Our first Disneyland Paris Trip

After an unsuccessful anniversary trip and a successful Snowboarding trip we decided to try and make 1 more week away happen this year.

As Disney fans we were pretty much the only ones in our families who hadn't visited Disneyland Paris. We mentioned this and our friends said they'd be up for joining us so by late May we had our 3 holiday of the year booked 16th - 21st October.

We decided we were going to drive over and picked the 6:40am ferry from Dover. Dover is about a 4 hour drive from our home so we decided to stay at the Premier inn Ashford the night before then up bright and breezy for the ferry

We decided to get breakfast on the ferry and watched the sunrise as we crossed the English channel. Toward the end of the 90 minute journey we were able to go back to our cars ready for the drive down and

Yep, the car wouldn't start! After a few tries we had to just wait for everyone else to get off. Once the deck was clear we were towed off. Carl will tell anyone who will listen that this is where we learnt Shelley can't bump start a car...Sadly that's true to this day and I have had some opportunities to practise with our cars let me tell you! we had to do it a few mornings on this trip!

I was so glad we had got AA EU breakdown cover!!! We made a call to them whilst we were on the ferry and after a little while (I am writing this from memory 8 year later but I think it was only an hour or so) we were back on the road. Luckily the drive down was uneventful. We had a loo stop at a McDonalds en route where we also had some lunch.

Thankfully the car started and we made it to Davy Crockett ranch. We had an easy check in. Dropped our stuff off and had a cup of coffee before driving down to the village area to check out the facilities. We also picked up our cleaning pack and a bottle of wine. We popped the wine in the fridge then headed out

There are lots of good things about Davy Crockett - the resort is nice, outdoorsy, nice pool and it's self catering which was a big draw for us this trip trying to keep costs down. The downside is you have to drive to the parks everyday - at least the parking was free for resort guests.

We had decided we would just spend a few hours in the main park this afternoon/evening as it was opened latest. When we arrived everyone was sitting waiting for the Parade which meant we were able to fit in a lot of rides with no Queue

Space Mountain, Captain Eo, Start tours, Buzz was a 55 min wait so we left tomorrowland for Fantasyland where we rode It's a small world then onto Pirates of the Caribbean. We had some coffees from a Pinocchio themed restaurant and C also had a Brioche pretzel. Followed by Indianna Jones. We then started slowly making our way out and checked on buzz which was now 30 mins so we squeezed that in too.

Once back in our lodge we played Articulate (C & I lost miserably) had a few drinks and chatted going to bed around midnight.

Now had I known 8 years later I'd be blogging about this I definitely would have taken photos during the day and before we started unloading the car! In the central area is a lounge area, dining area, kitchenette then at 1 end there is a double with an en suite, and at the other is a twin room which had 3 or 4 single beds and a family bathroom. Carl and I had pushed 2 singles together in the twin room and had the family bathroom whilst Gav and Suz had the master.

The following dayI was first up so went to the hut to pick up the included breakfast which consisted of 1 large baguette, 4 croissants, 4 brioche, Butter, Jam, Nutella, 1L Orange Juice, 1L milk and a choice of tea, coffee or hot choc (chose tea). Had a quick cuppa then left for our 9:30 reservation .

We had decided to start our stay with a character breakfast at Chef Mickeys

Full up we went to Walt Disney Studios. We rode Rock N roller Coaster then watched stitch live where stitch interacted with "Crazy Gavin" Turns out he's and intergalactic space criminal! Tower of terror then a cup of tea (So very British of us)

Then over to the Pixar area and did RC race and Crushes coaster (45 min wait but worth it)

With that it was 5pm so we decided to leave. We drove down to Carrefour to buy supplies.

Having dumped all that at the lodge we headed down to the pool to chill out for a while. After an hor Suz and I drove back so I could cook tea (Curry) which went down very nicely.

The evening was spent having a few beers and teaching G & S how to play Canasta. We called it a day around midnight when the girls were winning 3695 - 2765.

Up at 7:30 and S went to pick up brekkie. we left around 8:30. Car wouldn't start again but we managed to bump start it. We drove to Disney where we caught the train into Paris for the day. Tickets were 14 euros each including the metro. . With no experience of this or of Paris I let Suz lead the way here and we ended up with a very long but a fun and packed day I cannot tell you exactly what we did but the photos are in order

We stopped in a quaint cafe for a Hot Choc then the rain started. Us girls bought brollies then onto the metro to the Eiffel Tower.

Due to the weather the top floor was closed G&S bought their tickets then just before we bought ours the sign changed and it was now open so they upgraded and we were on our way. My notes stop here so enjoy the rest of the day in photos.

Despite some rubbish weather we had a great day trip into Paris and caught a lateish train back. I did have to pick up some snacks though

I believe we ate at Planet Hollywood this evening before driving back

Following Day Gav and Suz decided to have a bit of a lie in so Carl and I headed in on our own to take some photos in an empty park

When we left the park the Car wouldn't start. a nice man from the Netherlands had just parked behind us and had jump leads and offered to give us a hand!

We picked up the others. Now some of the photos may be in the wrong order but I am just going to put them in

We did go on Space Mountain at some point which broke down and we had to be walked off

Of the 3 resorts I have visited (Walt Disney World, Disneyland California and Disneyland Paris the Paris Castle is definitely my favourite)

I love a Disney park at Halloween!

A quick costume change before the parade

I love this picture... one day I will find it again and buy it!

After a day at the park we headed back to our well stocked fridge (as we did every evening) showered and chilled playing cards. I believe Suzie and Gav cooked us a pasta dish this evening.

The following morning we packed up the car and headed to the park for a little extra time

Before we got in the car to head to Calais

Being History buffs Carl and I decided we wanted to visit Dunkirk. I don't think it was Gav and Suz. cup of tea but they were good sports about it

then we headed into Calais

Before catching our 19:55 ferry back. Once back in Dover we drove straight home. Another fantastic trip and as it was only Friday we still had the whole weekend to recover.