Christieand
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2012
The Art of Timing it Right TR
Just a warning this will be long. I am unable to write concisely!
The day before- Sunday 2nd September 2012
We all had work today, so afterwards, in the evening at around 8 o'clock, Beth came to our house because we needed to get up early to get to St Pancras the next morning. Pretty much straight away Charlotte said that we needed to go to the kitchen because she had a surprise for us. I knew that she had been making something for the past few months but I had no idea what it was because she had been doing her secret project in the spare bedroom and I was banned from entry every time she was in there! So needless to say that I was excited to finally find out what it was. She had bought a photo album/scrap book from Paperchase and on every other page she had done a little illustration of Disney related things or something that means something to us all as friends. It is amazing! We couldn't believe that she had taken the time and effort to draw on every single page. She had also bought a little pink (and sparkly!) notebook for us to carry around and document exciting/funny things that happened so that we could transfer in to the big book when we got home instead of carrying around a big scrapbook.
(I have photos of this but I haven't uploaded them yet, I'll add them later on)
Then we had to start getting ready for bed because of needing to wake up at 4:15! We painted our nails (a kind of ritual we do it all the time) and then tried to go to sleep. In the end me and Beth (my room is bigger so she stays in my room and Charlotte sleeps alone in hers) had to literally ban ourselves from talking because we knew that if we didn't it would struggle to get up more than we would already!
So anyway 4:15 (ish!) came, I got up, Charl was already awake, then came the task of waking Beth. She is not one for waking up! We got ready in a bit of a daze, it was slightly difficult because our parents were still in bed so we had to keep the lights and noise low. We packed the last things like make up and chargers then went to have breakfast. Just as I started eating, Gordon (our family friend who owns a chauffeur company and so was taking us to and from St Pancras for a discounted price- yay!) arrived ten minutes early, so there were an awkward few minutes whilst he sat on our sofa and I ate my golden nuggets. We loaded the car with our suitcases and left on time at 5:30.
part of the reason why our cases were so heavy!
The journey was fine, we only had to slow down a few times on the motorway due to congestion and then when we hit London of course it was Monday morning rush hour time so there was a bit of traffic but nothing momentous so we got to St Pancras in plenty of time. I think it took us about two and a half hours. I didn't really get to sleep on the way down but I didn't feel tired. Gordon had dropped us off right near the doors to the Eurostar check in and after a moment of confusion (I realised that King's Cross and St Pancras are sort of the same station after about 30 seconds) we went in to the station. Visiting the toilets was a task with three suitcases and hand luggage.
A tip for anyone visiting St Pancras: if you can, designate a luggage watcher so that you don't have to battle the inevitable queues for the Women's toilets with your bags.
The cases
It was still a little early to check in so we sat just opposite and had some flap jack! We weren't waiting for long when the tannoy came on saying that check in had opened for our train. We had to go to the desk to get our tickets reprinted because we rang Eurostar a couple of weeks before to request a table and by the time we had done that it was too late to reprint our original tickets before they sent them out. There were no problems and we were soon through to security then passport control. This was a strange experience for Beth who has never been on a plane or train abroad before and for me too when the metal detectors went off on me and I was searched! Don't know what I could possibly have been hiding under leggings and a top, but at least you know the checks are adequate. Then man at passport control who checked my sister's passport said "thank you Charlotte" as we left which we thought was really nice because he had taken the time to read her name, and usually the people seem really grumpy at passport checks.
We found a seat conveniently located opposite WHSmiths and Cafe Nero so Charl and Beth went to buy drinks. This was exciting because we normally never spend so much money on a beverage, haha. Charlotte got tea and Beth and I had an ice blend. We sat for a while then went to WHSmiths to buy all the trashy magazines. Someone had left their passports and travel documents on top of one of the aisles! A lady picked them up and asked if they were ours which they weren't. We didn't mind that because she was just taking care that they had actually been misplaced by somebody but then the cashier asked if we knew where our passports were because "we looked like the kind of people " he didn't finish because we were adamant that they weren't ours but I was a bit offended looked like what? A teenager? So therefore I am going to lose my passport? Okay!
waiting!
a bit blurry...sorry
on the travelators...the drink was freezing my hand!
