honeyb35
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2011
Trip report
Me (31) hubby (34 until we got to the Motuers show, then 4!) eldest DD (11) DS (7) youngest DD (5)
12th Feb, could barely sleep, due to a combination of excitement and coughing from the chest infection I have! Think I managed about 3 hours before I gave up and prepared for the trip!
When our rubbish sat nav finally found the APH car park, it was all systems go. Great service from them by the way! We got dropped off at the airport, checked in and made our way to the departure gate.
Priority boarding meant there wasnt much sitting around! We were met and taken on board using an aisle chair whilst our sons wheelchair was taken to the luggage compartment.
Uneventful flight, which was good as it was my youngest daughters first one!
Once wed arrived at CDG airport, a nice member of staff walked us to the exit with our bags, and ensured we were met by our taxi from Inter Service Prestige. These guys were AMAZING. Very friendly driver, lovely comfortable car, plenty of room for all our bags and our sons wheelchair. Kids were given a choice of dvd to watch (Yogi Bear! Although everyone but me and my son fell asleep!) and we made our way to Disneyland.
I was amazed when we reached Sequoia Lodge, it was gorgeous! Checked in with no trouble and given tickets to the park, our room wasnt ready so we left our luggage and went to explore the parks.
Once inside we went to City Hall for our disabled access pass which was given with no problems upon showing my sons blue badge.
We walked up Main Street waiting for my youngest DDs reaction when seeing the castle it took a while for her to notice it!! As soon as she did her excitement kicked in!
We almost missed the parade .I noticed people standing around but simply said I cant believe people are going to stand in this cold for over an hour . Then realised I hadnt put my watch forward, doh!! We did really well to find a free spot at the front with only ten minutes to go!
We ate dinner at the Marionette restaurant. Cheap and cheerful, and it wasnt Mcdonalds lol (wed been there for lunch!) The roast chicken was nice!
The park was open till 9 but we left about 7 as we were all shattered.
Our rooms were AMAZING! I didnt realise we had two rooms as the travel agent had simply booked adapted accommodation for us. The kids room had bunk beds which were immediately requisitioned by my daughters who have a thing for them. My son had a divan bed, which we pushed against the wall on one side to lessen the chance of him falling out (he did that first night but thats an occupational hazard with him!). Full wet room with a stool in the shower and plenty of room to manoeuvre his wheelchair.
Mine and hubbys bedroom had 2 double beds, and an adjustable bathseat in our bathroom. That came in use, as since weve had adaptations to our home, our son has only used showers rather than a bath. Whilst we were there I set the chair up and ran him a big bubble bath, which he loved splashing in!
On our second day we overslept and were late for breakfast due to me setting the alarm wrong grr! There wasnt a problem, although it meant we missed EMH. By the time we got there the queues for the baggage search were awful! Luckily they moved quite quickly.
We saw lots of characters I hadnt realised that the disabled access pass we had actually gave us priority access to them as well. CMs were constantly dragging characters over to us! They were all utterly wonderful with the kids, and my son got so much attention he didnt know where to look! Half the time I could barely take a photo as I was blubbing at his face so much lol.
We saw the parade again, this time at one of the wheelchair spaces which meant we were free from pushing the day before a woman next to me insisted on having her child on her shoulders which was fine, except said child kept kicking me in the head!
We headed back to the hotel in the evening, stopping at mcdonalds for dinner, then hubby took our daughters swimming whilst I gave our son his bath (he doesnt do swimming, for some reason it sets his epilepsy off?)
The next morning there was no EMH so we had a lay in and a late breakfast. When we went down there were very long queues but a hotel staff member took us to the front, again, I didnt realise we were entitled to this VIP service, I was starting to feel like a celebrity! Although very guilty as some people werent very happy about it
.
