Disneyland Paris 2015 – The happiest place on Earth for any age

January 11th 2015 will go down in history as one of the greatest days of my life.

Not only did I wake up and get to eat ice cream for breakfast, but I ended up in one of the happiest places on Earth surrounded by my family and childhood heroes.

I grew up with Disney, my first trip to Disneyland and Disney World were when I was 7. This was a massive deal heading all the way there from Australia at the time, especially as my parents took all three kids. My sister, parents and I were having a discussion about how they managed to haul us around, buy us God only knew how many souvenirs and then manage to get it all back home with all of us in one piece. I’m talking multiple theme parks, hotels half an hour away, full days, flights home with the three kids still in tow, one metre long Shamu Killer whales, golf clubs for me, and endless stuffed toys for each of us. You must be thinking we were the most spoilt kids on the planet….we sure did feel like it. I’m sure my parents assumed it was our one big trip that we were going to be able to have growing up and we may as well go all out. Little did they know we would be there five years later all together again doing the exact same thing but with my cousins. Over the years my sister and I have made our way back to these magical lands on several occasions. It steals a part of you that is always calling you back. We have been with and introduced new and old friends, and every trip has been a rush of emotions and adrenalin. It’s always nice to return home.

Disneyland Hotel – Our digs for a few nights

Personalised welcome message in the room

Today was no exception-20 years after our first family trip to Disney, my parents have brought my sister and I back! This time, we are doing it in style, staying inside Disneyland Paris at the Disneyland Hotel. As if a zero minute walk wasn’t good enough for us, mum and dad sneakily upgraded us up to The Castle Club upon arrival. This club included many perks…….. 1. We stayed in the main body of the hotel…..not the wings! So easy access to all restaurants and services, not to mention views overlooking the castle and park. 2. We had our own elevator to take us from next to our room to the park gate entry. 3. Our own dining room for Buffet breakfast with our Disney family – full interaction with the characters. We also used the area for tea at 4pm with sandwiches and cakes to tide us over until buffet dinner with the characters!!!

Coffee break with Dad and Chip

4. VIP fast passes to get us to the front of the lines for all the best rides in the park. No queue, as many times a day as we wanted. This was the cherry on the cake and the reason we managed to jam pack our days with four times as many rides as everyone else. 5. Our own private concierge desk where nothing was ever any hassle for the staff. We aren’t needy or demanding but they were always ready to help and make you feel like your stay was the most important one there. We booked dinners, printed flight boarding passes and booked buses and luggage removal. Other perks of the Disney experience include turn down service with chocolates and large white fluffy robes. We also had Piano players serenading us as we drank all the free coffee and hot chocolate we wanted. We spent two days and two nights    in the parks.  We started the days two hours before the public using our early entry to their full advantage, and going to breakfast when everyone started arriving.

20 years later and we are still trying for that sword!!

With perfect numbers we paired up and VIP fast passed our way across the parks and back again pulling funny and scary faces for the cameras. Mum purchased a Photocard from Disney – you pay €50 and can register an unlimited number of photos to access online and print yourself, including photos from rides and photos taken with the characters. A bargain for our family who love the memories and always looking to ‘capture a moment’.

We just wanted to be Space Rangers….we rode and zapped the Buzz Lightyear ride over 20 times and still never managed it.

Endless moments captured on rides and with the Disney characters

Meagh and I embraced our inner child and bought an autograph book each. We then harassed as many characters as we could find for cuddles, banter, autographs and pictures in that order. Dinner our first night was the best experience. Goofy scared Meagh and then came to sit and play at the dinner table, Donald Duck tried to run away with mum after smootching her, Mickey was a gentleman and kissed your hand before insisted on cuddles, and Tigger stole hats and bounced around the room like a ….Tigger!

Match made in heaven…..

The Mouse who stole my heart

Disneyland Paris holds a ‘Sound, Light and Firework show’ at closing every night. The first night we watched from our ‘Lounge Room’ with the sound projected inside.

