If you read part one, you will have heard all about travelling over to Disneyland Paris for the 30th birthday celebrations.

Case Drop Off

We had dropped our luggage at a service called Disney Express which would deliver our cases to our chosen hotel. This then allowed us to head straight to the Park, which precisely what we did.

Going in…

Now although I have mobility issues and was using a walking Zimmer frame, I had not qualified for one of the Disney passes that allowed me to go to the front of queues or rides or sit in the disabled area for the parades. This is reserved for people with a medical diagnosis of a specific illness/diagnosis and needs a doctor’s letter listing the issue.

Disney Darlings

My knee problem was not one of the accepted reasons, so I didn’t contact my doctor and just headed to the park thinking I could ask at Guest Services to see if there was anything I could do.

Parade Time

To be honest, I didn’t want to jump any queues for rides or meets, I just didn’t want to have to stand in long queues as this is where I struggle the most and I know that some of the shows have turnstiles that wouldn’t allow my Zimmer frame through, so would need to join the accessibility queue.

Mickey!!!

I popped to Guest Services to ask but there was a pretty grumpy guy on the desk and he was adamant that I couldn’t do anything about my situation. Accepting that fact, we were through the security lines, ticket entrance and arrived in the very top section of Main Street U.S.A.

Genie!

This was where the pram and wheelchair hire department was based and I debated with Boo whether to hire a chair which would give my leg some respite. I went to chat with the staff about what it entailed and they reassured me that if I didn’t get on with it, then I could return it and get my money refunded.

Goofy Time

I took the plunge and hired one and we set off to see the sights. I didn’t want Boo having to push me, so I was wheeling it along myself but using the hand rails on the wheels.

Just Beautiful

Sadly about five minutes later I realised that I had bitten off far more than I could chew and my shoulders were already screaming. I had to admit defeat and returned the wheelchair as I knew it would be more of a hindrance than a help.

30th Anniversary

We slowly made our way up Main Street U.S.A. and almost immediately fell into the first parade of the weekend, which started from the side right where we were about to walk.

What A Sight!

Deciding to watch, we found our little space and saw Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, Alice, Rapunzel, Goofy, the mad hatter and a group of dancers who all sang along to the catchy soundtrack that was being played from the floats and all the speakers set in the trees.

Princess Parade

The parade wasn’t too long and after it had passed by we popped into some of the shops that line the street as I wanted to grab a lanyard to put my pins on that I was hoping to trade and see what pins they had available.

Pretty Petals

This was sadly when we found out that not only did they have very few pins, the majority of the staff didn’t have lanyards so were not participating in trading either. I have to admit to being very disappointed as this was one of the highlights of my previous visits.

Marvellous Merida

Anyway, we headed up towards the Fairy-tale castle, taking lots of photographs and we were completely drawn to some new ‘artwork’ consisting of metal sculptures that were created from spirals or twisted strands of metal.

It’s getting chilly….

I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense but when you see the photographs, you will understand.

In Summer!

Most where instantly recognisable however some of the others you needed to watch them rotate until you suddenly got the right angle and spotted who they were.

Let It Go!

My favourites were some of the female characters; Snow White, Merida (Brave) and Cinderella. Of course, I have to add Winnie the Pooh and Kevin from Up, which were my top two just based on the fact that they are my utmost loved films and the merchandise that I collect the most.

Twilight Time

We then decided to make our way to one of the only rides that we actually go on; The Haunted Mansion.

Teacups

This is one of Boo’s favourite rides and it only had a 5 minute queue which wouldn’t be too difficult for me which I was pleased about due to the fact that I couldn’t take the walking Zimmer with me. This meant standing for however long it took to get into the ‘cars’ that move you around the mansion.

Beautiful at Night

It is such a fabulous ride and we laughed and jumped at various points, before it came to the final end.

Tiana

We moved through the park heading back to the centre as it was almost time to go and find a space for the big afternoon parade. Bizarrely people were queuing up 2 hours in advance to get a good space and let me tell you it was FREEZING!

Magnificent Maleficent

Boo and I decided to go to the right hand side of the castle and a couple of the staff came across and asked if I had a Disney access pass as they could see my Zimmer. I explained that I had a long term injury and not a disability.

Unique… Ursula

They were really sweet but said I couldn’t go into the disabled area. I hadn’t expected to, and was happy to get my place on the rope to watch like everyone else.

Jubilant Jafar

We watched the parade which was marvellous and had a couple of little changes, but it was a parade we had seen before. I took a lot of photographs, even so.

Flora, Fauna and Merryweather

It was starting to get a little darker and we needed to go and get some food.

Timon and Pumbaa

Heading to Discoveryland, we went into Café Hyperion as they had both burgers and veggie burgers which meant there was something that Boo could eat.

Sublime Snow White!

I went for the special combo meal of a burger, fries and fizzy drink and we sat watching the big video screens whilst consuming our dinner. Priced at 20€ it wasn’t the cheapest meal ever but it was tasty enough and certainly filled a gap.

Cinders and Castle

We stayed in the warm for a little while as the temperature really had dropped outside, but eventually we left the café and took a walk around some of the other lands before going back to the Main Square.

Getting a bit chilly

There was still some time to go before the firework and light show, but again people were already starting to reserve their spaces and sit huddled up to keep warm. Thankfully I had taken my big puffy duvet coat and was a snug as a bug in a rug.

Ready for the Light Show

When the time came for the nightly show, the crowd settled down and a hush descended across the park. The castle lit up and scenes from movies were beamed over the front of it whilst lights, fountains and lasers were all used to great effect.

Happy Anniversary

The whole thing was just mind blowing and also quite emotional. I am not ashamed to admit that I may have shed a tear or two!

Sparkle!

Lasting around 20 or so minutes, the end signified that the park was closing.

Mouse Ears

Imagine several thousand people all trying to leave the same space at the same time…

Glorious!

To be fair, the organisation is such that you never feel like you are stuck in a massive crowd or not moving and it wasn’t too long before we had managed to exit the park, walk through Disney Village and out the security exits.

Firework Fabulous

All we needed to do now was to get to our hotel.

Bang!

Now there are free buses that take park guests to all the Disney and non-Disney hotels in the vicinity. They run every few minutes and are a great bonus however as you can imagine, huge crowds of people all trying to get on a bus that holds about 50 people max.

Just Wonderful!

In the past it has taken over an hour to get a bus and get to the hotel. However, Boo and I were tired and cold and I have to admit to being in a modicum of pain. There were taxis available and whilst not super-cheap, it meant we were back at the hotel around 8 minutes later and in the warm.

Amazing Anniversary

Now all I needed was a cup of tea (I had 3 boxes of teabags in my case) and a comfortable bed.

Light Up!

Well, I got the bed but sadly there were no kettles or drinks facilities in the room.

Dreams Do Come True

To be fair, it was nearly midnight after we had unpacked and I was completely shattered so tea was probably the last thing I needed.

Such a Sight

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light. After all, it was going to be a busy day tomorrow.

Till next time,

SPSG xxx