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[never2old]

I know how you all feel.... I too want to be back!!! Part[icularly when I look out the window this morning and it's all grey and wet and miserable... At least if I was back home in DLP, I could cheer myself up a little in Pirates, IASW or Buzz!! It's always soooo nice in there!!

Anyway, here's day 2, part 4: Disney Magic on Parade!! And this time I'll let the pictures do the talking



















































































And that's that!!

Overall, not a bad parade. The music is very catchy, and although it plays in a loop, the repetition didn't bother me. I do miss the different music for the different floats and the stops with the different choreographies, but that was OUAD and this is a new parade, so I guess we shouldn't compare too much... It does go by a lot faster, of course, without any stops (sometimes a little too fast, I think this is one parade that requires multiple viewings before you can really see everything!!)  It's a fun, very colourful, very lively parade, and I really enjoyed it. And now looking back at all the pictures I can hear the music again!!

You may have noticed, by the way, that there was no Duffy on the last float... In fact we didn't see Duffy anywhere (just his merchandise) Is he completely gone now?

Anyway, I'll try to continue with the report this afternoon!!

[ilovedisneylandparis]

I was just about to mention Duffy! I hope he isn't gone I know he's not available for meet 'n' greet anymore but I was comforted by the fact that he would be on the float...I hope they bring him back! I really love that bear

[lynny]

Lovely  pictures again....you captured the parade brilliantly

looking forward to hearing the rest.x

  i really hope duffy hasnt gone,would really like to meet him on our feb trip :?

[never2old]

Apologies for the lack of updates this weekend, it's been pretty busy...

Yes, I was surprised not to see Duffy anywhere, I knew he no longer had a meet 'n' greet but I really thought we would still be in the parade!!

Maybe he'll be back for Christmas?

Anyway, here's the next update, day 2 part 5!

After the parade, since we were just there and the queue was quite small (it usually is straight after the parade!) it was time for IASW:



And now let's all sing along!!

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all!

(I'm sure you've all got the song in your head by now   :twisted:   :twisted: )

























Don't you just LOVE this ride?? I can't wait to take my little girl on it!!

Some more pics around Fantasyland







After this happy cruise, I thought it was time try Frontierland and the Big Thunder Mountain... Of course as it's often the case, the walk from Fantasyland to Frontierland can take a long long time, if you happen to go by the Castle and the sun is shining and it looks so beautiful you just need to stop and admire it and admire it for a bit...

Halloween around the Castle






Not exactly sure what was happening here, but suddendly there was smoke (or could have been steam) coming out around the Castle?? We took a picture at the end only, though...


Of course that did remind us that it was almost 6:00 and that the fountains test should be happening soon. So after a visit to the dragon under the Castle (looking absolutely stunning, and moving very well!!) we decided to hang out around the Castle a bit more, just in case... I saw that the windows in the Dreams booth were open, so something was going to happen soon... And the floor on the bridge that goes to the dragon was still dry, so I knew we hadn't missed it!! (just before the show starts, the close the access to the bridge)



We were not the only ones waiting for the fountains show...









A few minutes before 6, the show started!









And here's a very short video I took with the phone:

[youtube:2olfwuy0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFmcm8wfQxA&feature=g-upl[/youtube:2olfwuy0]

It really is a lovely little show  :thumbs:  (even though it's simply a test to check everything works before Dreams....)





Time for Frontierland! As soon as we walked into Thunder Mesa we saw the Molly Brown was getting ready to board, so before trying BTM we thought we should give the riverboat a go!





You get great views from the riverboat













That leg looks painful...


Excellent theming here!!




















By the way, BTM was not working... Again....  :evil:

And back to Thunder Mesa!

PM was closed for its refurb


Since BTM was once more not running, we decided to go back to DIscoveryland. And on the way, the fountains show was on again!



And after the show (sorry, I just love the Castle from this angle, and with this light!!!!)