Soon after we were able to board even though it was before the time on the screens. Up the travelators we went and then we had to walk what felt like 6 miles to carriage 17. It was quite a struggle trying to lift three very heavy suitcases up the steps of the train - it was at this point we truly realised how beneficial adults can be when going on holiday! We were soon on the second leg of our journey to the Happiest Place on Earth! A man got on at Ashford and we were convinced that he was a cast member. Unfortunately he wasn't because he got off at Lille. Pretty soon after stopping at Ebbsfleet and Ashford the Cast Member came round with our Disney Express tickets. I gave him the conformation letter (that he kept) and he gave us our park tickets, a form to fill in and give to reception upon arrival, and our luggage tickets for the Express service. They are three tickets joined together like raffle tickets of which you rip one off and put the other two on your case. Then when you go to the luggage room at your hotel you give them the first ticket that you kept and they identify your case. Then when you are leaving you keep the second ticket and leave the third on your case! Phew.
A tip: label your cases with your name and destination hotel BEFORE you get on the train! We didn't think that we needed to do this but we did.
Then Charlotte had another surprise for us! She suddenly produced two little paper boxes that she had made from her bag. Inside were Beauty and the Beast Squinkies which of course we are too old to play with (!!) but we like because they are so tiny and cute. Plus my nick name is Belle so they are appropriate! There was more two little pink tissue paper packages were inside. We opened them and found a necklace with a heart on and a bracelet from Accessorise each. We loved them but felt rubbish that we hadn't done anything for her!
Squinkies..
I tried to sleep but it didn't work, and then all of a sudden we were in France! We didn't believe it and had to check that the number plates on the cars were foreign before we would accept that we had indeed been under the Channel and were out the other side. Soon after, though, there were problems with the power supply lines and so we were delayed for about forty five minutes. We wanted to get to Disney! It wasn't a big deal but we lost forty five minutes of park time, hey ho, there are worse things.
on the train
We finally arrived (loved seeing Space Mountain as we approached!) and then we had to try and get our suitcases off the train. They were really very heavy! We thought that a man was helping us but actually he just wanted us to get out of the way so that he could retrieve his final case that we hadn't realised was there. Because of the delay it was a little later than we had anticipated so we decided not to go to the Parks but straight to our hotel instead to wait for check-in. It was very easy to find Sequoia Lodge and took less than ten minutes to get there from the train station. The hardest thing was finding the Disney Express desk in the train station to drop our luggage off!
Another tip: it is on the very very top floor of the station! Also use the toilets on the train or pay a euro for the privilege in the station.
In the village!
Anyway we had walked through the village and past Hotel New York. Newport Bay looks amazing from across the lake, almost surreal. Then in to SL. Reception is straight past the restaurants, left, up the stairs, right, then down the hallway! We couldn't find it to begin with.
on the way to our hotel for the first time
I was a bit anxious about not speaking French, but we got in the queue and a lovely lady called Jenifer approached us with "bonjour" so we replied in English and she continued by speaking English to us. At first she thought my rucksack was in the 20th anniversary design but it isn't, unfortunately! She pointed us over to another lady who checked us in. We meant to write on the little card in the room about how nice and helpful Jenifer was during our stay but completely forgot. Sorry, Jenifer! We asked for 7am breakfast but got given 7.30. Maybe she thought we wouldn't get up for 7 as it was only just 3 o'clock so I doubt that all the slots had ran out! Oh well. We signed all the necessary documents and then followed the map to our room (South Wing 7215 I think). It was on the very top floor close to the lifts and we were astounded by the view. We could clearly see the Village, Tower of Terror, the DLH and even the top of the castle. Perhaps we were given this room because we sent an email to Guest Relations and if so then I am so glad that we did it. I would never have thought that having a good view would make such a difference but waking up and seeing the castle was amazing not to mention being able to see them (presumably) testing Dreams at about midnight before we went to sleep. I think we will miss that sight more than anything else! We had two large double beds, a table, two chairs, complimentary water etc etc. The sink is indeed separate from the bathroom just opposite a rail with hangers and the (very easy to use) safe but this was actually better for us when we were getting ready in the mornings. Everything was clean and the beds really are very comfy!
