We're back - Highs and Lows plus Un Rêve a Vivre

[rottie155]

Highs and lows - September 2014

Hi all!

I'm going to make this very simple, there were NO lows.

Now that part is out of the way, I can now reveal that DBF and I sneaked off to DLP for a few days as part of our anniversary together. We decided that there was no better way to celebrate than be in the magic together, and we were right! The trip was PERFECT!

- The weather was beautiful, warm and bright.

- The park, albeit is currently undergoing a lot of building refurbishments, was gleaming! The rides were all fully functional too. Pirates of the Caribbean was working perfectly with the swinging pirate and cannons firing... Space Mountain was the best I've EVER seen it, the cannon was shooting smoke out again, even lots of smoke and lasers on the ride itself!

- The Cast Members were all top notch and couldn't do enough for you.

- Characters! Oh my, there were characters everywhere we turned on this trip! It was so nice to see so many characters randomly appearing across the parks - it was magical!

- Ratatouille ride was out of this world amazing! For anyone who has not yet visited it, GO!!!

- Eating at Bistrot Chez Remy. The food was delicious. I have gone into more detail about this below as I know you will want to see food photos!

- Seeing all the Halloween decorations was amazing too. DBF had never seen them before so it was lovely to share that together.

- Un rêve à vivre dinner package! We booked this for our anniversary and it was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY! I can't tell you how amazing this was - I have written a full on report of the evening including photos below for you to enjoy...

 

[rottie155]

Un rêve à vivre dinner:-

As we arrived at California Grill, I told the lady we had a reservation for the "un rêve à vivre" dinner and straight away she said our names and collected the restaurant manager who came to meet us, shake our hands and walk us to our table. As we arrived at our table, two gorgeous menus with gold ribbon were awaiting us on the table which was reserved looking out to the Castle:

Our waiter for the evening then greeted us and walked us through the menu and the evening. As he was explaining all seven dishes we were thinking "surely we only pick a couple of these to enjoy for our meal?"... And then...

A glass of sauternes was brought over:

Our amuse bouche was brought over (gaspaccio, fried Parmesan Madeleine and a sea-bass in lemon on wafers with caviar on top):

Our cold starter was then brought out (foie gras soaked in cognac covered in white chocolate, beetroot with raspberry shavings and two slices of lightly toasted bread):

We were then asked what wine we would like next. We allowed our waiter to make his recommendation for us and he chose the White (Sancerre - my favourite!!) to accompany the next dishes...

Then came the hot starter (it was like a mushroom risotto in toast and creamy mushroom risotto hidden under a flour case with poached egg):

A plate of fish was then brought out in the form of dessert - it looked almost too good to eat:

We were then given the choice of our next wine, we opted for the red this time to accompany our next plate...

Then came our beef. This was shredded beef and onion in a red wine jus hidden under a cabbage case with carrots, olive oil mashed potatoes and a pastry crisp:

At this point it was 8:20pm and Dreams was due to start in ten minutes time so we were invited to take a little break and leave everything on the table (we were reassured that it was our table for the entire evening and we must take as long as we need, no rushing whatsoever, to enjoy the night). We were then taken to Castle Club where we were given the choice of Lanson Champagne Black Label or Lanson Rosé to enjoy as we sat in our reserved table next to the window overlooking the castle (we choose the rosé for those who are wondering).

Dreams was incredible - we wasn't sure how much we would enjoy it from afar, but we realised that some parts were actually better. So much happens that you miss it when you're up close on the ground. Looking down at Main Street watching the show was breathtaking. The track is played inside Castle Club too so you can hear everything perfectly!!

After the show we were allowed as long as we wanted to enjoy the Castle Club. We stayed for another half an hour looking around and taking photos (DBF had never been there before now so he was happy looking around).

We then decided we were ready to go back and continue our marathon of dishes in California Grill. As promised - when we arrived back to our table, nothing had changed or moved and our wine was sitting waiting for us...

