Archive through February 19, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: 2003 March: Looking for Disneyland Information: Archive through February 19, 2003

Hereiam

Sunday, January 12, 2003 - 05:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
You guys are GREAT !!! Thank you so much for all the information.

I am used to camping and backpacking trips so this is a real new experience for me. I love the t-shirt idea (maybe aburgine ) and all the rest.

Love to hear anything else -- you guys really do have the best ideas. I knew I was coming to the right place.

Karuuna

Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 01:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hereiam - did you ever book your trip? I had forgotten all about this till I started planning our next one to Disneyland. The hotel I mentioned is the Homewood Suites in Anaheim. Our little unit had a living/dining/kitchen area, and a separate bedroom. The rates include a breakfast buffet and "light dinner". They have a shuttle that runs about every 15-20 minutes to Disneyland. Good luck!

Hereiam

Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 02:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Karunna. We ended up booking at the Carousal Inn which is just across the street. Being that close was what really sold us since we have a 4 year old. Also, they have small refridgerators and microwaves in the rooms. Not too bad I think - the room came in at $74 a night plus tax of course. I don't think it is too fancy but we are not really fancy people. Heck, we think flush toilets are fancy when we camp. I am hoping for a fun trip since we will be meeting up with a bunch of DH's family there.

Hootyhoot

Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 03:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I hope to go to Disneyland with my two grandsons, 9 and 12 in the summer. I was there the year it opened (back in the '50s!) and then in 2001 (in combination with a trip to the Hobby Industry of America show at the Anaheim Convention Center). We paid about $85 for a nice room near the Convention Center with shuttle service to the park. Friends used Priceline and got a SUITE for $47 a night!

It's been fun reading this thread ... I hope I can find it when August rolls around, to check on all the advice and hints.

Lizadee

Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 05:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Just a quick question. For those of you that have attended both Disneyland and Disneyworld
Which do you prefer ?
I took my 2 kids when my DS was 14 and my DD was 8
when we went to Disneyworld
Then last march my DS was 18 and my DD was 12 we went to Disneyland did not take the baby he was only 8 mos.
I myself would go back to Disneyworld I loved the temp.and I thought they had more to offer
Just my opinion
Any thoughts I'm thinking of going back to Disneyworld but I am taking baby this time
he is now almost 19 mos.

Karuuna

Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 09:06 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I prefer Disneyworld generally, there is so much more to do (Epcot, Animal Kingdom). Consequently it usually requires a longer stay to see "everything". But for a short trip, Disneyland is closer (for us); and about half the cost in travelling and hotels. Calfornia Adventure is pretty bland, so it doesn't really add much to the Disneyland trip. The other attractions in Anaheim (Universal, Knott's Berry, Legoland) are much further away than are alternative attractions in Disneyworld.

Bob2112

Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 09:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Disneyworld and the surrounding attractions for us.

Seamonkey

Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 08:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
But Disneyland weather is better :) less humid.

I know you can get park hopper passes now for both DL and California Adventure.. be sure to go on the soaring over california ride at CA.. that is wonderful.. and you can also visit Downtown Disney.

I read about a new pass that sounded interesting.. you buy they at a park and you can visit Knott's, Disney and I think Sea World and the Zoo in San Diego.. I'm a bit fuzzy on this but the pass lasts for 5 days or a week and I think may include the train down to San Diego??

But it also sounds a bit exhausting.

Remember across the street can be still pretty far to the main gate, so if you can get a shuttle that would be good.

I know going with kids even taking a combo lunch and nap break can be good,then all are more refreshed for night stuff like Fantasmic! (which may not be available this spring, they drained the Rivers of America to work on things..) and the fireworks..

Definitely bring warmer clothes for night, a locker is well worth the price.

Mostly, just have fun :)

Biloxibelle

Sunday, February 02, 2003 - 06:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
We went to Disneyworld 2 years ago and we stayed in Wilderness Camp Ground in a cabin. It was great. The reason I wanted to stay there was because we had a 10 y and a our 20 y old and I couldn't stand the thought of being all piled up in a hotel room not to mention I didn't want the 10 y old running the halls of a hotel looking for drink/snack machines or things like that.

The cabin turned out great the price per night was cheaper then most hotels. And it an "in park" property so we bought a the package with hopper passes and all. The shuttle buses took us to all the attractions and we were right across from Disneyworld by lake so we rode the ferry to DW.

