Hello all!
Well we're back, and although not in great shape (I now find myself with a small chest infection and a week's worth of antibiotics, I blame the weather...) extremely happy after 3 magical days in Disney.
It was the first proper visit for my little girl Alicia (she turned 2 in April) and it was magical (we had been once before with her, just for a day last November, but she had a fever and slept most of the time, she didn't really enjoy it much...). Probably our most special visit yet :)
I still have to upload all my pictures before starting a proper trip report, but I'll just give you a quick summary.
Highlights:
Seeing Alicia with the characters, particularly Mickey and Minnie (she adores them) She got big hugs from them, she was so happy!! Totally magic experience for her, and for her mummy ;)
Dreams was amazing, I love the new scenes, overall they make the show a lot better (although I miss Jungle Book). Plus I was lucky enough to be able to see it from the first row, unique experience!
Lows:
Main one was the weather. We actually left home last Saturday and went to the UK for a few days to visit my inlaws, and at that time the forecast for the end of the week was good. Then it started getting worse and worse... We drove direct from the UK to Paris without stopping home first, so I didn't really have enough warm, waterproof clothes (for me at least, hence my current state... :( ) It was cold, it was wet, it was perfect November weather... On the last day (Saturday 24) it started getting better, and from what I see now it's beautiful again. But when we were there, and particularly on the Friday, it was terrible.
First update with lots of pictures coming soon!!
Looking forward to read it! :)
Day 1, part 1!
So as I said, we were in the UK for a few days before driving to Paris on Wednesday. Unfortunately we got to Paris right in the middle of the rush hour, and lost an hour in traffic before arriving to our hotel for the night, the Marriott Village (which I recommend to everyone!) Since we got there a bit late we couldn't really enjoy all the hotel has to offer, but we still had a lovely evening, and slept beautifully.
Thursday morning, we were all ready to go! There were 4 of us: my DH, my little princess Alicia, Minnie Mouse (yes, she goes wherever Alicia goes ;) ) and myself.
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v513/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0083-vi.jpg)
After breakfast in our hotel, time to check out and go to our home for the next few days, the Hotel New York!
We had decided to splash out a bit and were staying in the Empire State Club. Check in was very good, and our room was all ready, so we were taken to the sixth floor (the ESC floor), and just a couple of doors past the ESC lounge, was our room!! We didnt linger in the room though, too much to do!!
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0087-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v85/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0025-vi.jpg)
First stop, WDS. The EMH were in the Studios (the Disney Dreamers Everywhere had DLP to themselves that morning, lucky them!!!) but by the time we got there it was almost 10 anyway.
Look at that blue sky!!! Unfortunately we were not to see that very often....
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v535/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0026-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v432/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000613-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v380/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0027-vi.jpg)
Although there were quite a few people around, none of the queues seemed particularly long (to give you an idea, Crush was only 45 minutes...) Still, with a 2 year old, the number of rides in WDS is limited... Our first stop, the flying carpets!!
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0031-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v369/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0034-vi.jpg)
Not the most exciting ride... But OK, and Alicia quite liked it. Of course it's so short that by the time she understood what it was all about, it was time to exit... :roll:
Next, Animagique!
Alicia discovers the hidden Mickeys in the fences:
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v713/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0039-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v738/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0041-vi.jpg)
Animagique was a big hit with my little one. At first she wasn't too sure what to make of it... But when Mickey and Donald came onto the stage, she was all excited!!! She started calling out Minnie, Minnie (I should clarify, she doesn't say Mickey, she calls him Minnie...) and asking him to come over to see her!!
We thought we could go and meet Minnie in Toon Plaza, but she was there together with Mickey, and there was a huge waiting line... So instead we went to have a look around Toy Story Playland, more to walk around a bit and enjoy the sun than anything else. It was starting to feel a bit cooler, and the sky wasn't quite so blue anymore...
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v662/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0043-vi.jpg)
However as soon as Alicia saw Slinky Dog she wanted to go in... If anything I think it was because she loves dogs, and there was a giant one!! She doesn't really know Toy Story yet, but she knows her dogs... And neither my DH nor I had ever done it, so why not? Again the queue was rather short (15 minutes I think it was), so in we went.
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v104/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0044-vi.jpg)
Watching Slinky go round and round and round...
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v1568/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0048-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1557/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0063-vi.jpg)
Not bad!! My favourite ride in TSPL remains the parachutes (which were closed because of the wind), but still, it's fun for little kids.
Next, another first for my DH and I, the Playhouse Disney show!
Waiting to go in
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0070-vi.jpg)
It's a cute little show, really, but they really need to update it!! It would be good to see some more recent shows being featured, like the Neverland Pirates. Still, Alicia is a fan of Mickey's Clubhouse, so she really enjoyed it. She was really impressed when all the kids were blowing and the leaves came flying down (she kept blowing for a while afterwards to see if it happened again ;) ), and she was dancing and clapping along with everyone. I think she was a bit confused because we saw it in French, and normally she watches it in English (though she understands French very well... I should maybe explain, my poor little girl is learning 3 languages at once: Spanish from me, English from her dad, and French in her daycare... that's Luxembourg for you!! She understands all 3 and speaks bits in all, but mostly French). Still, Toodles is Toodles, and not Tourniquet as they call him in French....
