Brilliant Idea no.1

[OurLuce]

Hi. My name is Lucy. First time writing here, so some introductions are necessary.

I'm older than i want to be, have 2 children (19 and 17) and a partner who is grumpy. I work in a secondary school, in the exams office.

I first went to the world, with my Dad, in the 90s. We went to florida a few times after that, ocasionally visiting. I was working for a computer software house at the time, and ended up on a project for 'a major theme park near paris' or as we called it 'the mickey mouse project'. I was there for opening of eurodisney.

Hop forward several years. Took my (now) partner to the world 20 years ago where we found out i was pregnant with the oldest child.

We went back in 2016 when the kids were 9 and 11 (long haul flights and my youngest child were a no-go for a lot of years).

The grumpy one said never again. So we went on a disney cruise to Alaska the following year.

2 years later, 2019, disney world, leaving the grumpy one at home.

Then covid. Then again in 22, again just me and the kids.

[2022 in wdw with oldest wearing my eurodisney opening crew t-shirt]



So here we are. Oldest is now at uni, just finished her first year reading aeronautical and astronautical engineering. Youngest is doing a levels. Grumpy one is very grumpy, he has several health conditions that make life for him quite hard, and still hates disney.

I am tired after a very long term of exams, and dont really want to leave the grumpy one on his own for any length of time.

So yesterday i booked 2 nights for 1 person at the newportbay hotel in disneyland paris travelling via the eurostar So 21 days to go!

Better do some planning.
I have no idea what to eat, which is obviously very important, or which rides to go on. Or even if it is 'acceptable' to do a paris write up here ....

Ill update you later when ive done some planning.

Lucy

 

[Dave B]

I cant wait to hear all about it

 

[luvinthemajik]

Can't wait for a Euro Disney adventure!

 

[pkkurz]

Bring it on! Can’t wait to hear all about it.

 

[Wicked Sisters]

Welcome, it will be great to see a Disneyland Paris trip report here. Looking forward to it.

 

[OurLuce]

Oh im so going to have to do this now! Thanks for the comments.

So im leaving early,for a sunday morning, i need to be on a train before 8.30, and there is engineering work so i cant go from my nearest station, so my daughter will be taking me to bedford, which is half an hour away (rather than 15).

Le eurostar goes from st pancras which is where the bedford train terminates. (Whenever they say that on the train i think of a dead train). So it is a walk through the station, probably stopping in m&s to get some sandwiches for lunch.

then on the train, changing at lille to be at the park by about 3. Hopefully the room will be ready so i can dump my stuff and get into the parks. I have dinner booked at the steakhouse in disney village at 7pm. Hopefully ill eat and then go back to watch fireworks.

when the park was in soft opening they managed to set the castle on fire with the fireworks!

on monday i have lunch booked for chez remy. And on tuesday i am planning on going to annette's diner for breakfast ( i'm pretty sure i forced my work collegues there for my bithday meal and i stole a mug which later got broken).

i have some knitting to take on the train, and a new book to read. Ive got a spare power brick for my phone. Insurance is paid for. So all i have to do is throw some clothes in a suitcase and remember my passport.

i'll try and do some 'live-ish' updates when i'm there.

 

[OurLuce]

So journey begins. On the 8.16 from bedford. First of 3 trains today.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Bon voyage

 

[OurLuce]

And on the second train of the day. I survived the holding lounge at st. Pancras which was v. Full and hot. And am now on my air con eurostar to lille. Must remember to wave at the fishes in the tunnel.

 

[OurLuce]

Another train. And ive made it. Been on my first bus. Been to room, checkin was good apart for the queue to get your room key. Now heading to the park on my 2nd bus. Then i made it in and the heavens have opened.

 

[OurLuce]

I Didn't manage any rides today, just had a wander around and breathed in the disney air.
I did see the castle in the rain.

Went over to disney village to the steakhouse for my dinner. Had carpacio of beef followed by lamb ribs. All very lovely..

Back at the hotel i said hello to a duck.

Having an early night, i might make park opening tomorrow, maybe.

 

[OurLuce]

Day 2 did start at early opening! It amazes me too. I walked to the parks. Everything is so much closer here. I also might regret it as everything hurts right now.

BIt annoyed as most things werent open so ended up in a 30 min wait for peter pan then had to wait till 9.30 for a walk on to pirates.

Peter pan, better scenes but the ride is very jerky. And pirates has better drops here.

Went on small world. I worked in a server room above it. Then i went on star tours before catching the end of the parade.

I then, very slowly, left the first park and headed to the studios where im having lunch at chez remy. Sitting in the sun waiting for dinner reservation. Life could be far worse.

 

[OurLuce]

And then I realised the single rider on rattatoie was only 10 mins. It was 1pm and luch was at 1.15. So i went for it. And it was good. The wait to be seated at chef remy was longer than the wait and ride. Lunch was also good.

I then walked out of hollywood studios and back to the newport. Its about the same distance as epcot to the beach club.

WHen i got back i said hi to minnie

And gave up for the night. I couldn't face walking any further. So dinner was at the hotel.

The view in the evening light was lovely

 

[OurLuce]

And my final day. Put my luggage in the left luggage and headed into hollywood studios ... was there in the magic hour but not at 8.30, there wasnt enough open to make it worth it. I helped spiderman save the planet. Then tried to do it again (single rider lines are my friend) but the ride broke so i have a lightening lane for today that will never be used. I had a chat with stich and saw the pixar show. It was nice to do things that are only in paris. Luncy was a burger in hollywood studios. Forgot to mention i had managed to get a virtual queue to see stitch. They have a 9.45 queue opening which i actually hit on time!

So i wandered over to the main park.

For a meet with stitch, stoppong on the way to see mary

I love that alien. He may be my spirit animal.

Then i slowly worked my way back out of the park listening to some music on the way

And back to newport to pick up my bag before heading to the train station and my 3 trains home. Currrently at lille waiting for the eurostar.

 

[cjkeating]

Sounds like you had a great time.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Swissmiss]

It was fun following along, thanks!