It had pools and one of the waterparks right there can't remeber the name of it and horse back riding. Daily maid service (they even ran and emptied the dishwasher) We had one bedroom that had a double bed and a bunk bed, the living room had one of those pull out beds from the wall it was a double, full kitchen with everything, full bath and a deck with a grill. A lot if people had brought bikes but we didn't being our first time there we didn't think about it but we will next time.

The best part was we could eat our meals in the cabin and that saved us bundles of money. And with hopper passes it wasn't a problem. Granted we ate a few times in the parks but nothing like we would have had to in a hotel room and we always ate a large breakfast before we headed out. One thing I did wrong is I figured I would find a grocery store there and buy the meat, milk things like that and they did have a trading post however, things there were very expensive. We ventured out one night and found a grocery store but I would suggest that if you did this that you take coolers and stop somewhere before you enter the parks area to shop. But other then that I brought most everthing from home.

Curious1

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 08:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
We are planning a DisneyWorld florida vacation for the week of Thanksgiving. We are staying at a resort that has a waterpark. Has anyone went to Florida during this time of year and will it be warm enough for the water park? I saw the average daily high is like 78 degrees (is that warm enough to swim???) The high/low temp ratings for Iowa can be somewhat deceiving that's why I ask. Thanks for any info.!

Karuuna

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 08:47 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Curious - the answer is maybe. :) Most days it probably will be for a "northerner". When I lived in Florida, the idea of swimming in November never occurred to me. But living in Colorado, Florida seems a lot warmer in the winter than it did when I lived there!

Webkitty

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 09:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree with Karuuna. I live in Florida, and Thanksgiving is a tad too chilly for me to go swimming, but, if you are used to a cold climate, it might seem perfect for you.

I am more concered that you are going over Thanksgiving because of the crowds. I don't want to be a wet blanket in this thread as I have menioned this before, but going to Disney during a holiday week is not advisable unless you don't mind large crowds and waiting. Until you actually experience it, its hard to imagine how overwhelming and exhausting it can be.
The week after Thanksgiving, and right up until the week before Christmas is a slow (well, as slow as Disney ever gets, lol) time for them, the difference is dramatic.
But, as mentioned before, they now have the FastPass, so it might not be as bad as it used to be during holiday weeks. Have fun

Curious1

Wednesday, February 05, 2003 - 09:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Well we are going from nov 23rd until the tuesday after thanksgiving (thanksgiving is on thursday). We are planning on mainly staying at the resort and going to disney world on like Sunday and Monday (after thanksgiving). I am hoping that the water parks (typhoon lagoon and that blizzard place)will at least be open??? Also I hope the resort's pool is open, it would really stink to not be able to swim, sort of blows the whole purpose of staying there!

Webkitty

Thursday, February 06, 2003 - 05:54 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Most of the pools there are heated, not to worry Curious!
I can remember Thanksgivings so warm I needed to turn on the AC. In 12 years here, I can only remember two that were downright brrrr chilly. I live across the state from Orlando, on the Gulf Coast, so the weather there is usually about the same.
I don't go in the Gulf at Thanksgiving because the water temp is cooled down to about 75 by then, I'm used to the water hitting near 90 most of the summer, you'll be fine

Why don't you call the resort your staying at and ask them if their pools are heated? They would probably also know if the water parks will be open. I do think some of them close for the winter, you could probably go on-line and find that out too. Good luck and have a great time!

Happymom

Friday, February 07, 2003 - 10:07 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hereiam, You will have a great time! We took our 3 (ages 5, 8, 11) over 4th of July for 4 days, very crowded and busy but still very fun. We have been several other times too, and pretty much have it down to maximize our time. Definitly bring snacks and jackets. The food situation isn't too great there, we did find that going into the sit down restaurants instead of the fast food types actually saved us lots of time and wasn't much more expensive. A couple days we ate no meals in the park, only snacks, my kids are pretty picky and don't like fast food. The pizza fast food place in Tomorrowland did serve us well though. There were several different things to choose from, including kid spaghetti meals and good salad, and the portions were huge, we could've bought less and saved money. Since we were there in the summer, we brought water bottles the first day, but found lots of water fountains and didn't bring them the other days. Each of us (inc. all 3 kids)wore fanny packs, they were handy for snacks and those autograph books, they each also had a disposeable camera. We brought our video camera only one day and stashed it in a locker (near the front of the park) for part of it.