Is this show even still on TV?
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v511/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0077-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v81/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0080-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v85/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_00832-vi.jpg)
By now it was past noon, and we all had had a relatively early start. So we decided to go back to the hotel for lunch, which we had booked in the ESC lounge (after seeing an advert for it in the lift in the hotel). The idea was to go back to the room for a nap after lunch, so eating in the hotel was perfect!
Grey skies looming...
(//http://images15.fotki.com/v588/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0086-vi.jpg)
When we got to the lounge, it was all empty... And 1 table had been set up for us. Talk about a quiet lunch!!
The very nice waiter explained that there was no kitchen in the lounge, so they had a limited menu and they brought the food up from the restaurants downstairs. We had a choice between 3 starters and 3 main courses, and all sounded delicious!! Plus there was a kids menu. So pretty good we thought!! Oh, and if you're wondering, shareholders discount can be applied!
For those who are interested, here's the menu:
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v219/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0097-vi.jpg)
Alicia and Minnie decide what to have
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1557/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0092-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v644/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0085-vi.jpg)
After a good and relaxed lunch, we all went back to the room, and all had a nice long nap...
To be continued!
The Empire State Club and lounge for lunch looks good to me. One day I hope to splash out on it myself. Fingers crossed.
Nice read n2o :) Must be extra special introducing the little one to the joys of DLrP and Disney in general :thumbs:
Alicia is a real sweety! I love the pic of her watching Slinky Dog going round.
Loving the look of the Empire State Club ... One day maybe
Thank you for your comments :D
Epcot_Boy, it's the most wonderful thing!! Seeing her enjoying herself so much in a place I love so much was quite special. And seeing her meeting her favourite characters... It was magical :)
Loving your trip report never2old!
Lovely trip report, I hope the weather wasn't too awful for you. That's always a concern of mine! I hope you get better soon as well!!
I always love to read your trip reports. Looking forward to the next part! :D
Thank you :) And thanks, I'm starting to feel better... It's this never ending winter that's doing me in really!! Weather wasn't so bad, I guess, when we were in Disney... At least it didnt rain all the time. When the sun comes out it's absolutely stunning....
Here's the next update: I've been having issues with my uploaded pictures, so this is taking me longer than I would have liked, apologies for the wait!
So after lunch and our nap (I think the idea was for Alicia to have one, but we kind of all fell asleep... I blame the very comfy bed!)
We had 3 objectives for the afternoon: get our annual passes :D/ :D/ , meet Mickey Mouse, and see the parade (we knew forecast was for lots of rain on the next day, and we would be leaving after lunch on the Saturday, so this could be our only chance). And to finish our first full day, we had booked dinner in Inventions :)
One of my favourite things of coming out of the New York is enjoying this view ;)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v1600/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0110-vi.jpg)
First picture of the Castle!
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v511/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0111-vi.jpg)
It was a bit later than we would have liked (after 4 by the time we left the room) so we didnt linger too long and went straight to Meet Mickey Mouse, where the wait was 30 minutes (not too bad I guess). Great thing there is that with the big screen showing classic toons, time flies! And at least Alicia didn't get too bored... In no time we were next in line to go and meet Mr Mouse! And guess who appeared then at the end of the corridor, asking us to follow him? The boss himself!! Alicia was mad with joy when she saw Mickey :)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v367/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0118-vi.jpg)
And Mickey was wonderful with Alicia. She was so happy, she would have stayed there forever!
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v665/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0121-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v605/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0122-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v508/photos/8/1582018/12072990/MickeyPlus2-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v377/photos/8/1582018/12072990/MickeyPlus3-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1582018/12072990/MickeyPlus1-vi.jpg)
In fact, as soon as we left and the door closed between us and Mickey, Alicia started to cry and wanted to go back... But we went to see the pictures, and explained that we would see him again!
By now it was raining quite heavily. Since we were right next to it, we thought it was the perfect time to go on Peter Pan. Now Peter Pan is one of the few Disney films Alicia knows, and one of her favourites, she could watch it on a loop!! So this was a perfect ride for her. And thanks to our VIP fastpasses, we went pretty much straight in :)
Now I have to say, Peter Pan has been better days... It was rather dark inside, and Neverland was completely dark! You couldn't almost see it! A bit disappointing... Still, Alicia didn't seem to mind, and I guess that was the main thing :)
Next, time to get our annual passports... So straight to the passports office, where we barely had the time to go in that someone was already calling us! It took maybe 10 minutes for us to walk out with our passports?? Extremely fast :D And we are now annual passport holders :D/ =D>
Still raining quite heavily, it was time to use our VIP fastpasses again, this time for Buzz Lightyear. Probably my DH's favourite ride :)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v191/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0129-vi.jpg)
Buzz was working beautifully!! Hadn't seen him looking that good for some time.... (spoiler: it was not to last... by Saturday he wasn't moving anymore....)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v540/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0131-vi.jpg)
As I said Alicia doesn't really know Toy Story, but at least now she knows and loves Buzz ;) I think the next film we watch will be a Toy Story one!
