Summer Sparkle at HNY - Day 3

[Ms Poppins]

The Cast
Me – Julie – 42
DH – John – 46
DD - Abbey - 20
DS – Lewis – 12

Pre-trippie
Day 1
Day 2

Day 3

Tuesday 25 July

I woke at 7am after a good sleep, had a shower and then got Lewis up to shower and get ready. We left the other two sleeping and left our room around 7:50. It was raining so the sandals were left in the room and the converse were needed....

Socks for today:



We were in the park just after 8am and it was already really busy. Lots of people were queuing to meet the characters, Minnie, Chip&Dale and Goofy. We headed up Main St.



The Coca-Cola van was missing from Floral St.



I made a note to make sure we visited Lilly's Boutique at some point



As we got to Casey's Corner, we noticed Donald meeting. There were only a few people in the queue so we decided to pay him a visit too.





The plaza is lovely and great detail taken over the flowers all over. From a distance it looks like the Saltire, lol.







In through the Castle we went to Fantasyland

 

[Ms Poppins]

It was raining heavily now but there was still time to try and budge the sword:



We took a flight over Neverland on Peter Pan first. It was too wet for Dumbos, but I loved the photo point here:





We hopped on the teacups, thankful for the lovely roof





We left here and stopped to look at the Carousel photo point




We didn't bother with the ride and headed off down the back stairs of the castle towards Discoveryland for Buzz. The castle stage looking lovely.





As we got to the front of Buzz the ride stopped and after a few minutes the lights all came on and we were asked to leave due to a technical fault. We were given a fast pass to use later.

We were a bit cold now and we'd arranged to meet the others at 9:30 outside Salon Mickey. It was only around 8:45 now and Lewis was hungry so we popped into Cable Car for a hot chocolate (in July!!!) and a doughnut and cookie. We were asked to make our order at the window on Main St but were able to eat inside ok.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I really like the decor in here





It was a bit of a waste paying for what we had, given that we'd be in Salon Mickey soon, but it was too wet to walk back to the hotel and we were really quite cold so it was nice to sit in here for a while to warm up and have a rest.

We strolled down Main St and I took some photos of the always lovely windows

 

[Ms Poppins]

We still had some time to kill so decided to wait by the plaza for the Paddy Wagon and enjoyed our ride down Main St.



We left the park and met DH and Abbey to go to Salon Mickey. Abbey had her lovely new ears on:



Salon Mickey was quiet, only another family who were just leaving as we went in. I spoke to the CM and asked about the shareholders discount and I'd read that there had been problems with some people getting discount in table service restaurants. She said that there weren't any changes that she knew of and if anyone refused the discount to ask them to call the shareholders line for clarification. She also said that new cards would probably be dispatched early next year but didn't have definite information. We were able to take two items each and help ourself to hot drinks, water and orange juice.









It was lovely to relax in here for a while and I'm so surprised it was quiet. I thought it would be heaving with all the changes to hotel breakfasts.

 

[Ms Poppins]

It was 10:15 now and we headed towards BTM - the queue to get the fast passes was massive - away back past the actual fast pass queue. We didn't bother and headed to Pirates. We stopped at Skull Rock on the way and had a look around.





It's been years since we explored the caves so took a peek upstairs to look out of the skull's eyes....







Pirates was showing a 20 min wait but was actually only 10 minutes once inside. Great again with everything working

We headed back towards BTM and managed to get fast passes for 12:30 - 13:00. I'd checked the schedule and the first showing of Mickey and the Magician in the Studios was due soon so we agreed to go there before our fast pass time as it was still raining.

By the time we got there the sun was trying to creep out.




We got in the queue at around 11:15 and the show started at 11:45. The queues build up really quickly for this show, not like the old days of Animagique and Cinemagique where you could turn up literally minutes before.

We got central seats and I kept my fingers crossed we'd see it all the way through this time, unlike last October when the show stopped 10 minutes in.



The show was fantastic! I was blown away by it as were the kids. I really enjoyed this and loved that the actors were singing and not just miming along to a backing track - the effects were just amazing. A really worthwhile show and one I'd queue for again.

It was soon time for our fast pass and we headed back to the Disneyland Park. The fast pass lane was working correctly (not merging into another queue) so we were on in minutes. It was Abbey's first time since the refurb and we all loved it - what a thrill!



Hungry now we made our way to Hakuna Matata for lunch. We didn't wait too long to be served and all had the chicken strips meal with a drink and coconut and pineapple tart.



It was lovely but too much - we really could have shared 2 meals between the 4 of us.

 

[Ms Poppins]

We finished here and went to the Chaparral Theatre for Forest of Enchantment. I'd no idea what to expect from this and was pleasantly surprised. It was really good, again the actors all singing and lovely to see some of the rarer characters like Pocahontas and Merida. The Jungle Book sequence was great as was Tangled - in fact it was all really good!









After this we had a look around the Frozen area - Abbey is convinced she'd fit into the age 12 dresses.....I think she probably would, lol



DH wasn't feeling great so we decided to head back to the hotel for a bit of a rest. The kids stayed in the park and headed off to Discoveryland to use the fast pass that we'd got during EMH for Buzz.

We were in the hotel about 15 minutes when Abbey phoned to say they were coming back too - it was still raining and the other queue times were quite long.

We put our feet up for a bit and DH and Abbey crashed out.....light weights, lol



I suggested to Lewis that we make use of the hotel facilities and play some tennis. So that's what we did

We had the court to ourselves and I noticed that the swimming pool was almost empty too.





The sun was out again and we had a good laugh. We're no tennis players.....we did well to get it over the net! I'll never shout at Andy Murray again for missing a shot, lol.