After the show, things didn't go too well

FIrst we went to Discoveryland to try Buzz, but despite the 30 minutes wait the fastpass line had already been closed (so no VIP fastpasss). BTM was still closed. We decided to go to Pirates again, where there was no queue so we went pretty much straight into the boat. But for some reason, even though there weren't many people waiting, the CM there decided to sit 4 adults in the first row of the boat. And I don't mind it being a bit more tight like that, but it did make our boat heavier on the front... Which meant that on the first dip down, we were completely soaked!!  :shock:  :-x  My feet got wet, my bag on the floor got wet (fortunately the camera and the phone were dry), and worst of all, my bottom was soaked Now I've done Pirates many many times before, and many many times I've gotten wet, but this time, I was really not in the mood, and I got particularly soaked. Needless to say, I was not happy at all.

So we decided no more rides for the day, and instead it was time to go back to the room, for a little rest and some dry clothes, before coming back out before Dreams.

I  wasn't even in the mood for pictures.... Fortunately Cris was, and he took this one from Town Square:



Probably my favourite picture from the whole trip

Back in the hotel:



And a bit later, back in the park:



It was around 19:45 (Dreams was at 20:30) and I was starting to worry that it wouldn't be dark enough... My mood had improved a little, but not much, I confess. And I was really missing my little girl, and we'd try calling to speak with her (well, she doesn't talk yet, but you know what I mean...) but first she was having her bath and then having dinner and then she was already in bed, so we hadn't been able to

And it was already quite busy!!



We had decided to watch Dreams from the end of Main Street, so we waited for a bit sitting on the curve, and then when it was getting closer to show time (and yes, getting a lot darker) we moved to the middle of the road.



There didn't seem to be too many people with kids around us, so I figured we wouldn't get too many kids on shoulders in front of us....

FInally, Dreams!!  And again things did not go great... It started to rain a little after Dreams began, which was fine. But I don't know if it was because of the rain or what, but as soon as the show began we had a quite a few people who decided to get out, most of them in groups, many with pushchairs. And all of them had to come straigh through us  :evil:  :evil:  Honestly, what's wrong with you people??? You see there's a crowd trying to watch the most beautiful show there is, you need to walk right through it?? You couldn't leave before the show started?? Or go through the sides where there are less people?? No!!!

At first I though I would try to film some bits on my phone, but after getting so many interruptions, I gave up I just took some quick pics, and only a couple minutes worth of video













And a bit of video (which considering I wasn't looking at the screen but just holding the phone in place, didn't come out too bad!!)

[youtube:2olfwuy0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGUBLZlIiRE[/youtube:2olfwuy0]

Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed Dreams. It's too beautiful and magical not to. But I was seriously annoyed with everyone around me!!

After Dreams, we had some time for a shower and a little rest before dinner, which we had booked at the California Grill.

Now again to continue with the annoying people theme of the evening, we had a rather loud family next to us, but fortunately they were gone by the time our starter came, and we could enjoy a very relaxing and delicious meal, overlooking the park!

I went for one of their menus, with the fois gras for starter (delicious), followed by salmon:



And for dessert, the biggest ice cream cup I've ever had! (in fact I couldn't even finish it...)



Delicious

At first when we were having dinner we were enjoying the view of Main Street and the Castle. Lovely. Then suddenly the lights around the Castle went off. Strange, they had turned them off on the night before, but much later than that. And then a bit later, the whole of Main Street got switched off!! Very strange, seeing the park dark like that. It almost looked abandoned!!  :shock:

After dinner, back in the Castle Club






And the view from our room that night. By the time we were back in our room they had started work around Town Plaza (as we would see the next day, they had added new Halloween decorations) But there was no music playing at all. It was dead quiet!! Very very strange...



There used to be a Space Mountain there....


At least the Castle is still there...


Day 3 coming soon!!

[DisneyManiac]

Those last pictures taught us all a lesson! Never enter a theme park when the gates are closed! Because you never know what could be happening... Behind the Gates! Sounds like a horror movie, Behind the Gates, doesn't it?

[never2old]

And day 3 begins!