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v156/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0140-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v662/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0143-vi.jpg)
We had a little bit of time before the parade, so time for another classic (and the only ride Alicia actually did on her first visit last November: Its a Small World :)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v503/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0146-vi.jpg)
(//http://images46.fotki.com/v1621/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0147-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v77/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0150-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1527/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0152-vi.jpg)
And what's not to love about this ride??
Almost time for the parade. And lucky us, the rain had stopped! As usual we got ourselves a spot around Bella Notte, we were there maybe 5 minutes before the start and got a first row place... Best place to see the parade!!
Never noticed this tile, outside Bella Notte
(//http://images15.fotki.com/v1626/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0158-vi.jpg)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v616/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0159-vi.jpg)
And here they come!
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v387/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0165-vi.jpg)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v252/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0163-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v1610/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0166-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v1617/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0169-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v191/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000625-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v1568/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0171-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v279/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0174-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v363/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0183-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1522/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0184-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v380/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0187-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1623/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0191-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v268/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0192-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v52/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0195-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v373/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0198-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v506/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0204-vi.jpg)
Alicia loved the parade :) In fact a little bit after she was singing and dancing like the dancers of the parade!
Dinner was booked for 8, and since the parade is now so fast without any stops, we still had plenty of time. So we thought Le Pays Des Contes des Fées was a good idea!
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v503/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0210-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v419/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0211-vi.jpg)
Except that as soon as we were sitting in our boat (we walked straight in, no queue whatsoever!!) it started to rain again.... At least it wasnt raining too heavily, but still... Perfect timing! And guess what?? Five minutes after we were out of the ride, it stopped raining...
Casey Jr was closed (I don't think it was open the whole time we were there :( annoying because I think Alicia would have liked it), so we decided to start heading towards the Disneyland Hotel and our character dinner.
She knows the way ;)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v399/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0216-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1629/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0218-vi.jpg)
Don't you just love it when the sun comes out?
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v627/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0220-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v461/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000628-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v420/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0222-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1572/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0223-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v546/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0224-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v738/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0226-vi.jpg)
Inventions and Dreams next!
Nice report :-)
Thank you for posting pics and report! A great read. You have a really cute daughter! It`s obvious, she had a great time, as did you as parents!
Thanks for sharing your great report and pics. Can't wait for the rest of it :D
Thank you guys :)
Here's the last update for day 1!
So after a very successful afternoon in the park, it was time to head to the DLH hotel for dinner at Inventions. Good thing I booked a few weeks ago, because they were full (and apparently so was Cafe Mickey, a family in front of us were desperately trying to find a character meal but it was not to be...). In Inventions it was partly because half the restaurant was reserved for a private event for the the Disney Dreamers Everywhere....
Anyway, we soon got our table, walking past the delicious buffet. It took us some time to seat Alicia though, because as soon as we walked in we saw Mickey, he was greeting everyone at another table, and it was hard convincing her that he was coming to our table later as well....
Alicia keeping an eye on Mickey....
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000651-vi.jpg)
First one to come and see us, Dale.
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v641/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0227-vi.jpg)
Followed very shortly (thank God!) by the Mouse himself
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v191/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0233-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1629/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000639-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v1614/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000647-vi.jpg)
Chip came next
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1623/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0237-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v138/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0239-vi.jpg)
Eeyore
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v514/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0241-vi.jpg)
Goofy
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v378/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0242-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v450/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000691-vi.jpg)
And Minnie :) It's for moments like this that we go to Disneyland isn't it?
Alicia got the longest hug, it was very magical
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v546/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0246-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v77/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0096-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v362/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_01052-vi.jpg)
Minnie was amazing with Alicia. I will never thank her enough, she was so sweet, and loving, and just perfect. Alicia was extremely happy. And I confess, I was close to tears... Thank you thank you Minnie :)
And what would make this evening even more perfect for my little girl? Well seeing Mickey again!! And this time he too got a big hug :)
(//http://images46.fotki.com/v524/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0107-vi.jpg)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v532/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_01112-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v513/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000742-vi.jpg)
Wonderful wonderful dinner. The food in the buffet is great, though to be honest with all the excitement I wasn't even hungry... And yes it is a pricey dinner, but oh so worth it!! We used to do characters meals before Alicia was born, and I've always enjoyed meeting the characters. But now, it was a completely different experience. It was pure Disney magic :D
As you can imagine after dinner our little one was slightly over excited... Time for her to go to bed! We went back to the hotel, and after making sure he had everything he needed to put Alicia to bed, I left my DH and her alone and I rushed back to the park: it was time for Dreams :)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v1618/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0252-vi.jpg)
It was almost 10:00 by the time I got to the Castle, and there were a few people waiting around (Dreams was at 10:30 that night). But I don't know if it was because of the cold night (and still raining every now and then), or because it was a quiet day anyway, or because I was all by myself, or what, but I easily made my way to the very first row :D/
Now I hadn't given this much thought so I didn't have anything with me to hold my camera still, so please excuse the blurred pictures but I was holding the camera as still as I could...