Not a bad view from the living room!

The second night we were in the thick of the crowd inside the park trying to navigate photos past children on shoulders and fidgety bodies all around. A spectacular choreographed performance that has every aged person lighting up from the inside out. Some rides to mention that are unique to Disneyland Paris………. Space Mountain Mission 2 ….closed on the Monday for 6 months of renovations….we got to ride it once on the Sunday completely unaware it would be our one and only ride this trip. As sequels go…..number 2 was way better, so I’m trying to imagine it after renovations….hopefully with some extra turbo boosters! My favourite ride remains Big Thunder Mountain. Not the largest of roller coasters but uniquely exciting. An outdoor coaster located on an island, you look at it and wonder where you are missing seeing the bridge to get there….alas there is no bridge! The best time to ride it is at night time, as you fly around the island the views of the rest of the park and castle all lit up add a whole new element to the ride and the park. It’s a feeling hard to describe. Crush Coaster did not have a fast pass line and the lines were always the longest in the park. It was this ride that we abused in the early morning access we were given. Our second morning we rode it three times in a row before the queue became longer than a 15 minute wait. By far my favourite indoor coaster, not just because of the Australian theme of Finding Nemo. The ride has passengers sitting in two directions and throughout the ride it spins and twists like you are really riding in the East Atlantic Current! Lastly I cannot to forget to mention the Hollywood Tower of Terror, a ride with a hight restriction of one metre but takes you to unknown heights in the sky. It is a ride not for the faint of heart, but entertaining for the people that like that stomach in your mouth, feet lifting off the floor kind of feeling. We saw very small children enter the ‘Twilight Zone’ and walk away looking like kings of the world. On the other side we saw grown men bypass the ride after the video introductions and woman tucked into themselves clutching onto their seat buddies while they screamed for God to help them. Oh….the view from the top isn’t bad either!

Dad psyching himself up……

The lady in the back row scared to death while the small ones up front are having the time of their lives!

It really was like no other holiday experience I have ever been on!!! Disneyland Paris gave us one heck of a farewell. As we finished riding the Rockin’ Roller Coaster three times in a row with zero wait time, it was time to head back to the hotel. As we walked to the exit we were faced with a farewell from our Disney family. Everyone turned out, from Mickey and Minnie, Goofy, Pinocchio, Genie, Stitch, Tigger and Woody. It was non stop smiles as my sister and I jumped through the crowd gathering autographs and pictures with the other 5 year olds. The Bowden Family holiday ended at 1pm on the 13th of January. It was a sad and happy day. Happy because Mum and dad are heading to Tokyo, Japan for a day, and Meagh and I have four days in Budapest, Hungary to close out our current trip. Sad because I didn’t know when I was going to see mum again 😦 Meagh and I boarded our Disney shuttle to the airport while the parents had a few more magical hours to get through before their own. Words can’t express how lucky we were on this whole trip. The destinations held unimagined hidden treasures, we struck lucky gold with our accommodation, the weather was amazing – not too cold and we only had a few bits of rain here and there but nothing ever to dampen the mood. Getting time to spend with my parents with no work getting in the way at this age is a rare treat and I tried to soak up every second (even when I was a little Hangry). The trip that mum and dad gave us would never be something I’d be able to do myself. It was magical and exciting and adventurous and thrilling and exhausting and unforgettable…..so THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU times infinity! I had the most amazing time with you sharing these adventures. Love you long time xxxxx

The two people that help keep the magic alive in my life. They show me how adventures are lived and experiences are what you make them.

Starting a New Year and eating Italian food into my old age

Last weekend was my 27th birthday. A few years ago 27 seemed old, but each year ‘older’ in life is only bringing me more happiness and excitement. Last year was my ‘Year of Adventures’, and looking back I think I made most days count.

