So- in the two years we have been here- we have gone to Euro Disney twice! Both times we went for Hais birthday... here is a wrap up of the weeks events!
Tuesday Nov 23- we left Hais school about 12 noon heading towards Ramstein Air Force Base- which is about 2 1/2 hours away. We arrived and checked into our hotel and dropped off our bags. Then we headed over to the PX- which is the largest in all of Europe. This was the first time Lee had been there since the new mall had opened. We decided to have dinner first since we hadn't eaten in awhile and did not want to get caught in dinner madness. We ate at Macaroni Grill in the mall. Then we shopped. It was a lot of fun and a little overwhelming- all that was available to us. We also stopped at the Commisary to pick up some last minute provisions for the trip...
Wednesday- we left Ramstein about 8:30. We were about an hour away when we realized that we left food in the fridge at the hotel- darn! Not long after crossing into France- we came across St Avold France. They have an American Cemetary there with right about 10,000 troops buried there from WWII. They also have the first African American Medal of Honor recipient. It was amazing to stop there and realize how many troops are left behind overseas. And this was one of many cemetaries over here for American soldiers.
We arrived into our resort on Disney about 3:30. We checked in and got our van unpacked. We stayed at teh Davy Crocket Ranch. It is about 5 miles away from the parks. They are trailers- that sounds bad- but amazing!!! They look like cabins and you are set up with your own driveway and probably a good 100 feet between each cabin. It was a 2 bedroom. One was with bunkbeds and one was with a full sized bed. There is a full kitchen and living room. It was super nice and I will never again stay in one of the hotels- with their micromini rooms and crowded common areas. It was so nice too cause you heard noone! It was so quiet. We then headed over to the parks. We spent 2 1/2 hours in the park. We rode some rides and checked out the parade. Hais and Lee rode Big Thunder Mtn Railroad- she was not a fan!! lol Then we had dinner at one of our favorite places- Rainforest Cafe!! We love that place!
On the way home- we decided to venture out to a local French supermarket. We drove into the town of Serris- about 10 minutes away from the resort. The supermarket was in a gigantic mall!! It was awesome. The market was amazing. We did find brains in the meat department which grossed us out. They had an entire seafood section that reminded me of Pikes Place in Seattle. They had tables and tables of fresh seafood laying on crushed ice and people were getting it freshly packed right there. It was awesome. We picked out some yummy looking desserts and goodies.
Thursday- Happy Thanksgiving!!! For breakfast- someone walks up to the front of our little area (Bobcat Trail) and there is a little cabin where someone is with breakfast foods. They send you back to your cabin with all the fixings! In France- this means a baquette- some croissants- some rolls- Nutella- jelly- butter- milk and OJ. We ate in our dining room and got ready for the park. We were at the park about 10:05. There was soooo little people there that we were parked in the second row of cars! Could not get much better! We went into the Disney Studios side of the park. Lee & Hais rode the Nemo ride and then the new Buzzlightyear ride. Hais & I rode the SlinkyDog ride. Then we had lunch at another favorite of ours- Remys from Ratatouille! That is one of our favorites cause they have amazing food (and should for nearly $80 for lunch!), but also because the maitre'de comes around with a cart of food to show you- and Remy is always hiding in there! The kids love it.
That night we had dinner at the place on Davy Crocketts Rance. It was yummy and Goofy swung by to say hello! Then Hais and Lee swam. Carter even swam for a little bit with daddy. Hais even found a friend to play with- one of the girls from our neighborhood in Lehrberg- who happened to be there too! Small world.
Friday- Another full day in the park. We woke up to snow- which was nice. It was clear and blue skies though- so it was not too bad actually. We had lunch at Hakuna Matata in the park.
Dinner was at Cafe Mickey to celebrate Hais birthday. It was awesome!! The food was great. Hais and Carter met Minnie, Mickey, Tigger, Genie, Goofy, Eeyore and Chip & Dale! As a surprise, we had arranged for them to bring a cake out to Hais. So out of nowhere- music starts and a fun birthday song. Then here comes Mickey, Chip and Dale- bringing Hais a cake! They danced to the music and gave her birthday hugs! She was smiling SOOO big it was awesome! She was shocked!!!
Saturday- We decided to head out sort of early. We drove back towards Germany. There was another American cemetary we wanted to see- so we got off the freeway. We were low on gas but figured we had enough. Well- about 25 kms later- still no cemetary and just signs pointing us ahead. We eventually had to turn around- when the cemetary was probably like right around the corner. We headed back towards the autobahn. THe craziness about Europe- you can pass through 4 good sized towns and not find a single gas station! Frustrating. We literally got to a gas station with like 10 miles left til empty. Thank goodness for our van telling us how far we had left til we were out of gas!!
We arrived back to Ramstein about noon. We checked back into our hotel. Then we went shopping again! Honestly- I think Ramstein may have been our favorite location of the trip! lol We finally were able to get the futon mattress for the futon frame we have had for 6 months! lol We went to Chilis for dinner. SOOO scrummy!!! Love American food when we can get it.
We went to our room for the night. Ramstein lodging amazes us everytime. We loved the first building we were in- it is the same one we always stay in. This was a new building this night. I thought we were gonna hate it. OMG! It was a 2 BR apartment essentially. We had a gigantic kitchen and living room. 2 big bedrooms! I could have stayed there long term!! We watched Elf and headed to bed.
It was a fantastic vacation. I love that we are able to travel as much as we do. I know we are blessed. This time next week- Lee & I will be in Ireland (sans kiddos). My inlaws will be here in 5 days- so they will be keeping the kiddos for us. Then Lee & I will be back on Monday afteroon and Tuesday morning we will all be in the car on the way to Luxembourg, Belgium, England and Scotland!!! SOOOOO excited!