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v1579/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0114-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v373/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0270-vi.jpg)
Now I remembered from our previous visit, the star at the top of the Castle came out before the show. This time, the window was still in its place. I was getting a bit worried that the effect wasn't working... But no! As insideDLParis confirmed via twitter earlier this week, the star now comes out at the very start of Dreams, you don't even see it!
And now, time for Dreams!
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v1617/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0272-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1529/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0278-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v507/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0282-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0289-vi.jpg)
(//http://images15.fotki.com/v1626/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0290-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v701/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0292-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0303-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v419/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0304-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v1599/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0307-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v370/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0311-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0317-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v509/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0319-vi.jpg)
First of the two new scenes, the Lion King. There were cheers from the crowd when it started!! And I can see why, it's perfect for the show. It looks great, it sounds great, and you cannot help but sing along to it!! Great addition =D>
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1512/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0321-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0323-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1512/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0325-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v535/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0326-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v685/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0332-vi.jpg)
Followed by Brave. And here the pictures are particularly bad and don't do it justice. The effects on the Brave scene are amazing. The best of the two new scenes and one of the best overall, I thought.
(//http://images15.fotki.com/v792/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0335-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v426/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0338-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v363/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0341-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v1625/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0342-vi.jpg)
(//http://images46.fotki.com/v28/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0345-vi.jpg)
What can I say, they've taken a great show and made it even better. I am a little sad that Jungle Book is gone, but I have to say, in my opinion they've done the right thing. Dreams as a whole is even better than it was before. I love the new scenes, and can't wait to see them again!! (really need to go back before September....)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v220/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0348-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v367/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0352-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v507/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0356-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v514/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0360-vi.jpg)
Another of my favourite scenes, the Dr Facilier one :)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v514/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0366-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1513/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0368-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1629/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0369-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v139/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0371-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v378/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0376-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v1613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0379-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v384/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0384-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v640/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0385-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v509/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0389-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v545/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0121copy-vi.jpg)
Looking towards Main Street
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v77/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0123copy-vi.jpg)
What can I saw, whoa.... Amazing show. And first row... Perfect. A wonderful end to a perfect day :)
Day 2 coming soon!!
I love that piture of Alicia looking for Mickey! The look on her face, even sideways, is priceless! :D
No wonder you almost burst out in tears. She`s too sweet with the characters!
Aurora1
Can`t wait for more!!!
Quote from: "Aurora1"I love that piture of Alicia looking for Mickey! The look on her face, even sideways, is priceless! :D
No wonder you almost burst out in tears. She`s too sweet with the characters!
Aurora1
Can`t wait for more!!!
Thanks Aurora :)
I have got goose bumps reading your report! Alicia hugging Minnie and Mickey-Adorable!
And Dreams looks amazing!
Awww such adorable photos :) it's amazing when the kids meet the characters isn't it. I was close to tears more than once on our trip lol
Day 2!!
On Friday we had a couple of friends coming to spend the day with us. They live in Australia and are travelling around Europe, and they were in Paris at the same time we were in Disneyland... So perfect opportunity to see each other again! Plus a great chance for them to visit DLP!
Forecast for the day was also pretty grim, cold and wet. So we decided to relax in the morning, forget about EMH, and just go into the park when our friends got there, around 10:30 in the morning.
So, breakfast in the Empire State Club lounge! First, the setting. As you saw in previous pics, the place is quite nice, it feels quite relaxed, and definitely a place that invites a long breakfast. It wasn't empty, there were families at almost all the tables, but it didn't feel crowded. Then the food, great selection! You can have a cooked breakfast (I thought the scrambled eggs were really good) with sausages, bacon, potatoes... There were croissants and pains au chocolat, different types of bread, cereals, yogurts, and fruit. Oh, and some very yummy crepes, and churros (no Mickey waffles though, like they had in the Castle Club). You can also choose from a selection of fresh juices, including a very yummy orange juice :) The only negative point for me was the coffee: it was not great. Standard Disney hotel coffee, I guess. We did have a Nespresso machine in the bedroom, and I think they had an expresso machine behind the counter, but no one offered us any coffee other than the one you could get for yourself in the standard machine. But that's a small detail; one does not go to Disneyland for their coffee, right? And overall breakfast was really good.
Then of course you have the characters!
First we had Launchpad!
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v532/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000767-vi.jpg)
I was very happy because I had only seen him from a distance in the past. So I was quite happy to have a picture with him!!
Fortunately he was followed by Mickey Mouse.... And my little princess was very very happy!! (even though she kept calling him Minnie.... :oops: )
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v661/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0406-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v440/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0407-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v399/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0412-vi.jpg)
Alicia shares her Minnie with Mickey ;)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1629/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0416-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v367/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0419-vi.jpg)
Great start to the day isn't it? ;)
And time to go!
