Hattuchili

Photo-TR: Disneyland (Resort ) Paris - Disney´s Sequoia Lodge Hey guys, finally after a long, long time I was able to visit a theme park, again. Life has not been that easy in the last, uhh let´s say, months and there were lots of things to figure out. Some of you may remeber that I was working at WDW from 2006 until 2007. There I met my fiancee, who took me to Sao Paulo for a while, after that year at WDW. Now we finally made it to Germany, to live there... I think that was the short form of the story, but I don´t want to bother you with all the details. Anyway, since my fiancee and I met at WDW, I thought it would be nice to fly back to Florida to celebrate our 3rd year. But a couple things have changed and we finally decided to drive to Disneyland Paris, to enjoy a couple days of Disney magic. I got lots of pictures and I am going to post them in the following order: - Disney´s Sequoia Lodge (posted: 04.26.09) - Disney Village (posted: 04.26.09) - Salon Mickey [A special location for Disneyland Paris Shareholders] (posted: 04.27.09) - Disneyland Park (posted: 05.01.09 - all pics are posted) - Walt Disney Studios (posted: 05.02.09) - Disney´s Stars ´n´ Cars Parade (posted: 05.02.09) - An exclusive look, guided by Cast Member Hugo, of the Phantom Manor !!! - As well as pictures from Disney´s Hotel New York and Disney´s Newport Bay Club - Paris City Tour [incl. a closer look at the Louvre] So, first of all let me tell you something about Disneyland Paris. They changed the name, again. Maybe some of you remember the name at opening day “Euro Disneyland”. But after a while they realized that the Europeans were not so happy with it and they changed name to “Disneyland Resort Paris”. Now, appr. 17 years after opening they chnged the name again. They just call it “Disneyland Paris”. Yep, no more “Resort”. But does it really makes a difference? I don´t think so. However, let me start with my trip report: We arrived around lunch time at our hotel, Disney´s Sequoia Lodge. The hotel is located right beside Lake Disney. From there it is just a short way to walk to the Disney Village and the 2 Disney parks. The hotel itself looks a bit like the “Wildernes Lodge” at WDW, but not as much detailed as the big brother on WDW property. We always liked the Wilderness Lodge and had some great moments there. That´s why I thought it would be a great idea to book the Sequoia Lodge. But there is really a big difference between both hotels. I mean the Sequoia Lodge was really okay, but if you are expecting the same nice and warm touch you are getting at the Wilderness Lodge, then you maybe get a bit disappointed. Don´t get me wrong, it is a nice hotel and we enjoyed our time there, but it is not the same. At the hotel we got a nice room at the main building (Montana), on the last floor. There we had a great view over Lake Disney, Disney´s Hotel New York, Disney´s Newport Bay Club and the Disney Village. In the far distance we could also see the Sleeping Beauty Castle as well as Space Mountain, the Big Thunder Mountain and the Hollywood Tower Hotel. So, onto the first couple of pictures: - Disney´s Seuoia Lodge --Soren Thanks for reading. Next update will be the "Disney Village". The back entrance. The Sequoia Lodge seen from the Disney Village. One of many walkways throughout the nicely themed area. The pool was inside its own Lodge, since it could get very cold in the wintertime. We went there only once, but had a great time. Every morning we had breakfast included. With our VIP breakfast pass we could go at anytime and got always a nice table. ... The hotel shop had some nice decorated windows. Alessandra, some grilled fish. I got a delicious steak. If you don´t remember, that is us... waiting for our food at the Beaver Greek restaurant. ... and the Beaver Greek. At both restaurants they serve breakfast in the morning and different meat specialties for dinner. At the hotel they had 2 restaurants, the Hunter´s Grill... The Disney Village at night. The Hollywood Tower Hotel, just opened last year. Sleeping Beauty Caslte as well as Space Mountain in the far back. Behind the Disney Village is the Disneyland hotel which is also the entrance to the Disneyland Park. Straight ahead Lake Disney and the Disney Village. Disney´s Newport Bay Club on the left site. ... and to the right. The view to the left... The view from our room, straight down. Uhh, a nice welcome letter from the hotel manager. I hope the mini bar is full stocked. That looks like a nice place to stay for a few nights. Anywhere here needs to be our room. They were doing a nice show. Mickey and Minnie on there way to entertain the waiting guests in the lobby. The fire place. Aww, at the bar we had a couple good drinks. A nice are to hang out for a while. Notice the huge fire place in the middle. Yep, the Redwood bar. The lobby. The entrance. Looks like it is not so busy, today. The main building. There we are, at the Sequoia Lodge. I think we are getting closer. The first sign for Disneyland Paris beside the highway.

A couple weeks ago I saw "burh after reading". The movie was okay, I think Prad Pitt was the best part of it. 6/10

I havn´t posted here since a while and I think it is time for an update. Right now I am in Phuket and I had the chance to try some thai-beers. The taste was okay, but not as good as other beers I had before. Yep, it is a lager, too. Another one. This time King Fisher. My first beer in Phuket. Singha - lager beer

The clip was damn funny. Now I need to order the new DVD´s.

I totally agree with Robb. I was working for Disney a while ago and keeping the „magic“ alive is the most important point. I mean if you can not handle that as an employee, then work for another company. I met a lot of characters and all of them were very professional, even backstage. A couple nights I was part of “Mickey´s Tree Lightning” Ceremony with characters on stage and it was an amazing experience. Backstage we met with our character and it dosn´t matter what they were doing before the show, from the moment they put on their heads, they were totally in character. I mean it was like the real Mickey Mouse would be infront of me, but I think that is what Disney needs and what makes the difference. They always told us, there is a invisible line between beeing backstage or onstage. From the moment you are going to cross the line, you have to be sure to do your show. The same should every other Disney employee do and respect, because this is what Disney is selling, the “magic”. I was always trying to do my best to keep the spirit alive. For sure there is only 1 Mickey Mouse. --Soren “Disney forever” Schomburg

I think that is it so far: Alabama Arizona California Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Kentucky Nevada New York North Carolina Ohio South Carolina Tennesse Virginia Washington D.C.

