Day 4 – Homeward Bound
After breakfast, we checked out around 11am and began our journey back towards Calais.
We had plenty of time, so we stopped occasionally to relax and enjoy the drive.
Reaching Calais around 4pm, we still had time before our 6pm ferry, so we drove around the town exploring the harbour area.
Fortunately, we were allowed onto an earlier ferry, saving us nearly an hour.
By the time we arrived back in Dover, the clocks had moved back an hour again, making it feel as though we had somehow gained extra time.
The drive back to Leicester was smooth and relaxed.
As we finally pulled onto our driveway, tired but smiling, one thing was certain — buying Cassandra had been one of the best decisions we had ever made.
That little yellow VW campervan gave our family far more than holidays.
It gave us freedom.
It gave us adventure.
And most importantly, it gave us memories that still make us smile decades later.
A Little Historical Note
Euro Disney, now known as Disneyland Paris, officially opened on 12 April 1992 in Marne-la-Vallée, around 32 kilometres east of central Paris. It was originally called Euro Disney Resort before later being renamed Disneyland Paris in 1994.
When the park first opened, it featured only one theme park — Disneyland Park — along with Disney Village and several themed hotels. Walt Disney Studios Park would not open until 2002.
In 1992, camping remained one of the most affordable ways to visit Euro Disney. Campsites near the park generally charged around 80–150 French Francs per night depending on pitch size, electric hook-up, and season. Compared with Disney hotels, which could easily cost several hundred Francs per night, camping offered tremendous value for families travelling on a budget.