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v503/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0420-vi.jpg)
Around 10:45 we were all in the park!
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v1600/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0425-vi.jpg)
(//http://images51.fotki.com/v628/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0427-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0428-vi.jpg)
Not the best day.... At least it was dry (for now)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0430-vi.jpg)
First ride of the day, IASW
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0432-vi.jpg)
When we got out, it was pouring. We took turns with our VIP fast passes (we only had 2 for 4 adults) to go on Peter Pan with Alicia, while the others took cover in the passage between Fantasyland and Adventureland.
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v662/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0438-vi.jpg)
Followed by one of my favourite rides, Pirates of the Caribbean! And we pretty much walked straight in, I love it when that happens!
Other than the swinging pirate not swinging, I though the ride looked great. And Alicia seemed to enjoy it. Not her favourite ride I don't think, but she wasn't scared, which was my main worry...
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v1534/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0440-vi.jpg)
I had booked lunch at Plaza Gardens, so we headed there through the covered walkway leaving from Peter Pan. As we crossed to the restaurant we saw there was something going on in the hub (we later found out there were some football players), but it was raining so heavily we didn't stay to watch....
My DH and his friend Nigel
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1573/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0451-vi.jpg)
Alicia enjoying her dessert
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v506/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0449-vi.jpg)
Great lunch as always. I really like the buffet here, there's a great choice (and a wonderful dessert selection) and the setting is really nice :)
After lunch, a little break from the rain!! First it was time to use our fastpasses again and try Buzz Lightyear... The guys also wanted to do Star Tours, but the fastpass line wasn't working so while we took Alicia to watch some cartoons in the Videopolis, they went on Buzz again!
We left Discoveryland just in time for the 20th anniversary train :)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v683/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0454-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v512/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0456-vi.jpg)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v616/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0457-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v727/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0458-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1623/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0459-vi.jpg)
Alicia enjoyed it so much that I thought it would be a good idea to race down the Discovery arcade to see the train again at the other end... ;)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v368/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0461-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v777/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0462-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v258/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0463-vi.jpg)
While we were debating whether I should go back to the room with Alicia so that she could have a proper nap, she very kindly fell asleep in her pushchair... So next stop: Frontierland and Phantom Manor (unfortunately, BTM was closed :cry: )
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v777/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0464-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v361/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0466-vi.jpg)
Again we took turns to go on the ride so that someone could stay with Alicia. I was particularly happy to go on PM because it had been closed on our last visit to DLP, and it's one of my favourite rides.
After PM the rain was back... We took cover and did a bit of shopping in the big Frontierland shop (one of my favourites in the park) And it was pleasantly quiet, it was really nice to be able to browse with the shop almost to ourselves!
Feeling the cold (and after Alicia woke up), it was time to another favourite: the Cable Car Bake Shop :) for some hot chocolate and cakes
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1572/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0469-vi.jpg)
Alicia with our friend Lisa
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v387/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0471-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0480-vi.jpg)
I had a yummy cheesecake... Hmmmm!!
It was still raining :roll: so we thought it was a good time to on the train... We headed towards the Discoveryland station where fortunately the line was short enough to give us some cover from the rain!
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v449/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0486-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v369/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0487-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v220/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0490-vi.jpg)
Another of my favourite things in the park is simply sitting in the train and going round... It did feel a bit cold, but still, we were dry, and it's just so pleasant!! They had done some changes since our last visit: first there are new gates on each carriage, which they lock before the train leaves the station, so it feels a lot safer. And second, instead of leaving everyone on the platform to find a place for themselves, they were directing people to particular carriages. It was a lot easier! Nice to see that even after 20 years they're still seeing how to improve things...
We went around and got down at the Fantasyland station. There was a very small queue for the Carousel, so we thought we would give that a try with Alicia.
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v643/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_2591-vi.jpg)
When she saw the carriage there she inmidiately wanted to go on it... Another family took it before us though, so we tried putting her on one of the horses... And she was having none of it! She could have been scared, I guess... In any case, there's no point in doing a ride if you're going to be traumatised by it... So we asked the people in the carriage if we could join them (and another woman and her daughter came to sit with us as well just before it started...)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v1628/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0495-vi.jpg)
See? Everyone happy ;)
By now it was close to 7 and we were all a bit cold and tired of the rain. After a quick stop to visit the dragon under the Castle (Alicia wasn't too sure about him....) we thought we'd go and get some shopping done on Main Street. However once we got to the Hub the parade was coming and the rain wasn't too bad... We did not have a great spot but it wasn't too crowded so we could still see it quite well, and so we stayed to see the parade :)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1530/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0502-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v585/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0503-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v355/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0504-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v714/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0516-vi.jpg)
(//http://images49.fotki.com/v1555/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0520-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1623/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0522-vi.jpg)
(//http://images49.fotki.com/v1585/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0527-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v104/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0530-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0531-vi.jpg)
(//http://images51.fotki.com/v1561/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0537-vi.jpg)
(//http://images46.fotki.com/v62/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0538-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v505/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0540-vi.jpg)
And time to go....
