h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just back from the most wonderful trip ever to Disneyland. Ok it was our 3rd visit, so we know our way around,, know what we like to do, and understand a bit of the system. Plus I was pulling out all the stops and staying at THE Disney Hotel - where the service was so good I cannot find a single fault with the place.

So here's the diary:

27.10.03
Monday 9 a.m
A bank in Luxembourg. My original plan for an early start had to be rescheduled when I lost my purse containing all my cards on Friday night. So need a cash withdrawal instead.

12.30 Checking into our hotel. Room not ready yet, but they arrange for our bags to be minded, park my car for me, book a restaurant for tonight, and give us our park tickets plus some super-dooper Fastpass tickets with no time limit on them. Wow! head for Frontierland, now renamed Halloweenland...

13.00 Queue for about 30 mins for Phantom Manor, then use our super-tickets for Big Thunder Mountain - our all time family favourite. Wandered into Fantasyland enjoying the Halloween specials, and warmed up with some pumpkin soup and waffles before marching around Alice's maze. Then used another magic pass to ride Peter Pan's flight, before heading to MainStreet to book a spot for the parade.

16.00 Special villains parade - great music, green boots to die for, and super choreography. Tried to remember the name of the baddie in Pocohantas....Off to Space Mountain to use up another couple of magic passes.

17.00 Dinner at The Blue Lagoon. Expensive, but worth it. Lovely setting watching the Pirate boats go by, food and service excellent.

18.30 Ride Pirates of the Caribbean (20 minute queue), and head to the hotel.

19.30 Checked in, love our room with a view of the Studios, had a couple of drinks in the Fantasia bar, before falling asleep.

Tuesday 28.10.03
Spending all day in the Disney Studios - Started with the Tram Tour, then did the animation walk-through and drawing lesson, followed by the Animagique show. Got fast passes for Rock and Roller Coaster and the Flying Carpets, and watched Moteurs Action, the fantastic car stunt show (watch out for spoonersims there girl!) Wathced the film-themed parade before doing our fast pass rides (got to sit at the front of the Rock and Roller - woohoo!)and then catching Cinemagique, my favourite show. Didnt bother with Armageddon - had been on it before, the queues are too long, and it's just not worth it

16.30 Back to the hotel for a refreshing dip in the pool

18.00 Planet Holywood! 40 minute wait for table, which we usefully used to post a message in my journal The food is OK, but over-priced, although the decor makes up for it. Back to our room to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Wednesday 29.10.03
Up bright and early, met some characters over the fabulous breakfast (best scrambled eggs in the world), checked out, put bags in the car, before rushing up to the castle for the rope drop. Then into Discoveryland...the weather had changed to cold, windy and miserable, so we stuck to indoor activities. Star Tours and Honey I Shrunk the Audience (no queues first thing in the morning). A little queue for Orbitron, then a longer queue for coffee before enjoying the Micky Mouse Spectacular show. Daughter used the final magic pass for a second go on Space Mountain. Did Nautilus and the Visionarium.

13.00 We thought we'd better say farewell to Halloween land, so we went on the Mummy Cruise line. it was getting too cold and wet to hang around, so we set off for Rainforest Cafe. I'd tried and failed several times to visit it, and had planned to go at a funny time in order to be sure of a table. I found it even more overpriced than Planet Holywood, and the choice of food was limited. Mixed reaction from the kids to the tropical storm and charging elephants.

16.00 Counted out our remaining euros - decided we had enough to buy a sweatshirt, leaving 30 euros for petrol and snacks on the way home.

17.00 Getting onto the autoroute, suddenly remembered it was a peage one, and I'd need about 20 euros for tolls. A bit of quick map-reading and re-navigating found an alternative route avoiding motorways. Unfortunately it took us through town after town, so we werent making good time, and it was nearly 10.30 when we finally got home. Ah well, safe and sound.

SUMMARY

The best time I've ever had in Disney! The tricks are:

1. Get there early
2. Plan ahead what you're going to do
3. Use the fast pass system
4. Eat at funny times
5. If you're not on a budget, stay at the Disney Hotel

Sounded great

Lost your credit cards purse just before going to Paris, eh? It seems we have some pattern there... An early childhood trauma maybe?

I know! Spooky or what

The 2 times I lose my purse, and Paris has something to do with it.

Maybe it's a strange allergy I have...