Disneyland Paris

I can't believe this is our third Disney trip in one year, that is a record we will probably never beat.  But how could we be so close to Sleeping Beauty's castle and not visit?  Prior to our trip, we purchased combo bus and park tickets to make things easier.  I now know, the train would have been just as easy.  After breakfast in the hotel, which included at least three pastries for me, we took the Metro to the Place de l'Opera to meet our bus.  Our bus was a few minutes late, just enough to make me stress, but we arrived at the park only minutes after opening time.  Of course, we stopped for castle pictures.

Our plan, you know I had one, was to first hit all the attractions that are different than the ones in Florida.  Naturally, Fantasyland was our first stop.  We hopped on Pinocchio's Voyage and then the plan pretty much went out the window.  No wait for Peter Pan, sure let's go!  Oh wait, pregnant mamma cannot ride.  France is a fabulous place to be pregnant because the French are very protective of pregnant women.  In fact, at Disneyland's City Hall I was given a pass that let us all cut in lines so I wouldn't have to stand on my preggo feet all day.  Awesome, except they were also strict about which rides I couldn't ride.  I wasn't expecting to ride Space Mountain but I was a little surprised Peter Pan was off limits too.  Oh well, Tessa had fun with Daddy.  We rode Winnie the Pooh and then moved on to Alice's Curious Labyrinth which ends with a Merry Unbirthday Party.

It really is a small world!  This ride is just a little different with scenes from America included.  But the song still gets stuck in your head.   

Our next stop was Adventureland where we explored Aladdin's Passages and Captain Hook's Pirate Ship.  There was a fun playground at Pirate Beach where Tessa played before she and Ryan rode Pirates of the Caribbean.  Then we found Captain Jack Sparrow.  He was awesome.  Tessa didn't want to meet him alone, so I got roped into going on stage too.  I'm totally impressed that the characters speak both French and English, although I guess I'm not surprised.  When I introduced myself and Tessa, Jack asked if I wanted to speak French or English.  I'll take that as a compliment on my accent, but let's stick with English.  Captain Jack straightened my necklace for the picture and then tried to decide if he should steal it and add it to his treasure.  Ha!  Tessa warmed up to the feisty pirate and I was able to hop down to take pictures of the two of them.

We made our way over to Frontierland next.  They were already starting to decorate for fall so we got a few pictures with the pumpkin people.  Tessa wasn't interested in riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and I thought the Phantom Manor would be too scary for her.  So we went searching for the Pocahontas Indian Village only to discover that it was under construction.  Oh well.  We needed to hurry to the castle for lunch anyways.  Yes, we did all of this before lunch!

Lunch was fantastic!  Unlike booking Cinderella's Royal Table here in American where you call six months ahead of time and cross your fingers for the coveted, secured with a credit card, reservation number, it was relatively easy to book a table at Auberge de Cendrillon.  Ryan called a few months before our trip and they said just show up and tell them our name on the day of the reservation.  Really?!  Really.  We did a costume change, we have to be dressed appropriately to dine with royalty, and were seated immediately.  The food was outstanding, of course it would be in France.  I had scallops with truffle risotto and Ryan had veal and pumpkin soup.  Tessa's kid dish included an appetizer of salmon mousse, she wasn't so interested but Ryan said it was good, and baked chicken with mushrooms.  No chicken nuggets here.

More important than the food were the characters.  Suzy and Perla, Cinderella's mice visited our table.  Tessa can tell them apart which tickled Suzy who came first.  I wasn't sure which princesses we would be seeing but we got lucky and saw Aurora, Snow White, Belle and the Beast.  Sleeping Beauty spent the most time talking to Tessa.  I'm not sure what all they talked about because I was busy taking pictures of the two Auroras.  I do know they talked about dress color and that Merryweather was currently getting her way.  This explains why the princess was sporting a blue version of her dress.  But, she told Tessa, it had been pink just that morning.  I love the magic.  Belle and Prince Adam danced their way to our table where Tessa immediately started chatting with the prince.  Move over Belle, this is Tessa's first time to meet the Beast in human form and she wants him all to herself.  Snow White visited too and talked with Tessa for a long time.  She asked who Tessa's favorite princess was.  Tessa diplomatically responded "all of them!"  It's true, this girl loves her princesses.      

After lunch, we went across the square to Hollywood Studios.  That's a big thing that is different here in France, the parks are literally next to each other.  I hear this is how California is set up, will need to check that out someday.  We strolled past the iconic statue of Walt with Mickey and headed for Toon Studio.

While Tessa drove cars in the Race Rally with Daddy, I stood in line for Mickey and Minnie.  Oh wait, I forgot, I don't have to stand in line because I am pregnant.  As soon as Tessa and Ryan joined me, we went straight to the front of the line.  I like this!

Want to see Pluto too?  Sure!  We don't have to stand in that long line either.

We had to take a picture in front of this stack of tires.  After all, tires are what's paying for this trip! 

Then we head to Toy Story Playland where Tessa and Ryan ride the Slinky Dog Zig Zag.  Ryan rides the RC racer by himself.  There is a huge Buzz Lightyear and TRex as well as other fun details from the movie. 

Most of the other rides in Hollywood Studios were a little too intense for Tessa.  So we went back to the castle to catch the parade.  It was nice that we had special seats, again thanks to my condition, and were able to show up just five minutes before the parade.  DLRP is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary, very cool.

After the parade we went to the as yet unvisited DiscoveryLand.  It's Paris' version of Tomorrowland.  With some quick line cutting, we got to ride Buzz Lightyear.  The ride stopped right at the end and we really racked up points with our laser guns.  Ryan, as always, had the most points.  We made a boring trek through 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and gave Tessa a chance to ride Space Mountain, which she declined.  We then realized that the train stops running before the park closes so we walked back to Fantasyland.  There we had a little time left for a few favorites.   

I am amused that Ryan really thought we would get out of the park without a ride on Dumbo.  As Fantasyland was closing down for the night, my two sweethearts took a spin on the flying elephant. 

On our way out of the park we stopped for a few more castle shots with our very own princess.  I had thought we would have time to grab a quick dinner in Disney Village but we ended up having to run to catch our bus.  Oh well, a late dinner of candy bars from our backpack didn't bother our sweet little girl one bit.  It was an extravagance to use a whole Paris day for Disney, but it was worth it.  Tessa tells us this was her favorite day from the whole trip, she is just six after all.