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Disneyland Paris => Disneyland Paris Trip Reports => Topic started by: Karen101 on June 01, 2016, 02:28:14 PM

Title: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 01, 2016, 02:28:14 PM
Disney Pre-Trip Report July 04/07/2016 to 08/07/2016

Well I've never done a trip report before, but this forum and the members have been so helpful and wonderful that I thought it was only fair to share!

We are now on the Months countdown to our very much surprise trip!  When I say surprise I mean that my daughter and my mother have no idea we are going!  They believe we are going to England for a week and will be none the wiser until the morning of our trip!

So the cast is as follows: Myself, a Disney mad mummy who is 34 and my darling hubby who is 37 a enjoys Disney perhaps not as much as me, but certainly loves the parks.  Our little princess will be 7 on this trip and my mother is a very young 58.  More exciting is that while my mother is a huge huge Disney fan, she is Disney park virgin so this trip will be extra extra special!

We are flying out from Dublin with Aer Lingus on the 4th of July on the 9.40am flight.  Once we get to the airport I plan on doing a big reveal, I have gift boxes for the two of them, with Minnie Ears, various goodies for my DD, a book on DLP for my mother and a new camera for her!  I plan to capture the whole thing if I can and I am pretty sure there will be tears but we shall see!

We are taking the magic coach transfer from CDG to Disney.  I know this method of transport is not to everyone's delight, but I don't know what it is about the coach but I just enjoy the trip, and I do enjoy seeing the other hotels as we drop off.

We are staying at the Newport Bay Club this time around; previous trips have been to Cheyenne and off site, but with this a special trip for my mother I figured we would do something a little more special, we had considered the Disneyland hotel, but the pool at the NPB sold it for us.  We are staying in a Compass Club Family room which will be nice, ive heard lovely things about the rooms, and I promise to report on them.

As a gift from my brother we were given full board plus vouchers!  Which is a lot of food I know!  Since we have American style breakfast and then lunch and dinner plus your pause gourmand vouchers as well!  We have made our restaurant reservations which im very excited about, the only exception being lunch the day we arrive and lunch the day we leave.  We figured we would leave those to chance and see what takes our fancy.  We are delighted though as this time we have reservations at Blue Lagoon, Inventions, BCR and three of the hotels, it will be nice to try out several places!  Lucky for us the parks are open until 11pm while we are there so at least our evening dinner reservations are not until 7pm!

Ive started doing a little shopping, Pennys (aka Primark) have had some great Disney stuff in, for adults and kids so ive been picking up bits and bobs as I go along!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: bad-pink-tink on June 01, 2016, 02:46:57 PM
the big reveal at the airport sounds fun,  :) You mum is going to have an amazing trip, especially as you know the park well.

I do Magic shuttle too, getting to the parks and going to the other hotels is all part of the experience.

I was in Pennys last week, the Disney stuff is lovely but I decided to wait and buy stuff when I get to Disney in California. I did get a Harry Potter tshirt though for my Universal Studios day
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 01, 2016, 04:57:39 PM
I saw the universal stuff as well!! I hope they will have it next year when im heading to Florida ... fingers crossed hehehe

im looking forward to the airport ... it will be such fun to see their faces!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Zee79 on June 01, 2016, 06:25:08 PM
So looking forward to hearing how the reveal goes! I've been shopping in Primark for my Disney things, going have to go back one last time because hubby put one of my tops in the dryer & now it fits my daughter! I'm not a happy bunny! We are going the back end of July & can't wait.
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: daddyof2 on June 01, 2016, 07:37:17 PM
Hope you all have a lovely time, update us when you get back!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Vikkilou on June 01, 2016, 09:22:48 PM
Bet the reveal will be ace  were going for the second time at the end of august  we haven't told our boys 4&6 & not going to til we arrive at the airport ( this is partly due to my eldest being adamant he doesn't like to fly tho he can't remember his last time on a plane!! ) going to do them gift boxes to & disney tshirts to put on
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 13, 2016, 12:01:00 AM
i hope your big reveal goes well Vikkilou :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: fairymom on June 13, 2016, 12:07:43 AM
ah it all sounds brilliant, can't wait to hear the reaction to the big reveal!

That is a lot of food you are right. We found last month when we were over that with the longer park hours we were having dinner at 8/8.30pm. We only had one reservation made, Inventions, for my daughter's birthday. I made it for 6pm before we went but realised there that it was far too early. I tried to change it to later but they could only give me 6.30.
We are going back next month and I've reserved Inventions again (just because!) but this time for 8pm. The CM on the phone sounded a bit surprised when I said it!
Basically, my point is, you may find you need later reservations when you are there because you'll need to stretch things out for the longer days. If Dreams is at 11pm you might find you want something else to eat between dinner and Dreams! You could collect your Pause Gourmande snacks though and save them for later just in case?

