Last day - 29 Aug 2010
Well today was the last day of our trip, and having spent my 55th visit to
Disneyland Paris with friends was a wonderful (and exhausting) way to do it. It was exhausting as I wanted to maximise our times in the park, but it was really worthwhile.
We awoke to Mickey's voice again slightly before 6, got ready and packed and went down to Breakfast for 7. After stoking up, back to the room, a call to bell services to pick up our luggage and then off to the park for Extra Magic Hours.
We arrived shortly after the gates opened and the Fire engine was making its way towards us. We clocked it, and the lady told us where to get on. Sadly a guy ran for it too, and it meant there was not enough room for our family to ride together. So the ladies and kids made their way down Main Street in style, while Mark and I burnt off some calories by walking. We met at the hub and made our way into Discoveryland.
First stop was onto Buzz. The only way I will do this attraction is usually during EMH as it is a much shorter wait - 5 mins in this instance (it was up to 70 later in the day). We did ok; I scored a respectable 134,500 making me the winner, but nowhere near my record of 390,000. The kids loved it.
Then, as Space Mountain is Mark's favourite attraction and Amanda has never been on the superior and more intense Paris version, we thought this was a great opportunity. They could ride together (a rare treat for parents with little ones - though we would not trade parenthood for the world, it is nice to sneak a little couple time once in a while), while we took the kids on Buzz again.
Mikey was excited, as he is 7 and there were 5 of us, it meant as the oldest, we let him ride by himself, in-between my space ranger vehicle and Sarah's. I got a much better score clocking in 275,800, but still could do better.
As we got off and met up with the Nethercotts again, Amanda's face was priceless! She liked it. After a pit stop, we swapped. Mark took Mikey and Jess on Buzz, Eva wanted to go on Orbitron, so the two Nethercott Girls did that, and Sarah and I enjoyed a ride on SM Mission 2 together - and for a change, we could actually hear the music (even though I prefer the original score to Michael Giacchino's efforts.
A fun start to the day to be sure. It was then time to go into Fantasyland to make the most of EMH. Onto Peter Pan, after a long wait (while EMH was still on - 30 mins) and as we came out, the park was open.
We decided to trek over to Big Thunder and see what the wait was like. It was 75 minutes, so Fastpasses were in order. We grabbed them and had a window to wait.
We did this by hopping on the Mark Twain for a cruise around the Rivers of the Far West and were astonished at the state of the Molly Brown. It looks like they have stripped her down to her bare bones. A little surprising since they had to rebuild her the other year after the fire. I do wonder what is going on (sorry, no pictures). I hope she does not disappear, she is the only side wheeler in the Disney parks fleet. Also, I really wish the geysers would be repaired, I miss them terribly.
After our cruise, we enjoyed some churros and drinks in Frontierland, and then our fastpass time opened. We were a little worried as apparently Eva had tried Big Thunder before and did not like it. But this time, riding with other little friends, she loved it! (Note to my Disney geek friends, the swinging opossums were missing this trip and the rocks did not move in the earthquake scene (this was also the case in June), I wonder what will be happening?
However, the splash at the photo shoot was working the best I have seen in at least a decade, got a little wet every time. DLP has the best version of Big Thunder bar none.
After our wildest ride in the wilderness, it was time to go through Adventureland and show Eva the Giraffe that lives there (she didn't believe me until she saw it) and we bought our dog Mocha a new dog bowl with all the Disney dogs on it, as well as the excellent Disney chewy sweets.
We explored the Aladdin Walkthrough, which was in the best shape we have seen for a while (though the last scene is still a little too dark). In the main entrance to the bazaar, there was some gear set up for a North African music group, but sadly we did not encounter them. In fact, for peak season, we did not encounter any live music at all. A real first for us
We then decided to go and visit the dragon in her lair under the castle. Jessica was very animated telling everyone all about it. But when we got in, she freaked and jumped into my arms. Eva didn't like it either. But Mikey, like me, was drawn in awe of it. Our too brief visit ended in us going up the stairs into Merlin's workshop (as two frightened girls are not a great thing to terrify, we decided to exit sharply. We then calmed them down in Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
We visited the candy shop to show the Nethercotts the three fairies, but they are gone, and it looks like this is a permanent subtraction
A real shame. At this point, Mark was keen to get an Annual Pass, so we split up and the ladies took the kids into the Carousel line while we went to the AP office. There must have been 40 people in that queue. When we got to a cast member she asked for photo id. I had forgotten about this as I always have my drivers licence in my wallet, so never really think of that. Sadly Mark did not have any with him, so we took the paper work to do it by post. Oh well.