Last night I had my first Beck´s Ice. It is a colorless beer with lime & mint mixture. I am not a huge fan of these beer mix stuff, but the taste was not that bad. I mean you are drinking a beer that looks like sparkling water, but taste like beer. Isn´t that strange? Like the crystal Pepsi a long time ago. Anyway, I think I will keep drinking Beck´s gold or other "real" beers. --Soren Beck´s ice

Right now I am on stand by for a flight. Let´s cross the fingers that it will be a long distance flight. --Soren

Wow, that hotel looks amazing.

I think it is EPCOT, after working there for nearly 18 months. --Soren

Looks like you guys had a good time at Hard Rock Park. I am surprised that the park was so dead in the first few weeks. Now the park is definitely on my list for next year. Thanks for posting. --Soren

Hey Erik, thanks for all the great pictures. It really looks like you had an awesome trip. I miss Carrabbas a lot and the entrance of Bush Gardens Europe looks a bit like Germany. hehe... Damn, it looks like you got already more credits on your list than me. Now I think I have to make it on some TPR trips next year. So, what park do you like more, Bush Gardens Europe or Bush Gardens Africa? --Soren

Awesome Photo-TR, Erik. I really miss Orlando and it looks like I have to come back, soon. Thanks for posting all the updates. --Sören

Great pictures, Erik. I was really looking forward to that park and I am sure it will be on my list for my next visit in Orlando. Thanks for posting all the pictures. --Soren

What a nice Photo-TR, Derek. It looks like you both had a great time in Florida. It is good to see that you met Erik and Reed, I miss them and the pictures make me wish to go back as soon as possible, but I think I have to wait a bit more. The Port Orleans - French Quarter is really nice, I´ve been there 1 time with Alessandra and we both enjoyed our time at that resort. We took the boat to Downtown Disney and back, it was really nice. Me, too. Maybe the next time!? / Aww, I also miss the German Pavilion, but I have heard the new Cast Member there are some idiots. So, I am also glad I don´t have to handle them! hehe... Anyway, did you enjoy some German beer on this trip? Oh, one thing at the end, the Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom rocks. I have to get one every time I am there. --Soren

Wow, I was living just 5 minutes away from the Dixie Stampede. I really thought they are having a good location there. Anyway, now we can all look forward to more outlet shopping. I think that is what the area really needs. --Soren

When I was reading the title, I first thought "WTF did guy make?", but now I am glad it is not TPR´s Guy. --Soren

Um, we were planning on going to the park in the next weeks, but maybe we shouldn´t. But hey, what else could happen? --Soren

Brazilian Supermodels? sunbathing topless? haha... My fiance would kick my ass so hard. But I need to tell you that the bikinis and even the speedos are much shorter than in the USA or in Germany. I would not wear some of that stuff. You made my day. I needed to laugh so hard after reading your comment. - I also saw the report at screamscape. It is even funnier that they fixed everything over night. I am not sure anymore, if I need to see that park. --Soren

Thanks for posting the video. There you can see how rough the coaster is. I mean the park theming is really nice, but for the coaster I need to say that I am glad, I got the credit. I don´t need to ride it ever again. I think it is just the picture. The park wasn´t dirty at all. I really like how clean everything was. But something surpriesed me, they were using seawater there. Are they using seawater at Wet´n Wild Orlando, too? I don´t remember that. --Soren

Nice video, Erik. I like the onride footage of KR. Thanks for posting. --Soren

Photo-TR: Hopi Hari + Wet´t Wild in Sao Paulo, Brazil Wet´n Wild pictures are posted - Part 2 Hey everyone, I think it is time for an update. Part 2 - Wet´n Wild: Another day another park, but this time filled with water. I have been to Wet´n Wild in Orlando a few times and always enjoyed it. So I was really looking forward to that water park. The day was really warm, like the day before and I burned my neck again. Anyway, in total I have to say that we have chosen a good day, because the park was nearly empty. For the rides I need to say it was just okay. They had a few good slides, but not as much as Wet´n Wild in Orlando. But since the park was so empty, we had the chance to go on every slide a couple times. Okay, onto the pictures. --Soren Last shot from Wet´n Wild. Thanks again for reading. The Space Bowl, which was also fun. This was a nice slide, which we enjoyed a few times. ... and Hopi Hari in the back. (The park was closed on this day.) Another shot from the park... The hotel we were staying, in the background. Also the relaxing area was kinda empty. Nearly empty wave pool. As you can see, the park was not crowded at all. Where are we? Yes, Wet´n Wild and they had a japanese music group there, to entertain everyone. In the back you can see Hopi Hari´s wooden coaster "Montezum". Yes, we had fun there. The wave pool. The lazy river. The park map. and the other side. First overview of the park. First slide seen from the parking lot. Welcome to Wet´n Wild Sao Paulo

Awesome video as always, Robb. I am glad you came back with the traditional videos, after a year of abstinence. --Soren

Hey Gus, I have been in Rio a couple weeks ago and I really liked the city. I visited the "Pão de Açúcar" and the "Monumento Cristo Redentor", it was a lot of fun. But we had no time to visit a theme park there. Maybe next time. --Soren

^ Gus, thanks for all the info about Hopi Hari and the other Parks. I hope I will have the chance to visit a few more parks here in brazil. --Soren