sherilaine
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2013
Just returned from our 10 full days in Anaheim. We bought Deluxe passes so we did not go on the Saturdays of our trip, but heard they were crazy busy anyway so worked out well used both for beach days.
This was our second trip to DLR our first was early March 2012, before Spring Break set in and Carsland opened.
Here are some thoughts:
Hotel:
We stayed again in the Kids Suites at the Hojo we brought my MIL with us so we had use for the pull out sofa which was of course awful till we bought a mattress topper at Walmart for $10 the day after we arrived, made a 200% difference, why they would not just supply these is beyond me. Only other issue is small fridge if they had a larger bar sized fridge then wed be set. Service was great though, did not have any issues for all 11 nights. The walk was nothing, even for my 68 year old MIL.
Crowds:
They were much busier than the last time we visited and the weather was much warmer. Needless to say we are already booked in our hotel to return again end of Feb/early March as we just do not want to deal with heat and crowds together.
Character Breakfasts:
Minnie and Friends 1st booking of the day, non MM morning, best character interaction so far, food was adequate, worst of the 4 breakfasts we have done so far though, cafeteria style took me back to my University days.
Ariels Grotto food was good but lets just say my DD is getting a bit old for this now, and the Princesses really did not interact much I mean they are all princessy like which might impress a 5 year old but gets pretty boring after awhile...food was fine, but overpriced compared to the others.
Surfs Up still our favorite, price/food and character interaction right in the sweet spot got a great table right up front and kids danced with Mickey a few times and had pictures and great interaction with Minnie, Daisy, Pluto and Stitch. The only issue was the manager came out to ask us how we were doing and then reminded us they are sticking with their 90 minute timeline for guests, this was not even an hour into our time there so I was pissed off at him for doing this.
Fantasmic:
We missed this show last time it blows the socks and shoes right off WOC in my opinion here is an idea Disney, why not have people in the front section sit down for WOC? Brain science? We did the 10:30 show so had a much shorter wait for excellent seats.
Carsland:
It would be great, except for all the people! That says it all. RSR was great but Id never want to use the Standby line if you cant get a FP or go single rider than good luck! Even single rider seemed like a long line. We did not even bother going on Luigis Foolish Tires, watching peoples faces as they curse to themselves was good enough, I hope they replace that with an actual ride someday.
Photopass Plus:
It is true, far fewer photographers in DL than DCA they had to be encouraged to do Magic Shots etc many were good when they saw the photopass but not what I had expected. We got tonnes of ride shots though, that we would have never gotten and three Character meals made it well worth it. Next time I will be a bit more aggressive in getting them to do more for my money. So far from what I can see all the pictures taken are there when I view my pictures, but I made sure to check this daily while still there, so do not leave it till you are home.
Grad Nights:
The Thursday we did not notice a thing but parks closed early the Friday they were really noticeable but not rude, just teenagers being louder and more in your face than normal people which is just teenagers and nothing to do with Disney. I would not book again during this time though but not just because of grad nights.
Martini at Carthay Circle?
Pass, all the ice sphere does it water it down, far better drinks to be had elsewhere and the staff seemed to be working out the kinks.
6 day park ticket:
While getting our APs I asked the CM, can you upgrade a 5 day PH to a 6 day NOPE was the answer. I told her that I have read how many have done this and she had no answer, she also did not know you could order the Photopass + ahead of time for $30 cheaper. I also found a CM I asked in DCA for directions to the Camera Shop knew nothing and told me you can only find the photo shop in DL needless to say there are plenty of CMs that could use some Hydroguy Reading! Lesson learned to asked twice or three times to get a real answer or just come on here.
All in all it was a great trip we had 8 days in the park, so certainly took a very relaxed pace so that helped. Just wanted to add to this report that my DH mentioned a few times that it seemed odd that this was just our second trip as I knew so many little tips about shows and things around the park - and that is all because of the advise and information offered here by others - this is a great site and I appreciate all the information others have given me!!
Guess that is enough rambling for now.
This was our second trip to DLR our first was early March 2012, before Spring Break set in and Carsland opened.