We spent the day in the studios today. My youngest saw Minnie Mouse (her ultimate, and the one I told her she would see when I booked the trip!) so lots of excitement there. Also saw Buzz, which made our trip he is my sons favourite character and probably the reason I decided to book the trip when I did. He was SO excited to see him! Naughty Buzz stole my youngest daughters hat and demanded a kiss for its return, which she did as I think shes got a bit of a crush!
We mainly saw shows today. We were waiting for a CM to escort us through into the car show, hubby being in a world of his own and didnt notice the sign declaring stunt show until my eldest daughter mentioned it (Id kept this bit secret from him!) he was like a little kid when the show started!
My son squealed v loudly when Lightening Mcqueen came out too!
Also saw Animagique, WOW is all I can say! Then cinemagique straight after hubby didnt click on that the show had started and got quite disgruntled whilst I sat and laughed at him! Again, much VIP treatment, with great seats in both shows!
Lots of characters were out and about before the start of the parade. We saw Ariel, who my son had a nice long flirt with! She promised to give both my daughters a special wave in the parade which she did!
We also saw Woody and Jessie, which made my two youngest VERY happy! And Mary Poppins and Bert which made me very happy!
We went shopping on the way out of the park that evening, as the kids had saved up some money of their own. We came back with a baby Simba, bambi, and a talking woody
More swimming for the girls, whilst I packed the suitcases, boo hiss!
On our last morning, we managed an early breakfast in time for EMH! Went straight to the Peter Pan Flight ride, as this one my son couldnt do which meant we had to join the queue. It wasnt actually open when we got there (despite being mentioned on the programme) but as quite a queue was forming, they opened it, and we got to the gate. 2 cars went in and it broke down! We were all given fastpass type tickets, but I felt so sorry for those that had to climb off via the ladder we saw them take in! We came back about an hour later and it was working again, was as good as I remembered and the girls loved it!
Then queued up for Dumbo, as this was one my youngest daughter wanted to do but it had been closed the rest of the time we were there. Bit of a long wait but worth it for her face!
Then a few hours of last rides and meeting more characters Jafar was a bit scary as he threw a temper tantrum and stormed off, with the CM with him running after him. I thought it was part of an act but hubby told me she looked genuinely worried and kept apologising to parents. He eventually came back and made a beeline for my son for photos and autographs (I kept out of his way! Was scared lol)
All too soon it was time to head back to the hotel to collect our bags and meet the taxi to return to the airport. Again, full marks for inter service prestige, perfect timing, friendliness and helpfulness!
We were quite early so had a bit of a wait, but it was quiet, and the kids were quite happy playing. We received a personal call to board (more celebrity treatment!) but then had to wait due to a technical issue on the engine that they wanted to check ..by all means, make all the checks you need, please! (nervous flyer, me?!)
Soooo ..its all over .but I am definitely saving to go again in a few years!
HIGHS
Definitely the VIP treatment more than anything else, it made our holiday! I still feel guilty at how we got to go first at everything, but it did mean it was a proper holiday for our son, and not just dragging him round stuff us / his sisters want to do I guess. Not just in the Disneyland parks, but also the hotel and airport staff. It took all the worry and stress out of travelling with a wheelchair that I was expecting!
Meeting Buzz Lightyear! Actually all the characters who couldnt do enough for him, Pinocchio even stole the wheelchair to take him over to Geppetto for more photos!
His face was amazing when he recognised them all!
Its a small world having a wheelchair adapted boat. Was great not having to take him out of his chair for everything, as its quite difficult to do!
The shows! I loved cinemagique but they were all good, animagique was breathtaking and I loved the following the leader one. The stunt show was hubbys favourite obviously!
The weather!! I was expecting to be absolutely freezing, and weather apps forecast snow, rain etc. We got a bit of rain but never needed to bother with the raincoats I took. And we were never that cold! We were wrapped up fairly warmly (kids had ski trousers, gloves, hats etc) but we never had to leave / go indoors for being too cold, even after standing and waiting for the parades.
The hotel absolutely stunning. Couldnt say anything negative about it at all, and other than the closeness of the Disneyland hotel, I dont think I feel the need to say anywhere else!
