We took a flying visit to see Mickey,
Yes that’s right, no caravan, no car. We actually hopped on a plane.

Halys and I both love Disney, we have been 4 or 5 times now and although we never spend days and days in the parks and we don’t bother with the rides we love the atmosphere, the shows, the parades and the characters.
I first saw Star Wars when it was first released in cinemas and was amazed. Disney now own the Star Wars franchise and have of course incorporated it in their theme parks. I went on the Star Tours ride in Florida in 2004. Disneyland Paris had a special season planned for January – March “The Season Of The Force” where all thing Star Wars would be celebrated. So for my 50th birthday Halys bought 2 tickets to Disneyland Paris which were valid for 6 months, her original plan to go during February half tern. Unfortunately I had booked Halys’ Christmas present for the same weekend. Doh!

We worked out prices, times etc and decided the way forward was to fly. It was going to cost about the same, and allow us to do what we wanted in the time we had available.

The added complication comes when we decided now was also the time to re-do the kitchen. We ordered a complete new kitchen and decided to fit it ourselves. But that’s another story.

So Friday came and we had both arranged to finish work early. We arrived home, showered checked we had everything and ordered an Uber. We had already checked in online and got our boarding passes. We only had a small rucksack and my small camera backpack between us. So straight through security where of course we both beeped. I removed my shoes and all was OK. Halys ended up in the body scanner and being frisked….. She always beeps!

We had a sandwich and a drink after a quick visit to Duty Free to purchase a bottle of my favourite scotch which I’d collect on my return.

We were flying with Air France and were plesently surprised to receive a free sandwich and drink on board. We didn’t fancy the sandwich but an individual bottle of wine went down well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Charles De Gaul airport time was getting late. The airport is massive, you have to get a train between sections of Terminal 2. We landed at 2E had to get to the main building then either get an RER into Paris at Chatlet Les Halles then switch to RER A to our hotel a few stops from Disney, or grab a taxi. 
We checked Uber and it said about €40-€50. we decided to bite the bullet and get a taxi it won’t be much more than Uber…… OMG he wanted €118 when we got there….. after arguing we got it reduced but that is a lesson learned!

We checked in and learned that the bar was closed but we managed to sweet talk the guy into a glass of wine each and we needed it.

We had booked an IBIS hotel which are 3* the room was small but clean and comfortable and breakfast was included and all for €127 for 2 nights for 2 of us.

Breakfast is an all you can eat buffet and includes cereal, toast, meat, cheese, croisant, pain au chocolate, eggs, fruit etc….
You should not be hungry!

Tea and coffee is of course included and fresh juice.
it’s a very nice breakfast and well worth the cost.

 

 

We always try to choose a hotel within staggering distance of an RER of Metro station. Metro is the underground and RER is a regional train system, the trains are usually a double decker affair and it’s a very convenient and cost effective way of getting around Paris.

To be honest we were both a little dissapointed with the Star Wars themed events or really Non-events. We headed to Studios park first as Star Wars is a film it will be most prominent it that park. Well at 11:50am there was a group of Storm Troopers and a commander marched through the production forecourt to a stage where they were joined by Darth Vader who was his usual pleasant self for a couple of minuets then they all marched off towards Motors Action show. The only other show was at 19:30 but that would mean we would miss the main event at Magic Kingdom the fireworks!

We entered Magic Kingdom and the usual Disney Magic hits and makes you feel all warm inside. We are on Main St and there is the castle at the end.

We headed over toward Discoveryland and the Star Tours Ride where we found a wait of over an hour so we decided not to bother with our limited time.
So we headed to Fantasy Land where we thought we should take a ride on the most annoying attraction…(only because that tune gets stuck in your head for ever) It’s a Small World. There was another hour plus wait, so we decided that we should just wander and take in the sights, sounds and atmosphere of Disney.

Unless you have a clear plan of what you actually want to do and see aimless queing up means that you miss out on so much at Disney and neither of us are big fans of rides.
Even Disneyland Paris is BIG! It’s not as big as Disney in Florida but our step count for the day was 25,000 and we didn’t walk every path. 

In the end the only “rides” that we went on was the Armageddon Special Effects experience in Studios and The Molly Brown River Boat in Magic Kingdom.
We saw lots of characters, lots of sights, lots of parades, shows and lots of Disney.

We had a great time!

As a bonus it was St Davids weekend which Disney always make a big deal of so there was 2 night time shows. The St, Davids Fireworks and the Disney Illuminations.

After another all you can eat breakfast we caught the RER A to Chatlet Les Halles where we intended to grab lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, Le Perre Au Tranquil. However it was so windy we headed back down into the Mall at Les Halles and wandered around the shops. Halys hit the Keiko make up shop and we grabbed a sandwich and a drink before heading to the airport very early on the RER B.
The RER stops at both terminal 1 and 2 which was handy. 

Again already having our boarding passes meant we could head straight through security and hit duty free.
OMG!!!! Duty Free is so NOT Duty Free!!!

€7.70 for a family bag of Maltesers?? Most of the booze and perfume was available in the supermarket for less.
The flight back like the flight out was great. Nice and smooth. Smooth landing. We passed through customs and immigration with no hassle and I collected my bottle of Scotch. We grabbed a black cab home and even that was nice and smooth right until it came to getting out of the cab.

I paid the driver and stood up to get out. I stood kind of bent over like you do and Crack!!! my back went!!! So much pain! I could stand straight. I managed to get out and grab the wall to help me to the door. 

That little incident has cost me a week off work. Until Wednesday night I could not stand up straight. On Thursday I managed to stand and move around. It’s now Friday and although still sore I can move around.

We were supposed to be going camping this weekend with the D.A. as it’s their AGM but my bad back has put a stop to that so hopefully we will go along for the day. When will we get to go camping???