Try to get into the park as early as possible and go on the popular rides first, the later in the day you wait, the longer the lines will be. We had the FastPass passes, they saved a lot of waiting time, esp. for the Haunted House and Space Mtn. I don't think you can use them for the Matterhorn, though. There are always long lines for that ride, except first thing in the morning. (My 5 yr. old loved it, it was too jerky for me.) Best place to see the parades, all the way at the entrance to the park. We were able to sit on the curb, front row seats, w/o being crowded. This is the very end of the parade and the characters can actually take some time to interact with the audience. All along the rest of the route, it will be very crowded. Also, don't fight the crowds to get to other areas of the park after the parade. You'll be somewhat trapped there, but i think you can take the train near there so that you won't have to be in the worst people traffic jam ever. (You might want to take the train and get there a bit before the parade starts because all along the rest of the route, people start lining up way early.) Or, after the parade, you could go out and into Downtown Disney or Ca. Adventure. (Downtown Disney Rainforest Cafe is great but a long wait, but lots to see and do in their great store while you wait.)(Also, huge wonderful Disney store in Downtown Disney but not too close the RF Cafe. It is a great store, but still just a Disney store.)

If they are having fireworks, toon town will close early. On previous trips we spent many hr. in ToonTown, not much at all this past trip, though. Tom Sawyer's Island closes early to set up for the Fantasmic show. Your boys will love Tom Sawyer's Island, plan on an hr. or 2, including the raft ride over.

Fantasmic: people start camping out 3 hr. in advance. Bring food and cards and make sure you and your spouse are both there so that one can save the spot when the other takes your boys to the restroom. You'll be sitting on the concrete, if you bring your stroller, you may want to stick a couple blankets or beach towels in there to sit on for the night you plan on seeing Fantasmic. The best thing to do is eat early at the small cafeteria style restaurant on the patio (this restaurant has a view of T. Sawyer's Island and is near the Pirates of the Caribean.)and stay there for the next few hrs. You'll have the best seats and they won't have to be on the concrete! Bring cards or coloring paper and crayons! It is a long wait but probably the best thing at Disneyland. If you do watch Fantasmic, as soon as it is over, make your way asap toward Frontierland and get in line for Thunder Mtn. Railroad roller coaster. (I think that is its name.) There never seems to be a long wait at that time of night. (Actually never seems to be a long wait at anytime that we've ever been there.) I do not like roller coasters except for this one (and Space Mtn.).

CA Adventure: our little one couldn't go on a lot because of her age/ht. But there are some fabulous things there, the Redwood play area is super and plan on letting your boys spend lots of time there (absolute minimum, 1 hour), ropes to climb, cool slides in (fake) fallen down trees, rock climbing etc. Just make sure to go early or late, when it isn't so hot. The Soaring Over Ca. ride is one of the best things in all of Disney! If it is hot while you are there, there are misters near there (and in the Farm area), very refreshing. You will get soaked on that water ride in Ca Adventure, we didn't go on it, if you do, you may want to do it last so you can go back to your room for the night, although then it will be cold, so maybe wear swim suits into the park and brings dry clothes to change into. Paradise Pier is a good area to eat. Don't miss the Electric Parade, it is excellent! You only have to line up about 1/2 hr. before. (As soon as it is over, run for the closest ride and you'll only have a short (if any) wait. There is a big, fast very smooth roller coaster in CA Adv., my husband and 2 older kids loved it, as well as some other ride there that is a circular column with seats all around, it pulls you up fast and bounces you up and down. Our youngest was too little and felt very left out, if I had to do it again, I would keep her with me in Disneyland while my hubby and older 2 did all the big rides in Ca adv.
This past trip was the first we took since that park opened though, so we didn't know. We were not impressed by Hollywood back lot, didn't have a lot of time to do much there though. Skip the Muppets show, not worth the time. We had to wait in line a long time for the Ferris Wheel, even tho the line was not long. We went in a rocking, sliding car, the other 4 loved it, I felt sick.

