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[Malin]

Friday the 29th of Febuary 2008

Arrived at Paris Beauvais Airport, which is Paris third and smallest Airport and boarded coach to Paris "Porte Maillot. From here it was a short trip on the Metro Line 1 over to Charles de Gaulle Etoile station. From here I followed the signs that say RER A, and boarded another train in direction of Marne Valley Chessy. Journey time takes aprox 2-3 hrs. I would never usually travel this way but unfortunately only one airline offers direct flights to Paris through my local airport, and that's Paris Beauvais Airport.

Crowds on the trains were heavy but do start to thin out a bit once you start approaching the Resort. Arriving at the station Marne Valley Chessy I had two options either take the free shuttle to Sequoia Lodge or take the 5 minute walk into the Disney Village and around the lake. I choose the second option.



Check in was easy and I was handed my pack and the Cast Member explained all about the Extra Magic Hours and the St David's Day Welsh Festival. Also for some unknown reason I was upgraded to a Suite. While also at reception I made reservations for the meal in the evening, which was buffet at Beaver Creek Tavern. By the way both restaurants at Sequoia Lodge are now full buffets.

My room/suite was located on the 6th floor over looking the lake and Village. You could also spot park icons like Sleeping Beauty Castle and Tower of Terror.











After grabbing my camera I headed back to the park. The New York Hotel had its ice skating rink out. This is a really nice feature that the Resort offers for the cold winter months. The Newport Bay Club looked fantastic the other side of the lake, except for the mould growing on the hotels roof. And it was a shame too as everything else up to that looked clean and well maintained.



Walking through the Village I noticed a lot of work being done on what I believe is new tree's or something. Also I noticed a Welsh shopping village in the centre that is being used as part of the Resorts Welsh Festival to mark the Welsh holiday St David's Day.



Part 2 coming soon.....

[toonarmylass]

thats cool malin, but im greedy and want part 2 now lol.

[Soap]

Looking great Malin and upgrade to a suite?? Nice!!!  :lol:

[The Butlin Boy]

You got such a cool view, I'd love to be able to look out of my window and see the TOT and the Castle

Great report and pics so far, I can't wait to see the rest

[Malin]

Friday the 29th of February 2008

Part 2



Leaving the Village I came upon one of the best and most stunning entrances to a Disney theme park, the Disneyland Hotel.



Entering the park I notice some big crowds about, which is always a good sign that the current new attractions as well as the kids under 12 go free offers are working for this Resort. Did I mention the Sequoia Lodge, Montana Rooms were the cheapest rooms I was able to book two weeks before my arrival.





After a full day travelling I was feeling hungry and turned towards Discoveryland for a bite to eat. Paid a visit to Café Hyperion. I noticed crowds gathering in this restaurant, and looking over towards the Lion King stage next show was 10 minutes. I joined the line for food and ordered a Cheese Burger with fries. What I like about eating here is that you choose the toppings for your burger from a salad bar, which if your like me and hate gherkins, you don't have to pick them out of your food here. Found a sit on one of the top floors and enjoyed a French version of the Lion King show. Still an incredible show and one of the most underrated attractions at DLRP.





Leaving after the show I headed back over to Main Street where I noticed the Castle Bridge was under refurbishment. Heading into Frontierland next I noticed the Molly Brown turning around the next bend to offload and pick up the next round of guest. As this is always one of my favourite attractions due to it being an relaxing experience I couldn't resist getting into line. The sky by this time was starting to turn dark, so it was perfect time to take a cruise. One thing I did notice and not sure how long this has been the case but the erupting geysers were not err erupting.





Returning to dry land I made my way over to Phantom Manor. Line was a walk on. During my last trip I wasn't impressed by the overall condition of this attraction. Very unhappy to report than that condition are worst. While some improvements have been made including the return of the dog, many things have gotten worst including during the stretching room where its now making a horrible noise and various props not working, the Crow is missing during the piano scene, the Phantom isn't moving at all during the ball room scene. Through the final Phantom is very animated indeed. Also the bride needs the lights on her candle replacing, this is a problem I noticed in Sept and its now worst. This attraction really needs a decent refurbishment soon.



Leaving the attraction I noticed the great lighting on Big Thunder Mountain and made my way over to the line. Sadly the attraction went down while in the line and I decided rather than wait I would leave. This is the second time I've had the attraction go down as the park is closing, hmm maybe some are wishing to go home early.  

It was 7.00 pm and park was closing so I made my way over to Main Street to find the Candlebration show going ahead. This is the first time I've seen this show in the dark and you can truly appreciate just how amazing the lights look on the Castle. Shame most guest will never experience this.











The park was closing so decided to hit the shops instead of joining the lines now leaving the park. Looked around for a bit before hearing Mickey's voice. I followed it to find him above the train station waving good bye to all the guest for the day. I've also seen this happen during closing at the Magic Kingdom and I think it's a nice way to end your day at the park.





Leaving I headed back over to Sequoia Lodge for my reservation at Beaver Tavern. A Cast Member explained that I was allowed to go up as many times I wished and help myself to everything. The selection was huge and catered to all tastes. I wished I had skipped the starters through as it was a selection of pate's and coleslaws, which I wasn't to keen on. The main courses were fantastic with pizza's, fries and chicken nuggets to gammon ham, lasagne and many more choices. Deserts were a huge selection of pies and cheesecakes, and cheese and biscuits. Well worth the money but I do feel this restaurant would be better as table service than another buffet, aimed at half board meals.