And what a start it was... It was one of those very rare nights for us now where we had no interruptions, no waking up in the middle of the night (not even to go to the loo  :roll: ), just a few blissful hours of deep, uninterrupted sleep.... Amazing.

Until just before 7 when I started hearing a voice, in the background... Slowly I woke up, to realise that the voice was coming from outside! So I went straight to the window, to witness something I had NEVER seen before. They were testing the emergency evacuation messages! In French, then English, a message repeating to follow the CMs instructions and calmly leave the park... Surreal!!

And of course I did what any of us would have done in such a situation: I got my phone and went to the balcony (PJs and all), to film!!    Just for you:

[youtube:1u5080sv]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdOnviXuNV8[/youtube:1u5080sv]

What a way to start the day!!

It was our time to get up anyway (since we wanted to make the most of the EMH today).

While Cris got ready (I was ready in no time, I wish I could be that fast in the mornings when we're not in Disney...) I took some more pics around the room:

The Nespresso machine:


Coffee, tea, milk etc to choose from:


A menu for the pillows!!


View from the window. By now the announcements had stopped, and the usual Main Street music loop was playing


And time for breakfast! Our table at the lounge:




The hot side of the buffet: there were scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausages, crepes and spanish omelette (next to the smoked salmon, ham, cheese, bread....)


And the sweet side, with croissants, pains au chocolat, Mickey waffles, churros, yogurts, cereal, fruit...


Wonderful wonderful breakfast

Check out was possible until 11:00, so we decided to come back later and to go straight into the park.

Overnight there had been some changes to Town Square!



But I wasn't allowed to linger and admire and take photos, I had a very impatient husband next to me itching to go on Buzz!! So straight to Discoveryland (at least he didn't make me run to get there....  :roll: )







Buzz really works great during the EMH. It's a shame they don't let you stay on the ride when it's that quiet, and that you still need to go all the way out and all the way in again.... But I guess that gives your finger a chance to rest

We went on it a few times, until Cris got what he wanted...



Then it was off to Space Mountain!







Ad Luna in Flatula Gloria  :lol:


A great trip this time, not too shaky and with great sound!! I too would love to see the original Space Mountain return, and it's wonderful soundrack. But I do like the new music (plus I'm a huge fan of Michael Giacchino...)

After  a couple more goes on Buzz (I think we did it around 10 times this morning...) we decided to head slowly towards the Studios (and hopefully go on RnRC without having to queue too much)

And at least now that Cris was in no rush, I took take some more pics!!

















So good to see this












On the Station (notice the pumpkin face on the umbrella!!)


By now it was after 10:00, so we figured going to the Studios and being back by 11:00 could be tricky... So time to check out



Time to say goodbye to our room!!






Sniff sniff

We left all the bags in the room (they come and take them for you downstairs ready for when you go), and went to check-out at the CC desk. It was quick, we were with the same lovely CM that checked us in (she asked Cris about how he did on Buzz and yes, he had to show off his score and showed her a picture of it!!!). She also gave us a new card key so that we could still access the CC via the lift (and also go down from the CC to the park entrance)

Part 2 coming soon!!

[ilovedisneylandparis]

Again, a lovely report, the photos make me so excited to go back! And isn't checking out and leaving on the last day just the saddest feeling ever, time goes so quickly at Disneyland

[lynny]

Lovely update as usual with great pictures =D>

seeing all the halloween pics is making me sooo sad :cry:  not to be going halloween this year,but hey ho got to remember feb trip and that i'm going for longer than i've ever been before 4nts/5days

I would have found it very hard to leave the longe never2old,i could sit there all day looking at the view and people watch.lol

looking forward to the rest of your report

[never2old]

Thank you!!

I have to say, I was quite sad about missing the actual Halloween season, after getting a small preview of what was coming... At one point I did think of changing our dates to go during the Halloween season, but it didn't work out We used to go every year for Halloween, and to miss it when it promised to be the best one in a long time.... Hopefully next year will be the same, and we can go then!!

And now, the last update for my report!!