It was around 4:30 now so we rounded the others up and headed back to the park for the parade. As it was a Tuesday there would be a special guest star walking the parade route early. We got a spot at the gates of Small World - but it was really crowded.



The guest star walks the route from the Main St end. We didn't know what time it would start but it turned out to be around 5ish and he was at the top of the route by 5:10 - so if you want to see who it is, be there early! The actual parade starts at 5:30.



It was Kuzco from the Emperor's New Groove.

Then it was parade time:

 

[Ms Poppins]

 

[Ms Poppins]

The floats were amazing, colours really vibrant! I'd have preferred to be ground level to see them but the crowds were so busy. One thing that confused me was the music - it changes with each float and I found that the merge between them wasn't great. I'd prefer the same music throughout, but it was still fantastic.

After this we wandered into Fantasyland and onto the Storyboats which was a walk on.



No Dancing!!





We checked the app and everything was busy. We headed to Star Tours and picked up some fast passes for later 9.15 - 9.30. I was surprised by the 15 minute time slot.

Next up we had a look around the castle - I've been in here so many times but I still love the windows and all the details





The stairs in the shop to the Dragon were closed off so we went out through the castle and into the Dragon's lair....

 

[Ms Poppins]

I love all the nooks and crannies around the castle and after visiting the dragon, we walked under the drawbridge and out the other side to the wishing well:



Then we went upstairs back to Fantasyland and had a look in my favourite shop ever, the Snow White shop - I take these photos every visit, I just love the detail:







Then a visit to Cinderella's Carriage:



We had a reservation at 7pm for Plaza Gardens, it was only 6:45 but we went over anyway and were allowed entry early. There was quite a queue in the standby line so I'm glad we booked.



We've only eaten here once, for a character breakfast about 11 years ago and I didn't really remember what it was like inside. I really liked it

You give your name first, then go to the till and pay. I was using my 3 meal vouchers and paying cash for one of us. I also used my shareholder card for the discount on the cash meal - the CM gave me two separate receipts and we got the discount no problem. I think full price was 34.99E per adult and includes drinks. I didn't realise at first that it's refillable drinks - I thought I'd read somewhere that this had been stopped in France - but the waitress told us we could have as many drinks as we wanted. I checked the board outside when we left and it says 'buffet and open drinks' so that must be what it means.

Anyway, there was lots of choice but the buffet is set up a bit weird with desserts at either end, starters in the middle and mains to the side - everyone queues where the desserts start so you really need to make sure you're in the right area or you'll end up waiting ages. They should have a CM standing at the middle where the starters are and directing you either left or right to get mains and desserts. We didn't bother with starters and had a mix up of salmon, steak, chicken, rice, potato fries, potato stars (which we all loved) and lovely desserts, almond and raspberry cake, chocolate cakes and creme angalise which I love.

 

[Ms Poppins]

We all really enjoyed this meal and I'd definitely go back. Was so nice to eat in the park too just beside the castle. We had a lovely table in the middle of the room. We'd originally been showed to a table in the conservatory, but the sun was beating in and it was so hot so we said we'd wait for another table and the CM was lovely about it and found us a seat in a few minutes. Waitress service was great too with drink refills.

It was around 8pm now and nearly time for the next Starlit Princess Waltz that was on the Castle Stage. Lots of people were sitting on the ground but we found a spot on a bench no problem.









This was a great wee show with lovely music. DH and Lewis asked at one point what it was all about and Abbey and I said 'it's princesses dancing, what more do you want?' lol

 

[Ms Poppins]

We strolled through the shops again, I got some more tea towels, Lewis got some sweets again in the sweet shop



Some more hat trying on



Then it was time for the Star Tours Fast pass. We'd got 4 passes but DH and I decided not to bother and sat outside to wait. The kids were going to try and get in early and then make it for a second go.



They did get in a bit early and were out just on 9:30 but decided not to go back on. The wait time was 50 minutes so I stopped a young couple looking at the queue time and gave them the fast passes. They were thrilled to bits and ran on in just on time. A wee bit of pixie dust

The app told us that Pirates was closed but we didn't believe it so went to look anyway, lol



It was closed......So off into Fantasyland for some fun pics!








Onto the teacups with a few minutes wait - I'll never tire of seeing those lanterns.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I was feeling the cold and hadn't brought my hoodie with me as it had been really warm when we were back at the hotel. Thankfully Abbey buys everything 3 sizes too big so I borrowed it for a while. Another check of the app told us that Pirates was now open, so off we went. Only one landing bay was being used tonight so the queue moved a bit slower.









After this we could see BTM only had a 30 minute wait so we joined the queue (left hand lane...) and only waited 15 minutes in the end. It is such a time saver using the left lane, so many people don't realise.

We got the on at the back and had an amazing ride - Illuminations had started in the distance and the view around the park at night is just spectacular. It's my favourite time ever to do Big Thunder Mountain - just love it!



We'd had a chat about Illuminations and agreed we actually weren't too fussed about queuing up and waiting to see it so didn't stop to watch it as we left the park.

We popped into the hotel shop and Abbey said she still loved the other ears she'd seen on the first day and she persuaded me to get them for 'me' - yes, nice try Abbey......well I caved and got them.



I forgot to say, the ice bucket in our room was full of used milk pods and even cleaning it didn't remove the smell so we hadn't used it. So, DH and Lewis went into the bar to ask for ice and they gave them a huge bucket load, lol



We settled down and watched some Modern Family on the ipad. Lights were out just before midnight and we'd agreed not to do EMH tomorrow as the rain wouldn't be much fun again. The kids wanted to try for Crush in the morning so we'd need to be at the Studios early.

Night night.

 

[petals]

Wow you got so much done this day. I have the same socks as you lol

 

[Ms Poppins]

Wow you got so much done this day. I have the same socks as you lol

Love those socks