Being in the right place at the right time we just struck extremely lucky most of the time! As with the parade on the first day, and also randomly wandering around when there was a sudden influx of characters!
LOWS
son not being able to go on the Peter Pan ride. The reasons were fair enough though. We took him on it as a baby last time we went and he loved it, so I was gutted he had to miss out this time.
Scary Jafar! Still not entirely sure if the tantrum was real or fake but some of the littler kids there got quite upset. It seemed to stem from a parent being unable to work a camera?
Dumbo only being open that last day! Although in hindsight probably a good thing as we only had to ride it once!
Missing Captain EO, we didnt have time sadly
Missing Buzz laser quest, they were being a bit funny with disability entrance, there were quite a few people waiting with the access cards and they werent letting anyone on. We were told it would be at least half an hour wait which usually would have been ok, but we didnt have time as we had to get back for the taxi.
The shuttle buses not being consistently accessible we caught it once and the driver lowered it, but when we came to get off that didnt happen and we had an awkward moment of struggle. We didnt bother again, I know we could request other transport but it was such a short walk it didnt seem worth it.
Actually just thought of something slightly negative about the hotel, we werent told about the lift going down to the restaurants lol. The first morning going for breakfast took a while! One of the members of staff didnt know about it either! Once wed found it it was fine though.
The studio tour being closed, sob! This was one of my favourite rides, was so disappointed. Still, at least everything the kids wanted to go on was ok.
Missing Captain Jack Sparrow!! Another thing I wanted to do! Again, we were always at the other end of the park at his times though. Darn it!
The Pinocchio ride - it's awful! Really fast and jerky, you miss a lot of it as you don't have time to look!
I can't figure out how to get photos on here, I'll add a link which hopefully will work but if anyone has an idiot proof guide, please let me know!
Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150800393599852.511105.617309851&type=1&l=0a8412398d
Thanks for reading!
Me (31) hubby (34 until we got to the Motuers show, then 4!) eldest DD (11) DS (7) youngest DD (5)
12th Feb, could barely sleep, due to a combination of excitement and coughing from the chest infection I have! Think I managed about 3 hours before I gave up and prepared for the trip!
When our rubbish sat nav finally found the APH car park, it was all systems go. Great service from them by the way! We got dropped off at the airport, checked in and made our way to the departure gate.
Priority boarding meant there wasnt much sitting around! We were met and taken on board using an aisle chair whilst our sons wheelchair was taken to the luggage compartment.
Uneventful flight, which was good as it was my youngest daughters first one!
Once wed arrived at CDG airport, a nice member of staff walked us to the exit with our bags, and ensured we were met by our taxi from Inter Service Prestige. These guys were AMAZING. Very friendly driver, lovely comfortable car, plenty of room for all our bags and our sons wheelchair. Kids were given a choice of dvd to watch (Yogi Bear! Although everyone but me and my son fell asleep!) and we made our way to Disneyland.
I was amazed when we reached Sequoia Lodge, it was gorgeous! Checked in with no trouble and given tickets to the park, our room wasnt ready so we left our luggage and went to explore the parks.
Once inside we went to City Hall for our disabled access pass which was given with no problems upon showing my sons blue badge.
We walked up Main Street waiting for my youngest DDs reaction when seeing the castle it took a while for her to notice it!! As soon as she did her excitement kicked in!
We almost missed the parade .I noticed people standing around but simply said I cant believe people are going to stand in this cold for over an hour . Then realised I hadnt put my watch forward, doh!! We did really well to find a free spot at the front with only ten minutes to go!
We ate dinner at the Marionette restaurant. Cheap and cheerful, and it wasnt Mcdonalds lol (wed been there for lunch!) The roast chicken was nice!
The park was open till 9 but we left about 7 as we were all shattered.