Next plate, cheese. A cheese table was brought over and we were given the choice of any cheeses we wanted, no limits:

Lastly, dessert. This was a Praline moose/jelly type dish. The most INCREDIBLE dessert I have ever had in my life and I could have ate it twenty times over!! Oh yes, and this came with yet some more wine (we switched back to the Sancerre):

Once our gastronomic experience was over, our waiter walked us across to Cafe Fantasia where we were met by the Bar Manager who shook our hands, seated us and gave us the choice of any cocktail. We opted for our all time DLH favourite - Bacardi Royale. This was brought out with more nibbles (when will the food stop?!?!) and a little shooter of our favourite drink too:

We began our evening at 6:45pm... The night ended at 11:15pm. This was much much much more than an expensive meal and Dreams viewing - this was the ultimate VIP experience in every sense of the word. We were wined, dined and treated like absolute Royalty for the entirety of the evening and was the perfect way to spend our anniversary together. And what's more, the beautiful menu is your gift to keep so you can always have a little bit of the magic with you at home too. I would recommend this wholeheartedly to anybody!! Oh, and yes - I was able to use my shareholder card for a 15% discount too...

 

[rottie155]

Bistrot Chez Rémy

First of all, I need to say that the Ratatouille ride is AMAZING!! There's nothing that beats this or even comes close at Disneyland Paris right now and DBF and I ended up riding this six times. I really don't want to spoil it for anybody who has not yet been on the ride - but I PROMISE you, you will be in complete and utter awe the entire time! A tip from us, the single rider queue is well worth optimising on... Yes, you get separated - but you walk right on the ride, as opposed to the hour long queue...

Now for the restaurant, the food was DELICIOUS. It is a set menu with two choices, we went for the steak. The starter remains the same no matter what, and that's a salad - but the most gorgeous and tastiest salad I've had in a looooooong time, I had the chocolate cake for dessert and we treated ourselves to the special Remy red wine too...

 

[DLPdaft]

a thousand thank yous for posting your photos Adam !

I love it when you go all-out on your trips, its like we're all there with you when you come back and tell us all about it . I'm especially glad you posted photos of Bistro Chez Remy, I have very fussy eaters coming with me on our next trip so I won't be able to eat there yet, but the theme looks fabulous.

 

[SilentK]

Thanks for posting, I love food pics. It all looks amazing

 

[rottie155]

a thousand thank yous for posting your photos Adam !

I love it when you go all-out on your trips, its like we're all there with you when you come back and tell us all about it . I'm especially glad you posted photos of Bistro Chez Remy, I have very fussy eaters coming with me on our next trip so I won't be able to eat there yet, but the theme looks fabulous.

You are soooo welcome Elaine! I love that we can all share in eachothers magic - it makes it even more special!!

Glad the food photos were of help too... Not sure if your fussy eaters are adults or children, but if they are children, there was also a children menu in Bistrot Chez Remy and I took a photo of this too incase it helped anybody on here:-

 

[loladelorean]

LOVING all this. And of course, you are royalty my dear, especially when its your anniversary

I was just looking yesterday for the Bistro Chez Remy menu, thank you for posting it! Bit weird that there's no choice of starter but the mains sound lovely and the interior of the restaurant looks incredible. Oo i can't wait for our trip!!

 

[rottie155]

LOVING all this. And of course, you are royalty my dear, especially when its your anniversary

I was just looking yesterday for the Bistro Chez Remy menu, thank you for posting it! Bit weird that there's no choice of starter but the mains sound lovely and the interior of the restaurant looks incredible. Oo i can't wait for our trip!!

You little lovely you!!!

I knew that if I came back without any menu pictures for you my life would not be worth living!!!

The lack of starter choice was odd, but honestly - it was the most delicious salad I've eaten in a LONG time! It was so fresh, tasy and flavoursome! The rest of the meal was just as delicious too, but I became a little obsessed with the salad afterwards and asked DBF if we can buy some Sesame and Soy vinigarette to try replicate this at home!

I can't wait for your trip too - especially because I get to do cocktails with you and the family !!!
You MUST MUST MUST do the Ratatouille ride before you dine in the restaurant, even if not on the same day - personally, I feel like the ride sets you up for the experience... I don't want to ruin anything so I won't say too much - but just trust me and make sure you've been on the ride before eating at the restaurant.

 

[micksn]

The park is looking fabulous for Harvest/Halloween. Thanks for posting the photos Very excited for our half term trip, although I think it might be a bit busier

 

[pascalstongue]

Both meals look amazing! Thank you for posting your photos. Chez Remy restaurant is define toy on the list for our next trip.

 

[Anemone]

How lovely.

Especially great to get such a detailed description of the VIP package and with your fabulous photos too. Would absolutely love this but would need another fellow foodie to share it with. Someday maybe.

Glad you had a good trip.