Can you spot Pascal in the window?
Of course we were excited by the chocolate coins and welcome message on the TV (how annoying is Sophie on the Disney TV? I'm so sorry if that's offensive to anyone but we are cheery people and she was just too much!) We offloaded some of the unnecessary stuff from our bags and set off for the Parks! We were a bit overwhelmed and probably should have taken a moment to soak everything in but we went straight on over to Small World after having walked down Main Street. I have read TRs of people saying that they feel at home when they walk down Main Street and now I know what they mean. I have definitely left half of my soul in Disney land!
Small World was practically a walk on and we we particularly fond of one of the statues that looked like a surf-boarding Nick Jonas. IASW was the first and last ride we went on during this trip! And I managed to acquire the Vinylmation during a trade. We were sat at the front of the boat too which was nice for Beth's first experience. Afterwards we were going to do the Story book boats but the queue was immense so we went to Pirates. This is where the title for this TR comes from: for almost the whole trip we seemed to time everything right. From arriving for parades to queuing for rides and seeing characters, the clock seemed to be on our side. Unfortunately for us, we ended up sitting behind a group of lads who thought it was really funny to flick water at all the other people in the boat. Needless to say we didn't agree.
Next we were going to go and unpack but we decided to do Snow White on the way out because we hadn't done it before. The queue was about half an hour and I wouldn't queue for it again but I am glad that we have finally done it. On the way out we got distracted by the shops. We didn't buy anything though I did see a vinylmation lanyard I liked and later wished I had bought. We went in to World of Disney in the Village. I chose a Parks vinylmation and a twentieth pin with Minnie on, then when I got to the till the man said I could choose an Animation Vinylamtion for 2 euros so obviously I had to! The vinylmations were Chicken Little and the only one I didn't want in the Parks' collection- the weird thing with the hat. We also got a Toy Story Alien mug for our friend who is obsessed with Toy Story.
Then we went to Earl of Sandwich! Yay! We were stupid and didn't read the step-by-step of what to do on the wall so we were a bit confused but I chose cannonballs, we ordered, then went to someone else and paid, then waited for our buzzer to go off. We sat downstairs because we couldn't be bothered to go up! I loved my sandwich and we immediately decided that we had to eat there as often as possible! Beth proclaimed that her tuna melt was "the best sandwich ever".
Only remembered to take a picture when we were nearly done!
Back at our hotel we collected our luggage. We were still a little baffled about where to go but soon figured out that luggage collection is just outside past reception and to the right. The man there was very nice and reminded us to take our cases back before 11 on departure day.
Then we unpacked! We had taken a suitcase full of food and it all but exploded. We unpacked our clothes, hanging some but putting most on the bench where I presume cases are supposed to go but we liked to be able to see our clothes when deciding what to wear. I forgot to pack socks! Ridiculous.
We loved the little rose by the sink. A nice touch!
Then we got ready for DREAMS! I changed in to my jumper which I was glad about because it did get quite chilly when the sun went down. Initially we found a spot on Main Street just after Casey's Corner but Beth and Charl went off on a mission to find a better place. This was just before 8 o'clock if I remember rightly and it soon got very very busy!
Yet another tip: if you want a decent spot for Dreams don't leave it until late because Main Street was packed full of people by 8:30.