Our rooms were AMAZING! I didnt realise we had two rooms as the travel agent had simply booked adapted accommodation for us. The kids room had bunk beds which were immediately requisitioned by my daughters who have a thing for them. My son had a divan bed, which we pushed against the wall on one side to lessen the chance of him falling out (he did that first night but thats an occupational hazard with him!). Full wet room with a stool in the shower and plenty of room to manoeuvre his wheelchair.
Mine and hubbys bedroom had 2 double beds, and an adjustable bathseat in our bathroom. That came in use, as since weve had adaptations to our home, our son has only used showers rather than a bath. Whilst we were there I set the chair up and ran him a big bubble bath, which he loved splashing in!
On our second day we overslept and were late for breakfast due to me setting the alarm wrong grr! There wasnt a problem, although it meant we missed EMH. By the time we got there the queues for the baggage search were awful! Luckily they moved quite quickly.
We saw lots of characters I hadnt realised that the disabled access pass we had actually gave us priority access to them as well. CMs were constantly dragging characters over to us! They were all utterly wonderful with the kids, and my son got so much attention he didnt know where to look! Half the time I could barely take a photo as I was blubbing at his face so much lol.
We saw the parade again, this time at one of the wheelchair spaces which meant we were free from pushing the day before a woman next to me insisted on having her child on her shoulders which was fine, except said child kept kicking me in the head!
We headed back to the hotel in the evening, stopping at mcdonalds for dinner, then hubby took our daughters swimming whilst I gave our son his bath (he doesnt do swimming, for some reason it sets his epilepsy off?)
The next morning there was no EMH so we had a lay in and a late breakfast. When we went down there were very long queues but a hotel staff member took us to the front, again, I didnt realise we were entitled to this VIP service, I was starting to feel like a celebrity! Although very guilty as some people werent very happy about it
.We spent the day in the studios today. My youngest saw Minnie Mouse (her ultimate, and the one I told her she would see when I booked the trip!) so lots of excitement there. Also saw Buzz, which made our trip he is my sons favourite character and probably the reason I decided to book the trip when I did. He was SO excited to see him! Naughty Buzz stole my youngest daughters hat and demanded a kiss for its return, which she did as I think shes got a bit of a crush!
We mainly saw shows today. We were waiting for a CM to escort us through into the car show, hubby being in a world of his own and didnt notice the sign declaring stunt show until my eldest daughter mentioned it (Id kept this bit secret from him!) he was like a little kid when the show started!
My son squealed v loudly when Lightening Mcqueen came out too! Also saw Animagique, WOW is all I can say! Then cinemagique straight after hubby didnt click on that the show had started and got quite disgruntled whilst I sat and laughed at him! Again, much VIP treatment, with great seats in both shows!
Lots of characters were out and about before the start of the parade. We saw Ariel, who my son had a nice long flirt with! She promised to give both my daughters a special wave in the parade which she did!
We also saw Woody and Jessie, which made my two youngest VERY happy! And Mary Poppins and Bert which made me very happy
!We went shopping on the way out of the park that evening, as the kids had saved up some money of their own. We came back with a baby Simba, bambi, and a talking woody
More swimming for the girls, whilst I packed the suitcases, boo hiss!
On our last morning, we managed an early breakfast in time for EMH! Went straight to the Peter Pan Flight ride, as this one my son couldnt do which meant we had to join the queue. It wasnt actually open when we got there (despite being mentioned on the programme) but as quite a queue was forming, they opened it, and we got to the gate. 2 cars went in and it broke down! We were all given fastpass type tickets, but I felt so sorry for those that had to climb off via the ladder we saw them take in! We came back about an hour later and it was working again, was as good as I remembered and the girls loved it!
Then queued up for Dumbo, as this was one my youngest daughter wanted to do but it had been closed the rest of the time we were there. Bit of a long wait but worth it for her face!
