Some very excited young people (and some adults) arrived at Thurrock Services at a very early 5:30am on Sunday 26th to meet the two coaches that would be taking them to Disney.
After a short trip down the M20 it was on to the Channel Tunnel Shuttle and time for a very special investiture for Ronnie from 7th Grays Scouts as he became the very first Thurrock Scout invested underneath the English Channel!
After a pleasant drive through Northern France, the group arrived at their home for the next 3 days: Disney’s David Crockett Ranch. After dropping the luggage in the lodges, it was off to the parks!
The first day came to a close with the Disney Dreams Night Time Spectacular, an amazing display of lasers, fireworks and fountains that lit up Sleeping Beauty Castle, before heading back to the ranch for some much needed sleep.
A bright sunny day met everyone the following morning as they headed off for another day of fun enjoying the rides and experiencing the Disney magic.
A treat was in store for the end of the second day in the form of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show! The group joined the Red River Ranch of Colorado to cheer on their Roughriders and Native Americans in the inter-ranch games.
The cheering helped Red River win the competition and 3 of the audience were chosen to defend the gold from bandits. Ross, an Explorer Leader, was one of the lucky three and enjoyed a ride in a carriage before being tied up!
After packing up and leaving the lodges on the third and final day, it was off to Disneyland for the last time. There was just enough time to get the final few rides and last bit of shopping in before heading home.
At 4pm, everyone was back on the coaches and heading back through France towards Calais and home, apart from one Cub pack who were off to continue their adventure.
1st Ockendon Cubs had said goodbye to the rest of the group and were off into Paris itself to explore the city. They stayed overnight in a youth hostel before travelling home the next day on the Eurostar.