I'm loving the Penney's stuff too. I bought 3 Mickey t-shirts a couple of weeks ago and have been wearing them non-stop. They're so light and comfy in the warm weather :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: grawns on June 14, 2016, 11:28:34 PM
So exciting!!! I'm staying out of Penny's as I'm not heading off till March for my DS fifth birthday so anything I buy now will be out of season and worn to bits by then.
That's so much food I'm jealous. You seem super organised. Was it hard to keep the surprise? I think I'm going to burst before March.
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 15, 2016, 11:31:36 AM
We have made our dinner reservations for 7pm so hopefully that will be okay :)  and we might actually do that save the muffins or donuts or what ever they are, my mother and I are not that big on sweet things like so my hubby and daughter can have them later if they want.  I would imagine that pair will go for ice cream hahaha

and yes Pennys is bad ... I need to keep away ... but they have oddles of frozen stuff in the market area ... might have to have just one more look!!!

there is 18 days to go now :) getting super excited!!

I agree Grawns it does seem like a lot of food.  When I booked there was no free half board options so I booked the package without one.  My brother gifted the food package too us and went for Full Board plus even though I told him half board would be more than enough hahaha oh well!!! we are eating in some places I would likely not have done before, such as Rat and Blue Lagoon, simply because we have so much to use up :) we have saved the buffets for the evenings.  Plus, the breakfast at the Newport Bay is hot as well so bacon and pancakes etc ... ill be like an elephant when I come back!

im getting more organized now.  Just got our seats assigned with Aer Lingus so that's good, but still a little too early to check in yet :)

it has been very hard to keep it a secret I think im driving my husband bananas cause hes the only one I am talking too about it haha still not long to go now!

Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: ZoeG on June 15, 2016, 12:01:23 PM
Oh my goodness that sounds amazing. Can't wait to hear about the big reveal!

That is such a good idea!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 15, 2016, 12:21:40 PM
hopefully it will go according to plan!

Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: cjebs on June 15, 2016, 10:50:55 PM
sound like a great trip,

are you not doing buffalo bills for your mum as a first timer?
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 16, 2016, 12:15:46 PM
Nope we aren't :)

my hubby isn't a fan sadly :) but no matter hehe
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 22, 2016, 11:28:23 AM
Well we area just a little over a week out now ... and we hit a bump in the road.

my lovely DD has managed to break her arm!!  Disaster ... or not.  Okay so it is not ideal, but other than not being able to go swimming boohoo, and being unable to do Space Mountain, Rock and Roller and Indy (which to be honest she was never going to do anyway) I think it is survivable!

So we get a proper cast on Friday, and we will get a safe to fly letter and on we shall go :)

Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Zee79 on June 22, 2016, 12:08:29 PM
Oh no. My daughter broke her collar bone 3 days before travelling! Her response"mammy is going to kill me!" As if would, I was beside myself.  She adapted fantastic to it, just upset she couldn't go on the 'bone shakers ' as the consultant put it. When we asked him about going he said enjoy. He left it up to Disney as to what she could go on, they never stopped her on any.
You could still swim if you are willing to buy the special cover for broken arms. I've been shall I say lucky in monetary terms because my daughter's breaks have been where they don't plaster them so she's never stopped swimming. All we took with her was medicine in case it hurt whilst there other than that she had a great time there, couldn't tell apart from the empty sleeve dangling from her coat haha.




Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 22, 2016, 01:48:00 PM
ahhh well at least I know someone else has been in the same boat!

she doesn't even know she is going but she was sooo upset about swimming.  I might look into seeing is there something I can buy to cover it.  She broke it above the elbow so its a full arm cast!

but Disney will still be magical, shes not into the bone rattlers anyway so it should be fine :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: ZoeG on June 22, 2016, 03:41:39 PM
Oh no!!! The poor wee soul!

What a stress for you too! I am sure the Disney Magic will take her mind off it!!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: grawns on June 23, 2016, 12:52:05 AM
Oh so sorry to hear about your daughter.  I'm getting excited for you now nearly there
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: MrsRoachy on June 23, 2016, 11:12:22 AM
My daughter recently twisted ligaments in her elbow and had a full arm cast so I feel your pain! We were given a leaflet from the hospital regarding waterproof cast covers that would mean she can swim with it on. I'm pretty sure she'll soon forget all about it when she finds out where she's going!! Have an amazing time
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 23, 2016, 11:19:03 AM
ah its good to know there is something to use for it :)

and yeah im pretty sure she will hahaha :)

and to be honest I had a little look at the list of rides she cant go on and pretty much other than Crushes, they were ones she wouldn't have gone on anyway, and with BTM closed its not a huge loss :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Zee79 on June 28, 2016, 09:55:36 PM
Well after all this talk my youngest has gone and twisted her elbow, bruising her radial head. She hit it off the lane ropes in the pool during training. She has got 26 days to heal  :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 28, 2016, 10:23:24 PM
Oh good lord what are we like!!! My dd has a return visit to the hospital on Friday and baring a miracle it will be dlp with a cast lol if we get there thanks to the French air traffic control strikes!!