Roaming Characters (as opposed to specific areas set aside for certain chars. like Pooh and Ariel (this past summer) (a few yr. ago Snow White had a designated area) in Ca Adv. are a bit more accessible than in D.land it seems. There aren't as many of them, though. (The monsters inc. show was pretty funny and an official line was formed to meet them.) Beware, in Disneyland, the characters get mobbed and there are a lot of pushy people who don't know anything about manners and waiting their turns. It is mostly the parents pushing their children to the front, ahead of the other children who have been politely waiting.

Don't miss Autotopeia and Space Mtn.

Have a great trip!

Hereiam

Friday, February 07, 2003 - 02:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank you Happymom, what great info !!!

I'm taking notes!

Seamonkey

Friday, February 07, 2003 - 09:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hereiam.. definitely check out the disney site and check for closures.. I know Tom Sawyer's Island is closed and the Rivers of America were recently drained, so right now, no Fantasmic!, no riverboats, canoes... but they are good about posting planned closures and you'll still find plenty to do.

I agree about that pizza place in Tomorrowland.. only went there once after it opened and it was great.

Seamonkey

Friday, February 07, 2003 - 09:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
A secret in Space Mountain is the chocolate chip cookies.. not edible ones.. and you have to look hard.. look at the "sky" and keep your eyes peeled and now and then a large cookie image floats by.. too funny!

Pamy

Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 11:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Sea..how do you look up and focus with that ride zooming along???
FYI the new Aladdin show at CA Adventure is like a broadway musical and is free w/park admission

Seamonkey

Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 05:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Pamy.. I had my doubts but once the cookies were pointed out to me.. sure enough they are there.. what a sly little joke.. just cookies among the asteroids..

I haven't been to Disney for ages and only once to CA Adventure.. with my knees and such, just cannot zoom around AT ALL, but for years I had a season pass, and some friends did as well so we'd go fairly often and I've done things like stopping in just for shopping, or a parade.. I so loved the Lion King Parade.. that was the BEST.

Bandit

Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 12:49 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I used to live in L.A. and I used to go to Disneyland every other month-it was so awesome and I never got tired of it. The best ride is by far Space Mountain. And I would stay away from the Lawry's Mexican Kitchen- I got food poisoning there once.

Happymom

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 01:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hereiam, You are welcome! Have a great time!

Lizadee

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 07:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Alright I need some help here
I am thinking of going to Disneyworld Florida on my DD spring break 3/22/03 - 3/29/03
if you read earlier its been awhile since I've been there
Now money not being a problem I need to know where to stay making you aware that Disneyworld will not be our main attraction but will like to be there about 2 or 3 days !
My Dd is now 13 and my DS is now going to be close to 22 mos. my oldest DS is 19 and unless he wants to pay his own way he won't be going with us
also what is my closets airport in to there ?
Would like a nice hotel room usually would not be there but to sleep except my DH needs his afternoon napper along with DS
So I woulld need a nice pool area for me and DD
has anyone gone there at this time of the yr.
I know my DD wants to see the ocean she has seen it before but I think if your going to be that close to the ocean you better make a point of going to see it we are in Minnesota so you know what I mean
I am not a world traveler last time we were there my brother worked for the airport so he knew everything he no longer works for them so I need all the help I can get
DH is no help he just has the money LOL

Squaredsc

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
lizadee, you may want to check out travelocity.com its a good site to choose hotels from. i flew there only once and i was about 13 or 14 then so i don't remember the airport, but i think there is one close to orlando if not in orlando. we usually take the train which i love but with a 22mos you may want to fly, lol. 2 yrs ago i began researching vacation rentals which seem to be very economical. i just did a google search on vacation rentals in orlando and got a bunch of hits.

im sure some of our florida residents can be more helpful. good luck.

Karuuna

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
There is an airport in Orlando (cleverly named Orlando International), but I want to warn you that when I planned our spring break (same dates as yours, and I did the planning about 6 weeks ago), it was already difficult to get low cost seats to Orlando. Consequently, we're going to Disneyland.

Orlando is in the center of Florida, so it's a long long day trip to the ocean, about a two hour drive (or more) one way.

Personally, I would advice using a travel agent for this. Mine finds me great package deals that include airfare, hotel, and Disney admissions, along with a lot of other perks. Last time we went to DisneyWorld it even include a limo ride from the airport to the hotel - way kewl!