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[Aveen2008]

Trip Report – Day 1

I only booked this trip one week before we actually went on the 17th of November (last Monday!). On this trip there was mum and myself (who is 58 and loves Tigger!) We set off for Belfast international airport just before 8am as our flight was at 11:30am and we wanted to be able to get some breakfast and be in plenty of time for check-in and boarding. Our flight was quick, only about 1hr 15mins. The whole way there I played Disney alphabet (idea from this forum) with mum, it was very in keeping with our holiday, don't you think? Lol. Anyway we landed in Charles de Gaul just after 2:00pm French time. It's a pity we loose and hour. We quickly went to claim our luggage which I had decorated with Disney paintings- mine featuring Alice, Tod, Meg, Penny, Lilo and others whilst I had painted a big picture of Tigger on mums case, the girls at the check in desk at the airport loved them!
Anyway after getting our cases we headed to door 32 in terminal 1 to get the first of 2 VEA buses. After about 30mins we got the first bus, which took us to our second bus at the VEA terminal, which then took us on to our hotel. I have to say I don't like the new system of having one bus collecting people and then a scrum to get on the VEA buses to the hotels but obviously VEA find it works better for them.
For the 4th time in a row we were staying at the Santa Fe Hotel- cheap and cheerful as I always say. I was so glad there weren't many people at the check-in desk and managed to get things sorted quickly!
We then headed to our room. I asked for a room near the front as my mum has difficulty walking, she's not disabled but often has sore legs. They had no ground floor rooms left but had one of the 1st floor of a building near to the front of the hotel in block 48, so I thought that was fine, obviously they would have lifts in all buildings right? Wrong! I had to hawk two very heavy cases up two flights of stairs to our room with mum in tow! It is Law in the UK for all buildings to be accessible by the disabled and wheelchair bound, is this not law in France? From now on I think I will book a disabled room by special request to save this happening again. I am surprised really that Disney didn't think of this when building the Santa Fe hotel.
Anyway our room was lovely as usual! I noticed in the bathroom they have changed their soap covers..


It was now shortly after 5pm and I was anxious to get going to the parks as the studios closed at 6pm and the Park after the Fantilusion at 7pm. First we had to get something to eat as my mums diabetic so skipping meals isn't an option unfortunately. I decided the best place for a quick, inexpensive bite was En Coulisse in the studios. As we walked into the front lot, I was so surprised to spot the one and only Mr Mickey Mouse himself in a lovely white outfit for Christmas. It was surprising because it was not only 15mins until the studios was meant to close! I couldn't resist..even if we were short for time I had to get a photo! I managed to get next to him very quickly and it was jst typical my camera decided not to work so I had to apologise and step away. I fixed the camera and waas determined to try again...here was the outcome...

Mum and I quickly ran in to get food and thankfully they were still serving! In fact after the announcement that the studios was closing they kept on serving food, it was a bit of a wait but I managed to get food. Good old Disneyland Burger and chips!..


We ate quickly and headed over to Disneyland Park, takings photos as we went. I was hoping to catch the Fantilusion tonight. I seen it last November when I was there and a few times in the summer of 2006 but like everything Disney- it never gets boring! As I walked into Disneyland Park I was struck by the magical scene in front of me, it was all lit up in Christmas theme and it was breath-taking! I had seen a little of the Christmas theme last year but not this much! Unfortunately I didn't get too many photos of it as I was too busy filming with my video camera but one of the decorations I loved was the street lights which had a beautiful princess chandelier on top...

Even though we weren't early we managed to get a place in the front row at the bottom of main street near the kodak store for the fantilusion. I filmed it and gave my mum the camera (warning- she is not the best photographer in the world so I will just choose some of her better ones!)...

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Unfortunately after that the park closed so we made our way back to the hotel, rested in the room for a while and then had a look in the santa fe Disney shop and went to the Esso garage beside the hotel for some drinks (water and coke, nothing stronger haha).
We put in our request for a wake up call and decided for the first time the next morning we would try breakfast in the Santa fe, then we had an early night in preparation for the magic that lay ahead...

Day 2 on next post...

