Trip Report - August 2023
In August 2023 I took a long weekend trip with my 12 year old nephew, we travelled using Eurostar and stayed offsite at Hotel B&B in Torcy, using our annual passes for park entry
Day One
Travel Day
This trip I’ve brought along my 12 year old nephew, but this was originally going to be solo, it just didn’t cost much more to add him as he still (just) has a valid annual pass!
We were up nice and early at 6.30, got ready and headed to the train station, arriving with time to spare and assistance waiting. First train very smooth, as was the second one down to London, then it was time to check in at St Pancras. Pretty quick through everything with assistance then a trip to the lounge, which my nephew enjoyed. We boarded first and a staff member placed my attachment in one of the odd little booth-ey cupboards then loads of border staff boarded and were trying to store there stuff there too, though there wasn’t even enough seats for them anyway so it took a while to get them all settled. All well through to Gare du Nord.
At this point everything was pretty smooth and I set up my camera to try and film doing the journey to Disney on the RER as a wheelchair user. Let’s just say those videos are going nowhere as they would put people off! Genuinely it’s normally straightforward but today it just wasn’t! First lift was broken so bought tickets and went through barriers to find assistance staff at another point where they can be found (normally use lift and go down to the services desk). Found them and after a wait someone came to take us to the platform, where they spent ages on hold trying to sort the ramps as need to change so it takes a bit of coordinating.
Then the news that the lift was broken at Torcy (where we are staying a couple of stops before Disney). I asked if it was just one lift could we go an extra stop and double back as the lifts are for the east and west bound platforms. They insisted no as both lifts were broken. I asked a few more times if they were sure it was both and sure there was no way around this. They insisted it was both and we needed to get off a stop before and get a bus so we eventually agreed to that. We got off at Lognes, found the bus stop, waited ages and the bus wouldn’t put the ramp out and drove off. We then decided to walk the 25 minutes according to google maps.
Google maps sent us a route with steps but there was some not really ramps but sloped bits that weren’t designed as ramps so I got up them with help from a passer by. Then there was bollards my chair wouldn’t fit through so had to take the attachment off, stand, fold the chair a bit, push it through and reassemble. After that it wasn’t too bad apart from the lack of dropped curbs, paths completely blocked by bushes and random metal things in the middle of pavements with not enough space to go round. It had also got a bit warm!
But we succeeded and made it to the hotel, had a bit of a break and we were so proud neither of us had cried, and we hadn’t killed each other! At this point I was trying to come up with a plan b and c as if we really couldn’t use Torcy station we were a tad stuffed, so I had checked alternative hotels. While sat in the hotel though I went onto the RATP site and could understand enough to find that it was stating only the eastbound lift was broken so we went to the station to find out more. Luckily the website was correct and it was only eastbound that is an issue so we could go back to Lognes again (now a favourite stop!) and then switch platforms to get to Disney! Praise to Mickey we were finally on the way!
We had of course by now lost our booking at Downtown so we were both pretty gutted about that but we tried the grange at billy bobs instead. When they took us to the lift we could smell the fresh paint where they are extending into the old Wild West show area.
I enjoyed the food but honestly not overly keen on the having to have staff take you to the lift in the back, and I may have missed them but also couldn’t see any accessible toilets. The staff were nice though, and the food was tasty.
We were filled up pretty quick so then just a browse in the Disney store and one 30th cocktail at sports bar (I’m going to miss them!) then back to the hotel to unpack now we knew we should be ok to stay!
Hopefully now we are all sorted and ready for our three full days!
Day Two
A Rainy Day, Boat Rides and Pizza
As my nephew doesn’t have EMH with his annual pass and I can’t really leave him just to get in early we had a bit of a lie in before slowly getting ready.
Packed all I thought we needed and we headed out. Got to the train station and asked for the ramp and they said no we couldn’t go to Disney! How very dare they, so I had to explain we could we just needed to go back a stop to Longnes and switch trains and they did then sort this. I’m glad this faff is in the morning though and not on the way back when we are more tired.
We made it though and went to grab some milk from the shop in the train station so my nephew can have tea in the morning. I was also shocked but not that surprised (it’s France) that mini bottles of wine were cheaper than bottles of coke (albeit smaller!) but it was a bit early even for me! We then came out and we’re ushered straight through an empty security check which was very fast and easy.
We headed to Annette’s for breakfast which we both like, I gave my nephew my sausages and bacon as I don’t usually eat meat, but there was still loads and I couldn’t finish it. The only slight issue was that to find us a table I could fit my chair at they put as right at the back which was out of sight and away from everybody else so was really hard to get anyone’s attention, mostly when my nephew got a cup of hot water with no tea bag and when we wanted to leave! The food was good though and set us up for the rest of the morning.
