Trip Report Day 3 26th July

[wilki32]

Cast

Me and self confessed Disney addict!
Charlotte-DW pretty much addicted to Disney as me!
Annie-DD Apprentice Disney addict
Alan-DF Aged 76 and a Disney virgin!
Marg-DM 70 this year and another Disney virgin!

Day 3 26th July

As promised more on the pull down bed, now obviously we were not going to
get up to anything but every time one of us moved it creaked
and it was loud, I moved DW woke up, DW moved I woke up so we didn't have
the best of sleeps! But who cares we were at Disney and sleeping is for
wimps!!!

We had decided to get to Disneyland Park for 9 so meant an early rise, I had
forgotten the alarm clock so bought the cheapest one I could find at the
terminal and we were woken by a cockerel, yes I had found the one that didn'
t just have an alarm but a very loud and annoying cockerel. DF was already
up but DM thought she was being invaded by chickens!

Weather looked good so DF and me had the short walk to the hut to get the
breakfast. Now this I thought was an excellent idea, no fighting hordes of
people after the same thing just a short queue and away we went with our 10
croissants, butter, jam, chocolate sachets, sugar, milk and a bread stick.
We had brought some cereals after reading Cyranos report and seeing they
weren't included.

8.50 and we were on the road with Disney CDs going, again had read that it
was 10/15 mins from the park, now I tend to be a bit dubious about these
times but true to form we were heading through the parking area. I know I've
said this before but even if someone is staying close and you have a car,
park in the main car park it really does start the day. As you stand on the
moving walkway they play Disney music all the way, DF particularly liked
these and we had the treat of him doing his 6 million dollar man impression!
DM was a little more subdued but I could see that little glint in
her eye.
We headed towards the park, through the bag check, well I say bag check a
quick peek! DF video camera was straight out and filming anything that didn'
t move and anything that did! DM meanwhile was just in awe eyes wide and a
big grin, I just stood back and watched them both moving around the gardens
taking it all in, now this is what makes everything worth it. After prying
DF video camera away from him we headed to the gate. I gave them both their
tickets and explained how they worked. This is where I got excited to see
the square and forgot to check they were OK , DM straight through
unfortunately DF got a little stuck with his bag. Normally he would get
frustrated but he just pushed his way through chuckling away to himself.
With the jazz band playing they took in Main Street, they have seen DLP and
Orlando on the video but this was real, 'everything just seems bigger' is
what they both said. So with big smiles we headed down Main Street, a bit of
a downer they were filming so most of the center of Main Street was cordoned
off but it was another opportunity for DF to get out the video!

We headed straight for Fantasyland led by DD who had already set out what DF
and DM were to go on. We headed to the dragon and then through the castle,
as DF said it was like walking into another world, a fantasy world. DM
spotted the carousel and even though she's nearly 70 we had trouble keeping
up with her. Luckily there was no queue and DW, DD, DM and DF walked
straight on, this time it was my turn with the video, the look on DM face
was a classic, kid in a sweet shop springs to mind. Every time they passed
me they waved just like I remember DD did when she was six and without
getting too over the top my emotions nearly took over! After that it was
straight to Snow White then quickly onto Pinocchio, Peter Pan was already up
to 40 mins wait and fast passes at 7.30pm! I still really don't get it! Each
time we finished a ride I asked them what they thought and each time it was
the same, stuck for words a big smiles. We slowly walked around FL til we
got to IASM, one of my favourites and became both DF and DM. We sat down for
an ice cream and they couldn't stop talking about what they had already
done, that was the point that I knew we had made the right decision to bring
them.

After walking back through the castle we headed back to Main Street to get
something to eat from Victoria's, this is where I had the biggest change in
attitude. The girl who served us said she spoke very little English and
proceeded to make me say our order in French but she was very friendly and
only when we had finished did her nigh on perfect English come out! That was
the story of the holiday and where I eat my biggest slice of humble pie, the
cms were very friendly and very attentive, an absolute pleasure.

 

[wilki32]

For the next couple of hours we wandered round and decided that we need some
more supplies so went off to val d Europe and to the supermarket. Now try
finding cheddar cheese in the home of cheeses and the wine is soooo cheap!

We had decided to have a couple of hours at the cabin and see how we felt to
stay for the fireworks. After the shopping trip it didn't give us time to
relax so half an hour later we were heading back to Disney!

We weren't sure where to eat but as Café Mickeys had fish & chips, there was
no other choice for DF. It was probably the best decision of the holiday, I'
m not the greatest fan of fish but it was lovely, so there we were happily
eating away when we were invaded by characters! They were all there, I have
to be honest that was it for me camera out and the interaction was
fantastic, to the point that Balou tried to run off with DW!!! Hope he's got
plenty of money!

So back to the park and stake out our place for the parade, easier than I
thought, big gaps to the right of the square. DF had his camera attached to
his eye for the parade but it seemed different from last year, better, not
sure if anything had changed or was it just me.