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v256/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0541-vi.jpg)
Originally we were all going to go for dinner at the Steakhouse in the DV, but Alicia was rather tired, so we thought it would be better to get her to bed sooner rather than later... So after a bit of shopping in the Emporium (and a quick stop in Starbucks to grab a sandwich and cake for my dinner) Alicia and I went back to the room while the others went for dinner.
They were all quite tired and didn't stay to watch Dreams (and by the time my husband came back to the room I was all ready in my pyjamas so I didn't really have the strength to go back out. I did try watching a bit from the room (we could see part of the Castle from our window), but it wasnt a great view and without the music it wasn't quite so great... So after a few minutes I gave up and we went for a relatively early night...
Day 3 (our last day :( ) coming next!
Great report. I love the pictures of Alicia with the characters :D
I'm glad you had a great time despite the weather.
Wow! Lovely photo's! Your daughter looks like she was having a ball! It's so nice seeing little kids interacting with the characters so well.
Lovely report and great photos - especially the ones with the characters! It's nice to see that you had a good time despite the rainy weather :)
Thank you all :)
It really was the best thing, seeing my little girl with all the characters... :) And it was also one of the few times when I took take lots of pictures... I've noticed that if you're pushing a push chair or running after a little girl trying to get her to hold you hand when there are people around, it's not easy to admire the view, let alone take pictures of it!! Plus the bad weather didn't help most of the time... Ah, I remember when I could take the time to look at the window displays in Main Street, or admire the flowers around Fantasyland... Not too much of that during this trip!!
Apologies for delay, but it seems that summer finally made a small appearance here in Luxembourg so we were out most of the time over the weekend...
Here's the first update for day 3!
Our last day was a Saturday; knowing it would be a busier day we weren't planning on doing too much, and we would be going back home after lunch.
The only ride I still wanted to get done with Alicia was Dumbo, but other than that, we were just going to enjoy our last few hours in the parks...
So the idea was to make it to the parks during the EMH, for Dumbo. We set the alarm so that we would have time for a calm breakfast, checking out and head out by 9:00.
We ended up going for breakfast a little after 8, and there were already quite a few people there. We got our table and fortunately we didn't need to wait long until Mickey came by...
Waiting for her turn.,..
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v450/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000776-vi.jpg)
All worth it!!
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000778-vi.jpg)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v20/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000784-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v380/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000787-vi.jpg)
Once more Alicia shows Mickey her Minnie
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v643/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0550-vi.jpg)
(//http://images51.fotki.com/v731/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000792-vi.jpg)
Where's Alicia??
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v1617/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0554-vi.jpg)
After another yummy breakfast (I wish I could have a buffet like that every day... I still miss those pancakes!!) we went back to get ready, before going out for our last day in the park. The sun seemed to be shining so I was quite eager to get going!!
On the way from our room to the lifts we ran into Launchpad... As soon as he saw us he came directly to see us (well, Alicia mostly...) and gave Alicia a big hug!
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v104/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0556-vi.jpg)
After checking out (which was very quick, since we could even leave our bags in the room and they would pick them up to take to the luggage room, great service!) we were on our way!!
Tinkerbell on top of the world
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v1623/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0560-vi.jpg)
(the globe was spinning every day!!)
Already quite a few people around....
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v191/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0561-vi.jpg)
In Main Street. The horse carriage was just coming out!
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v684/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0562-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v426/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0563-vi.jpg)
No time to waste though, we went straight towards Dumbo... Which turned out to be closed (despite it being in the list of rides that should open during EMH) and already had a little queue... Still, we wanted to get that done so better a little queue now that a longer one later...
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v20/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0564-vi.jpg)
At least our view was quite pleasant...
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v1604/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0565-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v1572/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0566-vi.jpg)
(//http://images51.fotki.com/v423/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0567-vi.jpg)
For the first time it felt like spring was near!!
(//http://images49.fotki.com/v629/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0570-vi.jpg)
Fortunately Dumbo opened a bit before 10 so we didn't need to wait too long, and once they opened the queue moved quite quickly
(//http://images46.fotki.com/v319/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0569-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v512/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0585-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v380/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0574-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v390/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0579-vi.jpg)
I love these...
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v661/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0578-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v258/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0580-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v1614/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0581-vi.jpg)
(//http://images16.fotki.com/v369/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0582-vi.jpg)
Dumbo is one of the rides we've done the least often (to be honest I think this could have been my 2nd or 3rd go on it), we always thought it was more for little kids, but I've always thought it's one of the most beautiful in Fantasyland, the theming is gorgeous... Particularly on a beautiful sunny morning!!
Ready to go!
