy2003]

Elaine what wonderful reports - thank you so much for sharing them with us. I am so glad you loved DLP - I have heard some negative feedback from people who compare it unfavourably to WDW and I am so pleased you didn't feel the same way

 

[Ware Bears]

One day I hope I can say I have visited all the Disney parks.

DH's brother has just emigrated to Australia and is getting married in April 2007. Goodness knows why they are waiting until then as it is going to be a very quiet affair and they have been together eight years LOL! Anyhow we are about to book our next holiday to WDW for March/April 2007 so I asked the girls if they would prefer to go to Australia with a stopoff at Hong Kong. This did not go down at all well, Florida won hands down. Mind you, if I had not known this was the answer they would give I would not have risked asking them!

 

[Miffy2003]

One day I hope I can say I have visited all the Disney parks.

DH's brother has just emigrated to Australia and is getting married in April 2007. Goodness knows why they are waiting until then as it is going to be a very quiet affair and they have been together eight years LOL! Anyhow we are about to book our next holiday to WDW for March/April 2007 so I asked the girls if they would prefer to go to Australia with a stopoff at Hong Kong. This did not go down at all well, Florida won hands down. Mind you, if I had not known this was the answer they would give I would not have risked asking them!

Elaine, I also hope that one day I can visit all the parks