[Aveen2008]

Day 2 Tuesday- a wet day

Day two started early, we put in a wake up call for 6:45pm as our breakfast was at 7am. It was the first time I used the wake up call system and was wondering what the little ticking noise was early in the morning. I didn't realise it was the phone until it stopped! Ha. A few seconds later it started again and I lifted it expecting to hear goofy but it was a French hotel worker asking me was I "awake madame".. I thought this was funny because if I wasn't then would I be answering the phone? Haha. Anyway we got ready and headed for breakfast. It was nice, croissants and nutella, tea orange juice etc. It wasn't even 8am by the time we finished and as there were not magic hours on Tuesdays we headed back to the room and had an extra hours sleep!! I was surprised the magic hours weren't on every morning. They aren't on, on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
We were up, ready and out for the shuttle at 9:30am to head for Disneyland Park.

Unfortunately it was raining for most of the day and was very wet but the rain was only drizzle. I had already decided that I wanted to go to the castle stage first to see which Princess was there in case it was one I hadn't met yet. There was a rope blocking off that part of the part until the official opening at 10am so mum and I stood at the rope with only one couple and little girl infront of us. I have to say the park was pretty quiet. When the lands opened we headed straight for the queue at the castle stage with the same family infront, so we were second in the queue. I have to say I was just hoping it wasn't Cinderella as I met her the last time in july! Thankfully a cast member came over to us and the very slowly and sparce queue to say that "Aladdin and Jasmine were going to be a little late due to difficultes with their flying carpet", I was releaved and so happy as I hadn't met them before! They arrived after about 20 minutes! Being second in the queue was great as we queued for an hour and a half in July to meet Cinderella! We got some great professional pictures and jasmine was lovely chatting away about our holiday and if we had been before! Heres my picture..

after this mum wanted a little rest but I had already spotted Minnie and Donald with a professional photographer and decided I would do that whilst mum sat for a while nearby....heres one of my photos...


As you may be able to tell by now I love meeting characters its probably my favourite part of the experience! Next we decided to head over to Belle's Christmas Villiage because we didn't get to see it last November as it wasn't open. Plus it was now just after 11am and I knew Belle or beast we due for a meet and greet at 11:30am and I hadn't met her before either. Here's one or two pictures of Belle's Village..
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We walked around belle's villiage looking for the meet and greet spot. As we were there I decided to check if Casey jnr was open as its probably my favourote ride in Disneyland park, unfortunately neither it or pays de conte fees were open on any of the days we were there!
We asked one or two cast members were abouts Belle would be doing her meet and greet. The first woman didn't know but thankfully the second did and gave us directions. It was near 11:30am by the point so I was walking as quick as I could with mum in tow. Thankfylly there was nly about 3 people in the queue and Belle was just arriving. I was so pleased as I had always wanted to meet her, plus I love her little blue dress as you don't often see her in it.....


After meeting Belle we decided to walk around to central plaza and wait on the character express- another meet and greet opportunity. I was hoping to meet characters on this trip that I had missed on previous trips! I was delighted when I spotted Robin hood and especially Wendy from Peter Pan! I even managed to get a photo with Prince john who I had seen on other trips but didn't have a photo with! He even kissed my hand hehe!.....
wendy

robin hood

prince john

My mum was a little disappointed she hadn't met tigger yet!

It was then lunch time and off to the Bella Notte for some food! We got Menu 1 and 2 as usual- Pizza Royal and Penne paste with garlic bread- Yum! We even got two chocolate lollies, which said Happy Halloween 2008 on them and Halloween napkins hehe!

After lunch we wanted to treat ourselves to an ice-cream in (name), the ajoining door with it and the bella notte was closed so we had to walk outside again, as we did I was so surprised when I spotted the Beast coming out of the gates with a minder beside the Small world (which was closed for refurbishment), I knew he must have been heading for the meet and greet at Belle's villiage so the ice cream was orgot about and I grabbed my mums arm and walked as quick as our legs could carry us to the meet and greet area! Again there were few people in the queue (it seemed to be a running theme this holidaym but I am definitely not complaining!).

