When you wish upon a star...

Eurodisney was everything I anticipated it would be, I will not tell you about all the fantastic rides, (I would hate to tell you the punchline to a joke too early, or the football score when you have taped it to watch later), the magic is discovering it for yourself. But I will tell you...

"It's a world of laughter, a world or tears, its a world of hopes, its a world of fear, there's so much that we share, that its time we're aware, its a small world after all. Its a small world after all, its a small world after all, its a small world after all, its a small, small world. There is just one moon and one golden sun, and a smile means friendship to everyone. Though the mountains divide. And the oceans are wide. It's a small, small world."

Ok, so by this stage I hope you are at least humming the tune in your head. Great song, but is like that annoying jingle, (just like "saa-kaa-taaaa" or "I like aeroplane jelly"), I am still finding myself humming the tune in the shower and singing it at the fruit and vegetable section at the shops. It is however the theme for the ride that I felt necessary to go on twice. It is very sweet, and I am officially now putting patent on "It's a small world" for the name of a children's play and learn centre. (I have a memory like a goldfish, remind me about this in ten years.) Check out the attached video at the end of blog.

GOOD POINTS

• A lot of the rides allow young children and son could go on the majority of the family rides (he got to go on 12 different rides and see 6 different shows), we decided he had his birthday two weeks early this year, they needed to be over 1 year old for rides.




• It did not appear to be an issue to bring in your own food into the park (unlike Seaworld/ Dreamworld Australia). They check everyone's bag on entry but are purely checking for alcohol and explosives.



• Food to buy is expensive but not ridiculous.



• There is plenty of opportunity to have photos with the characters, (if your child does not freak out when they reach the front of the line, which may be unfortunate after waiting half an hour).



• They give you estimates at the front of each ride for wait time and they are generally spot on, do not be put off by the length of the line as you are constantly moving and it is a good opportunity to people watch and make up stories about people, (I know you all do it).
  
  

BAD POINTS

• The rain, but I am sure it will not be there when you visit.




• Queues; or perhaps just the Gonzalez luck? Everytime we joined a queue it was long, then nobody would join for at least 5 minutes, making it look short to others. I have this problem all the time; at the shops, short queue, then the lady in front needs a price check; at the tolls, shortest queue, then the man in front misses the tray with the coin throw; 'constantly chasing the fast lane'. What is our rush anyway? "We need to entertain a baby and toddler!!!!!" There should be a special fast lane...



• Fast pass is only valid for one ride at a time...



• Patience seems to be lost, survival mode kicks in, and it appears that it is every family for themselves while at the toilets, line queues, gift shops, restaurants and MOST definitely photo opportunities with characters. (Soul mate was standing with pram and 2 children, when Minnie decided it would be her photo spot; there was a definite squeal from my husband, and he experienced his first paparazzi moment with hoards of Minnie fans bombarding him).



• The fireworks were on too late for our children, (11 months and 2 1/2 years). Probably could of stretched them out and could of if we had an extra day? Due to the sun not going down until just before 10pm in summer and the hours of the park, it makes sense for the finale to be so late. Hopefully there will be another visit for us.
  

ADVICE FOR PARENTS

• Pack your own food BUT allow for special treats. It is a special day and dried apricot is no substitute for fairy floss. (Did not participate and now feel guilty!) Pop corn and some drinks come in special novelty containers, so you may be saving on a souvenir later on.



• Buy your souvenirs at the end of your last day. This means you do not have to leave belongings in your pram, which is left at the queue for every ride, and you have a few days to decide what you want, diminishing the impulse buy. (Take note of your child's "cutey" face and do not fall for the "but I love it", unless there is promise of your late entry into the retirement village in 50+ years time.)







• Definitely utilise the bus service from your hotel, it is free, frequent, convenient, and you do not have to look for the car park.



• Plan your day and beat the queues. Make the most of the fast pass (one at a time per ticket), this allows you to book a time for your ride, may save you an hour a day!




• Be 'understanding' to a bored child. Half an hour wait is a while for us but forever for a toddler. Be patient and allow climbing over chains, playing peek-a-boo with strangers, reflecting on fairy tales, colour/ shape/number recognition games, and of course (if you are familiar with my children), a perfect time for snacks and refreshments!







• Plan the shows into your itinerary. We lucked the 4 leaf clover and stumbled on our shows in perfect agenda; the shows are all pretty fantastic for the 'littlies', so worth the planning if you are a planner.



• Do not, I repeat, DO NOT wait an hour for the train ride around the park. Thought it would be a great way to see 'behind the scenes' but purely showed us bush and was not worth the wait, (unless you have a husband "that is totally into railways and stuff")!



• Research your special deals as far as accommodation and tickets go, do not hesitate, and just remember, you are paying for memories. What is it worth to you?
  

Mr Walt Disney, you are such a clever man, thaw out and see you in Los Angeles...