Trip Report for the Baloos - 27 - 29 August 2010

davewasbaloo · August 22, 2010, 10:18:47 AM

Well I have never done a pre trip report before, but this seems a common occurance over here. WE are only going for a short stay as we spent a week in June and may well spend a week at Easter (already booked but I am trying to swap my villa to somewhere else).This trip is about socialising mainly and seeing Fantillusion/Fireworks (if the kids aren't too tired), Captain Eo (for old time's sake), my kids want to check out TSPL, and the friends we are going with have never been on Phantom Manor, Pirates of the Caribbean or Cinemagique, so we want to rectify that.

Players - Me (35)
SW Sarah - (34)
DS Mikey (7)
DD Jessica (5)
Friend Mark (39)
Friend Amanda (40)
Friend Eva (4)

We are all staying at the Hotel New York, driving down from the shire to Eurotunnel and then driving to DLP.

WE have reservations for a late luch/early dinner at the Silver Spur on Friday and Walt's on Saturday, leaving Sunday loose, possibly for Annette's.

Since booking, we found out we have friends from the UK (including our neighbours a couple of doors down), Germany, Italy, Greece and Belgium are all going to be there at the same time. Awesome. So we are considering a meet for Fanti. This should be a fun way to say goodbye to summer before the kids go back to school and I go back to work full time (I took most of the summer off to be with the kids).

However, I have vowed not to comment on TSPL when we are there so as not to ruin it for the kids or our friends.

dagobert · August 22, 2010, 11:07:48 AM

I'm sure you will have a great time, especially since you are going on PM and PoTC with your friends for the first time. I can't wait to hear what they are going to say about that attractions. In my opinion these two rides are one of the best attractions ever created by Disney. I'm sure they will like them.

I also can't wait to hear your impressions about TSPL. Hopefully your kids will not be disappointed, because waiting times are horrible and maybe they are too small to ride the attractions.

davewasbaloo · August 22, 2010, 11:17:28 AM

Viel Dank Dagobert. They have been on the US versions 10 years ago, but never the DLP ones. They were worried it would be too scary for their daughter. Then when they all found out mine loved them and have been going on them since they were babies, they changed their tune

AS for TSPL, we plan to take advantage of the rumoured Dream Pass EMH (though I am worried this is just a rumour, I will check with the AP office on Friday).

The beauty is, we all just love the environment and if live entertainment is on, that would be our priority. Our friends have been 5 times and are not obsessed with trying to do everything, they just want to have a fun time. And this will be my 55th trip, so again, the days of needing to run to every attraction are gone. As long as I get the night shows, Eo, PotC, PM, IASW, and Star Tours done, I am happy. And as long at the kids do those with Big Thunder and Buzz, they are happy.

I am prepared for big crowds. Last weekend of the summer and a bank holiday in the Uk, it is bound to be packed.

tubbsy · August 22, 2010, 01:32:49 PM

Hope you have a fab time -and can I just say thank-you for all the help you've given me in planning my trip

davewasbaloo · August 22, 2010, 02:17:43 PM

No problem Tubbsy, I hope you have an amazing time! Can't wait to read your trip report.

DLP-Photos.com · August 22, 2010, 07:40:18 PM

Hope you have a magical time and you get to ride what you want and see the entertainment you want to. The friend I went with had not tried POC, PM or BTM and it was a great feeling to show him these magnificent attractions!

It also sounds very nice with the gathering with a lot of friends - Fantilussion seems like a perfect time for this.

toritinker · August 22, 2010, 07:52:15 PM

Have an amazing trip, we are there the same time!!! it would be funny if we were next to each other and didn't even realise!!!
xx

Malin · August 22, 2010, 08:16:38 PM

Yeah have a great time Dave. I know we can get rather critical about the place. But its only because we love Disneyland Paris and don't care for some of the recent decisions. Its also very easy to hold a negative view about the place when your stuck on the other end of a screen viewing pictures of TSPL in between trips. But I'm sure a few days away will show the place in a new light. You may even like TSPL. If not your still over there with great friends and family and you'll still be able to enjoy Captain EO and some of the best fine dining experiences inside a Disney park today.

And perhaps when you get back, myself and a few others over at that other Disney board can start helping you plan that trip to Japan

kiki_304 · August 22, 2010, 10:30:16 PM

Have a great time.

Hope the kids enjoy TSPL and don't forget to tell us what they thought of the area. My boys are looking forward to seeing it in Nov.

bigrossco · August 22, 2010, 10:36:30 PM

hope you have a great time Baloos!

sure sounds like it is going to be fab, so wish I am going

davewasbaloo · August 23, 2010, 12:02:37 AM

Thanks guys, should be good. If anyone sees us, please be sure to say hi! I will likely have a Stitch ToT hat or a pair of Mickey ears on (I'm a big guy) and will be with a reddy brown haired woman with glasses, with at least two kids with us. Be sure to say hi!

I have already walked through TSPL nearly complete (hard hat walk through thanks to a friend). It looked like the concept art and the post opening pictures are not hugely different to what I saw. So let's just say I'll keep my mouth shut on TSPL unless my view is radically different. But as I had a similar experience with Flik's Fun Faire - art, pre open walk, post open play with kids. Experience rarely altered.

davewasbaloo · August 23, 2010, 12:04:45 AM

Quote from: "Malin"And perhaps when you get back, myself and a few others over at that other Disney board can start helping you plan that trip to Japan

Would love to James, but between the recession and the fact I had to use the money I had saved to help my folks out of a bind, I think it is going to be a while now

Having a family that you take during peak times is very different than solo travel.

Malin · August 23, 2010, 07:21:35 PM

I understand where your coming from here. Just a shame for you a trip to Japan won't be happening any soon, since I know you have your heart set on going.

Still I'm sure you'll have a great time taking trips closer to home. :thumbs:

davewasbaloo · August 23, 2010, 07:40:55 PM

Hopefully it will happen before I die. At least by the time I am forty. Fingers crossed.

RockNRoller · August 24, 2010, 09:29:02 PM

Have a great time with all the family and friends, I know we've swapped some harsh words over TSPL which may have put you on a downer but you know when you first see that castle youre in one of the happiest places on earth, in fact im downright jeaulous cos Ive got to wait till November. Also loving the size of your party, we can only get two friends interested in going, this year will be their second with us, and none of the family wants to go, enjoy the break and love every minute of it.