DLRP SOLO trip; Shareholders Meeting, Stuck on BTM and more

[Ghost]

Day 1

 

After a trip the previous day that took 1 hour longer then it should have I arrived at my home… I mean Disneyland Resort Paris. So today it was going to start with the shareholders meeting.

As a Disney fan I had great expectations. I hoped for some news on the parades or even e glinsh into the future… but I was left in the cold. (Although I should not say that as the convention centre in the Newport was a lot warmer as it was outside.)

But after 3 hours we had, Buzz, Tot and Toons… a lot of financial blah blah… and many, many, many angry shareholders. Some shareholders came prepared with written text to exprece their thought about the financial problems of the company with management defending themselves and the Company. I will not bore you more with this and will go straight on with the rest of my trip report.

 

This trip I did on my own, but it doesn’t take long before we see people we know, meet new people, or start talking to CM’s. At the Meeting I met J°o°el and Xavier and some other returning known fzces. I also met two Disney fans from Belgium. They came up to me and asked if I was the big star from the Disney DVD…. OK, OK… It is not the way they asked it… but please give me my 15 minutes of fame… thank you. Of course we talked about Disney… It’s what we Disney fans do when we are at Disney, we talk Disney.

 

But back to the report.

 

After the meeting I was hungry. I got my tie of in the hotel (Yes I did have a tie on – A Disney tie – but non the less a tie – Me… I even refuse to wear them at work….) and make my way to the Disneyland Park to get some lunch. I went to the garden and enjoyed the buffet.

After stuffing myself it was time to see Carnival. Back over to the front of Mainsteet. The second party had already started. (I missed the Jungle one, being at the meeting)…The second part had the Sea theme. You could still find a good spot around the whole of “carnival Square”. It’s catchy, but in no way near what Disney realy can do.

 

After that it was time to do a ride. What best ride to start with then my favorite. Phantom Manor! It is Friday, it is holiday in France,.. but it was still a walk on… (as where most rides). I love this ride….

 

 

After that I walked the park, taking my time, visiting every shop… I do hate shopping, like most guys I guess… Unless I am in Disneyland, then I cannot stop shopping. Although I didn’t buy anything on this day, I did see a lot I would like to take home with me….

 

Walking over to Fantasyland I got myself a fastpass for Peter Pan. It was around 3 in the afternoon and still fastpasses. Even better, the pas was already valid 30 minutes later… I guess enough time to do some more shops …. Before returing to Peter Pan.

 

Pirates was next on my ride plan (after I visited all shops that are in the park). It was a walk on… Not good for Disney Business, but good for my enjoyment.

 

After the ride I met the Begium couple again. (Leen an I… I say I because I cannot remember his rusian given name – I am bad with remebering names – Sorry)… We got some hot coco at the BBQ cookout.

It was there last day and they had some dinner plans at Manhattan in the New York (good choice)…

Time for a lost ride (already)… Big Thunder Mountain, in the dark, in the cold… it’s great.

 

Back to the hotel, cup of soup, drop in bed… goodnight

 

 

Day 2

 

Got up early, at the gates around 8:45. Park only opening at 10:00 (what’s that al about he…) But I guess a small breakfast at the shareholders club, together with a hot drink, is a good start of the day. After filling up for the morning I went over to Fantasyland. It is great having Annual Passes and being able to enter the land 1 hour before the other guests. At the castle there was a young couple. The boy asked a CM to take a picture of them in front of the castle. Of course she was happy to help. Once in place for the picture he fell on his knee, pulled out a ring and asked his girlfriend to mary him… How romantic is that. I hope my presence didn’t spoil it for them… But then again, I don’t think they had any eyes for me. (Me and the 2 CM’s where all the bystanders they had).. Anyway, she was all tears… after some kisses and hughes the walked into the castle… talking about the event (and look at that, they where from Belgium)… I was not going to disturb them by saying anything stupid like “he I am Belgium too” so walked pass them straight to Peter Pan for an early morning ride… and a second ride… Afterwards I went to Dumbo… Hahaha a “censured” year old guy going to Dumbo for a ride and loving it… And then a ride on the Caroussel… Almost on my own… It is great to be a big kid…

While on the ride the gates must have opened s the guest started to pore in.

 

 

 

 

 

Already done some rides I walked back to the exit to make my way over to the studios for the 11:00 studios tour. Jenny was our guide (we where a group of three). She did a great job, However she was surprised Mickey’s caravan was gone and I pointed out where to find it… (she just returned from holiday and it was her first day). Although I could answer many questions myself during the tour, having Jenny asking me way I did the tour as I alreay know so much, I was was surpised on how much info was new to me. I realy enjoyed the tour. Jenny did great, was very nice. A great Cast Member.

 

After that I had a small bite before I walked over to Disneyland again. I watched Jungle Carnival, browsed the park a little and returned to City Hall for tour nr 2. Now this one was great. I was the only one, a private tour. Again, after visiting the park many, many, many times I still get to see new things or new information. Great stuff. Sure, a lot of common info was given, but the CM (sorry, didn’t catch the name – shame on me) did a great job bringing it to me. Then again there was enough new info to make me happy. I enjoyed the tour a lot. It took 2:20 untill we where back at City Hall. The highlight of the tour. Backstage at Star Tours. They turn on the lights of the room (after the doors of the simulator are closed) and you get to see some amazing stuff. I can tell you my mouth dropped open. Sure, I had an idea on how it worked, but to see it in acion… AWESOME… So if you’re a Disney Fan… Do this tour.