WE got back in time to see the family enjoy their whirl on the Carousel and then we decided to make our way home via lunch. AS we got to the hub, the Police Car arrived, and we guys rode with the kids back to Town Square. Just as we were leaving, the toon train came out with the characters waving good bye to us.
We went to the Village for a bite to eat and a little shopping. We had our hearts set on Annette's given the glowing review Andy and Grinda gave us of their dinner the night before (and we all like it anyway). When we got there, the queue was out the door. WE waited about 45 minutes to be seated and were put in the upstairs section (I have never been in that bit before). We were right under two air con vents so it was freezing. And the service was super slow (I have never had this problem here before - 3 hours from walking in to leaving for a 1 course meal!!!!). Hmmmmm. Poor timing I think or too much budget cutting.
Amanda and I ordered the combo - Chilli dog with onions, cheese and coriander, a cheese burger and now a club sandwich on olive focaccia (used to be a chicken burrito). Mark and Sarah went for bigger fancier burgers. The kids went for the hot dogs served in their Frisbees.
We had some of the soda fountain specials, but the order was goofed up. To compensate, they put extra cherry syrup in Sarah's Cherry coke making it the best one I have ever tasted (I was jealous; my cherry coke was not as nice). The food was good, but the service was poor. In fact, it jeopardised us getting away in time, so as the kids ate their desserts I offered to stay with them to let Mark, Amanda and Sarah go shopping so they could make use of our 20% discount. Mikey and Eva had ice cream sundaes while Jess opted for the Jelly (Jell-O for my US friends) with Chantilly cream.
Food for the 7 of us was not bad this time really - Silver Spur was 156.78 (£128.96 $198.72); Walts was 201.51 (£165.75 $255.36); and Annettes was 106.56 (£87.66 $135.05). This is after our 10% discount and not including the free Kirs
.
Souvenirs were not too bad either, though we did not buy much this trip Dog bowl, sweets, 2 vynalmations and stickers, and a bag for my Mother in Law. We spent about 29 (£24 $37) after our 20% discount. Though I wish I had taken the time to buy some of the Captain Eo merchandise. Oh well.
We nipped back quickly to the Hotel New York as we were cutting it fine. We had a pit stop in the conference area and then Mikey and I went to get the car while the others went to bell services to retrieve our luggage. We packed up and made haste.
The kids were very quickly asleep, and sadly on the run towards Charles de Gaul we hit an accident which necessitated a detour via the suburbs of Paris. Between Annettes and the traffic, I was sure we were going to miss our train. Then a cramp hit my thigh and hand (thats what happens when you go, go, go and drink only caffeinated drinks and alcohol not smart). Sarah had a go at driving some of it, but she did not like it. My cramp left me, and we traded back again.
Then we hit a torrential down pour which flooded the road and slowed us way down. Amazingly we were only about 20 minutes late and they do give a 2 hour grace without charge.
It is just as well as the port was heaving! So much so I was in a traffic jam near the terminal and the kids needed to go to the toilet. The adults pulled them out of the car, ran to the loo, and they were back in the car. I had travelled 3 car lengths in that time.
As we went through security, there was a cute french security officer that Mark and I cracked jokes about, and then we went through passport control. This always makes me a little nervous as it is a stark reminder that I do not fully belong to the place I have called home for the last 24 years.
Thankfully we had a really nice security officer. As she was checking passports, we rolled down the windows so she could see everyone before she requested us. She thanked us, and we commented that we were seasoned. She laughed and then said If you are so seasoned, why did you pick one of the worst weekends of the year to travel on lol.
We were swiftly boarded on a train leaving nearly an hour after our original booking. We stopped for dinner at KFC and then made an uneventful journey home dropping the Nethercotts off a little after midnight, plunging into my bed for about 1am.
It was an exhausting weekend, but certainly one I will never forget. We say goodbye to a stressful and yet amazing summer. I feel closer to our friends. And the children were all so good. Now Eva starts school for the first time, Jessica goes into Year 1 and Mikey into year 3, and the time marches on.
AS always, I thought of the amazing times I had with my elders when I was a child, and now I pass the magic on to our younglings. Heres to another adventure in the making, but first we think of returning to work and school. Thank you for my family and friends making this really magical.
Photos will follow, but Facebook is currently down