On the way under the 20th anniversary gold sign a couple asked us to take a photo for them and they returned the favour. The lady had the best glittery nails I have seen! The photo of us all is on Beth's camera and we don't have those pictures yet. This also explains why there aren't many pictures of Charlotte because she was always the one behind the camera!
Beth & Charl found a great place just opposite the Disabled area on a grassy bank. We felt very wrong climbing over the fences but lots of other people had done it and no body was saying anything. Everything was great apart from people smoking. After waiting and the obligatory announcements in what felt like 20 different languages it began! I was very excited and I feel bad saying that it didn't live up to my expectations. I did enjoy it but I just wasn't astounded like I thought I would be. Saying that, though, I watched DLRP magic's video of it on youtube today and I now think that it wasn't working on full capacity the three times that we saw it because it seemed quite different on the film. I don't know, but if so it would explain why there were projections on to the castle at midnight!
waiting for Dreams
We decided to brave the rush on the way back and just followed the crowd out of the park. We couldn't believe that people were queuing outside Cafe Mickey at nearly ten o'clock but then we realised that it is customary in some countries to eat late, isn't it? It also explains why when we ate at about 5 o'clock there weren't many people about.
Charlotte had given us yet another surprise when we were unpacking our suitcases: Tinkerbelle PJs and a Blue Nose Friend (we are 5 years old at heart)! So we changed in to the pyjamas and got ready for bed, watching the test for Dreams running as we did so.
part of the view from our window
There we go! Day one is over! Congratulations if you made it this far. After day two I stopped writing my diary properly because I was too tired when we got back each night and just started making notes instead, so maybe day three onwards will be shorter! Just as a last note- Beth has more photos on her camera that I haven't uploaded to my computer yet. I will probably add them in a couple of posts at the very end!
Just a warning this will be long. I am unable to write concisely!
The day before- Sunday 2nd September 2012
We all had work today, so afterwards, in the evening at around 8 o'clock, Beth came to our house because we needed to get up early to get to St Pancras the next morning. Pretty much straight away Charlotte said that we needed to go to the kitchen because she had a surprise for us. I knew that she had been making something for the past few months but I had no idea what it was because she had been doing her secret project in the spare bedroom and I was banned from entry every time she was in there! So needless to say that I was excited to finally find out what it was. She had bought a photo album/scrap book from Paperchase and on every other page she had done a little illustration of Disney related things or something that means something to us all as friends. It is amazing! We couldn't believe that she had taken the time and effort to draw on every single page. She had also bought a little pink (and sparkly!) notebook for us to carry around and document exciting/funny things that happened so that we could transfer in to the big book when we got home instead of carrying around a big scrapbook.
(I have photos of this but I haven't uploaded them yet, I'll add them later on)
Then we had to start getting ready for bed because of needing to wake up at 4:15! We painted our nails (a kind of ritual we do it all the time) and then tried to go to sleep. In the end me and Beth (my room is bigger so she stays in my room and Charlotte sleeps alone in hers) had to literally ban ourselves from talking because we knew that if we didn't it would struggle to get up more than we would already!
So anyway 4:15 (ish!) came, I got up, Charl was already awake, then came the task of waking Beth. She is not one for waking up! We got ready in a bit of a daze, it was slightly difficult because our parents were still in bed so we had to keep the lights and noise low. We packed the last things like make up and chargers then went to have breakfast. Just as I started eating, Gordon (our family friend who owns a chauffeur company and so was taking us to and from St Pancras for a discounted price- yay!) arrived ten minutes early, so there were an awkward few minutes whilst he sat on our sofa and I ate my golden nuggets. We loaded the car with our suitcases and left on time at 5:30.
part of the reason why our cases were so heavy!
