Cast - me, 40(just!) 3rd trip to DLRP this year
dd, 6 (my favourite excuse to go to DLRP)
dniece, 7 (2nd ever trip to DLRP)
Monday 19th November -
Left home at 2.30pm, to meet up with Dniece at the airport. Checked in quickly, then had a coffee with my sister, dniece's mum, before going through security and passport control. The girls are already chattering away nineteen to the dozen with excitement
.
Boarded the plane and left on time for Paris CDG. Dniece's first ever flight - she loved it (although she did get a sore ear on descent). Landed and out by the exit by around 7.40pm, just too late to get the VEA to our hotel, but I had booked with rstransports for a transfer - 55 euro for the 3 of us, lovely car with wide leather seats (and a rather overpowering air freshener
). Arrived at the Hotel Cheyenne at 8.30pm, checked in very quickly, then dumped the cases and went for dinner at the Chuck Wagon. From there, straight to bed for the 3 of us, anticipating all the new things we wanted to see and do the next day 
.
Tuesday 20th November -
Up and out for breakfast at 7.30, restaurant very quiet at that time. Then went back to the room to get our provisions sorted out (and check we had autograph books, camera, batteries etc), plus waterproof coats and gloves (the forecast before we went said rain for today, and boy! that was right). We walked along the riverside between the Santa Fe and the Cheyenne, arrived at security a little after 9.15. We got through security around 5 minutes after that when it opened, then down to the park gates themselves, where we again waited until just after 9.30, when the gates opened. Just before that, Minnie came to the gate area, driven in a cute little car. My girls were ooohing and aaaahing already
.
Through into the park we went, and just stopped in awe as we went under the railway and saw the bandstand area - that beautiful tall Christmas tree, all the baubles and garlands, and Santa Goofy's area - WOW
!!
We wandered up Main St, saw the snowy area in front of the castle etc, and waited for about 5 minutes at the gate to Frontierland for rope-drop. In Frontierland, we ambled along through, right to the back at Santas grotto. We waited there for around 15 minutes (I thought it might be a popular place, but it was so quiet all over the park, I never saw more than about a dozen people there at any time), then we saw Santa, who wished the girls a very Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho
. On the way out, we passed the Woodys roundup areas, where the girls had their pics taken on Bullseye, and with Stinky Pete.
Then we left Frontierland, and headed back to Main St, just in time for Casey Jnr and the Character Express - with snow!!! It was brill, Casey looks great in his Christmas garlands. It was now 11am, and we went into Fantasyland, and did Peter Pan, Dumbo, teacups, carousel, and IASW, with no lines (we got fastpass for Peter Pan, but didn't really need to, as it was only showing a 10-minute wait). We walked down through Belles Christmas Village - so pretty. Belle and Beast alternating their signings every half hour at the stained glass backdrop there.
At just before noon, we stopped for something to eat at the Bella Notte - the girls loved their pizza, I had a decent pasta bolognese and garlic bread there too. Just as we were finishing, we saw lots of characters coming up to near the gates at IASW from the Character Express, so we dashed out into the rain to get some autographs. Rafiki (who insisted on trading autographs for kisses) Prince John (who glared at me for pointing out he was going to get wet feet
) Mr Smee (we asked him "where is Tinkerbelle" and he scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders 
) and Friar Tuck - who was amazing with the kids - he picked my girls, and 3 other little children, to play "ring a ring a rosie" with - the pure joy on the childrens faces was wonderful to see. WOW!!! 
.
After all that excitement, we wandered back through Fantasyland, up through Belles Village, where Belle was still signing, with only a few people waiting, so the girls got their autograph books out and a lovely picture too - Belle looks soooooooo beautiful in her winter gown
. We took the path out of Fantasyland to Adventureland, and from there to Frontierland, joining the fast-moving line into the theatre for the Mickey Winter Wonderland show. In a few minutes we were seated, and a few more the show began. Lovely festive show, really gets you in the holiday mood.
The show finished just after 2pm, so from there we went to Buzz, which was almost a walk-on, and then we looked for somewhere to stop for a drink and a bite to eat. I think at this point everyone else in the entire park was having the same idea - all the cafes on Main St (plus the seats in the arcades) were full, so we headed to the Hyperion cafe and got a table. The Lion King show wasn't showing today, but the girls were happy watching the old Disney cartoons on the big screens there.
We went back to Fantasyland then, did some more rides with no lines (carousel again, IASW again, teacups again) then it was time for the Parade. We got a great spot just on the corner opposite Bella Notte, and just as the main Parade music started, the rain eased off, and the floodlights which line the parade route came on. WOW - I've seen the OUAD parade in daylight, but there was something extra magical about it all floodlit. The extra Christmas bit at the end was lovely too - very traditional.
After the Parade, we went back and did the carousel again, then into Adventureland for a tour around the Aladdin story, then down to Caseys on Main st for a seat under the canopy and a hot drink. It was while we were there that we heard the tinkly music for the first time, then the snow fell again on Main St. Honestly, I felt like crying with happiness - I think it was the perfect moment - dark night, everyone buttoned up and gloves etc on, my girls chasing the snowflakes and twirling in it. WOW !!!
Then it was time for Enchanted Candleabration - double WOW WOW WOW with bells on! I really have no words for how stunning this was - as my dniece said just after it "its worth coming here just for that" !
The end of the park day had come and gone, so we went to Annettes for dinner, then just about managed to haul ourselves through the Disney store in the Village, ticking off our pressie lists as we were going (and being good to ourselves too
), before lugging it all back to the bus stop for the Cheyenne, and bed. We were asleep very quickly tonight, exhausted but guaranteed sweet Disney dreams.
