Castles and Battles (+ matters gastronomique) - with photos

[megrumpy]

Well 3 weeks until 3 weeks in France!!!

Cast: Me + DD (10)

Have been to DLP many times but, due to a broken ankle at Easter and under consultant’s orders, will be using a wheelchair for the first time.

We will use Eurotunnel again, this time staying at Holiday Inn Folkestone the night before.

We are staying at Dream Castle for 4 nights and then going to several destinations staying in or near to chateaux and visiting WW1 and 2 sites as well as including lots of wonderful eating experiences (hence title of TR).

At Disney DD is looking forward to BTM + chilling and soaking in the atmosphere. Food choices are leaning towards, but not necessarily in this order, Blue Lagoon, Annette’s, Cafe Mickey and BBWWS.

I know lots of Disers have asked about feasibility of visiting other areas and if you have a car, all the places we are going to are certainly possible.
After Disney, we are staying for a night here at Giverny to visit Monet’s garden.

Then we move into Normandy to have a night in a luxury chateau...

We will then stay for 3 nights at the site of D- Day landings in Arromanches, also visiting Bayeux.

Then we have a week of R&R at Les Ormes near Dol de Bretagne

Our homeward journey will include a few nights in the Somme area to visit some WW1 sites.

Food is an important part of our French experience!

I will try and keep this as a live trippie depending on wifi/ Europe roaming allowances so feel free to fire away with questions!

Now it’s time to start to think of packing for 3 weeks ... have I got 21 pairs of socks???

 

[DLPdaft]

Wow those are some amazing locations !

 

[sarahb74]

That's quite some itinery, hope you have a wonderful time

When you are looking at WW1 sites you should try to get to Vimy Ridge - I havent been for years but remember it as being great fun as well as educational as they have rebuilt the trenches and you can actually climb in them and walk around, gives you a real idea of what it must have been like.

 

[tashybea]

Woozers, i am very jealous. Sound's like you have an awesome trip planned.

 

[Mum to Belle]

Wow! That is a holiday and a half!! I hope you take plenty of photos, especially of Monet's garden & all the food!

Can't wait to read all about it!

 

[stargatebarbie]

wonderful loving that chateau have a lovely girls trip

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Sounds fabulous!!!!!

 

[megrumpy]

wonderful loving that chateau have a lovely girls trip

Its dad and daughter but we will still have a lovely trip. The rooms at that chateau are amazing!

 

[megrumpy]

Well, set off tomorrow so thought I had better pack.

This is just for me - dd has own case. Testing my iPhone to see how easy it is to do live updates - wifi permitting as my last abroad 'phone bill was over £350!!! ( but I did break my ankle).

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

Sounds like a great trip planned!
And some incredibly moving sights. Went on a school trip to Somme when I was 12(ish) and found it all incredibly moving.
Have a fantastic trip!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Have a great trip!!

 

[Ware Bears]

Wow at that chateau ~ hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[megrumpy]

After a little detour to visit the site of an amazing Roman villa in Sussex with some spectacular mosaics + another minor route deviation to partake of 'tunch' at Franky & Bennys, we have just arrived at the Holiday Inn Express at Folkestone ready for a silly-o'-clock get up tomorrow.
We have the services of 'Gwendoline' (think Wallace + Grommit) aka Garmin 1690 to keep on on the straight and narrow!
All our bags are packed, we're ready go... Alarm call set, packed breakfast ordered and plans a-d for Disney meals agreed. What, no plan e NO PLAN E!!!

So far
Tomorrow - Annette's for lunch + BBWWS 9.30 show
Wed. Plaza Gardens @ 1pm
Thur. Cafe Mickey breakfast @ 9.30 (after EMH) then Inventions at 6
Friday. Blue Lagoon at 1
Sat. Cafe Mickey at 12.

Don't miss the next exciting instalment ...

 

[tashybea]

Have a fab time, looking forward to your TR on your return.