The journey was fine, we only had to slow down a few times on the motorway due to congestion and then when we hit London of course it was Monday morning rush hour time so there was a bit of traffic but nothing momentous so we got to St Pancras in plenty of time. I think it took us about two and a half hours. I didn't really get to sleep on the way down but I didn't feel tired. Gordon had dropped us off right near the doors to the Eurostar check in and after a moment of confusion (I realised that King's Cross and St Pancras are sort of the same station after about 30 seconds) we went in to the station. Visiting the toilets was a task with three suitcases and hand luggage.
A tip for anyone visiting St Pancras: if you can, designate a luggage watcher so that you don't have to battle the inevitable queues for the Women's toilets with your bags.
The cases
It was still a little early to check in so we sat just opposite and had some flap jack! We weren't waiting for long when the tannoy came on saying that check in had opened for our train. We had to go to the desk to get our tickets reprinted because we rang Eurostar a couple of weeks before to request a table and by the time we had done that it was too late to reprint our original tickets before they sent them out. There were no problems and we were soon through to security then passport control. This was a strange experience for Beth who has never been on a plane or train abroad before and for me too when the metal detectors went off on me and I was searched! Don't know what I could possibly have been hiding under leggings and a top, but at least you know the checks are adequate. Then man at passport control who checked my sister's passport said "thank you Charlotte" as we left which we thought was really nice because he had taken the time to read her name, and usually the people seem really grumpy at passport checks.
We found a seat conveniently located opposite WHSmiths and Cafe Nero so Charl and Beth went to buy drinks. This was exciting because we normally never spend so much money on a beverage, haha. Charlotte got tea and Beth and I had an ice blend. We sat for a while then went to WHSmiths to buy all the trashy magazines. Someone had left their passports and travel documents on top of one of the aisles! A lady picked them up and asked if they were ours which they weren't. We didn't mind that because she was just taking care that they had actually been misplaced by somebody but then the cashier asked if we knew where our passports were because "we looked like the kind of people " he didn't finish because we were adamant that they weren't ours but I was a bit offended looked like what? A teenager? So therefore I am going to lose my passport? Okay!
waiting!
a bit blurry...sorry
on the travelators...the drink was freezing my hand!
Soon after we were able to board even though it was before the time on the screens. Up the travelators we went and then we had to walk what felt like 6 miles to carriage 17. It was quite a struggle trying to lift three very heavy suitcases up the steps of the train - it was at this point we truly realised how beneficial adults can be when going on holiday! We were soon on the second leg of our journey to the Happiest Place on Earth! A man got on at Ashford and we were convinced that he was a cast member. Unfortunately he wasn't because he got off at Lille. Pretty soon after stopping at Ebbsfleet and Ashford the Cast Member came round with our Disney Express tickets. I gave him the conformation letter (that he kept) and he gave us our park tickets, a form to fill in and give to reception upon arrival, and our luggage tickets for the Express service. They are three tickets joined together like raffle tickets of which you rip one off and put the other two on your case. Then when you go to the luggage room at your hotel you give them the first ticket that you kept and they identify your case. Then when you are leaving you keep the second ticket and leave the third on your case! Phew.
A tip: label your cases with your name and destination hotel BEFORE you get on the train! We didn't think that we needed to do this but we did.
Then Charlotte had another surprise for us! She suddenly produced two little paper boxes that she had made from her bag. Inside were Beauty and the Beast Squinkies which of course we are too old to play with (!!) but we like because they are so tiny and cute. Plus my nick name is Belle so they are appropriate! There was more two little pink tissue paper packages were inside. We opened them and found a necklace with a heart on and a bracelet from Accessorise each. We loved them but felt rubbish that we hadn't done anything for her!
Squinkies..