Then a few hours of last rides and meeting more characters Jafar was a bit scary as he threw a temper tantrum and stormed off, with the CM with him running after him. I thought it was part of an act but hubby told me she looked genuinely worried and kept apologising to parents. He eventually came back and made a beeline for my son for photos and autographs (I kept out of his way! Was scared lol)
All too soon it was time to head back to the hotel to collect our bags and meet the taxi to return to the airport. Again, full marks for inter service prestige, perfect timing, friendliness and helpfulness!
We were quite early so had a bit of a wait, but it was quiet, and the kids were quite happy playing. We received a personal call to board (more celebrity treatment!) but then had to wait due to a technical issue on the engine that they wanted to check ..by all means, make all the checks you need, please! (nervous flyer, me?!)
Soooo ..its all over .but I am definitely saving to go again in a few years!
HIGHS
Definitely the VIP treatment more than anything else, it made our holiday! I still feel guilty at how we got to go first at everything, but it did mean it was a proper holiday for our son, and not just dragging him round stuff us / his sisters want to do I guess. Not just in the Disneyland parks, but also the hotel and airport staff. It took all the worry and stress out of travelling with a wheelchair that I was expecting!
Meeting Buzz Lightyear! Actually all the characters who couldnt do enough for him, Pinocchio even stole the wheelchair to take him over to Geppetto for more photos!
His face was amazing when he recognised them all!
Its a small world having a wheelchair adapted boat. Was great not having to take him out of his chair for everything, as its quite difficult to do!
The shows! I loved cinemagique but they were all good, animagique was breathtaking and I loved the following the leader one. The stunt show was hubbys favourite obviously!
The weather!! I was expecting to be absolutely freezing, and weather apps forecast snow, rain etc. We got a bit of rain but never needed to bother with the raincoats I took. And we were never that cold! We were wrapped up fairly warmly (kids had ski trousers, gloves, hats etc) but we never had to leave / go indoors for being too cold, even after standing and waiting for the parades.
The hotel absolutely stunning. Couldnt say anything negative about it at all, and other than the closeness of the Disneyland hotel, I dont think I feel the need to say anywhere else!
Being in the right place at the right time we just struck extremely lucky most of the time! As with the parade on the first day, and also randomly wandering around when there was a sudden influx of characters!
LOWS
son not being able to go on the Peter Pan ride. The reasons were fair enough though. We took him on it as a baby last time we went and he loved it, so I was gutted he had to miss out this time.
Scary Jafar! Still not entirely sure if the tantrum was real or fake but some of the littler kids there got quite upset. It seemed to stem from a parent being unable to work a camera?
Dumbo only being open that last day! Although in hindsight probably a good thing as we only had to ride it once!
Missing Captain EO, we didnt have time sadly
Missing Buzz laser quest, they were being a bit funny with disability entrance, there were quite a few people waiting with the access cards and they werent letting anyone on. We were told it would be at least half an hour wait which usually would have been ok, but we didnt have time as we had to get back for the taxi.
The shuttle buses not being consistently accessible we caught it once and the driver lowered it, but when we came to get off that didnt happen and we had an awkward moment of struggle. We didnt bother again, I know we could request other transport but it was such a short walk it didnt seem worth it.
Actually just thought of something slightly negative about the hotel, we werent told about the lift going down to the restaurants lol. The first morning going for breakfast took a while! One of the members of staff didnt know about it either! Once wed found it it was fine though.
The studio tour being closed, sob! This was one of my favourite rides, was so disappointed. Still, at least everything the kids wanted to go on was ok.
Missing Captain Jack Sparrow!! Another thing I wanted to do! Again, we were always at the other end of the park at his times though. Darn it!
The Pinocchio ride - it's awful! Really fast and jerky, you miss a lot of it as you don't have time to look!
I can't figure out how to get photos on here, I'll add a link which hopefully will work but if anyone has an idiot proof guide, please let me know!
Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150800393599852.511105.617309851&type=1&l=0a8412398d
Thanks for reading!
.
(and you didn't lose any meds in the hand luggage 
)
we'll definitely go back at some point though!