I went first to get my photo taken. Oh my gosh he is massive and I got the shock of my life when he bent down and a grumbly voice said "how are you?" The onlooking crowd couldn't hear him so they were probably wondering what was going on. I said " I am fine how are you" and he said that's good and went to kiss me and made a really long kissing noise..heres a photo...

He then told me I was lovely and we got a photo...

I was so happy as I never expected to meet him! My mum then got her photo with him (sorry she won't allow me to post a picture of her lol) she gave him a kiss this time hehe!

Day 2 continued shortly....

[Aveen2008]

After my many meet and greets earlier today I decided it was time for a few Fantasyland rides, first it was Dumbo which had a short queue, Peter Pan, also only about 15minutes wait, then Pinocchio, followed by Snow white which were walk on's! Sorry I don't have photo's as I filmed these rides, which came out really dark!

As we got off the Snow white ride we spotted Aurora and Prince Philp but as we were queuing the Cast member took them away, so I didn't get to meet them but that was ok.

We then did a few shops, including the glass shop inside the castle...

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..before getting a seat at the front of the castle for a short rest and a few photos. I love how there is ducks in the water below the castle, I filmed them..wish I had taken a few photos too!
It was early afternoon and we decided to fulfil one of our Disneyland Paris traditions- a treat in the cable car bake shop- my usual white nought ..I love these...

Then it was into a few shops were I admired the Disney traditions..

I thought there was some really beautiful Window displays in Disneyland for Christmas here is one or two that I loved!..
Alice

Lilo and stitch

Suzy and perla

It was now about 3pm and we were doing some shopping down the bottom of mainstreet. Mum was still sad she hadn't seen Tigger and then I remembered there is a meet and greet In the Disneyland hotel, which I had asked about before I left so we walked into the lobby and decided to have a rest on the nice comfy sofas. I took a few photos too! Before going in I also took some photos of the posters under the main street entrance...

At 4:00pm music started and characters started to come down the stairs, first it was mickey and Minnie, then eeyore,launchpad, goofy and gepetto but no . Tigger..poor mum, Tigger was nowhere to be found! But We still got some photos, including an offical one with Minnie and enjoyed the little show they put on before the meet and greet as they dance on the stairs!...

--
eeyore

As I was standing next to who I called Launchpad I was trying to get his attention to ask for a photo so I called out Launchpad, he didn't turn around but I thought he just didn't hear me, the next thing I looked at him sign an autograph book signing "joe McDuck"! Why is this? Is he not Launchpad from Ducktales? That's who I thought he was as I watched that show for years as a child and was completely addicted to it!...Anyone know? I got a photo anyway lol!

Minnie


After collecting our official photos from The Disney store in the Disneyland Hotel we decided to head over to the Disney villiage for Tea at Annettes, one of our favourite restraints in Disneyland Resort Paris! We both got the Be Bop Burger meal..yum yum!....

after this mum was tired and I decided it was best not to push her to do too much so we did some shopping in the Disney village. After this I suggested going down to the  café Mickey and having a peek in to see which characters where about- incase Tigger was there, in which case we probably would have went in. We sat next to the Balloon for an hour and could see the comings and goings of the Café Mickey...but still no Tigger. It was nice to sit and watch the world go by! We usually make a point of going to Café Mickey but we realised they usually have the same characters repeated and we were trying not to spend too much money on this tip so decided to leave it out, which I didn't mind. Unfortunately though I bought a plush in the Disney Villiage and must have left him somewhere in the bag as I realised when I got back to the room it was gone. I replaced him though myself.

after this we headed to the room for another early night!

Day 3 coming in a few minutes...

[Aveen2008]

Day 3
I had already made out today's itinerary the night before so we knew today would be a busy day. We got our wake up call from goofy at 6:45am and headed for breakfast. We decided not to go for the extra magic hours as it was best to let mum rest for the day ahead so again we returned to our room after breakfast for an hours sleep before heading to the studios at 9:30am.
First thing on the list was Merry Christmas Walt Disney Studios at 10:30am. We had a little time so decided to take some photos in the front lot and do the shops there.