I tried to sleep but it didn't work, and then all of a sudden we were in France! We didn't believe it and had to check that the number plates on the cars were foreign before we would accept that we had indeed been under the Channel and were out the other side. Soon after, though, there were problems with the power supply lines and so we were delayed for about forty five minutes. We wanted to get to Disney! It wasn't a big deal but we lost forty five minutes of park time, hey ho, there are worse things.
on the train
We finally arrived (loved seeing Space Mountain as we approached!) and then we had to try and get our suitcases off the train. They were really very heavy! We thought that a man was helping us but actually he just wanted us to get out of the way so that he could retrieve his final case that we hadn't realised was there. Because of the delay it was a little later than we had anticipated so we decided not to go to the Parks but straight to our hotel instead to wait for check-in. It was very easy to find Sequoia Lodge and took less than ten minutes to get there from the train station. The hardest thing was finding the Disney Express desk in the train station to drop our luggage off!
Another tip: it is on the very very top floor of the station! Also use the toilets on the train or pay a euro for the privilege in the station.
In the village!
Anyway we had walked through the village and past Hotel New York. Newport Bay looks amazing from across the lake, almost surreal. Then in to SL. Reception is straight past the restaurants, left, up the stairs, right, then down the hallway! We couldn't find it to begin with.
on the way to our hotel for the first time
I was a bit anxious about not speaking French, but we got in the queue and a lovely lady called Jenifer approached us with "bonjour" so we replied in English and she continued by speaking English to us. At first she thought my rucksack was in the 20th anniversary design but it isn't, unfortunately! She pointed us over to another lady who checked us in. We meant to write on the little card in the room about how nice and helpful Jenifer was during our stay but completely forgot. Sorry, Jenifer! We asked for 7am breakfast but got given 7.30. Maybe she thought we wouldn't get up for 7 as it was only just 3 o'clock so I doubt that all the slots had ran out! Oh well. We signed all the necessary documents and then followed the map to our room (South Wing 7215 I think). It was on the very top floor close to the lifts and we were astounded by the view. We could clearly see the Village, Tower of Terror, the DLH and even the top of the castle. Perhaps we were given this room because we sent an email to Guest Relations and if so then I am so glad that we did it. I would never have thought that having a good view would make such a difference but waking up and seeing the castle was amazing not to mention being able to see them (presumably) testing Dreams at about midnight before we went to sleep. I think we will miss that sight more than anything else! We had two large double beds, a table, two chairs, complimentary water etc etc. The sink is indeed separate from the bathroom just opposite a rail with hangers and the (very easy to use) safe but this was actually better for us when we were getting ready in the mornings. Everything was clean and the beds really are very comfy!
Can you spot Pascal in the window?
Of course we were excited by the chocolate coins and welcome message on the TV (how annoying is Sophie on the Disney TV? I'm so sorry if that's offensive to anyone but we are cheery people and she was just too much!) We offloaded some of the unnecessary stuff from our bags and set off for the Parks! We were a bit overwhelmed and probably should have taken a moment to soak everything in but we went straight on over to Small World after having walked down Main Street. I have read TRs of people saying that they feel at home when they walk down Main Street and now I know what they mean. I have definitely left half of my soul in Disney land!
Small World was practically a walk on and we we particularly fond of one of the statues that looked like a surf-boarding Nick Jonas. IASW was the first and last ride we went on during this trip! And I managed to acquire the Vinylmation during a trade. We were sat at the front of the boat too which was nice for Beth's first experience. Afterwards we were going to do the Story book boats but the queue was immense so we went to Pirates. This is where the title for this TR comes from: for almost the whole trip we seemed to time everything right. From arriving for parades to queuing for rides and seeing characters, the clock seemed to be on our side. Unfortunately for us, we ended up sitting behind a group of lads who thought it was really funny to flick water at all the other people in the boat. Needless to say we didn't agree.
Next we were going to go and unpack but we decided to do Snow White on the way out because we hadn't done it before. The queue was about half an hour and I wouldn't queue for it again but I am glad that we have finally done it. On the way out we got distracted by the shops. We didn't buy anything though I did see a vinylmation lanyard I liked and later wished I had bought. We went in to World of Disney in the Village. I chose a Parks vinylmation and a twentieth pin with Minnie on, then when I got to the till the man said I could choose an Animation Vinylamtion for 2 euros so obviously I had to! The vinylmations were Chicken Little and the only one I didn't want in the Parks' collection- the weird thing with the hat. We also got a Toy Story Alien mug for our friend who is obsessed with Toy Story.
