Just the two of us

[Mum to Belle]

Hello

Firstly, apologies for never finishing my last trip report... life has been rather complicated for the last 6 months or so.

The short version of events is that I am now a single Mum (the long version is much more colourful, complete with emergency services, solicitors, mediators, counsellors and a dead ipad)

I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and I am so glad that I had this trip to Disney booked as it gave DD & I something to look forward to when things were at their worst Disney is the perfect distraction!

So, in 17days, we will be back in our happy place, just the two of us! (That reminds me of a song...)

We have got our plans well under way on the spreadsheet and the meals are booked. Taxis both ends of the flight so I have nothing to do besides pack!
This will be our first trip in the summer holidays...!

The plans so far:

Monday 28th July

We have an early flight arriving around 9am and being met by Ezyshuttle. Check-in at the Golden Forest and then off to Salon Mickey. We will hopefully have time for a ride or two before lunch at 1.30 in Cafe Mickey. Check out the shops and then back to our room. Afternoon drinkies in the Golden Forest Lounge and then hopefully catch the parade. Can you watch from the Main Street Rail Road Station does anyone know? Dinner at 6.30 in the Silver Spur – we had such a lovely meal here last time, DD can’t wait to see the crème flambé again! We will then explore Frontierland and use our FP on BTM before heading back to the hotel.


Tuesday 29th July

This is going to be our Studios Day – so we get a lie in! We hope to catch a few rides & characters before lunch at Bistro Chez Remy at 12.30 – I CAN’T WAIT!!!!! DD is hoping to try a few new rides on this trip and she has shot up all of a sudden – she also wants to watch the Stunt Show, which will be another first for us. We may have time to cool off in the pool (I’m hoping for good weather!) in the afternoon before trying King Ludwig’s – another first! Then into the park to visit Fantasyland at night-time and hopefully stay awake long enough to see Dreams.

Wednesday 30th July

Today we’ll try & see Rapunzel! Lunch in Plaza Gardens – not far to run from the meet & greet area! Then a couple of shows in Studios before relaxing by the pool again. Afternoon tea in the Golden Forest Lounge and then back to the park. CS tea tonight, maybe Hakuna Matata and then off to meet Mickey Mouse!

Thursday 31st July

Pirate Day! Exploring Adventureland in the morning followed by lunch in the Blue Lagoon – we may have to ride POTC once, or twice....! I hope to catch Cinemagique on the way back to the hotel again. As it’s our last night I have booked Inventions for 6.30. Then we hope to explore Discoverland in the dark and stay awake for Dreams.

Friday 1st August

Princess Day! Says it all really. There will be much glitter and girlieness! Princess Pavillion if I can figure out how the tickets work, lunch at Auberge for 1.00 and I may try and book the princess makeover... but she’s done it twice already, so I may just do a DIY version – lol!

We’ll need to pick up some food in the afternoon before our shuttle back to the airport.

Somewhere in between all this we hope to “bump” into Lisa & Johnny! (Again!)

SO much to do, so little time! I have got a new Cath Kidston backpack for the trip (birthday present from Mummy!) as I am aware I'll be the only one carrying things! Does anyone have any tips for coping n your own? I'm guessing regular stops for food/drink/rest are No1?

Here are some photos of DD in her drama show recently...

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[kizzabel]

Oh my Isabelles gotten so grown up Jenny! She looks so adorable.
Great to hear theres a new planner And your plans sound great! BCR is on our list for November too. The restaurant looks great
Sorry you haven't had a great time of it lately. I have no doubt you will get through everything and make the very best of your new life I've done DLP with just the two kiddies recently and it was actually pretty easy! We ambled along at our own pace and got loads done. Take your time, I know you'll be well organised and yes, that backpack will be your best friend! It is really nothing to worry about and once you get there it won't be half as daunting. A backpack for Isabelle may also be a good idea, so she can carry her autograph book and any other little bits and it will free up yours for your camera, sun cream and other essentials. I am so looking forward to hearing about more of your plans and I love the idea of princess and pirate days! You ladies will have a ball

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Hello Mum to Belle - Glad to see you have a trip coming up! Sorry for all the unlovely bits of life but so glad you have some happy Disney time coming. Hope you have a really good trip and I look forward to your trip report!

I'm living far away from DLRP at the moment but hope to make another trip eventually.

Enjoy the planning fun!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Thank you both!

Isabelle does have her own Cath Kids back pack (with matching purse for her Euros of course!) & I already have her new autograph pen so just the book to sort out! I let her take my old digital camera in her bag too as she does like to take photos!

I do love my planning!

 

[ILOVEDLP]

I'm in too
Sounds like you have had a rough time thank god for disney eh .
You have a cute dd there looking forward to reading more.

 

[Anemone]

Hi. What a beautiful little girl you have there - I'm sure the holiday is just what you both need right now.

It's been just me and sister 2 years in a row and we've had a great time so I'm sure you will too. You can have the girliest holiday ever. Be as organised as you can and accept that sometimes things won't go exactly as planned and you will be fine.

Princess Pavilion is fairly straightforward but as you're leaving that day I suggest you start queuing for tickets well ahead of the 10.30 start - we were there at 11.15 one morning and they only had appointments after 17.15 hrs.

Look forward to reading more.

 

[Mum to Belle]

I'm in too Sounds like you have had a rough time thank god for disney eh . You have a cute dd there looking forward to reading more.