So here we were, Tuesday morning, our last day in the parks (we were leaving after lunch, didn't want to get home too late because we were really missing our little baby girl!!), and time for one last walk around the Studios.



First, we went and had a little walk around TSPL. At first we thought we could maybe give RC Racer a go (the Parachutes were closed)









Following Andy's footsteps


(you can tell by that picture how quiet TSPL was!!)



There was pretty much no queue for RC, maybe 10 minutes? But if I'm honest.... I chickened out  :oops:    I just couldn't quite face it. I have done it once before, last year, and I did enjoy it! But I don't know what happened this time, I just didn't feel like doing it at all!!

So time instead for probably my favourite ride in the Studios:





And today, no queue at all!! Don't you just love it when you can go straight into a ride??

RnRC was excellent. Maybe not much smoke, but enough, plenty of lights, and loud music!! Brilliant

Time to say goodbys to WDS...



And to head back to DLP!





And time for one of the best rides ever: Big Thunder Mountain!

Again the normal queue was pretty short (between 20-30 minutes every time we checked), and the fastpass queue was always empty all the way to the trains!! Of course we had to give it a few goes.... We actually went 4 times in a row!









Honestly, this ride never dissapoints!!! Great fun every time

Back in Central Plaza:











Oh how my baby would love this!!! She's now starting to know Mickey and his friends (she loves Mickey's Clubhouse, you should see her dancing to the Hot Dog song!!!) Next year....



We had booked lunch at 14:00 in Plaza Gardens, so our time for rides was coming to an end.

So one last go on Pirates of the Caribbean (where no one got soaked this time!!)



One last look around Fantasyland and the Castle (where we had a pretty good view!)





And of course, one last go on Buzz!



And our time for rides was up

Lunchtime at Plaza Gardens:











Great lunch as usual. I love their selection (Agrabah will always be my favourite out of the two, but it was closed...), although the place can feel a bit crowded sometimes...

Last pictures around the park!











And back to the hotel, for some last minute shopping (the boutique is always so quiet!) and a couple more pics... We were both impatient to get home and see our little girl, but it's always sad to leave DLP....









Waiting for our car and lugagge









Bye bye Castle Club


And bye bye Disneyland Hotel




And that is all!!

Overall it was a great great trip, despite some negative feelings Monday evening. We missed our daughter all the time, although we both agreed it was the right decision not to bring her with us! Of course now I can't wait to take her next year!!

Hope you enjoyed the report!!

[mickeyspal]

Hi Never2old, I really enjoyed reading about your trip, and I feel sad that it's come to an end, it was my daily fix while sitting in my office pretending to work. =D>
Well I look forward to next year's trip report when you take your daughter. :minnie:

[never2old]

Hi Never2old, I really enjoyed reading about your trip, and I feel sad that it's come to an end, it was my daily fix while sitting in my office pretending to work. =D>
Well I look forward to next year's trip report when you take your daughter. :minnie:

Thanks

Funnily enough, writing it was also my daily fix while sitting in the office pretending to work!!

[lynny]

Thank you
I,ve enjoyed your report from start to finish.The pictures have been fantastic,i really cant wait for my trip in feb NOW.

Think i'm going to have to book for next years halloween don't think i could cope missing it again.lol Just seeing a glipse of the halloween deco from your pics made me homesick  :roll:

fantastic report

[Epcot_Boy]

From start to finish this has been a glorious read, with some great and insightful descriptions  Also I loved your photography, especially this one............



which I thought was absolutely wonderful /

I've stayed at the DLH before, but never the Castle Club. Your report has made me think very hard about staying there myself  I have always thought it wasn't worth the money, I think you have begun to change my mind

Thanks again for sharing your trip with us =D>

[AislingM]

Great report , thank you for all the photos! The castle club looks amazing , dont think my salary will ever stretch to it though! But at least I could live it a little through your report!

[DisneyDonna]

Amazing report, I found myself looking forward to a new post each day. This really makes me want to go back to the Caste Club!