2014: My 26th year…..
– A month of traveling and volunteering in Nepal meeting amazing people, working with kids, trekking the Annapurna’s and paragliding, all whilst pushing my comfort zones.
– 2 weeks tromping through India in a Gecko adventure tour abusing my senses and loving the chaos of the North.
– Skiing for three weeks in Japan with my brother and friends, and then another month just skiing for myself; taking time to find peace in the mountains.
– A few months back home seeing and spending quality time with family and my favourite people; Grace, Calli, Todd and my dogs. A time of self discovery and planning for the coming year.
– Packing up life and making the move to live in London for two years.
– Meeting new people and starting new jobs in a new country.
– A month driving around Canada with the gorgeous Imi and celebrating Gill and Phil’s wedding.
– Just over two months spent with my little sister Meaghan in Europe. Taking planes, trains and automobiles through, over and across, London, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and Budapest.
– Three week family vacation with mum, dad and Meaghan around Ireland, Northern Ireland, over to Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, and an unforgettable three days in Euro Disney.

Things I have learnt about myself:
– I enjoy my own company sometimes more than others around me.
– The few good friends I have in life will never leave me.
– I have more courage to face the unknown than I expected of myself.
– I am always and will always have the need and passion to immerse myself in new places, countries, cultures and experiences….without this goal I feel lost in the world (it’s too big to sit in one place and be content with everyday living).
– Money is essential to do the things I want to do in life, but I don’t live for it.
– Always say yes to new adventures, this has given me memories and experiences I could never have dreamed of.

TURNING 27

My 26th year ended and my 27th started in Rome, Italy with my sister Meagh and new London partner in crime, Elly. It was a whirlwind weekend full of sight-seeing, eating, drinking, many purchases and very painful sore feet. We started our weekend at 4am on Saturday with a taxi ride to Victoria station in London, then hitched the 4:30am train to Gatwick airport followed by a 6:50am plane towards Rome!

We landed in Rome and I was greeted by probably the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on! We managed the fast Leonardo Express train to Termini after getting hardcore sales pitches to take a shuttle instead. After a little wandering around Termini station with no real idea where our hotel was located, a lovely man took pity on us and figured out some directions for us. The directions given by the hotel were “just steps from Termini station”…..we took many step! Elly organized accommodation at the Hotel Alpi. It was a great night stay; they stored and transported our bags for us, fed us a full buffet breakfast, delivered prosecco to the room and gave us a killer recommendation for a restaurant for dinner. Our room was also lavish, with a bathroom as big as some apartments and two balcony terrace areas with a large opening door surrounded by plants and vines.

Finally organized, we headed for the Colosseum.

10 years ago I didn’t get the chance to go inside, this visit I soaked it all in from every available viewpoint. Structures this size from so far into history amaze me, looking at pictures of what it could have looked like in its prime astounds me….it’s no wonder it draws crowds from around the world. With time constraints I only got the audio guide to walk around with, but I found that with that and eavesdropping other tours I had plenty of information.

 

For lunch we wandered away from tourist areas of the Colosseum towards the Trevi Fountain to find food. We stumbled upon a niknak filled, busy restaurant called Gatto Matto where we tried the house bottled wine and were given complimentary eggplant entrée, breads and shots of lemonchello around our main pasta meals. Everything was delicious and it was the perfect meal to start us off in Rome.

The next part of our day was tackled with full bellies and bleary eyes. Off we went to the disappointment of the Trevi Fountain being empty, boarded up and under renovations….not even the chance of a wish fulfillment with no water! What does any girl do when life lets her down?!…..she goes and eats ice cream/gelato.

Just a little disappointed to arrive to the Trevi Fountain all boarded up

Ahhhh much better!

What’s a girls/birthday weekend without shopping and bubbles!? I spoilt myself over the weekend with a pair of green Italian leather boots, a Swarovski pen and a bottle of Dior perfume. As for the bubbles; shopping and sightseeing is hard work so at the end of our first day we ended up swimmers donned soaking our weary limbs in the bath with prosecco in hand and music blaring as we recapped the day and pondered life. Every meal contained this key ingredient of bubbles or red stuff over the weekend…..when in Rome.