Yes indeed!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Hi. What a beautiful little girl you have there - I'm sure the holiday is just what you both need right now. It's been just me and sister 2 years in a row and we've had a great time so I'm sure you will too. You can have the girliest holiday ever. Be as organised as you can and accept that sometimes things won't go exactly as planned and you will be fine. Princess Pavilion is fairly straightforward but as you're leaving that day I suggest you start queuing for tickets well ahead of the 10.30 start - we were there at 11.15 one morning and they only had appointments after 17.15 hrs. Look forward to reading more.

Thanks for that, if we queue in the end of EMH we should be ok then?

 

[disneynat79]

Reading along

 

[dhidra]

following along!

 

[Anemone]

Thanks for that, if we queue in the end of EMH we should be ok then?

I would hope so. Maybe worth keeping an eye on the queue to check it's not getting too crazy. Will be Friday and in full summer holiday period. We were before French school holidays and didn't try on a Friday.

 

[Mum to Belle]

I would hope so. Maybe worth keeping an eye on the queue to check it's not getting too crazy. Will be Friday and in full summer holiday period. We were before French school holidays and didn't try on a Friday.

The joys of going in the school holidays!!!!!!

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

Jenny!
I had no idea things had developed so drastically. xx
Sending you lots of love and hugs and hope you and your gorgeous girl have an amazing summer trip xxx

 

[Mum to Belle]

Jenny! I had no idea things had developed so drastically. xx Sending you lots of love and hugs and hope you and your gorgeous girl have an amazing summer trip xxx

Thank you hunny - counting down the days!! xxx

 

[cdsmiler81]

Sounds like you have a lovely trip planned - you both deserve it!

For your CS meal, double check which places will be open! This website should help - seems pretty reliable! I'm only mentioning it because on our trip in October, based on last year's October openings, Hakkuna Matata isn't open Wednesdays! So hopefully it will stop any disappointments - http://www.disneygazette.fr/dgi/horaires-restaurants-25-juin-2014.html

x

 

[cdsmiler81]

I would hope so. Maybe worth keeping an eye on the queue to check it's not getting too crazy. Will be Friday and in full summer holiday period. We were before French school holidays and didn't try on a Friday.

Oh, in relation to this, in March when there was no ticketing system in place (out of season, mid week!) there were people queuing at the main doors earlier than 9.30am (that was the time I joined the queue and there were at least 20 people in front! lol). Might be worth doing a few rides, and then head in that direction... you could always pop on the tea cups or Small World (if open) if the queue isn't looking too bad!

C x

 

[Mum to Belle]

Sounds like you have a lovely trip planned - you both deserve it! For your CS meal, double check which places will be open! This website should help - seems pretty reliable! I'm only mentioning it because on our trip in October, based on last year's October openings, Hakkuna Matata isn't open Wednesdays! So hopefully it will stop any disappointments - http://www.disneygazette.fr/dgi/horaires-restaurants-25-juin-2014.html x

Thank you - that website is great!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Oh, in relation to this, in March when there was no ticketing system in place (out of season, mid week!) there were people queuing at the main doors earlier than 9.30am (that was the time I joined the queue and there were at least 20 people in front! lol). Might be worth doing a few rides, and then head in that direction... you could always pop on the tea cups or Small World (if open) if the queue isn't looking too bad!

C x

Thanks for that! I think that would be my plan!

 

[Mum to Belle]

One week and one day to go!!!!!

We have now collected our Euros - Isabelle changed her £20 note to Euros too and as the man had no change he gave her 25 instead of 24 - bonus!

We have done a little shopping this weekend and DD now has a new summer dress and two pairs of shoes that fit (she has gone up to a size 2!!!!!) and I also have a new dress (on it's way thanks to ebay) and a bikini (eeek!) I am treating this as a summer holiday combined with a Disney holiday so I do hope to get a little down time by the pool or on a sun lounger with my kindle! Not worn a two-piece in public since child birth but I couldn't get a one-piece past my child-bearing hips! If you're staying at the Sequoia - avert your eyes!

I know this last week is going to fly by, not least because I have Isabelle's leavers assembly & disco tomorrow, her last day at Infant School on Tuesday, a full week at work, book group on Thursday night, physio appointment on Friday, work summer BBQ on Friday night, and a case or two of packing to do!

This afternoon I have cakes to make to say thank you to DD's teachers, she has requested red velvet and I think we'll decorate them with Mickey sprinkles to get us in the mood! I have just finished washing the dresses she wants to take so the washing line looks fab!

At some point I need to decide what I am doing about her autograph book as I usually make one but haven't got around to it yet. I'm watching a couple of bits on ebay, but sadly the Zarina dress is now over £38 - it was only £25 in the Disney Store and I just won't pay that...

Better crack on with that baking I suppose, back soon!

 

[Mum to Belle]

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! We're going tomorrow! Disney's a day away!

Last minute bits to get in with today. Looks like the weather won't be quite as good as we've had here, but less heat may well be a good thing!

Packing, cleaning, take our Beagle to his holiday home, then settle down with hot chocolate & a Disney movie before setting the alarm for 3.30 and trying to get an early night for a change! We've been down the beach the last few evenings which has been a lovely start to the holiday.

Bring on the magic!

And I may also make a sneaky booking for December as the current offer is so good + there is 8.92% cash back offer on too! Well, it will be my 40th Christmas and I can't afford the DLH for my 40th birthday as it's double the price in summer! Or My sensible side may overrule me, we'll see.....