Elaine
dd, 6 (my favourite excuse to go to DLRP)
dniece, 7 (2nd ever trip to DLRP)
Monday 19th November -
Left home at 2.30pm, to meet up with Dniece at the airport. Checked in quickly, then had a coffee with my sister, dniece's mum, before going through security and passport control. The girls are already chattering away nineteen to the dozen with excitement
.Boarded the plane and left on time for Paris CDG. Dniece's first ever flight - she loved it (although she did get a sore ear on descent). Landed and out by the exit by around 7.40pm, just too late to get the VEA to our hotel, but I had booked with rstransports for a transfer - 55 euro for the 3 of us, lovely car with wide leather seats (and a rather overpowering air freshener
). Arrived at the Hotel Cheyenne at 8.30pm, checked in very quickly, then dumped the cases and went for dinner at the Chuck Wagon. From there, straight to bed for the 3 of us, anticipating all the new things we wanted to see and do the next day .Tuesday 20th November -
Up and out for breakfast at 7.30, restaurant very quiet at that time. Then went back to the room to get our provisions sorted out (and check we had autograph books, camera, batteries etc), plus waterproof coats and gloves (the forecast before we went said rain for today, and boy! that was right). We walked along the riverside between the Santa Fe and the Cheyenne, arrived at security a little after 9.15. We got through security around 5 minutes after that when it opened, then down to the park gates themselves, where we again waited until just after 9.30, when the gates opened. Just before that, Minnie came to the gate area, driven in a cute little car. My girls were ooohing and aaaahing already
.Through into the park we went, and just stopped in awe as we went under the railway and saw the bandstand area - that beautiful tall Christmas tree, all the baubles and garlands, and Santa Goofy's area - WOW
!!We wandered up Main St, saw the snowy area in front of the castle etc, and waited for about 5 minutes at the gate to Frontierland for rope-drop. In Frontierland, we ambled along through, right to the back at Santas grotto. We waited there for around 15 minutes (I thought it might be a popular place, but it was so quiet all over the park, I never saw more than about a dozen people there at any time), then we saw Santa, who wished the girls a very Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho
. On the way out, we passed the Woodys roundup areas, where the girls had their pics taken on Bullseye, and with Stinky Pete.Then we left Frontierland, and headed back to Main St, just in time for Casey Jnr and the Character Express - with snow!!! It was brill, Casey looks great in his Christmas garlands. It was now 11am, and we went into Fantasyland, and did Peter Pan, Dumbo, teacups, carousel, and IASW, with no lines (we got fastpass for Peter Pan, but didn't really need to, as it was only showing a 10-minute wait). We walked down through Belles Christmas Village - so pretty. Belle and Beast alternating their signings every half hour at the stained glass backdrop there.
At just before noon, we stopped for something to eat at the Bella Notte - the girls loved their pizza, I had a decent pasta bolognese and garlic bread there too. Just as we were finishing, we saw lots of characters coming up to near the gates at IASW from the Character Express, so we dashed out into the rain to get some autographs. Rafiki (who insisted on trading autographs for kisses) Prince John (who glared at me for pointing out he was going to get wet feet
) Mr Smee (we asked him "where is Tinkerbelle" and he scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders ) and Friar Tuck - who was amazing with the kids - he picked my girls, and 3 other little children, to play "ring a ring a rosie" with - the pure joy on the childrens faces was wonderful to see. WOW!!! .After all that excitement, we wandered back through Fantasyland, up through Belles Village, where Belle was still signing, with only a few people waiting, so the girls got their autograph books out and a lovely picture too - Belle looks soooooooo beautiful in her winter gown
. We took the path out of Fantasyland to Adventureland, and from there to Frontierland, joining the fast-moving line into the theatre for the Mickey Winter Wonderland show. In a few minutes we were seated, and a few more the show began. Lovely festive show, really gets you in the holiday mood.The show finished just after 2pm, so from there we went to Buzz, which was almost a walk-on, and then we looked for somewhere to stop for a drink and a bite to eat. I think at this point everyone else in the entire park was having the same idea - all the cafes on Main St (plus the seats in the arcades) were full, so we headed to the Hyperion cafe and got a table. The Lion King show wasn't showing today, but the girls were happy watching the old Disney cartoons on the big screens there.
We went back to Fantasyland then, did some more rides with no lines (carousel again, IASW again, teacups again) then it was time for the Parade. We got a great spot just on the corner opposite Bella Notte, and just as the main Parade music started, the rain eased off, and the floodlights which line the parade route came on. WOW
- I've seen the OUAD parade in daylight, but there was something extra magical about it all floodlit. The extra Christmas bit at the end was lovely too - very traditional.After the Parade, we went back and did the carousel again, then into Adventureland for a tour around the Aladdin story, then down to Caseys on Main st for a seat under the canopy and a hot drink. It was while we were there that we heard the tinkly music for the first time, then the snow fell again on Main St. Honestly, I felt like crying with happiness
- I think it was the perfect moment - dark night, everyone buttoned up and gloves etc on, my girls chasing the snowflakes and twirling in it. WOW !!!Then it was time for Enchanted Candleabration - double WOW WOW WOW with bells on! I really have no words for how stunning this was - as my dniece said just after it "its worth coming here just for that"
!The end of the park day had come and gone, so we went to Annettes for dinner, then just about managed to haul ourselves through the Disney store in the Village, ticking off our pressie lists as we were going (and being good to ourselves too
), before lugging it all back to the bus stop for the Cheyenne, and bed. We were asleep very quickly tonight, exhausted but guaranteed sweet Disney dreams.Elaine
! It really was a magical happy moment wasn't it 
