Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Disneyland Paris






I woke up at 6am. Our plans for the day included Disneyland Paris. I had used a source on the net to map out our transportation options. I had a hard time sleeping knowing I had to take three trains to get there. Three! What type of ticket is that? What if the ticket person doesn't understand me? What if I get off at the wrong stop?
We dressed and had some breakfast in the apartment and was out the door by 8am. I completely chickened out and went next door to the hotel's concierge and asked for help. He sent me down the street (not across the river) to the station and to transfer to one train (not two more). Feeling a little more confident, we walked to the metro station we had passed the day before. The ticket woman was a delight and gave me a ticket for Victoria good for all day because a child's all day transportation ticket is cheaper than the other way.

We managed to get on the train and transferred. My father was not feeling well. He got off the train and had an adventure in a college town before taking a taxi back to the apartment. I had the key to the apartment, and most of the train tickets. My mother had cash on her, one train ticket, and American cash along with one credit card. We had quickly decided we did not all need to exit the train, and I would meet my mother on the hour in front of the castle at its center most point.

Victoria played on the train with a pretty little girl from Italy. They spoke a little English. We got off at the last stop, went up the stairs to the entrance of Disneyland Paris. We already had tickets from my Marriott rewards which was great because the lines were long. The Disneyland Hotel is beautiful and at the entrance of the park. We entered the park to a familiar looking Main Street and familiar music. We grabbed a map and an event listing. The park opened at 10am and we arrived at 10:30 to a very crowded park. We strolled up Main Street and took our routine left turn to Adventure Land. We visited the Phantom Manor (see pics) and had a great time. We went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and grabbed a fast pass. We enjoyed the Pirates of the Carribean ride though not as good without Captain Jack in it. The wait for most rides was 30 - 45 minutes. I did not see nor hear any announcements on flash photography and had the people in front of us set off their flash in my eyes. I did a dramatic "Oh my eyes" to get them to stop. Throughout the day people would be taking flash pictures on the rides.

As we headed to the castle to look for my mother at 12 noon, we passed the costume shop near the castle. It's in the same spot as you would expect. They have the most darling Fairy costumes. Victoria has decided she is too old for costumes this trip, which made me scramble for something to wear on formal night. As she stood in her purple tinkerbelle top (with wings on the back) she considered the costumes but I told her it was too late to add anything to luggage.

We walked around the castle for fifteen minutes looking for my mother. Our fast pass was for 12:25pm so we left at 12:15 and hit the ride. As we were getting on the ride, a woman asked if we speak French. She shouted FRENCH at me when I said no. YAY! someone thought I spoke French!

The ride started off great. It's faster, less time climbing hills, and more thrilling. As we were climbing a hill, the ride came to a stop. For thirty minutes we stopped. A cast member came out speaking both French and English and tried to keep us entertained. We chatted with a father & son in front of us from England. The ride is very good, when not at a stand-still on a hill. I was really surprised when we got off the ride to find no apologies, no fast pass, nothing for our trouble. In the past, when I was stuck on a ride, we were offered fast passes for the same ride or another of my choice.

After the ride, we dashed over to the castle to meet my mother. She was there! She had no Euros, and did not have a ticket to get back on the train because she escorted my father out of the station. She stayed behind someone, risking arrest! She stood in line for a long long time. She arrived at the park at 11:45am, but did not get inside the park until 12:30pm. She was stressed and we took her to the Blue Lagoon for lunch. She was tired, had a headache and we thought this was a good spot. This ride, like California, is built within the Pirates of the Carribean ride and most tables can see the boats pass by in the darkened eatery.

After lunch we waited longer for the Pirates of the Carribean. All the rides had long waits, you just had to pick your poison and deal with it. After Pirates of the Carribean we went to It's a Small World. The ride was great, and not as long a wait as posted. We could not get into the Lion King at 4pm and Buzz Lightyear was over an hour wait. Fastpasses after 1pm were for 6pm and later. We were losing steam and had a beverage before shopping. We all thought the park was very pretty and well done. The colors are rich with more sophistication than in Florida. The crowds were unbearable but the weather was great. I would compare it to a Florida October time. I thought about what it would be like in DisneyWorld in August with these crowds and realized it would be unbearable but still, the people would probably smell better. We left at 5pm and navigated the trains with a little more confidence.

On the trains, people would enter with cards detailing their sorrows and asking for money. They would exit the train at the next stop. On the way home, a man sang an entire song and walked around with a bowl for tips. Victoria was facinated with poor people singing for their dinner money. Down by the river, we spotted a few tents behind the bushes and under the walkways.

We walked a few blocks, in the rain, back to the apartment. My father was feeling better by this point. When he has asked for another key, a woman at the reception area stated the building is strictly prohibited from renting to people less than six months at a time. We may be kicked out soon!

It's pouring rain out at 9pm. We have plans to take a tour of Paris and the Seine tomorrow. This will require more trains no doubt. Victoria and my father are playing poker, betting with grapes. Victoria knew enough to grab her visor before playing. I keep hearing the word "knucklehead" coming from the room.
I finished my book, The Summer House, by Jude Deveraux. I liked it, a good summer read!
Comments on food so far: We haven't really experienced fine dining in France but so far: in New Haven we have excellent pastries and bread. I like good Italian bread over baquettes. I prefer Italian pastry to French.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a fine day. Loved the poker game insight. "knucklehead" LOL! See you very soon.
Linda (hannosmom)

PS Loving the blog!

Anonymous said...

Oh Good Lord! What a day! You all must have slept like babies last night, at least, I hope you did. I didn't get a chance to read this until today, Wednesday. What was wrong with your father? How is your mother? The Wheeler's are all sick with a headache, stomach, fever thing. I hope you didn't bring that with you.
Ariel is singing like a, okay, I'll say it, bird. Tell Victoria not to worry about her, she's doing well along with her crabs.
Everyone here is okay otherwise and enjoying your adventures vicariously.
Aunt Regina

Anonymous said...

Oh God! I didn't mean to imply that Victoria had the crabs! :)

Anonymous said...

Loving the blog, Rockin Robin. I'm living Paris thru you once again. I can even hear you speaking as I read your comments. Thanks for writing these. See you real soon!

Robin said...

I don't think anyone has a real illness other than travel woes and just being out of sorts.

Anonymous said...

Wow, it sounds like you all are having a great time!

I love the pictures.