Disneyland Paris 2018 // Photo Pass and Portraits

 

You did in fact read the title correct - 2018. 

Not my 2020 Halloween Honeymoon. Obviously...

But way back in 2018 I was lucky enough to visit with not just my Mam this time, but my Dad too (who hadn't been since 1996) and we met my friend Kerri there. Sadly, the holiday didn't turn out as I expected at all. The month previous I had left a 7-year relationship, my home and moved back in with my parents. If I hadn't already had this trip booked I probably would not have gone because my general frame of mind, coupled with worrying about Baker who was being looked after by a friend, meant it didn't feel like a usual Disney visit. 

We went from June 11th to 15th the and Kerri and I stayed at the Hotel New York because I 'collect' the hotels haha and wanted to stay here before it transformed fully into the new Marvel theme, while my parents chose to stay at the Cheyenne. 
I had planned to take just as many photos, if not more, than I do on all my other Disney holidays. I wanted to take video footage to put together a little film like I had in 2014 and what I had from 1996. I did neither of those things, and with it being the only opportunity I'll have to experience DLP with both my parents again, I will always regret that. 
I left my camera locked up in my room so the only hardcopy memories I have were taken on Photopass and my phone (I never take my phone into the parks so goodness knows why I did this time) on the odd days I decided to document anything at all. Anyway, here are some of those photos. 

As much as it wasn't what I expected, we still had some wonderful times! We rode Pirates of the Caribbean too many times to count, on one night we went on it at least 3 times in a row because there was practically no queue! On the same night, we also got the front seat on Big Thunder Mountain in the dark which was a cool experience! Apparently, we also went on Buzz Lightyear's Laser Blast a few times too...

Other things featured in the photos include 'listening in' on the conversation on the old phone in New Century Notions / Flora's Boutique, part of Frontierland was decked out all Coco-esc including a huge Dante and the three Eskdales all met Mickey together. 

I wish we could get a chance to do it all over again as a family of 4 but with 10 animals at home that would be impossible...even discounting the pandemic. I hope that one day Mr H and I will finally be able to visit Disneyland Paris for our Honeymoon we lost out on, though right now that seems a minimum of 5 years away.

Until next time...!

Disneyland Paris 2017 // Disney Stars on Parade pt.2

As the 'pt.2' in the title suggests, this is a follow on from this post here so be sure to check that one out first and read all about my emotional breakdown before carrying on. Done it? All caught up? Right. So at this point, I'm still doing the worst ugly cry sobbing that I ever have in public before. People around me are still confused as to what the heck is going on with me and I'm in my own little world with my eyes darting everywhere to try and take in every part of the insanely beautiful floats and costumes, through the wall of tears half obscuring my view.
Like I mention in the part 1 post as well, my photos suffered throughout the whole parade as I was trying to watch with my eyes and experience it for the first time in person, rather than through my camera. As it drew to an end the weather closed in too, darkening the photos and did I change settings? No, I did not! Ha, Either way, I am so happy to have the few shots I do have because it was one heck of a memory. Let's get into them...

I really hadn't allowed myself to see anything online about this parade before getting to see it in person, minus the dragon as it was obviously used in a lot of promotion and difficult to avoid. Therefore when the Finding Nemo/Dory float rounded the corner I was shocked at how good it was...well that it was there at all too to be fair. Always nice to see a different film get some airtime.
The dragon, although I was expecting it, did actually make me 'wow' out loud and cry even more if that was possible haha! Seeing this, even more characters acknowledged me (if you read part 1 you will know why I say 'even more'). Each one of the Princes either winked and waved or blew a kiss as they passed and that beautiful blue fairy whizzed over to ask, 'why are you crying my dear?!' to which I replied in a brilliant stutter, 'because you are all so beautiful!'. Obviously, that was true but I was mainly crying because I was overwhelmed at how truly amazing this parade was and that I was there in person, getting to see it.
Overall, I have never had a parade make such an impression on me which I was surprised about having loved the previous 2 parades so much. The only thing that could top it is if they bring Main Street Electrical Parade back. 1996 was the first and last time I saw that in person but it holds great memories. So yeah. Enough rambling, hope you liked these photos.


Catch my other Disneyland Paris 2017 posts:
Character Meet and Greets
Disney Stars on Parade pt.1

Disneyland Paris 2017 // Disney Stars on Parade pt.1

I'm not usually a big fan of change. I think there are a lot of fellow Disney fans who feel the same. However, it's not the new I fear but losing the old and this was a huge deal for me when saying goodbye to Disney Magic on Parade in preparation for the new and improved 25th Anniversary parade. Little did I know December 2016 would be the last time I'd have the chance to see MoP in person and I didn't get the time to. Absolutely gutted, to say the least, but was ever so thankful for its very last route ever to be live-streamed so I could cry until my heart was content from the comfort of my own home.
Anyways, this is about its predecessor! Originally Mam and I had said we were going to visit in May/June of 2017 also, but after our December '16 trip expenses and travel hiccups, we sadly decided to wait until 2018. In January I realized I couldn't do that. I needed (yes, needed) to visit as close to my favourite place on Earth's actual anniversary as possible while knowing I am not well off, an annual pass holder nor Southerner with closer/cheaper travel connections. Spur of the moment I asked my good friend Laura and we booked a coach trip to Disneyland Paris for the first days of May.
I'll talk more about that later (19 hours on a coach is an interesting experience) but what I am trying to say is I worked so hard to get myself there so I could experience the amazing celebrations, including Disney Stars on Parade!
I avoided as much as I could online so didn't know what to expect at all - well minus the Dragon - and I'm so incredibly glad I did it that way because...

...it was seriously, surprisingly, one of the most emotional experiences I've ever had at DLP. I properly sobbed my heart out from the moment I laid eyes on the first float until well after it was all over. That's one reason my photos are so awful and so few - I could barely see for tears! It did mean that people around me were whispering to each other, one saying ''I think she's hurt herself!'' hahaha but it also meant I got some fab interaction from the characters.
I wish, wish, wish someone had been there to catch it on camera because after that 2nd photo with Aladdin and Genie in, the one and only Mary Poppins ran over to me and pulled me into the biggest hug ever telling me to 'Have a Jolly Holiday'. Ahhh, I almost fainted and obviously sobbed harder, bringing Pinocchio over who blew me a kiss.
I've only included half of the photos here, as despite not taking as many as I'd have liked to, I still took quite a few haha. I hope you enjoy my view of things and can't wait to show you the rest in a couple of weeks, along with my full opinions.


Catch my other Disneyland Paris 2017 posts:
Character Meet and Greets