Disneyland questions

[Portland Ute]

Ask the attendant at the front of the attraction; they will have passes and know what to do. Some rides I've been ushered on through the fastpass line; others it's the exit. Either way it's a quick wait, and it's a great way for us to manage the family. Don't forget the single rider line at splash mountain either!

I know this is the Disneyland thread, but as a suggestion, if you find yourself at EPCOT, do NOT wait in line for the Test Track as a group. Get in the singles line. You will not wait. Or, you can get in the group line and wait for over an hour or get in the fast pass line and wait 30 minutes.

We did this a few times. My BIL rode Test Track with Kurt Warner. He's an NFL fan, so I guess it was a big deal to him.

As for Disney, if you get there before the park opens, here is my suggestion: Go directly to the train. Get on it and get off at New Orleans Square. Get a fast pass for Splash Mountain. Then, go to Pirates. Then, go to Big Thunder. Go back and get on Splash Mountain and then grab another fast pass while you are at the ride. You will have ridden three of the more popular rides with very little wait all while everyone else is wandering down main street.

We've tried this approach a couple of times and it's worked very well. In fact, it worked at Magic Kingdom, too.

Another thing, you can get a fast pass every two hours, even if you haven't used your fast pass yet. Fast Passes are, generally, honored even if you are well past your window. So, get as many of them as you can and then ride when you want, even if it's later in the day. Hence, my suggestion of getting on the Fast Pass ride and then getting another Fast Pass.

[Portland Ute]

We're doing a Disneyland/beach trip for one week end of September. Don't really know what I'm doing. Mix of teenagers and young kids. Any more good tips on what to do, where to stay, etc?

If cost is an issue, you'll get much better room rates just outside the gate or a block south. We stayed at the Hilton recently and there is a shuttle that runs regularly. Close enough that it's not a big deal. The ride on the shuttle from the hotels is less time then you spend waiting for and riding on the shuttles at DisneyWorld Resorts.

By far, the Californian is the MOST convenient of all hotels. Although, it's going to cost you.

I'd stay outside the east gate or to the South at the Marriott or Hilton. If you aren't in the mood to pay double for food, then go out of the park for lunch and dinner.

Some of the least expensive and largest food items are at the bakery on Main Street. It's a good option for breakfast.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Has anyone ever stayed in any of the the Disneyland Hotels? Are they worth the price? I would like to stay in one some day, but the cheapest I could get into the Grand Californian Hotel and Resort was approx. $400 a night for the cheap room. No thanks! I could see if maybe I was going to Disney World in Florida, but Disneyland? No way.

We are part of the Dis Vacation Club, so we only stay at the hotels. They are fun, and convenient (depending on which one you are in) but I wouldn't pay the price for them if we weren't already in the club.

The Grand California is really cool, however you can end up with a room that is literally 400-500 steps from the elevator and a couple of hall turns, that if you aren't intelligent or are tired with 2+ kids after the fireworks, you can easily confuse and end up walking around in circles for 10 or so minutes. That does not enhance the vacation experience.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

As for Disney, if you get there before the park opens, here is my suggestion: Go directly to the train. Get on it and get off at New Orleans Square. Get a fast pass for Splash Mountain.

Your post reminded me of this picture that circulated on twitter a few weeks ago. The Rock took a great Splash Mountain picture.

[Joe Public]

I've had several patients over the years who have asked to delay removing their cast because they were going to Disney and could avoid the long lines, due to being in a wheelchair. I have heard that this policy has been discontinued recently. I should have acted earlier on my thought to advertise putting casts on kids for their trip to Disneyland. Maybe someone else was already doing that and Disney changed the policy.

The wheelchair rule was still very much in effect from what I could tell. It wasn't busy enough to matter really, but wheelchair patrons still go through the exit directly to the front of the line.

My understanding is the wheelchair pass applies to rides with lines that are too narrow for wheelchairs. The California Adventure side was built post-ADA, so its lines allow for wheelchairs.

[cougjunkie]

We are part of the Dis Vacation Club, so we only stay at the hotels. They are fun, and convenient (depending on which one you are in) but I wouldn't pay the price for them if we weren't already in the club.

The Grand California is really cool, however you can end up with a room that is literally 400-500 steps from the elevator and a couple of hall turns, that if you aren't intelligent or are tired with 2+ kids after the fireworks, you can easily confuse and end up walking around in circles for 10 or so minutes. That does not enhance the vacation experience.

I have stayed at the Grand Californian and I agree some of the rooms are quite the hike from the elevators and it takes about 3 days to find the quickest entrances and exits.

[Pheidippides]

I have stayed at the Grand Californian and I agree some of the rooms are quite the hike from the elevators and it takes about 3 days to find the quickest entrances and exits.

We asked our bellhop last time we went there and he pointed them out to us in a hurry. It was a bit of a hike (that's a huge hotel, in terms of footprint) but not too bad once we knew the right exits.

