The Center Parcs and DLP Bonanza Day 10 - The Early Bird Catches The Turtle

[blusteryday]

Full trip report index here:
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One thing Davy Crockett Ranch has in common with Center Parcs is The March of the Dads*

This time however, the march is not to collect your car (as you park outside your cabin) but to collect breakfast.

For some reason best known to Mickey DCR's breakfast is a takeaway affair (you need to have bought a package with breakfast included, otherwise you're self catering).

These bad boys are your keys to the DLP world - Magic Passes. They are our park passes, contactless card to retrieve Fastpasses, and contain any credits for meals, such a breakfast.

The cabins are arranged in loops - the story being that back in the days of the pioneers they'd sleep overnight in a circle for protection.

At the end of each loop is a cottage which supplies breakfast from 7am to 11am.

And what a breakfast it is!

5 X croissants (or Cornflakes)
5 X baguettes with butter
5 X juices (orange or apple)
5 X apple purée (nope, me neither)
5 X muesli bars
1 litre of milk
Butter, Nutella, coffee and tea...

...EVERY DAY!

#WeAreGoingToNeedToGetABiggerFridge

After eating a small selection of breakfast items we get to the car park for 8.15am - I don't think we've hit any park (WDW or DLP) as early as this. Second row from the front.

The plan this morning is to hit Disney Studios and do the major attractions during EMH and then hop over to DLP for lunch which is booked for 1.30pm at Cafe Agrabah (my favourite park restaurant).

It's a pretty brisk check in procedure and we're in!

Although the studios were built on a shoestring, they do at least provide an element of theming and show as you arrive.

But why spend your EMH queueing for brekafast? Baffling! 😂😂

This morning was a couple of Disney firsts.

First up was Crush's Coaster, we decided to go single rider and we were on in 10 minutes. A brilliant little coaster which we must do again before we leave.

Then on to Ratatouille. The extension built for Ratatouille is beautiful (it was like being back in Compiegne!).

It's a brilliant ride both technically and from a theming perspective. Think 3D movie but on a trackless ride. So clever, and coming to Epcot France Pavilion soon!

Then after Rock n Rollercoaster and Tower of Tower (yes, we did all of these before 10.30am) it was on to the Backlot Tour (it's a yawn-fest but Izzie doesn't remember riding it ever and so to watch her face during the Catastrophe Canyon section was a treat!)

We leave Studios and head over to Disneyland. We have a reservation for lunch but a couple of hours to kill.

We snag Fastpasses for BTM for 4pm and onwards to the riverboat cruise. The picture is taken from the top deck, with Phantom Manor in the background.

In DLP Phantom Manor is located in Frontierland and has a different story to WDW. It's also closed as the ride has broken down!

You get a good view of Big Thunder Mountain as you sail by!

We then head over to the dungeon under the castle to visit Old Smiley the dragon. It's a brilliant animatronic and loud enough to make small children cry, which makes me happy 😂

A tradition in DLP is Guest Star Tuesday. Each Tuesday there is a little parade for a lesser-spotted character. This week it's the Three Caballeros...

"Time for lunch?" "Well, if we have to..."

It's a quick step across the plaza to Adventureland and Cafe Agrabah...

The theming again is amazing although no one can tell me this is Will Smith.

The food is best described is Mediterranean to North African. The lamb was amazing.

Baklava for dessert too. If we paid our of pocket for five of us, we wouldn't have seen much change from 160 Euros. Ouch. But this was on the half board deal, so all to the good.

After lunch we have a couple of hours to kill before our BTM Fastpasses. A quick walk around Discoveryland (no such thing as Tomorrowland here) and then back to the central plaza to watch the Jungle Jive Show.

It's a cool show. Mickey and Minnie speak in French and Goofy chats to us in English. Still have no idea what the heck the story was, but the costumes were very ornate

Big Thunder Mountain time and owing to a despatch rider error our party were separated. Or should I say that Harry had the front of his train all time himself.

This version of BTM is simply the best of all the Disney Parks and the only one that goes in a tunnel underwater to arrive on Big Thunder Mesa. A must-do again, we all agree.

That's put a smile on the girls face!

At DLP the 3pm parade is at 5.30pm. Don't ask. It's a beautiful day and we decide to hold out a spot on Main Street to watch it

But please, Disney Dads everywhere, what is the sodding point of standing in the front for the parade and still putting your screaming spawn on your shoulders. For the love of God man!

Oops, looks like Tiana has had a wardrobe malfunction (she wears blue knickers, if you want to know)

Oh yes!

Old Frosty Knickers herself.

A great parade. We decide to head back to Davy Crockett for tea - it's getting on for 6.15pm and we've been on the go for 10 hours!

The peace and tranquility of the resort, especially in the sun, is very welcomed.

The girls want to swim, and Stephane checks us in. He's a real character and has great rapport with the kids.

The pool is the largest on DLP property (except for Villages Nature, which strictly speaking isn't a Disney property). The water is a little cooler than I'd want, but I guess it keeps the visit times down!

Harry is content to sit by the fire outside and consume the free village WiFi.

I can't explain enough how cool Davy Crockett Ranch is...but I guess it's also helped with a dose of good weather which really helps.

Adjacent to the swimming pool is a new spot which we haven't seen before - we may try this out tomorrow afternoon before our late night in Disneyland tomorrow.

Well that's about it for tonight. Paula and I are going to grab a cocktail before bedtime and then lights out.

Thanks for reading. If you have any DLP related questions do ask! Night all!

[Minniefan]

Wow what a day! I have been to DLP probably 8 times and haven't tried Cafe Agrabah, maybe I should? Love the breakfast u had, so cool.

[app]

New Photo Added by blusteryday - 20 Aug 19 7:55 PM.

[BevS97]

Looks like a great day. I love the Agrabah cafe.

I’m giggling at poor Tiana and her wardrobe malfunction!

[Melanie R]

Poor Tiana - I also notice Elsa blowing you a kiss - she’s obviously heard you do a fab rendition of her theme song 😂

[blusteryday]

Originally Posted by Melanie R

Poor Tiana - I also notice Elsa blowing you a kiss - she’s obviously heard you do a fab rendition of her theme song 😂

See more...

She copied me, I think you'll find

[JoJo88]

Fantastic breakfast! The resort looks really cool, and you seemed to get a lot done . What are the wait times like?

[blusteryday]

Originally Posted by JoJo88

Fantastic breakfast! The resort looks really cool, and you seemed to get a lot done . What are the wait times like?

See more...

The wait times by lunchtime are pretty horrible tbh - 110 for BTM anyone? So the best advice is to use EMH and hit the big rides before the parks open for the public.

[blusteryday]

Originally Posted by Minniefan

Wow what a day! I have been to DLP probably 8 times and haven't tried Cafe Agrabah, maybe I should? Love the breakfast u had, so cool.

See more...

I'd say if you have fussy eaters in your party then they may not enjoy it as much, otherwise it's a better than average experience (food and theming wise) and we didn't leave hungry.

[Beaker7929]

Ahhh reading this, and finally getting around to writing up the rest of my trip report is making want to book a trip soooooooooo bad! I'm even rather taken with DCR which I've never considered as an option before!