Then we went to Earl of Sandwich! Yay! We were stupid and didn't read the step-by-step of what to do on the wall so we were a bit confused but I chose cannonballs, we ordered, then went to someone else and paid, then waited for our buzzer to go off. We sat downstairs because we couldn't be bothered to go up! I loved my sandwich and we immediately decided that we had to eat there as often as possible! Beth proclaimed that her tuna melt was "the best sandwich ever".
Only remembered to take a picture when we were nearly done!
Back at our hotel we collected our luggage. We were still a little baffled about where to go but soon figured out that luggage collection is just outside past reception and to the right. The man there was very nice and reminded us to take our cases back before 11 on departure day.
Then we unpacked! We had taken a suitcase full of food and it all but exploded. We unpacked our clothes, hanging some but putting most on the bench where I presume cases are supposed to go but we liked to be able to see our clothes when deciding what to wear. I forgot to pack socks! Ridiculous.
We loved the little rose by the sink. A nice touch!
Then we got ready for DREAMS! I changed in to my jumper which I was glad about because it did get quite chilly when the sun went down. Initially we found a spot on Main Street just after Casey's Corner but Beth and Charl went off on a mission to find a better place. This was just before 8 o'clock if I remember rightly and it soon got very very busy!
Yet another tip: if you want a decent spot for Dreams don't leave it until late because Main Street was packed full of people by 8:30.
On the way under the 20th anniversary gold sign a couple asked us to take a photo for them and they returned the favour. The lady had the best glittery nails I have seen! The photo of us all is on Beth's camera and we don't have those pictures yet. This also explains why there aren't many pictures of Charlotte because she was always the one behind the camera!
Beth & Charl found a great place just opposite the Disabled area on a grassy bank. We felt very wrong climbing over the fences but lots of other people had done it and no body was saying anything. Everything was great apart from people smoking. After waiting and the obligatory announcements in what felt like 20 different languages it began! I was very excited and I feel bad saying that it didn't live up to my expectations. I did enjoy it but I just wasn't astounded like I thought I would be. Saying that, though, I watched DLRP magic's video of it on youtube today and I now think that it wasn't working on full capacity the three times that we saw it because it seemed quite different on the film. I don't know, but if so it would explain why there were projections on to the castle at midnight!
waiting for Dreams
We decided to brave the rush on the way back and just followed the crowd out of the park. We couldn't believe that people were queuing outside Cafe Mickey at nearly ten o'clock but then we realised that it is customary in some countries to eat late, isn't it? It also explains why when we ate at about 5 o'clock there weren't many people about.
Charlotte had given us yet another surprise when we were unpacking our suitcases: Tinkerbelle PJs and a Blue Nose Friend (we are 5 years old at heart)! So we changed in to the pyjamas and got ready for bed, watching the test for Dreams running as we did so.
part of the view from our window
There we go! Day one is over! Congratulations if you made it this far. After day two I stopped writing my diary properly because I was too tired when we got back each night and just started making notes instead, so maybe day three onwards will be shorter! Just as a last note- Beth has more photos on her camera that I haven't uploaded to my computer yet. I will probably add them in a couple of posts at the very end!
I have Sophie and The Tens things to know before you go added to my favourites which I play to my DD's quite regularly their respose is similar to yours 
but I love it just gets me more excited for our trip.The view from your room is amazing.
it really was brilliant, I have my friend's camera now so more pictures to come 
We then stumbled across the Rapunzel meet and greet setting near IASW. We had wanted to find this because we love the film and especially Pascal but we did feel silly taking pictures straight after little girls in their princess outfits! 