First stop was studios and it was now raining. Of course when I packed for the day this morning the one thing I forgot was my poncho so to escape the rain we went to queue for Together. I loved this, no spoilers but I got a bit emotional! There was also some lovely people in front of us, I gave the boys some pixie dust with marvel stickers in, then gave the ladies some too because Disney isn’t just for children!
After that we just mooched around a bit then went to stark factory for a drink, as it was still quite wet. By the time we were done it had cleared up and we decided to head over to the main park.
First stop after browsing more shops was Small World which I love but my nephew hadn’t been on since pre refurbishment and had kinda forgotten it, we had a lovely ride around the world then decided to do another boat trip to the Caribbean. The parks are busy so most of our time is spent trying to get anywhere through the crowds as it’s quite awkward to maneuverer through so many people while staying really aware of small children who constantly step in front (and they don’t realise) so it does get a bit exhausting having to concentrate so much.
After pirates we were finally hungry and so headed to Casa de Coco, luckily the vegan burrito is still lovely but very sadly the frozen margarita is a big disappointment. It was probably my favourite park treat and now it’s fluorescent and tastes quite artificial. Not undrinkable but not great either.
By now we didn’t really know what to do even though we hadn’t done that much, we decided to just head to the village after browsing in emporium for my nephew to look for a gift for his girlfriend.
We went to sports bar which was a bargain at happy hour then did something I had never done before and thought I never would do, we went and played on things in the little arcade! I know this so not for everyone and it’s extra money
when Disney is expensive enough but I enjoyed it more than expected. My nephew paid with his own money but then I wanted to join in and bought a few tokens too. We spent about €15 and had a couple of games of air hockey, played skee ball, another ball throwing game and a basketball game. He won at some and I won at others!
I then wanted some pictures in my Ms Marvel outfit and so we headed to hotel New York, got some pics, browsed the shop and then both had a cocktail at the skyline bar. The Bleeker street lounge was closed as a bar but open to sit in and was showing some football so we were going to go sit there a bit but my nephew was getting hungry so we ended up back at sports bar to watch the football there and get some food.
Then it was time for our train ride back to the hotel, a shower, painkillers, and getting ready for the morning. We hope we have a bit more of a plan for tomorrow so hoping to get a bit more done!
Day Three
Princesses and Superheroes
Another slow start and coffee in bed before getting ready and leaving the hotel at around 10am. Google maps shows 14 minutes from our hotel to Disney, today it took over an hour and we arrived just after 11am. Again the staff at Torcy tried to say we couldn’t get to Disney and we had to insist on go via Lognes but they did sort it and we did make it!
I admit I was feeling a bit stressed on arrival, but walked in to dream and shine brighter returning down main street so we grabbed a spot to watch the floats pass, alas a family came up behind and pushed all their kids in so my nephew got pushed out of the way. We let it go as I knew we would be watching the full show later but it was still another annoyance! But the music did cheer me up.
We were peckish so headed to the old mill, I adore the cheese bitterballen and I got my nephew the mini crepes since surely they are a breakfast item really! We shared a table with a lovely family which did really help cheer me up, we gave out some pixie dust and shared the odd tip then we headed to get a spot for dream and shine brighter. I am really going to miss this show so much!
I then wanted to see the princess show for princess week so we hung around for a bit before heading to get a spot, I knew this wasn’t nephews cup or tea but we had discussed that I needed to do some stuff I wanted to do so he put up with it and did watch it instead of staring at his phone. I enjoyed it and it’s a nice little extra for the week.
While that was finishing up I got on the app and booked us a Spider-Man meet as I was bounding as Spider-Man and as it was only in 44 minutes we headed towards the studios, though I did stop for a 30th ice cream I hadn’t yet tried, it was nice, and I didn’t spill so bonus!
Our Spider-Man meet was great, if a little eventful! There was no real queue when we arrived so we were about to go straight through when a CM asked us to let someone in first, we said fine and waited to go in. When we got in we were having a great meet, especially with my outfit, but unfortunately stark tech can’t always be trusted and the Spider-Man suit had a malfunction. He needed to quickly get that resolved so we were left in the room, to be fair I loved this as got to look at all the props and the photo pass photographer took some pictures for me in the room. We then had to come back out and wait a little. There was a family behind us with a young boy dressed as Spider-Man so I was glad it had happened while we were there not them, I gave them some pixie dust too and then we went in to meet Spider-Man again! Also a fab meet and my nephew was actually grinning in pictures! On our way out we got guardians collector cards which I love.