 

[jillrobinson]

OMG your California Grill experience was amazing, fab fab photos, Happy Anniversary. BTW
Counting down to riding Ratatouille ourselves and I've made a reservation for Bistrot chez Remy, although I know Liams only going to eat dessert!
Glad you had such a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Danauk]

Thanks for posting the review of Un Reve a Vivre, it sounds wonderful. I am seriously considering this next year for our anniversary trip. Glad you can use the shareholders discount on it too! Did you book this through the regular dining line or do you email VIP services?

 

[rottie155]

Thanks for posting the review of Un Reve a Vivre, it sounds wonderful. I am seriously considering this next year for our anniversary trip. Glad you can use the shareholders discount on it too! Did you book this through the regular dining line or do you email VIP services?

You are so welcome! I found there was a lack of information about this before we did it this week and wanted to share the full details with everyone on here

I really really really do recommend it - it was the most perfect evening and actually our all time Disney highlight, ever.

When I booked I called the reservation line as normal and then they gave me an email address at the Disneyland hotel but I cannot remember it, sorry. It was all really easy though!!

If you need any information just ask and I will do my best to let you know

 

[Jonjo]

My wife and I have also experienced the Dream to Live experience. The view from the Founders Club is wonderful.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Looks like you had a fantastic time

The experience at DLH looks wonderful and I love the photos of Bistro Chez Remy - we'll be in there in a couple of weeks too

The park looks absolutely stunning with the Halloween decorations starting to appear.

Thanks so much for posting, glad you had such a great time

 

[DLPDreams]

What a fantastic sounding trip! My DH and I dined in California Grill for our 10th Wedding Anniversary a few years ago and it was lovely - so decadent. Unfortunately the Dreams dinner wasn't available then, but we had a wonderful time nevertheless Everyone should eat in there at least once!

I've only been once at this time of year (pre the children being at school!) and it was an amazing time to go for meeting characters, we were literally bumping into them all over! I have read it is often the time used for new CM characters to cut their teeth, so that is why there tends to be lots out. Not sure if this is true but I guess it is a quieter time of year for them!

I LOVE those pictures of Mickey & Goofy drawn on the pavement - how talented is that CM!!! It is the little things like that, that make a Disney day so special .

Thanks for sharing!

 

[rottie155]

My wife and I have also experienced the Dream to Live experience. The view from the Founders Club is wonderful.

Jonjo it was your visit and recommendation which inspired DBF and I to book this!! If your ears were burning last week that's because when we were there we were saying how glad we were you spoke to highly of it because otherwise we would have never booked!!! So thank you !!!!!!!!

 

[rottie155]

Looks like you had a fantastic time The experience at DLH looks wonderful and I love the photos of Bistro Chez Remy - we'll be in there in a couple of weeks too The park looks absolutely stunning with the Halloween decorations starting to appear. Thanks so much for posting, glad you had such a great time

Hello you!!!!
It was an amazing mini-break for us - exactly what we needed!!
Bistrot Chez Remy is absolutely gorgeous, you will LOVE it I'm sure!! The ride is incredible too, make sure you visit it! The Halloween decorations are gorgeous - and quite overwhelming (in a good way), there's just so many about you don't know where to look!! DBF has vowed that we have to go for Halloween next year because he fell in love with the theming so much!

What a fantastic sounding trip! My DH and I dined in California Grill for our 10th Wedding Anniversary a few years ago and it was lovely - so decadent. Unfortunately the Dreams dinner wasn't available then, but we had a wonderful time nevertheless Everyone should eat in there at least once! I've only been once at this time of year (pre the children being at school!) and it was an amazing time to go for meeting characters, we were literally bumping into them all over! I have read it is often the time used for new CM characters to cut their teeth, so that is why there tends to be lots out. Not sure if this is true but I guess it is a quieter time of year for them! I LOVE those pictures of Mickey & Goofy drawn on the pavement - how talented is that CM!!! It is the little things like that, that make a Disney day so special . Thanks for sharing!

You're certainly right about California Grill. It was absolutely gorgeous in there and the food was second to none! Absolutely perfect evening!

I think there's a lot of truth there about the new CM's, we did get that feeling - but it was great to see and the fun and interaction we had was fantastic!

You're completely right, the small touches are what makes Disney so special and magical - we loved watching the CM going around cleaning - and when nobody was looking he just quietly began to create character faces out of water. Completely magical!

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Firstly Happy Anniversary!!! Secondly WOW what amazing photos....it made me rush off and book Chez Remy for our first day....going to use our hotel fastpass to ride Ratatouille then into lunch....cannot wait!

Your VIP experience at DLH looks amazing and seems a perfect way to mark a very special occasion.

Thanks for sharing