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0587-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v696/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000805-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v224/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000812-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v386/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000813-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v1566/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000817-vi.jpg)
Alicia loved flying!! I think this was one of her favourite rides :)
And we followed it with another favourite, Peter Pan
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v1601/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0594-vi.jpg)
(//http://images61.fotki.com/v431/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0597-vi.jpg)
Thank you VIP fastpass... ;)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v510/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0596-vi.jpg)
Still way too dark inside, but well... Hopefully by our next visit it will be fixed!
Oops...
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v696/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0600-vi.jpg)
Next update to follow soon!
Great report, I've never seen launch pad at dlp before! Someone let go of a big bunch of balloons when we were there too lol
Next and final update!
After Peter Pan, time for Alice's Curious Labyrinth... I think this was one of Alicia's favourites (by the way yes she is partly named after Alice - Alicia is Alice in Spanish) mostly because she could run around more freely than in other parts of the park...
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v1614/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0601-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v627/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0603-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v127/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0610-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v702/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000818-vi.jpg)
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v738/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0612-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v506/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0615-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v380/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0616-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v361/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0617-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v106/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0618-vi.jpg)
To be honest we hardly had time to see much of it, Alicia was having too much fun running ahead of us!!
Time for something quieter...
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v80/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0620-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v132/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0621-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v505/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0629-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v512/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0638-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v386/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0641-vi.jpg)
(//http://images50.fotki.com/v392/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0642-vi.jpg)
(//http://images55.fotki.com/v268/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0645-vi.jpg)
I wonder why you never see the ducks inside the ride... There are always some outside, I've never seen one inside!! Maybe they don't like the music....
Beautiful day at last!!
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v1625/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0647-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v156/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0648-vi.jpg)
Who needs rides when you can just go round and round and round a cover on the ground...
(//http://images52.fotki.com/v640/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0649-vi.jpg)
Bella Notte
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v256/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0653-vi.jpg)
With a weather like this, on a Saturday, you can imagine the crowds... It was busy!
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v1602/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0654-vi.jpg)
So time for our fastpasses again, this time with Buzz!!
(//http://images15.fotki.com/v792/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0655-vi.jpg)
Today, Buzz wasn't moving... At all. He was working 2 days out of 3, I guess it could be worse.... :roll:
(//http://images49.fotki.com/v302/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0660-vi.jpg)
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v154/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0662-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v1625/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0664-vi.jpg)
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v127/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0675-vi.jpg)
This time Alicia and I went together, and Cris by himself (so that he could concentrate on getting his top score....) As soon as we were sitting in our spaceship Alicia was asking for her gun (which she couldn't really reach until the shields were lowered...). She even got 2000 points on the first go!! In fact we all liked it so much we went on it again, and this time Alicia got 2300 points! We were very proud of her....
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v777/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0674-vi.jpg)
A few people around...
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v684/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0676-vi.jpg)
We had booked for lunch Agrabah Cafe, so we started heading that way... Hard to believe it was almost time to go already!! Just time for a few more pictures...
(//http://images56.fotki.com/v701/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000827-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v367/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0677-vi.jpg)
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v384/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0683-vi.jpg)
Almost there
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v514/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0684-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v386/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0685-vi.jpg)
(//http://images12.fotki.com/v252/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0682-vi.jpg)
Agrabah Cafe
(//http://images58.fotki.com/v156/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0687-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v461/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0688-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v111/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000837-vi.jpg)
We were seated at the back, under the big tent (we always end up sitting there!! Next time I need to ask if we can sit somewhere else....).
Remember when no one seemed to know about this wonderful restaurant? Well that's over now. It was busy, and there was quite a long queue to get the food!! Particularly because most people seemed to start queueing at the start (so by the salads) when in fact they wanted to go for the hot food!! I was getting food for Alicia so I ignored them and started waiting just before the hot food, ignoring the line for the salads, and fortunately a few people followed my example so that there were two separate lines. And then they also opened another buffet, in a litte stand in front of the salads, so that people could get their food from 2 different places. It helped a bit, but it did feel a bit chaotic...
Still, the food is so good, it's all worth it!! I had lots of starters, the lentils salad, chickpeas, hummus, taboulé.... Yummy. Then couscous, mousaka... Great great meal.
Hmm chocolate pudding...
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v219/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0692-vi.jpg)
After a really delicious lunch, it was time so go back.... :( Of course one cannot go past Main Street without going into at least one or two shops (particularly when they're nice and quiet). And while I was showing to my DH what I wanted for my birthday (it's coming up this weekend, same day as Donald Duck ;) ) the character train came by, time to see Mickey, Minnie and Pluto one more time!! (the one character I regret not seeing in either Inventions or breakfast was Pluto, Alicia loves him almost as much as Mickey and Minnie...)
Here they come (together with a bit of rain, I might add...)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v685/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0696-vi.jpg)
(//http://images20.fotki.com/v189/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0698-vi.jpg)
(//http://images59.fotki.com/v111/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0699-vi.jpg)
(//http://images54.fotki.com/v514/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0700-vi.jpg)
Do we really need to say goodbye? :(
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0704-vi.jpg)
Springtime
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v384/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0705-vi.jpg)
By the time we were actually ready to leave, after shopping, changing nappies and all that, the train was coming back towards Main Street... And once Alicia heard the music and knew what was coming, we couldnt leave without seeing it for the last time!!