After the meal I left giving the Cast Member a tip, to which he ran after me to personally shake my hand and thank me. Nice to see in some countries its still appreciated unlike in America where its expected all the time.

I decided to pop back to the Village for a bit of shopping and came across a cute Mickey plush wearing his parade costume and a collection of Disney Characters dressed as Star Wars characters. Overjoyed with my purchases I made my way back to my suite, where I was able to view the Castle and Tower of Terror all lit up. This was a wonderful way to end what had been a long day.

Day 2 and part 3 coming soon...

[Soap]

Again thanks for sharing, always good to hear fellow fans enjoying the magic!!!  

[pjulie75]

Your trip sounds great and you photographs are lovely.  We are going to Sequoia Montana Room in 2 weeks time and you report is getting us really excited.  Your suite looked fabulous and your right, it is great to see the castle in the dark being lit up, I hope it is dark when we are there, looks magical.

[Riebi]

Sounds like a great trip!  :mrgreen:  thanks for sharing! I think Phantom Manor will looking much better next time cause there should be a bigger rehab in juin.

[Malin]

Sounds like a great trip!  :mrgreen:  thanks for sharing! I think Phantom Manor will looking much better next time cause there should be a bigger rehab in juin.

Cool is that when the next scheduled rehab of Phantom Manor is, I certainly hope the attraction gets the much needed work it deserves. How long is it due to go down for in June?

[Malin]

Saturday the 1st of March

Part 3

Instead of making the most of the free continental breakfast, I decided to get a bit more sleep and skip it. Today the park wasn't due to open until 10.00 am but thanks to Extra Magic Hours hotel guest and guest holding the Dream Annual Passports are given access to some of the Disneyland park's attractions two hours earlier.

I made the short walk from Sequoia Lodge over to the parks by passing through the Village. The weather today was rather wet and grey and had me thinking if tonight's St David's Day Fireworks show would actually end up taking place.







Upon arrival at the park I made a quick stop at City Hall to book reservations for lunch at the Silver Spur Steakhouse. I also made enquires about the Fireworks, which were still planned to go ahead and in order to get a decent place I should arrive about 30 minutes before hand  as the park was expecting a large crowd today. By the way one thing of interest I did notice was the lack of any advertisement the park did regarding the fireworks. Apart from the odd leaflet, no other announcements were made. Anyway I was happy to visit City Hall early as I had no wait and when I returned later on people were waiting outside the Main Street building. A bit of advice I think for anyone who is wanting to book reservations or find out about park information is to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours and visit early.

As I left City Hall I saw quite a few people already waiting to meet Mickey & Minnie in Welsh costumes, even through they were not scheduled to appear until 10.15am. I walked up towards the Castle which was one of the attractions opened.



















Next time we will tour the Castle

[Malin]

Saturday the 1st of March

Part 4

Picture tour of Sleeping Beauty Castle











































Part 5 coming soon

[Malin]

Saturday the 1st of March

Part 5

After leaving the Castle I came across Fantasyland.





Only a number of selected attractions were open this morning which included some attraction in Fantasyland and Discoveryland. I decided to take Fantasyland on first as this is usually always a bit of a nightmare to enjoy when the park starts filling up. Due to high winds Dumbo was kept closed, but I did get to have a spin on the Tea Cups. Next was a trip on Pinocchio followed by a short by Paris time anyway 20 minute wait for Peter Pan's Flight.  









By this time it was about 20 minutes before the parks official opening and the crowds were starting to show up. I quickly walked over to Discoveryland to ride Buzz which was posting a 30 minute wait.







After Buzz I made my way over to Town's Square where both Mickey and Minnie were out greeting guest in Welsh costumes to celebrate St David's Day. The wait took 90 mins and reminded me of being at Tokyo Disneyland. In fact I actually spotted a few Tokyo Disney Resort fanatics in the park, many of which were waiting to meet Mickey & Minnie too.



After meeting Mickey & Minnie it was getting close to my 12.00 pm lunch reservation over at the Silver Spur Restuarant. So I made to Big Thunder Mountain to pick up a Fast Pass for later in the day. The whole Big Thunder Mountain area was very crowded, and I had trouble locating the FP Machines. Found them soon enough through and got my ticket for later in the day.

On the way over to the Silver Spur Resturant I bumped into Pluto who was out greeting guest.





I arrived at the Restaurant a couple of minutes early and was seated almost straight away. Restuarant was quite empty but did start to fill up by the time I left. Starter was a wrap with Smoked Salmon inside.



Next was a Grilled sirloin steak with chips and Pepper sauce.



And finally the desert was Big Thunder Ice Cream Sundae.



The meal was nice but was kind of dissapointed with the pepper sauce as I was expecting more of a taste to it. But would certainly eat here again, very good.

Part 6 coming soon.

[pjulie75]

Meal looks delicious!!  You sound like you had a great time, we are going in 12 days /  and have never been off season, we have always been in the summer, any tips?

[Malin]

If your going in the off season take your time enjoying the park, and don't rush around so much is my biggest tip.

[Javey74]

Thanks for sharing that report, great photo's.  You've got me thinking about being there again