Day 1: Character Breakfast, Disneyland Park

It was an early start with an 8.15am Character Breakfast at Plaza Gardens in the Disneyland Park. Definitely recommend the breakfast and will become a must for our first morning if we were to go again, as it gets the kids ready to interact with the characters and gets the younger ones used to their size etc. The food was really good, it was probably the same food you had in the Compass Club Lounge, there was a selection of Continental and cooked. Plus you were in the park early so when we were done we were ready for the rope drop into Fantasyland.

TIP: If booking a Character Breakfast book as early as possible as you will be eating in the Plaza Gardens restaurant which is located close to the castle, therefore you are in the park really early and after breezy you can take advantage of those beautiful photo ops in front of the castle and Main Street.

We met Scrooge, one of my long time faves and a character i have never met before and one on my list to meet since i was young, Daisy Duck, Mickey Mouse, Eeyore, Piglet & Tigger.

After Breakfast we spent the day in the Disneyland Park starting in Fantasyland with a ride on Smallworld, we caught the pirate section of the princess and pirate parade. Casey junior ride had just broken down as we arrived but we were in the right place at the right time to queue to meet Pooh bear opposite the entrance, yes I had to wake Alyssia up in order for her to meet Pooh but it was worth it. We were about 5th in the queue so was a really nice and quick meet and greet. As we walked around Fantasyland, there i saw Tweedle Dum, Tweedle Dee and the Queen of Hearts. There wasn’t much of a queue so Caitlyn, myself Ryan and my dad went to meet them, although Caitlyn was quite apprehensive and frightened by the Queen of Hearts. When it came to our turn my dad mentioned to the queen Caitlyn was scared and she was brilliant with her and she made her come round to her by giving hi 5s to her etc.. Areally good meet and greet, loved it!

We headed onto Peter Pans Flight, which was not a favourite of Caitlyns nor Alyssia’s. I think it was the fact it was dark and Caitlyn isn’t a fan of Captain Hook. We went on regardless and she didn’t mind it afterwards but didn’t want to do it again. Bless her! We then headed to Toad Hall to have dinner and we needed to get out of the sun and work out where to go next. Toad Hall is a good place to eat. Here they did a lovely fish & chips and the portions are huge, so beware! Definitely somewhere to eat if you like traditional British food and a great one to share a meal as the portion is plenty for 2 people.

We headed on over to Frontierland to queue for meet and greet with Woody, as we had the times and there is a park for the kids situated next to Woody meet and greet. This is where my dad and Ryan took Caitlyn into the Pocahontas park for a run around. While my mum and I sat by the meet and greet queue in the shade so Alyssia could have a decent nap of which she didn’t wake from when we met Jessie from Toy Story. Again a great meet and greet and the cast member was really friendly and helpful too. Definitely recommend if you are going to meet woody or Jessie to get there before time and let kids have a run around in the park while 1 person waits in the queue.

We slowly wandered through Frontierland and had a look in a few shops on the way, making our way to our favourite spot for watching the main parade. Again a great parade and the kids loved it Alyssia was clapping Caitlyn was waving and vice versa, a tear jerking moment yet again. Yes again the eardefenders came into play and were worth it as the music was quite loud which is all part of the experience but a bit too loud for my kids, which is fine. My favourite part of the parade was the male finest dragon, such a lovely float really well thought out, bit of a steampunk style to it, which i love. The kids however didn’t think this was the best bit of the parade, surprisingly. After watching the parade I knew i had to buy the CD with the songs on it to take home and play in the house for the kids. That was my next must have and find in the park.

TIP: If you are staying in a DLP Hotel and you buy something in any store in either park ask for it to be sent to your hotel. You have to tell them the hotel and room number and as long as it is before 3pm they will transport your purchases to the resort shop where you can pick up later in the day or evening. We bought a few mugs and rather than worry about them getting broken we sent them back to the resort. So much easier! I can’t recommend his service enough.

The parade was a sign to the end of the day so we slowly headed out to the disney village and to find somewhere to eat and ended up in Annettes Diner. we have eaten here before during other trips and loved it built this time we weren’t overly impressed we felt we had a better service and experience and food last time we visited. We may try again because it was really busy and that might have been the reason for it i’m Not sure but i am willing to give it 1 more chance. After this we had a stroll around the village shops and then headed back to our hotel for the night.