For dinner we went with the hotel recommendation of the restaurant a street behind us which none of us can remember the name of 😦 It appeared to be a family restaurant with friendly staff and the most delicious gnocchi I have ever eaten…literally melted in my mouth! After wine, warm fresh bread, and lemon sorbet and creme brûlée for dessert we were entering a state of delirium, walking out to find the rain coming down we decided to call it a night and make tomorrow memorable.

My birthday started as tradition calls for…..a rumbling thunder storm to wake up to (my favourite weather after sun and snow) and presents in bed! Thanks Elly for my amazing T2 tea, the Sydney Breakfast and the London Breakfast will serve whatever mood I wake up in! Little sis did well with these jackpots….

After the buffet breakfast we dropped our bags and hit the streets with Meagh navigating us and absolutely blinding sunshine and blue skies to brighten our day. We took the Metro (one of two lines in the city) to Spania to see the Spanish steps and had a good 15 minutes of great weather before the raindrops as big as marbles started to fall.

 

 

 

Spanish Steps before the downpour

 

 

 

 

 

The weather passed and we jumped the train to Ottaviano *San Pietro* to change countries and see the sights and sounds of Vatican City. We didn’t go to look inside (Meagh and I had already been inside on other travels and Elly was afraid of instant combustion ALSO the line was massive), we just went for the atmosphere and the chance to see a glimpse of the Pope (we missed him by an hour). Meagh had been twice before and has the tradition of getting rosary beads blessed by the standing Pope and sending a postcard to our Catholic Grandma. Unfortunately being a Sunday the gift store outside was closed, so if you’re not planning on going in, and want to get some memorabilia…. don’t go on a Sunday.

We found lunch at the incredible Hosteria Pizzeria – Cantina & Cucina, near the Navona Piazza. Found in a narrow street, the front is decorated with a bike and plants, inside you see only a few tables but it goes a fair way back to accommodate double what you see. The Faccasia bread and fried zucchini flower couldn’t come fast enough, the pizza topped us up to the brim, and we finished in a blaze of glory with a firework as my birthday candles on our hot chocolate pie (cake).

Navona Piazza

After lunch we had a few hours before we had to train back to fly home, so we wandered around the streets of Rome. We made our way unintentionally to the Pantheon where there was a demonstration in Italian taking place which we couldn’t understand a word of.

Pantheon

Next we stumbled upon the Area Sacra, where you can find Romes population of cats. I love this place; there were less cats this visit but it was good to see that the city has taken the initiative to sterilize and vaccinate the ones there.

Area Sacra

We stumbled over cobble stones and stone paths/roads all day with only a few almost face plants and rolled ankles. The highlight came when I saw the biggest swarm of tiny black birds flying overhead that could have blocked the sun….kind of apocalyptic to think back…so, I stopped to get the girls to look up and see it. Next thing I know Elly is tapping my shoulder eyes all squinted up with a look of shock on her face as she asked me very calmly, “Did I just get shat on?”. All I saw was a big black blob on her eyelid and I lost it, doubled over and desperate to use a bathroom, I laughed with tears in my eyes and a stitch in my side. I did manage to get a tissue and swipe it away, but missed the opportunity to snap a photo sadly.

Sunset over Vatican City

As you leave Termini Station, take a hard pass on the “Happiness Station”. All we wanted was delicious gelato (which we got), but the lady grumbled and slapped her way through our requests and tried to take away my gelato! For a happiness station, the smiles were lacking but it did give us plenty to laugh about on the train ride back.

I left Rome with a bag full of memories and smiles for days to come. I had the most amazing weekend of food, laughs and being a tourist. Thanks to Meaghs and Elly for making it a birthday for the records. 2015 is off to a great start so here’s hoping 27 will bring just as many new memories and experiences as 26.

Playing with reflections and puddles after the rain during sunset.