(//http://images14.fotki.com/v1625/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0707-vi.jpg)
(//http://images60.fotki.com/v662/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0708-vi.jpg)
(//http://images57.fotki.com/v1354/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0710-vi.jpg)
Waving goodbye
(//http://images15.fotki.com/v1626/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0711-vi.jpg)
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0713-vi.jpg)
Time to go... One last picture by the Mickey flower bed (thank you lady for not being able to wait 1 minute to take your picture... :evil: )
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1582018/12072990/P1000841-vi.jpg)
Back in the hotel, Cris went to get the car while I got the bags, and soon we were on our way...
(//http://images108.fotki.com/v191/photos/8/1582018/12072990/IMG_0714-vi.jpg)
We had a really great time, despite the weather being much cooler (and wet) than we would have liked, this time of the year... But this trip was really to give Alicia a first proper taste of the Disney magic, and I think she got it :) It was very different to other visits, without any thrill rides (BTM was closed, but it did feel a bit strange not doing TOT, or RNRC, or Space Mountain...), and with a very different rhythm. We used to go from park opening to park closing, non stop, getting lots done. This time it felt a lot more relaxed, we concentrated on fewer rides (though we still did some quite a few times). It did feel too short (like it always does) and I would have liked to get some more things done, like going around Adventure Isle, visiting the Castle Gallery, getting some shopping done in World of Disney... And meeting Pluto, I would have loved to meet Pluto. But well, there's always next time... ;) And I can't wait!
Hope you enjoyed the TR, thank you for reading!!
Thank you for writing a TR! Loved reading it!
For me too, it always feels too short! While there it feels like beeing in another world. I seldom follow news or newspapers.
Aurora1
Your trip report was fantastic :)
Tempted to see if I can persuade my family to do a lunch at Agrabah ...
Its funny how life changes - to think that you have slowed right down on this trip, whereas we will be going back with a 10 year old and 18 year old who are going for the fast rides, whereas previously, we were very much the more gentle rides and characters on previous visits when the kids were younger.
But whatever the reason, you cant beat the magic of a Disney Holiday :)
Amazing report! Thanks for sharing :)
Very special report N2O, loved every bit, especially the lovely pictures =D>
I think the little one is well on the way to a life of Disney Magic. I envy her :thumbs:
Thanks guys :D As always it was a real pleasure to share my trip with you. Particularly this one, which was probably the most special one for us yet.
@tubbsy you need to try Agrabah! Maybe avoid the rush hour (we did go there at 12:30 on a Saturday which maybe did not help with the queue in the buffet....) but despite the queues we had this time, it still is one of our absolute favourite restaurants. And the theming is beautiful, we always find it very relaxing in there.
@Epcot_Boy I confess I am extremely happy to see she's turning out to be such a great Disney fan... I did worry a bit before going that she wouldn't enjoy it, that she would be scared of the characters or wouldn't like the rides... But no, she is truly one of us!!! I'm not sure how much of the trip she will remember, but I'm sure she'll never forget getting a big hug from Minnie or Mickey!
Very nice trip. All of you enjoy it. Great photos wit the Castle!
I try something little with your "picture with the lady" . Quick repair, if i have original quality of this picture i try it better...
(//http://i39.tinypic.com/2rdu42x.jpg)
ulak you are brilliant!!!!
I will look for the original one and send it to you via PM, if that's ok....
Great report, lovely pictures :)
I think it must be a Disney thing at the moment with people returning unwell haha.
In response to your question about Tigger and friends being on T.V in the UK- not for a while. I know my two are getting older (10 & 6) but they still enjoy Mickey Mouse Club House - as do i haha but refused to watch it this year because of Tigger and Little Einsteins. I think DLP need to update this show with current programmes- Jake and the Neverland Pirates gets a vote from my lot :) I have 2 year old neices and they were not amused when Hand Manny and Mickey Mouse finished, not interested in the other either.
Quote from: "ulak"Very nice trip. All of you enjoy it. Great photos wit the Castle!
I try something little with your "picture with the lady" . Quick repair, if i have original quality of this picture i try it better...
(//http://i39.tinypic.com/2rdu42x.jpg)
Ulak, may I ask, how did you do that?
Just got round to reading all this 'Trip Report'.. :D
I really enjoyed reading through it never2old, looking at the all important photos with every paragraph, you have some great shots there. It really is a story in itself.. :D
I'm pleased you all had fun, especially Alicia (a junior Disney fan in the making for sure), despite some of the weather at times.. :D/
Thanks for sharing.. ;)
Ulak! How did you do that? Thats brilliant! :D
Love it!
Quote from: "norhel"Ulak, may I ask, how did you do that?
Hello, i made it in Adobe Photoshop program - several tools.
Fantastic trip report! :D
Amazing! Thank you for sharing :D