 

[megrumpy]

Just sat by the lake on a balmy evening waiting for our 9.30 BBWWS. The journey was a breeze. However we implemented plan B for lunch as I didn't realise disabled parking was by DLH and so we went straight into the park, got my Easy Access pass and then had a croque at the Deli for lunch. A quick visit to get DD a Dream Pass and then to try the easy access to IASW (normal queue right down to start of path). My main observation is that there is often not enough room allowed when propelling own wheelchair. However DD has provided turbo boost on hill climbs!
We then left park to get tickets for tonight and then check in to Dream Castle and an absolute dream it is!!!

DD had a swim after dad had a coffee and then headed back to village.
Shops were quiet and saw some bargains at 50% off plus dream pass 20% discount so DD got a denim bag and purple bambi sweatshirt for a total of 25€ reduced from 76€!!! It would have been rude not to as there were so few left.

Tip for the day - if using disabled parking for second and subsequent times, enter via DLH.
Will add pictures on return as I refuse to pay 6 euro for wifi !!
Now, to practise our Yee Hahs!!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Just sat by the lake on a balmy evening waiting for our 9.30 BBWWS.

Shops were quiet and saw some bargains at 50% off plus dream pass 20% discount so DD got a denim bag and purple bambi sweatshirt for a total of 25€ reduced from 76€!!! It would have been rude not to as there were so few left.

Ahhhh, sounds wonderful!

Indeed, would have been rude not to shop - looking forward to all the photos!!

 

[megrumpy]

Sitting waiting for the parade so will give update. Intended to do full EMH but wanted extra zzzz as well as Dream Castle breakfast ( certainly on a par with DLH). still made it for 8.45 just as Buzz had overcome his technical problems (poor Buzz). Then PP and Dumbo (nice paint job)

and carousel before rope drop for POTC. Had to wait 15 minutes for our easy access slot so perused Blue Lagoon menu (yum yum).
Then across to get a slot for BTM giving us time for an iced tea and toilet stop!
We window shopped down the arcades before our tummies suggested we see if Plaza Gardens would let us in a little early. One look on 2 hungry faces and we were seated. What a fantastic buffet - brilliant starters and mouth-watering mains with melt- in- your- mouth puddings including floating islands.

Sufficiently replete, we waddled back to the car and returned for post prandial naps. Zzzzzzzzz
Back for 6.45 ready for the parade.
PS Thank you Eeyore for hugging DD.
A train circuit counting Disney bunnies then tea at Victoria's - the pizzas were delicious; a pizza royale, pizza enfant, a flan and 2 magical hot chocolates for less than 20€ (with dream discount).
Just sitting in Discovery Arcade waiting for Fantillusion..........

 

[DLPdaft]

sounds just about perfect

 

[tashybea]

Sounds like you are both having an amazing time. I'm looking forward to all your photos on your return.

 

[megrumpy]

Today has been an anticipation of the wonders of the Inventions buffet, the participation in a major gastronomic symphony. We lazily ambled down to breakfast at 9.30 - the taste buds activated, the gastric juices primed. First and only stop was the Studios - animagique, flying carpets, a look into the world of Buzz and friends and then cinemagique.
We decided to skip lunch and headed back to the hotel for crisps and a drink, sufficient to sharpen the anticipation for tonight. DD had a swim and I began my second book before setting off to allow time to savour that unique smell of DLH. And so we sat in the Fantasia Bar as the orchestra of culinary delights began to tune up.
And so, on the stroke of 6 we were first in. I took photos of all the untouched delights.

Before we could partake, DD was surrounded by Pluto, Donald and Mickey astounded by her £1 massive Toy Story pen ( should have done a Del Boy - bought the lot and flogged them for 5€ outside the train station!)

Like Handel's Zadok, the meat starters then the fish starters began the crescendo of flavours before the mighty main course exploded on the palate. Then desert then a chorus of cheeses before the finale of coffee and chocolate (donated to DD).
(tip of the day - for best food and character interaction book for 6).
We are now recovering in the Fantasia bar preparing for all the evening shows...

Tomorrow well.......