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As we walked to the production courtyard we spotted Minnie and Daisy, already out doing their meet n' greet at Place des stars, so we walked over and joined the queue which only had about 10 people in front of us...

Then of course I filmed the tower or terror and took a few photos

..as we waited on Merry Christmas walt Disney studios which started on time at 10:30am..

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The characters were only out for a short time but we got to meet Lilo..

After this we walked back over to the Disneyland Park as we wanted to check out if Tigger was on the 11:30am Character express! For the first time we managed to get a ride up main street USA to the castle on the policed department vechile, which saved mum some walking! As we did it started snowing on main street usa- a magical moment.

As 11:30am came I was really hoping for mum's case that Tigger was there, at first I couldn't really see anyone on the Train but I didn't think he was on it and then..


There he was- thank goodness! I will post a picture of her and Tigger- she won't mind that hehe!..

 I also noticed Scrooge McDuck and Peter Pan were on this Character express so I quickly ran to Scrooge after mum got her photo..

And spotted king lewis on the way..


As we walked towards peter pan and wendy they walked off with a little boy dressed as peter, both Wendy and Peter pan holding his hand. We decided to follow them, they walked all the way through adventureland and we lost them at priates of the Caribbean, I think they went into a cast member door at the Peter Pan Ride. We even spotted them again later walking past the carrosell again with the same little boy- I am guessing he must have been a competition winner?

After chasing Peter pan we decided we deserved a treat for our failed mission and decided to finally get our ice cream in name after getting destracted the day before by seeing the Beast! As we walked out of the Name we walked around the corner by the Bella Notte and seen Perla and Suzy with onlya few people around them. My mum had tried on two previous trips to get a photo with either of them, twice the camera failed and once the minder took them away so she decided to break the curse and got a photo!

day 3 continued in a few moments..

[Aveen2008]

We then walked back over to the studios now that our Tigger hunting as complete and mum got a photo with sulley, as I had already met him before.. I am going to post this photo too because it's cute!

We then decided to do aladdin's magic carpets, which was a walk on. I spotted Mrs Incredible at Toon studio and went over to the queue, there was only 2 people infront of me and I was all delighted as I hadn't met them before, I had seen her on a previous trip however. As I was standing in the queue the Minder looked down the queue and spotted me, she seen I had no child with me, walked down the queue and said, after the people in front of you Mrs Incredible will be leaving and replaced by Mr incredible! I didn't really want Mr Incredible and asked would it not be possible as there was only 2 or 3 people behind but she said no, so I asked when she would be returning and the woman said 30minutes. I understand why this is done but at the same time I know and it was obvious I was discriminated against for not having a child with me! Anyway I left the queue and mum and I decided to do the Cars rally for the first time, as all other times there were massive queues for it..

I have to say the seats are a squash if you are in anyway tall, my legs were jammed and it would put me off doing it again even though I completely loved the ride and was surprised it went as fast as it did! It scared mum (easily frightened) and she kept her eyes closed haha!

After the ride we had a bit of time, I seen Mr Incredible and decided I would get a photo with him anyway..

I was surprised that as one or two children in the queue infront of me asked for autographs the minder (same woman) told them and their parents that Mr incredible does not sign, he only does photos! Why is that?
 
Next we walked round to the studio tram tour, there was a big enough queue and as we stood their a voice came over the loud speaker to say their was techniqual difficulties and their would be a delay so we decided to leave the queue and possibly do it later. We walked towards Stitch Live and seen that the next show in English started in 6minutes! That was lucky, so we rushed over. We had done Stitch Live before but only once so it was great to go again. I love it, its really funny and of course I love stitch!

When we came out it was slightly raining but mum was tired and decided to sit down whilst I ran back to toon studio to see if Mrs Incredible was out yet. Thankfully she was and will hardly anyone infront of me. She was really friendly and I was surprised she talked to and gave me a big hug..hurray for Helen hehe!

On my way back to mum I took a few photos and as it started raining we went into studio one and got a drink and sat down to wait on the Toon Train at 3.00pm. as we sat I noticed a nice we photo opportunity..

