Where it all started......a wee trip down memory lane (Final Update)

[Ms Poppins]

I've enjoyed looking through all these old photos - bring back so many lovely memories.

Our last trip had lingered in our minds. Maybe it was because of the DLH, maybe the added fun of the Studios that we had all loved, or maybe because we are all a bit Disney mad.........anyway, we wanted to go again.

My bump was gone and was replaced by Lewis, who was the image of his big brother and adored by us all.

So..

Our fourth trip to the Magic


The Cast:
Me, Julie, 30
DH, John, 34
DS1, Mark, 11
DD, Abbey, 8
DS2, Lewis, 11 months
DSL, Joyce - wouldn't dare say
DN, Sean, 16 (I think?)

July 2005 - 4 nights

We had warbled so much about DLP that John's sister and nephew decided to come with us. Again we travelled to Ashford, this time in convoy, and stayed overnight in the Travel Lodge. An early start at the station and we were in very familiar DLP by lunchtime. Bags dropped again at the Disney Express counter and we were on our way.

The castle looked stunning as ever:

Mark and Abbey enjoyed showing their big cousin around. It felt as if we'd never been away.

We were back on our favourite rides in no time:

The weather was glorious and we took quite a slow pace. Lewis lounged in his buggy most of the time (not walking yet) and he was happy to nod on and off.

He loved the Dumbos - this is him waiting in the queue:

We ate in Annette's again:

The Hotel New York was our choice again, and luckily Joyce and Sean loved it too.

The Tarzan show was still on at The Chapparal theatre and we all enjoyed this again - I really wish they'd bring this back

As it was so hot, we went back to the hotel to swim most afternoons. One of the afternoons the Mark and Sean signed up for the Manchester United football school, held just behind the Sequoia Lodge. They had a fantastic time.

Us girls went to Val'd'europe to do some shopping. Amazingly we'd never been before, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get there, just one stop on the metro.

One thing we were really looking forward to on this trip again was visiting the Studios. My kids are really into drawing and animation, and it was really interesting for them. We drew some more characters - found it hard to get the kids out of there!

The kids met Goofy again by the Limo:

The parade was great as usual:

We couldn't resist some posing ourselves:

 

[Ms Poppins]

My cousin and her family had been to DLP earlier in the year and told me we just had to book a meal at this new place called Cafe Mickey - so we did.

We were seated upstairs without too much of a wait, and had the most fabulous character interaction ever! Lewis however was the only one not to agree - so we just kept him away from his future heroes...

I thought Mark might have thought he was a bit too cool for the characters, but really got into it.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we booked a character breakfast the following day, this time I think in the Plaza Gardens, in Fantasyland. We had a nice time, and the kids enjoyed themselves, but the tables are just too close to each other to get some good interaction.

We met Pooh again - and queued for so long we missed the Lion King show - I still kick myself for missing this, never got to see it - ever

The parade was as ever lovely - don't have many pics really as we had quite a poor spot with the sun in our eyes:

We had gone back to the hotel for a swim and early dinner as Lewis had become a bit grouchy with the heat and had decided to go back for Fantillusion. We'd never experienced this before, as the park had always closed at 8pm. Well, we completely underestimated the popularity of this (I know, thickos) and actually gave up after a couple of floats, '*** we just could not see!!

That night when we got back to the hotel, Lewis woke up. He'd been dozing on and off the whole holiday and we had a night that is still known as 'the night when Lewis went crazy'!

He just became really excited and crawled at break neck speed for over an hour. Mark and Abbey thought it was hilarious!

Another new experience was the balloon, which we walked past each day. John is terrified of heights, but decided he'd love to see the view. Joyce, another frightened person jumped at the chance to look after Lewis!

We had a tense moment when Mark and Sean moved quite quickly round the balloon in search of a different view, and John yelped a bit - but it turned out fine. What an amazing view of the whole area:

The shops attracted us as usual - any excuse for a break from the heat:

Everything does look beautiful though in the sun:

All too soon our trip was over. We were upgraded to Leisure select on the Eurostar on the way home, which was nice:

I don't think I'll ever get bored of Disneyland Paris - people often say to me ' why do you never go to Florida?' - it's never really occurred to me - I absolutely love DLP!!

Our fith trip is here - incase you haven't already read it - July 2009


Many thanks for all your comments - glad I'm amongst like minded people and I'm not the only nutter about

 

[Disneyfanswicklow]

Ha HA you are surrounded by Disney nutters on this site - truely adictive! Another great trip and photos. How cute is Lewis? Thanks for sharing those memories.

 

[DLPdaft]

Fabulous - how brill to see your family grow and grow up right here on the DIS

 

[poppyolivia]

oh my goodness, I've never laughed so much as when I was reading about the horse ride!!..thats hilarious!!!!
You're photos are amazing and yes whats the deal with captain hooks head??????? I would say it was the same guy no BTM...thats weird huh?? you have your own wee stalker!!!haha!!!!

wow I loved reading all of that..!!!!

 

[Ms Poppins]

oh my goodness, I've never laughed so much as when I was reading about the horse ride!!..thats hilarious!!!!
You're photos are amazing and yes whats the deal with captain hooks head??????? I would say it was the same guy no BTM...thats weird huh?? you have your own wee stalker!!!haha!!!!

wow I loved reading all of that..!!!!

Thanks.. I must admit I laugh myself when thinking of the pony episode now -Mark was easily calmed down with goodies from the shop - but he's never gone near a horse of any description since!