After that we had three hours until Fantilusion so a quick trip round the
shops and also checked the queue on Autopia as DD loved it in Orlando but
the queue was huge! We decided that we needed a bit of a break and found a
bench right in front of the castle, result but still 2 hours to
go, lucky we all love people watching! DD and DW went to the shops, again
but came back with coffee and a t shirt for me.Wahey.

Fantillusion was excellent, when we watched this last year I think they had
some technical problems but this time is was great but the one thing that I
never understand is why do the people sat on the kerb stand up! DF, yes you
guessed it had the camera stuck to him again but said he enjoyed this even
more than the earlier parade, DM sat there with a huge grin, again. It is so
sweet that even at their age, oops sorry Mum & Dad, they can be so wrapped
up in the whole thing but then even at my age. After the parade the jostling
for position started, we remained firm but some people had got behind the
seat onto the grass, cms politely asked them to move so they promptly sat
right behind us to the point the man sat on DW head, funny now but c'mon not
the most pleasant of experiences.

Wishes, now I'm not going to comment too much on this, I'll save that for my
closing thoughts but just to say we all loved it and the music, as in
Orlando, brings a lump to the throat.

Time to exit! Big crowds but then again when so many thousand people are
doing the same thing its bound to get congested. Another good tip found here
was whilst everyone was heading down Main Street we went right and it
worked! After passing through the gates more congestion so we tried a conga
and Is This The Way to Amarillo, nope neither worked!

Finally got back to the cabin at 12.30, straight to bed ready for a lazy
start on Wednesday.

Sorry again if I've gone on, just read through and God don't I go on!

 

[Cyrano]

Glad I logged on, well late for work anyway

The feeling of your parents comes shining through. Try explaining that to someone who has not been

Reid

 

[mini-mse]

Lovely trip report. I brought my mum (for her 70th birthday) last year and previously was worried htat she may not enjoy it at all. But it was the best decision ever, she loved it! So much so that we are bringing her again in December. Glad your parents liked it as much as you.

 

[diberry]

That was an absolutely fantastic report, Anthony - I loved it. It's so great that your parents enjoyed it so much - you must have felt wonderful knowing how much pleasure you'd given them. They sound like true Disney people - able to become a child again and take such delight in simple things
It sounds like everything went right for you - but having a good attitude does that!!
Really looking forward to the next installment!!

 

[gazza]

i wish my mum and dad would read some of these trip reports. we love disney so much it seems to be taking over our lives. my mum and dad are getting very bored with our talk every time we see them. but things have got worse for them as my brother has returned from his first trip to orlando and is already planing the next trip. BAD LOOK MUM AND DAD YOU ARE GIONG TO GET IT FROM BOTH SIDES. someone help me to get them in on it so they can enjoy the magic.

 

[bonhoga]

Great report!!

I would so love my mother to come with us next year, I think she would have the time of her life .........wonder what DH would say?

kaye

 

[Bexx]

I've just discovered your wonderful trip report Anthony - lovely to hear how much your parents are enjoying their first Disney experience.

As you stand on the moving walkway they play Disney music all the way, DF particularly liked these and we had the treat of him doing his 6 million dollar man impression!

 

[wilki32]

Thanks everyone
Reid, reying to explain everything is impossible, we get all excited describing the buildings, music, smells etc and people just look blank but now Mum & Dad know! I think I'm going to make it my mission to get everyone I know to visit, my business partner is going at the end of August, 2 down rest of Tewkesbury to go!
Di, I think if they were in better health they would have joined us in Orlando in Oct but I think that will be too much for them...at the moment! I think these boards have helped me, no it's not WDW it's different.
Gazza, do an A Team on them, sleeping tablets, throw them in the car and when they wake up they'll be there!
Kaye, I went to Orlando with my MIL and talking about 2007! I think that I'm a sucker for punishment!
Becky there are very few things funnier than seeing a 76 yr old man pretending to be Steve Austin

 

[Dee8197]

Great reports.

I can just imagine how magical it was to see your parents faces. I'm so glad that you all enjoyed it so much

 

[Ware Bears]

What a lovely report Anthony. I have really enjoyed reading it.

 

[BONITATIME]

what a lovely report it is just like seeing it through a childs eyes . No one can tell me Disney is not magic.

All those people who lok at you like you are mad to be going again are missing out

It bought tears to my eyes

i am glad you all had a great time

nikki

 

[wilki32]

Nikki are you calling me a child!

That is pretty much what I become when I go to Disney, I've always said that I become my 11 yr olds younger brother when we are there!
Anthony
ps I will try to finish the report but just had some bad news at work which is taking far too much of my time. Always the same isn't it, you come home on a high and something is always waiting to knock you down

 

[BONITATIME]

if you are then i am too
nikki