We then rode web slingers, after watching a tips video I felt I did better than normal! And then we had a reservation for Pyms. I know this gets mixed reviews, but it’s one I quite like and even as a veggie I came out stuffed! Too stuffed to do any thrill rides!
We headed for slinky, when the heavens opened, and while we were on the ride my wheelchair cushion got rather wet which made the next few hours lovely! But I was just laughing anyway as you can’t help rain! We then did ratatouille to escape the rain which was nice, though we tried the wheelchair vehicle for the first time and it took a long time! Another ride on web slingers (not as good as earlier but pretty consistent), a quick hello to Thor and Loki and then we headed back to the Disneyland park.
My nephew picked out some lovely items for his girlfriend, then we headed to buzz where I did worse than usual and I blame a dodgy gun! On the way out a man was very angry and arguing, security was called but me and my nephew couldn’t stop laughing about a lady watching with popcorn that looked exactly like the popcorn drama gif!
We then said goodbye to the park and headed to sports bar as my nephew wanted to watch a PSG match, it was a nice atmosphere and fun hearing the cheers when they scored! A quick hello to a friend also in the parks who we are meeting in the morning then it was time for our train back which was straightforward luckily! And now time for bed ready for our last full day tomorrow!
Day Four
Donald and Downtown
We had good intentions for an early start as needed to meet a friend first thing, we ended up leaving the hotel at around 10am again. Once again staff at Torcy station seemed to think it was impossible to get to Disney with the lift not working and again I had to explain I needed to go back one stop then switch, apparently this was a fabulous idea and the lady sorted it so off we went. Got to Disney around 11am and greeted with Starbucks from our friend who grabbed them while waiting for us. We went to collect privilege tickets and then headed to the main park.
I was hoping Donald would come out by Indiana Jones around lunchtime so we got there about 11.45, my nephew was sat on the floor next to me and kept looking under the gate for duck feet, and we were rewarded when Donald did appear and we were first in the queue! He is an absolute favourite of mine and he signed my wheel cover, it was a lovely meet.
We then headed to visit the Dragon under the castle and then I persuaded my nephew to let me watch Dream and shine brighter one last time as I don’t think I’ll be back before the 30th ends. After getting a bit emotional we left the park to head to the studios and got some pixie dust on the way from someone with a fab chip (or dale) disneybound.
We entered the studios and having not had breakfast went straight to stark factory for lunch, where we both had pasta but shared a slice of pizza too! There was a couple of families near us who we pixie dusted and they were lovely. And this may be good karma coming as we got a slot for a marvel meet and left, then my nephew realised he had left his phone on the table. A bit of panic and he ran back and the family were there, they had found it and the man was out looking for us, I have never been so grateful and so shocked that we actually got it back, I fully thought it would be long gone once we realised it had been left.
Phone retrieved we headed to our meet and got Black Panther who I hadn’t met before so it was a fun meet. We then went for another go on web slingers, we have been practicing and following tips from you tube but we are getting better, and this go round we were paired with two people who were pretty good too and we made the leader board!
We then headed to slinky to try it dry, but it was down so I quickly did RC racer solo! Had to laugh at the second time today someone was arguing with a CM about not being with their friend after using the single rider queue!!
Then it was time for Mickey and the Magician, always a fave even with some slight technical issues today. Then back to slinky dog which was now running again so we got on and needed up in hysterics after we were sliding side to side!
A quick pass by crushes saw us witness two little girls get off in tears along with a slightly traumatised looking mum, I offered empathy having made that mistake with my nephew a few years ago and then gave some pixie dust.
We walked by the Frozen celebration queue, I was hoping for a last minute surge in the game we had been playing all day, a variation on the squirrel game, he was spotting kids dressed as Spider-Man and I was looking for Elsa’s, for the record he did win by a mile.
Having missed downtown on Thursday due to train issues I had paid the 3€ for alerts for tonight and we got one so success was ours. After finishing in the park we left via some shops to get pressies, and a last visit to the arcade.
We got to Hotel New York and headed to Downtown. The food was good, and love the new edible plant pots the groot dessert now comes in, but drinks service was very slow. We did eventually manage to pay and we were on schedule for an early ish night back to our hotel to pack as this had been our last Disney day.
Alas we got to the station and it was closed due to unattended luggage. Took about 30 minutes to reopen then it was obviously very busy, we got the service desk and staff may have recognized us as straight away they asked if we were going to Torcy! It then took a while for the next train to arrive and it was very busy but the staff got us on and we made it back to Torcy and back to the hotel to try and pack!
Overall a good trip but we have really had some fun with the trains! Let’s hope our last day tomorrow going into Paris works ok!
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