Actually, on that note, the Grand Cali is the only place I actually use a bellhop to carry luggage. I usually take pride in handling my own stuff but in a hotel that size, with the entire family, I'll happily pay somebody to cart around my stuff.

[cougjunkie]

We asked our bellhop last time we went there and he pointed them out to us in a hurry. It was a bit of a hike (that's a huge hotel, in terms of footprint) but not too bad once we knew the right exits.

Actually, on that note, the Grand Cali is the only place I actually use a bellhop to carry luggage. I usually take pride in handling my own stuff but in a hotel that size, with the entire family, I'll happily pay somebody to cart around my stuff.

Yeah we used the bell hop and the valet service. The self parking lot is quite the hike as well. I wanted to save all my energy for the actual park.

[Pheidippides]

Yeah we used the bell hop and the valet service. The self parking lot is quite the hike as well. I wanted to save all my energy for the actual park.

Exactly! I'm on freaking vacation. And it's a bit odd to pony up for the GC but scrimp on valet and bell services. Bell services only cost you a decent tip, for crying out loud.

One thing I did like about WDW over DLand is the Magical Express shuttle from the airport. Much better than the SoCal counterpart (and free if you are on property) and eliminates the valet need if all you are doing is the park.

I actually prefer WDW to DLand generally but for the nostalgia bit. DLand will always win there.

[BigFatMeanie]

Going this October. We'll stay in Newport for a week. Maybe spend three days at Disney Land (2 days for sure). What's the best way to get discounted tickets?

Is that DisneyDave guy on KSL.com legit or am I going to get arrested for breaking some obscure law if I go through him?

[jay santos]

Going this October. We'll stay in Newport for a week. Maybe spend three days at Disney Land (2 days for sure). What's the best way to get discounted tickets?

Is that DisneyDave guy on KSL.com legit or am I going to get arrested for breaking some obscure law if I go through him?

Where do you stay in Newport? I've heard people renting beach houses. Sounds pretty cool. Is that what you're doing? pm me if this is super secret info you don't want the masses stealing.

[Portland Ute]

Exactly! I'm on freaking vacation. And it's a bit odd to pony up for the GC but scrimp on valet and bell services. Bell services only cost you a decent tip, for crying out loud.

One thing I did like about WDW over DLand is the Magical Express shuttle from the airport. Much better than the SoCal counterpart (and free if you are on property) and eliminates the valet need if all you are doing is the park.

I actually prefer WDW to DLand generally but for the nostalgia bit. DLand will always win there.

I've now been to WDW 3 times. We've stayed on the property 2 times. The last time was in June. We enjoyed our first trip to WDW the most. After that, it's been okay. I think the first trip was the newness. Also, I honestly think the highlights of WDW are the water parks. EPCOT is good for meals anytime, other than that, I think it is a one time shot. Not all that impressed with Hollywood Studios. All of those rides are in CA. Magic Kingdom is fine, but I don't pine for a return visit. Magic Kingdom is Disneyland with a few twists, but overall, I think it's a bit of a disappointment. Some of the rides and all of Fantasyland seem like cheap recreations of what's at Disneyland. I think Fantasyland at MK is sad. It's not easy to get around from resorts to parks at all. There is transportation, but it takes a lot of time.

Overall, I'd take Disneyland. Especially with kids that are younger than, say, 8 or 9.

The Magical Express from the airport is very slick, though. Very easy and convenient.

[Drunk Tank]

The single rider lines paid dividends today. On splash mountain my son and I were able to ride twice in 35 minutes when the standbye line was 120+ minutes. Win! Also used it on Grizzley River in Ca Adventure.

We looked into the Disney Vacation Club, but ultimately decided to not join. We may at a later date, but with Mrs. DT still in school and $120k worth of student loans which we will have to start paying on, it wasnt in the cards. We did score some fast passes for listening to the presentation though. DVC is getting more and more expensive, btw.. $19,200 for 160 points (about 5-9 nights in a studio depending on the time of year). 5 years ago, it was around $13k.

[Pheidippides]

Not sure where to toss this, but this thread seems as good as any. I've mentioned before that we are surprising our kids with a trip to the Diz in three weeks. We are going to reveal the surprise with a video I'm currently editing. The concept is a "hey, kids, you know how you are about to take me to the airport to fly to my race? Well, the race is in Disneyland and I'm going to play in the parks a bunch and you get to come too so run out to the car now!" bit, all interspersed with sort of goofy and campy clips that my kids will love.

I am going to decline to post the video here because (a) I am a horrible actor, (b) it's still a very rough cut and has many flaws and (c) there is actually a shower sequence (the video is sort of a sequential bit about me going out for a run, coming home, cleaning up, packing, and leaving) and there may or may not be some actual nudity I need to edit out and/or pixelate.

What I need from you guys is suggestions for a good track to play in the background. I have some Disney music but it's not quite giving me the feel I want. One of the songs I'm considering is Vampire Weekend's Holiday, so that could give a sense. Maybe I should also play the "summon MarkGrace" card.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Donuthole]

"One Big Holiday" by My Morning Jacket