When the Toon Train came out we walked over to stitch, I stood their for ages letting so many children skip me. I knew The minder would take him away soon so I lightly tapped his arm and asked for a photo, he looked up and then a small child walked infront of him for an autograph and his mother was pushing him in. Stitch looked at me and then signed the childs book, as he got up from kneeling loads of children ran at him and he made a gesture for them to stand back and he opened his arms to me, I thought it was lovely!..

after this we did a few shops and then walked back over to the Disneyland park as we decided we would try Toad hall for the first time as I had read some good reports. Mum got Fish and Chip, whilst I got a chicken burger and chip..

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I have to say I couldn't eat the chicken burger it was horrible (in my opinion), the chips were fine and mum said their was a lot more batter than fish and wasn't impressed. I am glad we tried it but I wouldn't rate it, apart from the chips which were fine! It looks  so much better in the photos!

After this mum sat in the castle courtyard whilst I did some shopping. For the first time I noticed the Wicked Queen from snow white in the window above the Snow White Ride! The curtains infront of her open and close and she can be hard to spot!..


It was now shortly after 5pm and I decided that I wanted to get a good spot for the Candelabration and thankfully I managed to get the front row whilst mum sat on one of the summer seats. It was freezing and my feet were killing me but it was well worth it..

Unfortunately I don't have any of the ceremony as I filmed it instead!
The castle looks so beautiful when it is lit up for Christmas, unfortunately my camera wouldn't take a good photo of it but he is a slightly out of focus one of me after the candelabration, one of the castle and one from central plaza looking down main street usa..

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 After this my feet were killing me and I was hungry as I didn't really et much in toad hall so we decided to head to annettes and get a take away and take it back to our room and relax at our final night in Disneyland. Unfortunately we had park access the next day but we couldn't go because our flight was early in the afternoon and there were no magic hours on the Thursday morning. So we went back to our room, went to the Disney store in the santa Fe and took photos. Again we had an early night and decided to have a short lie in the next morning without getting up for breakfast.

Day 4..
We got the VEA bus at 10:05am

And headed to the airport, had a really turbulent flight home but it was well worth it! Disneyland Paris is the most magical place ever!!

I hope you liked my trip report and I didn't bore you too much! Thanks for reading!

[never2old]

Great report and brilliant pictures Aveen!! Really looks like a great trip! And you met so many characters!!!

Funny about Launchpad's signature... He was called Flagada Jones in French, and in Spanish Joe McQuack!

Will you be posting your videos?

[Aveen2008]

Great report and brilliant pictures Aveen!! Really looks like a great trip! And you met so many characters!!!

Funny about Launchpad's signature... He was called Flagada Jones in French, and in Spanish Joe McQuack!

Will you be posting your videos?

Thanks for the launchpad explanation, that explains it ..kind of!

I am not sure if I can get the footage off my video camera, we used to have equipment to do it but I am not sure, if I can I will though!

Aveen xxx

[gerbillcat]

I'm going on Sunday, your report has gotten me so excited. I'm hoping to buy some christmas ornaments so I loved your photos of merchandise in the shops. I have to say i'm not looking forward to trying out the new system in place for the VEA, it was so much easier when the bus just picked you up directly from whichever terminal you landed at. Also have to agree with you about Toad Hall restaraunt, the food was horrible when we ate there but I love Bella Notte  . Thanks so much for posting.

[Simbasgirl]

oh Aveen

what a great report!! Your photos are brill!!!

I really love your mum!!!lol she is cool!!!!!

Mr Incredible can't sign because his muscles are too big? Thats the explanation I got! :-"

wow!!!

[The Butlin Boy]

Thanks for posting your trip report, I've really enjoyed reading it I'm glad you both had a great trip :mrgreen:

[burntsienna]

Amazing trip report! the photographs are amazing!
Really makes me want to go back  :mrgreen:

[Aveen2008]

Thanks for the lovely comments!

[SophieD]

Great Trip Report Aveen!! I love all the pics!!
It makes me want December to hurry up so I can go!!
 

[Clarebelle]

Yes! please hurry up December 8th!!!!

Great report! and lovely photos

[Getyogrooveon]

Thanks for a great trip report, sounds like your had a magical time.