 

After the tour I had some time left to do a ride before I would have to go to Blue Lagoon for my dinner. I walked over to the studios as I wanted to do a roller coaster. But no luck… Rock n Roller coaster was closed and would be for the rest of the day.

 

Blue Lagoon was next. After my last and only visit many years ago and the more then bad experience I though to give it another shot. This time… GREAT… Enjoyed some swodfish and it was really great…

 

Full on delisious food and the park almost closing there was time for one more ride. I was thinking about BTM… But feeling a little full I went over to my favorite; PM. I was the last rider on it and as always enjoyed it a lot….

 

Dead from getting up so early and all that walking (I have a desk job, so no much walking during my normal days) I made my way over to the Holiday Inn hotel…ready to drop. (I did put my pictures on the laptop and started writing this report before calling it a day at 22:45 – normally I go to bed around midnight or laeter – not that you care )

 

Day 3 and final day…

 

Again at the gates before 9 as I planned to make the most of the day. Enter the Shareholders club and met some Dutch people (who visit this site too)… So I didn’t go to Fantasyland untill 9:50 as we had a very nice chat about.. have one guess… Disney of course…

 

In Fantasyland I could do another Peter Pan Ride before the other guests entered. After that I was going for Indiana Jones, but it was broken… Got some Fast Passes and walk over to MS-II to get some fastpasses and also some at BTM.

 

At that time the FP for Indiana was valid so I made my way back to ride it. Only once, but I must say forward… So much better, I am happy they turned it back.

Next up. MS-II I hoped, but now this one was down. I walked around a little in the shops but noticed soon enough this one was going to be down for a while.

 

So what does a Coaster fan do… go to the next one and got onto BTM… Once, Twice and then the third time… Yeap, you guessed it… Broken. We where stuck in the final tunnel, the lights went on and a CM came to us.

 

This was very well organized. First he asked every single rider if they where ok or if they needed any help. After that he explained what has happened (two rides to close together) and then we sat there for 20 minutes… Good for some pictures I thought….

The CM asked me how many times I was on it already as he had seen me go thru a couple of times.(I guess that was not very interesting for you all )

 

 

 

 

Anyway. Back in the station and I thought it would be a good idea so see if RnR coaster was down to. As all other have been already today. I got at the Studios and queued for the coaster. I only did it once this time, I didn’t feel to queue again.

 

Had something to eat at the studios before I went back to the Disneyland Park to enjoy the rest of the day. I got a phone call that there where big snow hazards in Belgium and to be carefull on my way back. Decided not to stay up to 8 as planned before as I didn’t want to get stuck in some icy weather. Still had a couple of hours so I enjoyed some of the parade, the carnival celebrations and some shopping….

 

 

Verdict

 

This was a great visit. I enjoyed it a lot. Some people think it is crazy to go and visit DLRP on your own but it was one of the best visits I ever had. Sure, I love going with my familie but this time I could do anything I wanted. Being in the park from opening till closing time. AWESOME… Loved every minute. My next visit is planned, this time with my son, for the Preview of Buzz… So looking farwards to it..

 

See you

In Disneyland Resort Paris

 

One extra Dumbo Picture

 

[Ghost]

Hi all…

 

Here some more pictures of the trip I took.

 

All ‘Annual Pass Dream’ early entry pictures. Fantasyland before the other guests arrive and a ride on the Carrousel with about 3 other early birds.. Yeah, I am loving it!

 

 

 

 

[Louise]

Great report Ghost, looks like you had fun, thanks for sharing the pictures. I still think the Paris Disneyland is the most beautiful park I've seen, it's always immaculate. Glad you enjoyed your time alone there, must be fun to not have to cater to anybody else for a couple of days!

[Hattuchili]

What a great Photo TR, Andy! It must be great to start a day at the park when it is so empty! Your pictures are so good! Thanks for posting!

 

--Sören

[Nrthwnd]

Nice to see what the place looks like it's it's Early Entry times....

 

After our Spring'07 trip to DLPR & Asterix, I am hoping to come back by mid-September of the same year, and stay somewhere near the park for a month, taking in the parks before the Halloween overlay - and after, into Oct.

 

And still using my Annual Dream Pass I picked up, in April.

 

Thanks for sharing the pix, Andy. I do love that Disney park and hope to visit it at least every two-three years, that I can.

[Ghost]

Nice to see what the place looks like it's it's Early Entry times....

 

After our Spring'07 trip to DLPR & Asterix, I am hoping to come back by mid-September of the same year, and stay somewhere near the park for a month, taking in the parks before the Halloween overlay - and after, into Oct.

 

And still using my Annual Dream Pass I picked up, in April.

 

Thanks for sharing the pix, Andy. I do love that Disney park and hope to visit it at least every two-three years, that I can.

 

That sound great. One month near DLRP with a DREAM pass = month early entry Enjoy (and a full month worth of trip reports please )

[socalMAN123]

Great report Ghost! Sounds like you enjoyed your visit to DLRP. Man, that last tunnel on BTR looks SO AWESOME! It's like all the other Disneyland remakes are better than the original!

---Brent

[Dark Vampire]

Indeed a Great report!

I also have been stuck in the last tunnel about 2 years ago. We also have seen the tunnel with lights on, nothing of theming in the tunnel, but hey, who cares, the tunnel is dark so normally you dont see it.