Here are some thoughts:
Hotel:
We stayed again in the Kids Suites at the Hojo we brought my MIL with us so we had use for the pull out sofa which was of course awful till we bought a mattress topper at Walmart for $10 the day after we arrived, made a 200% difference, why they would not just supply these is beyond me. Only other issue is small fridge if they had a larger bar sized fridge then wed be set. Service was great though, did not have any issues for all 11 nights. The walk was nothing, even for my 68 year old MIL.
Crowds:
They were much busier than the last time we visited and the weather was much warmer. Needless to say we are already booked in our hotel to return again end of Feb/early March as we just do not want to deal with heat and crowds together.
Character Breakfasts:
Minnie and Friends 1st booking of the day, non MM morning, best character interaction so far, food was adequate, worst of the 4 breakfasts we have done so far though, cafeteria style took me back to my University days.
Ariels Grotto food was good but lets just say my DD is getting a bit old for this now, and the Princesses really did not interact much I mean they are all princessy like which might impress a 5 year old but gets pretty boring after awhile...food was fine, but overpriced compared to the others.
Surfs Up still our favorite, price/food and character interaction right in the sweet spot got a great table right up front and kids danced with Mickey a few times and had pictures and great interaction with Minnie, Daisy, Pluto and Stitch. The only issue was the manager came out to ask us how we were doing and then reminded us they are sticking with their 90 minute timeline for guests, this was not even an hour into our time there so I was pissed off at him for doing this.
Fantasmic:
We missed this show last time it blows the socks and shoes right off WOC in my opinion here is an idea Disney, why not have people in the front section sit down for WOC? Brain science? We did the 10:30 show so had a much shorter wait for excellent seats.
Carsland:
It would be great, except for all the people! That says it all. RSR was great but Id never want to use the Standby line if you cant get a FP or go single rider than good luck! Even single rider seemed like a long line. We did not even bother going on Luigis Foolish Tires, watching peoples faces as they curse to themselves was good enough, I hope they replace that with an actual ride someday.
Photopass Plus:
It is true, far fewer photographers in DL than DCA they had to be encouraged to do Magic Shots etc many were good when they saw the photopass but not what I had expected. We got tonnes of ride shots though, that we would have never gotten and three Character meals made it well worth it. Next time I will be a bit more aggressive in getting them to do more for my money. So far from what I can see all the pictures taken are there when I view my pictures, but I made sure to check this daily while still there, so do not leave it till you are home.
Grad Nights:
The Thursday we did not notice a thing but parks closed early the Friday they were really noticeable but not rude, just teenagers being louder and more in your face than normal people which is just teenagers and nothing to do with Disney. I would not book again during this time though but not just because of grad nights.
Martini at Carthay Circle?
Pass, all the ice sphere does it water it down, far better drinks to be had elsewhere and the staff seemed to be working out the kinks.
6 day park ticket:
While getting our APs I asked the CM, can you upgrade a 5 day PH to a 6 day NOPE was the answer. I told her that I have read how many have done this and she had no answer, she also did not know you could order the Photopass + ahead of time for $30 cheaper. I also found a CM I asked in DCA for directions to the Camera Shop knew nothing and told me you can only find the photo shop in DL needless to say there are plenty of CMs that could use some Hydroguy Reading! Lesson learned to asked twice or three times to get a real answer or just come on here.
All in all it was a great trip we had 8 days in the park, so certainly took a very relaxed pace so that helped. Just wanted to add to this report that my DH mentioned a few times that it seemed odd that this was just our second trip as I knew so many little tips about shows and things around the park - and that is all because of the advise and information offered here by others - this is a great site and I appreciate all the information others have given me!!
Guess that is enough rambling for now.
). I am a bit nervous about Grad Night because we usually steer away from that time of year when we go to WDW, but since we didn't want to take the kids out of school, June was our only option. I am glad to hear that the teens weren't being rude, I can handle loud to a point (sometimes they could be fun that way) but when they are rude and being obnoxious, that is when I have a problem. I know we will still have a great time regardless. 
.
I am with you though, we only noticed one group that was really annoying...they screamed their whole way through the fastpass line at Space Mountain. Other than that I thought, on a whole, the grad night students were fine. But if those crowds are due to Grad Nights...I will definitely skip this time of year. We won't be going back for awhile due to the crowds, it really bothered us all.