I swear I'll need a glow tini or six!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Zee79 on June 28, 2016, 11:15:35 PM
I'm so stressed haha its normally my eldest who does these kind of things. I'll be glad when I'm in Disney enjoying myself. Hope all goes well for you & your daughter.
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Vikkilou on June 29, 2016, 10:22:30 PM
Aw no your poor dd  though am sure disney will take her mind off it.   Wonder if the characters will sign her cast!!  I've got 9 weeks to go, just got the boys a stitch lanyard for their reveal goody bag!!
Have a fab time
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: grawns on June 29, 2016, 11:46:31 PM
Nearly there kids must be finished school this week will be hard to keep the secret then. Have a fab time, I'm really looking forward to hearing all about it.
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on June 30, 2016, 10:56:56 AM
My daughter has her end of term party today and then school is out for the summer :)

thankfully we are going to have a busy few days then go on Monday so the secret should be safe!!!

its so close now I can almost smell Disney!!!!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: grawns on July 04, 2016, 02:25:54 AM
I'm so excited for you
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on July 10, 2016, 10:17:03 AM
Well we are back with a bang .... I am going to do a very detailed trip report but all I can say is WOW

It was an amazing trip!!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: fairymom on July 10, 2016, 01:06:05 PM
Can't wait for your trip report!!

Welcome home :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Zee79 on July 10, 2016, 01:52:27 PM
Welcome home! Was wondering if we would be hearing from you soon  :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: dlpowl on July 10, 2016, 05:24:28 PM
Hope you had a wonderful time!  Can't wait to hear your story!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Vikkilou on July 10, 2016, 10:12:23 PM
How was your trip & all the surprises ??
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: cjebs on July 10, 2016, 10:34:25 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on July 11, 2016, 09:16:05 AM
It was all amazing such a fantastic time.

Mickey and the Magician ... Amazing ... And now it's on more times a day it will be great

Peter Pan opened a day early and it was fantastic

Main Street station is unveiled and looks fab

The frozen summer fun is wonderful ... Really cute

And OMG the rides were practically walk on all week save Friday ... Our longest wait was 45 mins in the studios for parachute drop .. I've never been when it was so quiet line wise it was amazing. (Except princess pavilion was 60 mins )

Also the amount of characters that were out was fantastic, Peter Wendy Smee Genie Gaston Cruella Sully Stitch Tiana Jafar Merida Mad Hatter Alice Pinicchio and Gippetoe loads more some had timed spots and others were random
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: polar vixen on July 11, 2016, 10:15:49 AM
where did you see Gaston cruella abd sulley please?  been desperate to see them and not seen Since they stored doing stArs n cars!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: dlpowl on July 11, 2016, 10:48:14 AM
So pleased you had a great time!  How did the surprise reveal go? 
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Vikkilou on July 11, 2016, 01:30:56 PM
Omg my kids would do mad if they saw stitch!!! 
Glad u had a good time
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: dlpowl on July 11, 2016, 03:29:26 PM
 Can we post video clips here?  Not from YouTube, but our own video clips?  If we can, how would I do it?
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: norhel on July 11, 2016, 03:35:23 PM
Quote from: dlpowl on July 11, 2016, 03:29:26 PM
Can we post video clips here?  Not from YouTube, but our own video clips?  If we can, how would I do it?

You can't upload a video directly on here. You need to go through a website like YouTube or other services.
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: dlpowl on July 11, 2016, 04:20:07 PM
Aah, okay, thank you.
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on July 11, 2016, 06:05:23 PM
The big reveal went very well lots of screaming and crying lol I'm use people thought we were nuts hahaha

Cruella was near the ToT in the studios, Sully was outside the screen floor in the studios.  Gaston was near the sword and the stone in fantasy land, apparently Belle had been out in her blue dress earlier as well but we never saw her.  Stich was near small world, beside the back walk way to discovery land :)
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: grawns on July 14, 2016, 09:46:09 PM
Glad you had such a great time!!!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: Karen101 on July 28, 2016, 09:39:13 AM
Sorry for the delay had a mental few weeks and a death in the family my trip report should be up soon-!!
Title: Re: Pre Trip Report - July 2016
Post by: grawns on August 04, 2016, 11:46:53 PM
Glad you had a great time